Logical Reasoning and Raw Emotion I
[There's not much left of me to do this again *sigh*], this thought reflected the inner consciousness of the thinker. [What is the count this time? - - How much time has passed?] This consciousness reflected a reaction to initial emotions, balancing both consciousness and emotions, [It's good that I can - - be sad]. The thinker's emotions provided an internal drive, while his consciousness analyzed these emotions and directed them towards a justified logical thought, [I have to do this - - no other options]. An imbalance occurred between the thinker's consciousness and emotions, resulting from his consciousness leaning towards a new thought pattern. [I can't bear any change that might reshape emotions and behaviors], when thought changes, perception changes, [What if... - -].
The thinker did not finish his initial thought, [I can't control it all!?] The thinker reached an acceptance that restored balance between consciousness and emotions, [ - - And that doesn't mean giving up?] Emotions overwhelmed consciousness, [But that means - - change - ] The thinker's consciousness showed its flexibility and restored balance between consciousness and emotions, [*Fear*, *Sorrow*, *Anxiety*, *Loss* - - - - *Optimism*??]
Without further thoughts, complex patterns of two unknown spells began to form from nothingness. A soul spell... and a mind spell.
***
Silora opened her eyes to the sight of the barrier shield casting its faint light on the silver wood around her. The transparency of the shield allowed her to see the half-moon behind the black clouds. Silora felt... she felt? An unbearable pain. Her rapid heartbeat could be heard from a distance. I’m… still alive? she thought as she suppressed her groans and tears.
She tried to move her head, but the accompanying pain stopped her actions. Her neck was broken... Panic flooded her mind, she tried to move her body but to no avail. Only her pain increased. Her consciousness became foggy from the pain, threatening to make her lose it. No, no… I can’t sleep. If I do, I’ll die… The primal fear of death forced Silora to calm down. She regained some clarity of mind, despite the persistent pain. But this was enough for her to think. There’s some mana left… I can use a healing spell, but… it won’t work on me…
She indeed had a healing spell she learned from her mother. On her family's farm, she and her mother used this spell most of the time to heal the mischievous and enthusiastic young livestock who always found a way to hurt themselves. Other times, it was used to treat minor injuries of family members. There was even one time when her mother asked her to help deliver a lamb, but she fainted, excusing her from the task.
The spell… imprints on my clothes? After everything I’ve been through… they’re barely holding together… she thought about the black clothes and the cloak of the same color left to her by her mother with the horse. I… have to try…
Silora directed her mana with difficulty towards her upper clothes. She couldn't move her hands to guide it precisely, so she had to focus more to direct it with at least the same precision. Her pain didn't help her focus her mind well, but she was still able to channel the mana through the complex patterns that seemed carved into her black clothes.
These patterns that cover both Silora's clothes and her cloak are called imprints, also known as trace magic due to the way mages utilize this art. This branch of magic relies on the ability to engrave spells onto physical surfaces, such as stone, metal, fabric, or even wood, so that these spells remain dormant and inactive until certain conditions are met to activate them. A mage who masters this skill has the ability to draw or carve a spell so that it remains hidden from sight, waiting for the right moment or suitable conditions to activate. The conditions can be simple, like directing mana to these patterns, or they can be precisely defined, such as a specific time passing, interaction with a touch, or even based on natural events.
Unlike traditional spells, these imprints have a clear drawback of not being able to access the caster's mana. This means that any imprint spell will disappear after one use. The difference between a traditional spell and an imprint spell is that the traditional spell remains linked to the caster's consciousness and mana, giving it the advantage of sustainability (as long as the caster has enough mana) and the ability to change or adapt (as long as the caster maintains a constant mental connection with the spell's form). An imprint spell, however, will disappear after serving its specific purpose, but this does not make it weak.
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In fact, comparing a regular spell to an imprinted spell is not appropriate, as each has its specific goals.
