#bmys

As stated in ‘Waspia’s Witches - The Rise and Popularity of Modern Witchcraft in Ruthenia’s Eastern Archipelago’ by Morooka Hiashi, in Chapter 2, there were originally four Arcane Schools of Magic which are still considered key cornerstones today; Potions, Combatism, Elementalism, and Witchcraft.

This sounds like a good place to start so here we go.

🌿Potioneering

Potions; historically, a very old kind of magic, for which we have recipes for from the Middle Ages, classical periods, you name it, theres probably been a potion made in every historical culture in existence. In BMYS, its just as old and ancient, the second oldest of the four founding schools.

Potioneering is a long, hard-to-learn and even-harder-to-master school, though in actual practice of the magic itself it is very simple at the early stages. Later, it requires advanced formulas and an intimate knowledge of every ingredient being used. 

You’ll never find a Potioneer who doesn’t have hundreds of books in their brewery for reference, as it would be impossible even for a Solstice Born to remember every single ingredient, and how to use it, though some of the best are certainly trying. 

It is a kind of magic which is performed by learning how to release and control the strains of magic inside physical, living, or elemental things. It is a very good type of magic for those who have low magical energy, as it demand none of the users magic, instead relying on the use of external sources.

As such, it is often seen before training during childhood displays of magic, such as Yuuri’s transformed Milk that made his classmates sparkle for three days.

It works well with a great variety of other Arcane Schools, especially Witchcraft and Voodoo, and all Solstice Born are required to pass Novice examinations in the school.

Known users so far include:

Bin Cao - Rank Unknown.

Christophe Giacometti - Potions Master

Joseph Karpíšek - Potions Master

Katsuki Yuuri - Potions Master

⚜ Combatism 

Hailing back to the beginnings of the Ruthenian Empire, Combatism (also called ‘Combative Magic’) is the youngest of the four classic schools, but has still been a mainstay of the Gala since its beginning. 

As it name suggests, is a type of magic that is utilised and practiced in combat, or similar situations. It is utilised by the few Imperial Guards, and is produced internally.

This type of magic is generated by adrenaline, and is one which effects the body directly, and deepening on the situation, others within a limited range. By building body strength, Solstice Born can increase its capacity and effectiveness, such as through simple body training as well as martial arts or self defence. By doing so they are able to generate more magic than they would do so in a normal situation - its almost like refuelling themselves.

Like Potions and Witchcraft, it is a type of wandless magic, though some users have adapted it for use with wands. It can be used for defensive and offensive actions, however using it requires care, as overuse can be damaging to the body.

It has been used outside of the Gala most notable by Viktor Nikiforov; he utilised it whilst growing up on the streets, where he was constantly on edge. Using the magic generated, he was able to supplement his diet with his own magic to the point it became automatic even after Yakov became his mentor. He also used a very raw form when hiding his presence whilst stealing (amongst other types).

Viktor also used it during the ill-fated Dominicus GMG, using the magical energy generated by his fight or flight instinct to protect his body during the attack. Yakov similarly used it to harden his stomach when Viktor kicked him trying to escape.

It can be a versatile school of magic, but a basic certification is not required under Imperial Law. That said, it is highly advised to new Solstice Born by the IMSA due to the frequency of magic accidents with this type of magic.

It the magical antithesis of Empathy (which will be explained in more detail at a later date).

Known users so far include:

Celestino Cialdini

Yakov Feltsman

Katsuki Yuuri

Viktor Nikiforov

☄️Elementalism

The flashiest of the first four Arcane Schools, Elementalism is the area of magic which manipulates and works with - you guessed correctly - the elements. Its been around for a long time, and it probably won't be going anywhere any time soon, but it is the subject of a lot of debate.

Namely due to the differences in which elements are studied; its kind of a purist thing, with a smattering of cultural disagreement over the particulars.

At the moment, the IMSA regulate its study into the generation and manipulation of Fire, Water, Earth, Air - this is where it gets into the grey area - Gold/Ore/Metal/Iron. Depending on which part of Ruthenia a Solstice Born hails from, they might prefer one or the other for the last section; or they may not care - Yuuri has used bothe gold and ore as descriptors of Viktor's elements.

All solstice born are required to have a basic understanding of all five elements set out by the IMSA, after which they may pursue mastery in the ones they feel most attuned to. Since this is a skill that comes with time, usually only older Solstice Born like Yakov or Cěsarĭ Nikolai will have mastered all five.

For Gala Competitors like Yuuri or Viktor, who are both still very young by Solstice Born standards, three is the highest usually seen, usually with one mastery and the others slightly lower.

Its execution is different to other external types of magic in that very specific strains of magic must be identified and used, but the power to the spells is actually generated by the caster. What seemed to be an external manipulation is actually internal, and dependent on the caster’s own magic.

