Magic

Magic (also translated as sorcery or the dark arts) is the use of magic ore (mana hydrite, magicite) to make natural phenomena one’s own. For most people magic ore is just stone, but those with aptitude can draw out its hidden power. At the start of the story magic is a new and fast-developing field: a generation earlier it was little more than fairy-tale pharmacology and street tricks, and the late King of Hiden banned it in his country.

Forms of magic

Form	Description
Medicine (pharmaceutical) magic	The oldest form, from two generations ago. Magic ore powder mixed with herbs, insects or liquids. Examples include Vroko’s mind-dulling smoke, the twins’ Mirror Storm and the eternal lamps made with insect oil.
Staff-based incantation magic	Taught at Solsein. A staff tipped with a polished magic crystal amplifies the user’s power, letting even those with little aptitude chant simple formulas such as “Fel” (fire and light).
Crystal magic	Crystallized magic ore implanted in the body, developed by Drel’s research. Powerful but compatible with only a few percent of people, and the procedure is dangerous. Naie and Drel used it.
Crest-formula chanting	Considered the highest form. A crest on the body plus chanted formulas, available only to those who master staff magic and are “chosen by God”.
Runes (skills)	Powers awakened through the trials at Solsein. In the ancient tongue they are called skills. They need no magic ore, and a person can hold up to two.

Origins

Magic is tied to the Legend of the Hero, whose second passage tells of the hero “awakening to power”. The Royal Furnace is called the oldest tool of magic. The blood of the summoned heroes of Toa is said to have turned into ore with magical power. Clevatess senses a presence similar to Toa’s in the magic the students use.

Magic is studied in Boelate’s department at Solsein, Eslinn’s department of dark arts, and by the secret society the Union.