# Auxiliary Chapter: The World of Aethelgard
**[1. The Law of Mana]**
In Aethelgard, all beings are born with a "Mana Core" located near the heart. The potential of a person is determined at birth and cannot typically be changed (unless one uses forbidden items like the *Star-Vein Fruit*).
**The Ranks:**
* **S-Rank (Gold Core):** The "Chosen." Heroes, Archmages, Kings. They have infinite growth potential. (Example: Caelum, Prince Aric).
* **A-Rank (Silver Core):** High Nobles, Generals. Capable of altering terrain.
* **B-Rank (Blue Core):** Elite Knights, Professors. The backbone of the military.
* **C-Rank (Green Core):** Average mages/soldiers.
* **D-Rank (Orange Core):** Below average. Can light a fire or lift a rock.
* **E-Rank (White/Fractured Core):** "Defective." Painful to use magic. Often called "Trash." (Starting Rank of Valerius Thorne).
* **F-Rank (Grey Core):** Non-magical commoners.
**Casting Methods:**
1. **Chanting:** Using words to guide mana. Slow, but stable. Used by amateurs (Caelum starts here).
2. **Silent Casting:** Shaping mana with pure will. Fast, lethal, but requires high intelligence/control. (Valerius uses this).
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**[2. The Aethelgard Imperial Academy]**
Built on the "World Nexus" (intersection of 3 Ley Lines), the Academy is an independent city-state that trains the future rulers of the continent.
**The Dormitory System:**
* **The Royal Wing (Floating Island):** Reserved for Royalty and S-Rankers. Luxury villas.
* **Alpha Dorms (Marble Towers):** High Nobility. 5-star hotel suites.
* **Beta Dorms (Brick Buildings):** Commoners with high talent / Lower Nobility.
* **Omega Dorms (The Crypt):** A dilapidated ruin on the edge of the Weeping Woods. Reserved for "Problem Children," F-Rankers, and the impoverished. (Valerius lives here).
**The Factions:**
* **The Royal Faction:** Led by Prince Aric. Goal: Absolute Order/Tyranny.
* **The Noble Faction:** Traditionalists who hate commoners.
* **The Neutral Faction:** Merchants and Scholars (Lysandra Blackwood).
* **The Hero's Party (Proto-Faction):** Currently just Caelum.
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**[3. The System (Valerius Only)]**
**The Masquerade System:**
A glitched interface exclusive to the reincarnated protagonist. It rewards "acting" rather than "grinding."
* **Villain Points (VP):** Currency earned by committing evil acts, humiliating protagonists, or advancing the "Villain Plot."
* **The Shop:** Allows the purchase of Skills, Items, and Information that defy the laws of the world.
* **Constraint:** If Valerius breaks character (shows fear, kindness without an ulterior motive, or acts "Un-Noble"), he suffers extreme physical pain or death.
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**[4. Key Locations]**
* **The Weeping Woods:** A cursed forest surrounding the Omega Dorm. Filled with low-level mana beasts.
* **The Clock Tower District:** The industrial heart of the school. Home to the Black Market.
* **The Glass Garden:** A forbidden greenhouse containing extinct flora.
* **The Tea Garden:** A floating sanctuary used by the Student Council President.
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**[5. Major Character Profiles (Arc 1)]**
**Valerius Thorne (The Protagonist)**
* **Role:** The Villain / The Puppet Master.
* **Ability:** [The Masquerade], [Eye of the Architect], [Mind Palace].
* **Goal:** Survive the "Bad Endings" and conquer the scenario.
**Caelum (The Hero)**
* **Role:** The Protagonist (Original).
* **Ability:** Light Element (S-Rank).
* **Status:** Currently being corrupted/manipulated by Valerius.
**Seraphina von Zephyr (The Yandere)**
* **Role:** The Main Heroine / Boss Monster.
* **Ability:** Ice Element (S-Rank).
* **Personality:** Obsessive, Cold, Sadistic.
* **Current Interest:** Fixated on Valerius.
**Prince Aric (The Tyrant)**
* **Role:** Student Council President / Antagonist.
* **Ability:** Gravity/Force Magic.
* **Personality:** Perfectionist, Ruthless.
**Prince Dante (The Rogue)**
* **Role:** The Wild Card.
* **Ability:** Fire/Daggers.
* **Personality:** Chaotic Neutral. Likes being entertained.