Divine Essence
As the Snake Lord dissolved into particles, every one of them collapsed to the ground — even Arthur. Their mana reserves were completely drained.
Nyx lay there, his entire body stained with blood from countless wounds.
Jullian's hand was torn, bleeding profusely.
Saryn's leg was injured, his blood seeping through the torn fabric.
Nyssara coughed harshly, spitting blood — her mana exhaustion was severe.
Arthur's body was a canvas of torn flesh, battered from wielding the void and unleashing his legendary skill twice in succession.
Arthur barely moved. He focused his remaining mana and summoned several high-rank healing potions. Without a word, each of them took one and drank deeply before lying down to recover.
An hour passed. Their wounds slowly closed, and their strength returned, though their mana was far from full. Arthur regained about 50%—his physique aiding his recovery.
With effort, Arthur stood and headed toward the final rewards room, the others trailing silently behind.
But someone had been watching everything.
Their combat class instructor, Varek Kaelthorn.
He said nothing at first, eyes wide with disbelief.
"They killed a Peak Rank 4 mutated beast…" he muttered under his breath.
He was about to intervene, but then he saw Arthur's use of the void element — and stopped cold.
"Void? Everyone says Arthur Valerian is elementless, but no… he's hiding something. Something that'll make the entire world go insane."
Varek's gaze hardened. "And who the hell says he's a Crystal Core? He's a Divine Core — one of only two born this generation. And from what I've seen, he's leagues beyond other Divine Core wielders."
He understood now why the headmaster placed Arthur first, why the Emperor of Elydrion took an interest.
"He's a monster. Just like his father."
Varek's respect was palpable. Alaric Valerian — no enemy, but a legend among warriors, known across the lands as ". The Bloodblade Sovereign"" He was the strongest warrior below Rank 9.
He has never lost a single battle and is said to be undefeated—even when facing multiple Rank 7 opponents during the attack of the Federal Alliance on Elydrion. He single-handedly defeated half the entire Federal Alliance forces, with only a scratch of blood drawn.
Varek left after ensuring they were safe—he had no interest in children's rewards.
Meanwhile, Arthur and his group approached the reward center. Numerous skills and treasures were displayed, but Arthur ignored them all. His eyes were fixed on a clear glass bottle filled with shimmering golden water.
Jullian began collecting skills and coins, with Saryn and Nyssara helping him gather as much as they could.
Nyx stared at the bottle, muttering quietly to himself, "It's…"
Arthur called out firmly, "Everyone, come here first."
They all gathered around as Arthur came straight to the point.
"This," he said, holding up the bottle, "is Divine Essence."
The moment the words left his mouth, it was as if time itself froze.
Jullian's knees buckled. His breath hitched and his eyes went wide, disbelief rooting him to the spot. He nearly collapsed—his hands trembling uncontrollably as if grasping at a fading dream.
His master, usually calm and composed, staggered back, clutching his chest as if to steady a sudden wave of shock. His eyes burned with a mix of awe and fear—this was beyond anything he had ever seen.
Saryn's jaw clenched tightly. His eyes darted to Nyssara, who looked equally stunned, her breathing shallow and uneven, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of what Arthur had revealed.
Nyx's heartbeat thundered like a wild drum inside his chest, each beat shaking his entire body. His voice caught in his throat, muttering, "Divine Essence…"
Because that was no ordinary treasure. The Divine Essence was a miracle beyond mortal understanding.
It could awaken a simple mortal into an Awakener.
It could transform a Bronze Grade holder into a Divine Grade wielder.
It could even help a Rank 8 warrior shatter their limits and breakthrough to Rank 9.
This was the elixir that could awaken even the rarest unique skill or element — a miracle potion said to heal any wound, cure any disease, and mend injuries thought permanent.
To hold such power in one's hands was to hold the future of their entire world.
Jullian's eyes narrowed sharply. "That can't be real," he said fiercely, shaking his head. "No single thing can hold that kind of power. It's… impossible."
Saryn crossed his arms, voice steady but skeptical. "Even if it is real, how can we trust it? Such power in one bottle—it sounds like a trick or a trap."
Nyssara remained silent, her eyes fixed on the bottle, her expression unreadable, as if she was wrestling with her own doubts.
Nyx stepped forward, his voice barely above a whisper, trembling with hope and uncertainty. "Is it… really real?"
Arthur looked at each of them, calm and resolute. "I'm sure. I can feel it through my core. This isn't just any magic or mana—it's Divine Essence, the key to awakening beyond limits."
He lifted the bottle closer, letting the faint golden light spill across their faces. "This will change everything for us. It's why the dungeon tests were so severe. This essence is rare—priceless."
Slowly, the tension in the air began to shift. Jullian's gaze faltered, doubt seeping into his certainty. Saryn's arms lowered, his frown easing. Nyssara's eyes softened, and Nyx's breath hitched as belief kindled in his heart.
They finally understood.
This was no illusion.
It was real. And it was theirs.
Arthur looked at the glowing bottle in his hand, then at the group. His voice was calm, but serious.
"This Divine Essence can only be shared by five people. One is already meant for Nyx — it will help lift his curse. The second is for Rein, my butler… he's in a coma."
He looked around at the others. "That leaves three doses. Do you want them?"
There was a pause before Jullian narrowed his eyes slightly. "What's the price?"
Arthur gave a small, tired smile. "Nothing. Just take it as a token of friendship."
Saryn blinked in disbelief. "Are you an idiot? You're giving away something this priceless… just for friendship?"
Arthur nodded. "Yeah. Just for that."
Jullian's master, who had remained silent in the background, glanced at his disciple. "Take it," he said through a quiet telepathic link, his voice filled with a rare gentleness.
Jullian closed his eyes for a second before stepping forward. "Thank you, Arthur. From this moment on, even if it costs me my life, I'll stand by you."
He took a sip.
The golden liquid shimmered as it touched his lips, and light immediately began to rise from his skin like divine fire awakening within.
Saryn laughed, stepping forward with his hands raised. "I don't even know you that well, Valerian. But you're giving me something so precious… I'd be a fool to refuse."
He took a sip without hesitation.
Then he looked Arthur dead in the eyes. "Arthur Valerian — same as Jullian. Anytime. Anywhere. I'll have your back, no matter what."
Arthur nodded, a rare warmth flickering in his expression. But when he turned to Nyssara, she was silent, arms crossed.
"I don't want it," she said firmly.
Arthur stared at her, shocked. "Why?"
She met his gaze, calm and unwavering. "I already have a Divine Core. I don't need it. But… I want a promise instead."
Arthur hesitated. "What kind of promise?"
Nyssara's voice softened. "If I ever ask you for something… anything… don't refuse me."
Arthur looked down, thinking carefully, then back at her. "Unless it's against my family… I won't refuse."
Nyssara smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I won't ask for anything like that."
Arthur turned, holding the final portion of the essence.
"Nyx."
Nyx's eyes were already filled with emotion. His voice cracked. "I… thank you."
He stepped forward and drank.
As the last drop was consumed, a radiant golden light engulfed the group, each of them bathed in a divine glow. The very air seemed to hum with power, the chamber trembling slightly beneath the awakening of forces long dormant.
In that moment, they weren't just students or survivors of a dungeon.
They were something more.
They were reborn.