Power System

The Power System in the world of Eternal Arcana is the foundational system that governs how living beings make use of supernatural power. This system has several core mechanisms, while deeper mechanics, hidden abilities, and various exceptions have yet to be fully explained.

1. Power Rank

Power Rank is the ranking system used to measure the level of someone’s strength.

F → E → D → C → B → A → S

Power Rank serves as a general indicator of someone’s strength, but it does not determine the outcome of a fight on its own.

2. Mana

Mana is the primary supernatural energy found throughout the world. Mana can be used to reinforce the body, cast Spells, form barriers, enhance weapons, or activate certain abilities.

A person’s ability to use Mana is influenced by several factors, including the amount of Mana they possess, control, quality, efficiency, and Arcana Affinity.

3. Mana Core

A Mana Core is a supernatural organ that functions to store and process Mana.

Not every living being has a Mana Core. Humans, Elves, Beastmen, and most humanoid races don’t possess one. Many monsters, beasts, and certain non-humanoid creatures, on the other hand, do.

A Mana Core taken from a monster can be harvested and used as material. Generally, the stronger the creature, the higher the quality of the Mana Core it carries.

4. Arcana

Arcana is the supernatural principle that gives Mana its particular characteristics and determines how Mana can be shaped and used.

Some of the more common Arcana include Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Light, and Dark. Beyond these, there are far rarer Arcana such as Space, Time, and Gravity.

Arcana serves as one of the core foundations of Spellcasting, since it determines how Mana behaves once it’s put to use.

5. Arcana Affinity

Arcana Affinity is the degree to which a person is naturally compatible with a particular type of Arcana.

The higher someone’s Affinity for a given Arcana, the easier and more efficiently they can use Mana through that principle. That said, Affinity isn’t an absolute limit.

A person can still use an Arcana that doesn’t match their Affinity through training, knowledge, artifacts, or other specific methods.

6. Spell

A Spell is a technique used to shape Mana into a specific supernatural effect.

The complexity of a Spell can vary widely. Simple Spells can be cast with ease, while more complex ones demand a much higher degree of Mana control and understanding of Arcana.

Because of this, a person’s ability to cast Spells doesn’t depend solely on the amount of Mana they have, but also on their grasp of Arcana and their skill in controlling Mana.

7. Unique Power

Unique Power refers to a special kind of power that follows its own principles and doesn’t always obey the general rules of Mana and Arcana.

Unique Power can originate from a Bloodline, Species, Artifact, Blessing, Curse, Contract, Supernatural Phenomenon, or other sources yet unknown.

Every Unique Power can carry its own distinct characteristics and doesn’t necessarily function the same way an ordinary Spell would.

8. Unique Energy

Not all supernatural energy is Mana.

Certain beings or abilities can produce energy drawn from entirely different sources, such as Spirits, Demons, Divine Beings, Corruption, or other supernatural origins.

However, this kind of energy doesn’t always form a system that everyone can access. In many cases, it only appears as part of a specific ability and follows its own separate set of rules.

9. Power Potential

Power Potential refers to the ceiling of growth a person is capable of reaching.

A person’s potential can be shaped by their physical condition, their Mana Core if they have one, Arcana Affinity, Bloodline, Unique Power, Species, talent, and other innate abilities.

Having high potential doesn’t guarantee someone will actually become strong. Potential still requires training, experience, knowledge, and the ability to put it to use.

10. Combat Strength

Power Rank isn’t the only factor that decides the outcome of a fight.

A person’s combat strength is also shaped by the amount and control of their Mana, Mana quality, Arcana Affinity, Spells, Unique Power, Unique Energy, Artifacts, Bloodline, Species, physical ability, experience, strategy, environment, and knowledge of their opponent.

Because of this, someone with a lower Rank can still defeat an opponent with a higher Rank under the right circumstances. That said, the larger the gap in Rank, the harder it becomes for the lower-Ranked side to come out on top.

SUMMARY

F → E → D → C → B → A → S

Mana is the primary supernatural energy used throughout the world.

Arcana determines how Mana can be used and shaped.

Arcana Affinity determines how compatible a person is with a given Arcana.

Spell is the technique used to shape Mana into a supernatural effect.

Mana Core is a supernatural organ found mainly in monsters, beasts, and certain non-humanoid creatures.

Unique Power is a special kind of power that follows its own principles.

Unique Energy is supernatural energy drawn from a specific source and isn’t always usable by everyone.

Power Rank indicates a general level of strength, but a person’s actual combat ability is still shaped by a wide range of other factors.

This Chapter only covers the basic foundation of Eternal Arcana’s Power System.

Rarer forms of power, hidden mechanisms, and existences beyond common understanding will be introduced naturally as the story progresses.