[Volume 2 | Chapter 55: Thaumaturgy, The Art of Miracles (II)]

Pandora's words hung heavy in the air. The clover in her palm slowly crumbled into dust, carried away on an errant breeze.

"Anyway, I digress. Have you ever heard of Harmonic Principle Theory, Acacia?"

"I've read the term in a few textbooks, but they were frustratingly vague. Something about fundamental patterns in thaumaturgical phenomena?" Acacia's eyes squinted as he searched his memory.

"That's a start." Pandora rose, dusting off her hands. "Basically, the Harmonic Principle Theory postulates how infinite possibility becomes finite effect. First proposed by Dr. Elizabeth Hawthorne in 156 E.V., it revolutionized our understanding of Thaumaturgy's metaphysical foundations."

She traced a complex pattern in the air, casting the Oscillation spell of [Sigila] as silver light followed her fingertip which formed a series of interlocking circles that expanded into a two-dimensional model that reminded Acacia distinctly of astronomical charts.

"When Ein Sof Ohr manifests in dimensional existence due to Ley Lines, cracks in reality post-Great Corruption that allow for it to flow, this process creates fundamental frequencies of prana. It's basic ways that infinite potential can harmonize with the world. These frequencies represent the pathways through which all thaumaturgical effects must flow. It's easy to think of it as white light passing through a prism. Just as light separates into distinct wavelengths, the infinite potential of Ein Sof Ohr separates into distinct frequencies of possible effect. Each frequency represents a fundamental 'truth' about how prana can interact with reality."

Five nodes within the diagram brightened, pulsing with different intensities and colors.

"To our current knowledge, there exists five primary frequencies, known as the Harmonic Principles.

The First Harmonic: The Principle of Amplification Resonance.

The Second Harmonic: The Principle of Elemental Symphony.

The Third Harmonic: The Principle of Kinetic Consonance.

The Fourth Harmonic: The Principle of Cognitive Bias.

And the Fifth Harmonic: The Principle of Boundary Harmonics."

The diagram then collapsed into a simpler representation—five interconnected circles arranged in a pattern that resembled a pentagram.

"These... principles are what shape how Thaumaturgy manifests?"

"Exactly. These Five Harmonic Principles form the foundation of all Thaumaturgy, Acacia. Every spell, every technique, and every manifestation of prana must align with at least one of these principles to take effect. In the Tachyon Empire, we classify spells based on their correspondence to these five principles, creating the Five Spell Types."

The diagram before them shifted once more, expanding into an array of silhouettes representing different elements, forces, and concepts.

"Enhancement Thaumaturgy represents the First Harmonic of Amplification Resonance. Enhancement spells are rather intuitive to calculate and thus are easily mastered. They're the most widely used in daily life since they focus on strengthening existing things like one's body, healing factor, or other objects."

Acacia thought about his time back then and how many people were proficient at Enhancement Thaumaturgy. It made sense, considering their culture was about strength and honor.

"Elemental Thaumaturgy represents the Second Harmonic of Elemental Symphony and is the second most common spell type to use in the Empire. It essentially involves transmuting prana into one of the Five Major Elements. Fire Thaumaturgy, Water Thaumaturgy, Air Thaumaturgy, Earth Thaumaturgy, and Lightning Thaumaturgy—each represents a distinct expression of elemental force. Generally, you can only have an affinity towards one element, but exceptions exist, like me. They're also... relatively straightforward to calculate, though they can become exceedingly complex depending on the spell in question, and its Order."

"W-wait! How many elements can you use, Pandora?!"

Pandora's eyes twinkled.

"That's another topic. The next spell type is Oscillation. It represents the Third Harmonic of Kinetic Consonance. These spells manipulate the vibrational properties of prana, enabling the caster to create wave-based phenomena and affect the motion of matter. They're generally more difficult to calculate due to their complex nature and are considered the first step toward more advanced thaumaturgical concepts. But, geniuses in it do exist, like Leila."

