Devil

*For the gigantic creatures made from Forbidden Magic, see Demons.*
**Devils** 「悪魔 *Akuma*」 are an ancient race of magical and malevolent beings that dwell in the **underworld** 「冥府 *meifu*」, a bleak world where the only amusement comes from tormenting each other and toying with the humans of the living world.

## Overview

Normally, devils cannot appear in the living world on their own. A mage in the living world can use Forbidden Magic and a sacrifice to summon a devil and use some of its power. The amount of devil power a mage can wield is limited due to the gate between the living world and the underworld. A devil with no magic power can physically breach this border between worlds. Devils cannot wield or enter a grimoire until it has a five-leaf clover. Once they have a grimoire and a physical body, they can unleash their true forms and power in the living world.

Because devils come from the underworld, their mana is known to be malicious and sinister in nature,thus their magic attributes are particularly formidable and frightening. The only ways to counter devils' magic are with negative mana, Arcane Stage magic, Saint Stage magic, and other devils' magic.

A devil's body disintegrates when it is killed with Anti Magic.

### Rankings

The devils have developed a hierarchy in which their placements among the ranks are assigned at birth and are unable to be changed.

The known devil ranks are as follows:

1. **Highest-ranking Devils** 「最上位悪魔 *Saijōi Akuma*, Viz: "Supreme Devils"」
2. **High-ranking Devils** 「上位悪魔 *Jōi Akuma*」
3. **Mid-ranking Devils** 「中位悪魔 *Chūi Akuma*」
4. **Low-ranking Devils** 「下位悪魔 *Kai Akuma*」

Low-ranking devils can be defeated by hitting them with large amounts of mana. Mid-ranking and higher, however, require Arcane Stage mages. The ten devils connected to the Tree of Qliphoth are among the highest ranked and strongest devils.

### Appearance

The common defining characteristic of devils are their horns, which all devils boast. In general, the higher ranking the devil, the longer and more impressive horns they tend to have. Low-ranking devils are noticeably larger than humans and have rather bizarre and monstrous and beastly physiologies, like multiple eyes, tentacles, and bug-like mandibles. Mid-ranking devils are generally at least vaguely humanoid in appearance, though often with distorted bodily proportions and monstrous facial features. High and highest-ranking devils bear the closest resemblance to humans with slender, relatively proportionate figures but have pointed teeth, long, thin tails, and bat-like wings on their backs.

### Underworld

The underworld is divided into seven layers and is ruled over by three highest-ranking devils, who can manipulate gravity, time, and space and reside at the lowest level. Each level houses devils of various ranks, with the highest-ranking devils dominating all those on their level. Because the underworld is so bleak and boring, higher-ranked devils keep themselves entertained by torturing those of lower ranks, while the lower ranked devils torment those who are even lower.

## Trivia

* In many real world religions and cultures, the Devil is recognized as the personification of evil.

## References

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