Primary Magick's
Fair bit of exposition in this chapter coupled with a fair bit of magic theory. Or my own take on it.
Chapter 02
Feet slapped the pavement and harsh breaths struck the air as the nine year old girl jogged home with a very odd…thing in her arms. Yellow, white and yellow. Upon closer inspection it could be determined that it was actually a long rodent with a bandage around its mid-section. Had any body been observing the odd sight of a young girl running with a rodent and had they known rodents then they would have said it was a ferret.
Right now she was still marvelling over how it felt to wield the magic and the warmth of Raising Heart in her hand. "Owie" she mumbled and rubbed her aching arm with the shoulder following soon after it. Punching that monster like that had felt good until the adrenaline had worn off and then the real aching had begun as if liquid fire filled her bones.
She had forfeited the idea of going to a park to chat because the night was getting deeper and darker. Her parents warnings about staying out late had held true for many years and she had no intention of disobeying them now. "I'll just tell them I was worried" came her voice with each word separated by short pants with her body tired from the fight earlier and the running. So…tired. I've run more today than I have in the last month!
Stepping into the yard of the combined house and café, her movements were unimpeded with no sight of her brother or sister and the disapproving looks they would no doubt wear. Indeed they were leaning against the wall just inside so as she walked past with hope blooming she was stopped at the cough from behind her. Uh…oh.
Kyoya laughed as Nanoha froze before turning so slowly he just had to tease her by looking at his watch and timing how long it took for her to turn. Also served to reinforce she was out late too, now that he thought about it. "So Nanoha…why were you out late?" he inquired with a grin on his face before grunting in discomfort as Miyuki jabbed a finger into his ribs. "Damn it Miyuki, that hurt!"
Shaking her head at her brother before turning a curious gaze to Nanoha, she smiled at the sight of the ferret. "It's a cute thing" she stated with confidence changing her tone to a smug one. She had told Kyoya that Nanoha had gone to check on the ferret. Kyoya being the idiot he was had claimed she had gone out to act out some kind of magical girl fantasy. "Really Kyoya, that was a stupid suggestion" she stated and grinned at his chagrined face.
"Yeah yeah, quiet you. Let's go in and show mom and dad" he grumbled and bumped Miyuki with his shoulder so she stumbled. Whilst he had done that his muscles were primed and he was ready to burst into motion to catch her had she been toppled. Fortunately she caught herself and steadied her gait whilst pouting at him. Don't look at her, don't look at her. Don't look at her and you won't have to apologise.
Miyuki's pout if possible intensified as Kyoya stared straight ahead. He was never able to refuse her anything if he saw it! Following Kyoya in with Nanoha at her side, her hand snaked out to scratch at the ferret's head and it took all her considerable will to stop from squealing as it leant into her touch. So cute!
Smiling down at Yuuno and planning on teasing over the action later as tired feet crossed the threshold into their home slash business. Sitting down on the couch she was ushered to and frowning as Yuuno was all bit ripped from her grasp, she blinked at the extremely possessive feelings she felt towards the ferret.
Momoko clutched the recently awakened ferret to her chest and squealed over how cute it was with no care as to the fact she might be choking it. Only the hand which landed on her shoulder caused her to stop trying to snap the ferrets back with her arms and instead cradle the panting thing. "It's so cute Nanoha!" she stated happily as slim fingers caressed the fur which shone like gold.
Nanoha cracked a smile as she watched the ferret squirm and try to escape even after it was released. But her mother easily located its neck and lifted it by the fur like a cat lifting its young and then dropping the ferret back in the nest of her arms. It was amusing to see him struggle as he did for she wasn't thrilled about what he got her into without explanations.
"Alright Nanoha. Bed time. The ferret can stay in your room for now. Kyoya fixed up a basket" Miyuki stated and giggled at the blush which stained her brothers face.
Nodding, Nanoha retrieved the ferret whilst a snort escaped her at the fervent mental thanks she received.
Thankyou! Oh thankyou! I thought she was going to kill me!
A few minutes later found her in bed with the ferret in the basket across the room and waiting for the others to get to bed as well. Then the explaining could begin and that was what she was truly eager for. But despite the way it made her arm ache, she clenched her hand in remembrance of the cold gauntlet which had encased her hand.
It had felt…nice to wield that much power. For most of her life she had been powerless but now…now she wielded a power that for her had only existed in fairy tales up to this point.
