The world of Aetheris was steeped in magic, its very essence interwoven with the mystical forces that shaped its landscapes, history, and civilizations. For those born with the gift to wield it, magic was both a tool and a weapon, a means of survival and a path to power. Eldric, now reborn with the knowledge of both his past life as Albert and his new existence, found himself at the threshold of a vast and complex magical system.
In Aetheris, magic was divided into two distinct schools: Modern Magic and Ancient Magic. Though both drew upon the same source—mana, the fundamental energy that permeated the world—their approaches, techniques, and applications were vastly different.
Modern Magic, often referred to as Arcane Magic, was the more prevalent of the two, especially in recent centuries. It was the magic of the people, accessible to those with even a modicum of talent and training. Modern Magic had evolved as a simplified, streamlined version of the more esoteric Ancient Magic.
The process of using Modern Magic was straightforward. Mana was absorbed from the surrounding environment into the body, where it coalesced into a Mana Core. This core, located deep within a wizard's being, acted as both a reservoir and a generator of magical energy. The formation of the mana core was a crucial step for any aspiring wizard. As the core grew in stability and size, it began to take on a distinct polygonal shape, a geometric pattern that symbolized the wizard's mastery over their internal magical flow.
Once the mana core reached a certain level of stability, it exhibited a unique phenomenon: it formed an inner dimension within itself. This dimension was a personal space, invisible and inaccessible to others, where additional mana could be stored. The size and stability of this inner dimension determined the amount of mana a wizard could command at any given time, making the development of the mana core a central focus for Modern Magic practitioners.
The beauty of Modern Magic lay in its accessibility. Wizards could cast spells by drawing upon their mana core, utilizing precompiled spell structures that had been refined and perfected over generations. These spells were efficient, requiring little preparation or calculation on the part of the caster. This made Modern Magic versatile and widely used, from common folk to the most skilled battlemages.
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In stark contrast stood the ancient and mysterious Ancient Magic. This was the magic of the old world, a system that had nearly vanished from Aetheris except for a few practitioners, like the lich Ral-Zorath, who clung to its power. Ancient Magic was not for the faint of heart—it was a demanding and dangerous art that required years of study, an extraordinary intellect, and often, the assistance of powerful artifacts like a Grimoire.
Rather than forming a mana core, Ancient Magic relied on the creation of Mana Circles, intricate patterns inscribed within the caster's heart or brain. These circles served as conduits for mana, channeling the raw energy directly into the spellwork. The more complex and numerous the circles, the more potent the magic. However, this also meant that Ancient Magic required meticulous calculations and deep understanding.
Unlike the easy-to-cast spells of Modern Magic, Ancient Magic spells had to be crafted from scratch, often on the fly, by manipulating the mana circles and feeding them precise amounts of mana. This made it incredibly powerful, as it allowed for customization and adaptation in ways Modern Magic could not match. Yet, the difficulty and danger of casting these spells meant that few dared to practice it.
Eldric had learned, through the Grimoire now bonded to his soul, that the two systems were fundamentally incompatible. Attempting to combine the structured, stored mana of Modern Magic with the free-flowing, intricate energies of Ancient Magic could lead to disastrous consequences. The two systems could conflict, causing a backlash that could maim or even kill a wizard foolish enough to try.
Given the circumstances of his rebirth and the challenges he anticipated, Eldric decided to focus on mastering Modern Magic first. The relative safety and reliability of Modern Magic made it an ideal starting point, allowing him to build a strong foundation before he even considered the complexities of Ancient Magic.
He understood that the path ahead would be long and fraught with danger, but with the Mana Eyes' potential and the Grimoire's knowledge at his disposal, Eldric was determined to carve out his destiny. In the vast and mysterious world of Aetheris, where ancient secrets and modern powers clashed, Eldric Thorne would forge his way, mastering the magic that now flowed through his veins.