Magic

A magic sigil, which usually formed by a witch whenever she casts certain spells in Chamber of Time game

Magic (魔法, Mahō) is an ancient art to alter the fabric of reality practiced by witches, wizards, and some magical creatures.

Description

The ancient art of magic is a supernatural ability to perform all sorts of feats that defy natural laws through channeling special energies drawn from Yggdrasil or its branches Ley Lines. The ability to use magic comes through study, practice, and experience, as well as the witch or wizard's own magic power. While any human can use magic with proper study and practice, those from families with long magical heritages possess a natural affinity for magic.

Usage

Magic works by storing and channeling magic energy through special objects, primarily wands or staves. Up until Yggdrasil's restoration, the amount of magic power one can handle is limited as the magic in the world is weakening. When one's magic energy reserves is exhausted, the user is rendered powerless until he/she receives another magic source. This limitation can be eliminated in a place with a magic source that prevents one's magic energy reserves from being exhausted such as areas within the Sorcerer's Stone's range of effect. Although Croix had invented Sorcery Solution Sytems that allow handling and disposal of magic energy in much more adequate manner than the Stones, it would be a matter of time before both methods eventually fail to solve magic energy crisis unless the power of Grand Triskellion is released to revitalize the cosmic tree Yggdrasil.

Some objects, known as magic items, possess a magic power of their own that can be exploited by those who possess it, even non-magical humans.

As revealed in Episode 18, Sky War Stanship, magic allows the user to better perceive mystical/supernatural activities, such as the Wild Hunt, than mundanes. If Sucy's claim of witches being not easy to kill in "A New Beginning" is to be believed, another benefit in performing magic is the user attained a degree of physical and mental augmentation which allow them to perform feats beyond their appearance suggested, including taking punishments which otherwise cripple mundanes. However, it all more apparent in magic users who trained themselves up to peak levels as demonstrated by Ursula.

History

Magic has been practiced by witches alongside their male equivalent wizards since ancient times; its origins go back to at least 2500 BC. The first witches obtained infinite magic through the legendary tree Yggdrasil that grew from the belief of human hearts, and whose branches covered the cosmos with its magic power. In addition of earlier forms of magic, they studied stars and moon to develop what would become Luna Alphabet However, over time, the tree wilted due to the decline of magic, and the remnants of its branches became what are now known as Ley Lines. That changed in the 5th century where the Nine Olde Witches appeared and managed to restore the power of magic in the world. Having foreseen another decline in the future, they locked away the Grand Triskellion, ensured it to remain protected and passed down throughout generations of witches — only a worthy wielder of Claiomh Solais who have found all Seven Words of Arcturus that can utilize it to end such decline.

A century later, the Nine Olde Witches established Luna Nova Magical Academy, a school for young witches who were taught the sacred art of magic and the responsibilities of wielding it. The values inculcated in the students are altruistic — that magic exists for the benefit of all mankind and should never be used selfishly.

During the Middle Ages, non-magical humans' suspicions towards magic developed into a strong animosity towards witches, who were deemed a malevolent and corrupting influence, giving place to the Witch Hunts. Croix's lecture in Chariot of Fire indicated that some witches developed more harmful, sinister forms of magic to harm innocent lives, went so far associating themselves demonic beings to do so, further staining their community's reputation before non-magical humans' eyes.

As civilization progressed, superstitions that culminated in the hatred of witches fell out of favor. No longer persecuted, witches integrated into human society, where their magic solved many of its problems and greatly improved quality of life. Some magical families such as House of Cavendish are known to use their revitalization magic to heal people regardless of their allegiance. Witches came to be held in the highest esteem as the paragon of human wisdom. Many non-magical humans raised their daughters as witches, swelling the ranks of Luna Nova with new students. Thus, began the Golden Age of Magic, an era lasting for generations until the Industrial Revolution.

With the development of machines, people no longer had to depend on magic for everything. Advancements in modern science and technology gradually led humans to believe more in logic than the unknown and things beyond the realm of normality to the point of dismiss everything related to magic (including witches and magical beings in general) as obsolete and useless. This was exacerbated by the continued weakening of magic around the world, which resulted in the number of witches declining worldwide. Social status of magical families, even affluential ones, became less relevant than it used to, which didn't help by their recent generations being less interested with magic than they realized. Magical creatures were similarly affected as they need magic energy to survive, with institutions such as Luna Nova could could do only so much in providing even their basest need (ex. distribution of magic power among magic users and magical creatures under their employment became increasingly unreliable that a strike was inevitable). Even Ley Lines, remnants of Yggdrasil, gradually diminished. Efforts to stave off the decline were made from development of Sorcerer's Stones and Magic Batteries to Magitronics pioneered by Croix Meridies which greatly improve the use of magic and magic energy drawn from Ley Lines, but neither of them provide permanent solution. Even magic-related business sectors such as magic shops (ex. Last Wednesday Society and L Kiosk) were forced to diversify in order to keep them going in face of the decline, but even many of them were less fortunate and had to close down in the end. Although major countries' mundane government such as England played their part in ensuring magic community's continued existence, they could only do so much due to both dwindling faith in its future and own political issues at hand. Some of politicians in said countries even less keen of allowing magic community to thrive. Little did they knew the growing tension among said countries in the light of latest controversial soccer match between England and its rival nation would provide an unlikely opportunity for witches to make a difference for everyone before it's too late, especially with countries in question already developed weapons of mass destruction and would likely resort to use them.

