Side Story Interlude: Magical Talents

“Before that I have a question, Master Uklag.” Catherine says. Uklag isn’t particularly fond of the interruption but allows her to speak. “I wondered, you once mentioned that you could see the natural flow of magic to an extent that allowed you to draw runes, how does that work?” Dorian also seems very curious upon the revelation.

Uklag on the other hand is baffled. “They don’t teach you that?” he asks with absolute confusion. “Well nobody taught me anything.” Dorian mumbles. “Have you not read the ‘Carthabathena Grande Compendium of Magic’?” They both shake their heads. “In Estara that is seen as blasphemous text, being from a society where men were allowed to be mages and all that.” Catherine explains.

A loud clapping noise as Uklag hits his palm against his forehead. “How are you the greatest civilization in the known world? Well, I should just be thankful that my old mistress had that book in her library then. Listen up then, you dumbasses.

Every mage awakens to one of the four basic schools: Evocation, Alteration, Conjuration or Transmutation. Depending on which one you awaken to you gain an advantage, many call them gifts but I personally prefer Magical Talent.

As you may have guessed by that somebody who awakens to Transmutation is able to see the natural flow of magic and form runes depending on what he sees. Where other people have to learn the runes, the Talented can simply read the form from the flow of the world, like other people read letters in a book.

Alteration on the other hand gives you the ability to see the magical flow within people, making it much easier to read emotions, hidden desires and the likes.

Conjuration is a bit more complicated. They don’t exactly see the flow of anything, they are more sensible to let’s say….weak spots in the fabric of our realm. They sense the best spots to set up rituals, or even communicate with the other side without actually summoning a demon. The very few mages that awaken Conjuration first usually go crazy from their Talent, as the voices of higher demons whisper to them, sometimes the Arch Demon of Incubi or Imps even tries to get their influence on them.

Lastly we have Evocation. Most mages awaken to Evocation so it is not widely realized but the Talented of this group actually have wider magic channels and the ability to control the flow of their own magic to a much higher degree than the other mages.”

The duo in front of them waits for a couple of seconds before Catherine asks a question. “Does that mean that I, hypothetically, will one day be stronger than you, Master Uklag?” Uklag laughs, “Well, hypothetically, yes. You will certainly have higher destructive capabilities but I think I will have to remind you of a little something.”

He raises his staff. “Even though Evocation is the most dangerous of magic schools, no one is able to beat an Enchanter who has enough time to prepare.” Catherine nods. Dorian looks at his hands. “I have learnt something already.” He mumbles. “Talents, huh?”