Breakthrough!

[fightingofthespirit]

A-At long last! I have nearly completed my goal!

The impossibility of ever making sense of the island's conglomeration of magic initially seemed an insurmountable obstacle; there were far too many cultures and worlds to accommodate. It hardly seemed as if there was even a system at all! Working towards a solution from this angle, of course, eventually proved to be nothing more than an extremely frustrating headache; one would have to eventually account for every single known world's system if one wished to reroute the currents as one desired -- But lo! Upon rethinking my initial analysis of the entire project, a single point jumped out at the brilliant mind of Klarth. The indiscriminatory nature of this magic! It had been noted previously that those with absolutely no previous magical aptitude could simply take a scroll and perform the most elementary of magical feats without so much as breaking a sweat. Though I had somehow managed to miss it before, the obvious conclusion drawn would be that the source of magic upon this island -- perhaps a stream of mana hidden either high above the island or below, or perhaps simply a new source as of yet undocumented in the texts -- did not flow from being to being as I had previously thought! Instead, it seems obvious now that each being can tap into the source individually, and it was only after he had done so that the magic would convert to the system he was most familiar with. Rather than a long, intertwined chain of mana running throughout, each person was free to dip into this stream, a far more efficient system! Going on this principle, it was hardly difficult at all to tap into this stream myself!

Now behold! The fusion of supreme intelligence, craftsmanship, and art -- The Magic Cannon!

Here goes no --

FWOOMPH

.........ow........

*thud*

Comments

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

Haa? Oh! Right. Please forgive me, as the only way I could currently help is if you wanted to be more on fire.

[shoukanjutsu.livejournal.com]

Stop, drop, and roll it is, then.

*roll roll roll*

I take it -- that you yourself -- are familiar with magic -- as well, ma'am.

*roll roll roll*

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

I was a mage on my world. No one noteworthy, but I've continued my studies here.

[shoukanjutsu.livejournal.com]

I see.

*stops rolling*

Oh, yes -- I've seen you in the library a few times. I don't believe we've had a chance to speak , however. My name is Klarth. A pity we meet under such humiliating circumstances.

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

I believe I can understand that.

Good to meet you, Lord Klarth. I'm Erk.

[shoukanjutsu.livejournal.com]

Ah. No need for such formality, ma'am. Though I can't be certain, of course, I doubt I am nobility of any kind.

Now -- if you don't mind my asking, how does the magic from your world operate?

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

My apologies. It's something of a force of habit.

Well, there are three crucial pieces. The first is one's ability for magic and their capacity for magic, also known as internal magic. The second are spirits that exist in nature, although it's commonly easier to just think of it as untapped, raw magic. The third is any given person's receptiveness to this untapped magic, or simply potential.

In its simplest form, magic is created by channeling incantations from a tome through one's internal reserves of magic. Many people in Elibe have fairly low potential and ability; therefore, they find it difficult to wield or control spells.

Those with greater potential and ability for magic are able to combine the raw magic around them into the spell as well. Meditation tends to make this an easier feat than normal.

[shoukanjutsu.livejournal.com]

Yes, I believe most worlds operate similarly to your own. Not everybody is capable of wielding magic; only those with both the technique and the ability to tap into the power. But it seems yours is a world where magic resides both within the magician and in outside sources as well. Fascinating!

About these spirits -- Are they intelligent creatures? Or merely raw element floating about, awaiting for someone to harness their power?

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

Admittedly, it's hard for me to imagine a person without magical reserves. It seems to be a part of me just like blood, for instance. Casting too much magic and depleting one's reserves is a dangerous thing indeed.

That, I'm not sure about. It simply feels like raw element, but it sometimes acts as if there is a modicum of sentience. I apologize, as I'm still a student myself; I've never been able to form a conclusion one way or the other.

[shoukanjutsu.livejournal.com]

Oh, no, perfectly understandable, ma'am. I'm simply trying to puzzle things out the best I can myself. No memories as of yet, you see.

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

Wait, you came to that conclusion and then managed to get that far on an experiment without the slightest knowledge of your own world's magic?

[shoukanjutsu.livejournal.com]

The true scientist cannot be stopped by such trifling things as complete and total amnesia!

. . . Actually, I believe I would be one of those born without the 'potential' we spoke of. It simply doesn't work for me.

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

Difficult to tell. I wasn't capable of magic before I remembered how either.

[shoukanjutsu.livejournal.com]

Ah, truly? That's a bit of a relief! . . . Though I wonder why this place would remove magic potential as well.

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

In my case, I don't believe it was potential. I think it was specifically knowledge about Elibean magic. Once I recalled how to cast my own magic, other forms were a breeze.

[shoukanjutsu.livejournal.com]

So it was the specific knowledge you were missing. I understand.

I've attempted to learn from the books in the library. They have a fairly thorough collection -- Elibean magic, you say? Then yours is the world where magic is divided into three major classes.

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

Anima, light, and dark, yes. From what I understand of it, healing is almost considered another class altogether.

As someone who tried to learn on my own, I'm, ah, not quite sure I'd recommend it without someone capable of teaching.

[shoukanjutsu.livejournal.com]

Oh? Are you offering to teach, then?

I'd been taking notes from a wizard -- a fellow named Harry. He upped and vanished a few days ago, though. A shame; I quite liked him.

[frumpyface.livejournal.com]

Ah, that is, I'm, ah, not quite sure I can. Besides, er, Elibean tomes are in rather short supply.

I can't say, ah, that I knew him.

[shoukanjutsu.livejournal.com]

Ahh, come now! No coyness. You are clearly more than capable! But, of course, if you really are uncomfortable with the thought, I shan't pressure you.