"The origin of magic in this world dates back at the beginning of time, rumored that it was taught by the mighty dragons to fellow men and women residing on this world. They didn't teach them to give them magical powers, they taught them for they could communicate with the ever Present Mana for greater purposes for the possible future. They tried to pass enough knowledge to the planet Dwellers as much they could and left them with the Final 12 symbols as their only mark on history.

Due time, with the help of the symbols the same planet Dwellers manipulated mana to their will to form the 12 elements and use them to their likings. Some were proficient, some were not, leading to discrimination, discrimination led to wars and terror, and that led to the division of all the races. There were many wars, many deads, Heroes born and died. Martyrs sacrificed their lives for the greater good.

But The war between the different races still continued never to see its end. The ever unaging Elfs, The greedy midgets known for their inventions and crafts the dwarves, The Big and powerful Giants, The ferocious and wild Beastkins, The kind but vengeful fairies, The underwater Dwellers the Merkins, and the most powerful of all, The humans.

Most powerful because, they were the ones who could comprehend the symbols in ways, no race could ever imagine. Their wild imagination and ambition, guiding them up to this day."

Atlas who was listening calmly to his history instructor got a little curious.

"Teacher, If what you said is true then, shouldn't we humans practically rule the world"

The instructor laughed, listening to the ambitious words coming from the prince.

"Haha, indeed it would have been, but great power came with great sacrifice. The magic which was a one-in-a-lifetime blessing for the humans also became our curse.

From the moment of our peak, when we were invincible. Every human could comprehend at least 1 or 2 symbols giving them enough power to kill a battalion, which in comparison to other races where people who could utilize the symbols were low, like really low but... due time our birth rate decreased drastically. Children were getting harder to see decade after decade and after some due time, it was confirmed that all the humans on this planet who use magic had less fertility. Pretty depressing. Ain't it?"

Atlas pondered the question and said.

"...yes"

"Cause of that, a human couple has only 3% chance to give birth in their whole life(160 yrs). Sadly it is an irreversible change as all the humans already mutated to the comfort of magic throughout the centuries."

The instructor and Atlas kept quiet for a bit. Stopping the sad atmosphere. The instructor closed his book.

"That's it for today, your highness, you don't wanna get late for your favorite class do you?"

The atmosphere brightened a little

"Yes instructor, you are right" and with a smile Atlas left his instructor's chamber with Anny who was always following behind, marking the activities done by the prince.

'...hmmm...to think that our race was walking towards its extinction. That's why Human kingdoms have a lower population in comparison to other races(Eg: elves, dwarves, beastkin, and merkin who have the population in billions). Meanwhile, our total human population amounts to 3.5 million, too low. I will research about this later.'

Putting the subject at the back of his mind he entered his next lecture chamber. All the best lecturers were hired by the king to homeschool Atlas, within the palace. Normally it would be done after a certain age but with Atlas's performance, it was provided early.

'Magic, here I come. Let the lecture begin.'

.

.

.

"Oh teacher is out of the capital for a mission...hmm...ok then, I will self-study then."

'Fuck!'

The guard notified me and went back to his duty.

"Let's re-study some basics. Anny?"

Not even a second and there was already a book on his desk.

'As impressive as always, let's start, never be arrogant enough to skip your own roots. Said by someone important in my past world'

Flip..

...In this world, The hierarchy is distinguished through the number of god symbols one can comprehend and use them for that they need Mana, for which one requires specific bloodlines. which is essential to recognize their affinity towards certain symbols.

Up until now, these 12 different god symbols represent the core of all the elements such as fire, water, air, earth, ice, lightning, green, blood, ether, space, light, and darkness.

These elements are categorized into 3 types.

Rank 1: fire, water, air, earth.

Rank 2: ice, lightning, green, blood.

Rank 3: ether, space, light, darkness.

Each and every element are birthed from one or more God symbols formulating together.

Flip...

Amongst all living beings, bloodline is categorised into 5 groups.

Basic:

Heart Colour red. Can comprehend 1 - 2 symbols and can channel 25% of his/her total Mana. Most commoners have them. Covers 75% of the population.

Average (Normal):

Heart color cyan. Can comprehend 3 - 4 symbol, can channel 50% of his/her total Mana. Mostly Soldiers, retainers, lecturers have them. Covers 20% of the population.

High(Advance):

Heart color blue. Can comprehend 4 - 6 symbols, can channel 75% of his/her total Mana. Mostly low-born nobles to high nobles have them. Covers 4.99% of the population.

Peak:

Heart color Silver. Can comprehend 6 - 10(12) symbols, can channel 100% of his/her total Mana( Can also absorb the surrounding mana ). Mostly the Royalties have them. Covers 0.0001% of the population.

Supreme:

@#$%$###$#$$$#$$

&*^"$$^^&%#@#

GOD:

----------------------

Flip...

Even though, bloodline is a vital part to become strong. But Not everything depends on it. It is also possible to have a basic bloodline that can only use 2 God symbols to be strong enough to defeat any other with higher-level bloodlines simply by deeper comprehension and proper enlightenment to their respected symbols. it's all about hard work and concentration.

So that's why Power ranking is not fully measured through Bloodlines but by the level of comprehension and enlightenment, they have to their affinity wise God. Compromised from rank F, E, D, C, B, A, S. this ranking system is also used in more categories, not just power but also in other faculties( Kingdom, Cities, Workers, Adventures, Medical, etc)

Among the 12 god symbols, 2 of them are forbidden symbols, because of the disaster they could bring if used without proper comprehension. Only the first generations of kings and queens had fully learned and used it wisely. After that, no one even in the history of all mankind could still use them.

Thud...

Atlas closed the book and closed his eyes trying to understand and remember all his training and studies

He is a genius but he is not a full-on MC with a cheat, like any isekai Main character. He needs his own time to comprehend all his learnings. He may look like a perfect being but to get up to where he is now. It took a lot of hard work and brainstorming and mind games. It was the same in his past life and it still is, and with that, he will always remain at his peak.

'This world ain't like my piece-loving world. It is clear as day to understand that it is a dog-eat-dog world, where constant wars are happening. My loving parents, instructors, and my maids may try to hide that fact from me. I mean, of course, they would look at me, I am just a 4-year-old child.

The only reason humankind is safe because of the overwhelming power we possess, but from the new discovery of our declining population, the peace will slowly fade away. Millions can't handle billions that's the hard fact. At some point quality can't handle quantity... have to think about it later.

Atlas opened his beautiful colorful gorgeous eyes, with his long eyelashes, It was like watching a beautiful morning sun but no one was there to witness it or so he thought, only to see the holy saintess Amelia Herself sitting opposite of him staring at me with a smile