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Chapter 9 - world order (2)

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Trey is a completely authoritarian country; it is economically somewhat weaker than Vinosha or Elysian but still very powerful due to a strong military.

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People's freedoms are restricted, but men are far more restricted still. Men are viewed as having less worth and are expected to serve and submit to women. Men play virtually no role in society; they are not permitted to own property or vote, and may only work in menial jobs. Every female child is considered more valuable than any adult man, as women acquire skills as they age, whereas men are used solely to father children, care for them, and serve the women.

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In the Grand West Ocean, there is a neutral island that belongs to no nation; it is known as "World Headquarters Island" because the highest international institutions are located there. It serves as the venue for meetings and negotiations regarding major events and conflicts involving multiple countries. However, access to the island is strictly restricted, and only key figures or staff members are permitted to enter.

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I've tried to find out something about the abilities women possess, but I can't find much information; these abilities are everyday things and an integral part of life on Gaia. It's like trying to look up something general about the human body.

Women awaken for the first time at the age of 14, becoming stronger as a result; at 18, they awaken a second time, gaining an ability and growing stronger still—though I cannot say exactly how much stronger. Naturally, there are no statistics like the ones I would see with the Eye of Truth.

Figuring out the abilities is taking longer than I thought, but I'm still discovering new things I didn't know before.

Women typically possess mana, while men do not. Mana acts as a kind of fuel for abilities; women with more mana can use their abilities for longer periods or with greater power.

Mana is also one of the main reasons why Gaia is more technologically advanced than Earth. Women with the right abilities can use mana instead of conventional technology, which has propelled Gaia's development significantly. Without mana, Gaia would be at the same level of development as Earth, demonstrating just how effective mana-based technology is. However, since the number of women with the right abilities is limited, many things still operate using conventional technology—much like on Earth—such as the computer I am currently sitting at.

Abilities can be inherited; many powerful families possess abilities found almost exclusively within their own lineage, allowing them to claim high status.

It can also happen that women possess two abilities if they receive one upon awakening at age 14, though this is extremely rare; nevertheless, it can also be inherited.

There are almost infinite abilities, but some of them appear very frequently, while others exist only once.

About half of all abilities are already existing parts of the body that have simply been enhanced.

Even though they naturally become stronger, women can acquire an ability that make her muscles even stronger. They can also get traits like running at high speeds, eagle-like eyesight, virtually limitless stamina, and so on. It involves all the same physical attributes as a normal body, just vastly superior.

Then there are also abilities that allow people to control things outside of their own bodies.

There is an ability for virtually anything you can imagine; however, this also means there are many abilities that do not make you stronger.

That is why society is divided into two classes: abilities that are useful in combat and abilities that are useless in combat.

Because these abilities are hereditary, the percentage of women lacking combat abilitys has dropped to 20 percent. The remaining 20 percent often possess vital non-combat abilitys that keep society running—such as those who produce mana-based technology, those with healing abilities, and many others.

However, there is also a small segment of women who possess neither combat skills nor any other significant ability. Despite the government's attempts to address this, these women are often viewed as inferior in everyday life.

Even though abilities are hereditary, that does not mean they are passed on 100 percent.

If the ability is not inherited, the woman awakens a random ability. This can lead to the acquisition of unique abilities capable of changing the world.

but most of the time, a pre-existing ability is awakened. Which can result in women receiving a non-combat, non-essential ability.

Furthermore, if women use their mana correctly, they can build muscle faster than through a standard workout and improve their ability.

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I've been online for quite a while, and it's already gotten dark outside. Just as I'm about to turn off the PC, an article catches my eye.

"Lycra the Devil"

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Fifteen years ago, a woman named Lycra appeared out of nowhere. She was the first woman ever to possess more than two abilities; according to reports, she wielded a seemingly limitless number of powerful abilities that had never been seen before.

But she did not use her abilities for good. With her virtually limitless power, she wreaked massive havoc in Vinosha and other nations, but it was in Asta—where she first appeared—that she caused the greatest damage.

She spread chaos throughout the city and killed tens of thousands of people, specifically targeting many of Vinosha's best scientists.

Vinosha was in a golden age before she appeared. Thanks to its strategic location, Vinosha had become extremely wealthy and began to challenge the wealth of the Aetherion Empire.

At that time, the Triune Powers were collectively stronger than the Aetherion Empire, and it looked as though a new world order would soon emerge.

But when Lycra sowed chaos, everything changed: Vinosha's economy collapsed, and large parts of Asta lay in ruins.

The Aetherion Empire seized this opportunity and annexed Gagu, a close ally of Vinosha. Gagu was located west of Trey, and through the annexation, the Aetherion Empire gained access to the Grand West Ocean, further strengthening its power.

The Queendom of Trey was now surrounded by the Aetherion Empire on almost every side; the only exception was Vinosha to the south, which was now weakened. Consequently, the Aetherion Empire's influence over Trey grew, and the two nations began to work more closely together.

The power of the Aetherion Empire was once again unchallenged.

The other two Triune Powers managed to persuade the Queendom of Trey to remain on their side, but Trey laid down conditions—specifically, that Vinosha and The Elysian Dominion must grant fewer rights to men.

The Elysian Dominion declined, but since Vinosha agreed, the Queendom of Trey remained part of the Triune Powers.

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Those are things I didn't know before. Apparently, men in Vinosha aren't allowed to vote, and there are stricter controls for wealthy men and so on.

The people of Vinosha viewed the agreement as a major defeat.

The people's anger was directed at Lycra. Vinosha—and Asta in particular—lived in great wealth and pride; yet after Lycra appeared, many people lost everything.

The wretched neighborhoods where I had lived came into existence because of the refugees fleeing from Lycra.

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To defeat Lycra, all nations—except for the Aetherion Empire—sent reinforcements, and in some cases, even their best fighters.

Although Lycra was heavily outnumbered, the battle lasted a long time and resulted in many deaths.

But in the end, Lycra was defeated.

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Because Lycra wore a black coat and a black mask that somewhat resembled a devil, she became known by the name "Lycra the Devil" or simply "The Devil."

"Lycra the Devil" quickly became the most famous person in Vinosha and one of the most famous people in the world for everything she did.

Even today, she is remembered—especially by the people of Vinosha and particularly those in Asta—as a nightmare and a "devil." who spread fear and terror

But what I read afterwards left me briefly speechless.

"What...!"

I couldn't help but say it out loud.

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First name: Lycra

Last name: Law

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