A Reader's Reference Guide
FOREWORD
This document serves as a standalone reference for the magical systems of Aethelia. Think of it as an "academy textbook" or "adventurer's guide" that exists outside the narrative. Keep it handy while reading to understand character progression, power scaling, and system limits without info-dumps in the story itself.
Note: Some characters (particularly Kael) may display exceptions to these rules due to unique circumstances. These will be explained in-story when relevant.
I. THE ASCENSION LADDERCore Principles:
Awakened Rank has only 3 Tiers (foundation)
All subsequent ranks have 8 Tiers each
Each Tier represents significant growth in power, control, and understanding
Breaking through to a new rank requires special conditions and often rare catalysts
The Thirteen Ranks:
Rank title Key Ability Unlocked Typical Authority
I Awakened > Mana sensing & basic casting >Student/Apprentice
II Initiate >Elemental specialization >Adventurer/Soldier
III Ascendant >Multi-element fusion >Officer/Specialist
IV Archmage >Personal domain creation >Professor/City Lord
V Paragon >New magical principles >Kingdom Treasure
VI Sovereign >Spell system creation >Empire Founder
VII Divinity Divine spark, blessings Minor Deity
VIII Celestial Cosmic awareness Star-Forger
IX Primordial Fundamental force control Reality Architect
X Eternal Timeless existence Multiversal Traveler
XI Demigod Domain omnipotence God-Slayer
XII Overlord Creation mastery Final Arbiter
XIII Supreme Ultimate transcendence (Theoretical)
II. WEAPON GRADES & TIER RESTRICTIONS: The Eight Grades:
Star Grade - Common, mass-produced
Super Star Grade - Quality craftsmanship
Infinity Star Grade - Artisan enchanted
Infinite Dust Grade - Masterwork, unique
Spark Grade - Legendary, history-making
Finite Spark Grade - Mythical, reality-affecting
Divine Spark Grade - God-touched, conscious
God's Spark Grade - Primordial, world-shaping
Safe Usage Chart:
Your Ascension Can Wield Safely With Risk/Strain
Awakened Star Grade only —
Initiate T1-4 Star Grade Super Star Low
Initiate T5-8 Super Star Infinity Star Low
Ascendant T1-4 Infinity Star Infinite Dust Low
Ascendant T5-8 Infinite Dust Spark Low
Archmage T1-4 Spark Grade Finite Spark Low
Archmage T5-8 Finite Spark Divine Spark Low
Paragon+ Divine Spark+ God's Spark (partial)
⚠️ Warning: Attempting to wield equipment above your tier risks:
Mana backlash (vein damage)
Spiritual burnout (consciousness damage)
Physical breakdown (body cannot channel power)
Equipment rejection (sentient items may refuse)
III. SPELL BOOK SYSTEMGrade Structure:
Each Spell Book Grade contains knowledge spanning 2 Ascension Tiers (approximately 16 Tiers of progression total).
Four Mastery Levels Per Spell:
Low: Basic comprehension, high cost, slow casting
Mid: Developing proficiency, reduced cost
Good: Solid mastery, efficient casting
High: Peak mastery, ready for next grade
Progression Path:
Spell Grade Covers These Tiers Example Spells Acquisition Method
Star Awakened T3 - Initiate T4 Mana Bolt, Flame Bullet Academy curriculum
Super Star Initiate T5-8 Flame Wall, Chain Lightning Advanced training
Infinity Star Ascendant T1-4 Spatial Tear, Earth Golem Merit rewards
Infinite Dust Ascendant T5-8 Mini Black Hole, Void Rend Dungeon finds
Spark Archmage T1-4 Annihilation Flame Legendary finds
Finite Spark Archmage T5-8 Shattered Reality Ancient ruins
Divine Spark Paragon+ World Creation Divine sources
God's Spark Sovereign+ Primordial Commands Mythical/Unique
IV. COMBAT TECHNIQUE SYSTEM: Two Technique Types:
1. Standard Techniques - Learnable by anyone:
Reinforcement (Iron Skin, Gale Movement)
Weapon Forms (Sword, Spear, Unarmed)
Elemental Infusion (Fire fists, Stone skin)
2. Legacy/Bloodline Techniques - Inherited or unique:
Passed through noble families
Require specific bloodlines
Often more powerful than standard techniques
Mastery Levels (Per Technique):
Level 1 - Foundation:
Can execute basic form
High mana cost, obvious tells
Requires full concentration
Level 2 - Proficiency:
Smooth execution
Reduced cost, minimal tells
Can integrate with movement
Level 3 - Mastery:
Instinctive use
Low cost, no tells
Can adapt mid-execution
Level 4 - Transcendence:
Beyond original design
Creates personal variations
Can teach to others
V. CHARACTER PROGRESSION PATHS: Standard Student (Average Noble):
