Magic

In The Rising of the Shield Hero, Magic is a power system which is deeply ingrained the the worlds' cultures. Magic Power「魔力 Maryoku」 is typically an invisible substance, however, a few individuals like Naofumi can perceive it. Monsters「魔物 Mamono」 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 and magic from one world can be used in another world.

Overview
Magic is regulated by the amount of Magic Power and the level of skill possessed by the caster. The main types of magic casting are Ritual「通常 Tsuujou (lit. Standard)」, Cooperative「合唱 Gasshou (lit. Choral)」, Ceremonial「儀式 Gisshiki (lit. Ceremonial)」, and Way of the Dragon Vein「龍脈法 Ryuumyakuhou (lit. Dragon Vein Law)」, 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 an incantation at the cost of greatly reduced power.

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

The first-level spells typically seen in beginner spell books. Has been translated as "Fast" in various occasions. Intermediate-level spells which are usually used by advanced spell casters. The highest level of spell typically available to non-heroes. Casters which use these spells are typically extremely capable.
 * First-class「ファースト Faasuto (lit. First)」
 * Zweite-class「ツヴァイト Tsuvaito (lit. Zweite, "Second" in German)」
 * Drifa-class「ドライファ Doraifaa (lit. Dreifach, "Triple/Threefold" in German)」

There are non-standard tiers of magic that are not typically accessible to normal people, these include: 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. This hero-exclusive class of spell is the highest level as of Light Novel Volume 22. 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..
 * Sacrifice-class「サクリファイス Sakurifaisu」
 * Liberation-class「リベレイション Ribereishon」

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

The transference of knowledge on the usage of magic is typically written in the form of Magical Letters「魔法文字 Mahou Moji (lit. Magic Characters)」which are a set of characters that aids people in the construction of magic in the form of sets of instructions (aka incantations).

They are essentially just magically encrypted characters that become "readable" when applying magic power. Raphtalia describes the act of doing so as her soul reacting when she synchronized her magic power with the words on the page. The same set of Magical Letters will appear to be "read" differently varying from person to person, this is due to a person's Magical Affinity (e.g. Naofumi with Healing & Support, Filo with Wind and etc.).

Magic Affinities
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 also includes the class of spell and any other modifiers as follows:


 * Anti「アンチ Anchi」

Added as a prefix to the name of the magic, it signifies the magic being casted is one that is meant to obstruct the opposing magic of the same name (without the prefix). The effectiveness of the obstruction will vary depending on the difference in the amount of Magic Power between both magics; cancelling out if the obstruction magic has equal or more, or weakened effectiveness if the obstruction magic has lesser. (e.g. Anti Zweite Tornado, casts an obstruction to a Zweite-class magic called "Tornado")


 * All「アル Aru (lit. Alle, "All/Everything" in German)」

Added as a prefix to the name of the magic, it signifies the magic will have multiple instances of its effect being casted in one incantation. (e.g. All First Hiding, casts multiple instances in one breath for a First-class magic called "Hiding")



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 Magic Power and has power proportional to the surrounding environment. Way of the Dragon Vein makes cooperative and obstruction-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 the 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.

Demon Dragon
This magic from Glass' World was sealed long ago and is now exclusive to the Demon Dragon Emperor and those that she allows. Operating similarly to Way of the Dragon Vein, this magic establishes connections with trusted allies no matter the distance apart. The allies' strength is then used to power the spell. The more collaborators one had, the shorter the incantation and the more powerful the magic. However, this can also exhaust the allies' strength. The allies used in the magic seem to have an effect since Naofumi hypothesizes he would reduce the attack of any spells while the Raph species improve the efficacy of illusory spells. To use this magic, the user must use a Legendary or Vassal weapon from Glass' World and have the protection from the Demon Dragon Emperor.

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.

S'yne's World
Knowledge of magic on S'yne's World seems to be mostly lost since it was destroyed. However, magic from that world is used to power the optical wings which are innate to skywings like S'yne.

Magic from Other Worlds
Both S'yne's Sister and the Otherworld Invaders seem to use the same magic which does not come from any of the three previously mentioned worlds.