Tensura: Stories, Theories, Explanations, etc.

EXPLANATION: Magic [1]

In order to avoid any misunderstanding on my own, I decided to read the raw version to dig clearer information with my current ability to understand Japanese, not blurred by the existing translations, then try to translate it on my own. So, this is the explanation I've found about magic according to the raw version of LN, mixed with some information from the fandom wiki and my own theories.

1. Elemental Magic (JP: 元素魔法, Genso Mahō)

Elemental Magic is a magic activated by interfering the laws of physics through manipulating the surrounding magicule (magical energy), using the caster's mental image and incantations as a medium.

Some high-level Majin can cast spells by solely drawing energy from their own magicule storage. Some others can even cast without a need for incantation, especially if the caster has [Chant Annulment] as a part of their abilities.

There are eight elements which can be used for Elemental Magic. The five basic elements are Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Space (Sky). Above them lies three advanced elements: Light, Darkness, and Time.

However, Elemental Magic doesn't create a "real" phenomenon, thus is unaffected by physical factors. For instance, fire created with Elemental Magic can't be extinguished by water. This is because Elemental Magic is activated through the direct manipulation of magicule, thus the phenomenon created is purely magical.

An example for Elemental Magic would be Warp Portal, which manipulates (most likely) the element of space by connecting two points in the space.

2. Spirit Magic (JP: 精霊魔法, Seirei Mahō)

Spirit Magic is a magic activated to rewrite the laws of physics through the spirits' intervention, using magicule as compensation, which is then converted into Natural Energy. It doesn't work on large scale and distance.

If we consider the Beginning of the World narrated by Ramiris in the WN version, it can be concluded that Spirit Magic can also manipulate eight elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Sky, Time, Light, and Darkness. What element can spirits manipulate depends on whose descendant they came from.

Since the spirits are beings whose existence is based on natural phenomena, it obeys the laws of physics. In other words, it creates a real physical phenomenon, thus also is affected by physical factors.

3. Physics Magic (JP: 物理魔法, Butsuri Mahō)

This is most likely a new type of magic invented by Rimuru. This magic works by combining a simple interference of Spirit Magic, then utilizing the Natural Element on the process, so it completely obeys the laws of physics. So, it can't be interrupted by anti-magic barrier.

For instance, Rimuru's Megiddo works by summoning Lower Spirits of water to create small droplets of water and some big lens, then using sunlight to result a deadly laser. If I have to explain it from the laws of physics, it works like this:

· The big droplets of water are summoned at the sky using the help of Lower Spirits of Water. They (the big droplets) are used to form several convex lenses.

· The convex lenses converge the rays of sunlight along with their energy which pass through them, resulting several deadly tiny rays.

· A small droplet located at the bottom of every lenses is used to turn the direction of the resulted rays, obeying the Principle of Refraction (Snell's Law) and the Principle of Total Internal Reflection.

· The huge numbers of small droplets summoned on the enemies' camp are used to further turn and reflect the direction of the rays to hit the specified target.

~DEFENSE MECHANISM~

Any types of magic actually can be incapacitated, but one must have the basic principles on how the specified kind of magic works, then arrange a defense mechanism based on those principles.

1. Against Elemental Magic

Since Elemental Magic doesn't create a physical phenomenon. It is unaffected by physical factors and can't be stopped using any physical barriers.

However, since Elemental Magic is used by directly manipulating the magicule, it can be interrupted by simply preventing the magicule from flowing, thus the interference into the laws of physics cannot occur. In other words, it ends up in failure.

Some spells that can disrupt or disable Elemental Magic include: [Magic Jamming], [Holy Field], and [Anti-magic Area]

2. Against Spirit Magic

Spirit Magic might be the easiest type of magic to be blocked. Since Spirit Magic creates a real phenomenon, it is affected by physical factors and can be stopped using physical barrier.

If one can interfere with an unexpected attack, it can be easily brought into a game of power.

Of course, there's a barrier specialized for preventing the spirits from working. But it's never explained further in the WN, or at least yet to be explained in the LN.

3. Against Physics Magic

Physics Magic can be blocked by physical barrier, of course, such as armors. However, in Rimuru's case, because the rays of Megiddo contain a huge amount of sunlight energy converged into a tiny ray, it will easily pierce through your normal armors because of their immense heat. So really, this is just about which is stronger, the magic or the barrier.

~CLARIFICATION~

This is how I understand the difference between "interfering" and "rewriting" the laws of physics. In this case, "interfering the laws of physics" means that the caster interferes the laws of physics, bending it (or changing it) as the caster pleases. Meanwhile, "rewriting the laws of physics" means that the caster momentarily "erases" the laws of physics at a certain degree, most likely to make the creation of the desired real physical matter possible, then rewrite it again exactly the same as it used to be.

Many people are confused about the differences between "Aspectual Magic", "Elemental Magic", and "Spirit Magic". There are even some people who think that Elemental Magic is the same as Spirit Magic. I also once was confused by it. But now I understand why it is after reading the Japanese raw version of the LN.

I see that in some translated versions of LN, 元素魔法 is translated as "Aspectual Magic" and 精霊魔法 is translated as "Elemental Magic". So, if the translated LN you read uses "Aspectual Magic", then it means the same thing as Elemental Magic I've written above and "Elemental Magic" means the same thing as Spirit Magic.

I translate 元素魔法 as Elemental Magic since 元素 literally means "Element", and 精霊魔法 as Spirit Magic since 精霊 literally means "Spirit".

My own theories I used here might be right, might be wrong. They're still theories, after all. You don't have to believe them.