Status Magic System

Status Magic System
The status magic system (SMS) is a type of fundamental magic which exists on certain worlds and is what allows users to develops by "levelling up". It is deeply connected to the dragon hourglasses, the Legendary and Vassal Weapons, Guardian Beasts, Pacifiers, and Dragon Emperors.

General Use
The most widespread use of the SMS is the ability to level up. By gaining "experience points" from defeating monsters, the user is slowly able to gain enough experience points to "level up". As the user levels up, their base stats such as attack and defense increase. One strange quirk of this system is that damage correlates to the user's level no matter what the equipment is. So, for example, a person using a cannon or ballistae at level 1 may inflict less damage than someone punching an enemy at a higher level.

Eventually, they will reach a "level cap" where they cannot level-up further. This first level cap can be broken by a "class-up" ceremony at the dragon hourglass which not only breaks the first level cap but also allows the user to develop certain stats based on which class-up path they chose. Sometimes specific items or blessings may interfere with the class-up process which forces a more powerful or unique result. Upon leveling up further, the user may experience a second level cap. To break this second level cap, the user must undergo a "limit break" ceremony. Limit breaks done on one world will transfer over to another.

Related Entities
There are several entities which seem to appear on every world which has the SMS. It is unknown if these are part of the same system or added later on.

Dragon Hourglass
Dragon Hourglasses are a central component to the SMS and may be considered the "console" which helps people interact with various other elements. The first and most common use is the management of people's levels. It is impossible to break any level limits without a dragon hourglass. Dragon hourglasses can also be used to reset a person's level.

The second function of the dragon hourglass is the inter-dimensional defense system. They can warn people and provide an estimated time until an oncoming wave. They also can, with the permission of the weapon spirits, be used to suppress any non-native weapon spirits, skills, and magic (however, it is unknown if this is a native ability or interference from the enemy).

Finally, the dragon hourglasses can be used to empower defenders of its world, including Legendary and Vassal Heroes, as well as Pacifiers. Weapons unlocked from the dragon hourglass provides useful abilities. The dragon hourglass is used to give Pacifiers authority and to listen to weapon spirits.

Legendary Weapons
The purpose of the Legendary Weapons is the defend their respective world against the waves and any attackers. The Vassal Weapons were created to assist them. Heroes can be summoned from other worlds to wield these special weapons. Once their set of waves are repelled, the hero may either return to their world or stay in the world they saved.

Unlike most people, Heroes bypass the class-up and limit break requirements and can level-up to as high as they want. They are also given special affinities for weapons related to whichever weapon they were summoned with.

Pacifiers
In every world with an SMS system, there is meant to be only one active pacifier at a time. The role of these pacifiers is to see that Legendary and Vassal Weapon wielders do their jobs properly. If any hero goes rogue, the pacifier is to enact punishment and correct their path if possible. They are given special authority by the SMS system which allows them to weaken Legendary and Vassal Weapon and also use techniques exclusive to the Heavenly Emperor. They have the ability to communicate with weapon spirits at some level and can discern if they are being used for some undesired purpose.

Dragon Emperor
In every world with an SMS system, there is only one active Dragon Emperor at a time. This demon dragon has special knowledge passed through the Dragon emperor fragments such as how to conduct a level-break ceremony or summon the fourth Guardian Beast.

In Glass' World, the Demon Dragon controls a unique magic which allows the wielder to make contracts with powerful monsters through the Way of the Dragon Vein. This will allow for special, powerful magic to be used no matter how far away the wielder is from the monster. In the past, a previous dragon emperor had sealed this magic from humans but the Demon Dragon had unlocked it so Naofumi and his group could use it.