Gravity Magic

 A powerful branch of magic with a wide range of applications; essentially, it is the ability to distort (curve) space-time by manipulating gravity. This magic this can manipulate mass, crushing the enemy through brute force, and naturally generating micro-black holes.

The natural enemy of barrier-type magic, due to the large difference in energy requirement between “generating a black hole” and “maintaining a personal dimension which contains a black hole, breaking all physical laws inside the space.”

Theoretically, when light (electromagnetic waves) in a vacuum goes from one point to another, it takes the shortest and most direct course. In classical physics, light is a ‘straight line’. However, under the effect of any given amount of gravity, light is ‘curved’; thus, in space (space-time) affected by gravity, the shortest course between two points is not a straight line, because light is not exempt from this ‘curvature of space-time’ (gravitational lensing). You can say that gravity causes the curving of space-time.

Objects with more energy than mass (especially astronomical bodies) draw in material and electromagnetic waves in their vicinity towards their centre of gravity; normally, this would not cause any special phenomena. However, when the mass of the object is ‘M’, the universal gravitational constant is ‘G’, and the speed of light is ‘c’,

rg=2GM/c2

once this relationship (function) is established within the radius ‘rg’ (the Schwarzschild radius), the effect becomes different. As the ‘distortion’ from gravity becomes too large, light is not simply ‘bent’, but ‘falls’ into the object’s centre. Illustrated three-dimensionally, this would like a ‘hole’ – ie. a black hole.

As it is divided by twice the speed of light, the value tends be quite small. For example, an object the size of the Moon will have about a Schwarzschild radius of about 0.11mm. Of course, the power of Gravity Magic is to create gravity where there are no objects with mass. To put it another way, Gravity Magic is the ability to warp space-time without a mass/object medium. Again, if the strength of the gravitational influence from the source is ‘F’, universal gravitational constant is ‘G’, the mass of the source is ‘M’, the mass being influenced by gravity is ‘m’, and the distance between the two is ‘r’,

F=GMm/r2

Under the effect of Gravity Magic, as there is gravity there, ‘F’ cannot equal 0. If the left side does not equal 0, then of course the right side cannot equal 0, so even without actual mass, ‘M’ can never equal 0.
As the value of ‘M’ increases under the effect of Gravity Magic, the Schwarzschild radius also increases. Gravity Magic does not require a large space to operate, but that ‘M’ becomes the required value for a black hole to be created.

Western Magic

The style of magic based around the Europe’s cultural sphere of influence. With the spread of European culture and Christianity during the Age of Discovery, western-style magic has also spread throughout the world, with magical academies and similar institutions in many countries.

Closely conforming to the classic image of magicians, a western mage uses mana as energy, and requires spells, incantations, and catalysts to activate magic.

Unlike the amalgamation of ’schools’ that make up Eastern magic, such as Onmyoudou, Shinto, and Buddhism, there are no ’styles’ in Western magic. The two languages of incantation are Latin and Greek, with Latin being more common and Greek being solely used for High Ancient  – high-level magic.

However, as a mage can possess affinities, particular types of magic he excels in, the style of the caster differs based on these attributes. For example, if someone excels at the elements of wind and light, being able to turn wind into tornado barriers, and control all manners of gases using air as a medium. By comparison, while he would be able to solidify rock or metal, manipulate liquids, or control heat, he would find it difficult; these are the territories of earth, water, and fire mages, respectively.

Another point of note is the lack of ‘divine’ or holy magic or sorcery based on the power of Gods (such as those from the Greek, Scandinavian, or Celtic pantheons) due to the prohibitions of the Christian Church. Rather, most spells borrow and rely on the power of spirits.

Element

In modern science, the phenomenon of fire is the release of light and heat energy due to combustion. However, in classical elements, fire in itself is a “substance.” Magic is tied to a system of four elements, born from the world’s one ‘prime essense’, and from which forms the basis for all things in existence.

While magically-enabled fire or water are scientifically sound – for example, fire is a phenomenon, water is a liquid – they also ignore factors such as causation or physics, due to magic being born in a different age and cultural background. The substance called “fire” is simply a source of smoke, light, and heat, which burns everything in its surroundings. Regardless of any local conditions, “fire” will never lose these properties.

“Fire” will never burn out and can exist on water or in a complete vacuum; “water” will remain in liquid form regardless of temperature; “wind” will retain its designated velocity regardless of surrounding conditions; and “earth” will never change its physical composition.

However, it is entirely due to the stagnation within the magic societies that these beliefs continue to exist and prevail over modern science. It is quite possible, given time, and further interaction between the worlds of modern reality and classical magic, that even mages themselves will no longer be able to use magic in the future.

Incantation

The lines preceding the casting of a spell, which must be completed in their entirety for the magic to activate. The length of the incantation generally corresponds to the power of the spell itself – a spell with a short incantation has a weaker effect, and so on.

As noted, it is not the words that ‘activate’ a given magical phenomena, but the words themselves containing the power to enact or create those phenomena. In effect, what’s important is that the incantation is spoken correctly, and actually understanding the words is secondary.

Any spell which requires the caster’s name be cited in the incantation means the spell is commanding the power of a contracted, spiritually-powerful being.

Unincanted Spell
An incantation ’spoken’ internally, in the heart and mind that allows spells to be cast almost instantly. Thus it is possible to cast multiple spells at once, incanting one aloud while preparing another internally. However, it would be extremely difficult to use anything other than an incantation memorised to the point of being able to cast subconsciously.

The more capable the mage, the more powerful the spells he can cast without needing an actual incantation. Conversely, if a mage uses a full incantation for a spell which he is capable of casting unincanted, then the spell itself will become abnormally powerful.

Note that spells do exist which conditionally require a full incantation.

