[] Read the book
-[] Of Eastern and Western Magic
-x-
Officially speaking, Magic is divided into two styles—Eastern and Western, both of which are based on their own regions. Unofficially speaking, there are more
than those styles of Magic, but the chance of you ever meeting a practicioner of said specific Magic outside of their own region is nil, and much information regarding them are either false or overly-exaggerated, so for the sake of simplicity, this book will only be discussing both of these styles.
Now, before we go into the details, let's talk about the general difference and similarities between the two. Regionally speaking, Western magic is a system based on Europe, which as time went on, it spread its influence over throughout the influence—basically speaking, if you meet a Mage, there's a big chance that said Mage is a Western on. Meanwhile, Eastern magic is based around in Asia, though where it came from specifically, is still a randomly based guess. Currently, Japan seems to be the most likely source.
Preferencially speaking, Eastern Magic is generally the more down-to-earth of the two, involving the usage of Ki—or Qi—instead of Mana. What Ki is will be explained further throughout the book—although it can be shortly explained that Ki is basically your own energy. Western Magic, however, involves the usage of Mana, and unlike Ki, Mana comes from the air around us.
Despite the seemingly vast difference between the two, there are some similarities, although they are not by much. Aside from that, it is worth nothing that even though you are capable of utilizing one style, it doesn't mean you can't utilize the other. Although, it's a given warning that it may not be wise, as Eastern Mages and Western Mages are always in a quarrel, for one reason or another.
...
Although it may be from bias, it is in my belief that Western Magic is more vast in its selection department—going back to the part where I said that Western Magic is leaning to the Fantasy
side of the spectrum, and if you have read some fairytales or books where it depicts the classic style Magician, then you'll get the outline reason of why. Basically, other than your own power, talent, and innovation, there is no conceivable limit of where can't take things further
.
Generally speaking, all you need to have to study the Western School of Mages is a proper teacher, good enough Willpower to hold on those Mana, Catalysts, and knowledge on how to speak and understand Latin and Ancient Greek for Incantations. Although Ancient Greek is supposedly optional, unless you want to reach those high-level magic.
Other than that, the Western School of Mages emphasizes the importance of the Mage as a part of a team, wherein the mage would cast spells, whilst their partner or allies will provide support, such as protecting the mage. In this perspective, the Mage in question would focus onto two main focusses: The Support—which includes magic barriers, healing, and precognition—or Assault—which means firing so much things that it would be near impossible to dodge, or one powerful enough to break the foe's magic barrier.
...
Despite as I had previously mentioned Eastern magic being down-to-earth, it is still worth noting that this style is still larger in the varieties of spells
. And instead of utilizing Mana, this uses Ki, which I will explain further down below. Unlike Western Magic, Eastern Magic does not necessarily need an activation incantation, thus making it more efficient.
Also unlike Western Magic, the Eastern School of Mages emphasizes the mage as a lone agent, armed with spells that are mainly used to confuse and disrupt rather than playing a role in direct combat. To compensate for that, Eastern mages use something similar of their counterpart's partner, which in this case, involves in summoning an Assault Demon and Protective Demon through their Talisman Monsters. Along with Ki, these will be explained down belo—
()_()_()
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Your heart jumps right up to your throat, the book slips from your hands as your legs promptly jerk up—
bang!—and you hiss in pain as your knees hit the edge of the table. You can't quite hide the slight whimper away as you clutch at your knees. Another reason why your Unicorn body is superior than your Human one.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
You growl, and despite the temptation, you push down the urge to just tell whoever behind the door to just get away. "Who is it?" You call out, unable to hide your annoyance and pain from your voice.
There's a moment of silence, "Uh, it's Negi, Shimmer-san." the familiar sounding voice responds. "Uh, are you alright in there?"
You sniff a bit, glaring at the ceiling. "I'm fine!"
You glance over the clock, and nod to yourself.
Yep, school was over thirty minutes ago. Time does fly when you're too deep into a book—especially one that's both insightful and helpful. By any stretch, you won't be doing one of the fancy spells the book described, but you think you got the Passive Magical Barrier thing down. Of course, you'll need to try it before you could be sure it'll work.
Shaking your head, you turn to the fallen book with a look of contemplation. Where did you leave it, again? It's around page 216, if you remember right. At least, at the beginning of the Eastern style of magic, so you could check the book's index. Snorting, you pick up the book and promptly place it over the table.
With a groan, you hesitantly slide out of your sit, and climb up to your feet. Your legs are numb, feeling pinpricks from seating in the same position for so long, and you can't quite help feeling hungry, considering you only ate a chocolate bread for lunch—it seems that whether you like it or not, you're going to eat that pork bun, unless you want to pass the night with empty stomach.
The thought puts a slight damper on your mood, but
damn it, you're Sunset Shimmer, and you're not going to start brooding simply because you got to eat meat.
