On the west side of the orphanage hill, Phoebe and Alfred sat together, the Adventure Association Handbook open between them. Above, Uriel, the fluffy aquamarine-colored bird, slept soundly on a tree branch. Their conversation continued as the wind swayed the grass around them.
"That's why you're truly lucky, Phoebe," Alfred said. "Not everyone in this world is granted the ability to use mana, even though all beings possess it—including me and the children of this orphanage."
"I don't know how I was able to use it," Phoebe admitted, pointing her finger toward the sky. Blue flames danced from her fingertip, forming exactly as she willed them. Alfred watched, momentarily stunned, then smiled.
"Then let me explain" he began. "In this world, the gods grant power through three sources: Mana, Absolute Mana, and Curse. Absolute Mana is a power only accessible to the Three Great Gods—and a few of their kind. Only about five percent of the world's population can ever access it.
"Mana is the power all beings possess, but not everyone can use it. Only around fifty percent of the population can manipulate their mana.
"And then there's the Curse. Curse is dangerous, destructive power. Using it comes with a price, and it's capable of clashing even with Absolute Mana. That's why Curse is considered taboo in this world."
Phoebe tilted her head. "So for those who can use mana, is the ability they gain random?"
"No," Alfred said firmly. "All three sources are merely channels. The abilities they manifest come from the user's aspect. In other words, your power is a reflection of who you are—your existence taking form."
"A reflection of my aspect? my existence … but why is it a blue flames?" Phoebe asked puzzled.
"That's something only you can answer" Alfred replied. "You may not understand now, but in time, the answer will come."
"I understand… so I just need to wait then" Phoebe said.
"Before I forget" Alfred continued "abilities are categorized by how they manifest. There are five Ability Categories:
Material Infuser – The ability to use your ability within or transfer the ability within your body to an object.
Materialization – The ability to materialize an object by will, based on the person's aspect.
Field Caster – The ability to create limited-range fields, which the user can use their ability freely inside that field.
Transformer – The ability to transform oneself or others using your ability, based on the person's aspect.
Specialist – The ability to use multiple abilities regardless of their ability category.
Phoebe's eyes gleamed. "Wow… they all sound incredible. I wonder which one I am."
"Hmm… I'd assume Materialization or Material Infuser," Alfred said. "Were you able to shoot fire at a distance? Or infuse it into a weapon?"
"I put my flames into my rapier back then," Phoebe replied. "So I'm a Material Infuser? Is that a good category, Director?"
"Yes," Alfred said warmly. "Infusers are known to be deadly or destructive . My friend Julius, remember him? He's also a Material Infuser."
"Really? So I can hope to become strong just like him someday… that's good news" Phoebe said softly.
"Yeah, you are pretty lucky," Alfred said, smiling. "Not only with being a Material Infuser, but also being able to use mana, since only half of the world's population can even access mana, despite naturally possessing it."
Phoebe blushed, embarrassed. "I guess I really am lucky, hehe…"
Alfred's smile softened, filled with pride, like a parent watching a child achieve something great.
"Anyway, let's continue" he said, closing his eyes briefly.
Phoebe nodded.
"Do you know about the threat level system the gods introduced?" Alfred asked.
"Yes," Phoebe replied confidently, "the threat level system is a measurement created by the three great gods to scale threats based on the impact they can have on the world. The strongest are known as Calamity-level threats, followed by Disaster, Chaos, and Danger—the weakest."
"Exactly," Alfred said, flipping the book to a diagram of a tree. The roots were labeled Danger, the trunk Chaos, then Disaster, and near the top, Calamity.
Phoebe marveled at the illustration. She had read about threat levels before, through rumors and other books, but she had never seen them represented in the form of a tree. Her amazement soon shifted to curiosity. If the weakest, Danger-level threats, began at the very roots, why wasn't the strongest, the Calamity-level threats, placed at the very top? Her wonder turned into questions, and she turned to the director to ask.
"Director, why is Danger at the very roots, but Calamity not at the very top?" she asked.
