Magic: An Overview

Introduction

So, you want to understand the basics of magic? Do you wish to become a mage and unlock your hidden potential but are unsure. Well, here at Blueveil Academy, we pride ourselves at being the forefront in magical education across Iris. In this helpful, easy to understand guide, Professor Harriet Bates shall show you the ins and outs of magic, what it entails and what magics exist in Iris. We have a lot of ground to cover so let’s dive in!

Mages and Methods

What is a Mage? Well, a Mage is someone that can cast magic. Anyone (or thing) that is birthed through sexual or asexual reproduction can become a Mage. It is something you are born with, blessed with as a gift from Natalya herself. The only Irisian race that we know of that cannot cast magic are the Al' ard Alnaas.

This is due to their unique quality of being created rather than birthed. How this is possible post Demon Invasion we have no idea, investigations are ongoing. Each Mage has to undergo a procedure, called The Awakening. This process is a simple, noninvasive administration of drugs injected at strategic points on the body to activate the dormant gene that exists within us (Arcanome). Once this gene is activated, and the Mage is completely recovered.

The next stage will begin. It is important to note that even though the Mage in the making is susceptible to magic, they can make a spark, they can create a drop of water etc. But their powers are exceedingly weak. This is because they lack their Artifact. The Artifact is a wonder of mortal ingenuity and innovation. It draws and amplifies the magic within us. The Artifact allows the Mage to reach their full potential.

There are many Artifacts across Iris, from the Fans and Shields from the Eastern Territories to the Tomes of the South. However for us in Helios, we have four total: the Sword Hilt, the Staff, the Ring and the Illuminator. Each of these four have their own rules and uses.

I will explain this briefly in a later part in this section. For now, you need to know that choosing your Artifact will be the most important choice in your career as a Mage, as once it is bound to you, it cannot be undone. The Artifact cannot be destroyed or damaged. Nobody can use it and once you die, it will become useless as a source of power.

Once you have chosen your Artifact, you will begin your training with us, you will select the Magics you are most interested in, along with your usual Academic studies required of you, such as reading, writing and maths etc. As a student at Blueveil Academy, you will be getting the best in education in all of Helios. Education lasts approximately thirteen years (typically a student begins training at ages five or six) until graduation at the age of eighteen.

Throughout their time here, the student will undergo vigorous physical training. The importance of physical strength cannot be understated as a mage. Those who are at peak physical strength shall become wonderful Mages for the Church.

Typically there are two types of Mages, Force and Endurance. Force mages specialise in becoming forceful in their magics. They are heavily muscular and extremely strong.

Their magic often involves a small channel before the spell can be cast, but if it does, it will blow you away, sometimes literally! Endurance Mages by contrast are lean but very agile in their spellcasting. They can cast spells in quick succession at the expense of weaker magical power, unlike Force Mages, Endurance Mages tend to maintain their power consistently whereas Force Mages tend to lose power as they reach late middle age.

The student will have ample opportunity to decide what type of mage they want to be as they continue their studies. We at Blueveil believe in the young, no generation shall be robbed of the opportunities granted to us by Natyla. We offer job counselling and internships thanks to our extensive network within the magical world. Whatever your child wants, we will do our best to provide.

Iris Magics

Natural schools are typically three major Schools, with subtypes for the largest being Elemental. Elemental as the name suggests is divided into five elemental faculties of Iris: Storm, Nature, Fire, Water and Ice. Each of these influence an aspect of the natural world.

Those who become storm mages shall be able to control the weather, nature mages control plantlife and the earth itself, water mages control liquids etc. Each Mage will be able to draw on the environment around them and within them. Fire mages can use their own body heat to cause combustion as an example.

The next are the Healing Techniques, these are about manipulating the flow of life in the environment. Healers will be able to draw the runes required to cause transference of life from one thing to another. Process is slow, it often isn’t popular within mage circles given the lack of flash and flare, but healers are always needed, and are always in demand.

