C15- Rule Break

"Noah."

"Hm?"

"Why do you think human magic is divided the way it is?"

"What?"

"I mean, why do you think the way we use magic is systematic?"

"Isn't it bacause we made it kind of systematic?"

"Yeah, but we can seperate different magic because there are different types of mages. Why do you think that is? Why is most magic seperated between the branches of science, and why is creative magic so different than the rest? And why don't animals actively use magic like us?"

"Corvin."

"Hm?"

"Why do you always go into a deep philosophical questioning whenever we go on a long journey?"

"I am just trying to think about stuff, okay? Be glad that someone is here to solve the mysteries of the world for you."

"Yeah, you do that. Don't get me mixed in it though. I don't like thinking too much, I listen to my instincts more."

"Well, whatever. The sun is setting, I'm gonna sleep."

"Good night."

*****

When he fell asleep, Corvin found himself in a pitch black place that felt familiar.

"Huh? Ton? Are you here Ton?"

"Yup, right behind you.", said Ton from an uncomfortable distance.

Corvin jumped and turned around.

"Hahaha, don't be so scared. I thought we were friends."

"Your sense of humour is as bad as it was a year ago."

"Well, a year for you is just like a second for me, you know."

"Being an immortal has it's quirks, doesn't it? A year for you is, like nothing at all."

"Well, it's more like time passes differently here. Also technically, I am not an immortal. It's just that I will probably outlive most things."

"What does that even mean?"

"It means, the universe is so much more bigger than you think. Well, you will discover it eventually."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because you are- No, it's because you confirmed cell theory at the age of 15. Your planet has started it's industrial revolution as well. I reckon you will do things you can't even think of right now."

"Like what?"

"I don't know, that part is up to you, but I can give you an example."

"Example?"

"You know, I can visit a lot of different worlds. There are planets where animals or humans never learned to use magic."

"What? How is that possible?"

"Pure luck, isn't it? No matter how small, if there is a chance of something happening, it will definitely happen in the universe. That's just how big it is."

"I understand. Then? What about that planet?"

"The humans on that planet already completed their industrial revolution. And even another revolution after that."

"So, they use technology more because they can't use magic?"

"Exactly. And, do you know? Recently, they sent people to the moon of their planet."

"Huh? You mean 'moon' moon? Like Sermee and Nanot of our planet?"

"Yup. Crazy isn't it?"

"And they did it without magic?"

"Well, I didn't want to tell you but, if you want to do it as well, you also need to do it mostly without magic."

"Huh? Why?"

"Well, how should I say it in a way you would understand.... Do you know where mana is?"

"I know that we used to think it was in the air, before someone used used magic in a box that was vacuumed. The latest theory says that mana just exists everywhere."

"Well, that is true, but it also isn't complete."

"Hmm..."

"In space, the mana is very shallow, I guess you could say. There are more around the moons, but it's not as much as your planet."

"Why?"

"Something to do with mass. Someone will probably discover it in the near future of your planet anyways."

"Hmmm..."

"Well, let's talk about why I brought you here."

"Oh, right. Why did you bring me here? Is there another colossus?"

"No, well, yes but no I didn't bring you here for that."

"So there is another colossus!"

"Yes, but I can't give you details."

"Why?"

"That guy told me not to. More like, I can't even defy his orders. He is kind of like a god, I guess. Not the ones that appear because people believe in them, but someone who doesn't need anything to exist. A proper god."

"Huh? And, I am supposed to beat that guy?"

"No, probably not. Even that guy has his limitations, so he isn't exactly a god. He also has rules that he can't break. That's all I know. The rest is knowledge beyond me. You will probably discover it eventually, so you don't need to rush. You are too young to worry about those, and you are too weak to even start thinking about it."

"O-okay..."

"Well, I wanted to talk to you about magic. About your questions you asked to Noah before sleeping."

"You were listening?"

"Yes. Well, it is a good question, I will give you that. The answer might be a bit stupid though."

"Why?"

"Because it is so simple, but there is no logic behind it, other than just 'it is what it is'. As I said, just luck, isn't it?"

Corvin stared at Ton for a while before his brain started again.

"What?"

"Basically, as humans learned more about nature and science over time, the brain seperated magic into those categories. And over more time, with other things like genetics effecting as well, human bodies created rules on their magic, on their own. Well, while that was happening, art and craftsmanship also appeared, which is why they aren't systematic like scientific magic yet."

"So, after a lot of time, art magic will seperate into music and painting magic?"

"There might be even more sub-branches. That will take a lot of time, it's not something you will live to see. So don't think about it too much. It is just an evolutionary process."

"Then, is there a way to turn back this process?"

"Individually, yes. If someone is really good at magic, they might achieve something called 'Rule Break'. Though it is taught at your school, because most mages don't experience this, it isn't focused on too much."

"Hmm... Then, what does that do?"

"Well, you know how magic looks changes when the user gets better and better at it right?"

"It does?"

"You didn't know?"

"We-well, I had a lot on my mind so I wasn't paying attention in class too much."

"Sigh, Even though you have a great example of it."

"Hm? Who?"

"It is the biological magic user that came to your village with your master. She even used her magic on you but you were unconscious."

"Oh! What did her magic look like?"

"A bunch of worms wriggling under your skin and healing you."

"Huh?"

"A bunch of worms wriggling under your skin and healing you."

"N-no I heard it. But why is it like that?"

"Who knows. But that means she is really good at using magic. Usually, healing looks like a green light. Her's is different, it's more personalized."

"Personalized?"

"Yup, as you get better at magic, your magic morphs itself to your personality, no actually, it's the way your body casts magic that is changing to your personality."

"Then, what happens if I achieve 'Rule Break'?"

"You will suffer a lot of pain at first, mostly headaches. The way your magic is cast will change a lot. At the end, what you will have will be magic that is unique to you. Generally, this means your magic will be more specialized in what you used it the most for. So, if you used biological magic to tame beasts, you might gain exceptional control over them, or the ability to turn into one for example."

"Ooh! How do I achieve that?"

"Although there are many who achieved it through effort and talent, you are different. You can't achieve it, currently."

"Why?"

"You know the most important thing in scientific magic, right?"

"Uuuhh... Knowledge?"

"Yeah."

"So?"

"Figure it out."

"I need to know more about magic and mana to achieve it?"

"Most likely. You are different, you need knowledge, as far as I know."

"Can't you just tell me?"

"Nope, I am not allowed to and I don't know what you lack as well. There are other stuff you need in order to achieve that besides academic knowledge."

"Like what?"

"I can't tell you since I also don't know them. You need to figure it out yourself... Well, our time is up, so see you later."

"Huh? Wai-"

And Corvin woke up.