Mireille Cosmoria

One of the countless stars wandering through space, the planet Astrea.
In this world flows the fundamental energy of all things called 'Mana'.
Mana exists in the earth, sky, and all living beings, circulating naturally like breathing.
Though invisible, it can be perceived.
All living beings possess Mana within their bodies, but the amount they hold varies individually.
Furthermore, the total amount of Mana can be increased through training and discipline.
In this world, all humans can wield magic.
However, there are significant differences in preferred attributes, output, and aptitude.

■ Attribute System

The currently confirmed attributes are the following seven:

• Light
• Dark
• Fire
• Water
• Earth
• Sky
• Star

Magic is primarily controlled through incantations and magic circles.
Among these, the Star attribute is extremely rare, and those who wield it are called 'geniuses'.

■ Social Structure

On Astrea, magic is an absolute power.
Therefore, the extreme value judgment that "those who cannot wield magic have no human rights" has taken root in society.

■ Magic Rank System

【Basic Structure】
Magic is stratified by "power, scale, and difficulty".

【Rank List】

● 1st Tier: Novice Magic (Novice)
Simple magic such as lighting a fire or creating water. For daily use and basic training.

● 2nd Tier: Adept Magic (Adept)
Small-scale offensive and defensive magic. Basic skills for soldiers and adventurers.

● 3rd Tier: Expert Magic (Expert)
The mainstay of actual combat. Capable of area attacks and composite magic.

● 4th Tier: Master Magic (Master)
A force capable of defeating a thousand with one. Destructive power on a scale that changes terrain.

● 5th Tier: Grand Magic (Grand)
Magic that affects an entire city. Requires long incantations or vast amounts of Mana.

● 6th Tier: Forbidden Magic (Forbidden)
Magic that is forbidden to use. Interferes with life, soul, and the world itself.

● 7th Tier: Divine Magic (Divine)
A realm reached only by gods and demon kings. Rewrites the laws of the world.

【Magic Quality】
Even within the same rank, performance differences arise due to the following factors:
• Precision (Aim)
• Density (Power)
• Deployment Speed

■ Races and Conflict

On Astrea, two races have been in conflict for a long time.

Humans and demons.

Both were once beings of the same origin, but split into:
• Those who chose reason = Humans
• Those who chose power and instinct = Demons

Since then, mutual contempt and hatred have amplified, leading to the current state of conflict.

■ Friendly Races

● Humans
The most numerous race, bearing the center of civilization.
Their greatest characteristic is the extremely wide individual variation in Mana aptitude and talent, ranging from "ordinary people to geniuses".
They excel in magical technology, tactics, and organizational skills, supporting the hegemony of the Astral Empire.
On the other hand, it is also a society where those with low abilities are thoroughly eliminated due to the influence of magic supremacy.

● Elves
A race with long lifespans and high magical aptitude.
They have an extremely high affinity with Mana, and some individuals can use magic with simplified or no incantations.
They value coexistence with nature and have built a unique cultural sphere in the Spirit Tree Forest.
They have a strong aversion to demons and are even more exclusive than humans.

● Fairies
Small beings, a race close to the embodiment of pure Mana.
They are capricious, but can exhibit powerful support abilities if contracted.
While their combat ability is low, they are extremely proficient in information gathering and Mana manipulation.
They often have a symbiotic relationship with elves.

● Spirits
Beings in which attributes themselves have gained consciousness.
They appear as symbols of natural phenomena such as fire, water, wind, and earth.
They are generally neutral, but depending on the environment or contractor, they may side with either humans or demons.
High-ranking spirits can possess the power to obliterate an entire city.

● Beastfolk
A group of races with animal characteristics.
They excel in senses of smell and physical abilities, and are strong in combat and tracking.
There are significant differences within the race, ranging from those who are completely humanoid to those who are almost beast-like.
They are often subject to discrimination and are found in large numbers in the lower districts.

● Dragonkin
A rare species descended from dragons.
They are "quasi-top-tier species" possessing overwhelming magical power and physical abilities.
As they grow, their power awakens, and many individuals can easily wield advanced magic.
Due to their small numbers, most are kept by nations or organizations.

● Dwarves
A race with extremely sturdy bodies despite their small stature.
They surpass other races in ore processing and blacksmithing techniques.
They are more adept at enhancing magical tools and equipment than magic itself, and much of the Imperial army's armament is their work.
They are craftsman-like and stubborn, but value trust.

■ Enemy Races

● Demons
Higher beings including devils, vampires, and succubi.
A group of races possessing high intelligence and magical power.
Many are humanoid and form their own cultures and class societies.
They excel at directly utilizing external Mana and wield magic with higher output than humans.
They once coexisted with humans but are now in a hostile relationship.
Not all are hostile; some individuals desire coexistence, but they are a minority.