1 Tier advancement per 1-2 months
Follows academy curriculum exactly
Uses family heirlooms (sealed to match tier)
Breakthroughs at standard pace
Prodigy (Gold/Purple Veins):
1 Tier per 2-4 weeks
Accesses advanced material early
Family provides superior resources
May develop unique variations
Commoner Path:
1 Tier per 1-3 months (varies by resources)
Must earn everything through merit
Develops practical, efficient styles
Often innovates out of necessity
Kael's Unique Path (Primordial Sovereign):
Shown Publicly: Standard prodigy pace
Actual Capability: 1 Tier per 1-2 weeks
Challenge: Must hide true progression
Solution: Creates his own spells/techniques
Risk: Using full power risks exposure
VI. POWER SCALING & CONFLICT Tier Difference Impact:
1-2 Tiers ahead: Significant advantage, can handle 2-3 opponents
3-4 Tiers ahead: Overwhelming, requires perfect strategy to survive
5+ Tiers ahead: Normally insurmountable
Different Rank: Usually requires artifacts/allies/special circumstances
Breaking the Rules (When Characters Can):
Bloodline Advantages: Some can wield higher-grade family items
Unique Affinities: Special elements may bypass some restrictions
Artifacts: God's Spark items sometimes choose their wielders
Temporary Boosts: Rituals, drugs, or desperate circumstances
Teamwork: Coordinated groups can overcome tier differences
VII. SOCIETAL POWER DISTRIBUTION: Typical Distribution:
60% of population: Awakened or below
20%: Initiate T1-4 (skilled workers, guards)
15%: Initiate T5-8 (officers, specialists)
5%: Ascendant+ (leaders, masters)
Noble Houses by Power:
Minor Nobles (Bronze/Silver): Archmage leaders
Major Nobles (Purple): Paragon T1-4 leaders
Great Houses (Gold): Paragon T5-8, sometimes Sovereign or even Divinity depending on how long the noble house has been in existence
Royalty: Divinity+
Military Ranks by Tier:
Soldier: Awakened T3 - Initiate T5
Sergeant: Initiate T6-8
Captain: Ascendant
Commander: Archmage
General: paragon
Grand Marshal: paragon T5-T8 approaching Sovereign
VIII. GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Ascension: The process of advancing through ranks
Breakthrough: Advancing to a new rank (requires special conditions)
Domain: Personal reality space that obeys mage's will (Archmage+)
Mana Veins: Channels through which magical energy flows
Vein Purity: Quality/color of veins determines potential (White→Red→Bronze→Silver→Purple→Gold)
Primordial Sovereign: Kael's unique vein type (Black-Gold, harmonizes all magic)
Unmaking: Kael's unique ability to return things to potential state
Beast Space: Pocket dimension for housing bonded creatures
Dragon-Pact: Ancient bond between humans and dragons
Earth-Soul Dragon: Dragon type fused with ley lines beneath Brightgold
Ember-Drake: Small dragon species (Ignis's type)
Ember-Aether Dragon: Ancient dragon type (Vaelthryx's species)
they will more dragons to come
IX. QUICK-REFERENCE CHART
Stage Rank/Tier Weapon Spells Techniques Status
Beginner Awakened T1-3 Star Star Low-Mid Foundation Student
Apprentice Initiate T1-4 Star→Super Star Star→Super Star Proficiency Trainee
Journeyman Initiate T5-8 Super Star Super Star Early Mastery Adventurer
Adept Ascendant T1-4 Infinity Star Infinity Star Solid Mastery Specialist
Expert Ascendant T5-8 Infinite Dust Infinite Dust Advanced Master
Master Archmage T1-4 Spark Spark Peak Professor
Grandmaster Archmage T5-8 Finite Spark Finite Spark Transcendent Legend
Legend+ Paragon+ Divine Spark+ Divine Spark+ Unique Mythical
X. ABOUT THIS GUIDE
This reference will be updated as new systems are revealed in the Draconic Overlord Saga. The story will show these systems in action through character progression and conflicts, not explain them in narrative info-dumps.
When you see:
A character struggling with a spell → they're at Low/Mid mastery
Equipment described with specific details → check the Weapon Grades
Power disparities in conflicts → reference Tier Difference Impact
Training montages → characters are advancing Tiers
Breakthrough scenes → they're advancing Ranks
Remember: Characters may not know all these rules. Part of their journey is discovering the limits (and loopholes) of Aethelia's magical systems.
— Compiled from Academy Archives, Adventurer Guild Guides, and Historical Records
Bookmark this guide and refer back as needed. Happy reading! 📚✨