Bab 13: Chrono'd: Magic 101

Magic in universal terms is actually meant to be a power to break, change, and apply an effect to an existence or event by using mysterious and supernatural forces. Flying carpet, conjuring a fireball out of nothing, making something disappear, making something appear. Such is the symphonic stereotype of human's linear thoughts to deem anything borderline impossible as awe inspiring sorcery.

Unlike 'Miracle' which comes from divine intervention and is an absolute taboo to be analyzed, 'Magic' is possible to be analyzed although it can only be understood by its master. When a person manages to decrypt the cryptic process of the so-called magic, the magic will reveal itself as none other than what people have utilized for the entirety of human's civilization.

It's called 'Science'.

That is the process of what you're experiencing for the past one hour in the camp beside the informal entrance to Kauhu Forest. Although it was less science and more of cramming foreign subjects into your wimpy brain.

"Pfft! You missed one fundamental command for the evocation!" Says Chronos, leaning on the backrest of a portable chair with a scornful sense of fulfilment. Already telling you everything you need to know and then asking you to do something you haven't done or grasp yet, just like how teachers make their student's exam questionnaire harder than in class.

"Shut up!"

The steps itself is by no means easy, it was so flexible yet confusing to the point that when a person has captured the essence of the very maze, that same person can achieve the same results with thousands of different and unorthodox methods, as there are millions of paths laid into the same exit. Although there are numerous serrated booby-traps on every corner of the maze so the trip itself isn't really something you would call as enjoyable.

From what you've learned for the past one hour, 'Mana' is the very essence of the universe; from a scientific point of view it was actually a metaphysical property the size of string smaller than quarks, exuding multiple variables of frequency that make up the particles of objects and even atoms. At very least it has the same components that make up the whole universe, some of these strings don't exude any frequency and aren't related to any physical matters that make up any object, those strings are what people usually call as 'Unprocessed Mana'.

"Come on, shorty. I've told you multiple times about the basics."

"You told me the basics and THEN told me to do something only an intermediate could! This is like forcing a newborn child to sprint while they can only crawl!"

"Oh so you do accept that you're a toddler yourself~"

"Shut up!"

What you're currently doing is trying to painstakingly engrave a blank paper with the correct formation to float to your bidding, although the process is beginning to lean onto the 'pain in the ass' comfort zone, which is not.

Beside the overly used paper you're using, there is another filled with the right contraption although sketchy and very hard to read. An example given by your partner beforehand, ready for you to lo and behold even though following every single pattern is a hell of itself. Drawing with a consciousness is harder than using your weak arm.

Holding her chuckle, she stomps the soil many times out of sheer comedic aspect you've done.

"T-t-t-the great Long Leggy can't draw. This is hilarious."

"I feel like I'm being trolled here."

Starting from the basic: Spell is an immediate assimilation of Mana Circuit to create an instantaneous one time effect and can also be referring for chain-reaction trigger of a long conjoined circuit, Formation is a large connected Mana Circuit that works as a contraption for continuous use or to be used repeatedly and an Array is mostly referring to an old larger Formation that people didn't use much anymore.

As for your task, you need to apply a 'Mana Circuit' and wield the contraption with your consciousness like an unmanned drone. Mana Circuit is a pathway with multiple gates connected to a sequence of commands written in any 'language' with clear meaning, but each gate can only hold one 'meaning' and it is possible for the other gates to flow into the repeating circuit that can be controlled and augmented to another—basically, a programmer's dream and nightmare.

By utilizing the dense power source of 'Processed Mana' from your Mana Sea, you are able to do some small alchemy to create a 'Conductor' which is the sole material to construct the Mana Circuit. The contraption you made is an utter scribble, making some of the gates don't work the way you connect it to. The dilemma then leads you to utter frustration and inside swearing verbose.

Your partner, Chronos, only watches the unconditional firetruck trying to put out a fire from a blazing architecture with only a mere spoon, embracing your pain as you can see her grin that only transcends every time you make a mistake. Not only being creeped out, but you also want to blast your .75 caliber rounds into that god-awful provoking face.

After so many trials and errors, you've finally perfected the art of 'Floating a Paper With Gusto', which is really awesome and a great asset of tools in your arsenal to survive this wretched world—the very same world where a Titan brings their Cerberus for a walk at 7 am. Heck, It should be categorized as a supreme art at this point.

You grab the amazing floating paper filled with two-dimensional contraption and then smash it onto the ground, "IT'S NOT!"

Meanwhile, your very precious teacher is dying on the ground.

"BWAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"I'm not an idiot, dammit!" You reach for your microgun, "The formation example you gave is a dumpster-fire mess of overcomplicating a simple shit!"

After chambering one bullet into the gun, you take a stance and snipe the paper from where you stand with extreme aggression. The blast from the shot spills out the soil in every direction.

Chronos takes a sharp breath, "B-b-but, it took you one hour and a half to realize the simple mathematics!" Before continuing her contagious wheezing, "It was god-awful stupid!"

"SHUT UP!"

'Magic Circuit' knowledge acquired.