Babies First Magic (Types of Magic)
“Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, let's talk about the types of magic that you can use.” Sylvia speaks, clearly attempting to divert Mary’s attention away from her annoyance.
Mary allows herself to be fooled, her desire to learn more about magic leaving her too eager to truly complain.
“Previously, as I am sure that you noticed, I have called the illusionary light spell that I showed you a formulaic spell.” said Sylvia.
Mary briefly looks embarrassed; from Alexander's memory, he usually had an exacting attention to detail and would have picked up on a subtle tell like that. But Mary hadn’t, and she immediately moves to blame her newly infantile body that was not quite up to the standards set by a gene-enhanced superhuman like Alexander.
“This was not a mistake on my part, but instead it was in reference to one of the two primary forms of spellcasting throughout Terra.” Sylvia continues to explain, oblivious to Mary's momentary sense of self-crisis.
“Formulaic spellcasting is self-explanatory in that it uses formulas to cast spells.” Sylvia states plainly, “You have already seen these formulas; primarily they take the appearance of a magic circle that has been inscribed with at least one mana rune.”
“Other than additional circles to increase the complexity of a spell formula, they can also be manipulated using mathematics. As a result, formulaic mages often have an additional focus on learning practical mathematics.”
Sylvia pauses her explanation, looking towards Mary in mild surprise.
Mary looked questioningly at Sylvia before realising that a huge smug smile had stretched across her face.
Sylvia adopts a wry smile. “Considering that smile on your face, I’m going to assume that you're confident in your skill with maths?”
Mary, embarrassed at being called out, nods firmly, her smile disappearing as Sylvia laughs.
“There is even a branch of formulaic spellcasting called 'mathemagics'," said Sylvia, a note of despair in her voice, clearly conveying that this is not a branch of magic that she is personally skilled in.
“As the name implies, this discipline is a magic that forgoes magic runes entirely and focuses on purely mathematical equations instead.” Sylvia chuckles again as Mary's eyes light up.
“But mathemagics has something of a mixed reputation. The power of its spells is considered to be underwhelming for the effort used, although they are known for being remarkably mana efficient.” Sylvia raises an eyebrow at Mary. “Mana reserves will not be one of your problems, I hope you know.”
Mary nods firmly at Sylvia’s query before consoling herself.
‘It doesn’t matter; there is nothing wrong with proof of concepts that are weaker than the final goal. The modern world runs on applied mathematics, and Alexander dug into them heavily, so I know that there are some very useful branches of applied maths that could be applied to magic. I can add runes to add some power after I prove it works.’
Sylvia smiles at Mary's look of determination and continues her explanation.
“Another advantage of mathemagics over regular runic spellcasting is that the mage can have less knowledge of runes, but I doubt that will be a problem for you, Miss Hero." said Sylvia to Mary teasingly before continuing.
“The more well-regarded aspect of mathemagics is that it provides much greater control over the spells being cast. Runes add a degree of variability that can be difficult to take into account with maths alone.”
“As a result, the truly powerful formulaic spells are usually a mix of runic and mathemagical spell casting. Most formula mages prefer this mixed method of spell casting because they believe it offers a good balance of power and mana efficiency."
Sylvia concludes before adding some hesitant advice: “Considering your massive mana reserves, it might be better for you to use purely runic spellcasting; the efficiency gains are likely to be less useful for you when compared to the increase in spell power that more runes bring."
Mary feels herself twitch at the advice before glaring in disbelief at Sylvia. ‘Dismissing efficiency gains just because you can. Mother was right that you're a meathead.’
Sylvia wilts slightly at the glare before rushing to move on, hoping to distract Mary from her ire with the thus-far unmentioned form of spellcasting.
“The other type of spellcasting has several names, although they all follow a similar trend. The most common names are emotive magic, instinctual magic, intent magic, or even sorcery." At the look Mary gives her, Sylvia chooses to add, “That last one has been championed largely by Heros. According to my ancestors' writing, the reference doesn’t really fit?” she says uncertainly.
Mary nods in reply while thinking, ‘Sorcery would be more heritage-based. It’s not just a flawed reference; it’s incorrect.’ Sylvia looks at Mary's acceptance and then promptly echoes Mary's thoughts on the matter.
“From what my ancestor wrote, the name 'Sorcery' stems from some obscure Earth game that features a few magic systems of its own? But she wrote that 'sorcery' is supposed to imply that people who rely on it are relying more on their unique heritage than on studying. I suppose it is true; there are heritage lines that can make emotive casting easier, like, for instance, the Elves. But anyone can use emotive magic; all it needs is enough mana and intent to will spells into being.” said Sylvia in explanation.
“As you might understand from the potential names, this type of magic has nothing to do with studying mana runes or complex maths. Instead, all a prospective emotive casting mage needs is sheer instinctual grasping of magical principles and a large amount of mana reserves.”
Sylvia takes on a look of consideration, clearly digging into older memories to explain a branch of magic that she has never properly used.
“Emotive casting is in many ways far less restrictive than formulaic casting, as the mage in question can simply will what they want to happen into existence.”