"I don't know," Alfred admitted. "It's always been that way, and no one has questioned it, so I never did either."
"Hmm…" Phoebe pondered.
"Don't overthink it," Alfred added. "Perhaps the gods intended it that way. Maybe it's not meant to reach the top. Who knows?"
Phoebe frowned slightly, unsure if that was really the reason, but for now, she had no way to find out.
Alfred turned the page and continued. "Here's how adventurers are assigned to handle threats:
S, A, and B rankers face Calamity-level threats.
A, B, C, and D rankers confront Disaster-level threats.
B, C, D, and E rankers tackle Chaos-level threats.
C, D, E, and F rankers handle Danger-level threats."
"I didn't realize so many rankers are needed" Phoebe said. "Are the threats really that deadly?"
Alfred smiled softly. "At first, it's confusing. But the number of rankers is limited. Imagine a Chaos-level threat near our branch. The only rankers nearby might be D and E. Meanwhile, the B-rankers qualified to fight it are hundreds of kilometers away, that will make things pretty complicated right.
"Also, a high-level threats rarely appear alone. A Calamity or Disaster often brings subordinates or monsters with them, meaning even weaker threats require lower-ranked adventurers to clean them up. So yes, even with these numbers, the world is short-handed."
Phoebe frowned. "I see… and why are there so many F-ranks compared to the others?"
"Most F-rankers are ordinary beings: unable to use mana, low-grade artifact users, or reliant on racial traits. Yet many still strive to become adventurers despite the odds," Alfred said, his tone tinged with solemnity.
Phoebe's heart ached. "Even if they aren't strong, they compensate with willpower…"
"Exactly," Alfred said. "Sometimes, those at the bottom are more heroic than those at the top."
Phoebe tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing, just musing," Alfred chuckled. "But don't worry. You'll be fine. You've already faced a Chaos-level threat yourself, haven't you?"
"The wolf beastman? I only caught it by surprise… it was a coincidence," Phoebe said, doubting herself.
"Coincidence or not, experience matters. Each encounter teaches you the heights you need to climb," Alfred said.
Phoebe nodded. "Yes… you're right, Director. Thank you."
Alfred patted her head and then grew serious. "Now, the last thing you need to know about the Middle Continent…"
Phoebe leaned forward eagerly. "What is it?"
"The five Sovereigns" Alfred began. "They are guardians and overlords of the Middle Continent, their strength rivaling the gods themselves. They were alive during the same era as the Three Great Gods and are their trusted allies."
"Wait… they lived at the same time as the gods? Are they god-races too?" Phoebe asked.
"No. They are the last of their kind living in this era," Alfred said. "Each is tied to a powerful element, and the domains they guard reflect their abilities."
"Oh, I've heard about the Frost and Nature Sovereigns… but who are the others?" Phoebe asked.
"The Sovereigns are Frost, Nature, Hydro, Infernal, and Metallic," Alfred said.
Phoebe's eyes sparkled. "Their elemental powers sound amazing!"
"They are" Alfred agreed, his tone serious. "But stay away from the crystallized trees they guard. They have killed arrogant emperors and rankers who approached it without their permission. Those trees sustain the barrier preventing the Middle and Outer Continents from entering the Inner Continent."
Phoebe shuddered. "I see, I'll never go near them then."
"Good. You're ready for the Middle Continent. Knowledge is your first weapon" Alfred said.
Phoebe smiled brightly. "Is that all, Director?"
"Hm… there's more, but the rest you'll learn through experience. Observe, gather information, and raise your abilities—your survival depends on it."
"Understood," Phoebe said, cheeks puffed.
"Pack your things for the journey, enjoy your time here, and make memories," Alfred advised.
"Yes, Director," Phoebe replied, smiling.
Uriel, now awake, followed them back into the orphanage. Phoebe spent the rest of the day creating happy memories with Kanna and the other children, preparing for her journey to the Middle Continent. On the horizon, the sky glowed with red-orange clouds, the strong wind is the only sound heard around.