● Vampires
Higher demons who subsist on blood.
They excel in regeneration and charm abilities, and exhibit overwhelming power at night.
They have built a noble class society and are positioned in the upper echelons of demons.

● Succubi/Incubi
Demons with the ability to interfere with minds and desires.
They excel at information manipulation and internal collapse.
They specialize in "destroying people's minds" rather than combat.

● Undead
Beings who manipulate corpses and souls.
Higher individuals like Liches possess immense magical abilities.
They have a deep connection with forbidden magic and are also subjects of research by humans.

● Monsters
Goblins, orcs, slimes, insects, etc.
Beings with no or extremely low intelligence.
They act in hordes and overwhelm with numbers.
Some individuals can become extraordinarily powerful through mutation.

■ Nation: Astral Empire

The largest nation on Astrea.
It overwhelms other nations with magic and military power, holding hegemony.
It is a thoroughly meritocratic society where the strong stand at the top.
Behind the scenes, unethical research such as forbidden magic and human experimentation is also conducted.

【City Structure】

① Upper District: Ruling Class
• Imperial Palace (Emperor's residence)
• Noble District
• Ministry of Magic
• Military Headquarters

② Middle District: General Citizens
• Commercial District
• Residential Area
• Guilds (Adventurers/Mercenaries)
• Route to Academy

③ Lower District: Shadow Town
• Slums
• Headquarters of Illegal Organizations
• Black Market
• Forbidden Magic Researchers

④ Outer Wall & Defense Line
• Giant Walls
• Magic Cannons/Barriers
•驻军 (Stationed Army)

【Major Organizations】

● Imperial Army
An absolute military force. Possesses magic soldiers and knight orders.

● Ministry of Magic
An institution for the research and management of magic. Also responsible for sealing forbidden magic.

● Church
An organization for salvation on the surface. Holds political influence behind the scenes.

■ Celestia Magic Academy

The highest magic educational institution directly under the Empire.
Only elites are allowed to enroll.
An institution that nurtures talent that will carry the future of the Empire.
While outwardly an educational institution, it is effectively a "place of selection and elimination".
The excellent rise, the incompetent are discarded.

【Features】
• Strict selection system
• Intense social stratification
• Environment where discrimination is rampant

【Admission Requirements】
• High Mana Aptitude
• Social Status (Nobles favored)

【Academic Year Structure】
• Elementary School (Basics)
• Middle School (Application/Combat)
• High School (Practical/Specialized)

【Class Division】

● Class A
Genius/Elite. Future ruling class.

● Class B
Excellent general populace.

● Class C
Average populace.

● Class D
Underachievers/Outsiders. However, many awakeners are found here.

【Curriculum】
• Magic Practical Training
• Magic Theory
• Tactics/Strategy

• Monster Subjugation Practice
• Mana Control Training

【Stratification Structure】
• The academy is located at the boundary between the middle and upper districts.
• Nobles commute from the upper district.
• Commoners commute from the middle district.
• Those from the lower district stand out strongly.

■ Major Regions

● Eldil's Spirit Tree Forest
A sacred forest centered around a giant spirit tree.
It is the domain of spirits and elves, and intrusion from the outside is strictly restricted.
The forest itself seems to possess a will, repelling intruders.

● Port Cardia
One of Astrea's largest trading cities.
A place where different races and cultures intersect, and where information and money gather.

● Tenebrae
The slum that spreads in the shadow of the royal capital.
A lawless zone where crime, discrimination, and dark magic are rampant.
It is a place where many "underachievers" and "exiles" end up, and only the strong survive.

● Grand Vert Fortress
A giant fortress located on the front lines against demons.
It is in a constant state of combat, and the attrition of soldiers is severe.
If this is breached, invasion of the Imperial mainland will be unavoidable.

● Netheria Abyss Territory
Demon-controlled territory.
An alien world with abnormally high Mana concentration, where even space distorts.
A dangerous area where prolonged stay by ordinary people risks mental and physical erosion.

● Arcadia Ruins
A place where the遺産 (heritage) of ancient civilizations sleeps.
Magical technology and weapons that cannot be reproduced today exist here.
A dangerous area considered the origin of many forbidden magics.

● Baldum Mountain Range
The homeland of the dwarves.
High-quality ore is mined here, and it serves as a production base for weapons and armor.
An important strategic resource area for the Empire.

● Zerheim Free City
A city-state that proclaims neutrality.
A "city of lawlessness and freedom" where merchants, mercenaries, and criminals mingle.
As strength and money decide everything, it is in a sense the fairest place.

■ Summary

The war between reason and instinct in a world dominated by magic.
That is the essence of Astrea.