El Lira Vethar [2]

"There are some that are more rare and powerful than others. There is the Hero, who possesses unparalleled courage and leadership; the Sage, who has vast wisdom and control over mystical energies; or the Priestess, who can commune with higher powers and channel divine abilities. These are just a few examples, each Essence having its unique characteristics and strengths."

"To show an example, we have our young lord who awakened a powerful and rare A rank essence called 'Elemental Knight'."

Lord Elias gestured to a young man standing at the end of the line of their youngsters. He had a sharp, handsome face, with tousled black hair and a pair of striking green eyes that seemed to shimmer with a hint of mischief. His presence commanded attention, and as he stepped forward, a murmur rippled through the crowd.

"Our young lord, Aric," Lord Elias announced, "will now show a bit of his essence's power.'"

Aric gave a small, confident smile, his eyes sweeping over the gathered students. When his gaze landed on Leila, the student council president, he winked at her with a playful grin, though Leila didn't seem to be affected at all. 

'Oh, it's that bad boy from yesterday!' Harry exclaimed in his mind. 'No wonder he confidently flirts with our president. But, then again, he is only lowering himself in her eyes...'

Lord Elias continued causing Harry to snap out of his thoughts, "The Elemental Swordsman essence grants the ability to wield and manipulate four elements: wind, earth, fire, and water."

"He said it was an A rank essence, then it's to be impressive," Harry muttered so Max could also hear him. "I tell you, he will tell us the ranks for the essences after this."

Max didn't quite believe Harry's confident remark but decided it was best to just stay silent and watch.

Meanwhile, Aric unsheathed his sword, a sleek blade that glimmered in the chamber's light. He took a deep breath, his expression shifting from playful to focused. Raising the sword, he began to move with fluid grace, each step calculated and deliberate.

First, Aric summoned the element of wind. A soft breeze began to swirl around him, growing stronger with each passing second. With a swift swing of his sword, the wind followed the blade's arc, creating a gust that sent a shiver through the audience.

Next, he transitioned to earth. The ground beneath his feet trembled slightly as he channeled his power, causing small rocks and chunks of earth to rise from the ground. With a sharp thrust of his sword, the earth flew forward, striking an invisible target in the air.

Without missing a beat, Aric moved on to fire. A wave of intense heat emanated from his blade as flames danced along its edge. With a powerful slash, he sent a streak of fire soaring across the chamber, its light reflecting in his green eyes.

Finally, Aric called upon water. A surge of water materialized from thin air, swirling around his sword like a serpent. With a fluid motion, he directed the water to spiral outward, creating a fine mist that filled the space around him.

As he completed his display, Aric lowered his sword and gave a slight bow.

The hall erupted in applause and awe, the students whispering excitedly among themselves. Harry and Max exchanged impressed glances; even though they had anticipated something like this, witnessing it firsthand was a different experience altogether.

The young lord and the other demonstrators stepped back, taking their places on the platform once more. Lord Elias waited for the excitement to settle before speaking again.

"Thank you, Aric," he said, turning his attention back to the students. "As you can see, each essence is unique and powerful in its own right. However, not all essences are created equal. In our world, we classify essences into six ranks: S, A, B, C, D, and F."

"Told you," Harry smirked at Max's surprised face. 

"Anyway, listen to him more closely, it's another basic yet important stuff you have to know." Harry suggested Max.

"Alright." Max nodded and focused on the mage Elias.

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "S-rank essences are the rarest and most powerful, seen only in a handful of individuals throughout history. A-rank essences, like Aric's Elemental Swordsman, are also quite rare and hold considerable power and potential. B-rank essences are strong and versatile, providing a solid foundation for many paths."

"C-rank and D-rank essences are more common and offer a range of abilities, though they are typically less potent than the higher ranks. And finally, there is the F-rank essence. These are the weakest and, unfortunately, provide limited abilities."

The students listened intently, the atmosphere in the hall heavy with anticipation. Max felt a mix of nerves and excitement bubbling within him. What kind of essence would he awaken? Would it be something powerful, like Aric's, or something more modest?

Harry, standing beside him, was also deep in thought, his mind racing with possibilities. 'What is Max gonna awaken? An evolving essence that looks weak at first or straight out strongest essence? Although I want to get an S rank essence, I don't want to be disappointed later.'

Lord Elias smiled, sensing the eager energy in the room. "Now, we will begin the Awakening Ceremony. Please follow the instructions of the elders and masters, and remember—this is just the beginning of your journey. Embrace the process and discover the essence that lies within you." 

With those final words, the elders and masters stepped forward, guiding the students to form lines in front of the platform. Harry and Max found themselves in the middle, surrounded by other students who were equally curious about what lay ahead.

The ceremony was about to begin.

________ ___ _

The students formed a long line in front of the platform, their expressions ranging from anxious to excited. The elders and masters moved efficiently, directing them to a large, circular area marked with runes on the floor. This area seemed to pulse faintly with energy, a sign of the magic that would soon be at work.

Harry and Max stood quietly in line, glancing around as they tried to catch a glimpse of what was happening up ahead. They didn't have to wait long. As the first student stepped into the circle, a shimmering light appeared above them, forming a large, semi-transparent window that hovered in mid-air. The display showed the student's name and a blank space where their essence would soon appear.

"Looks like we'll get to see what everyone awakens to," Harry whispered to Max, who nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on the glowing window.

The first few students awakened C and D-rank essences—abilities related to minor elements, small animal control, and basic healing. There were polite claps and nods of encouragement from the crowd, but the excitement in the room was still palpable. Everyone was waiting for something more remarkable.

Then, it was Arthur's turn. As the class representative and the vice president, Arthur was well-known among his peers for his calm demeanor and his natural leadership skills. He stepped into the circle with confidence, his tall frame standing out against the backdrop of glowing runes. 

The shimmering light above him brightened, and the system window displayed his name: Arthur Armstrong. The blank space beside it began to fill with swirling colors, creating a dazzling array of lights that captured everyone's attention. Harry felt a thrill run down his spine, his fantasy-loving mind already envisioning something epic.

As the colors settled, bold letters formed in the window:

[Essence: Hero]

[Rank: A ]