Token Method Gone Wrong??

Not terribly to long ago riot released tokens for mastery levels 6 and 7. Basically you have to get and S- or higher to get 1 level six token and once you have two you combine them with essence. But you have worked hard for those tokens and now riot wants to make you pay for essence for buy champion shards and sell them for some essence so you can upgrade one of your favorite champions to a higher level?? That's not even fair, we worked hard for this and you make us pay money, give up essence for something that doesn't even need to have essence to make it. If any riot member see's this please explain to me why you chose essence to help pay for our level 6 or 7 mastery.