[6 years later ]
The Gremory estate's library was a cathedral of knowledge. Towering shelves lined the walls in concentric circles, their spines gleaming with gold-leaf titles, dragonhide bindings, and glass-sealed manuscripts older than most kingdoms. A vaulted ceiling arched high above, painted with constellations that shimmered faintly when touched by the flickering candlelight.
The air smelled of parchment, aged leather, and the faint ozone of dormant enchantments—wards and barriers humming just beneath perception. Tables of polished oak stretched across the chamber, carved with intricate sigils to protect readers from magical backlash, and the silence was broken only by the occasional rustle of pages or the faint click of mana-crystal lanterns.
Sirzechs sat nestled in a corner, a heavy tome cradled in his hands.
(The Grimoire. Principia Arcanum: Volume I – Foundational.)
It was heavier than it looked—stiff with age, bound in faded leather that had darkened with time and use. The texture felt almost like skin. The spine bore etched runes that pulsed faintly under his fingers, subtle but deliberate, like old circuitry humming with forgotten magic. His thumb traced one groove absently before he flipped the cover open. A faint smell of ink, wax, and herbs drifted upward—like whispers of the workshop where the book was once crafted.
The text unfurled a systematic truth:
Human Magic.
Unlike devils, who bent reality with desire, human sorcery was structured—a formulaic scaffolding of runes, chants, and mana regulation.
(Core Concept of Human Magic
Human magic is an externalized, formulaic system that transforms natural energy sources (mana, spirit particles, leyline resonance, etc.) into magical phenomena through structured rituals. Unlike devil magic, which bends reality through instinct and desire, human magic must be assembled, stabilized, and executed through a daliborate syntactic process.
Chant-Based Spellcasting (Baseline)
Traditional human magic relies on three key components, all required to activate a spell:
Formula Construction:
Magic circles are formed by layering arcane runes, numerical glyphs, and symbolic matrices in exact This is the "equation" of the spell-designed sequences. ahead of time, memorized, or etched into grimoires. Even a slight miscalculation can cause backfire or failure.
2. Chant (Verbal Execution):
The chant is the spell's compiler--a vocalized key that aligns the caster's focus with the formula's structure. It serves to both stabilize and unlock the runes, binding the energy to the desired effect.
3. Mana Flow Regulation:
Casters must guide a precise amount of mana through the circle. Overloading or underfeeding the formula causes either instability or inefficacy. Advanced mages learn to fine-tune this over years of training.
The Tiers of Formula Compression and Spell Power
Human magic follows a systematic structure defined not just by intent, but by precision of formula and capacity for compression. Every spell, no matter how intricate, is ultimately a construct of mathematical layering, elemental resonance, and mana behavior bound into an executable framework. Over centuries, arcanists have categorized spells into the following seven tiers based on complexity, required mana, and relative out,
Tier 1: Fundamental Utility Spells
Spells of this tier are non-combative and used for daily application, research, or environmental manipulation. Includes light orbs, moisture gathering, fire-starting, weightless lifting, minor sealing, environmental temperature control, or message projection. They form the backbone of all training curricula and are typically the first formulae memorized by apprentice mages.
Examples: Lumen, Aqua Draw, the Create'series, Mana Circulation
Tier 2: Entry-Level Combat Formulae
The first true combat tier. These spells can cause harm, deflect minor attacks, or shield the user from basic strikes. They require stable runic layering and are usually taught in controlled dueling environments. Most mages spend years refining these spells into instinctive reaction.
Examples: Flame Lance, Stone Buckler, Static Lash, Shield Sigil
Tier 3: Intermediate Battle Spells
Spells at this level exhibit strong offensive and defensive capability, capable of affecting groups or breaking through Tier 2 wards. They require nested glyph structures and precise energy modulation. Most battlefield mages operate comfortably at this level when trained.
Examples: Chainfire Wave, Mirror Shell, Ice Coffin, Scatterbolt Array
Tier 4: Advanced Destruction and Protection
Tier 4 spells mark the beginning of wide-area influence. When fully released, they can level structures, collapse defensive walls, or deflect multiple incoming attacks. Spell matrices require dynamic mana flow, rotational compression rings, and multi-core formula loops.
