Related: Refer to the Affinity Guide for more information about affinities, affinity activation, etc.

Ranks

Once a character has activated their affinity using a totem, they are automatically admitted to the Mage's Academy at Rank I. There are four ranks in the Academy, Rank I, Rank II, Rank III, and Rank IV. Completin Rank IV marks a Faian becoming a Mage.
 

Progressing the ranks

All characters start at Rank I in the Academy. To progress to the next rank, you must complete 3 out of the 4 prompts offered in that rank. For example, if a character has just started at rank I, they must complete 3 rank I prompts to progress to rank II. The prompts in each rank are marked by [R-I] (rank I), [R-II] (rank II), [R-III] (rank III), and [R-IV] (rank IV).

There are certain prompts that must be completed in the rank to progress; namely, [R-III] Staff and [R-IV] Spirit.

Submission Instructions

Progress (X/3 prompts completed) in each rank is marked by EXP (more info in the next section).

When completing a prompt in your character's current rank, make sure to attach EXP x1 to character rewards, and set your character to Focus character so that it distributes properly. You are allowed to complete extra prompts past the 3-prompt-requirement or even go back and complete prompts from previous ranks, but this does not reward EXP.

Submission instructions are also attached to each prompt.

You can access your character's Stat Profile by clicking Stat Information, which is located on the left nav bar of the character's main page.

BASICS

Level Information displays your character's current EXP out of 3. The amount of EXP left to level up = the amount of prompts you must complete in that rank to rank up, as each prompt rewards 1 EXP. All characters start at Level 1 regardless of whether or not their affinity is activated.

Stat Information displays the AFFINITY stat, which starts at 0 for all characters. When a character's affinity is activated using a totem, the AFFINITY stat increases to 1 (mods will increase it for you).

Level & Stat progression

No affinity: LVL 1, Affinity LVL 1 (value 1)

Affinity activated: Rank I: LVL 1, Affinity LVL 1 (value 1)

Rank II: LVL 2, Affinity LVL 2 (value 2)

Rank III: LVL 3, Affinity LVL 3 (value 3)

Rank IV: LVL 4, Affinity LVL 4 (value 4)

Academy completed: Mage: LVL 5, Affinity LVL 5 (value 5)

How to level up

When your character earns 3 EXP from their current rank, they can level up and rank up. To do this, follow the steps below.

1. Go to your character's stat profile, and under the 3/3 stat bar, click the green 'Level Up' button.

2. Go back and click the Affinity stat's box, where under the Level Up category there should be 1 available stat point. Click 'Level Up'.

3. Your character has successfully leveled up and increased their Affinity stat. They are now eligible to participate in the next rank!

Note that you should be completing this process every time your character levels up. Otherwise, you won't be able to participate in the next rank.

Lesser

When a Faian unlocks their affinity, they are linked with a lesser affinity spirit of their affinity's house. Lesser affinity spirits can shift form but must maintain a base ghost-like body shape. Possible features include ears, horns, wings, fins, spines, etc, and can be added within reason. Once summoned, they can stay for a short time before returning to the spirit realm. An official design for a character's lesser affinity spirit does not have to be made. Keep in mind their eyes must be white while the rest of their body reflects the color of the student's affinity. 

(lesser -> greater spirit transition example)

Greater

A student's affinity spirit will train alongside them throughout the ranks until they finally become a greater spirit, which marks the student becoming a mage. Greater affinity spirits can take on any form, and this form is permanent. Once summoned, they can stay as long as they or the mage would like before returning to the spirit realm. Design limitations and requirements are listed below.

Greater spirit design guide

Color: the spirit’s color must be the same as the color of the character’s affinity. The spirit should not have markings; however, they can have gradients as long as they stay in their color territory.

White: The only non-affinity color is white, which can only be applied to the eyes (should not have iris or pupil) and mouth.

Creature: The affinity spirit can resemble any real or fantastical creature. However, they cannot closely resemble any Faia species, companion critter, franchise-unique creatures (ex. pokemon), or have a humanoid form. They also must be easily distinguishable from a lesser affinity spirit.

Once your character completes the last necessary prompt to complete Rank IV, [R-IV] Spirit, a mod will return your submission with instructions on how to add the Greater Affinity Spirit design to your character's reference in order to officially make them a Mage!