Essence Wars

The room fell silent as the door swung open, revealing five figures dressed in sleek black uniforms emblazoned with the emblem of the Organization. Their presence immediately demanded attention, especially the man leading them. His posture was straight, his movements precise—he exuded the authority of a seasoned agent.

"Listen up," he boomed to the class. "Those of you who were selected to be leaders, step forward."

As I and the others made our way to the front, some students looked at us with jealousy, others with admiration, but all with respect. We all knew power was everything in this world—while everyone knew this, not everyone accepted it.

"Mr. Fortune," the agent continued, locking eyes with me. "I overheard your words in the hallway. If you want, you can have a ranking battle right here for the top spot and the privileges that come with being in the #1 ranked group." He grinned. "Of course, that's only if Spectre agrees."

"I'll take any opportunity to crush this fly," Harvey sneered, bloodlust leaking off him. "But what exactly is a ranking battle?"

The agent raised an eyebrow. "Goddamn, Barry, I thought you Lucids were the best of the best professors at this academy." He shook his head in amusement.

"Well, I'd like to see you control a class full of Essence-Blessed," Professor Lucid said, scribbling something on the board. "Not to mention, 90 percent of these brats are from top clans."

"Ranking battles are simple," the agent continued. "They're between two students. One student earns enough merit through missions to challenge another. Agent Azure will go into more detail."

A tall agent with bright blue hair stepped forward. Her uniform sleeves were pulled down, but faint burn marks could be seen on her arms. "Hello," she greeted, her voice calm and commanding. "My name is Agent Azure."

"Once you receive your watches," she continued, "you'll be able to see your exact ranking. For now, to keep it simple: those ranked two below you can challenge you, although you only have to accept the challenge from the one directly beneath you. However, you must accept at least four challenges a month. All those ranked below #1 must challenge three a month. Your rank determines everything—missions, events, and what privileges your team can participate in."

The force field around us shimmered, signaling the start of the battle. Harvey's eyes narrowed as he took a deep breath, and I could feel the tension rising in the air.

The second the battle began, Harvey was a blur of movement. He darted forward with explosive speed, closing the distance between us in an instant. I barely had time to react before his dagger was slashing toward me, and his gun was aimed at my chest.

But speed, no matter how fast, had its limits.

I anticipated his move, shifting my weight just enough to dodge his first strike. My body moved like liquid—fluid and precise. With a quick sidestep, I swiped my sword downward, knocking the dagger from his hand with a clean strike. Before he could adjust, I twirled to the side and used the momentum to disarm his gun, sending it skidding across the floor.

The class gasped.

Harvey's eyes widened, but he didn't hesitate. He launched himself at me again, faster this time, his movements erratic but filled with pure aggression. But I was already a step ahead.

I felt a surge of essence—the air around us thickened. I could sense the pull of his domain expanding, pushing against mine. The revelation hit like a wave crashing over me. Harvey wasn't just fast—he was channeling his essence through his domain, amplifying his speed.

Level one domain, I realized. So, he's here too.

With a smirk, I activated my own domain. The world around us seemed to slow just a fraction, the flow of essence pooling in my body. My movements became sharper, more deliberate, and my awareness expanded, just like Harvey's. The class murmured in disbelief as both of us revealed the true extent of our power.

Professor Lucid exchanged a glance with Agent Azure, both surprised.

"These kids from top-tier clans… they're different," the professor muttered, watching intently. "Level one domains, and they're both clearly on the verge of breaking through to level two."

"Don't forget their weapon proficiency," Agent Azure added quietly, her eyes scanning the fight. "Both of them have mastery at least one level two weapon. This is going to be… interesting."

I locked eyes with Harvey, a grin tugging at my lips. His domain was a blur of rapid movements, and I had to admit, he was skilled. But my sleek, calculated movements outpaced his, and I could feel the balance shift.

He came at me again, but this time, I didn't just dodge. I pushed the pace of the fight, forcing him to react. My sword was no longer just a defensive tool; I wielded it like an extension of my will. I seized an opportunity, reaching down to the ground and grabbing a weapon left discarded during the struggle—a smaller, precise blade, perfect for my purpose.

I took a calculated step forward, slicing through the air in a fluid arc that cut through the space between us. Harvey stumbled back, his leg catching the edge of my strike, blood splashing as I left a shallow cut just above his knee.

His eyes widened in shock as he struggled to keep his footing. But before he could recover, I was already behind him, my blade now pressed firmly against his back. I didn't need to say anything.

I leaned in just slightly, my voice low but firm. "This was fun, Harvey. But it's over."

The class stood in stunned silence as I withdrew my blade and stepped back. Harvey, breathing heavily, couldn't mask the frustration in his eyes, but he knew the fight was lost.