Nato7

The Awakening: Around 150 years ago, a mysterious event known as "The Rift" caused a dramatic shift in the world. This event opened portals from another dimension, bringing Essences—mysterious and powerful entities—into the world. These Essences granted some individuals extraordinary abilities and set in motion a global conflict.

Essence Warriors: These are people who possess the power of an Essence, which can take various forms depending on the individual’s soul and affinity. Some are born with their Essence powers from birth, while others awaken them later in life. These warriors are ranked according to their power level, and the rankings play a significant role in their status, training, and missions.

Essence Reborn

The morning fog hadn't yet lifted when Renji, Takumi, and Reina arrived at the open field.

Riku stood there waiting, arms crossed, calm as ever. Behind him, six figures stood silent—three glowing knights clad in shimmering energy armor and three Riku clones, each pulsing faintly with Essence.

Renji raised an eyebrow. "What's with the army?"

Riku smirked. "They're your next test."

Takumi's jaw tensed. "All six? Together?"

"No. Each of you will take on one knight and one clone," Riku said, stepping aside. "One-on-two. I've dialed their Essence down to A-Rank level, just like you all want to reach. If you can't beat them, you're not ready."

Reina looked at the glowing clone across from her—calm, precise, calculating. Then the knight stepped forward, sword dragging slightly in the dirt, humming with wind-imbued energy.

She swallowed but didn't back down. "Understood."

"Remember," Riku said, "these clones fight like me. Just… less brutal."

He raised his hand and pointed. "Begin."

The training field exploded into movement.

Renji vs Knight and Clone

Renji dashed forward, Essence gauntlets flaring red as he aimed a punch at the knight. It blocked with a heavy shield, staggering back. But the Riku clone appeared behind him, aiming a jab for his ribs.

Renji twisted, barely dodging, then released a shockwave punch that sent both enemies stumbling back.

"I get it now," he muttered. "They don't let up."

He powered through, using controlled bursts to separate them. It wasn't easy—but Renji's raw aggression started turning into calculated combos. The moment he landed a charged uppercut on the clone and sweep-kicked the knight into the ground, both vanished in shimmering bursts of Essence.

Renji dropped to one knee, gasping.

Takumi vs Knight and Clone

Takumi grinned with fire dancing on his fists. "Come on then!"

The knight charged first, flames erupting from its sword. Takumi blocked it with a fiery barrier but didn't see the clone blitzing around the side. A knee caught him in the stomach.

He coughed, then lit up his entire body in flame, turning himself into a human meteor as he rocketed toward both enemies.

Explosions rocked the field as he zig-zagged between them, redirecting his Essence at the last second to avoid burns. With a final burst, he uppercut the clone and tackled the knight mid-air, sending them crashing in a firestorm.

Takumi stood, singed but victorious. "I. Am. On. Fire."

Reina vs Knight and Clone

Reina's wind kept her moving—a blur of motion between her two opponents.

She wasn't the strongest. But she was the most controlled.

The knight launched blade arcs, and the clone mimicked Riku's smooth footwork, but Reina countered with gust-enhanced movement, parrying and gliding, her hands dancing with cyclone pulses.

The moment she tricked them into colliding mid-dash, she struck with a spiral wind strike that tore them apart in a single, focused blast.

She stood, breathing hard, hair fluttering.

They turned to him as the field returned to silence.

"You just defeated A-Rank Essence warriors," Riku said plainly. "Together. One on two."

Renji looked down at his bruised arms. "Wait... seriously?"

Takumi blinked. "I thought you said you weakened them?"

"I did," Riku replied. "I made sure they were only A-Rank."

Reina's eyes widened. "Then… that means…"

"You're on the edge," Riku said, proud but firm. "Keep pushing, and you'll break through."

For the first time, they believed it.

Next: Chapter 74 – Risen Threshold

Chapter 73: Trial Rank