The pinpricks on your legs are slowly, but steadily gaining a feel, and with that thought, you decide to stretch your limbs—groaning in pleasure as they release cracks and pops. Deeming that your legs are good enough, you unbalancedly wobble up to the room's exit.
You fiddle with the lock for a moment, before you hear a resounding click. Swinging it open, you're not surprised by Negi-sensei standing in front of you, a familiar but bandaged staff hanging on his back.
It's also very much quiet.
You blink, before promptly crane your head to check the hallway. No students. "Shouldn't they be here, already?" You question idly.
"Oh," you glance down, just in time to see him smile. "I think they are still participating for their own club, Shimmer-san."
Ah, that makes sense. Nodding, you return to the threshold of the door, and give your prodigal teacher—and apparently a mage—a curious look. "Is there anything I could help, Negi-sensei?"
"Ah?" he intoned, before shaking his head immediately. "It's nothing, but..." he trails off, looking somewhat unsure of himself. Then he proceeds to give you a look that only kittens and puppies could replicate. It's adorable, in the same passing way that a well-made plushie is cute. "...can we talk inside? As long as you don't mind, of course..."
You stare your teacher for a moment, wondering if Ku Fei would mind. She doesn't seem to be the kind, though. With that thought, you shrug and take a step back. "Sure, come on in."
He cheers visibly, but not enough to hide his nervousness. "Thank you, Shimmer-san." Politely, he takes a step inside, "And, ah, sorry for intruding." It goes unmentioned that he's probably a bit late to say that.
"Go take a seat inside, Sensei," you say. "I'll join you quickly."
"Ah, okay," he nods timidly, before hurrying into the 'living room'.
Taking a moment of breath, you
quickly throw yourself out, looking over both ways. Still empty. Perhaps you're just being too paranoid, but for some reason, you can't quite shake the feeling of being watched—"Maybe it's just my imagination?" you mutter, shaking your head as you turn back inside, not forgetting to close and lock the door.
It certainly doesn't ease your mind that Evangeline seems to be the kind of girl who would go for vengeance. Another reason why you should improve yourself quick.
Negi-sensei is already making himself comfortable when you return to the 'living room', sitting deep on
your spot, and twiddling with the staff on his lap. Rather frequently, his eyes would glance over your books, and as if restraining himself, he would suddenly find the gleaming surface of the coffee table extremely interesting.
Taking a seat on the opposite side of the table, and feeling slightly amazed that he didn't notice you, your fingers loudly tap at the table.
"Ah!" He jumps on his sit, head snapping right at you, eyes wide in surprise.
When he doesn't seem like responding anytime soon, you sigh, "Is there anything I could help with, Sensei?"
It seems to take a moment before the question actually enters his mind. "Ah, uh," he fumbles anxiously, and it takes a moment, before he seems to have gathered his thoughts. "Err, I'm just here to check if you're fine Shimmer-san. It's my duty as a teacher to ensure your health, after all!" He smiles brightly, growing confident at the end of his sentence.
You squirm a bit, "...Thanks, I suppose?" you reply, feeling slightly unsure. "Is that everything?"
And just like that, he deflates to a squirming mess. "Also..." rather suddenly, he bows to you. "I want to thank you for saving me yesterday. And I apologize if my intrusion yesterday had messed up your plans regarding Evangeline-san!"
You blink in surprise, and then again in confusion as you process his words. Tilting your head, the question comes out without a thought, "I'm sorry, what?"
"Eh?" Now it's his turn to blink in confusion. "W-well," he stutters, arms flailing as if to describe something beyond your comprehension. "I-it's obvious that you had everything with Evangeline-san under control yesterday, and then I barged in thinking that you were in danger and falling into Evangeline's trap, and probably messed your plan by a lot." Then he hangs his head, a cloud of gloom over his head. "And at the end, I didn't do anything to actually help you."
Eh. While you appreciate the praise regarding your 'competence', you can't fully take all the credit. No, that way lies the path of arrogance, and you don't
want to follow the same path anymore. And
especially when when I had pretty much failed in the 'competence' department—and you acknowledge that mistake. After all, acknowledging the problem is the first step to fix said problem. Sure, you came out
relatively unscathed, but you're sure if things went differently, you won't be sitting here at the moment.
You shake your head with a sigh. "Contrary to what you believe, Negi-sensei, you actually helped me by a lot yesterday." You admit honestly. And isn't that a change from the norm? In Equestria, others were the ones that needed your help, not the other way around. "In fact, if you didn't come yesterday, I would either lose from fighting both Chachamaru and Evangeline, or just spirited away to somewhere that's definitely not here." You nod your head. "You actually played a good distraction, yesterday."
"Ah." Somehow, Negi-sensei manages to deflate despite the fact that he was increasingly cheerful midst in your words. He recovers soon enough, smiling in relief. "That's a relief. Even if I didn't do much, at least I was able to help you, Shimmer-san."
