Previously included in the same chapter as the power system, but I've separated them here for easier access.
STATS AND INTERACTIONS
Body
Affects strength, durability, speed, and combat ability.
The Body is the vessel of every creature's power. An inadequate Body tier limits the growth of the Mind.
The tier of the Body shows how much power the creature possesses.
Can be increased through physical training and the absorption of life energy.
Mind
Affects intelligence, perception, control, resistance, and magic capability.
The Mind and Body grow together neither can reach its full potential without the other.
If a creature has an S-tier Body but an F-tier Mind, its thoughts cannot keep up with its strength, and it will never unleash its full destructive potential.
Naturally, an S-tier Mind controlling an F-tier Body will be able to bring out power beyond the normal limit of that tier.
In short, the Mind determines how much of its power a creature can wield.
Can be increased through understanding, knowledge, meditation, and, in rare cases, by the right trigger.
Soul (Existence)
The Soul, also known as Existence, is unique for every creature.
It can grow beyond Body and Mind through achievements and recognition from the Will of the World.
Your level of Existence determines your tier and your ability to bypass lower-tier powers.
Existence also directly affects the potency of your attacks against weaker beings.
For example, if your Existence is S-tier while your Body is E-tier, you can still damage all the creatures below the rank of your Soul.
Can be improved only through feats, achievements, and actsrecognized by the will of the world.
Existence and Combat
The only reliable way to damage or defend against those with higher Existence is to have a similar level of Existence, or to wield equipment of equal or higher tier.
However, equipment efficiency depends on compatibility.
A low-Existence being (F-tier) using high-tier equipment (S-tier) will not draw out its full power and may fail to harm even Rare Creatures.
Conversely, an S-tier being wielding F-tier equipment may still inflict harm on opponents of the same tier (provided their Body tier is also comparable), though such equipment will severely limit their true combat potential.
Another way to unleash an equipment's full potential is through the Mind, since control and understanding strengthen the bond between wielder and weapon.
Thus, a creature with a high-tier Mind but lower Existence can still challenge stronger foes through control, mastery and skills.
PATHS AND TALENTS
Path
A Path is the direction your existence develops in the way your Soul manifests through your Body and Mind. The Path is also where most of your abilities originate.
When a being with Talent first achieves a feat that the world cannot ignore, even something small, the Will of the World inscribes their first mark of Existence.
That mark crystallizes into a Path, defining the initial direction of growth. From that moment onward, every decision feeds and shapes the Path.
Depending on the synergy of your Path, it is possible to defeat higher levels of existence, provided the gap is not too large. This is called a Counter Path.
Every Path has its weaknesses, and only by evolving your Path can you move toward Ascension.
Talent
A Talent is your most powerful ability, innate and unique to every being. Every Talent can grow depending on the individual, and even Talents that share the same name will manifest differently and develop in unique directions.
Every being is born with a Talent needed to form their Path, and the Will of the World observes every action, choice, and achievement after their awakening.
The time it takes to awaken a Talent varies for each being and depends on their innate ability to sense and absorb the life energy of the world.
Awakening the Talent marks your first step in the world of Gaia. Put simply, a being is not recognized by the Will of the World until they awaken their Talent. A creature without Talent is nothing more than livestock.