Despite the apparent weakness of imprint spells in terms of sustainability and adaptability, their use does not exploit these aspects at all. Their use usually leans towards aspects such as magical traps, explosive or single-target weapons, single-use teleportation (secret and untraceable), warning signals, and personal protection...
As for the patterns on Silora's black clothes, they are a set of imprints for different spells. The imprint she aimed her mana at was the healing spell she learned from her mother (the one she learned on the farm). This healing spell does not heal the caster when cast as a regular spell, but as an imprint spell, this restriction does not exist. Why?... Because it is not linked to the caster's consciousness and mana (even if it was carved by them).
The part of the healing spell imprint on Silora's clothes began to disappear under a transparent white light, leaving an empty and smooth space among the other imprints. At least… it’s intact. It won’t fix everything, but… anything is better than this…, Silora told herself as she tried to suppress her anxiety and drifting thoughts.
The energy of the healing spell began to spread through Silora's shattered body. At first, she felt a slight warmth, like a warm breeze passing through broken bones and severed tendons, seeping into the depths of her pain. Then suddenly, it was as if an invisible force began to rearrange all the mistakes. Her neck bones trembled for a moment, and a painful pulse surged through her broken spine, like a lightning bolt passing through her tense muscles. The pain was sharp, but the spell didn't care for comfort; its goal was to bring life back to her nearly dead body.
Silora took a trembling breath, feeling her lungs expand as if they were being freed from invisible restraints. Her chest bones rubbed against each other as if they were remembering their correct place. Her hand, which had been immobile moments ago, began to tremble slowly. But the pain did not disappear; it was present in every movement, like a dagger embedded deep in her body. She had no illusion that this alone would heal all her injuries, yet her ability to move began to return, albeit tinged with numbness.
Although the spell gave Silora an immediate sense of temporary improvement, she maintained a clear awareness of the deep problems that remained unresolved. The spell did its job, but it’s still not quite enough... At least I can move now. She tried to sit up, but every muscle and bone rebelled against her, as if protesting the movement after such devastation. She gritted her teeth to endure the pain that washed over her in successive waves, and with each wave, she felt her body respond to her commands.
Once she sat up, Silora moved her neck with difficulty to look at the piece of wood that had narrowly missed her neck. She didn't look at it because she thought she was lucky to have survived; she did so because she was sure the piece of wood had pierced her neck indeed. No one could convince her otherwise. *Confused* What is happening? This question had accompanied her since her time in the River's Mouth Town and all the strange events she had experienced.
But this time... it was different. She didn't know why she felt this way, but she couldn't deny it. It felt as if the feeling of suppression and the desire to make the strange things around her make sense had disappeared... and that wasn't all! Why did I forget?... No, it wasn't just that I forgot?! She also remembered some details that didn't help suppress her turmoil. She remembered opening her mother's strange box more than once. She had just forgotten about it. Why did the book's appearance change when I opened it the second time? She felt uneasy about the thought. She considered that someone might have altered the box's contents, but she didn't believe that. Although the contents of the purple book are incomplete, they match the current Red book... So why?
She didn't ignore all the differences between the purple book and the current red one; she just couldn't find meaning in all of it. This time, she didn't try to give it meaning according to her whims. It was liberating in a way, but also very unsettling. She thought again about the mysterious word
All these forgotten events and clear thoughts led Silora to remember her mother's words to her after the end of the year-long punishment, during which she was forbidden from manipulating mana (she had accidentally killed nearly 20 sheep in her magical experiments behind her mother's back). "Silora, listen carefully. As I have explained before, some mages possess innate abilities from birth. I believed you were gifted in mind magic, as I am. However, after observing your progress this year, I must reconsider. It appears you may possess the traits of a 'Rohiyas,' one who is innately attuned to soul magic. Do not be alarmed; this knowledge need not be shared with anyone. Yet, as your mother, I implore you to refrain from pursuing soul magic as your chosen path. Given the disappearance of the gods, this avenue is fraught with unknowns and dangers."