Powersystem. [SPOILERS]
Now I explain this through worldbuilding and stuff throughout the story in, hopefully, a digestible manner, but for someone who wants a science lesson on what mana is and how it works, here you go. Just know that if you read this you lose the fascination and alienation you will have towards the power system in the earlier parts of the novel.
This will also help me sort my thoughts out.
Attention: Most of this is pseudoscience, so take it with a grain of salt. Mind you, I am describing mana. So if it's mostly bs don't mind me. Also, this is very long when written out in one auxiliary chapter. It becomes a lot easier when introduced to in stages.
>What is mana?
Mana is the group term associated with mana particles (indivisible) that attach to every molecule that exists. It attaches itself somewhat like an electron. Say a molecule of H2 would have a single mana particle attached to it.
>What does mana do?
Mana alters the physical or chemical properties of a molecule. For example, it can add additional protons or electrons to change the composition of the molecule. It can also change the rate at which a molecule vibrates to change its heat.
>What can it not do?
Change enthalpies or ionisation energies of a single element. Create a new element. Create matter out of nothing. Manipulate something that isn't made up of molecules.
>How does it do that?
Mana particles have the intrinsic property to, when stimulated, produce elementary particles that can either disturb individual parts of a molecule or create a new part, for example, proton, neutron or electron.
>How does one manage to use mana?
(1) In the case of internal use.
Mana is attached to every molecule. That includes the molecules inside one's body. Not everyone has great control over that mana. People who have a great understanding of themselves and their bodies can use internal mana affluently, for example, Mao. With internal mana, one can heal internal wounds, boost body strength, strengthen physical growth, alter body or transmit messages by contact.
(2) In the case of external use.
The mana contained in the body becomes a part of the body and is under voluntary control. To use mana externally one would need to temporarily release the mana stored within to the outside. That mana would stimulate the mana present in the user's surroundings and force it to act.
>Then what determines mana strength?
The ability to use mana efficiently by knowing how exactly to stimulate mana particles in the surroundings is a factor that determines mana strength. I cite an example for this in the chapter 'The Dark Breath [I]'. Generally, the more enlightened you are, the more you can use mana before exhausting yourself or the more complicated your spells can be.
Another factor that determines mana strength is the amount of mana in your body. The more mana you can control, the more options you have. Generally the larger your mana reservoir the bigger, or more spells you can cast at once.
>How do you increase your internal mana?
(1) Mana installation: You try to stimulate the external molecular mana outside and then make it a part of your body. The thing Yuuno was doing in the chapter 'A request'.
(2) The Dark Breath of Mana Induction: Explained extensively in the chapter 'The Dark Breath [II]'
(3) Or just be born with ever-growing and an insane amount of mana. Like Mao.
>I heard you mention Mana Pores, what are they?
Mana Pores are the things stopping Mao from becoming strong. They are pores on a being's body through which the internal mana can go out and stimulate external mana. They are also the reason why even though Yuuno can talk through thought radiation, Mao can only use thought conduction.
There are reasons why Mao doesn't open his pores, as explored in later chapters.
>Does that mean everyone has open Mana Pores?
No. Opening mana pores is one of the hardest things someone can do. Opening them doesn't only bring immediate pain but chronic pain and the constant feeling of drowning. In the earlier era, every warrior accepted that pain and used mana nonetheless for their livelihoods. Nowadays you don't do that.
>How do you open mana pores?
By forcing your internal mana outworlds until your pores force open. Something like popping a pimple. Just way worse, less disgusting, no puss, and to a whole another level.
Usually, people did this in several goes to maintain their sanity.
The later you open your mana pores, the harder it becomes. If you were to open them at once at an age above 17 the pain was equivalent to giving birth to 10 kids.
Another method of opening your mana pores was by having an insane amount of internal mana. Such that if you used it too much, your pores would just force open themselves.
>I heard you mention attributes, what are they?
Attributes are like the skills you have, just exclusive to mana. If pissing Mao of was a magic spell it would be Yuuno's attribute.
The more learned you are the more attributes you can generally control.
Attributes usually consist of a group of spells. Many of which use incantations, that work on algorithms. Think of it as a rote learning magic spell.
>How does the modern system invoke specific attributes?
As mentioned earlier, the process of mana pore opening is painful. So the modern world created a method to open a part of pores that are specifically geared towards the attribute, the candidate is predicted to specialise in.
Compared to gestation amounts of pain, the modern method only hurts as much as a couple of needles.
>Is there a ranking for the specific attributes?
Yep, even though these specific attributes are based on compatibility, there is a ranking that grades them by combat prowess.
\F\ Guess I 'F'ucked up - Heating Magic, Cooling Magic, etc.
\E\ These are 'E'ww - Illusion, Subtle Morphism, etc.
\D\ I have a bigger 'D'ong than those above me - Third Party Strengthening, etc.
\C\ What a bunch of 'C'unts - Healing magic, Single-elementary magic, etc.
\B\ I'm pretty good 'B'itch - Multi-elementary magic, Hight saint magic.
\A\ Everyone above can suck my 'A'ss - Master magic, Unique magic.
\S\ 'S'ucks to be them - Mythical magic, Legendary magic, Epic magic.
\SPECIAL GRADE\ - Time manipulation, Space manipulation, Object manipulation, Composition manipulation, etc.
{a/n: NAMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE! Officer I was only trolling.}
>I saw one category, not like the others. What is special grade magic?
Remember the 'What can mana not do?'. Special grade magic is the magic that makes mana do all of that.
How?
You would have to read to find out.
Mana Count : 50
