Reborn As An Extra : I'm gonna mess up everything

Officially Rank D

<Mana +1> 

Maruti, standing beside her, did the same. They continued consuming potion after potion, the effects slowly stacking up. Some potions gave a small boost, while others provided a noticeable surge. 

<Mana +3>
<Mana +5>

Despite the treasure room's wealth, most of the mana potions available were of low to mid-quality, meaning the boosts were limited. The effects added up over time, but Esdeath and Maruti both knew their bodies had a limit to how much they could absorb in one session. Even so, the progress was substantial. 

Esdeath stretched her arms, feeling the energy coursing through her. A confident smirk spread across her face. "I think my problem of having a weak body is officially gone. I can finally call myself a Rank D awakened!" 

Maruti gave her an approving nod, but Esdeath's thoughts were already racing ahead. Strengthening my body was just the first step. Now, there are three other weaknesses I need to deal with."She thought

The first issue was her soul. Strengthening the soul was incredibly valuable—it allowed someone to maintain multiple essence stones at once, resist mental fatigue, and stand firm against the oppressive aura of more powerful opponents. It also provided defense against soul-based attacks. Unfortunately, as Esdeath scanned the treasure room, she found nothing that could help in that regard. 

The second weakness was her ESR talent. With only a C-grade ESR talent, her ability to refine and merge essence stones was limited. It was a frustrating handicap that placed her below the more talented individuals she sought to surpass. 

The third and most critical issue was her refining and merging experience. While Esdeath relied heavily on her system to instantly refine essence stones, she knew this crutch wouldn't serve her forever. True mastery required knowledge, skill, and practice. Without understanding the intricate process of refining and merging, she would hit a wall in her growth. 

Esdeath's sharp eyes fell on two specific essence stones tucked away on a shelf. They pulsed faintly with energy, their unique glow setting them apart from the rest. Her lips curled into a determined smile. 

"These will do," she muttered to herself, taking the stones in her hands. While they weren't a complete solution to her problems, they were a step forward—a small but significant tool to help her gain the experience she needed. 

The first essence stone Esdeath picked up was a Silver Veins Essence Stone, a Rank D treasure known for its unique properties. It glimmered faintly, its surface laced with intricate silver lines that resembled tiny veins. These veins weren't ordinary—they mimicked mana circuits, pathways within the body where mana flowed. 

In awakened individuals, mana didn't just circulate randomly; it coursed through these specialized veins, leaving traces in the blood. The quality of the blood and the strength of these veins directly determined a person's ESR talent. Simply put, the purer the blood and the stronger the mana circuits, the higher the talent grade. 

Esdeath clenched the stone in her hand, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "To improve my ESR talent, I'll need to purify my blood and reinforce my veins. Blood path essence stones would be ideal for purification, but I don't have any."

Instead, she had this stone—a Silver Veins Essence Stone. While it couldn't purify blood, it could strengthen the mana circuits. For someone like Esdeath, whose ESR talent was only Rank C, this stone was invaluable. It could increase her talent by a full "10%", making her ESR talent 65%, a B grade . However, this stone would be useless for Maruti, whose Rank B ESR talent required at least a Rank C essence stone to show any effect. 

Esdeath smirked. "This is just perfect for me." Holding the stone tightly, she focused her will. "Refine," she commanded, letting her system handle the process. 

System Activated and The stone began to glow brightly in her hand, gradually disintegrating into tiny specks of light that sank into her body. At first, there was nothing, but then a sudden and overwhelming sensation hit her. 

Her veins felt like they were on fire, an unbearable itching sensation spreading throughout her body. It was as if tiny insects were crawling under her skin, and she had the uncontrollable urge to rip herself apart just to stop the torment. 

She bit down hard on her lip, her fists clenching tightly. Sweat poured down her face as she forced herself to endure. "I can't stop now. I have to see this through," she thought, her determination shining through the pain. 

For an agonizing hour, she bore the torment until, finally, the sensation began to fade. Her breathing was ragged, but a wave of relief washed over her as she realized the refinement was complete. 

But she didn't stop

The next essence stone was vastly different. It was a Rank E Bookworm Essence Stone, small and shaped like a caterpillar. On its back, a tiny, book-like growth made it look almost comical.