Riku stood at the edge of the crowd, breathing deeply as the last of his energy returned. He had flown too high, too fast—his body was still adjusting to the new power coursing through him. But after a few moments of rest and quiet reflection, his strength was beginning to stabilize.
The rogue S Ranks had all been detained, their powers sealed, and soon after, law enforcement moved in to handle the rest. The battle was over. It had ended as quickly as it had begun.
Yumi walked up beside him, her expression filled with a mixture of concern and admiration. "Are you feeling okay now?" she asked, looking up at him with soft eyes.
Riku nodded, his breath returning to a normal pace. "Yeah, I'm fine. I've been through worse."
She smiled but still looked concerned. "You sure? You went all-out in that fight."
"Honestly," he said, stretching, "I didn't expect that guy to be as tough as he was. But I'm used to it."
The two walked in comfortable silence, heading toward their respective homes. The whole day was filled with excitement, but it didn't take long before the city's news outlets exploded with reports of Riku's victory. Screens everywhere flashed his name. News anchors spoke excitedly about his quick and decisive victory against the rogue S Rank warriors, his ability to absorb Essence powers, and his new powers that had everyone on edge with curiosity.
By the time the sun set, Riku had become the talk of the town. People filled the streets, and Riku couldn't go far without hearing whispers and glances of admiration.
Three days later, an invitation arrived from Essence President Kensei Gojuro's office.
Riku had barely finished reading it when his mom and sister were already preparing him for the ceremony. The formal event was going to be a recognition of his achievement: the defeat of all five rogue S Ranks. It was a rare event, one meant for the highest caliber of warriors.
The day of the ceremony arrived, and the grand hall was packed. Hundreds of S Rank warriors filled the room, as well as many other distinguished guests. Riku felt the weight of the attention, but he didn't let it show. His eyes met with Yumi's across the room, and she gave him a reassuring nod.
At the front of the room, President Kensei Gojuro stepped onto the stage. His voice echoed through the grand hall, commanding attention.
"We are here today to celebrate a hero," Kensei began. "A 19-year-old warrior who has done what no one thought possible. Defeating five rogue S Rank Essence warriors, saving lives, and ensuring the safety of our people." He turned toward Riku, signaling him to step forward.
The crowd erupted in applause as Riku walked to the stage. He stood tall, but humble, eyes meeting the crowd's admiration with quiet confidence.
"Riku Hayashi, for your valor, your strength, and your unwavering resolve," Kensei continued, "we present you with a token of our appreciation. A reward of one million USD, and our deepest thanks for keeping our society safe."
As Riku accepted the award, his mother and sister clapped proudly from their seats in the crowd, tears in their eyes.
The applause rang out, and Riku held the check high. For a moment, he felt like he had truly earned something greater than just a reward. He had earned respect—something he'd longed for but never truly expected.
The ceremony continued, filled with praise and accolades, but as it all unfolded, Riku couldn't help but glance at the other warriors in the room. His work was far from over. There was more to be done, more to fight for.
But for now, he stood tall on that stage, the weight of the crowd's respect heavy on his shoulders—and he smiled.