The first few chapters will describe the world, power systems, etc.
World mana is a universal energy that permeates the entire world. It exists in the air, water, earth, living beings, and objects. It is used for cultivation, aura formation, spell creation, body enhancement, alchemy, and rune magic. All living beings can absorb, transform, and store it in specialized organs (core, sea of consciousness). The quality and speed of absorption depend on innate elemental affinity, meditation method, and cultivation technique.
Elemental affinity is an innate predisposition of a being toward a particular element. Common elements include fire, water, wind, earth, ice, and lightning. Rare elements include light, darkness, and gravity. There are also unique affinities that appear only in certain individuals or as distinguishing traits of a lineage. Affinity influences combat style, the form and properties of intention or domain, the effectiveness of spells, alchemy, and combat techniques.
Cultivation is the process of accumulating and transforming world mana. There are two main paths: the path of the body (warrior/knight) and the path of the mind (mage). Developing both paths simultaneously is nearly impossible.
Meditation is the primary method of cultivation. In warriors, mana is transformed into aura, while in mages it is directed into the sea of consciousness. Meditation techniques are classified from 1★ to 9★: higher stars indicate better energy quality and faster accumulation. High-level techniques (7★–9★) provide purer energy, accelerate the formation of rings or stars, and strengthen intention or domain. Higher ranks require longer and more complex meditation.
Warriors: the aura core is located beneath the heart. Energy flows through channels of qi that determine physical potential and talent. The aura core is considered rank 0. When sufficient aura accumulates around the core, the first ring forms — rank 1. The number of rings corresponds to the warrior's rank. Progress is measured by the fullness of the current ring.
After the fourth ring, the warrior's aura can manifest outside the body and weapon, enhancing movements and attacks and allowing long-range influence.
Intention in warriors is the embodiment of personality, combat style, goals, and ideals. It forms through aura accumulation and ring development. Intention enhances combat characteristics, reflects the warrior's path, and affects speed, strength, and style of attacks. Its strength depends on the depth of self-awareness, the refinement of techniques, and aura quality.
Warrior techniques: weapon guidance techniques range from 1★ to 9★, defining combat style, efficiency, and maximum potential. Movement guidance techniques optimize aura use for mobility. Mastery levels are novice, advanced, experienced, master, and grandmaster. Some techniques are limited by rank and physical ability.
Mages: the sea of consciousness forms in the head during meditation. No stars correspond to rank 0. Each star forms as mana accumulates and represents a rank. Progress is measured by star formation and condensation.
After 4★, mana passively strengthens the body, but far less than a warrior's aura. Higher ranks increase control, scale, and versatility of magical actions.
Domain in mages is the physical manifestation of magical path, the embodiment of magic. Creating a domain requires full reconsideration and understanding of one's magic. It is formed in the sea of consciousness after deep analysis and comprehension of the mage's path. The domain enhances magic in the chosen direction, creates favorable conditions for spellcasting, and reflects specialization. Its strength depends on the mage's understanding and refinement of magic.
Creation of intention and domain: intention forms through energy accumulation and personal development, reflecting combat style, goals, and ideals. Domain forms through full understanding and reconsideration of magic, reflecting specialization, power, and scope. Intention concerns self-awareness; domain concerns magic awareness.
Spells are ranked from 1★ to 9★. A mage can only use spells at or below their rank. Spellcasting involves visualizing the formula in the sea of consciousness, infusing it with mana, and manifesting it in reality. If interrupted, mana is wasted. Full comprehension of the formula is required; otherwise, spells can distort or produce unexpected effects.
Spell types include offensive, defensive, and arrays. Temporary arrays are created on objects, activate under conditions, and are destroyed by dispersing mana. Permanent arrays (formations) require materials, have a core, consume energy, are independent of mage rank, depend on material quality, and can be bypassed using artifacts.
Alchemy has 9 ranks. The rank of a potion is determined by the rank of its main component. Low-rank cannot safely use high-energy potions due to risk
Blacksmithing involves crafting weapons and armor. The products the rank of the primary material used.A blacksmith cannot use a material higher than the rank of his aura core.
Rune magic can be applied to blacksmith objects and has 9 ranks. The mage must match the rank of the rune magic. High-rank rune mages are rare and highly valued.
Lifespan begins increasing from rank 4. Warriors: 4 rings — 110 years, 5 rings — 140 years, 6 rings — 180 years, 7 rings — 230 years, 8 rings — 300 years, 9 rings — 400 years, 10 rings — ascension. Mages: 4★ — 120 years, 5★ — 160 years, 6★ — 210 years, 7★ — 270 years, 8★ — 350 years, 9★ — 450 years, 10★ — ascension.
Higher levels: 9 rank — demigod, 10 rank — divinity and ascension. Path and style fully determine the being's personality and essence.
Designations: mages by number of stars (3★ mage), warriors by number of rings (five-ringed knight). The strength of intention or domain depends on the depth of path or magic awareness, energy quality, and refinement of techniques.
After rank 4: warriors can manifest aura outside the body, enhancing weapons and movements; mages' mana passively strengthens the body, increasing resilience.