295. The Three Magic Systems
“Wait... it says ‘domain/domains’ in the description.” Her heart skipped a beat. “Does that mean in the future, I might be able to create more than one Origin Domain?!”
The potential was staggering. If she could create multiple domains, she could effectively build an untraceable, indestructible shadow empire right under the Witch’s nose. “Now that the immediate crisis is out of the way... I need to figure out more about this ‘Universal Origin’.”
Opening the novel’s website through the Reputation System, she skimmed through the archived chapters. “From what I’ve observed, the system upgrades every time a Deity’s Odyssey Ring comes into contact with Marie for the first time. That divine light reaction was how the Herptian Church identified Marie as the Saintess in the original novel too.”
“It’s safe to say the Universal Origin artifact, the one that gave me the Reputation System, was created to protect the Saintess,” Ravenna’s brain shifted into high gear. “Since the host needs’ the Saintess alive to further the ‘Attunement,’ it’s natural that whoever holds the artifact would be driven to protect her, even if only for selfish gain.”
“It makes total sense why Hero Luminous, who held this power before me, had to help the Saintess defeat the Witch in history.” Ravenna nodded to herself as the pieces clicked together, but then another possibility struck her. “But if I look at it from another angle... could the artifact have been intended for the Saintess herself?”
“After all, the only way to upgrade the Attunement level is to have the Saintess nearby when the Odyssey Ring reacts. It makes more sense that it reacts this way because the power was meant for her.” Ravenna felt she was grazing the skin of a profound truth. “It’s either a protective measure to provide the Saintess with a guardian, or it’s a tool intended for her to wield directly.” This was the conclusion she arrived at.
Northern Basic Education Academy, Herptian Church, Northern City, Kim Dukedom, Kim Island, Acorna Empire
“Leo’s education card has been authenticated, Mister Rafael Melos.” The priest smiled, placing a gentle hand on Leo’s shoulder. “I’ll guide him to the classroom now. You just have to return at 3:00 PM to pick him up. Rest assured, your little brother is in good hands.”
Rafael nodded, feeling a weight lift from his chest. Now that the paperwork was finished, he could head to the Administrative Office for his own workday. He watched Leo skip into the academy, a place that looked more like a palace than a school to someone from the Otto City.
Leo’s day was a blur of wonder until the most anticipated class of the afternoon began. The instructor wasn't a priest like the others, but a young man, a top student from the Advanced Education Academy.
“So, does everyone here know about magic? Can anyone tell me what they know?” the instructor asked, leaning against his desk.
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“Magic spells are performed by flowers!” the children shouted in unison.
The young man smiled. “Very good. But that is only one type of magic.” He turned to the chalkboard, writing the word ‘MAGIC’ in bold letters with three distinct lines branching downward. “In our world, there are actually three types of magic.”
He drew a quick, elegant sketch of a flower. “The first is Floral Magic. This is the everyday magic we use. Flowers convert sunlight into mana, which we then channel to perform spells. It is the magic of nature and industry.”
“Oh...” the children murmured, fascinated by the explanation.
The young man drew a second line and wrote: Divine Magic. “Next is Holy Magic. This is not something one simply performs; it is bestowed by the Gods. Devotees essentially borrow power from their deities.”
He tapped the board for emphasis. “For example, contracts use Divine Magic to bind people, which is why everyone pays oath fees to the priests to have their documents notarized. The blessings that Apostles receive and the power within Divine Objects like the Odyssey Rings are all part of Divine Magic.”
“So it’s like... borrowing strength because you have a connection?” Leo asked, trying to grasp the concept.
The instructor nodded. “Exactly, Leo. It’s the spiritual link between the devotee and their deity that allows them to manifest a blessing.”
Finally, the young man drew the third line and wrote: Legendary Magic. He smiled mysteriously. “Legendary Magic is a type of magic that can fundamentally alter reality itself. It exists mostly in ancient records, and only a handful of people alive today have ever witnessed it.”
“Are there no examples of it now?” a girl asked from the front row.
The young man shook his head. “There are examples, but they are rare. It is said the Hero Luminous used a unique power called the Universal Origin. It fits the criteria because it could change the very laws of reality. But if I must give you a present-day example...”
He tapped the desk, his expression turning serious. “It would be the magic used by the Witch of the West.”
“What?!” the children gasped.
The instructor nodded. “That’s right. The term ‘Legendary Magic’ was actually coined hundreds of years ago by Lady Celestia after she witnessed the terrifying scale of the Witch’s powers.”
Ravenna’s Study, Lord’s Castle, Kim City, Kim Island, Kim Dukedom, Acorna Empire
The soft scratch of a pen was the only sound in the room as Ravenna stared at her status window.
“Since the Universal Origin is classified as Legendary Magic,” Ravenna theorized, tapping her chin, “then it stands to reason the Witch must also be bound by some sort of attunement requirements. Power of that magnitude doesn't just exist in a vacuum; it needs to be similar to mine somehow.”
She leaned back, her mind racing toward the mainland. “I should have Duke Morgen coordinate a quiet infiltration into the Imperial Museum in the east wing of the Imperial Palace, the same vault where I first found the Artifact.”
She let out a frustrated huff, her eyes narrowing as she recalled the day of her exile. “Surely there must be more information hidden in those archives. If only I hadn't been forced to rush away from the capital like a criminal, I would have stripped that room of every coin, treasure, scroll and scrap of parchment.”
Ravenna finished the last of the sweets on her table, the sugar providing a brief spark of energy for the long day ahead. She muttered to herself, “If I get the chance.. Next time, I’ll check the room properly. Every stone, every hidden compartment.”
Standing up and smoothing out the wrinkles in her dress, she felt the lingering tension of the day's diplomacy weighing on her shoulders.
“I should take a bath before the next meeting,” she decided, heading toward the door. “I can’t have Alice scolding me in front of my officials.”