Magic

In The Rising of the Shield Hero, Magic is a power system which is deeply ingrained the the worlds' cultures. Magic is typically an invisible substance, however, a few individuals like Naofumi can perceive it. Monsters are occasionally called magic beasts due to their affinity with magic. The magic beasts with the highest magic affinity are the Filolial and Dragons if Guardian Beasts like the Spirit Tortoise who is capable of using unique magic skills such as super-gravity magic aren't considered. There is some variance in how magic works between different worlds.

Overview
Magic is regulated by the amount of mana (MP) and the level of skill possessed by the caster. The main types of magic casting are Ritual, Ceremonial, and Way of the Dragon Vein, but there are also some forms of magic that aren't part of any system and may require magic circles and/or rituals such as a "Class Up." Casting typically requires an incantation to shape and focus the magic power, however, skilled magic users can cast without and incantation at the cost of greatly reduced power.

The power of tiered magic from weakest to strongest are as follows:


 * First/Fast-class: The first-level spells typically seen in beginner spell books.
 * Zweite-class: Intermediate-level spells which are usually used by advanced spell casters.
 * Drifa-class: The highest level of spell typically available to non-heroes. Casters which use these spells are typically extremely capable.
 * Sacrifice-class: This class of spell provides great power in exchange for a great cost. This class of spell utilizes Way of the Dragon Vein magic to power the spell with the targets' life force. When Naofumi used Sacrifice Aura, this significantly reduced the target's stats for 2-3 months.
 * Liberation-class: This hero-exclusive class of spell is the highest level as of Light Novel Volume 23. Liberation-class magic uses MP from the user's magic reserves, energy from the surroundings using Way of the Dragon Vein bound with SP from the Holy Weapon's skill power reserves to empower these spells..

These spells can be further improved by training, buff spells, or integrating Energy Points/life force into the spells.

Magic Types
Each ritual spell is categorized by its function and its element (if applicable) as shown in the two examples below. If a person has affinity with the spell-type(s), they will be able to learn and cast that spell There are a rare few that can use all types of magic equally.

Magic categorized by function includes, but is not limited to: Attack, Support, Recovery, and Illusion.

Magic categorized by element includes, but is not limited to: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Light, and Shadow. Magic elements have strengths and weaknesses against each other. For example, fire is weak to water and water is weak to electricity.

Ritual Magic
Ritual magic is the single most common type by far and typically refers to First to Drifa-class spells. It is able to be learned and cast by anyone who have sufficient MP, but most people have affinities for specific types of magic such as support, fire or healing. The verbal component of ritual spells only requires the name of the spell to be said. The name includes the class of spell and optionally if the spell is meant for multiple targets.

For example:


 * "All Zweite Aquashot" is intermediate class magic that launches multiple orbs of high-pressured water. The "All" prefix notes that this spell is meant for multiple targets, "Zweite" is the class of the spell and "Aquashot" is the spell itself being cast. Aquashot is a water-type attack spell.


 * "First Guard" is a basic buff spell. The lack of the "All" prefix notes that this is meant for a single target, "First" notes that this is a low-level spell, and "Guard" notes the spell and it's effect. Guard is a support-type spell.

Way of the Dragon Vein
Way of the Dragon Vein is one of the rare magic techniques that is only known by high-class monsters such as dragons or Guardian Beasts. It is magic that takes energy from one's surroundings instead of MP and has power proportional to the surrounding environment. Way of the Dragon Vein makes cooperative and counter-magic much easier by giving the ability to "read" magic. One issue with taking energy from the surroundings is that the surroundings may not provide the correct type of magic. Therefore, bringing items with certain qualities, like holy water for divine magic, is suggested. Also, unlike Ritual Magic, using Way of the Dragon Vein is not a fixed process and changes according to the surroundings.

In order to learn how to use the Way of the Dragon Vein, a special blessing from a Dragon Emperor is needed. In order to use the Way of the Dragon Vein, one has to figure out how the created magic is formed such as calculating that Fire + Oil = Blaze or Inferno + Water = Blaze. Naofumi likens casting Way of the Dragon Vein magic to putting together puzzle pieces of the surrounding magics together.

Cooperative and Ceremonial Magic
Cooperative magic refers to magic being cast with very few people while Ceremonial Magic typically refers to magic performed by a large group of individuals. This magic stands apart from the typical spell-class system since the effect varies according to the magical energy gathered. Both Ritual and Way of the Dragon Vein magic can be used with cooperative and ceremonial magic. Casting cooperative ceremonial magic is very difficult since the casters must cast in unison. However, using Way of the Dragon Vein can help casting in unison much easier. An example of cooperative magic is Sadeena and Naofumi's Descent of the Thunder God. while examples ceremonial magic include The Church of the Three Heroes' high-class synthesis magic Judgment (Ritual Magic is where a pillar of light rains down from the sky).