You wave a hand dismissively. "It's alright. It's my fault going in without a proper plan, anyway," you can't quite keep the bitter tone lacing your voice as you say that.
"But you were amazing, Shimmer-san!" He exclaims suddenly, much to your surprise. "How you could teleport around like that, and then casting those spells instantly and without any incantation! There's also that gravity thing you did to Evangeline, and that's not even counting the last spell you used! It was amazing, Shimmer-san."
It takes you a moment, before you finally figure out the expression upon Negi-sensei's face. Admiration. A rather familiar expressions you used to see back in Equestria, where fillies and colts would huddle around you, exclaiming how they would like to be a powerful mage like you. Still, there's a certain
edge around Negi's expression—something that makes what's supposed to be gushings to feel more
heartfelt. Real. More serious perhaps? The word is somehow lost at the edge of your tongue.
Still, you can't help but chuckle. You're not
better yet, but being praised like this is always pleasant—albeit, you can't allow it to force you back to walk the path of arrogance. "Thank you, Negi-sensei." You nod your head at him.
"Ah," he chuckles embarrasedly, idly scratching his cheek. "I was just telling the truth, Shimmer-san. Not a whole lot mages could reach to that level. Whoever taught you must be a genius—eh, Shimmer-san, what's wrong?"
You flinch, closing your eyes as you pacingly begin to breathe in and out. Count from ten to one, and back from one two ten. You open your eyes, finding Negi-sensei's concerned stare on you. "It's nothing, Sensei. Just... reminiscing." You finally say.
"Oh." He hangs his head, looking down the table surface. "I'm sorr—"
"It's alright," you cut him off, not quite snapping but by the flinch, it doesn't matter. You take a breath. "No need to apologize, Sensei."
He nods quietly, and the room quitens as awkward silence rolls in, and decides to take nest.
You sigh, groaning inwardly as you curse every fiber of your being for making this whole thing awkward. Tilting your head up to the ceiling, your mind turns into a whirlwind as you figure out ways to break the silence—and finding nothing. You are not good at this thing. Usually, you would just charge through without brakes, or let someone else takes the wheel. But none of those seem to be a good idea in this case.
And a miracle timely graces you with a slight rumbling coming from your stomach.
Negi looks up in surprise and concern. His lips part open—
But before he could speak anything, you jump up to your feet. "Oh look, I forgot to eat lunch. I'm gonna go to the kitchen and grab some nikuman. Do you want one to, Sensei? I mean, technically, it's Ku Fei's, but I don't think she would mind it if I tell her why."
"Uhm—"
"I'll take that as a yes," you exclaim immediately, rushing immediately towards the kitchen for the much needed refuge. And promptly groan as you shut the kitchen door close, your palm taking a nest on your face.
"Uh, are you alright in there, Shimmer-san?"
"I'm alright," you call out immediately. Without further ado, you take two buns from the fridge, take a few deep breaths, and enter the living room. "Here," you place the cold bun before him as cross over and sit on your own spot. "Let's eat!"
He nods, slowly, before unwrapping the proferred pork bun.
Staring at your own pork bun, you hesitantly unwrap its cover. It's cold in your hands, which is perfectly fine. You would be more alarmed if it's warm. Despite it being cold, you can still feel its silky soft bun—and to think that inside, there's the meat of a pig. Closing your eyes, you steel yourself, and immediately take a large bit of the bun.
The vaguely sweet bun spread over your mouth, and hesitantly, you being to chew. A static jerky motion that could barely be called chewing—there's the urge to just spit it out before the pork taste would hit your mouth, but hunger and the sake of not making the entire ordeal any more awkward prevail, and you chew—and then the taste hits.
It's unlike any other. It's an odd texture, but it's sweet and somewhat salty, herbs hidden within the sauce. When you don't think you're going to suddenly puke it out, the jerky motions transform into a much natural one. Then you swallow—feeling the hollowness in your stomach fading as it hits down the spot.
It tastes good.
Gulping, you stare down at the bun in your hands with a conflicted feeling. On one hand, it's not as bad as you had thought, and in fact, you would even say that it's
good. On another, it just feels
wrong. As a pony, while not strictly herbivore, you don't eat
meat. Heck, most ponies don't. The closest they'll ever get to meat are eggs. But you're not a pony anymore, aren't you? And unlike the pigs, chickens or cows in Equestria, the ones in here are not sentient—just dumb animals without a shred of intelligence.
At the end of the day, however, it doesn't matter. You're hungry and the bun is delicous. With that thought in mind, you begin to eat at the bun.
Looking up, you see Negi-sensei giving you an odd look. The pork-bun in his hand idly chewed upon his mouth.
"What?"
"Ah, nothing." he shakes his head.
You sigh.
What now?
[] Shouldn't you be leaving, now?
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