Progression fantasy

Progression fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy fiction characterized by a central focus on the protagonist's intentional and quantifiable increase in power, skill, or magical ability. Unlike traditional fantasy, where character growth is often internal or abstract, progression fantasy typically features explicit "leveling up" mechanics, rigorous training arcs, or magic systems that operate with scientific or game-like consistency.

The genre overlaps significantly with LitRPG (Literary Role-Playing Game) and the Chinese xianxia (immortal hero) genre, often serving as an umbrella term for stories that utilize the "zero-to-hero" power scaling tropes found in shōnen manga and MMORPGs.