Arcadia: Amorphous

Chapter 14: Solid Fractures

Since the incident in the woods, I have not attempted to make a new kestal. I'm biding my time this time. Taking things slow and really getting to know the sound of my own voice, whatever that means. It's like, it's just like, it's... Okay, I have nothing. I have absolutely no clue what I'm doing. I'm supposed to find something that's like a map or beacon to the way my brain works, or was it my soul.

Doesn't matter the point is, I need to look inward. And when looking inward there is only one teacher worth talking too. Well, one teacher that I know, so far, that's her.

"Um, Professor Le Fay, excuse me."

"Ah Miss Crow, right? what can I do you for?" Professor Sage Le Fay taught the basics of magical theory. She is a masterful wizard from a prestigious magical family, and if anyone was capable of helping guide me threw my own twisted head.. soul? Self. It would be her.

"I was just wondering if you'd have time to help me after class. Do you have any free periods today?"

"Care for a working lunch?"

"No, no, that'd be great. Thank you."

"No problem, see ya then."

Professor Le Fay looked and acted like she was in her mid-twenties piercings, plaid, poor manners, but from various staff pictures at the school, we know she has to be at least 70.

Professor Pierce was effectively the school nurse, although, nurse is an understatement. She was a master healer, a class none of us will be ready for, for years. I met her for the first time the other day after I shattered my kestal.

All she really did was look at my hand, tell me I was 'silly', and that was it. When I got my hand back it was all healed. I hadn't noticed her do anything, but sure enough there was no sign of any injury. Not that is was a big gory mess to begin with, but some of the little cuts we're pretty deep.

Class began as it did every Monday; Professor Le Fay, lead everyone through some deep breathing and a short guided meditation. The rest of class was spent going over the structure and simple spell circles, with a focus on how to incorporate words and movements.

Magic words, as well as gestures, are not needed for most magic. Magic is primarily an act of will, but words like 'Dath', meaning color, or movement like hand gestures, can be incorporated into a spell to aid in its use.

The power words had was mostly psychological, but also vibratinal. Particular words resonate well with particular tasks, but even just feeling the usefulness and agency of a word can make it help. For instance I could yell 'fabble foobble' and if I believe strong enough that it meant exploding pumpkin, then saying the words would help me make a pumpkin explode.

I know from my parents that some advance spell circles have word locks. Basically the spell is made in such a way that the resonance of a spoken word is required, but the word can be kept a secret, and possibly meaningless. Like a computer password.

Movements are much less, or maybe more important in a way. Movements can be a required condition of a spell, but that is mostly just for rituals. As far as I know, Movements has two purposes, aiming the spell, and moving energy. Actually, thinking about it those they are kind of the same thing.

See part of spell casting requires the soul moving to collect energy, or swerling that energy around. And something like a fire blast needs that fire, the magic energy making the fire to be moved with directionality. With enough willpower, it is totally possible to achieve that same effect of moving the soul and aura without moving the body, but moving the body is just easier for most people.

Technically when you get right down to it, you don't need much for magic. Spells, circles, and glyphs are only are needed to control and repeat a spell, and kestal are used for saving spells and connecting with the aether, but some spells are manipulated after casting, and magic is actual possible without a kestal.