"So…" Yuuno commented as he tried to amass his thoughts in such a way that he wouldn't blurt out anything that could get him arrested. The existence of the T.S.A.B being one.
"Yeah…so. Giant monster, crystals and magic" Nanoha commented and smiled as Yuuno leapt from his basket and to her bed in a few bounds. Leaning back in her pillows and leaving him to find wherever was most comfortable – which was hopefully not on her – Nanoha waited for Yuuno to explain.
And explain he did in easy to understand terms. About how he had discovered the Seeds on another planet, how he had managed to teleport himself to earth (He didn't mention the actual dimensional jump-point the T.S.A.B had set up for easier planet hopping by their black-ops.) About how the Jewel Seeds were relics from a long lost civilisation and how their actual purpose had yet to be divined by even the brightest minds of his clan.
"Alright so…" A yawn broke her question with mouth opening wide enough until it looked like her jaw would dislocate. "So…magic" she inquired.
"I'll explain that tomorrow. My names Yuuno by the way" the ferret stated and was still somewhat amazed as to how THAT particular issue had somehow not been approached.
"My name is Nanoha Takamachi. I'm a third grader" she stated cheerfully.
And with that she flopped backwards, dead asleep and snoring quietly.
Laughing quietly whilst making his way back to the comfortable basket, Yuuno erected a weak sensory barrier that would alert him if anyone came into the room with ill intent before crashing as he expended the last of his magic.
Nanoha groaned as the oh-so-annoying ringing of her alarm penetrated the murky seas of sleep like a depth charge. Squirming in an attempt to shut it out by burying her head under both warm quilt and thick pillow, she cracked open her eye. If that cell phone can pray, it'd better! Reaching down and picking it up from the floor similar to the way Yuuno had been lifted by her mother, she flipped the lid and cancelled the alarm.
Already the sounds of her parents busy in the café could be heard and an appreciative smile bloomed on her face as did a rumble from her gut resound throughout the quiet room. Blushing before darting to the shower, she quickly performed her ablutions and returned to get dressed. Seeing Yuuno still sleeping, she quickly dressed and was wriggling into her shirt like a worm when the amused laughter of Yuuno made her blush.
Finishing worming her way into the shirt whilst pointedly glaring at the ferret, Nanoha picked up Raising Heart.
"Nanoha, you remember how I talked into your mind yesterday?" Yuuno inquired and at the cautious nod from the girl, continued. "It's considered fairly rude in my society to do that without permission. So with your permission, I'd like to talk into your mind whilst you're at school today to explain magic" Yuuno requested and bowed his head.
The main reason using "mind-speak" as it was termed by society was considered rude was because if someone wasn't expecting it then all sorts of thoughts could leak through. Often-times embarrassing ones and such things had caused massive scandal on Mid-Childa.
"No worries Yuuno" Nanoha exclaimed brightly. "Feel free to. But…how do I do it back?" she asked nervously.
If possible in his ferret form and for this he cursed his lack of eyebrows, Yuuno would have raised one. "You did it yesterday. Just think of me and then project your thoughts towards me. It's far easier if you have Raising Heart on you though" Yuuno informed her with little to no aplomb.
"Alright then. See you later!" came her goodbye and with that Nanoha slipped from the room and down the stairs as fast as possible without running. Her parents always frowned on running down the stairs and even though they had explained that they could fall and break their neck, none of the three children really paid attention sans Nanoha.
Darting into the living room and finding a few stuffed pancakes, she snatched one up from the plate before quickly exiting the house.
Stuffed pancakes were essentially pancakes slit through much like a pocket and stuffed with differing things depending on the mood of the day. Today she had fruit drizzled with honey.
"Ewww, orange seed" Nanoha complained and quickly spat out the greyish stone and swallowing the final mouthful of breakfast. It didn't take her long to make it to school or to her it didn't seem long with mind occupied as it was with thoughts of the upcoming day. Specifically the explanations from the magic ferret. Giggling at the title, she nodded. Magic Ferret it is she thought.
Oi came the thought back and Nanoha stumbled.
Nya ha-ha…did I think that to you? She asked nervously.
Yes you did. I'm not a magic ferret! Came the rather irritable response.
Oh…so you're a ferret changeling? She asked. The title seemed somewhat appropriate, taken as it was from a fairy tale. The spluttering on the other end of the mental link made her shake her head in amusement as she entered the classroom and sat in her usual seat which was a row or two from the window. A moment later and she was besieged by Arisa and Suzuka as they descended upon her with questions like spears and demands like cannon-shot.
