Chapter Eighteen: The Four Branches of Arcane Arts

Terra Era 1589.2.17
Deer Academy, Wing A (Basement Level 1)
Grand Hall - Plaza 2077

"Signs and symbols are aggregates of concepts, and thaumaturgic formulas are built precisely upon these concepts."

"Take these two symbols, for example: the former represents the spear and shield, derived from the weapons of the God of War, while the latter represents a mirror, derived from the mirror held by the Goddess of Beauty."

"Ancient Terra scholars initially used these symbols to denote celestial bodies, while alchemists used them to represent iron and copper, respectively. Today, these two types of symbols are primarily used to represent genetics and the male and female genders."

Professor Laungen paced around the hall as he lectured the students behind him. As he spoke, the holographic projections used for instruction thoughtfully displayed images and real-time subtitles.

"And what I am about to discuss next are the Four Great Sigils of Thaumaturgy."

Laungen led the students to a thaumaturgy firing range, where scarecrows were placed fifty meters away.

"The Four Great Sigils of Thaumaturgy are: Sharp, Square, Slow, and Smooth."

As Laungen spoke, the screen behind him displayed the four symbolic icons:
[· Sharp ◇ · Square □ · Slow △ · Smooth ○]

"The Four Great Sigils are used for morphological construction, which is the construction of a field—the construction of a concept."

"This is how an ARad field is formed, and there are three other factors that influence the ARad field."

Laungen waved his hand at the holographic projection, and new content appeared:

[The Three Factors of Thaumaturgy]
· Loudness: Determines the intensity of the field and its capacity for interference.
· Frequency: Determines its level of stability.
· Timbre: Determines its attributes. To put it simply, this is 'affinity.' Some people have a unique EVE particle timbre that makes casting spells related to 'water/liquid' exceptionally smooth. This is affinity for 'water/liquid,' also known as the 'thaumaturgic relative position.'"

"Next, I will demonstrate this for you. Everyone, please summon your lineages and feel it carefully." A heavy, blue-bound book appeared before the crowd. Its edges were inlaid with gold, and the cover featured a lifelike stag with vibrant, multicolored antlers.

Following Laungen’s instructions, the students began to summon their own lineage books. However, their books were paper-thin, paling in comparison to the one Laungen had summoned.

Laungen raised his right hand, forming it into the shape of a pistol. He deliberately expanded the weave of his formula, and a small, rotating fireball appeared on his index finger. With a sharp "bang," the head of a scarecrow fifty meters away was pierced through.

"Did you feel that?" Laungen asked, looking at the students.

"Loudness: 5dB; Frequency: 200–350Hz; the waveform has distinctively sharp peaks and valleys..." A soft voice drew the attention of the surrounding students, who turned to look at the girl who had spoken.

She was a woman with old-fashioned glasses and an outstanding figure. She was clutching her blue-bound book, sensing the weave Laungen had just expanded, and had answered instinctively when he asked his question.

"Very good." Laungen looked at the student, named Camille, with appreciation.

Camille only then realized what had happened. Seeing all her classmates staring at her, she suddenly felt embarrassed and instinctively looked toward a golden figure in front of her.

Xia Xiu smiled and gave Camille a thumbs-up, which immediately filled her with confidence. Camille’s roommate, a three-eyed girl named Ushas, happily patted Camille with her large palm, the immense strength of the gesture leaving the latter terrified.

"Students, please look at the screen," Professor Laungen continued his lecture.

[Fireball Spell]
++ ARad Field: Sharp ◇ — [Fire]
++ Loudness: 5dB
++ Timbre: Non-constant wave (Ruby)
++ Frequency: 200–350Hz

"This is the weave for the applied thaumaturgy—the Fireball Spell. Its construction is perfectly suited for you newly awakened thaumaturges; your average loudness should be around 7, and your frequency should also be around 500Hz."

"As that student just mentioned, the waveform of my ARad field during casting shows obvious peaks and valleys."

"The waveform of the Sharp sigil is jumpy, similar to an ECG or seismic wave chart, showing clear, sharp peaks and valleys. If you see this type of sigil in a magic circle, it means the circle will undergo a violent release of energy, such as a manifestation spell, and it will be at least a Level 4 amplitude process."

"The Sharp sigil generally corresponds to a steeper ARad field waveform, usually used for high-amplitude processes, and its manifestation is quite violent."

Laungen spoke, raising his right hand again in the pistol gesture. This time, however, there was nothing in his hand. Just as the students were feeling puzzled, another scarecrow in the distance suddenly exploded with a "bang."

"The Slow sigil (△) generally corresponds to a smooth ARad field waveform, usually used for small-scale processes that require concealment or localized effects. Its manifestation is quite stable," Laungen continued.

"The waveform of the Slow sigil consists of lines with smaller amplitudes. Compared to the Sharp sigil, its manifestation is much gentler, making it unsuitable for high-energy requirements. Because the energy fluctuation is relatively small, its concealment is excellent. Therefore, it is generally used in small-scale processes that require secrecy or localized processes where the release does not need to be violent. You will rarely see it in high-level processes."

"Students, please watch carefully again."

This time, Laungen stomped his right foot. The students instinctively looked at the scarecrows, but they had guessed the target wrong.

The ground beneath them suddenly bulged upward, and mounds of earth as tall as each student appeared. Then, the mounds shook violently, and earth sculptures identical to the students emerged before them.

"The Square sigil (□) generally corresponds to a regular ARad field waveform, usually used for processes that require long-term driving or have a wide range of effect. Its manifestation is very stable."

After speaking, Professor Laungen snapped his fingers, and a sphere of water suddenly appeared above him.

He snapped his fingers again, and droplets of water like bullets shot out from the water sphere, effortlessly piercing the earth sculptures in front of the students.

"The Smooth sigil (○) generally has no corresponding ARad field waveform; it can be applied to any type of process. Its manifestation is variable, but its stability is poor."

"The four types of spells just now correspond to the four thaumaturgic sigils. They also correspond to the four elemental paths of thaumaturgy: fire, air, earth, and water."

"The first week of basic education is over. Most of you have completed your lineage awakening, and you may now choose your specialized academic group."

"My instruction is concluded, but before I go, I will leave you with an assignment."

"The four elemental thaumaturgy spells I used are the content of your assignment. Every student must master any one of the thaumaturgy spells I used today within one month."

"For specific learning methods, you can check your lineage mailbox; I have attached the relevant content there."

"Alright, class dismissed."