Examples: Thunder Vortex, Prism Aegis, Ashwind Bombard, Sanctum Bind
Tier 5: High-Impact Strategic Formulae
Devastation on the scale of siege weaponry. Tier 5 spells are considered the upper limit of practical deployment in conflict zones without collateral containment. They often rely on synchronized glyph chains, predictive targeting formulae, and anchored leyline extraction for power delivery.
Examples: Arcflare Lance, Resonance Dome, Heaven's Shear, Temporal Fold (1)
Tier 6: Urban-Level Arcana
Magic at this level has the potential to decimate districts, shift terrain, or create protective fields capable of absorbing similar power. Execution requires advanced arcane architecture-often involving multiple layered constructs, artificial mana stabilizers, or co-casting with auxiliary casters or runic arrays.
Examples: Cataclysm Halo, Blackwell Prison, Crystal Tempest Array, Divine Wall.
Tier 7: Limit-Class Sorcery
The apex of recorded spellwork. A Tier 7 formula, when fully manifested, can destroy a small town or shield against the same. Considered "limit-class" due to the extreme mana burden and formulaic complexity. Each one is a masterwork of arcane design, and a mage who can cast even one reliably is considered a Grand Arcanist.
Examples: Meteor Spiral, Genesis Lock, Tyrant Flame Incantation, Eternity Barrier
Note on Higher Tiers - Theoretical Magic (Tiers 8-11): Though numerous records hint at spells of unimaginable magnitude-continent-level storms, world-altering barriers, dimensional shatterpoints-these are purely conceptual. Formulae at Tiers 8 through 11 are beyond known human capability and are not included in this volume. They are believed to require non-human mana sources, divine relics, or metaphysical catalysts no longer existent.
Further elaboration on these tiers is reserved for classified libraries and the Arithmancy Consortium.)
From Tier 1's humble utilities—Lumen, Aqua Draw—to the grand Limit-Class Tier 7 sorceries—Meteor Spiral, Eternity Barrier—the framework stood. Beyond them? Whispers of Tiers 8–11, only theoretical.
As Sirzechs absorbed the final words, his mind shuddered.
{New Skills Unlocked!}
{Tier 1- Mana Circulation (Rank 1): Allows internal routing of natural energy through the body, boosting magical ontrol and responsiveness.}
(Tier 1- Create Flame (Rank 1): Forms a small flame for utility or combat.}
(Tier 1- Create Frost (Rank 1): Generates cold vapor that can lower temperature in a focused area.}
{(Tier 1 - Create Sparks (Rank l): Releases static electricity short, crackling bursts.}
(Tier 1 - Create Water (Rank 1): Summons a small quantity of purified water.}
{Tier 1 - Create lce (Rank 1): Instantly forms a small block or spike of ice.}
{Tier 1 - Create Earth (Rank 1): Conjures soil or compact stone from surrounding mana.}
Tier 1 - Create Wind (Rank 1): Generates a directional gust of air.}
{Tier 1 - Create Light (Rank l): Produces an orb of steady illumination.}
{Tier 1 - Create Minor Illusion (Rank 1): Projectsa visual illusion with no substance.}
–(Spell Creation (Rank X): A foundational spellcrafting skill that allows the user to design and cast original spells from scratch. Because it exists bevond conventional limits, its growth is tied not to rank, but to the creator's intellect, creativity, and magical aptitude. The nore complex the user's understanding of magical theory, elemental properties, calculations, physics, and runic orientation, the more potent and innovative their creations can become. This skill cannot be ranked up only mastered through insight and practice.}
The rush of knowledge bloomed like fireworks—threads of formulae and diagrams weaving together in his head. Then came another alert:
{Skill Fusion Available!}
Mana Circulation + Demonic Energy Circulation → ________?
"Yes."
{Fusion Successful!}
– _________: Allows integration of mana, demonic energy, aura, and spirit force into one unified spiritual energy. Increases all training and casting efficiency.
+1000 base demonic energy.
All energy sources may now substitute each other.
A grin spread across Sirzechs' face. No more juggling separate energy pools—everything was one flow now, seamless and infinite.
{Would you like to name this new skill?}
He leaned back, smirking.
"Alright then… let's name it—"