Another reason of the decline, which easily overlooked unlike the rest yet justifying mundane government's aforementioned dwindling faith in magic community, was old, conservative magical families' dismissal over the fact that magic is a power to inspire as much as being part of their community's traditions (something that Akko, Ursula/Chariot, Sifla the 1st and in lesser extent, Diana believed in) along with the idea of improving same traditions to maintain its significance in changing times, subsequently leading them lost their path more than they realized. The reality of the same magical families twisted certain parts of legends in their community to both keep their power and condone their outdated mindset only made it worse. These old, conservative magical families' stubbornness also made them blind to the fact Shiny Chariot's approach in inspiring people, however it left much to be desired (using magic as part of flashy shows she famous for at different parts of the world despite better, more appreciated means were available), made a difference as not only she inspired young generations to become witches like her, but also leading to two of said new witches, Atsuko Kagari and Diana Cavendish, saved the world along with magic itself.

Guided by Chariot, the young first-generation witch Atsuko Kagari used the Claiomh Solais to awaken the Seven Words of Arcturus and break the seal on the Grand Triskellion. With the help of friends and worldwide encouragement, Akko and Diana Cavendish harnessed its ultimate power to make the world into a place where all mankind could live happily together. The power from humanity's believing hearts united to support the witches' success, restored Yggdrasil along with its infinite magic to the world at long last and giving another chance for magical families all over the world to improve themselves.

Types of Magic

Since obtaining magic from Yggdrasil, witches and wizards began to experiment upon and explored it throughout the ages, with their findings written down and further comprehended as time went on as with many other mysteries of the world, accumulating into the sacred art known to magical world. The following are types of magic that have been discovered;

• Amnesia Magic
• Body Strengthening Magic
• Communication Magic
• Elemental Magic
  • Ice Magic
  • Earth Magic
  • Flame Magic
  • Wind Magic
• Flight Magic
• Floating Magic
• Fusion Magic
• Gravity Magic
• Illusory Magic
• Light Magic
• Lightning Magic
• Metamorphosis Magic
• Movement Magic
• Object Control Magic
• Puppet Magic
• Shadow Magic
• Sleep Magic
• Stellar Magic
• Summoning Magic
• Culinary Magic
  • Taste Magic
• Time Magic
• Transparent Magic
• Undeath Magic
• White Magic
  • Mending Magic
  • Revitalization Magic

Mentioned

• Demonic Magic
• Modification Magic (witches specialized in this magic become cosmetic surgeons)
• Transfiguring Magic
• Tracing Magic

Gallery

See also

• Magic Spell
• Magical Energy

Trivia

• According to Trigger Night Vol.6, due to how closely magic is tied to trees (particularly, Yggdrasil, being the very source of magic itself), it grants witches longevity. In the case of more powerful witches, due to magic's constantly flow through them, they would transform into a tree upon death, which explain why Mrs. Holbrooke's grave is shown with a large tree grown on it, and why Beatrix's spirit appeared before Diana near a giant tree where the Ascension ritual was to be held for her to become head of Cavendish family.
  • That being said, it's ambiguous whether magic users physically (and literally) turn into trees at the end of their lives or they simply manifest a tree whose roots shield their remains from outside force.
• According to Yoshinari in the translation booklet included in the LWA 2013 OVA set, Europe is where magic is centered, which is why Luna Nova Academy is actually in England.This is further hinted at in the first lecture scene where a teacher was explaining about the Ley Lines. Bear in mind that it is yet to be known whether this factoid can be applied for the TV series, as there are no direct confirmation of this found thus far.
• Many magical practices and related knowledge featured in the series are influenced by real-life ones such as Kabbalah, something which touched upon in "Pappiliodya" and "Chariot of Fire". Even Kabbalah itself, alongside Numerology and Temple Menorah were featured as part of Samantha Badcock's lecture in the former episode and Croix's lecture in the latter episode made passing references to darker forms of real-life witchcraft as part of magic's very sordid history.
• The discussion of magic being a dying art along with debate whether it is worth preserving, which became the plot point of anime TV Series, can be compared to that of the art of rakugo in Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju which too struggling to find its place in modern day.