Awakening: Reincarnating With the SSS-Level Extraction Talent

"So you're back," Arceus muttered, not bothering to turn around.

His voice was calm, indifferent, as if Alex's return was nothing but an inevitability.

"I'm kind of busy, but… I think you did it, didn't you?"

Alex stepped forward, his expression unreadable.

"Right on. I got the dragon bloodline."

Of course, so much more had happened than simply getting the [Dragon Bloodline], but Arceus didn't need to hear any of that.

Not now.

Without waiting for any further instructions, Alex released his [Wings of Destiny].

A powerful golden aura radiated from him as the massive, majestic wings spread out behind his back.

Arceus turned his head slightly, just enough to see them.

Then he gave a small, approving nod.

"Didn't expect you to actually pull it off, kid."

There was a hint of something in his tone.

Was it admiration? Annoyance? It was hard to tell.

"I keep underestimating you." His voice almost sounded bitter, "I guess you want your reward now."

But that wasn't Alex's problem.

"Yep," Alex grinned, "Bring it out."

With a snap of his fingers, Arceus summoned the [Reward Box].

The small, rune-engraved box materialized in the air, floating gently before landing in his palm.

"Let's see what you get." Arceus muttered.

He didn't even turn to face Alex as he tossed the box behind him.

Instead of falling, it hovered midair and began spinning violently, glowing with arcane energy.

Alex watched as the box whirled faster and faster.

Inside, he knew, were six possible rewards.

Four skills and two items, as he saw that Arceus had placed them inside randomly and told him he would reward him with that each time he completed a quest.

Alex knew that he needed those items badly, as they were all extremely powerful.

There was no room for failure anymore.

If he wanted to win, and if he wanted to stand a chance against what was coming.

He would need every advantage he could get.

The box abruptly stopped spinning.

A burst of radiant light shot out, and from within, a single book emerged.

A skill book!

Alex caught it midair and read the title glowing on the cover.

[Soul Flames (Artifact+)]

A quick glance at the description told him everything he needed to know.

[Effect: Deals exactly 10,000,000 damage, plus 1000% of Spirit. It may seem weak, but it burns through the very soul of its target, meaning it bypasses all defenses. Mana Cost: 500,000. Cooldown: 10 minutes.]

Alex frowned.

'Another fire-type spell?'

He had too many of those already, and most of them were useless at this point.

His sheer stats, his [Bleeding Dragon Claws], and the [Destiny Powers] he had unlocked were far more effective in combat than casting spells.

But still…

There was a time when his spells had carried him through impossible fights.

A time when they had been his greatest weapons.

He didn't want to lose that part of himself.

No, he wouldn't let those spells become meaningless.

Even if it was only two or three of them, he would keep the ones that mattered.

As long as they were strong enough to harm a god, they would still have a place in his arsenal.

This one had potential if he could merge it with the others.

Without hesitation, he channeled his mana into the book.

Ding!

[You have acquired the skill "Soul Flames" (Artifact+)]

"Good job, kid. Only five more left."

Arceus chuckled, still not looking at him.

Instead, he casually tossed the [Reward Box] behind him again, letting it hover there as he returned to whatever he was working on.

Then, as if remembering something, he sighed. Stay connected via My Virtual Library Empire

"I have a few more quests for you, I guess…"

Alex grinned.

"Bring 'em on."

Ding!

[Your reputation with Arceus has increased to 40/100.]

It had jumped significantly.

Alex smirked to himself.

Seemed like getting stronger really was the only way to earn Arceus' respect.

Grand Mages didn't care about kindness, loyalty, or friendship.

They only cared about power, status, strength, much like everyone else in this world.

And if he kept growing, eventually, that number would reach 100.

Alex knew that having a Grand Mage on humanity's side wouldn't be a game-changer.

It would be a fate-changer.

Still, before he could focus on his magic, he needed to see what Arceus had planned next.

"Well." Arceus began, stretching slightly, "I don't really feel like giving you any more items right now, and I'm already busy enough, and since you seem so eager to take on my quests…"

A slow grin formed on his face.

A dangerous, devious grin.

"How about I give you an actually impossible quest?"

Alex raised an eyebrow.

Ding!

[SSS-Level Grand Mage Student Quest #4: "God Slayer"]

"Huh?"

Arceus sighed, shaking his head.

"This quest is literally impossible, don't even bother trying, kid."

For the first time, there was no arrogance in his voice.

No mockery either, just exhaustion.

"Sorry, but things are about to get messy, you don't want to get involved in this one."

Alex had never seen him like this before.

Arceus had always been untouchable, prideful, and confident.

Acting as if nothing in the universe could phase him.

But now?

Now, he looked… worried.

A silent notification appeared in Alex's vision.

[Objective: Kill a God.]

[Reward: x3 items from the Reward Box.]

"...See ya never, kid."

Arceus sighed again, gripping his staff.

He raised it slightly, preparing to eject Alex from the room.

But...

Ding!

[Alex Rogue has completed the task.]

Silence.

Arceus froze as he read the notification.

His head slowly turned.

And for the first time since Alex arrived, he actually looked at him.

And what he saw made even him take a step back.

Alex was no longer the same man who had stood before him months ago.

His eyes, golden and swirling like vortexes, filled with divine power, stared back at him, unreadable.

And resting atop his head… A crown.

A divine crown that seemed as though it was corrupting the air around it.

Arceus' expression darkened.

His lips parted slightly, as if struggling to process what he was seeing.

"What the hell…" He breathed, "That's the Crown of…"

"Varyn, the God of the Abyss." Alex shrugged, "Had to kill him since I got trapped in the Abyss before coming here."

Another notification appeared.

Ding!

[You have completed Grand Mage Student Quest #4.]

A grin spread across Alex's face.

Arceus could feel the power radiating from him.

It wasn't just his spells, nor his bloodline.

It was everything: his gaze, his aura, his presence, his dragon wings, his armor, his staff...

The divine energy crackling around him.

And above all else…

The [Crown of Calamity].

A symbol of absolute destruction.

Arceus stared at him for a long moment before finally whispering.

"Kid… what are you?"

Alex tilted his head.

"Your student, duh."

Silence.

Then, for the first time, Arceus actually laughed.

A short, amused chuckle.

"Looks like I underestimated you..." He sighed, shaking his head, "...Again."

Without another word, he tossed the [Reward Box] back into the air.

It spun wildly, glowing once more.

"Three rewards."

Arceus reminded him.

Alex looked up, his grin widening.

Ding!

[Your reputation with Arceus has increased to 80/100.]

Three more rewards to claim.

Things that could potentially allow his already powerful self to climb even higher.

To a point where he could match with the other gods.

And to the point he got strong enough to where he could actually defend humanity.