The original name being Rikka, Asterisk is a well-kept city on an artificial island, located on top of a crater-turned-lake in Northern Kanto. The name "Asterisk" comes from the bird's eye view of the city, which resembles a hexagon, since the center of the city is the main district, and at each corner there is a road leaning to one of the school districts. The city is very large, boasting both underground chambers and large buildings on top, as well as numerous ballast chambers to keep it afloat.
However, there are dangerous areas in the city as well, primarily including the Redevelopment area (which can be compared to the slums of the city) and the Entertainment district (on the edge of the Redevelopment area). There is also a Student Council President specific building, called Hotel Elnath, where the monthly Rikka Garden Council is held on the top floor, and the Asterisk Central District Main Stadium, where the Festas are held.
The police department of Asterisk is called the Stiarnagarmr, or the Star Hunter Guard. Though they have authority in the central district, it is agreed that they may not hold jurisdiction over the school districts, excluding extreme circumstances, and thus they may not enter school grounds without permission, either.
Academies
There are six academies primarily focused on gathering Genestella students, to train and teach. Every year, a fighting tournament, which is part of the Festa, is held. Because of this, the relationships between the six competing schools of Asterisk - Seidoukan Academy, St. Garrardsworth Academy, Allekant Academy, World Dragon Seventh Institute, Le Wolfe Black Institute, and Queen Veil Girls' Academy - can turn sour.
Seidoukan Academy is the most normal out of the six schools, having a simple election based student council and directly managed by the Integrated Enterprise Foundation. Their symbol is the Red Lotus. Their student council president is Claudia Enfield, and their intelligence organization is called the Shadow Stars. They have a large equipment division, with 22 Ogre Luxes, more than any other school. At the time of the beginning of the first light novel, however, they held poor rankings in the Festa.
Allekant Academy is the most research based school, having five different factions, all of which are frequently clashing, and a figurehead of a student council president. Their symbol is the Dusk Owl. Their students are divided into those who participate in the Festa tournaments, and those who conduct research, with very few who do both. The five research factions, each with their own president, include: Ferrovius (the largest and most influential), Sonnet (who focuses on materials and armor), Methuselah (who brainstorms new ideas), Tenorio (who focuses on living weapons), and Pygmalion (who focuses on cybernetics).