"Like Leila, huh? I guess she was born a prodigy..." Acacia mused, remembering how she constantly used spells like [Grilletto] and [Prana Burst] against Nemesis. Even if they were precalculated via her Mystic Gears, the Irregular still didn't rule out the possibility that she was, indeed, very adept in the spell type.

"The fourth spell type is Interference Thaumaturgy, and it's where things get more esoteric and harder to learn. It's the embodiment of the Fourth Harmonic, Cognitive Bias. At its core, Interference spells distort perception and cognition by interfering with a target's Subjective Reality. Interference spells tend to be highly restricted due to their potential for abuse and psychological damage. Illusions, memory alterations, perception modifications—all fall within this type. The majority of Strategic Class spells are Interference Type precisely because of how deeply they can damage someone's mind and potentially soul."

Acacia's lips pursed. He'd heard about Interference Thaumaturgy in passing, but it had never seemed particularly important to him. He'd always assumed that it was a niche area reserved for specialists, like illusionists or intelligence officers. But Pandora was saying that they were the most powerful spells?

"Last is Barrier Thaumaturgy, representing the Fifth Harmonic of Boundary Harmonics. Barrier spells, unlike other spell types, tend to be defensive as they're more or less based on the principles of creating a field of protection or containment. These spells create protective fields, seals, and bounded spaces through precise manipulation of spatial boundaries."

"I remember you mentioning [Bounded Fields] before, back when we were at that SST store and the City Hall. Is that part of Barrier Thaumaturgy?"

Pandora nodded.

"Yes, and it's a good example of one of the many applications of Barrier spells. [Bounded Fields] are a subtype of Barrier Thaumaturgy, creating a geometric space where laws can be applied within. Unlike conventional Barrier spells, they require extensive setup through anchor points, so they usually can't be applied during battle. A rectangular prism-shaped [Bounded Field], for example, needs eight anchor points to define its spatial boundaries. Circular ones are easier as you'd only need to define two points on the diameter to make it work, but that's it. They're not necessarily strong or protective unless you amplify their Orders, but are rather versatile in their utility. They're often used to contain environmental damage during large-scale thaumaturgical engagements, establish secure perimeters, detect others within, things like that."

Acacia raised an eyebrow, recalling a detail that had been bothering him.

"If spells aren't permanent, then how can cities use [Bounded Fields] as infrastructure to contain damage and pollution? How do they act as indefinite? They can't be spells, right? I mean, the prana would dissipate eventually, so they must be some kind of... different magical construct."

"Most [Bounded Fields] are created through Loopcasting, but that, alongside Copycasting are more advanced topics that we can discuss later. The next thing to know is that every spell can be amplified past its original. Every spell has a Base Order, which can then be enhanced to Gran, and then Magnum Order."

"Yeah, I already know that. They at least had books on that much back in Ocarina..." Acacia mumbled.

Wait... so they have books on spell amplification but not on spell types? Just what kind of educational system do they have at Ocarina?! Pandora thought. She couldn't help but involuntarily furrow her brow at such a discrepancy.

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"Well, alright then. So I suppose I don't need to go more in-depth with that topic until later." As she spoke, the prana diagram before her dissolved into a shimmering cloud of energy that dispersed on the wind. "And with that, we've established our basic framework. Any questions?"

Acacia processed the information, organizing each concept into neat, logical categories. To him, it was nothing short of fascinating how systematically the Tachyon Empire had classified what essentially amounted to miracles.

But something still gnawed at him; it was a connection not fully formed between what he'd just learned and what he'd observed in others.

"Actually, yes. When I was facing Malleus, and then later, Nemesis, they mentioned 'Birthrights.' I'm not sure what exactly that is in the context of the Harmonic Principles, but it sounded important."

"Perceptive. Birthrights exist adjacent to the Harmonic Principles, not within them. They represent a different relationship between humanity and the Convergence. Think of them like the sixth column to the Five Spell Types."

Pandora then gestured toward a nearby oak tree.

"May I demonstrate something?"

At Acacia's nod, she approached the ancient tree, placing her palm against its rough bark. Without any visible effort—no calculation, merely through intention—water began to flow from the trunk as it circled her arm in spirals before forming a complex three-dimensional shape in the air.