Glass's World
Compared to Raphtalia's World, Glass' World is much more advanced technology-wise. Their use of magic reflects this difference. While traditional magic is still available (as shown with Trash II and his harem casting), it has fallen out of favour with more accessible magic such as the ofuda. However, it also seems that either some spells have been lost or the available spells are different that Raphtalia's World.

Ofuda
Ofuda are tags infused with magic. They can be made of material such as wood, paper and stone and are written on by ink melted with magic. The type and power of the magic that is released from the ofuda depends on the magic infused into it. They only require magic to create but none to cast so they are often used as single-use spells by regular people. Examples of ofuda include fire ofuda to create fire, servant ofuda to control living creatures, and communication ofuda to act as a long-distance communication system. These are a common item in Glass' world and can be seen in marketplaces.

Jewel
Jewel magic is very similar to Way of the Dragon Vein, except only drawing from gemstone accessories instead of from the environment. A higher quality jewel accessory will lead to a more power and range. At last resort, the gemstones can sacrifice themselves in a powerful explosion but this will ruin the accessory. People who wield Way of the Dragon Vein magic can simulate this magic although this puts strains on the jewel so the power and effects are reduced. Therese uses this form of magic.

Music
Music can be used to cast magic without using mana and therefore can be used when traditional magic is unavailable. However, the power of the magic depends on the skill of the user. Both Filo and Itsuki are proficient in this magic.

Status Magic System
The status magic system (SMS) is innate to many worlds and is what allows users to develops by "levelling up". It is deeply connected to the dragon hourglasses, the Legendary and Vassal Weapons, Guardian Beasts, Pacifiers and Dragon Emperors.

General Use
The most widespread use of the SMS is the ability to level up. By gaining "experience points" by defeating monsters, the user is slowly able to gain enough experience points to "level up". As the user levels up, their base stats such as attack and defence increase. One strange quirk of this system is that damage correlates to the user's level no matter what the equipment is. So, for example, a person using a cannon or ballistae at level 1 may inflict less damage than someone punching an enemy at a higher level.

Eventually, they will reach a "level cap" where they cannot level-up further. This first level cap can be broken by a "class-up" ceremony at the dragon hourglass which not only breaks the first level cap but also allows the user to develop certain stats based on which class-up path they chose. Sometimes specific items or blessings may interfere with the class-up process which forces a more powerful or unique result. Upon levelling up further, the user may experience a second level cap. To break this second level cap, the user must undergo a "limit break" ceremony. Limit breaks done on one world will transfer over to another.

Legendary Weapons
The purpose of the Legendary Weapons is the defend their respective world against the waves and any attackers. The Vassal Weapons were created to assist them. Heroes can be summoned from other worlds to wield these special weapons. Once their set of waves are repelled, the hero may either return to their world or stay in the world they saved.

Unlike most people, Heroes bypass the class-up and limit break requirements and can level-up to as high as they want. They are also given special affinities for weapons related to whichever weapon they were summoned with.

Pacifiers
In every world with an SMS system, there is only one active pacifier at a time. The role of these pacifiers is to see that Legendary and Vassal Weapon wielders do their jobs properly. If any hero goes rogue, the pacifier is to enact punishment and correct their path if possible. They are given special authority by the SMS system which allows them to weaken Legendary and Vassal Weapon and also use techniques exclusive to the Heavenly Emperor.

Dragon Emperor
In every world with an SMS system, there is only one active Dragon Emperor at a time. This demon dragon has special knowledge passed through the Dragon emperor fragments such as how to conduct a level-break ceremony or summon the fourth Guardian Beast.

In Glass' World, the Demon Dragon controls a unique magic which allows the wielder to make contracts with powerful monsters through the Way of the Dragon Vein. This will allow for special, powerful magic to be used no matter how far away the wielder is from the monster. In the past, a previous dragon emperor had sealed this magic from humans but the Demon Dragon had unlocked it so Naofumi and his group could use it.

Curses
Curses are a special type of magic which inflicts long-lasting detrimental effects to those targeted by those effects. As shown by the Curse Series weapons, the effects of a curse can vary greatly such a greatly reducing stats, reducing the quality of items touched by those cursed, or stripping them of their individuality. Cursed weapons like Idol's whip often inflict greater damage and prevent healing. Curses can be treated with holy magic, holy water, hot springs, advanced spells or by waiting over time.

Enchantment
Almost any item can be imbued with magic. That includes anything from weapons and armor to regular water. Magic items can also be crafted with the assistance of magic resulting in higher quality products. Many "skilled" craftsmen tend to use magic while crafting unconsciously.