This is an explanation on the evolution and ranking of humanity and other beings in the world. There might be spoiles so look out but I'll try my best to try and hide them.
Human can evolve in Aetherion and just like any other creature or entities in Aetherion. Evolution is based on multiple factors but mostly it comes down to the key factors of Aether and Dominion.
To understand the process the human goes to evolution or an acsention as they put it, you have to understand the soul. Aether and Dominion come from the soul, as such the soul ascends.
Human evolution path.
◇Dormant
◇Awakened
◇Enlightened
◇Saint
◇Sourverign
Dormant soul is a soul with aether, that doesn't have willpower and Dominion. This individual can cast magic but not anything fancy they are the common man. Their aether is plain blue as it is the basic.
Awakened souls are individuals with colored aether and changed characteristics and sometimes they can control Dominion. Their change in aether provides benefits and they are much stronger and live longer than ordinary humans.
Enlightened souls are individuals that have transcend into the realm of their aether and have mastery over it. They are in a sense enlightened to their own potential and exceeded their own limitations.they can either have mastery of Aether or Dominion. At this stage they live even longer and their appearance is even more majestic. For example their beauty is beyond what humanity is accustom to. Some begin showing divine aspects to their appearance.
Saint soul is the highest humanity can achieve by their own efforts alone. At this stage they are in a sense deities and can be classified gods by the people around them. For someone to reach this level they must have complete mastery of one's soul, meaning the must wield both aether and Dominion on the highest level. Saints usually live for a long time, some scholars believe they live forever.
Sourverign souls are deities that existed long ago.Not much is known about then and most of the stories are passed by tongue.
Creatures of the land also have an evolutionary path but they mainly differ from race to race. Some have hidden and special evolutionary branches that haven't been studied yet but most of them have this evolutionary path.
Non-human evolutionary path.
◇Lesser-
◇Greater-
◇Arch-
◇Lord-
◇Grand-
◇Emperor-
All these are the general idea of the evolution of non-human entities.
Lesser-beings are the species's weakest group with in that species and as a reminder not all species are equal and some lessers are more powerful to others. And note that humans are not natural adept with aether but non-human species are.
Greater-beings are more powerful than the lessers but are only are moderate.they are what what's considered the normal.
Arch-being are more powerful than their lesser variants. Around powerful increases to an unbelievable amount. Sometimes it's even more than ten-fold the strength of the greater.
Lords are more powerful they are rare to encounter as the are so powerful and full of intelligent the strategies. Sometimes lords are leaders in the prospective and will form its own group of followers.
Grands are legendary creatures and few have been known in history and only a few remain. So most of what's known is the leadership aspect, they lead entire generations and regions of the same species.
Emperor class entities, are deities worshiped by not only their species but some of humanity too.