In the year 2012, everything changed.

One fine spring afternoon, a team of British historical archaeologists accidentally uncovered something remarkable in a small English mountain range. This discovery seemed rather mundane at the time - some ruins belonging to a large tower. To their surprise, however, this tower was soon identified as that built by Vortigern, under the direction of the legendary wizard Merlin. Beneath the tower, there was a lake, showing signs of an immense battle between two mammoth beasts, now reduced to mere skeletons by the ravages of time - dragons. Among the bones was found a small blue crystal orb about the size of a basketball. The archaeologists - curious - picked it up. Through this single action, a sphere of energy was spread across the world. Its effects were not known at the time, but when discovered, they changed the face of the world forever.

Shortly after the discovery of the "Stone of Merlin," as it was called, unusual events began to happen around the globe. Children developed the power to transform themselves and make use of a bizarre form of energy, hypothesized to be energy manifested by their very soul itself - in other words, magic. This energy came to be called Merlin ArcaNA, or MANA for short, and its manifestations as Possession and Breaking. Governments of the world, not wanting to fall behind in the unusual arms race that followed from this discovery, quickly searched out those children capable of using these Merlin Fields, and began studying alongside and educating them in the usage of their powers. Having seen enough science fiction/fantasy movies to know what happens when you "kill the mutants," the United Nations decided upon a more benevolent approach.

They would found schools, dedicated to continuing their unusual students' normal educations and lives whilst showing them the ropes of their new abilities. Although the task was arduous at first, the rules of the Merlin Fields and MANA were soon discovered, and are now standard curriculum at institutions the world over.

However, these institutions have purposes other than the education of their empowered subjects for the leading of normal lives - namely, training in combat, for the sake of raising up a new generation of global police. With powers like this in their hands, world peace did not seem to be an empty dream any longer. However, sometimes world peace is not the only thing these teachers have in mind...

---The Setting---

Our story takes place at the ArcArtes Academy of Kyoto - a renowned, if new institution. They value raw MANA scores above finesse, reasoning that skill can be trained into their students easily, whereas training MANA is much more difficult. Dividing up their students into grades by MANA score, those at Grade 4 are privileged with constant access to the best training facilities, both for Merlin Fields and for more mundane classes. Grade 3 does not have it much worse, with good classrooms and training facilities, with all of the materials they need right at their fingertips. Grade 2 gets decent classrooms, although they have to make due with the unused rooftop sports fields for training purposes. Grade 1 is where it starts getting bad, since the school did not originally intend to allow any students of this level into the establishment. However, due to an overwhelming number of these "Failures," special concessions were made, and barracks were created for them... in the gym storage closet. They have no research materials of their own, have to make due with the gym as a training ground, and are generally regarded with contempt by the other students. They are allowed to remain and study under one condition - that they show incredible improvement in their combat abilities before the midterm, at which point they will be tested in battle against their peers. Those who succeed will be allowed to remain, but those who fail will be sent packing.

However, there is another condition in their favor. If they can defeat their peers before then, they can in turn replace classes above them in MANA score by driving them out of their own facilities, either through an agreed-upon duel between specified individuals or teams, or through all out war. Other classes have been allowed this privilege as well, resulting in a four-way struggle. All eyes are now turned toward the top, and even those in Level 1 have high hopes of becoming the new Level 4. The school, in turn, will turn a blind eye toward the resulting magical brawls in the halls, so long as no damage is done to the school itself, and these engagements are supervised and limited in power so as to ensure the safety of the students.

---The School---

The ArcArtes Academy is divided into three buildings. The East and West wings are one story tall, and the center wing is three stories tall. The East Wing contains the gym, lockers, and barracks/"classrooms" of the Level 1 faction. The West wing, meanwhile, contains the classrooms, meager research center, and rooftop training grounds of the Level 2 group. Between these two wings is the three story central building, shown in the thread image. The first floor contains extensive training grounds, libraries, classrooms, and dormitories for the Level 3, whereas the second floor contains the luxurious domain of the Level 4. The final floor contains offices and apartments for the teachers, who are on site at all times to prevent all hell from breaking loose amongst the students.

Each "territory" essentially consists of a large training room - as well as classrooms and research rooms for the Levels 2-4 - surrounded by dormitories for the students. Each dormitory contains room for six individuals, the size and space in these rooms varying depending on what group one is in. In Level 1, dormitories are not even so much as segregated between the genders, although fortunately the locker and shower rooms are. The dormitories for Level 1 are essentially two closets, each with three worn and torn mattresses, pillows and blankets inside, connected to a shared common room, containing a coffee table and some trashy couches. The gym serves as a cafeteria for the Level 1, although the Levels 2-4 each have their own small cafeteria. The quality of the food varies as well depending on the class one is in, varying for repetitive, standard school food to the sorts of things you might expect to see served at an upscale country club - just another incentive for the Level 1 to improve themselves. Makeshift "clubs" are sometimes formed by the students, although the only real physical activities are usually MANA battles.

