Everything is essentially ranked from one to nine, nine being the highest.

the three stages are human, grand, and master

Human stage has elemental energy as a gas in the core

Grand stage has it as a liquid increasing the amount and further strengthens the body as well as by releasing a spirit the strengthening the elemental energy's effectiveness

Master stage is in a solid state and will have something else

As for the soul rune technique every three runes is equivalent to a level if slightly weaker than the average person of that level. As for the state of the runes, its in a gas form of the human state because that's what it was made for and Aion can't use or move liquified elemental energy. But it does strengthen and rebuild the body. So every twenty seven runes is a rank and eighty one is equal to a stage at least for the human stage

As for the seemingly impossible terrible situation that Aion is in, to match higher people someone gave me a really good suggestion and I will later use it for now he must fight on I guess

My title meaning something different from what I thought was brought to my attention, I have fixed that I think. I might make mistakes like this in the future but will work to correct them. If one is noticed I would greatly appreciate it if you would let me know.

So Dan I thank you.