Magic

A technological system used to control the magical power within an individual. Magical "spells" are stored as programs in a Device until they are activated through certain triggers by a practitioner of magic. There are well over 900 different classifications of magic-use; however the Mid-Childa magic system is the most commonly used. While Magic does not actually require a Device for use in some cases, it's the best way of casting magic.

Devices

A Device is a tool utilized to cast magic spells. It comes in various shapes and sizes such as staves and rods. A mage does not actually need a device to use magic; however it makes the casting of multiple spells much easier in their inactive states a device has the ability to take different forms, such as a small jewel or object worn by the practitioner; the most commonly used form is a card, by TSAB personnel. When activated a device can change its structure depending on the type of magic a mage is intending to cast. As magic spells are defined as simple "programs," the device acts somewhat similar to electronic storage media, recording and recalling the spells that the mage has cast in order to better aid them in battle. Devices are primarily utilized as weapons by many mages, whether they're being used to cast magic or through physically using the devices as weapons themselves.

Most devices have the capability to speak, though their coherence and verbosity depends on the type of the device. Armed or Storage Devices tend to speak in very short phrases; however Intelligent or Unison Devices are capable of constructing more complex sentences; some devices also show signs of independent thought or emotion. The language of the device depends on the system; Mid-Childa Devices speak the English language, whereas the Belka Armed Devices speak in German, Some other devices are known to speak in other languages, but these are rare (For instance, the Unison Device "Reinforce" has been shown to have great proficiency in the Japanese language, perhaps due to its nature as a Unison Device). The user of the device is able to understand what his or her device is saying. Despite ones gender, a Device usually always refers to their user with male titles such as "Master" or "Sir."

Devices have a variety of features built into them to better prepare both itself and the mage for combat. They're equipped with auto-repair modes that activate when the devices themselves enter their inactive states and will automatically deactivate the Device if damage to the device is quite significant. Severe damage can activate both the auto-repair mode and reactivation to replace certain components within the device to restore and upgrade it. Devices are also equipped with Auto-guard capabilities, can be enhanced with Cartridge Systems, and can enter an enhanced mode for more power.

Currently only five types of Devices are utilized within the Mid-Childa Magic System and the Belka system in total; Intelligent Devices, Storage Devices, Boost Devices, Armed Devices and Unison Devices. Whereas the Ancient Belka system relied mostly on the Armed Devices in the past, Intelligent Devices have recently been introduced into the Modern Belka system. More Devices have recently been recognized.

Device Capabilities

Auto Guard - A spell that comes default on mostly all Devices, this spell automatically activates a barrier-type spell to protect the user if the mage is under attack, but cannot respond due to surprise or injury. Thusly a mage is capable of defending against the unexpected.

Cartridge System - A system first introduced with the Ancient Belka Armed Devices, it can now be implemented in most types of devices (though in some cases it may be unstable). Cartridges are capsules (shaped like blank rifle rounds) containing compressed magical energy within them. When used with a device, it releases the energy in the capsule all at once, providing a significant boost in power to the device. Most Intelligence Devices are usually incapable of handling cartridge systems due to both instability and strain on the user; however this is being advanced upon in recent years.

Full Drive - The most powerful form of an Intelligent Device, which is capable of casting high-level spells with a great degree of potential and accuracy. Unless properly fortified the Full drive form can be hazardous to the device, potentially damaging it severely. It is a mode which requires great focus and strong magical energies to utilize to its fullest potential.

Intelligent Devices

An Intelligent Device is a highly sophisticated device which incorporates advanced artificial intelligence into their programming, enabling them to have some degree of autonomy. They can form comprehensible sentences and actually hold conversations with their master. Their storage capabilities and casting capabilities can also be considered enhanced due to good processing through the AI. Their maintenance is much more complex than other devices, as sometimes the device may disagree about certain things during maintenance by showing their "displeasure" with an error code. The primary language of this device is English.

