There is also unique magic. The only way to acquire unique magic is to develop one's own magic to that level, or to inherit it through your bloodline—either because your race possesses unique magic or due to your specific family tree. The creator of unique magic can tie it to their race's bloodline or their own bloodline, meaning that their descendants or their entire race will possess this unique magic. For example, spirit magic is one of the most powerful types of unique magic, with variations based on different types of spirits.
There are also magical systems, which are different from the magic I'll be teaching you. You could call my magic "imagination magic." I’ll teach you the basic principles of how to do things. You'll notice that I don't teach you any rules or restrictions on magic, nor do I attempt to define what magic is. There is a reason people try to understand magic, similar to how scientists research the natural laws of physics. However, those rules will solidify into a magical system.
A magical system has some advantages, of course. For example, being able to consistently produce the same spell over and over again is much easier, and teaching it is also much easier. However, magical systems typically have a ranking structure, usually based on the complexity of the spells. Basic magic comprises the simplest spells. As I mentioned, people have an affinity for different types of magic. Magic you don't have an affinity for isn't magic you can't use, but you will always be better with the magic you do have an affinity for. Within a magical system, you'll find it difficult to make use of your affinity. Depending on the magical system, some systems may essentially cripple your magical potential by focusing on areas outside your affinity.
As I said, you should specialize in your affinity. Other magic in your arsenal, even if it's only at a level where you could use it as a distraction in a fight, could still be useful in other areas. Don't put all your eggs in one basket, even if you're going to specialize in the magic you have an affinity for.
Magical systems have weaknesses; they greatly limit the potential of magic. That's why imagination magic works with a basic understanding of how magic functions. Magic is just the conversion of mana into a magical phenomenon, like fire. However, magical fire is mana take the forms and mimics fire but isn't truly fire. Spirit magic involves many experiences and the use of magic to control and create natural phenomena. There are probably billions of types of magic—an obvious exaggeration, but there are numerous different types.
Imagination magic has no limits as long as you can imagine how a spell is supposed to work. When I'm teaching you, I'll teach you based on the way you imagine the spell. In other words, even though it's the same spell, every person will learn it differently because everyone envisions it differently. This is what makes imagination magic more difficult to learn. However, it's very powerful since, theoretically, as long as you have enough mana, you can do anything you can imagine. Imagination magic’s potential is unlimited, but using a magic system greatly limits this potential. After all, the magic system itself imposes a bunch of rules. These are not the rules of magic but rather the rules of the system you created.
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Imagination magic has basic magic, which includes any convenience spell that's useful. Advanced magic comprises any powerful spell. Then you have unique magic, which, as the name implies, is a unique spell. As I already mentioned, you either create it yourself or you’re born with it due to it being tied to your bloodline or your race's bloodline.
Of course, there is a step above unique magic, though I'm not sure if it's real or not. It's called ultimate magic. It is an evolved form of unique magic. However, it has one very distinct difference: unique magic can be tied to a race or bloodline, meaning it's possible for multiple people to possess the same unique spell. While multiple people can possess the same unique magic, it is not possible for two different individuals to have the same ultimate magic. In other words, if you possess ultimate magic, you'll be the only one who possesses it. Additionally, it's significantly more powerful than unique magic, but it's entirely theoretical as no one can confirm its existence.
As I said, imagination magic is the most powerful since it does not limit you. A magic system will have a bunch of rules that make magic easy to understand, easy to produce consistent results, and easy to learn. However, imagination magic is harder to learn because it has to be adjusted to each individual person. The advantage of not trying to understand magic is that you never limit its potential. Understanding magic creates rules, creates a system, and the system restricts you.
Two centuries passed as I continued to teach them. I wondered if Sophie was powerful enough to teleport to me. She should be able to trace the connection I have to Alex through our familiar contract. I was no longer able to further refine my soul by absorbing cosmic mana; I had already reached the limits of this. My mana pool is massive; I even tried compressing it, and the boost that provided wasn't much. Sophie showed up, and I hugged her, very happy to see her. She opened up a portal and shoved me in. I saw my house; there was a green meadow, a blue sky with some clouds. Is this a Realm?
This was a pocket dimension. No, it was a mini-world similar to the unique magic used by dungeons. Realms are said to be created with spells akin to the unique magic of dungeons. However, a dungeon is a special type of pocket dimension, more or less a room located in spatial layers. A realm, on the other hand, is like a mini-universe, similar to the Dark Dimension or Hell from Marvel, where it has its own unique rules. That's the difference between a large pocket dimension and a realm. Although some dungeons do have artificial skies and green grasslands like this, they do not have their own set of rules. However, I can't be 100% sure if this is truly a realm because it's a bit too small; the house takes up most of the space.