Hey, readers. Leo here.
Nova says I have to write this guide because apparently, "you complain too much when readers don't understand why you're struggling." Rude. But whatever. Let's get into it.
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Energy — What Runs This Whole Show
Before we talk about ranks and power, you need to understand what actually fuels everything.
Mana — The basic energy. Everyone uses it. Think of it like fuel for a car. Techniques, spells, enhancement—all of it runs on mana. If you run out, you're just a regular person with a sharp stick.
Aether — Now this is the scary stuff. You can't use Aether until you reach Transcendent rank. It's not just energy—it's the stuff that carries Laws. Reality-bending nonsense.
The difference?
Mana = fuel for your car
Aether = being able to rewrite the traffic rules
This is why Transcendent fighters terrify me. A Sovereign can literally create their own pocket dimension. Try beating that with a sword.
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The First Awakening — When Everything Starts
At age 10, every person goes through their First Awakening. This is when you:
Form your Origin Core (basically your power battery) Learn to sense and control mana Find out your Core Potential Rank
Core Potential Ranks:
F → E → D → C → B → A → S → SS → SSS
Now here's the part that matters. Pay attention.
Core Rank = Growth Potential, NOT current strength.
A low rank doesn't mean you're doomed. It means:
You grow slower Training hurts more.
You need better resources
Risk of death is higher
But with enough suffering and effort? A C-rank can surpass an S-rank. It just takes decades and nearly dying a lot.
...Unfortunately, I know this from personal experience.
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Human Cultivation Ranks — How Strong You Actually Are
This measures current power, not potential.
The Ranks:
Initiate → Adept → Elite → Expert → Master → Grandmaster → Transcendent → Sovereign → Mythic → Unknown
Sub-Ranks (For Normal People Like Me)
For the first 7 ranks (Initiate through Transcendent), each has:
Low — Mid — High
Example: Initiate Mid, Elite High, Grandmaster Low, etc.
Once someone hits Sovereign, sub-ranks stop mattering. At that level, power is measured by:
Willpower
Law comprehension
Domain control
Basically, if you meet a Sovereign, just bow and hope they're in a good mood.
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Mana Breathing Techniques — How You Grow
Once you have a core, you need a technique to actually grow.
Function:
Absorb mana from the air Circulate it through your body Strengthen your core Improve efficiency Help with breakthroughs
Technique Ranks:
Common → Advanced → Rare → Noble → Legendary
Bloodline Compatibility — Why Nobles Cheat
Here's the thing about noble families. Some techniques are designed specifically for their bloodline.
Example: My family, the Celestials, has a Lightning Breathing Technique. If you don't have Celestial blood, using it is like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. You lose like 80% efficiency.
This is why noble families stay powerful. Their techniques are tailor-made for them.
...Which makes my B-rank core even more embarrassing, but we don't talk about that.
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The Second Awakening — Path Trial
Between ages 16-27, some people receive an invitation to the Path Awakening Trial.
Trial Rules:
Not mandatory — most people skip it because they're scared (fair) Your soul leaves your body and enters a personalized trial realm The trial reflects your past, personality, regrets, will, and soul
Death inside = real death.
This is why I was terrified. The original Leo died in this trial. No pressure on me at all.
Success = Path Awakening
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Path System — Your Way of Existing
A Path isn't just a class. It's your way of existing in the world.
It defines:
Your combat style. How you grow. Which skills evolve. How you use your talent
Examples:
Sword Path, Frost Moon Path, Dragon War Path, Celestial Judgment Path, Void Sovereign Path etc...
Path Ranks
Same as Core:
F → E → D → C → B → A → S → SS → SSS
Above SSS — The Origin Path
The highest possible rank. So rare that most people don't even know it exists. Only a handful of beings in history have ever awakened it.
Can Paths Evolve?
Yes — but very rarely.
Normal paths are fixed rank. But exceptional individuals can undergo a Path Evolution Event.
This lets someone climb from S → SS → SSS → Origin.
Extremely rare. Don't get your hopes up.
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Skills — The Fun Stuff
Skills come from some sources:
Path Skills (Innate) — Bound to your soul Grow naturally as you do. Can't be stolen
Bloodline Skills — Unique abilities that only bloodline members can unlock
Skill Cores (From Monsters) — Dropped by powerful monsters in incursions. Crystallized fragments of laws. Can be absorbed or embedded into artifacts
Artifact Skills — Bound to weapons or armor Temporary or conditional
Skill Ranks:
F → E → D → C → B → A → S → SS → SSS → Origin
Skill Slot System — The Balance Tool
Humans have limited "slots" for Active skills:
Average person → 3-5 slots
Talented → 6-8 slots
Freaks (Arthur, Alice, etc.) → 9-12 slots
This prevents anyone from just collecting every skill in existence. Every choice matters.
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Weapon Arts & Mastery
When someone learns a sword art (or any combat art), they see something like:
[Art Name]
Art Rank: Elite
Mastery: Tier 3 (54%)
Art Ranks (Quality of the Art Itself)
Initiate → Adept → Elite → Expert → Master → Grandmaster → Transcendent → Sovereign → Mythic → Unknown
This is the art's maximum potential. A higher-rank art can eventually become stronger — but only if you master it.
Mastery Tiers:
Tier 1: Just learned. Clunky. Slow. Forced.
Tier 2: Less thinking. Basic flow.
Tier 3: Body moves before mind. Instinctive.
Tier 4: Deep understanding. Can adapt mid-fight.
Tier 5: Perfect mastery. Art is part of your soul.
Currently, I'm at Tier 1 in Starlight Steps. Don't judge me.
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Monster & Incursion System — What We Fight
Monster Energy:
Monsters use Abyss Energy — corrupted mana.
Humans cannot absorb this directly. Monster cores have to be refined first.
Monster Grades:
Grade 1 — Fodder
Grade 2 — Minor
Grade 3 — Common
Grade 4 — Greater
Grade 5 — Elite
Grade 6 — Commander
Grade 7 — Lord
Grade 8 — Sovereign
Grade 9 — Calamity
Incursion Grades:
Incursions match monster grades. A Grade 5 incursion means the average monster is Grade 5, with a boss possibly higher.
If you see a Grade 9 incursion, just run. Or pray. Both probably won't help.
Bloodline System — The Lucky and The Chosen
Two types:
Inherited Bloodlines
Passed through family lines.
Example: Celestial bloodline (lightning affinity), Valdris bloodline (frost/wind), Nightshade bloodline (???)
Awakened Bloodlines
Granted by gods or Selected by fate/destiny or...
Example: Arthur (Goddess's Apostle), Seris (Moon Goddess Apostle)
I have an unawakened Celestial bloodline. Which means I have the potential... just not the power. Yet.
Final Note from Leo:
Look, I know this is a lot to take in. But trust me — understanding this stuff makes the story way better.
Also, if you see any mistakes in here, blame Nova. He was supposed to proofread.
Now go enjoy the actual story.
— Leo von Celestial