"Nanoha! Did you hear what happened last night?!"
"Oi Nanoha! Did you get the ferret from the vet's?!"
Nanoha smiled brightly at her two friends before her cheer fell a bit at the realisation that she couldn't tell them about her powers. First they wouldn't believe her and with how loud Arisa was…it wouldn't remain secret for long.
"Yeah. Got there after dinner last night and picked it up" came her reply which was truthful in all aspects. Just lacking detail. "Was mostly healthy. Plus it can stay!" she exclaimed happily and giggled at the pout and happy smile from Arisa and Suzuka respectively. A moment later and the teacher came in which prompted a tiny sigh of relief from Nanoha. As much as she loved her friends…she would rather learn more about magic so she didn't end up blowing herself up.
So…Yuuno…magic she hinted with that lack of subtlety that made her so beloved and disliked.
Alright Nanoha. This may take a while since I've got to explain the two types of magic I saw you utilising last night so make sure you're comfortable Yuuno cautioned.
Shifting so she was comfortable with legs crossed at the ankles and chin nestled in her palm, she sent her agreement through the link.
Alright then…Mid-Childan magic is considered the most common. It's normally represented by a circle with runes in it which correspond to the principle this magic was based on.
Next is Velkan Magic. A fair bit rarer since it takes a particular mindset to understand and even longer to become anywhere proficient at. And the Velkan civilisation was wiped out during a war.
Now, we call the circles that appear an "array" of sorts. All the runes in them are there for greater control over our powers so we aren't ripped apart by the forces we wield. These arrays also allow a greater degree of specialisation towards elements or emotions, like lightning or love to use two examples.
Nanoha nodded. She was following most of it and what she didn't she was storing up for question time later.
Now…principles. Childan Magic being a circle only has one principle since it only has one side to speak of. The principle at its most basic is "To Win At Any Cost." This is what allows it to be so widely used since winning is such a fluid term and capable of being applied to any situation.
Velkan magic is a bit trickier. It has three principles since its array is in the shape of a triangle. These principles are as follows, "No Mercy, No Surrender, Overwhelm the Enemy." These principles made them particularly adept at warfare since nobody was ever captured alive, they never let up when they started an assault and they ALWAYS attacked with superior fire-power and defences. Once again these principles are capable of being twisted to what a person wills but it takes a large degree of intellect to do this.
From what I'm able to tell about your type of magic though…well, I've only discovered one principle. It's designed to attack from range. Whilst you can use those gauntlets to great effect, it ends up hurting you so it's really only useful for gaining some distance between you and the enemy.
Nanoha paused at that. It was true she supposed. She didn't enjoy getting close to an enemy though she hadn't really had enemies thus far in life sans the occasional bully or for a brief time; Arisa. Attacking from range kept you safe and that was what Nanoha wished above all else. To stay safe.
Now for shape significance. Stop me if you get lost or confused.
The Mid-Childan Circle is designed for the containment of the mage's energy so nothing goes to waste. Every scrap is used and this is often a double-edged sword because if you summon too much it can hurt you. As such, its suited for all fields of magic wether that be melee, ranged or even healing.
The Velkan Triangle however…is far more dangerous. When a mage casts their spell, their magic flows into the array to activate the specific runes for its purpose. The Triangle reflects this magic back to the caster but this magic is doubled in strength per side since it bounces off three sides. This extra magic is often drawn from the ambient environment or the planet itself. This is why Velkan Magic is used mainly for offense because they can discharge that enormous amount of magic for amazing benefits. Velkan Magic has few defensive measures though and the healing done by it can only be done if its channelled through physical contact.
Nanoha's head was reeling, quite honestly. This was some fairly dense magical theory for a nine year old to grasp after all but she managed to hang in there with the massive amount of questions rapidly growing in size as if her mind itself was a Velkan Triangle.
Square Magic, for lack of a better term is clearly only suited for ranged combat with a few abilities to keep that ranged benefit like the gauntlets. This is uncharted territory for me so anything you discover I'd love for you to share with me. The Scrya Clan after all are devoted to unearthing mysteries wether they be physical or metaphysical.
From what I could see last night, the magic that flowed inwards first through the Childan Circle and then the Triangle…each inwards course of magic was doubled in strength as it struck the triangle so clearly if magic is inserted through a triangle then it will be doubled in strength no matter how many courses there are.
