✪ Note: This chapter contains world-building and lore details. While it doesn't spoil the main plot, it does provide minor context and background elements to enhance your reading experience.
✪ Aetherion – Empire of the Eastern Realms
The Aetherion Empire is a large empire located in the eastern region of the continent. It consists of five major kingdoms, along with many smaller territories ruled by local lords and nobles.
1. Elyndor – Kingdom of Celesters and Mages
Elyndor is the main kingdom of Aetherion. It is known as the homeland of most Celesters (those gifted with celestial power) and mages. The kingdom is famous for its magical institutions and strong arcane heritage.
2. Sylvaris – The Trade Kingdom
Sylvaris is widely known as the merchant kingdom. It plays a central role in trade across Aetherion, with most goods such as rare materials, spices, and crafted items passing through its cities. Its economy is one of the strongest in the empire.
3. Eldoria – The Fishing Kingdom
Located near the sea, Eldoria is famous for its fishing industry and naval presence. It supplies a large portion of the empire's seafood and sea-related goods. Many coastal traditions and sea rituals originate from this kingdom.
4. Dravenreach – The Holy Land and Shield of the East
Dravenreach serves as the main frontline defense of the Aetherion Empire. Positioned along the empire's border, it is the first line of defense against foreign threats. The kingdom is home to the Holy Knights, a revered order known for their strength, discipline, and unwavering faith. Due to its sacred temples and knightly heritage, Dravenreach is often referred to as the Holy Land.
5. Valcryn – The Diverse Kingdom
Valcryn is known as the most diverse region within the Aetherion Empire. Here, humans and demi-humans coexist in harmony, creating a rich blend of cultures and traditions. Due to its welcoming nature, many individuals from other empires migrate to Valcryn in search of opportunity, freedom, or refuge. This kingdom stands as a symbol of unity through diversity, earning it the title of the Diverse Kingdom.
✪ Dysill Trees : Also Known As Mana Bloom Trees
There are only four Dysill Trees known to exist in all of Aetherion, making them incredibly rare and highly valued.
Dysill Trees, commonly referred to as Mana Bloom Trees, are rare and ancient trees found throughout Aetherion. They naturally emit magic molecule particles, which are essential for the early development of a mage's power.
These particles are absorbed by the bodies of common people and are especially beneficial for beginner mages, helping them enhance their magic affinity and training efficiency.
Every individual is born with a magic core, and the strength of this core determines the amount and potency of mana one can harness. However, once a mage surpasses a certain tier or strengthens their core enough, their dependency on the Dysill Trees significantly decreases.
While useful to most, elite mages and swordmasters with immense internal mana no longer rely on the tree's support , having forged their power from within.
✪ The Rite of Celestara
The Rite of Celestara is a sacred ritual practiced across the Aetherion Empire for generations . At the age of 13, selected humans are chosen by Archangels to inherit a fragment of their divine power. This rite is seen as both a blessing and a responsibility, marking the chosen ones as Celesters.
Among the Archangels, six are considered the most powerful, and their chosen inheritors are highly revered across the empire:
1. Michaelos – Heir of Valor
2. Gabryelle – Heir of Revelation
3. Raphaien – Heir of Restoration
4. Urien – Heir of Light
5. Selaphiel – Heir of Power
6. Ragion – Heir of Balance
While many other individuals inherit power from lesser Archangels, these six inheritances are viewed as the highest blessings, shaping the empire's greatest warriors, healers, seers, and defenders.
✪ Magic and Swordmasters
There are 25 tiers of magic, each tier stronger than the one before it. For example, a Tier 3 mage is weaker than a Tier 4 mage.
✪ Mage Ranks
Mages in the Aetherion Empire are classified into four main ranks, based on their mastery and magical power:
1. Apprentice – Beginners who are learning the basics of magic.
2. Adept – Mages who have mastered foundational spells and can handle moderate magic.
3. Expert – Highly skilled mages capable of powerful spells and advanced techniques.
4. Archmage – The elite mages who have mastered the highest tiers of magic and hold great influence in the empire.
Each rank contains several tiers, with power increasing as the tier number rises within the rank.
