Mage Rankings

In the world of Zhenren Kuia, users of magic may be classified under a rank depending on their mastery of their elemental ability (For example, Abbot of Fire). These classifications are important for mage hunter organizations who send the right mage hunters for the Job.

A rank may be given officially by a mage hunter organization. Differing nations have differing names or codes, but most use the traditional "US Standard Mage Yield Output Scaling" (YO: 0-6) created in 1948. Mages around the world aid in shaping the ranking. Destructive power is the main measurement of ranking, based off destructive yield.

This could be seen as an outdated standard in modern times when assigning tasks and bounty worth to hunters. Higher YO ranking doesn't always equivalate to difficulty of capture or execution.

The rankings is a pyramid where there are less people in higher ranks.

Many in the business nickname the codes below: Novitiate of magic (Y-0) are the least powerful. Anyone who has magic powers has this rank. They're attack output can vary from no damage at all, to bullet lethal projectiles and minor small explosives.
 * Grand Master (Y-6)
 * Master (Y-5)
 * Priest (Y-4)
 * Deacon (Y-3)
 * Abbot (Y-2)
 * Apprentice (Y-1)
 * Novitiate (Y-0)

Apprentice of magic (Y-1) begin to approach lethal levels of magic power output. A human may still deal with Apprentices but must exercise caution as their attacks usually have enough power output is enough to destroy dozens of city blocks.

Abbot of magic (Y-2) approach levels of magic where they can shoot projectiles decimating hills and upwards to a mountain at best. Abbots. Abbots may require professional mage hunters but is not required.

Deacon of magic (Y-3) are very dangerous. They maybe a few thousands at a given time. Their potential output could destroy mountain ranges. A military presence is required to contain a Deacon. Hiring a professional mage hunter is strongly recommended.

Priests of magic (Y-4) are noted for being extremely dangerous users of magic. There maybe only a few hundreds Priest of magic at a given time. They have the power output to destroy an Island and a maximum power output of even splitting the world's continent. Hiring a skilled mage hunter is required.

Master of Magic (Y-5) are regarded as the worst case of humankind. The title is given to those whose power output could wipe out the surface of earth. However the world's governments have collaborated a method for the few elite to survive underground and rebuild from such self destruction. There maybe only a few Masters of magic at a given time.

A Grand Master of Magic (Y-6) is the highest tier of magician. Separated from a Master, a Grand Master is the worst case scenario for planet earth, it'd mean the obliteration to the core. While humanity does have a space station, without Earth it would not last long. They are the most powerful beings in the world. There maybe no more than a couple at a given time, sometimes a generation may never see a Grand Master of Magic. So far, not one has been recorded.

History
In a race for technology to catch up to Y-5 levels of power, the nuclear arms race was pushed to degrees where mankind created a bomb so powerful, that one bomb could wipe out the surface of Earth, in 1971 (test conducted in space). Afterwards, the arms race changed. The new frontier then became the goal of breaking the light barrier and durability of armor.

When creating the US Standard Mage Yield Output in 1948. Bringing in all of the world's elite mages and experts for their knowledge. Indeed, these mages already had their own rank system in place, albeit more complex taking into account elementals, abilities, speed, teaching, influence, discoveries, ect. Those things didn't interest the United States Government, only the yield of power.

According to the elites, it was indeed possible to destroy planet Earth to the core with magic power alone, and there were people in the past whom had this power but didn't exercise it. The skirmish of 1821 being the modern example of a Grand Master in action. With the splitting on Antarctica being the example of a Master's casual graze splitting the continent without ever connecting to the ground. Though the US saw these beings as legends or folk stories, not the true of the matter. Especially without proper documentation.

Regardless, the US used a simplified version. Based overall on destructive output of the Mage's traditional system. To compared a mage's destructive capacity to nuclear yield (roughly) and damage to planet Earth.

Though the US never saw the use of either Y-5 or Y-6 ranks, even boasting that modern weaponary has exceeded the destructive output of a magician in 1971.

The US eventually created and adopted: US Enhanced Mage Yield Output Scaling (EY 1-5) in 1987. Since it'd been deemed impossible to skeptics that Mages can actually blow up Earth and anything exceeding destruction of the Earth's surface excessive and unnecessary scaling

Comparing the Enhanced US system to the Standard: Ranking was based of destruction capacity still, adopted in 1987, the focus was ranking terrorists who used their magic powers to terrorize and threaten. Most of the time mages did not use their full reservoir of power, they mostly threatened to use their power, by flexing a piece of their power and demanding ransom. The ranking reflects this.
 * Grand Master (Y-6) (EY-5)
 * Master (Y-5) (EY-5)
 * Priest (Y-4) (EY-4)
 * Deacon (Y-3) (EY-3)
 * Abbot (Y-2) (EY-3)
 * Apprentice (Y-1) (EY-2)
 * Novitiate (Y-0) (EY-1)

EY 5: Terror to Humanity

EY 4: Terror to multiple nations

EY 3: Terror to a nation

EY 2: Terror to a City

EY 1: Terror to population

Only the US adopted the enhanced system (EY). With the rest of the world keeping the US standard system (Y)