I have been learning many things these past years. I feel like I can take in knowledge like a sponge. I have learned everything from mathematics, physics, technology and engineering. I have learned jobs ranging from mechanical engineering to general health, to more practical jobs such as metallurgy, leather working, carpentry and farming.
I also learned about the new fantastical power called magic. I have learned about everything magic is capable of. From strengthening the body to reading the mind and everything in between.
Usually the creatures on Earth can only learn and master one type of magic. Whether that is to strengthen their physical capabilities to handle the sheer weight of their bodies, to increase speed for a more successful hunt. The reason why these creatures have an edge over humans is because they are born with the ability to use a certain kind of magic on instinct depending on their species. Elemental magic is the most common type of magic they are born with because that is the most natural form of magic. All other forms of magic does not exist yet as they are not natural. All these creatures, intelligent or not, do not have the time to think about anything other than getting food and not dying.
That's were the uniqueness of humanity comes into play. As it only took them a couple of decades to accomplish a feat that took other creatures decades and an ungodly amount of magic to accomplish. Build a settlement that allows the population to live and thrive. But humans have reached a limit, they cannot compare to the combat power of the other bigger and stronger creatures. They are not born with the natural instinct to use magic and they only know how to use magic to strengthen their physical abilities slightly. They need to invent techniques to use magic in ways that are unheard of to them. Strengthening weapons, armor, long range, and short range attacks. They have seen other creatures use magic but they have never figured out how.
Not all people living in this settlement are humans, they all have humanoid features, such as opposable thumbs, walking on two feet, fragile bodies with no natural defenses such as shells, thicker skin etc. There exists regular humans with an extraordinary ability to adapt and learn to survive in any environment on average. People with beastly faces, larger bodies and greater strength on average. People with similar size to humans, beautiful faces and greater affinity with nature on average. People with slightly smaller size to female humans, bulkier bodies, higher alcohol tolerance, great love for the skilled trades and a greater affinity with the earth on average. People with extremely small bodies that are extremely talented craftsmen and doctors on average.