Chapter 18: Magic Affinities

~Zack POV~

*Clap*

We nodded at this as this time Echidna then began to finally speak to us about the topics of magic next, "Now then since we have gone past the basics of how magic works. It's time to find out your three affinities of which magic you belong to. Now then the lesson shall begin."

Finally, we can get to the good stuff to learn how to.

Like that Echidna next began to explain what kind of magic there is in her world as she began to point out the elements, "Good. Now that we learn the basics it's time to learn the elements. Magic is made up of six elements; Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Yin, and Yang."

At this Penny raised her hand like a kid and asked the following question with confusion in her eyes, "Miss Echidna? What does the six elements each represent in magic if you can kindly tell us miss?"

I swear Echidna's eyes twinkled at the thought of the request as she began to go into details about magic, "Absolutely Penny. It is further classified into four categories; Fire element that covers temperature, Water element that covers life and healing, Wind element that functions outside of the bodies of living things, and Earth element that functions inside of the bodies of living things. Some incantations for each element are Goa for fire, Huma for water, Fura for wind, Dona for earth, Shamak for Yin, and Jiwald for Yang."

Next came up with Neo as she asked with excitement in her voice learning these incantations if there were any stronger versions, "Oh! That is so cool Echidna! But… I was wondering are there any more powerful versions of the spells for each incantation?"

At this Echidna nods as she began to go over the upgrades or upper teirs for each spell in detail about it, "You would assume correct miss Neo. The strength of spells starts from the original incantation and increases by adding El, Ul, or Al. Here let me show you three an example using Fire Magic Goa. Ahem…"

"Goa!"

*Brrr*

That was when Echidna showed each of us the use of her magic at a target tree for her to use as a demonstration.

We all saw her use Goa as it seems to that the user manifests a blaze of fire to incinerate their foes.

"El Goa!"

Next was Echidna using El Goa to incinerate the fields of grass similar to Goa but on a more larger range.

"Ul Goa!"

The user fires a large number of powerful fire bullets. A powerful flame scatters when the bullets land.

"Al Goa!"

The user lets loose a massive fireball, scorching away everything in its path. The bigger the caster's skill, the fireball hotter and bigger the fireball.

*BOOM*

*Clap*

We all clapped at Echidna for her demonstration of magic as she gave us a bow for the performance as I was very and possibly easily impressed by her use of magic like that is quite astounding.

That was when Echidna also gave Penny a glance as she finally replied what Yin and Yang meant in magic, "Oh yes I almost forgot. Penny to your earlier question Yin spells cover debuffs while Yang spells cover buffs."

The next question I had to ask Echidna about something that was on my mind as I began to ask her, "Say Echidna can anyone learn these spells like you have, or is it impossible to do so if they can't? And how common can people get these element traits?"

At this question she began to easily reply giving me an answer as she spoke, "Hmm… usually an ordinary person is considered to be well off if they are compatible with either fire, water, wind, or earth. Although incantations are generally used to cast spells if the user is experienced enough they can cast them without saying anything."

As she stops at this she continues on with teaching us the lessons in magic as she began to continue, "While most of the mages are capable of using one element, some people are able to use multiple elements, and if the user is talented enough they can combine elements. Although those are really rare cases."

Then she began to explain to the three of us the differences in castors in this world as Penny and Neo listened intently to her words, "Generally, there are two types of primary casters in this world, Magic-Users and Spirit Users which are largely differentiated by how they use mana to cast spells."

Neo then raised her hand at this as she was confused why there were two she asked the obvious question, "Huh? Why are there two forms of magic users Teacher? Aren't the two of them the same?"

Shaking her head at this Echidna began to explain to each of us the reason why there is a clear difference, "No, not my students there are a difference between Magic users and Spirits users. The former draw on their internal mana through their gates while the latter uses the mana in the atmosphere with the aid of spirits to process spells directly. Spirits can also act as pseudo gates for their contractors if they are lacking the means to use magic on their own."

We nodded at this obtaining the information we received from her as took in the difference between the two.

After that, I asked next wondering about earlier if there was a way to enhance oneself just by using magic, "I see. But quick question here Echidna? What if someone would use the mana in the air to enhance themselves for their own benefit?"

She also had an answer as she shakes her head doing so as she began to reply to all of us listening, "Good question. Even though this is not considered magic, normal people are also capable of utilizing mana for their own benefits. One of such, is different warriors, knights, swordsmen and the like. By subconsciously using their own mana and letting it flow through their body, they imbue themselves with magic-like properties, such as enhanced speed, agility, reflexes, strength, and healing."

We agreed to that as Penny then asked in a curious tone of her voice, "Oh… but wait? Isn't something like that similar to the Yang magic did if they tried?"

At this Echidna shakes her head no followed by her fingers pointing to an X symbol as she responded to it, "Another good question but I'm afraid that isn't possible. Naturally, these boosts aren't as strong as Yang Magic or Spirit-given boosts but are none the less capable of allowing people to react to incoming blows with inhuman speed, delivering sword slashes with inhuman precision from awkward angles, jumping very high in the air, and dashing at almost lightning-fast reflexes."

I see so basically using magic this was simply increases the user base everything to reaction time to incredible levels that is useful to have.

That was when Echidna began to almost forgot something till she finally warned us the importance of something as she spoke, "Oh right… I almost forgot. You should also be forewarned about the Mana Poisoning and Magic Released Period."

Uh…

What?

Just like that Echidna next began to explain the importance of Mana Poisoning and the Magic Released Period.

Mana Poisoning is a state in which an individual continues to absorb an excessive amount of mana beyond their Od's capacity, but is incapable of releasing it, which will eventually destroy their Od and kill them.

Improperly configured or defective gates are the common cause of this. Individuals in this status who don't receive constant treatment are often very sick.

Magic Release Period a phenomenon that occurs to individuals and beings who possess potent magical power, powerful gates, and Od that allow them to draw in and store more mana than they let out.

It happens when a magic user doesn't maintain a proper release cycle to let off excess mana from their Od which causes it to overflow from beyond their bodies.

It can have drastic effects on the person such as mana poisoning, and it can even affect the environment. The mana will eventually burst out of and damage their gate if it's not forcibly released and released from within them.

With that done Echidna next began to get closer to Penny as she began to explain to everyone what she was doing next, "Since we got through the explanations it's time for us to learn your natural elements. Will begin with Penny to see. Now I just need to check your Gate."

Penny nods happily at this as we all waited in anticipation of her…

We waited as Echidna places her hand on her head closing her eyes till she finally gave her results, "Hmm… that is a very good affinity. Penny, you have the magic element of Fire, Wind, Water, and Earth. Very peculiar to have four but it will do."

Penny raises her fist in the air in pure joy to get four elements.

Next, came Neo as Echidna began the same process once more as Neo bites her lips till she finally came to her answer searched her gate, "Hmm…? That… is very strange? It seems your Gates have been lacking mana to fuel it. But… no that can be talked later. Anyway, it seems Neo element is Wind."

Huh?

What was with the earlier comments on Echidna's face when she searched for Neo Gate?

Are people of Remnant can't get magic but because she entered Re: Zero the inherent nature of humans once obtaining magic is returning to her by chance?

Questions for later…

Next finally came to me as Echidna began to search for an answer for me about what magic I can use till she finally replied, "Interesting… you have the capacity of two elements. Yin and Yang very interesting affinities."

Yin and Yang huh?

Not bad choices for me to learn and the most useful but also very difficult to learn.

Still, though I'm up for the open challenge just as long as there are no Kingdom Heart Bee references to darkness.