Chapter 9: Trials of the Rift
The isolated mountain was quiet in the early morning, shrouded in a thin mist that clung to the jagged cliffs. Menma Uzumaki stood at the edge of the training field, chains coiled at his side and Wood Make Magic subtly forming defensive platforms beneath his boots. His Rinnegan, hidden beneath the eyepatch, pulsed faintly, a constant reminder of the immense power he carried and the burden of control it demanded.
Across the field, Cana and Gray, as well as Makaw and Wakaba, prepared for the next stage of the S-Class exam. This was the Rift Trial, designed to test a mage's ability to navigate and neutralize unstable dimensional anomalies while maintaining control over magic and strategy.
Mira's teasing voice echoed faintly in Menma's memory. Remember, even in a trial, a little flair isn't forbidden… He suppressed a smirk. Flair was secondary; precision, control, and restraint were paramount.
The Rift Appears
The examiners, Erza and Laxus, appeared at the edge of the training grounds. Laxus's arms crackled with electricity, a warning and encouragement all at once.
"The next trial," Erza began, her armored gaze sweeping the participants, "will test your ability to handle unpredictable, high-risk anomalies. This is the Rift Trial — unstable dimensional energy that can warp space, distort perception, and amplify magical output. Control is essential."
Laxus smirked. "And don't get careless. This isn't just skill. It's judgment under pressure."
Menma's Rinnegan pulsed faintly beneath the eyepatch. Dimensional anomalies… the kind I've faced before. This is not unfamiliar territory, but the amplification here will push limits.
The Rift opened as a shimmering tear in the air, swirling with dark energy, its edges flickering with unstable magic. Small creatures, warped by the dimensional energy, leaped from its center, attacking indiscriminately.
Menma and Elfman: Synchronization
Menma glanced at Elfman. "Stay close. Follow my lead, but act when necessary."
Elfman nodded, fists glowing with Take Over Magic, ready to protect and strike. Together, they moved through the distorted terrain, coordinating effortlessly. Chains restrained aggressive constructs, while Wood Make Magic redirected attacks and created barriers for their path.
The Rift pulsed erratically. Energy spikes flared unpredictably, and Menma's Rinnegan helped him anticipate them — but he did not rely solely on it. Every decision, every maneuver, came from calculation, not instinct alone.
Cana and Gray are managing well… Makaw and Wakaba, too. But their coordination is slower under this instability.
A distorted creature leapt from the Rift, larger and more aggressive than the others. Menma coiled chains around it mid-air, his chains thrumming with energy, while wooden spikes from the ground blocked its escape. Elfman charged in to deliver a powerful punch, neutralizing it without lethal force.
Internal Conflict: Rinnegan Tension
Despite the apparent control, Menma felt the familiar pull of the Rinnegan — the temptation to use its full power to obliterate threats before they could act. Six tomoe spun faintly beneath the eyepatch, observing every movement, predicting every attack.
If I rely on it too much… I risk exposing the power, and it could escalate the trial beyond control. Restraint… always restraint.
He forced his mind to balance instinct with observation. Chains whipped through the air, wooden barricades erupted beneath him, and space subtly shifted at his fingertips. All without relying entirely on the Rinnegan's insight.
Even here… even against rift-altered creatures, discipline must remain my guide.
Unexpected Rift Instability
Midway through the trial, the Rift surged violently. A wave of distorted energy ripped through the field, warping the terrain and disorienting participants.
Menma's chains flared, stabilizing debris and restraining a rampaging construct. Wood sprouted rapidly to redirect collapsing rocks, forming a safe path for Elfman and nearby simulated villagers.
Cana and Gray are caught in a shifting chasm… Menma's gaze sharpened, and he used a subtle space warp to redirect a falling boulder, clearing a path. The coordination with Elfman was seamless — a testament to trust and experience.
Even Makaw and Wakaba struggled against the amplified anomalies. Laxus's crackling lightning could not reach them quickly enough. Menma's chains coiled, pulling one construct away from Wakaba, while Elfman delivered a supportive blow to neutralize another.
The Riftwalker Moment
Menma paused briefly, sensing the Rift's energy intensifying. The Mirror Dimension access of his Rinnegan allowed him to touch the edge of a parallel space, glimpsing potential outcomes and predicting the Rift's next fluctuation.
I can enter it, stabilize the energy, but exposure could alert observers…
He made a calculated choice: a partial incursion. The chains extended beyond the normal spatial limits, redirecting the Rift's energy back into itself, while Wood constructs anchored it to the terrain. The Rift's energy dimmed slightly, but Menma did not overextend, maintaining secrecy and restraint.
Elfman glanced at him. "That… was insane. How did you—?"
"Observation, calculation, and control," Menma replied calmly. "Not instinct alone."
Final Confrontation
As the Rift stabilized, the final challenge appeared: a construct simulating a rogue S-Class mage, combining multiple elemental attacks and spatial distortions. Menma's chains danced in the air, interlocking with wooden barriers. He moved with calculated precision, striking, restraining, and countering simultaneously.
His Rinnegan hummed faintly, not as a crutch but as a subtle observer, analyzing energy flow and potential openings. Elfman intervened only when necessary, providing raw strength to complement Menma's strategic control.
Minutes stretched into tense, intricate combat. The construct finally yielded, immobilized yet unharmed. Silence fell over the mountainside as Erza and Laxus observed.
Judgment and Reflection
Erza's voice rang out. "Menma Uzumaki… you have demonstrated mastery over your abilities, restraint in the face of chaos, and impeccable judgment. This stage is complete."
Laxus smirked. "You handled the Rift better than I expected. Discipline, strategy… you're ready for S-Class."
Menma lowered his gaze slightly, chains retracting. The Rinnegan pulsed faintly beneath the eyepatch, calm now, stable.
As night fell over the mountain, Menma sat atop a cliff, looking out over the stars. The Rift's energy lingered faintly in the valley below, but the trial had been overcome.
Tomorrow, the final judgment will come… but I have proven control, restraint, and skill. The path to S-Class is nearly complete.
End of Chapter 9: Trials of the Rift