"This is ⸢Aquamarine⸥, my Birthright. Notice that I'm not using calculation to consciously directing the water's movement. It simply responds to my intent, bypassing the normal Integration Sequence entirely." The water returned to the tree, seemingly absorbed back into its structure without leaving a mark. "Birthrights stem from something more fundamental than the mind or conscious calculation. They're encoded directly in what thaumaturgical scholars call the soul... not necessarily in the religious sense, but as a metaphysical construct that represents your singular, indivisible identity."

"The soul? That sounds pretty spiritual for something scientific like Thaumaturgy." Acacia's eyes narrowed.

"The term is imperfect," Pandora acknowledged, "but it's the closest conceptual framework we have. The soul, in thaumaturgical theory, is the aspect of your being that the Convergence recognizes as uniquely and unchangeably you. It can't be divided, replicated, or transferred. It's what makes your consciousness distinctly yours, separate from all others."

She walked over to him again, then placed her calloused hand on his chest.

"Birthrights occur when the Convergence encodes certain gifts directly into this soul-identity. These gifts exist independent of Harmonic Principles, though they often manifest in ways that resemble standard Thaumaturgy. The crucial difference is that Birthrights don't require calculation or traditional Integration Sequences. They're as natural as breathing to those who possess them. Learning how to use them is moreso a mastery of intent and comprehension rather than a mastery of calculation and external frameworks."

"Like a shortcut," mused the boy.

"More like a direct line of communication. Where ordinary Thaumaturgy requires a link between Subjective and Objective Reality, Birthrights represent a privileged channel where possibility responds immediately to the bearer's will. It's important know that most people have some form of Birthright, but the vast majority are so subtle as to be nearly imperceptible—perhaps a slightly enhanced sense of direction, a minor resistance to cold, or an unusual affinity for plants. These minor Birthrights often go unrecognized throughout a person's entire life unless they are explicitly tested."

"And the more powerful ones?"

"Are progressively rarer. Noticeably beneficial Birthrights might appear in perhaps one in a thousand individuals. Truly significant Birthrights—those that confer substantial advantages—emerge in maybe one in a hundred thousand. And supreme manifestations, the kind that shape history? Perhaps one in millions."

Acacia pondered of Elias's ⸢Windwaker⸥, Leila's ⸢Empyrean⸥, and Pandora's own ⸢Aquamarine⸥. One in millions, all gathered in Windsor through some cosmic coincidence.

Or perhaps not a coincidence at all.

"Birthrights manifest in two distinct categories: Inherited and Spontaneous." Pandora traced a bright line in the air with [Sigilia] once again. "Inherited Birthrights result from specific genetic markers and traits that allow for the transmission of certain thaumaturgical abilities from parent to child. They're more stable and predictable as they've been refined through generations of a bloodline."

"I assume that's where Noble Houses come from?" He surmised.

"Precisely. The House of Altair's ⸢Empyrean⸥, the House of Lazarus' Sanguis Aeterna, the House of Vessalius' Battaglia, they resulted from centuries of the same soul-to-genetic pattern resonating through a lineage. Each generation inherits the genetic traits as well as specific channels of connection to the Convergence."

"What the hell... so they just get their powers for free? That's not fair at all..."

"I'm sure you're used to this line, but life rarely is," Pandora said dryly. "But that is how it's always been. Those who are born with more advantages naturally have a higher chance of success."

"That's not an excuse. That's the same flawed logic used by people who exploit others." Acacia quickly rebutted.

Pandora could only sigh. "You're right, but that's a conversation we can't finish today. The second category, Spontaneous Birthrights, accounts for approximately five percent of all recorded Birthrights. They emerge unexpectedly within people, without prior manifestation in ancestors. They're often more unpredictable but can easily rival the strongest Inherited Birthrights, as they represent direct intervention by the Convergence rather than inherited patterns."

"Since Elias is a commoner, I suppose his ⸢Windwaker⸥ would be an example of a Spontaneous Birthright?"