Storage Devices

One of the most commonly used devices amongst mages; the Storage Device is capable of faster magical processing and is equipped mainly for spell storage purposes. The devices are capable of minor speech but cannot form complicated phrases or sentences and have a single form, aside from the inactive configuration (Which commonly takes the appearance of a card). This type of device is commonly utilized in the ranks of the Time-space Administration Bureau. It can also store other objects aside from spells, and materialize them upon command. The primary language of this device is English.

Boost Devices

A somewhat new type of device introduced within the past few years, the Boost Device specializes in a special kind of Increase Magic called "Boost Up". Boost Devices are able to boost the power in a particular area of another person's Device in order to give a person an extra punch of magic in combat. It is also a device used in handling a powerful form of magic called Summoning Magic. This device is primarily utilized by the Mid-Childa system. The primary language of this device is English.

Armed Devices

The standard type of device for the Belka System, in recent years it has slowly integrated itself into the Mid-Childa System. While these devices are capable of supporting the Cartridge System better than any other Device it is not what they were specifically made for. Armed Devices are somewhat harder to handle than basic Storage Devices but pack more of a punch. Some Armed Devices are also used for non-combat uses, such as tracking and sensing other targets and the sort, or for healing. They primarily support close-range combat functions. The primary language of this device is German.

Unison Devices

One of the most sophisticated devices within the Belka Magic System, which takes the Intelligent Device idea to the extreme. The device is given a body and free will, as well as the power to unite with its user thereby granting extensive control and manage of his or her abilities and power Due to incompatibility issues with many practitioners and incidents where the device would actually take control of its user, Unison Devices never became a viable product and are thusly rarely used. The primary language of this device varies, but is known to show proficiency in Japanese.

Instrument Devices

A new type of device recently marketed, it is a Tyrfe System Device compatible with most types of magic systems. Utilizing the power of rhythm and sound, this device is most commonly a non-combat item used from the back lines, made to take advantage of sound to cause adverse effects in the intended target. This is done by manipulating sound through magic and the device. Though the device has some form of intelligence and speech capabilities, it is only on par with a Storage Device. It only has a single-use form, aside from its inactive form mode. This Device is incompatible with Mid-Childa and Belka technologies, like the cartridge system. The primary language of this device is Russian.

Armor Devices

A prototype device which takes the Barrier Jacket ability to the extreme, it is a Tyrfe System Device compatible with most types of magic systems. Rather than the Barrier Jacket and the active device being separately utilized equipment, the Armor Device itself forms a Barrier Jacket which is the device. One can launch their spells from the jacket while being satisfied of its great protection abilities. Not many are on the market as it is still in development; its storage capabilities are currently limited and it only has a very simple AI installed, and has poor speech capabilities. This Device is incompatible with Mid-Childa and Belka technologies, like the cartridge system. The primary language of this device is Russian.

Puppet Devices

A Puppet Device is Ancient Hrisek’s first attempt at the manipulation of magic, as a budding advanced civilization. Rather than wielding wands into battle or what not, the Hrisek System's way of using magic is through the art of being a Puppeteer. Incompatible with other system types, the Hrisek System takes control of one or several life-like puppets equipped with minor AI and use them for combat. Capable of storing and casting spells at a variety of ranges through these puppets, they are quite complex. They have two known form types, three including its inactive state. This Device is incompatible with Mid-Childa and Belka technologies, like the cartridge system. A practitioner of magic must dedicate themselves to the Hrisek style of magic if they have any hope of controlling a Puppet. The primary language of this device is Spanish.

Lost Devices

Lost Devices are relics of a lost civilization which practiced magic long ago but died out due to unknown causes. These devices are considered old but very complex; some lack basic auto-guard capabilities, auto-repair capabilities, barrier jacket capabilities and transformation capabilities; however their ability to channel and amplify a wielders magical energy is uncanny. Their durability is near-invincible and even after hundreds of years of use, a single device can still function nominally despite being damaged. Study into the nature of these devices is still ongoing; they are compatible with most magic systems. They have a self-evolving AI; more interaction with the user develops their thought patterns and way of speech. There are only three known devices currently cataloged as Lost Logia, all under the protection of the TSAB. The primary languages of these devices are Latin and English; many of these devices are the cause of one of the main conflicts currently arising in the universe today.