Activation Key
Particular to western magic, this is a specific type of incantation unique to each mage that precedes usage of magic – a password. Taking the ‘power of words’ further, the phrase doesn’t have to make sense or even be in a real language, as long as it feels ‘natural’ to the mage. It is considered a requirement for a proper mage and the setting of one’s activation key is a lengthy ritual.

Activation keys are spoken before the main incantation, but they can be skipped for simple spells. However, what exactly a “simple” spell is depends on the level of the mage; the more capable the mage, the more easily he will be able to cast powerful spells without needing his activation key.

Practe bigi nar is the general activation key used by novices before becoming full-fledged mages.

Focus

A tool possessing certain powers or symbols which assists in the invocation of magic. Most foci are staves, but other possibilities include rings, jewels, or books.

It is possible to cast magic without a focus – its purpose is to increase and stabilise the power output. As with activation keys, while novices will make use of simple wands, a customised focus is considered a requirement for a proper mage. However, it is not rare for high-class mages to dispose of foci entirely.

Magic

Systems of skills and techniques, closer to what we call ’science’ than the average image of magic and magicians.

First and foremost, mages were philosophers, seeking to uncovering the secrets of the world; instead of facing the physical world, they turn to the spiritual world, dealing with beings of knowledge. However, as there are limits to how much mental strength a single person can possess, it is often the case that mages borrow the power of supernatural beings. Thus, mages were held in awe and fear, as prophets of divine will, and philosophers who have seen the deep places of the world.

However, as human science evolved and becomes more advanced, our perception and understanding of the world expanded, and the mysteriousness of magic disappeared. Magic itself is no longer used to reach ‘ultimate truth’, but simply for practical purposes – charming or killing another individual, predicting the future, treating injuries, or amassing of wealth. Thus, modern mages should no longer be considered ‘those who exceed’, but simply those skilled at supernatural techniques.
It is also within recent times that magic has diversified based on the types of beings called upon, and the kinds of effects sought. For example, magic which calls upon God or Gods, angels, or saints, and causes phenomena which benefit man and mankind (healing, purification) are known as divine magic, or white magic. On the other hand, that which deals with devils, daemons, and evil spirits for purposes which would harm others are known as the wicked arts, or black magic. Another kind of magic relies not on supernatural beings, but on the heavenly bodies, the rocks and herbs of the earth, the power in words and numbers, and other ‘natural’ powers: nature magic.

Magic proper is an art cultivated by a solid education and training, and thus beyond regular individuals. Low-level spells, which can be used even without serious practise, are known as sorcery or witchcraft. Sorcery can be considered a sort of charm-work, mainly for solving practical probems: finding lost objects, or stopping pain. Witchcraft is similar, but instead oriented to more malicious purposes, like curses: causing plants to rot, or killing pests. These kinds of low-level magic are generally not recorded in magical grimoires, but passed along by word-of-mouth and local traditions.

General

Spell
 “Songs can even draw the moon down from heaven”.
The words that enact the supernatural phenomena of magic. Not a keyword that ‘activates’ supernatural power, but in itself holding the power and “soul” of words. However, spells are not simply ‘words of power’; they are full rituals which must be sung in verse, containing the will of the caster. Spells are the circuits which allow the caster to shape ‘the power of words’ in a form he most desires.

Decisive Pose
Magic and spells have always been intrinsically linked to song and dance. Signs, gestures, steps: all of these are just as important as the incantation itself, and most magic activate only based on a combination of them.
Rakan’s obsession with deciding the ‘best pose’ is due to this. A normal person (like Chisame) can’t help but not understand, but the fact that even Negi thinks Rakan ‘looked idiotic’ is quite telling of his inexperience and lack of training and serious study.

Sign
Tracing a symbol or mark in the air with your hand (“carving the sign”) or fingers (“joining the sign”). For example, the Buddhist mantra “rin-pyou-tou-sha-kai-jin-retsu-zai-zen”, or the Christian Cross.
Gesture
Body language. A specific sequence and form of postures. Dancing is among the oldest of body languages.
Step
The precise art of pacing and stepping. The originally Chinese art of uho (named after Yu the Great) is one system where magic is activated by a specific pattern of walking, or pacing a particular sign. This passed into Japanese Onmyou and Shinto as hanbei.

Ward
Geometric rituals. Drawing around or in it representations and names of powerful spirits which you wish to borrow the power of will increase its strength and effectiveness.

Magic Square
By mathematically creating a shape where the set distance in every direction is equal, it becomes a ward against evil. As walking from one point to another is exactly equal in all four directions, it symbolises “perfection” – ie. a God, repelling malevolent spirits.

Magic Circle
While a circle similarly represents “perfection” (completion), it also represents a ‘closed world’ – a line separating the outside world and the inside. Thus, they are often used for bounded fields and barriers, to protect the one within against external threats.
The ‘closed world’ aspect makes circles effective as binding or restricting spaces. Hence why spirits tend to be summoned in a circle – to prevent their breaking out. In this case, the name of the summoned spirit will be carved within the circle itself.

Rite
The methods and procedures required to successfully accomplish magic. Establishing the path the current sorcery will take with a previously determined procedure, and using incantations, body language, symbols, the celestial bodies, magical artifacts, etc. to amplify and stabilise the magic. The more complex or far-reaching the magic, the stricter the procedural requirements will be, and the complexity of the conditions increases.
With certain rites, animate or inanimate objects prepared purely for destruction – a sacrifice (gisei) – are needed. Notable are living sacrifices (ikenie) – a great existence being exchanged for effects of higher merit and value. Thus, rituals meant to obtain great results will use human beings as living sacrifices. In particular, the most effective human sacrifices are highly spiritual existences such as shrine maidens or saints, or individuals with close or direct flesh-and-blood ties to the caster.