All an Elementalist needs is a single strand of magic born from sunlight, and with enough magnification from their own power, they will have a fireball. Once adept enough to combine other elements, they can strengthen and add further variety to their magic.

Elementalism focuses on the basic building blocks, and how to combine or separate them. Think of it as manipulating the molecular structure of an object or your surroundings, whilst something like potions manipulates the object itself. 

Yuuri had a great deal of trouble with this when he was training with Celestino, as it was very different to what he had learned from Minako not just in essence but execution too. This particular art usually incorporates wand usage, which Yuuri wasn't used to, but Viktor in contrast had no problems with.

Examples of its include the advanced fire spell Yuuri used in the Leopard Hunt that amazed Viktor, ‘Kitsune-Bi’. Viktor showed a further advanced type of elemental combination in the same scene. Aside form just using air and water to form his Ice magic (which was almost entirely useless at times, but he tried), he also used some of the robust qualities from ore to strengthen the spells.

Viktor has also demonstrated ice magic during his first Gala in Piter, where he used enough magical power in his spell freezing Cao to make it snow. He also used it to heat the water in the river in Dominicus for washing when he lived on the streets. It was also the first demonstration of his magic aged 7, when he unknowingly caused the river outside his home to freeze despite the warm weather.

Basic certification is required in all five elements by the IMSA, but usually only those who chose to compete in the Gala go on to pursue a mastery, as a basic understanding of each will be enough for Solstice Born who wish to go straight into public service.

It is the Magical antithesis of Anti-Magic (which will be explained in more detail at a later date).

Known users so far include:

Lyudmila Babicheva - Fire

Celestino Cialdini - Elements Unknown

Phichit Chulanont - Fire

Yakov Feltsman - Elements Unknown

Katsuki Yuuri - Fire, Water, Earth

Viktor Nikiforov - Ore/Gold/Metal/Iron, Water, Air

🌘Witchcraft

Likely the eldest of all Arcane Schools; Yuuri’s choice of magic, and currently on the rise in popularity in the Ruthenian Empire!  It originates from the central regions of Albion, Batukhan, and Vallis Poenina, and is a Spirit-Freindly kind of magic.

Witchcraft is an external type, which focuses on lots of different aspects ow other schools, as well as two unique to its own. Like with potions, the user manipulates the internal magical forces of the objects and life around them, it reaches into the building blocks found in elementalism, and many other schools. It is the school of magic most closely associated to the natural magic in the world, and easily one of the most complex.

It utilises rituals and wandless magic, as well as wordless magic, and it is the magic which governs the paths and relationships between all these other schools, and most are thought originate from it. Unique areas include The Power of a Name and The Threefold Law.

The Power of a Name, in common, is the inherent magical energy present in words, names for places people, etc, and the effects that different interpretations can have, and the draw of power through that connection. Understanding how to take energy from this is what makes Witches so hardy - of all solstice born, they have the highest life expectancies.

It is also extremely useful in spell work be it for a charm to bring wind to a ship’s sails, or a curse, giving greater variety and increased effectiveness to ones developed; Yuuri made full use of this advantage at the 712th GMG.

The Threefold Law, on the other hand, is the reason for the schools renown difficulty; because Witchcraft is so closely connected to the natural flow of magic in the Ruthenian empire, indeed it works in and around some very dangerous natural forces, this ability to take power from surroundings does not come without its drawbacks.

This rule explains that any magic cast, if incorrect or against the natural energies being utilise, will be reflected back on the witch in question at three times the strength. As such, a great deal of care has to be taken, and time given to understanding how to navigate natural magic, lest it be fatal folly.

One of the most complex Arcane schools around, taking on the challenge is no mean feat, and take far longer than any other school to learn. Despite being a prodigy, Yuuri’s master took him over 6 years to earn. Others had been studying longer and still only achieved an intermediary qualification - such as Mathieu Moretti.

This has not been seem much in the series yet, but Yuuri used it during his first gala until he dropped out during the semi-finals. There has also been mention of a Witchcraft Circle on Hasetsu.

In spite its history and versatility, the inherent danger and difficulty of this school mean it is more strictly regulated; it is not on the required list of teachings for new solstice born, and those who wish to study it can only be taught by a Premiere through an IMSA registered Coven.

However, these regulations don't make it any less popular, and even Carévič Yuri has cited an interesting in this Schoo of magic!

Known users so far include:

Lilia Baranovskaya

Fujiwara Hikaru

Christophe Giacometti

Ji Guang-Hong

Katsuki Yuuri

Mathieu Moretti

Minami Kenjirou

Muramoto Satsuki

Odagaki Kanako

Okukawa Minako

Omiki Yūto

Carévič Yuri

That’s it for now, But I will be adding to this post in the future, so keep your eyes peeled for more titbits!