Hello my dear readers!

I have decided the route the story is going to take, and preliminary levels of power for the adventurers and mages. I will be rewriting the story (no noticeable changes to the plot so far), while slightly modifying the content. Mostly I will be adding to it, uploading the edited chapters during the rest of the week, along with a chapter 13. I'm trying to smoothen out the flow of information (not too many infodumps at once), while laying the foundations for the rest of the story. Uploaded chapters will be marked with an [Edited] tag. Wordcount can be expected to rise throughout the chapters due to extra content/increased details/slightly modified content.

I decided to do this early on, as the itch to rewrite would only have risen chapter by chapter, interrupting me when I try to write. Expect the first edits to upload during today, or tomorrow morning at the latest.

Below is a preliminary strength chart for non-mages, by the courtesy of unified standard of adventurers guild.

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Note: Mana techniques use mana to augment bodily functions up to the Platinum rank, before being able to manifest outside the body. Such as hiding from perception with melding the mana within the body with the darkness element when in shadows (user is perceived as one of the shadows). Under the light, the effect is noticeably weaker, if not non-existent. At Mithril ranks, same technique causes tendrils of darkness to form from the body, even further hiding the user within the darkness. Under the light, the user seems to be little less tangible, obscuring the perception of others.

Other examples are using air to move silently/faster (melding the presense with the wind lessens the influence it has on you, including the sounds caused by you), while users of fire can boost their explosive power (such as boosting muscles). Each element has their own properties, with some of them having some overlapping effects through different means.

Relative techniques are varied, while some of the best methods are controlled by nobles/highly influential families. Adventurers Guild and Magi College have their own high grade techniques/spells.

Beginners use plates made with Copper, Bronze and Iron Copper ranks are normal humans with a little skill with weapons = Can kill a Goblin with some trouble Bronze rank can handle himself with weapons = Capable of fighting 2-3 goblins at the same time Iron ranks are proficient with weapons = Capable of killing rank 1 monster. Adventurers use Silver, Steel and Cold Iron Silver ranks can handle most rank 1 monsters with ease, with or without magic. Steel ranks have started reinforcing themselves with mana, and can fight against rank 2 monsters. Cold Iron ranks can solo rank 2 monsters, and are at mid stages with mana reinforcement. Can use smaller techniques involving mana. Veteran ranks use Gold, Darksteel and Platinum Gold ranks are capable of fighting rank 3 monsters, while proficient with mana reinforcement, being at upper ranks of body strengthening. Skilled with mana techniques. Darksteel ranks are capable of fighting most rank 3 monsters solo, reaching a limit of normal body strengthening. Experts at mana techniques. Longevity reaches up 120 years for humans. Platinum ranks are capable of killing rank 3 monsters solo, in the middle of making the mana reinforcement permanent. Mana techniques at the peak of skill, training with the precise control of mana. Elites use Mithril plates with small emeralds per rank First emerald ranks have permanently reinforced their bodies with mana, begin able to move it outside the bodies to imbue weapon or a piece of armor with it. Capable of affecting the surroundings with mana techniques. Longevity reaches up to 150 years for humans. Second emerald ranks can imbue both weapons and armor with their mana, manifesting their elemental properties with techniques. Can fight against rank 4 monsters in a team. Third emerald ranks can impose small amount of control to their elemental affinity in a small area around them. Elemental techniques further fuse with the elements, trying to attain the domain. Stepping into the domain needs talent with element manipulation, and insight to the element itself. Prime, carries adamantite plate, with a diamond for each rank. Extremely rare people. First diamond ranks have manifested a small domain of 5m near them, having a greater degree of control to their element within it. Doesn’t need techniques to control the element anymore. Assimilation of their elemental mana within their bodies, further reinforcing it, and increasing longevity (up to 200-300 years depending on affinity, and if they keep progressing). Second diamond ranks have slightly larger domain of 6m, able to manifest their elements within the domain. Assimilation of elemental mana complete, bodily strength now double of mithril ranks. Capable of fighting against rank 5 monsters. Third diamond ranks are capable of condensing their mana over a weapon or armor, granting it elemental properties according to their element. Greater control over their elemental affinity within their domains of 8m. Semi-Ascended. Basically one or two people within millennium become one. Capable of condensing mana upon their body, forming an elemental armor and weapons, while being in complete control of their elemental powers within their domain of 10m. Elemental mana transforms the body, double the strength of mithril ranks, vastly increased longevity (up to 500 years). Step into service of their patron god (Mostly decided by elemental affinity), being restricted upon how much they can act in the world, whether they have a patron or not. Aim for the enlightenment to step into the world of minor deities, or further assimilate with their elements, becoming elementals.