Nodding along with what Yuuno was saying, amazement filled the nine year old brunette as she realised that aside from a few larger words she understood exactly what Yuuno was saying even if she broke down some of the larger words into yet smaller ones so they could be digested easier.
Anyway…continuing. This "Square Magic" seems to incorporate principles of the other shape arrays. The Velkan Triangle doubles the magic that comes back so since the magic shoots inwards from the four corners then you're basically getting eight times the magic back than what you expended. The Childan Circle keeps it contained so none bleeds off and you receive the full benefit of the array.
At that, Yuuno called up what he could remember of the array Nanoha had called up when she had sealed the Seed so brutally. The square had runes in the corners to the edge of the circle. The circle itself was a bar and not a line so it was a solid circle and within the bar were yet more runes and finally the triangle was much like the circle in that it was not a line but a bar with runes inscribed within the bar.
What honestly disturbed him was the first set he did not recognize at all. The Childan and Velkan runes were easy to decipher - well, the Childan more so than the Velkan but still.
Anyway…that's the basic stuff. The more advanced theory is beyond me right now since a lot of it is taught at the…um…academy on my home-world.
Raising an eyebrow with her pen tapping a staccato beat on the desk, Nanoha probed further. What was with the pause, Yuuno? She inquired sweetly with the barest hint of steel to her voice.
Was just wondering what it would be best to call it since it serves a myriad of functions.
Not detecting the lie and accepting it for now, Nanoha fingered Raising Heart idly around her neck. The warmth no longer bothered her given what she now knew. That being; magic existed and she apparently wielded a type Yuuno had never seen.
Glancing up, she blanched at the site which greeted her. Not bodies or blood sprayed across the classroom. No…the day was almost half-done and she had nothing written down at all! Commencing the banging of her head on the desk with the rest of the class watching, she groaned.
Nanoha kicked a stone grumpily as she made her way home for school. It had galled her to no end to ask Arisa for her notes that pertained to the morning classes but she had swallowed her pride and asked. I'm still not sure it was worth it Nanoha complained to herself in a tone not too dissimilar to a whine as the image of Arisa laughing and pointing at her surged to the surface.
Fortunately she didn't have cram school today as it was only three times a week and even then the class schedules changed depending upon the availability of teachers. About to turn down a street towards her house, Nanoha who was in the middle of walking froze stiff as a magical wave struck her. Nothing moved on her body but she felt the…wrongness ripple through her. Like the stench of old milk it offended her magical senses.
Yuuno! There's a Jewel Seed activating! Meet me near the temple! She ordered before turning on the opposite direction and sprinting whilst darting in and out of people. Nanoha was not consciously aware of how she knew it was a Jewel Seed but the pulse felt quite similar to the magic around the creature from the previous night.
Just…wrong…on every level.
Settling into a light jog as her lungs began to scream from the exertion of just a few minutes, Nanoha nodded. Ranged fighting DEFINITELY suits me more she thought sardonically as the temple grew larger and larger in her vision. Hearing squeaks and shouts coming from her left and glancing, she smiled as Yuuno shout out from between a mans legs and leapt onto skirt then scrambled up.
"Ugh…too many cookies…" Yuuno groaned and had he hands they would have been massaging his aching stomach. "Your mother wouldn't stop feeding me."
"You could have stopped eating" Nanoha remarked.
"They tasted too good" was his somewhat lacklustre reply.
Sighing and bopping him on the head which was flush against her neck, she started the somewhat annoying and tiring walk up the steps. "You vomit on me and you're going to be taste-testing Kyoya's own…creations" Nanoha murmured before stopping to shudder at that. "I swear I saw it move" she whispered with horror turning her face white before she resumed the trek up the stairs.
Above…a beast snarled.
Nanoha vaulted the last few steps with a leap before paling as her vision was filled with black as something…gargantuan barrelled toward her. She could only capture parts of it with her eyes.
The teeth.
The glowing red eyes.
Did I mention the teeth? Big razor-sharp canines that glistened with saliva.
Nanoha didn't know what made her do it. Later she'd claim instinct or even fear to try and keep it away. Thrusting her hand forward with fist clenched tight, a blue gauntlet shimmered around her hand for a second and as it struck the dog in the slavering maw with a wet crunch the same thought as the night before echoed in her mind like a ghost.
