Magic Manipulation
(Arcane)
M.M. is a skill that most mages are able to execute. It can be extremely easy for elemental magic, thanks to the existence of Birthmarks. However, for manipulating the arcane, it can prove to be extremely difficult, nearly impossible.
Traditional M.M. is conducted primarily by skilled mages through visualizing guiding a stream of water with your wrists and fingers. One is taught that inner peace, and especially physical relaxation such as slow breaths and closing your eyes to dull all worldly senses, is absolutely required to pull off such complicated spells.
It is worth mentioning that M.M. is NOT a spell. It is merely the act of manipulating an existing, fired spell. You can’t control something that doesn’t exist.
Going back to the actual process of manipulation, unlike magic created through a Birthmark, which requires you to be in a state of absolute mental peace, for Arcane, you must be far more aggressive and commanding. Rather than smooth and deliberate movements, you are jerking and twisting your body for a strong visualization.
The reason for this is simple: Birthmarks offer a natural filter for the outputting magic, pacifying the arcane siphoned through the soul and magical gears. This is why elemental magic is much weaker compared to arcane, but is generally much safer. However, without the use of Birthmarks, the magic you’re attempting to control is much more violent. If you try to apply the techniques for elemental manipulation to the arcane, you will lose control of your actions and spells.
Manipulating is quite easy, but to actually catch the magic requires a bit more practice and patience. Unlike elemental magic, which sends some sort of visual, sensory, or auditory feedback such as heat or cold, arcane magic requires you to catch living energy itself, which is far easier said than done.
Start by grasping the magic in your mind first. The sensation is close to as if a long piece of metal inside your arm is being shot out. Brace yourself for the shot, and mentally start bending early. Your body will feel ten times heavier, and you’ll have trouble manipulating at first, but the earlier you pre-plan, the easier it is. This is why arcane magic is best used as a strategic form of combat, rather than reactive.
However, in the case that you’ve already shot the spell and weren’t prepared, a way to forcefully grip the magic is by forcing all your magical energy into your limb. Break through the invisible barrier between the world and the Manastream. Pierce, but don’t punch. Let your skin feel the cool breeze of the energy of the world. Gently graze the spell, then physically clutch it.
This will allow you to grab arcane magic without fail. Beware, mistiming this could result in an exploding limb.
It is also worth noting that in order to even pierce into the Manastream, you must be circulating a tremendous amount of magical energy within your body first, and then into the limb you’re using. This cannot be performed under lax circumstances.
Manipulation should be one of the first things you learn after Arcane Blast, since it allows for further and more advanced techniques in combat.
- Kuno