Please keep in mind that this form of magic isn’t taught in schools as an applicable subject, due to it’s banned nature. However it is important to learn about Trickery as it is still a major problem within our society. Your child will be able to better withstand and stop Trickery and Tricksters through our extensive learning program on the subject.

Trickery as it pertains to the manipulation of perceived reality is a deadly threat to us and we would be foolish to ignore the problem. Your child will be safe with our guidance. In all three of these instances, the mage has to draw from the natural world or within themselves.

Irsian magics are to be utilized creatively, water mages can turn their sweat into torrents of water. We at Blueveil instill and encourage such creativity in all fields of study! Some parents might wish to check their child to see if the future student has a preference for certain elements. While all life forms can master any of the magics, some can master it better than others.

As part of intuition, you will receive a free proficiency test to determine any proficiencies in magics, and what ones would be best suited for your child. Any proficiencies will be taken into account when designing the course timetable. If you suspect that your child might have some sort of undiagnosed disability, we at Blueveil Academy will be more than happy to assist you with any diagnosis you have with our inhouse doctors and therapists.

Forebear Magics: Greater Servants and Demigods

We would be remiss to disregard the possibility that your child might be blessed into becoming a Greater Servant or Demigod. Some famous graduates of ours would be Marcus Stone and Alister Lake.

It is important to not disregard the chance that your child could ascend to a more powerful mage. While they cannot train to become Greater Servants or Demigods, we can prepare your child for the prospect of being a Greater Servent. If the student has displayed the willingness to devote themselves to Natalya, and they are strong with a sword, they can attempt to prove themselves to the Sun Mother to become a Solar Knight.

This will be a side project undertaken by the child, with suitable encouragement from the academy and family. A Demigod is something that cannot be trained for or predicted. It is something that is birthed from good fortune and strength of character. The willingness to fight for what is right, no matter the cost.

We at Blueveil Academy will do our best to inspire and work towards preparing them for the world. We believe that everyone has the ability to become a Demigod, to serve Natalya as her most believed children. In this institution, there are only opportunities, and those opportunities become dreams.

Theoretical Magics: Abstractism and other Theories

As part of your child’s education, you can expect them to study not just practical magics, but also theoretical magics as well!As this section is a new part of the curriculum, it is a rather limited field. However, with the recent development in possible magic systems, we have to be prepared for any new editions, and self proclaimed prophets, wherever they spring up.

The first theoretical magic is called Glamour: A supposed ancient Fae magic system that supposedly works through prolonged ritual and rune drawing. Glamour casts an enchantment, causing either objects or people to fall under its spell.

Your child will learn about the story, or possible documenting of the fall of House January, where the entire Kingdom fell to a sleep plague, how the Fae woman known only as Rihanna, who cursed the Princess into an eternal slumber, acted as patent zero for the plague. We shall study the account, try to decipher the runes and rituals claimed within the document. Your child will be able to put their critical thinking skills to the test when drawing up their argument for how the magic could have been cast and how likely this magic could be expressed.

The rise of Abstractism within niche corners of Magical Academia cannot be underestimated. The discovery of the Abstract Gods has shook the whole of Iris

. We will explore the schools of Dreamers, Chaos Theory, Void Eating and Nullism, how they theoretically work, how they might manifest should they be proven correct and what risks could come about should worship be successful.

Lastly, Soul Art explores the theoretical link between art and the soul. We will explore the philosophical connection to art and the gods, how the former increases the power of the latter.

Through the use of connecting a piece of the soul to a piece of art to prevent death, we shall explore moral’s approach to death and the motivations that trigger the refusal to accept death. Using the theoretical framework of Soul Art, we shall better understand death and learn to cope with loss.

Conclusion

Thank you for your time reading. I hope you will have some of your questions answered. If you wish to book an appointment please call the number 092 845 84498 for your free consultation. For native Natilianites tuition is free! For non natives, kindly call us to receive a payment schedule and payment plans. Rest assured that your child will have the best time with us during their journey into adulthood. I have been Professor Harriet Bates of the Magic department, and this is Blueveil Academy.