Chapter 20: The C-Rank Mission

Riku stood in front of the mission board at Essence Academy, staring at the list of assignments. His heart raced in anticipation—today was the day he would join a real mission as part of a team. But even though he had come a long way in his training, the reality of being a D-rank Essence Warrior still weighed heavily on him.

As he scanned the list of names, one caught his eye: C-Rank Mission: Zone 24 Rift. He was to go on a mission with three other C-rank Essence Warriors. They were going to clear out a dangerous group of beasts from a newly discovered Rift zone.

Riku took a deep breath and walked toward the meeting spot. It wasn't far from the academy's main building, but the journey felt longer with each step. When he arrived, three boys were already waiting for him.

The first was a tall, muscular boy with short, spiky black hair. His name was Kaito Hisashi, a 16-year-old C-rank Essence Warrior. His Essence was Ferroclash, allowing him to manipulate metal at will. He was the most confident of the group and didn't hesitate to introduce himself.

"Yo, I'm Kaito. You're the D-rank, huh? Guess we'll see how well you handle yourself on this mission," Kaito said with a smirk, his tone light but clearly laced with a bit of superiority.

Riku didn't respond right away, focusing instead on the second boy.

The second boy, a bit shorter and leaner, was standing with his arms crossed. His name was Renji Tatsuya, also 16 years old. He had messy brown hair and kind eyes that didn't quite match the tough look most C-ranks carried. His Essence was Blazeform, giving him the ability to generate and control fire. Unlike Kaito, Renji's gaze was warm, and he greeted Riku with a friendly smile.

"Hey, don't mind Kaito. He's just always like that," Renji said, giving a friendly wave. "I'm Renji. I'm sure we'll get along fine."

The third boy, a little younger at 15, had shaggy blonde hair that fell into his eyes. His name was Takumi Kuroda, and despite his youthful appearance, he was an experienced C-rank. His Essence, Stormlash, allowed him to create violent wind currents and lightning strikes, making him a force to be reckoned with in battle. Takumi's energy was infectious, and he instantly made Riku feel at ease.

"Nice to meet you! I'm Takumi," he said with a bright smile. "I've heard a lot about you, Riku. You're the one who's been making waves with your training, right? I'm sure you'll be fine on this mission!"

Kaito scoffed. "Yeah, well, we'll see. You can talk all you want, but if he can't handle himself in a real fight, he'll only be a liability."

Renji sighed, rolling his eyes. "Kaito, seriously, ease up on the guy. We're here to work together, not compete."

Takumi nodded. "We all have our strengths. Let's just focus on the mission."

Despite the tension from Kaito, Riku couldn't help but appreciate the other two's support. He wasn't used to being treated with kindness, especially not after so many years of being underestimated. They clearly saw potential in him, even if Kaito was hesitant.

"Thanks," Riku said, feeling a bit more at ease. "I'll do my best."

The team gathered their equipment and prepared for the mission, loading up with weapons, Essence amplifiers, and supplies. Kaito was still a bit cold toward Riku, but Renji and Takumi made up for it by chatting with him on the way to the Rift zone.

As they traveled, Riku couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Despite being a D-rank, despite the way others looked down on him, he was here—on a mission with real C-rank warriors. And more than that, he wasn't just tagging along as a passenger. He was training, learning, and fighting for a purpose.

When they reached the Rift zone, it was more chaotic than Riku had imagined. Beasts—large, menacing creatures with jagged scales and glowing eyes—patrolled the area. Their roars echoed through the rift, sending a chill down Riku's spine.

"This is our target," Kaito said, stepping forward with his hands on his hips. "We clear these things out, and we're done. Keep your guard up. These guys are tough."

The team moved into position, Kaito taking the lead with his Ferroclash Essence to create a shield of metal that protected them from an incoming charge. Renji and Takumi flanked him, each preparing to use their Essences.

"Riku, you're on support," Kaito said, his voice more commanding now. "If you want to prove yourself, now's the time."

Riku clenched his fists. He may have been the weakest on the team, but he wasn't going to let them down.

As the battle began, Riku watched as Kaito fought with impressive precision, using Ferroclash to send metal spikes toward the beast, pinning it to the ground. Renji and Takumi followed up with their own attacks—Blazeform igniting the air around them, while Stormlash created gusts of wind to throw the creatures off balance.

Riku had a different role, however. As a D-rank Essence Warrior, he had no Essence of his own, but he had learned to use the Essence Knife technique, which was the only weapon he could rely on. His blade was sharp and efficient, and he used it with precision to assist Renji and Takumi, who were clearly much stronger than him.

The battle raged on, and Riku felt the weight of the task. As Kaito took down one beast, Renji fought another with fiery determination, and Takumi handled the rest with ease. Riku's role was small, but it was still crucial. He couldn't afford to falter.

"You're doing well, Riku," Renji shouted over the noise of the battle, sending a fireball into the belly of one of the beasts. "Keep up the pace!"

But as the fight continued, Riku noticed Kaito's growing frustration. The C-rank Essence Warrior was tough, but there was something in his eyes that hinted at the pressure he was feeling. It was clear he didn't want Riku to show him up, despite his earlier harsh words.

"Stay out of my way, D-rank," Kaito muttered under his breath as he took down another creature.

Riku wasn't fazed. He didn't respond, but his heart beat faster. He was here to prove that he was more than just his rank. And he was going to show them that even a D-rank Essence Warrior could make a difference.