“A good general rule would be that formulaic casting is more reliable than emotive casting, as a formulaic mage is directly describing in a magic circle what will occur. Emotive magic, on the other hand, is incredibly variable, reliant on the wants and needs of the caster but more specifically their ability to translate those wants and needs into actual magical force.”
"For example, Elizabeth once explained that with emotive magic, a mage can will a fireball into existence. But a fireball can vary between something that can barely light a match and something that can burn a town to ash; part of that variation will be based entirely on how much mana is fed into the spell. But if the spell is poorly formed, then all of the mana in the world will still result in a substandard fireball.”
Sylvia reminisces sadly, her eyes slightly losing focus as she explores her memories.
“Emotive spellcasting is not called that without reason. What are your emotions while trying to cast it? What is your intent behind the fireball? How hot are you imagining the fireball to be? Does it have smoke or is it smokeless? Much like with formulaic spell casting, the more detail that you successfully provide, the less magical power it takes to get a better result.”
Sylvia smiled at Mary conspiratorially. “It goes without saying, but many mages prefer the consistency of formulaic casting. But there are a handful of mortal mages who use emotive casting to devastating effect.”
At Mary's look, Sylvia briefly diverts from her explanation. “Mortal mages would be mages from races that actually die of old age. Elves and Dragons are the most common examples of immortal mages, but there are others like elementals.”
Mary nods in acceptance; that too fits with what one would expect of a fantasy world.
“Before we move on from this topic, I will show you how to use emotive casting. Luckily, it's easy enough to use for truly basic things.” said Sylvia, her tone confident.
Sylvia removes one of her arms from hugging Mary, bringing it to her front. She opens her hand, and once more an illusionary light blooms from her mana.
Mary blinks as she looks at the spell, noting that there had been no magic circle at all. ‘Was it faster to cast than formulaic magic?’ she questions.
Sylvia smirks as she sees the question on Mary's face. “Yes, the most definite advantage of emotive casting is that it is faster to cast and far harder to interrupt or corrupt.”
Before Mary can attempt to question further, she continues with a smile.
“It is possible to counter or intercept spell circles before they ignite. There are even several techniques to do so.”
“If you happen to be duelling a mage, then if their casting is too slow, it leaves an opening. Openings like that give you options, like inserting your own mana into the circle and usurping control.” said Sylvia, beginning to list potential outcomes of a magic duel.
“If you usurp control of a magic circle, then you can force it to disperse or even attack the original caster.” She smiles maliciously. “Of course, that is the most difficult form of spell countering.”
“The most common form of counter is to simply smash a counter spell into a forming spell circle; such an action usually causes the spell circle to disperse. There are many counter spell variants, but that is another thing you’ll have to study by yourself," she adds sadly, clearly once more indicating that Elizabeth could have taught spell countering.
Perhaps spell countering had been a speciality of hers?
“You can also partially counter a forming spell circle by introducing new variables into it. Formulaic spells are precise; adding junk or detrimental mathematics into the circle can cause it to fail or weaken.”
Sylvia finishes with a smile before turning to Mary and saying, “Now that we’ve had that pleasant distraction, how about trying emotive casting for yourself?”
Mary adopts a look of determination as she reaches to her front again. ‘So how do I do this? Just order my mana to become a spell?’ she wonders.
Mary uses her mental framework to draw on a few motes of her mana; she watches as they begin to collect above her hand, feeling a moment of awe at the existence of magic that briefly halts her action before she glares at the mana and commands it, ‘Become an illusionary light.’
Her mana instantly ignites, converting itself into a pale illusionary light. Distantly, Mary hears Sylvia congratulate her, but Mary frowns instead. She could have completed that task more quickly, couldn’t she?
Mary disperses the light that she had made and once again explores her mental framework. This time she does not hesitate or delay and orders her mana before it has even fully left her.
‘Become an illusionary light!’
This time the light blooms far faster. But instead of smiling at her success, Mary's frown deepens. This time, she notes, the light is somehow more severe; she was certain that she had used the same amount of mana in both spells.
Mary carefully looks at the light, trying to remember its properties, and then disperses it again.
With more care this time, she inspects her mental framework and collects the same amount of mana as her first attempt before once again bringing it forth and igniting it.
‘Become an illusionary light.’
The light blooms a third time, and this time instead of a severe glow, it is somehow softer, giving off an aura of deliberateness.
Mary glares at the light and finally allows herself to hear Sylvia’s commentary.
“And so you have discovered the reason why many mages hate emotive casting." her voice says in amusement.
Mary switches her glare to Sylvia, who raises her hand in a mock defence.
“That’s just how emotive casting is; it depends on your emotions. Sorry, Princess, but it is quite literally in the name.”
Mary nods in acceptance and moves to sulk and think. Seeing her princess's adorable frown, Sylvia cannot help but tighten her embrace. And then Sylvia moves to distract Mary with something she knows the otherworlder would enjoy.
“Now, let me teach you how to create your own runes. For most people, the process of creating runes is incredibly difficult, but my ancestor wrote that she found it almost trivial to create her new runes. With any luck, that is something that applies to all heroes," said Sylvia, smiling down at Mary.