Veneficus Punch
A moment after being struck the dog was blown backwards with tiles rippling below the point of impact courtesy of a tiny shockwave generated by the impact.
Pulling Raising Heart out, Nanoha was about to ask it to activate when the gem gleamed as if lit from within and magic blazed into existence around her.
This time fortunately not ripping up the tiles.
Two gauntlets fully manifested upon her hands before the rest of the outfit materialised as if being woven from magic. And truly that was what was happening. Magic was being woven according to the thought pattern imprinted upon Raising Heart.
Lifting a hand and snapping questing fingers clad in blue chrome metal around the smooth shaft of Raising Heart, she smiled as the magic engulfing her parted like angel wings to retract back into nothingness. Lightly dropping to the ground and testing her grip for the first time upon the smooth surface and indeed ever, she found it perfect.
Nanoha carefully eyed the beast before wincing as its crushed face was brought into view. A moment later and the shattered flesh bubbled forward like tar to re-construct the face into what it had been. Gripping Raising Heart tight with one hand and settling into a loose stance so she could dodge if it proved too fast to shield, a smile flitted across her features as the dog was proven to be somewhat slow if large. Muscles rippled under midnight fur and there was hunger within sanguine eyes.
"Nanoha! The Jewel Seed is using a living creature as a host so it'll be slower but stronger than the previous one!" Yuuno shouted as he watched the creature lope towards Nanoha. It had indeed taken a bit to get past the shock of Nanoha summoning part of her battle regalia without Raising Heart activating. That'll be a handy skill if she can master it he thought and he too winced in sympathy as he saw the way Nanoha cradled her arm.
With a roar of primal rage the beast rocketed forward and its hind paws tore divots into the path.
Flinging a hand up and concentrating on the same feeling from the previous night, the feeling of safety and protection, she willed a barrier into being.
And the shimmering square of magic roared into being and started to spin at nearly sonic speeds with a ditch ripped into the flagstones of the temple path. Watching in slight sympathy as the beast crashed into it, Nanoha felt like vomiting as the beast was ripped apart along the right side of its flank and head due to its twisting in mid-air to try and avoid the shield.
"Barrier Burst" came the synthetised female voice of Raising Heart as it sensed the disquiet of its master and the elevated heart-rate.
Rapidly folding down into an almost-singularity, the magic within the barrier ignited and exploded away from Nanoha and right into the beast with a shaft spiking right through its stomach and emerging out the other side in a thick splatter of shadowy gore.
"Jewel Seed Seal" Nanoha commanded. Noticing the head extend forward about three inches and two flaps spring open, Nanoha was not prepared for one red and one white wing to unfurl from the slots revealed. "Seal!" she ordered with perhaps a touch more vindictiveness than necessary but her arm was aching badly as the muscles twitched in pain.
Catching sight of the beast lying on its injured side and smoking with no legs, Nanoha decided that the sealing would be a merciful one despite how it was done.
As before the same square swirled into being like a whirlpool before anchoring its four points and the rest of the array stabilised.
As before magic shot inwards and Nanoha swept the staff down in a slashing move. Ribbons of white and red magic rocketed forward from her staff though the point of origin was difficult to determine. Wrapping around the creature and acting in a manner similar to pythons, they started to constrict inwards whilst spinning rapidly and just like a saw ripped inwards.
The shadowy material vanished and a slightly scorched dog dropped to the ground with just a bit of its hair smouldering. A Jewel Seed was left floating in the air and glowing with the roman numerals for sixteen on its surface.
Walking forward and tapping the red jewel of Raising Heart against the seed and smiling in relief as the dangerous artefact was absorbed like water absorbs a thrown stone, Nanoha turned to Yuuno. "Let's go then, shall we?" she asked as the regalia faded and she was left massaging her arm and biting her lower lip.
"Nanoha…I know using the gauntlet hurts but you willed it into being without Raising Heart activating. That's definitely a skill to master" Yuuno urged as he scrambled back up from his position beside Nanoha. He had leapt down as she started the transformation for he didn't want to experience the sensation. And he wasn't sure that he wouldn't be absorbed by the magic and added to the outfit.
A pair of ferret fur boots whilst stylish was not something he was hoping to be in the future.
"Yeah…I'll try Yuuno" Nanoha wearily commented as her arm throbbed painfully. "But for now…time to go home. I so don't want to be discovered here" she stated and gestured to the lightly smoking area.
"Agreed."
"Thought you would, ferret changeling."
"Oi!"