"Exactly. ⸢Windwaker⸥ grants Elias a mastery over Air Thaumaturgy, specifically reducing the computational and energetic barriers to casting Air spells. He can bypass the traditional Conceptualization and Calculation steps for Base Order Air spells and experiences a significant reduction in Prana Input requirements at all Orders."

"And your ⸢Aquamarine⸥? Is it Spontaneous or Inherited?"

"Spontaneous. It's simply the water variant of ⸢Windwaker⸥," Pandora said offhandedly.

"So, it lets you manipulate water without calculations for the most part," Acacia noted. "But where does the prana actually come from? I understand the Convergence produces it, but how does it move through living things?"

To that, Pandora simply gestured at a butterfly that had alighted on a nearby wildflower.

"Consider the biological cycle. Prana circulates through all living organisms like an intangible bloodstream." She reached her hand toward the butterfly. It fluttered to land on her fingertip." Just as that creature breathes oxygen, it also processes prana. It absorbs what it needs, transforms it within its body by interacting with its soul, and then releases the excess through respiration and biological processes."

The butterfly took flight again, leaving a barely perceptible trail of silvery particles dissipating into the air.

"Prana follows a principle of conservation. It can't be created or destroyed, only transformed. When a Thaumaturge casts a spell, they're using their Prana Nodes to shape and direct their internal reserves. Once the spell dissipates, it breaks down into its constituent particles and returns to the planet."

She drew a small circle in the air, forming a miniature water globe that hovered and then evaporated.

"Our bodies have evolved to live with prana flowing through them. Like a river system, there exists a natural limit to how much each organism can channel before the banks overflow and prana poisoning occurs. This threshold varies significantly between individuals. It can't be trained or expanded, only managed more efficiently. We call this our Prana Reserves."

"So sleeping helps people recover prana because..." Acacia began, seeing the connection.

"Yep. During rest, particularly deep sleep, our Prana Nodes become more receptive at the quantum level. They naturally draw in environmental prana most efficiently when we're in a relaxed state. The absorption happens passively, similar to how plants process sunlight, except our cells use proteins in the nodes to capture and process ambient prana. Right now, this entire area is saturated with residual prana from countless practice sessions. Those invisible particles are being continuously absorbed by the grass, the trees, the insects, and yes, by us. When a Thaumaturge's reserves are depleted, rest is the most efficient way to restore them—allowing the body to reabsorb prana up to its capacity limit naturally."

"And excess prana is filtered out, exhaled like waste gas."

"By the nodes, yes. They act as both storage and filtration systems, only retaining what the body can safely contain. Push your reserves too low—seven to ten percent is typically the danger threshold—and your body will react violently as it struggles to maintain essential functions. Symptoms are like a pretty bad fever."

"What about at zero percent?" Acacia asked quietly.

"Death. The soul cannot remain tethered to a body completely devoid of prana. It evaporates, leaving nothing behind."

"H-how am I even alive… if that's the case?"

"You exist outside of normal rules, Acacia. The Convergence, for reasons we don't fully understand, refuses to 'paint' itself onto you, and others like you."

Acacia could only slowly nod.

"...Thanks for entertaining my question, then. So, going back to the topic of Birthrights. Birthrights essentially reject calculation, and they bypass the Integration Sequence entirely... does that mean they're closer to Magic than Thaumaturgy?"

"Nope. Even the most powerful of Birthrights remain bound by natural law. It may bend the rules of thaumaturgical interaction, but it can't break the qualitative barrier between prana and Ein Sof Ohr. Bridging that divide is the true hallmark of Magic. The «Red Key» you possess is, in fact, closer to breaching that barrier than any Birthright."

So it all comes back to that… Acacia slowly looked down at his right hand as he flexed his fingers.

That damned key, the source of so many of his problems.

With her golden eyes, Pandora observed him silently for a moment. Then, unexpectedly, she clapped her hands together with a sharp sound that made him jump.

"Speaking of the «Red Key», it's time we discussed your training regimen."

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