Mana beasts that had varying rankings—from Grade Seven to Grade Zero. There was a large margin of power between each grade and the lower the grades dipped, the larger the gap became. This was simply because of the requirements it took to reach each grade.
Demons went by a different ranking as well, with the most common of them being classified as Scouts and then Demlings. These two ranks filled the realm and could be easily dealt with by almost any essence manipulator with sufficient training.
The same could be said for humans who could manipulate Magic Essence otherwise known as mana, most of them growing into individuals who slay Demons for a living or for fun.
The human rankings went from Bronze all the way to Mythical rank that only existed in stories. Although it was the highest known rank to mankind, it was the one before it that stood as the highest existing rank—the Legendary rank.
Essence users who awakened a talent were immediately bestowed a rank lower than the Bronze rank, the Wood rank. While this wasn’t added to the rankings, it was common knowledge to all those who could manipulate Essence in one way or another.
These kids would then be trained either in academies like Elderglow or through real life battle situations against these demons. The process period for both paths usually lasted for five years and sometimes, longer. After that, they would immediately be classified as Demon Hunters better known as Dunters.
As they graduated to become Demon Hunters, they would be assigned various rankings based on their performance and advancement during the five years. The most common rank to be given is the Bronze rank as this is where most people fall regardless of their talents. However, there were very few who would immediately be bestowed upon with a higher ranking.
These outstanding Demon Hunters would be granted the Silver rank immediately after having performed incredibly well during their five years of training. One thing these hunters all have in common though, is experience. During the five years of training, they would slowly build experience while battling against Mana beasts and even worse, the demons themselves, humanity’s archenemies.
One would only receive the corresponding rank after having performed feats due to such a rank and there was no other way around it. However, there were exceptions to everything in the world. One of such exceptions existed right in the depths of the Forest of Twin Disasters.
Damien Terrace was an exception to the rankings. “What rank do I currently fall under?” Damien rubbed his chin in thought.
At the moment, he was mounted atop his new favourite summon, Fenrir.
Tap! Tap!
Boom!
Booooom!!
While Damien relaxed atop the white furred wolf as it gently rode through the paths in the forest, his other summoned beast, Cerbe the three-headed hound, was busy clearing the way ahead.
There were explosions every now and then as Damien commanded the three-headed hound to let loose around. Whenever Cerbe spotted an approaching mana beasts or lower ranked demon, one its three mouths would open and from it, a thick ball of red fire would shoot forth.
This ball of red fire was the hound’s skill known as (Flames of Hell) and while it was just a weaker version of the real deal, it was more than enough to deal with Mana beasts and demons of the lowest ranks that filled the forest.
Damien had intentionally made Cerbe lower the firepower of the spell because during the hound’s first attempts, it had destroyed both the targets and their essence core.
Now though, the hound was doing a good job. It would only use enough firepower to kill its target Luton would then take over.
The Stellar Slime swooped in from unexpected angles with speed that was impossible for something of its ranking. It would absorb the slain targets with its (Devourer) skill and then store their Essence Cores within itself with its second skill.
Despite being a Grade Six summon, Luton didn’t fall short of the other two summons which were both Grade Five. It still remained Damien’s most useful summon while Fenrie remained the most powerful.
“Instead of the usual human rankings, the system decided to implement levels.” Damien was frustrated as he couldn’t find a way to measure his rank. “Scouts and Demlings only pose as threats to me when in large numbers.” Damien scratched his head recalling a memory from a few weeks back when he’d gone on an individual hunt.
He was yet to summon another beast and only had Luton and yet, he’d also refused to summon the slime. He wanted to hunt by himself.
Damien had happened to stumble upon two Demlings, the second ranks of demons around and had battled them both with very little difficulty. It was an exhilarating feeling as he cut through them, feeling alive with each cut.
That was until he met a dozen of them. The battle had been fought fiercely and Damien emerged victorious. He’d taken a few injuries but nothing too serious. He had to confess, he took pride in that achievement.
Then he stumbled upon six dozen of them in a small makeshift base of theirs. Damien didn’t like to remember that part of the story but he would admit, his saving grace had been his slime, Luton.
“Fenrir and Cerbe are too much for me to handle right now and Luton’s skills make it basically useless to battle. It’ll just absorb my attacks.” Damien scratched his head, thinking of a way to rank himself.
Damien had come a long way since he first arrived and now that he thought about it, his eyes widened. “I haven’t had a decent meal in months!”
Six months!
That was the amount of time he’d spent in this forsaken place and everytime he thought about it, he would sigh. “Father, you’ll definitely regret this.” Damien sighed before resuming his thoughts on ranking himself. “I should settle for the Bronze rank for now. As far as I know, they’re capable of dealing with Demlings too.”