Power System
When the gates opened on Earth and the catastrophe began—one that nearly led to humanity's extinction—it unintentionally accelerated the course of evolution, a process that would have otherwise taken thousands of years.
Now, Earth is saturated with aura. Humanity has evolved to the point where they can absorb and wield this overwhelming power, granting them abilities that would've once been called miracles.
Aura is the very essence of life—the source of all power in the universe. However, it manifests in many different forms.
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Combat Roles and Specializations
These are positions individuals take on during battle. While they don't always determine the outcome of one-on-one fights, they're crucial in large-scale warfare. The coordination between multiple roles can create a devastating synergy, allowing victory even against superior opponents.
The primary roles are: Swordsman, Spearman, Archer, Wave Controller, Assassin, and Tank.
A person's natural affinity for a certain role is usually determined at a young age, based on physical traits, aura compatibility, and various other factors.
All roles, without exception, rely heavily on aura and unique traits.
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– Swordsman –
The most common and widely used role within the Empire. Aura manipulation is notoriously difficult, and mastering it to a perfect degree is nearly impossible. For that reason, swordsmen channel their aura through an external medium: the sword.
One of the key reasons for this role's popularity is the fact that ancient martial arts were specifically designed for it. Combined with its inherent versatility, the Swordsman can effectively fight at both close and medium range, often positioned right behind the team's Tank to deliver powerful offensive blows.
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– Wave Controller –
A unique and highly destructive role.
Wave Controllers rely on a high level of aura manipulation and sensitivity. They're considered the deadliest members of any battlefield due to the sheer range and devastation of their attacks.
They usually take position at the rear, as most of them lack physical resilience.
The majority of Wave Controllers are female, owing to biological differences—specifically, the aura cycle in a woman's body is three times faster than in a man's. This gives them a natural affinity for this role, though it's not an unbreakable rule.
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– Spearman –
The Spearman is the battlefield's wild card—able to adapt to any situation with frightening efficiency.
They can launch devastating long-range strikes by hurling their spear or engage in close quarters without losing effectiveness, much like a Swordsman. Their destructive power depends largely on their chosen combat style. They're usually positioned at the center of the formation, behind the Tank and Swordsman, but ahead of the Wave Controller and Archer.
The strongest human in the Empire, Emperor Maekar Valerion, is a Spearman—the greatest one since ancient times.
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– Assassin –
The only role that excels more in solo missions than team-based combat.
Assassins are rigorously trained in stealth and timing, striking only when it matters most. A single well-timed attack can deal catastrophic damage—provided it goes unnoticed.
Once their position is exposed, they lose nearly 50% of their effectiveness. That's why Assassins prefer to remain hidden no matter what's happening on the battlefield. They are best suited for eliminating high-priority targets with precision.
Currently, the most feared Assassin in the Empire is Mist Umbra.
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– Archer –
As the name suggests, Archers specialize in long-range combat.
They are positioned behind the Spearman, using deadly arrows to support from afar. Their destructive capacity varies, but some Archers can blacken the skies with a single volley.
Alongside the Swordsman and Spearman, they are among the oldest combat roles in existence.
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– Tank –
The frontline juggernaut.
Tanks initiate battles, absorb damage, and protect their team. They possess immense physical strength, overwhelming offensive force, rock-solid defense, and high recovery capabilities. Their role is to clear the path forward for the rest of the squad.
Note: Some individuals are powerful enough to transcend their assigned role and take on multiple roles at once. Such cases, though rare, are not unheard of.
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Power Stages and Progression
The power hierarchy is categorized into ranked tiers denoted by letters.
The weakest tier is Rank G—comparable to a regular human without any powers.
From there, the ranks climb progressively, all the way to the ultimate Rank SSS.
Each rank is divided into three sub-stages: for example, Rank A consists of A-, A, and A+.
This applies to all ranks except SSS, which stands alone at the top.
Through continuous training and aura absorption, humans can gradually ascend this ladder of power.
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Talent Limit
Every human is born with a ceiling to their potential—this is known as their Talent Limit.
For instance, if someone is born with Rank A talent, then Rank A is the highest they'll ever reach in their lifetime. No known method exists to break this limit—unless, of course, they have something like a system, just like the protagonist.
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Elements
Various elemental particles exist in the atmosphere, and by resonating with them, humans can harness elemental powers. There are six main elements, each with an advanced counterpart that can be unlocked through mastery—or inherited at birth.
The elemental pairs are:
Fire → Lightning
Water → Ice
Earth → Gravity
Wind → Sound
Darkness → Shadow
Light → Star (widely considered the strongest element)
Elemental affinity may be inherited from a parent or obtained naturally based on an individual's compatibility.
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Weapons
Weapons are also ranked similarly to humans.
The most powerful known weapon to date is classified as Rank SS.
Wielding a powerful weapon can help bridge the gap between power tiers. Even a weaker combatant may emerge victorious if their weapon is strong enough.
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Combat Styles
These represent the fighting paths warriors follow. You can think of aura as the fuel, and combat styles as the engine that converts it into action.
Combat styles are also categorized by rank and complexity.
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Skills
As the name suggests, skills grant specific abilities. For example, phantom Step increases movement speed. There are countless skill types, each with a unique function.
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Abilities
Abilities are rare, innate powers that some humans are born with. Often bordering on supernatural, abilities can defy logic and reshape battlefields.
Examples include:
Beloved by Light (Snow's ability), which allows him to control all six elements in their full capacity.
Shadow Adaptation (Frey's ability) .