Magic

Magic was the supernatural power employed by certain beings and societies throughout the history of the universe. Capable of performing the otherwise impossible, the art of magic was studied by numerous humans, commonly spellcasters referred to as "mages", and manipulated for a variety of purposes to great effect. While excessively common in earlier eras, magic waned in use and belief during the Third Period in the wake of the Levianta Catastrophe.

History
Used in the creation of the different universes, magic was well practiced in the Second Period before its eventual destruction. Afterward, the god of creation created the Third Period and all its inhabitants, setting up the legacy of the Second Period, Sin, as a monolith for humans to congregate around. With the resulting foundation of the Magic Kingdom Levianta, the majority of magic-wielding clans gathered at the nation and became the most advanced magical society of the world.

Following the kingdom's destruction in the Levianta Catastrophe, a vast majority of mage families were wiped out, leaving only the shamans scattered around the Evillious region and the few surviving bloodlines settling on the fringes of Levianta's territory. As the centuries progressed, magic became a rarer and rarer art and shamans began to die out with the rise of formal medical professions. By the 6th century EC, magic was regarded as little more than myth.

As time passed, magic use continued to diminish in the Evillious region and only a handful of practitioners existed. In the Eastern region of the Bolganio continent, magic use continued to be upheld and recorded in the region's Eastern Magic Records, as far as the mid EC 800s.

Mechanics
At a certain level, magic is omnipotent and has the potential to do anything imaginable, allowing it to create or bend the natural laws of the universe. Due to its metaphysical nature, it is able to manipulate life and the elements or create something entirely out of nothing. In the Third Period, magical power is greatly influenced by the moon. Depending on the time of month when the moon undergoes different phases, magical power can either be stronger or weaker. During the full moon in particular, magical power is at its strongest and can even completely rejuvenate one's magical power.

Magic exists within select individuals or bloodlines and is passed down onto descendants throughout the generations. As a result, magic users' magical talent and ability vary and most humans have little to no magical power at all. As such, only individuals born with great magical talent are capable of performing complex spells, while others would have extreme difficulty even casting simple spells. In contrast, spirits, gods, and demons hold a great amount of magical power and can perform a plethora of abilities or powers that humans cannot. Regardless, gods and demon can lend their power to humans even if they lack any innate magical ability.

As a result of possessing magic, users are able to detect and recognize magic in other beings or objects and can feel a certain of difference between a magic user and a regular human. Trained practitioners can therefore seek out and train disciples to the art, passing on the knowledge to an apprentice who would repeat the process. Likewise, unique magical abilities that can manifest in certain bloodlines can be continually passed down within the clan to preserve its existence and use. Similarly, objects could be created and imbued with magic, making these "magic tools" or devices serve some practical use for the owner.

Combat
Whether through arranged duels or informal encounters, numerous mages enter combat with other mages or similar magic users. Because magic relies so heavily on the moon, mage combat on the night of a full moon is both the most advantageous and risky, putting both parties at their most powerful. Due to the flexible utility of magic, a majority of magic types are useful for combat.

Tactically, mages take on a variety of approaches to battle; some prefer to place most of their magic power early on and quickly overwhelm the opponent while others prefer to conserve magical power and draw out fights until finding an opening in the opponent's attacks. Because of the required focus and time needed to perform some spells, mages can falter under pressure and be forced on the defensive.

The environment is also extremely important for mage combat as some magic relied on preexisting elements to cast or supplement their spells, leaving a mage powerless in certain environments. Likewise, mages are especially susceptible to ambushes, assassinations, and traps if not properly prepared. If properly set up, a mage can quickly turn a battle to their favor before the combat even actually begins.

Mages
Magicians, or mages, are formally trained spellcasters and the most common practitioner of magic. Mages could learn from a variety of different magics, making them particularly diverse in their specialization. A master mage typically passed on their knowledge to an apprentice. Many mages formed clans specializing in certain magics or blood-inherited magic abilities. They were often considered idyllic and bewitchingly beautiful people. Mages were originally numerous during the reign of the Magic Kingdom Levianta. After the Levianta Catastrophe, the surviving mages' knowledge slowly died out over time. Mages eventually became considered the product of fairy tales and fiction.

Shamans
Shamans are medicine men or women specializing in healing. Shamans used their magic ability to give them a stronger connection with the natural and spirit worlds, allowing them to communicate with both spirits and gods. Using their knowledge, shamans studied the practice of conventional medicine and used their craft to help heal injuries and sickness or relieve pain. They largely existed in Elphegort and were members of the Held sect. Following the Levianta Catastrophe, humans continued to advance technologically and require "formal" medicinal licenses for taxing, leaving shamans to slowly die out over time.

Witches
Witches is a term typically associated with powerful and typically malevolent female magic users. Witches were often associated with death and destruction. Like mages, witches died out in the years following the Levianta Catastrophe. They eventually became considered the product of fairy tales and fiction, commonly stereotyped as old hags in black robes with cat familiars that gave off a sinister aura.

Ziz Tiama
A rare species of octopus that resides in the Hark Sea. Originally used as a sacrifice in the Magic Kingdom Levianta, 70% of the creature's population was consumed. When it reemerged centuries after Levianta's collapse, it was sometimes used for medicinal purposes in Marlon but otherwise exported to Beelzenia. Although its food purposes were discovered by Banica Conchita, the creature was largely uneaten centuries after her death due to its grotesque appearance. The octopus has powerful magical properties and can be sacrificed to conjure a large rainstorm. When combined with dust shaved from the Golden Key, the ziz tiama's ink becomes a powerful healing elixir. A powerful mage can also transform the creature into a large, kraken-like monster.

Very Amazing Green Onion
A magic tool used for long-distance communication by mages, crafted during the magic kingdom's era and based on an ancient divine creation. By retaining the magic of its owner, the user can have the tool pick up its frequency and allow the users to communicate. It emits a dazzling light when actively used and flashes when the owner is attempting to contact the user. It is exceptionally hard, making it easy to settle in soft earth to stand on its own. Because the tool deteriorates over time, it must sealed in a special box to prevent decay and cannot be used too frequently.

Vessels of Sin
Artifacts used to house the Demons of Sin, serving to hold their true bodies even when the Demon is in possession of a host. The vessels are imbued with magical properties due to the Demons dwelling within them, which can be wielded by the owners of the vessels at risk of the owner becoming possessed and influenced by the Demons of Sin; these effects can be nullified by a skilled magic user sealing and trapping the demon within the vessel. It is also believed that gathering all vessels together will grant the wish of the user. The vessels are capable of Awakening, which manifests in them creating human forms.

Sin
An ark-shaped relic of the Second Period that was used by Sickle to contain Levia and Behemo in the Third Period. During the rule of Magic Kingdom Levianta, the ark was able to bring the dead back to life, although use of the device was forbidden. Its malfunction was capable of creating a huge wave of destruction which spanned an entire country.

Curiosities

 * According to mothy, only one of the Vessels of Sin was a magical artifact before housing a Demon.