The morning sun poured over Hoshino City like molten gold, illuminating the familiar streets Kenji Watanabe walked each day. Yet today, the city felt different.
He felt different.
Yesterday, after a long conversation with his grandfather, he had finally understood the full hierarchy of martial arts realms:
Entry Heart Realm, with nine Body Refining layers
Entry Soul Realm
Entry Divine Realm
Demi-God
Lower, Middle, Upper God
Divine King / Emperor
God Venerable
God Ancestor
It was a ladder that stretched beyond imagination. And while most students only dreamed of reaching the highest levels of Body Refining, Kenji now knew that true cultivation was a journey into realms few could ever touch.
He had reached Level 5, Resonant Organs, and it was more than power—it was a foundation for everything beyond.
Kenji entered the school grounds and took a deep breath. The air carried the faint scent of dew and freshly polished wood from the training halls.
Riku was already waiting near their usual meeting point, stretching lightly. His hair caught the sunlight, and his calm presence reminded Kenji of what real mastery looked like—subtle, restrained, yet far more effective than showy power.
"Morning," Riku said casually. "You look… different today."
Kenji smiled faintly. "I feel different. Learned some things yesterday."
Riku raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Care to share?"
Kenji shook his head. "Not yet. I want to… test myself first.
In the first lesson of the day, Kenji focused on his movements even during mundane classroom activities.
He flexed his fingers under the desk, feeling the subtle alignment of his tendons. He straightened his back, maintaining perfect posture. Each breath was deliberate, channeling internal energy through his body—not visible to others, yet present within him.
The teacher, a young instructor named Mr. Hayashi, explained theory about martial cultivation principles. To everyone else, it was ordinary lecture material. But for Kenji, every word resonated differently now.
Entry Heart Realm: The foundation of strength.
Body Refining layers: Discipline, patience, mastery of self.
Entry Soul Realm: Life spirits, resonance, and perception.
Entry Divine Realm: Law, influence, and control.
He realized for the first time that true mastery wasn't about impressing others. It was about knowing oneself and pushing the boundaries quietly and steadily.
During the mid-morning break, Kenji walked through the courtyard, observing the interactions of his peers.
He noticed Yua Fujiwara practicing lightly with a wooden sword. Her movements were precise but lacked the subtle power that true cultivation brought. Her eyes flicked toward Riku occasionally, teasing him silently, but Kenji saw through it: she respected strength, even if she mocked it.
Kenji felt a small grin. He no longer felt inferior or anxious about being noticed. Internal mastery, not appearance, mattered most.
Riku approached him, holding two wooden training daggers.
"Want to spar?" he asked casually.
Kenji accepted. "Yes. I want to test something.
The two friends moved to the training field, a quiet space behind the school where students could practice freely. Kenji focused on muscle, tendon, and organ resonance, feeling the energy flowing through his body.
He launched a series of strikes—not powerful, not flashy—but perfectly timed, coordinated, and balanced. Each movement fed into the next, creating a rhythm that was almost meditative.
Riku blocked and parried with minimal effort, carefully measuring each strike.
Kenji realized immediately: he could now control his body at a depth Level 5 demanded. Each joint, tendon, and organ acted as one. He no longer moved with raw force alone.
Sweat poured down his back, but it was different this time. He wasn't exhausted—he was aware. Every motion, every strike, every counter was intentional.
Riku stopped after a few minutes, smiling faintly. "Not bad. You've grown a lot in a short time."
Kenji breathed heavily. "I can feel it… the difference between Level 4 and Level 5 is incredible. Not just power… control, stability…"
"Exactly," Riku said. "Now comes the hard part: keeping it consistent.
As Kenji rested, Yua appeared at the edge of the field, arms crossed, smirking.
"I see you two are playing again," she said teasingly. "But honestly, Kenji, don't get cocky. Level 5 isn't special. Everyone at this school has the potential to reach it."
Kenji laughed softly, shaking his head. "Potential isn't mastery, Yua. Consistency is."
She scoffed lightly, but Kenji noticed the hint of curiosity in her eyes. Even though she mocked him, she watched closely.
Riku added quietly, "She'll notice when someone surpasses her expectations."
Kenji smiled faintly. So perception matters… but I'm not here to impress anyone. Just myself.
Classes continued, but Kenji's focus remained on internal alignment and body awareness. During physical exercises, he integrated the principles of Level 5:
Strikes flowed seamlessly with energy resonance
Defensive movements absorbed and redirected force
Breathing coordinated fully with tendon and joint movements
Each movement was a reminder of his grandfather's lesson about the path beyond Body Refining: Entry Soul Realm, Entry Divine Realm, Demi-God, and higher.
He realized that Level 5 was not a peak—it was a foundation for the vast journey ahead.
As the day passed, Kenji's thoughts drifted back to his grandfather's words.
"Your foundation matters more than your destination."
It was simple advice, but now he understood it fully. His grandfather wasn't just speaking theoretically—he had clearly seen more of the realms than he would ever openly say.
There were subtle hints in his tone, the way he spoke of Entry Divine Realm and Demi-God: knowledge far beyond what ordinary martial elders of the city possessed.
Kenji smiled faintly to himself. Grandpa knows more than he lets on
After school, Kenji returned home, slipping quietly into the backyard as the sun dipped toward the horizon.
The air was cool now, carrying the scent of distant woodfires. He practiced slowly at first, then gradually pushed himself, integrating all he had learned about Body Refining and internal resonance.
He imagined his organs vibrating in harmony, energy flowing from one part of his body to another, each movement deliberate.
Level 5 was no longer a goal—it was his foundation for mastery.
After a long session, Kenji returned to the house, sweat drying on his skin. He found his grandfather sitting in the dim light of the study, smiling faintly.
"Kenji," the old man said, voice calm, "I see you've begun testing your understanding today."
Kenji bowed slightly. "Yes, Grandpa. I feel… stronger. More aware. Level 5 has changed how I see everything."
His grandfather nodded. "Good. You've begun the first real test: mastery of self. But remember, this is only the beginning."
Kenji hesitated, then asked, "Grandpa… you said you've seen much beyond Body Refining, beyond Entry Soul… How much do you know?"
The old man's eyes glimmered. "More than I let on, but less than you will see. Knowledge without readiness can be dangerous. The path is long, and only your effort will carry you."
Kenji nodded slowly, understanding.
His grandfather paused, then smiled mysteriously. "Now… I have a surprise for you."
Kenji's eyes widened slightly. "A surprise?"
"Yes," his grandfather said softly. "But you must wait until tomorrow to see it. Rest well tonight, Kenji. Tomorrow marks the next stage of your journey."
Kenji felt a surge of anticipation. He had learned the hierarchy of cultivation. He had tested his mind and body. And now, a new challenge awaited—one that even his grandfather promised would change his path.