---Our "Heroes!"---

The main protagonists of this thread will be a group of six friends, some of whom will have known each other for a long time, others of whom will have befriended one another due to cohabitation in Dormitory 01. The roles will be highly adaptable, so while I'm hoping for a sort of basic characterization according to the following list, I'm also expecting a great deal of life to be breathed into these archetypes, so we're not just a bunch of cliches running around. Feel free to diverge from certain small aspects as listed here, but give me a heads up first so I know of and am okay with it.

Role 1: The Nice Guy

The "Nice Guy" is just that - a genuinely nice person, if a bit clueless socially sometimes. Could range from level-headed and thoughtful to a boisterous, lively, "pal" type of figure. Sees the world somewhat in terms of black and white, and fights for the sake of his friends so they can continue learning to control their powers and rise a few ranks in the world. The Nice Guy is the de facto leader of the Level 1 due to his charisma and intelligence. Possibly shipped with Role 2.

Role 2: The Diligent and Fiery Student - Taken by Tsukiakari

This character is an extremely diligent student whose facade of kindness and "perfection" hides a much more violent side. She can be either cold and angry or kind and easily embarrassed - although if you call her out on the latter, expect to just make her revert to "angry" mode. Despite this seeming unsociability, she truly cares for her comrades, even if she doesn't admit it. What she doesn't have in strength she makes up for in lightning fast speed and devastating skill with her MANA. She also possesses a rather limited ability to use External Possession, and, due to her temper and speed, has earned the nickname "The Untouchable Tiger." She is the lieutenant of the level one, being one of the Nice Guy's most skillful and renowned comrades. Possibly shipped with Role 1.

Role 3: The Hot-Blooded Bruiser

This guy is always running on spirit and willpower. Expect him to be loud, egotistical, and a legend in his own mind. Still, when it comes down to it, he's the most loyal friend you could hope to have, and exceptionally strong despite his low rank. Another powerful lieutenant for the Level 1. Possibly shipped with Role 4.

Role 4: The Sarcastic Ice Queen - Taken by AlyxTheStubborn

This character, due to some sort of event in her past, be it abuse, bullying, or whatever, has taken a somewhat cynical worldview, distancing herself from others and shunning friendship. Expect her to stand on the sidelines making sarcastic comments about how ridiculous the whole situation is. Despite all this, she's a genuinely nice person to those who go out of their way to be kind to her. Give her some interesting backstory and depth, though, since this role could be particularly Mary Sue-ish. Another lieutenant for the Level 1, using more wizard-like attacks than brute strength or close quarters combat, although she is none the less potent for it. Possibly shipped with Role 3.

Role 5: The Stoic/Ninja

This character is incredibly quiet, cool-headed, and, dare I say it, a badass. He might or might not be a practitioner of advanced ninjutsu, and seems to have all the connections and intelligence he needs to know everything at any given moment. He handles negotiations, sabotage, and surprise attacks/"Assassinations" for the Level 1. Possibly shipped with Role 6.

Role 6: The Heart - Taken by 360tan

This character is quiet, too, but for a different reason, be it for shyness or some sort of past event causing her to not talk much. She's an incredibly nice person despite her vulnerability, and is rather lovable, although she might just become a damsel in distress at times. She's the tie that binds her allies together, dealing with internal squabbles amongst the six friends. She, too, handles public relations and negotiations for the Level 1, alongside her bodyguard, the Stoic. Possibly shipped with Role 5.

Note that Possessions and Breakings are not defined at all by this list. Use what you want. I won't force you into using some power I think up.

Use the following biography format to apply. Contact me in OOC or PM if you have any questions, and I will do my best to answer them. Thank you.

---Character Format---

Name:
Nickname:
Age:
Gender:
Role:
Grade: (All of the main characters will start out as MANA Grade 1.)
Normal Form Appearance: (Picture here please, along with whatever else you feel like adding. Anime is preferred, although not mandatory.)
Possession Form Appearance: (Picture please, along with whatever else you feel like adding. Anime is preferred, although not mandatory.)
Second Possession Appearance: (Leave this blank until External Possession is learned. The above rules will then apply.)
Possession Weapon: (Use a picture of your weapon here if it wasn't included in the pictures above, or if there's something else you'd like to add. Include a name for your Possession here.)
Possession's Special Property: (What passive power does your Possession have? Nothing too ridiculous.)
Second Possession Weapon: (Leave this blank until External Possession is learned. The above rules will then apply.)
Second Possession's Special Property: (Leave this blank until External Possession is learned. The above rules will then apply.)
Breaking Ability: (What form does your Breaking take? What does it look like when you use it? Does it have any special effects upon yourself or your target?)
Personality: (Expand upon your role. I don't want two dimensional characters.)
History: (Your life before you came to ArcArtes Academy. If you want, include some relationships to the other main characters so they have a place to tie in.)
Other: (Anything else you'd like to add? Optional.)