Temptation barrier question

[Ilpalazo]

Yesterday we ran into the one temptation barrier that allows you to grab spells. Forget the specific wording but you get three then select 1, and then it reads something like

Pick up the spell, then banish a card with the magic trait from your hand or discard pile.

If you don't have a card with the magic trait on hand or discard, can you still pick up the spell?

I thought you could because its not a requirement to pick up a spell, but a penalty that you have to pay if you do choose to pick it up.

[Andrew L Klein]

You can, but note the "then". Meaning you banish after taking the spell, which always has the Magic trait. So if you didn't have any cards with the trait before, now you do (the spell), and you banish the spell you just took.

[Ilpalazo]

Ah right!