[I]n a time of horse-drawn carriages and elementary magic, a calamity known as the First Impact shook the world.
It brought forth Ruptures, colossal chasms that spewed forth terrifying monsters armed with advanced technologies hitherto unknown to humanity. These formidable creatures, dubbed Abyss Corroders, appeared almost unbeatable.
As mankind teetered on the precipice of potential extinction, an unconventional figure by the name of Mervin Lysander conceived a daring plan. His audacious experiment involved fusing technology salvaged from a low-ranking Abyss Corroder's remains with human biology.
This pivotal moment marked the dawn of an innovation that would aid humanity in pushing back the encroaching darkness – an innovation we now call nanotechnology.
Following this groundbreaking development, numerous mages attempted to replicate the process, but it soon became apparent that it carried a significant risk: erosion.
Over time, nanotech wielders would fall prey to a mysterious virus, leading to pervasive corruption. This malevolent influence ultimately transformed them into the very beings they feared the most – Corroders.
Nonetheless, humanity persisted in using nanotechnology to confront the Corroders, adopting the tactic of fighting fire with fire. This approach, however, proved effective only against lower-ranking Abyss monsters, and the Corroders' constant evolution added to the challenge.
Within the lineage of the Lysanders, another visionary emerged – Aurius Lysander. He introduced a groundbreaking concept: the fusion of mana with nanotechnology.
This fusion birthed what we now know as Mana-tech, an advanced technology that utilizes magical energy to enhance its wielder's physical and magical capabilities.
Since then, it became customary to implant a chip known as the 'system' into the wrists of newborns. This practice led to the emergence of a unique category known as metahumans, individuals capable of harnessing the power of manatech with the assistance of the system from birth.
Mastery of manatech was classified into seven ranks, with S+ designating prodigies and 'E' signifying standard metahumans. Attaining Level C proficiency granted individuals the ability to cast various regular spells, distinguishing them from their Level E counterparts.
In this age of discovery, a couple of fortunate few also experienced the rare phenomenon of a second awakening, propelling them from lower ranks to higher ones. These exceptional individuals, referred to as the 'privileged,' were chosen by fate and embraced by manatech.
While the struggle against abyss monsters persisted and time marched forward, metahumans diversified into four distinct subcategories:
- **Battlemancers:** These Manatech-Warriors specialized in combat, using mana to enhance their physical capabilities. Armed with weapons infused with manatech, they excelled in battle, defending humanity from threats like Abyss Corroders.
- **Healers (Vitamancers):** Experts in restoration and recovery, Healers employed manatech to mend injuries, cure ailments, and provide vital medical assistance.
- **Archivists:** Possessing a natural affinity for knowledge and information, Archivists utilized manatech to access vast databases, decode ancient texts, and analyze intricate data, preserving and disseminating knowledge.
- **Elemancers:** Elementalists wielded the power to control and manipulate elemental forces through mana. They could conjure potent elemental attacks, harness the elements for strategic advantage, and provide diverse forms of support to their allies.
The world continued to evolve, and battlemancers became the defenders of humanity.
From the ashes of despair, they had risen to face the abyss, forging a legendary tale of courage, innovation, and the unyielding human spirit that defied the darkness.
In the end, it was the metahumans, bound by their unity and empowered by manatech, who heralded the dawn of a new era.