World Concept: "Magical Relic"

Combat magic by idiots, for idiots. (Volume One)

Page four

When we think about Magical Relics, what instantly comes to mind is a cool - powerful ability, right? Well, it's actually way more complicated than that. As you probably don't know, the ability to awaken Relics was given to mankind by the dragons. As such, a Relic works almost identically to the dragons' magic. For many Relics, proper breathing techniques are needed to make the most of its power. 

Contrary to popular belief, a Relic is not a singular ability but rather, innate mastery over a larger range of abilities. For easier understanding, let's go over some examples.

Kate has a Magical Relic that gives her the ability to throw fireballs.

John has a Magical Relic that gives him the same ability.

Kate's Relic enables her to create fire from soul energy.

John's Relic enables him to heat air in a certain radius, creating fire.

Kate has dominion over fire.

John has dominion over air and temperature.

Kate can train her relic to ignite any living creature from a distance.

John can train his relic to create ice.

Kate can train her relic to absorb fire.

John can train his relic to immune him to temperature changes.

While the two have seemingly the same abilities, their limitations and overall capacities are completely different. John is limited by air, while Kate is limited by soul energy. While Kate will have to study heavily to make the most of her Relic, John won't, since his Relic only needs an abundant and external resource to work. While John will have to train his breath, Kate won't, since her Relic relies only on herself. Each Relic has its own uses and weaknesses, but its overall usability depends only on its User.

To measure the strength and weakness of a Relic, the Royal Guard has a tier system, which goes as follows.
Measure: abilities-range-potential-drawbacks
Classify into tier: C<B<A<S<Theory (Type)

While the example below serves as a good base, the measure is relative from Relic to Relic.

Tier C Relic: Useful ability - Great range - Meh potential - Gives the user some type of ultra cancer.

Tier S Relic: Meh ability - Chaotic range - Chaotic amounts of potential - Little to no drawbacks.

As you can see, power does not beat usability and potential. What good is a Relic that creates explosions if it blows you in the process?

Although the tier system covers the majority of existing and cataloged Relics, the "theory" designation serves to identify Relics that can't be measured normally. Different from the normal tiers, theory-type designates both Relic and User. These are said to have enormous amounts of power and their limits can only be guessed (hence the name). Theory-types are said to have the ability to bear more than one Relic in their body simultaneously.

There are no notable examples of that designation available (aside from motherf*cking Aldelheim, of course).

Now that we've gone through Relic abilities, limits, and whatsoever, let's go over the elements Users and Relics can have.