Credits: Anica Mihai
What Is Magical Energy?
From a magi's perspective, magical energy originates from the Small Source within themselves. This unique energy is produced by life through magic circuits, enabling magi to perform the mysteries known as magecraft.
Although magical energy is akin to life force, relying directly on life force to generate magical energy can negatively impact the body.
In addition to the Small Source within the human body, magical energy can also be drawn from the Great Source, which refers to the abundant life force present in the external world—such as the planet, the atmosphere, and other similar sources.
While the Great Source shares almost identical properties to the Small Source, its quantity far exceeds that of the latter. However, the amount of Great Source energy a magi can convert into magical energy at any given time is limited by their magic circuits. Thus, no matter how much external life force is available, it cannot be used indefinitely.
Magical energy is inherently something that remains within the body. Once it escapes into the external world, it immediately reverts to life force and disperses into the Great Source. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as vaporization.
From a broader perspective, magical energy is not fundamentally different from electricity. For instance, the Chaldea Human Order Preservation Organization built a nuclear power plant to convert electricity into magical energy, which is then used to sustain Servants and for daily consumption.
Typically, magical energy has no inherent attributes. It is a pure form of energy, capable of being utilized and accepted by the human body. The distinction in magical energy arises from the properties of its wielder.
Attributes, Origin, and Divinity
Attributes determine the traits of magecraft a magi can easily use and their compatibility with certain forms of magecraft. This is a personal aspect tied to the magi.
If attributes define the fundamental traits of magecraft, Origin delves deeper, defining the essential nature of existence itself. Origin is an innate directionality possessed by every being from birth and is considered inseparable from their very existence.
Divinity refers to a higher, omnipotent form of magical energy mixed with divine essence, such as the energy of Ishtar. For example, Alaric's Origin was forcibly altered by Artoria's intervention, transforming his hidden ■■ Origin into the explicit Dragon Origin of the Red Dragon from the Age of Gods in Britain.
The Red Dragon of Britain is not only rooted in the legend of the British Red Dragon but is also synonymous with the embodiment of Britain itself.
This is akin to how Merlin, together with the last king blessed by Britain—Uther Pendragon—and the bloodline of the Red Dragon (the embodiment of Britain), used conceptual gestation to create the final King of Knights: Arthur Pendragon.
The curse Artoria laid upon Alaric was a reflection of this. From their first encounter, Alaric was no longer a human being, as his very existence became intertwined with Artoria's curse. The Red Dragon's blood served as a guidepost, leading Alaric down a path tied to this world.
Yet, the mysterious black light within Alaric remained an enigma.
The Emergence of the Black Star
"!!"
Splatter!
When Alaric's consciousness sank into the void, his soul glimpsed a fraction of the boundless, black magical energy. In that instant, his brain boiled over, surpassing the limits of what his body could endure. Despite his inhuman vitality, Alaric bled from all seven orifices and collapsed forward!
"What… happened?"
Clinging to his last shred of awareness, Alaric was baffled. Even after scouring humanity's millennia of accumulated knowledge, his mind had never faced such strain. Why had such a drastic change occurred at that moment? He couldn't comprehend it.
Although he couldn't grasp the cause, Alaric realized one undeniable truth: the black, star-like magical energy originated from his soul. Information spilling from his soul tainted his dragon heart, imbuing the magical energy it generated with an inexplicable attribute. This was Alaric's intrusion into this world.
Hiss…!
The black nebula surrounding Alaric expanded, enveloping the peak of Mount Ebih. From Kutha City, one could see a black star rising over the summit of the mythical mountain revered even by the gods.
The Temple of Ishtar, situated atop the peak, disintegrated into dust within the black nebula, vanishing without a trace.
Unaware of this, Alaric clung tightly to the holy lance Rhongomyniad, as though it was his only relief.
Amid the tidal wave of magical energy surging from the earth's leylines, Alaric seemed as insignificant as a lone boat adrift in a stormy sea. Yet, his consciousness remained sharp—more focused than ever before.
Though he couldn't uncover the truth of his soul, Alaric noticed the transformation of his magical energy. It was similar to the moment he had forcibly kissed Ishtar, mirroring the goddess's divine essence.
In that moment, Alaric truly gained Ishtar's divine essence. Like a mirrored reflection, he attained powers only a god could possess—pure, omnipotent divine energy.
Divine Energy and Its Capabilities
Divine energy, while blended into Alaric's magical energy, enhanced its quality and expanded its functionality. It allowed him, as a mortal, to wield the authority of a god.
But what exactly is divine energy, and what can it achieve? To Alaric, it was similar to magical energy but possessed a higher level of mystery due to the presence of divinity.
For instance:
Ishtar's divine energy, a fusion of magic and divinity.
Alaric's pure magical energy, elevated to a level comparable to divine energy.
In terms of usage, divine energy functioned similarly to magical energy. It could enhance physical attributes like strength or agility or be infused into weapons and projectiles for powerful attacks.
The addition of divine energy not only increased the quality of Alaric's magical energy but also expanded its range of capabilities. The most significant change was the manifestation of functional abilities.
From the depths of his mind emerged a name: Enkidu—the chains that pierced his limbs.
Clink…!
Within the black nebula, the crisp sound of metal echoed. Chains, black as night, materialized before Alaric. Not only did he inherit Ishtar's divine essence, but he also mirrored the divine essence of Kingu's weapon, the Chain of Heaven.
Although Kingu (or Enkidu) lacked divinity, their divine essence was a manifestation of mana from the Age of Gods. Alaric's pure magical energy, now comparable to divine energy, shared a similar nature.
By using Ishtar's omnipotent divine energy as a base and Kingu's divine essence as a guide, Alaric created a counterfeit version of the Chain of Heaven. This weapon, constructed through the release of magical energy, allowed him to endlessly produce highly destructive armaments as long as his magical energy remained.