Driven by Eren's unwavering determination, his mortal vessel was subjected to a thorough breakdown.
The relentless pressure within him spared not even his heart, brain, or vital organs, inflicting damage on every level.
Yet, Eren understood that this destruction was vital, the crucible in which the foundation for his Master Rank would be laid. Just as a mythical phoenix rises from its own ashes, so too did Eren's transformation require this process of complete destruction and renewal.
With every ounce of effort expended to establish this firm foundation, Eren's next step was to transcend his mortal bounds. Engaging his Soul Sense, he separated his consciousness from his physical form, allowing his body to surrender to the inevitable breakthrough into the B-Rank.
Crack. Crack. Break.
As Eren released his grasp on control, the pressure upon his mana core became overwhelming, leading to its ultimate destruction.
In the wake of this upheaval, Eren's test had only just begun, now tasked with condensing a mana core of a higher rank. It was a trial that would demand every ounce of his will and strength.
Empowered by his Soul Sense, Eren maintained consciousness amidst the agonizing pain and the rebuilding of his body from the ground up. With tenacity, his body purged the vestiges of the C-Rank from his very core and began absorbing the higher-rank mana, birthing a new, more potent mana core in its place.
Through his Soul Sense, Eren witnessed the intricate changes unfolding within him from an outsider's perspective. It was then that he recalled Layla's teachings, realizing that the current nomenclature for Ranking was a mere simplification introduced by the Anfang Alliance after the Calamity War.
In the past, the Ranks were classified based on the state of the individual's mana core and their transformation upon breaking through into each respective rank.
Layla had described the F-Rank as "Elemental Activation," the E-Rank as "Elemental Stabilization," the D-Rank as "Elemental Condensation," and the C-Rank as "Core Elementalism." These names provided a deeper understanding of what each rank represented.
Layla had enlightened Eren that the B-Rank was termed "Core Evolution." It signified a realm where his mana core would undergo a monumental transformation.
Evolution was not an easy process. This was why breakthroughs after C-Rank were physically challenging and morally demanding. They tested a Ranker's resolve to ascend to higher ranks and compelled them to unleash their true Individualities to complete the transformation.
The treacherous journey to ascend to higher Ranks was littered with the wreckage of countless high-ranking entities that had failed in their attempts. Post the Expert Rank, the risks became exponentially colossal, deterring most Rankers from even considering a breakthrough. Their Individualities often lacked the strength to endure the process, making it seem outright impossible.
For many Expert Rankers, the solid stage of the C-Rank's mana core was their peak. They recognized the futility of pushing for the next Rank, understanding that it would only lead to their demise. These power-hungry individuals were not suicidal; they preferred to savor their enhanced lifespans compared to mortals rather than risking everything for an elusive promotion.
Only the most confident Rankers in their potent Individualities would dare venture into the Master Rank and beyond. Even then, they meticulously prepared before embarking on such a trial. Selecting suitable ranking resources, securing an ideal environment, and implementing multiple failsafe methods, however insignificant they may seem against the dangers, were indispensable precautions.
None would ever dare attempt a breakthrough on the battlefield.
As Eren pondered the daunting task ahead of him in reaching the Master Rank, he couldn't help but envision the even greater risks that lay ahead for those seeking to ascend to the Grandmaster or even Sage Rank.
The scarcity of Sage Rankers in Anfang was no longer a mystery. Many hopefuls were weeded out in their pursuit of higher Ranks, revealing the fierce and unforgiving nature of the path they sought.
As his Soul Sense allowed him to survey the condition of his body, Eren realized the gravity of the undertaking he had embraced.
Eren's consciousness bore the weight of an overwhelming pressure as the B-Rank mana core began condensing within his being. It dawned on him that ascending to the Master Rank wasn't merely a physical transformation; it extended to the depths of his very soul.
Like an ethereal fabric, Eren's soul seemed to stretch in every direction, as if its worth were being magnified. The exposure to the potent B-Rank mana was tempering his mortal body while a mysterious force remodeled his soul. This process, though agonizing, elevated his spiritual force, strengthening his soul and augmenting his Soul Sense.
Yet, this stretching of his soul was no gentle affair. Eren experienced a form of pain that transcended mortal limits. Its intensity seemed boundless, ever-expanding as his soul accumulated more spiritual force with each passing moment.
This level of pain was far from ordinary. Not every Ranker endured such a brutal breakthrough. Eren's experience was uniquely intense, excruciating, and life-threatening due to the vastness of the Ranking Path he had chosen.
The one-of-a-kind status he had achieved came at a price. Every glory demanded its sacrifice, and Eren now paid the toll for the exceptional Ranker he had become.
As Eren's Soul Sense guided him through his progress, he became aware of a mysterious and profound change sweeping over his consciousness.
If the heightened state he experienced during the wyvern battle was deemed Battle Trance, then this new enigmatic state he found himself in could only be described as the State of Epiphany. In this state, the subject's soul was connected with a higher consciousness—the very consciousness of the world they inhabited. This was Eren's first time to experience the State of Epiphany after his Ace Rank breakthrough.
The Anfang World Will, intrigued by Eren's breakthrough, took the initiative to engage in a rare dialogue with one of its children.
[ My child... true inheritor of Elder Ichor! ]
AN: Layla mentions the pre-Calamity War nomenclatures of Rankers' ranks for the first time in chapter 361. The state of Epiphany was explained in chapters 48 and 85.
