The morning sun spilled through the grand windows of Classroom B-1, casting golden light across the desks. Birds chirped outside. Somewhere far away, something exploded.
Another normal day at Essentia Academy.
Ezren slumped into his seat with a yawn, holding a steaming cup
"Can school start at noon? Just once?"
Kagetsu was already in his seat, sharp as ever. "Can you start functioning before sunrise? Just once?"
Mira quietly took her place beside them. No words, just a nod.
Ezren blinked. "Did she just acknowledge us?"
"She did," Kagetsu said. "We've peaked."
Before anyone could celebrate, the classroom door slammed open like a thunder spell.
"ATTENTION!"
In stomped Mr. Bront, still enormous, still angry, and probably still capable of bench-pressing dragons.
"Today's lesson is about your limits," Bront growled. "Specifically, where you stand in the grand order of mana users."
He grabbed a chalkboard and scribbled with terrifying force.
Essentia User Ranks (Mana Levels)Dormant – Mana exists, but you're basically magical furniture.
Stirred – Mana starts bubbling. Congratulations. You're unstable.
Awakened – Basic control. Welcome to the kiddie pool.
Veiled – You can hide it, bend it, shape it. Now you're dangerous.
Ascended – Body and magic are one. You punch magic into existence.
Transcendent – Rare. You breathe magic. People call you "Sir" or "Ma'am" or just cry.
Saint – You rewrite the rules of the world. You're terrifying.
The class stared, absorbing every word.
"Most of you are Stirred or Awakened," Bront said. "Some might reach Veiled this year if you survive."
A student in the back raised their hand. "What are you, sir?"
Bront cracked his neck, and a thunderclap sounded outside.
"Guess."
The hand dropped immediately.
Ezren leaned to Mira. "I bet he was born punching."
She didn't respond, but her lip twitched. Again.
Progress.
Then Bront's eyes fell on Kagetsu.
"You. Kagetsu."
Kagetsu straightened. "Sir."
"You're the one without an Essentia."
The room went dead silent. Ezren froze mid-slurp.
Bront continued, voice calm but firm. "Master Qiu left me notes about you. Said your path's different. No elemental affinity, no Essentia core."
Students gasped. Whispers spread across the room like wildfire.
"No way…"
"He didn't use magic at the entrance exam… because he couldn't?"
"But he passed…"
Even Mira's eyes widened slightly. And that was saying something.
At the back, Kaguro frowned. "I thought he was holding back."
Enjin's usual stoicism cracked for half a second. "...So did I."
Bront raised his voice again. "Don't pity him. His path is rarer, and harder. He uses a technique older than the academy itself. A raw, primal force called Ghost Pulse."
He turned back to Kagetsu. "Keep training that pulse. Qiu believed in you."
Kagetsu gave a single nod, unfazed. "Yes, sir."
Ezren stared at him. "Was it not obvious already, why is everyone shocked"
Kagetsu shrugged.
Ezren slumped in his seat. "I feel like a backup character in your origin story."
Mira, for once, looked directly at Kagetsu.
But the boys didn't notice.
The class moved on, but the air felt different now.