Swordmasters are warriors who have mastered the art of the sword. Only 10 swordmasters exist across the entire Aetherion Empire, each serving in different kingdoms. They hold high privileges and are honored similarly to the Celester Knights.
✪ Ranked from strongest to the least strong
1. The Supreme Blade – The undisputed strongest, leader of the swordmasters.
2. The Iron Fang – Known for unmatched speed and precision.
3. The Storm Edge – Feared for devastating power in battle.
4. The Silent Shadow – Master of stealth and lethal strikes.
5. The Flame Reaper – Known for fiery sword techniques.
6. The Stone Guard – Defense expert, unbreakable in combat.
7. The Wind Dancer – Agile and graceful, hard to hit.
8. The Thunder Fist – Combines sword skill with powerful strikes.
9. The Night Wolf – Fierce and relentless fighter.
10. The Silver Fang – Youngest but highly skilled swordmaster.
✪ Guilds
Guilds are official organizations of adventurers spread across the empire. Their primary role is to manage and dispatch trained individuals to deal with common monster threats, escort missions, and special assignments requested by citizens, nobles, or the empire itself.
Adventurers accept quests based on their rank and are rewarded with money, resources, and recognition.
Adventurer Ranks:
1. Bronze – Beginner level, basic quests like herb gathering and weak monster subjugation.
2. Silver – Intermediate quests, capable of dealing with packs of monsters or escorting caravans.
3. Gold – Skilled adventurers who can take on tougher monsters and riskier missions.
4. Diamond – Highly experienced adventurers often working in teams for large-scale threats.
5. Platinum – The elite of the elite; few ever reach this level. Trusted with top-priority missions and often wield immense power.
Some of the empire's strongest adventurers reside within guilds, often taking part in high-risk missions or mentoring promising newcomers.
✪ Celestial Monarchs of Light
The Celestial Monarchs of Light are revered beings of immense power, often seen as Gods by many across the empire. While not all are worshipped as divine, they are universally recognized as embodiments of righteousness, purity, and light.
Among them, Yeshua is the most widely worshipped and honored. Known as "The Light Himself", he is believed to be the creator of the world , a being of infinite kindness, humility, and forgiveness. Referred to as the King of Kings, his presence is said to bring peace, healing, and hope to all.
Temples dedicated to Yeshua are spread across the empire, and his teachings influence the values of many holy knights, priests, and even some guild adventurers.
✪ The Rift – Gateway of Calamity
The Rift is a catastrophic event that occurs from decades. Once every two years within the Aetherion Empire . When it opens, a massive tear in reality unleashes monsters from another dimension, threatening the empire's lands and people.
These invasions are led by the Sin Fragments of the Monarchs, corrupted beings that embody the Seven Deadly Sins. At their head stands the mysterious and powerful Lucel, bearer of Pride.
The Sin Monarchs
1. Lucel – Pride
2. Nerezza – Envy
3. Thamior – Greed
4. Velmira – Lust
5. Baelgor – Wrath
6. Gorvax – Gluttony
7. Drosmel – Sloth
Each of them commands corrupted legions and spreads their influence wherever they appear.
✪ Corruption Beasts
The Rift spawns five primary types of corrupted creatures, each posing unique threats:
1.Titans – Giant monsters with devastating strength
2.Beasts – Ferocious and agile predators
3.Monsters – Abominations of various sizes and powers
4.Nightmarebeasts – Creatures that induce fear and madness
5.Shadow Dragons – Rare, intelligent dragons formed from pure corruption
The emergence of the Rift is considered a national crisis, and its appearance often unites all five kingdoms in a desperate effort to push back the darkness.
✪ The Spiritual Realm – Sanctuary of Nature and Magic
The Spiritual Realm is a mystical plane separate from the mortal world. It is home to elves, fairies, ancient guardian spirits, and a variety of mystical creatures that embody nature's purest essence.
At the heart of the realm stand the Four Guardian Pillars, ancient beings.
Ruling over the realm is Raphael, the Queen of the Spiritual Realm, known for her wisdom, grace, and unparalleled spiritual power. She is revered not only by her people but by scholars and mystics of the empire who view her as a living legend.