The tip of the silver surgical needle touched the outer crystalline lattice of the Ancient rank elemental core. A sharp, humming vibration echoed through the quiet stone laboratory as the compressed mana inside reacted to the metal.
Beneath his grey headband, Kale activated his energy vision, his green eyes shimmering with a cold light. The intricate elemental channels within the orb appeared in his mind like a glowing, five-stranded thread of liquid fire and condensed earth.
He poured a stream of his refined mana through the needle, using his unified Trinity Crafting skill to lock the outer shell in place. The volatile core resisted the intrusion, its ambient temperature surging rapidly.
Lazek Oberon stood nearby with his hands tucked into his coat pockets, his black eyes tracking every micro-movement of his disciple's hand. The Fleshcraft Grandmaster kept his breathing measured, curious to see how Kale would handle the multi-elemental extraction.
