Spirit

Spirits (精霊) are one of the four main races, alongside Demons, Humans, and Gods.

Overview
Spirits are the living embodiments of legends, folklore, rumors, desires, fears, and aspirations. When these beliefs become widespread, a spirit based on them is born. For example, an extreme fear of fire can lead to the birth of fire spirits, while a rise in religious faith can birth water spirits.

People's beliefs are what form the source of a spirit; and as a result, spirits will cease to exist when their birthing stories or feelings are forgotten. Those who are on the verge of being forgotten will develop Spiritosis (精霊病), which causes their magic power and source to slowly vanish over time, leading to their eventual disappearance. Attempting to heal them or rewinding their time to a previous state would have no effect because the tales or feelings that birthed them continue fading away. But conversely, it's stated that spirits can survive and revive even after having their source destroyed so long as there is belief in their lore.

Spirits also have no concept of reincarnation, though it's possible to change their nature by altering the lore that forms their existence. When this happens, their new lore will be added on top of the original ones, potentially granting them new abilities. An example of this would be the rumor that the tears of the Great Mother Spirit Reno give birth to other spirits, which wasn't originally part of her lore but was later added due to complementing her original lore, granting her that ability. However, it's worth noting that spirits are most influenced by the legends and rumors that first created them, and contradictions in those can lead to their demise.

Powers and Abilities
Because they are born from the hearts of people, from their intense longing, spirits are beings made up of magic power. Their abilities are determined by their lore, and they gain whatever abilities others believe they have. They also have the unique ability to use Spirit Magic, which unlike other types of magic, expends a portion of the user's source to activate. However, the lost essence is easily replenished so long as their legends and rumors remain, allowing them to cast magic with no adverse effects.

All spirits possess a transient and true form. Because their appearance is determined by their legends and rumors, they are much more powerful while in their true form because they are closer to what they embody. In addition, it's not uncommon for a spirit's personality to completely change between its transient and true form.

Great Spirit
Spirits whose legends and rumors are firmly rooted, so they are not at risk of being forgotten, and their vast power reflects that. An example would be the Great Water Spirit Lignon, who demonstrated the power to wipe out half of Anos' subordinates in a single blow while in her true form. Another would be the Great Spirit Mother Reno, who was considered one of the most powerful beings during the Mythical Age.

Half-Spirit
The offspring between a spirit and a member of another race, such as a demon or human. Unlike full spirits, who are born fully matured when their stories become well-known, half-spirits are born as babies without a legend or rumor to claim as their own. To fill their spirit side, they have to subconsciously take in newborn rumors or faint hopes, essentially things that haven't spawned a spirit yet. If those rumors and hopes spread to more and more people, then a half-spirit can live a normal and comfortable life. However, in most cases, half-spirits only live short lives because newborn rumors easily fade away and hopes are often crushed. When this happens, they get Spiritosis, which causes their magic power to weaken and their source to slowly vanish over time. It's possible to save them by spreading their rumors and hopes, but this doesn't happen often because half-spirits have no knowledge of what legends or traditions form their spirit side.