The Triangle teaches structure.
But structure is not the same as truth.
Now that the Stability Incident has ended, it's time to clarify how power in this world actually works — not just how institutions describe it.
Because there's a difference.
I. The Five Energy Foundations
1. Magical Energy (Human Base Energy)
Magical Energy is the standard system used by humanity.
It is refined through a core and shaped through circulation manuals.
Every human awakens a core before gaining combat classification. However, the quality of that core determines future growth potential.
Core Stages:
• Dormant
• Activated
• First Evolution (quality shift)
• Second Evolution (externalization – metaphysical energy)
• Third Evolution (attribute awakening)
• Higher Evolutions (undisclosed by most academies)
First Evolution improves density and efficiency.
Second Evolution allows externalized shaping — blades, constructs, domain pressure.
Most students never reach Third Evolution.
The Triangle does not openly teach what happens beyond that.
2. Mana (Demonic Energy)
Mana does not circulate like magical energy.
It expands.
It compresses.
It dominates.
Humans cannot normally use mana unless a contract is formed with a demon. In that case, resonance allows partial compatibility.
Mana techniques are violent by nature. They overwhelm rather than shape.
Royal demon techniques are especially dangerous because they manipulate force, not just output.
Unlike magic, mana does not obey institutional control.
3. Qi (Cultivation Path)
Qi refinement does not depend on a magic core.
It follows a self-contained growth loop.
Rather than expanding outward, Qi condenses inward.
Its density increases qualitative superiority.
Where magical energy scales vertically, Qi scales exponentially.
There are no formal Qi institutions within the human domain.
Which makes it unpredictable.
4. Concept Branch Powers (Original Lines)
Some families inherit branches derived from higher Principles.
Examples include:
• Nothing
• Reality
• Lightness
• Domain
• Other restricted classifications
These are not simple techniques.
They alter conditions.
They reframe interactions.
A user of Nothing does not overpower you.
They remove your interaction.
A user of Reality does not attack you.
They redefine the situation.
Original branches scale differently from magic users.
They do not follow core evolution patterns.
5. Structural Influence (Non-Combat Power)
After the Stability Incident, it became clear that combat strength is not the only axis of power.
Structural influence includes:
• Social positioning
• Perception authority
• Institutional leverage
• Collective synchronization
• Narrative gravity
This layer determines who shapes environments before fights even begin.
It cannot be measured on a stat screen.
But it can destabilize entire systems.
II. Skill Classifications
All abilities fall into four main types:
1. Technique Skills
Elemental attacks, weapon arts, clone systems.
These scale directly with energy.
Replaceable.
Common among combat students.
2. Control Skills
Energy shaping manuals, advanced circulation methods, high-tier sword arts.
Control defines how power behaves.
Control always outperforms raw output at equal levels.
3. Identity / Concept Skills
Assimilation, Nothing manipulation, Reality alteration.
These affect fundamental interaction rules.
Rare.
Extremely unstable.
Often misunderstood even by their users.
4. Narrative-Class Anomalies (Unclassified)
Abilities that:
• Copy other skills
• Interact with timeline divergence
• Access undefined layers
• Influence probability structures
These do not fit the Triangle's classification system.
And the Triangle prefers things it can classify.
III. The Hidden Ceiling
The academy publicly teaches that power peaks at high-tier Third Evolution.
That is incomplete.
There is evidence of:
• Fourth-tier evolutions resembling localized domains
• Energy resonance beyond magical attribute
• Cross-system fusion risks
• Instability thresholds where reality begins resisting users
Most students are never meant to reach these levels.
The system thrives on predictable growth.
Unpredictable ceilings are… inconvenient.
IV. Current Global State (Post-Volume One)
Magic remains dominant.
Mana remains controlled through secrecy.
Qi remains unregistered.
Original bloodlines remain partially sealed.
Structural influence has become visible.
Oversight has recalibrated.
And divergence has begun.
The Triangle teaches strength.
But strength alone no longer defines the battlefield.
Not anymore.