The world is called by different names depending on the continent and culture, but the place where the story begins is named The Continent of Lantove, it's the largest of the four continents on the planet, and is b6 for the most diverse in it's landscape.
The continent is separated and ruled by Seven nations.
The Perssimolius Empire
Ruled by the Immortal Empress Valya Der Perssimolius, it has existed for more than 400 years and is a neutral political force that is situated in the west, in the desert region...the population mostly consists of Humans and Beastmen, with some Dwarves.
The Postosvia Empire
A monarchy ruled by the Postosvia Royalty, bordering the Perssimolius Empire and mostly consisting of Humans and Dwarves...Beastmen are hunted for sport in this region.
The Arclium Federation
A capitalistic nation situated in the middle of the continent, housing the biggest territory and boasting the biggest and most diverse population...Beastmen, Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and even the occassional Draco...It's presidential elections are more rigged than casino's, with every nation leader being atleast somehow related to the previous one...they're always human.
The Nolidvum Kingdom
Another Monarchy, this time ruled by the Nolidvum Royalty, occupying the land further to the north of the continent and being quite isolationist...It's population is exclusively that of Dwarves.
The Vilthaal Tribe
A massive, connected chain of tribal Beastmen who survive in the eastern Jungles of the continent...they are quite disconnected, but are still considered a separate nation due to the presence of Beast Lord Kuk'ldafilaati.
The Gornevradia Empire
Yet another monarchy, exclusively ruled and populated by Draco, is situated in the east, neighboring the Vilthaal Jungles...they're complete isolationist, even more so than the Nolidvum folk...their current emperor is the second strongest person in the continent.
And last but not least.
The Unviolus Communion
A territory populated and protected by Elves, also isolationist, their current leader is the Nature's Entelechy, Malrianne. The third strongest person on the continent. Situated on the opposite end of the Vilthaal Jungle, completely neutral.
The power systems in this world is quite strajghtforward.
There is an ever present, meta physical energy called mana, it is available to and usable by all races, since every single race possesses something called a Mana Core.
It is the primary fuel for magic.
The Grade of Mana Core in both Sapient Races and Monsters are as follows:
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
Grade 9
Grade 10
Grade 11
Grade 12
The upper limit a person can reach in their Mana Core Grade is determined at birth and cannot be increased by ordinary means.
Each of the 12 Grades has 3 stages that determine the progression of the Mana Core's stage, they go as follows:
Invoked/Formed
Elucidated/Darkened
Venerated/Corrupted
Mana Cores also have their own affinities, ie, Flame, Water, Earth, Wind(Four Foundation of the World), Light, Darkness(Equilibrium Inundate), Time, Space(Principles of the Universe), and finally, Mind and Soul(Morphosis of The Self.)
Tere can infact be multiple affinities in one Mana Core, but they are thus weaker and harder to control, atleast at first.
There are cases of unique affinities popping up in noble bloodlines, individuals or monsters, either through divine intervention, the fusion of compatible affinities, or other means.
Example: [Blank] is a Grade 6 Elucidated mage with affinities for Flame and Darkness.
There are also cases of those who's Mana capacity/control is not strong enough to allow for the standard magical progression, resulting in a need for alternative paths to strength.
Thus, exists the Mana-Body Synchronization Practice, used by knights and other non mages.
It is a method in which the user synchronizes the meta physical pulse of their Mana Core with the heartbeat of their real world heart through a ritual, forever forsaking magic in return for a way to increase their strength through physical training and the absorption of ambient Mana.
That is the only known method for non males to gain true strength.
Those who use this method are usually classified according to the amount of Mana their body has absorbed and circulated through their blood...how much of it remains...and how big their output is.
Also Graded 1 through 12, but without subclasses. They are all without exception called Resonators.
Example:[Blank] is a Grade 8 Resonator.
Other than this, there is one more way to gain power unrelated to magical artifacts or demonic powers.
That is, to pray to and follow the Virtues.
There are Nine Virtues, or Gods.
Onmo, The Virtue of Sacrifice, The Sacrificial Lamb of Heaven who bleeds eternally in the wheat fields.
Holthia, The Virtue of Beauty, The Blind Beholder of The Soul who stares blankly in the mirror, unable to see her own form.
Milvustha, The Virtue of Genesis, The Four Armed Titan, he who remembered the end, was thus forgotten by all.
Pothesis, The Virtue of Knowledge, The Allknowing Raven who forgot his own name, resorted to making lies.
Devria, The Virtue of Constance, The Silver Scaled Snake of Time, she who endures the cycle of existence, has long forgotten her purpose.
Mesthus, The Virtue of Dreams, The Many Horned Lullaby, who will never wake up from his dream.
Valnia, The Virtue of Fulfilment, The Many Eyed Granter of Wishes who has no possessions of her own.
Navelum, The Virtue of Entropy, The Abstraction of Concept who will never vanish, he who was never meant to be, but always existed.
Brinalum, The Virtue of Atonement, The Teary Statue who holds the Briar Rose. She will never forgive herself, for the sins of others.
Each of those Virtues embody a concept, some are abstract and often misunderstood, while others are clear and straightforward.
Following a God's Virtue is a less common, yet also viable way of getting power, due to it being compatible with both Magic and other forms of power.
It does not demand much more than prayer, and fulfillment of the aforementioned principles behind the Virtue...if you believe in and follow their traces, you recieve their blessing.
The followers of the Virtues are called uniquely depending on the god they follow, and are graded the same as mages [Up to Grade 12] but without the 3 stages of progression.
The followers of each god are reffered to as follows:
Sacrifant=Onmo
Venerator=Holthia
Remiscant=Milvustha
Appraiser=Pothesis
Reccurer=Devria
Dreamer=Mesthus
Volitionist=Valnia
Decimator=Navelum
Weeper=Brinalum
Example: [Blank] is a Grade 7 Sacrifant
That's it in a nutshell.