I've Got A Mana Processor In A Magic World
Chapter 65: Analysis

Chapter 65: Analysis

"Alright Aegis, let’s get down to it." Zephyr cracked his knuckles. "What were the results of your analysis?"

Based on the analysis of various patterns in the spell model, and using predictive modeling and simulations to calculate probable outcomes, I’ve been able to decode some aspects. My approach referenced similar processes used for handling processing tasks, and I’ve focused on a scenario where mana behaves somewhat similarly to electrical flow within a circuit.

Their method of casting magic is structured and operates on a well-established logic. Each spell model, in essence, acts like an Application specific integrated circuit where every pattern within the spell is tailored for one singular purpose.

’Application specific integrated circuit?’ Zephyr asked for clarification on the meaning.

Yes. Application specific integrated circuits are circuits designed for very particular use cases. They are limited in terms of flexibility as compared to the CPU I’ve explained to you previously, but this same rigidity also means it is extremely optimized at performing its one singular task, with great speed and efficiency to boot.

But this is where major similarities end. The main mechanism of these spell models differ greatly from circuit design. Instead of conductors, circuit paths and data buses, theirs operates with mana lines and pathways based on specific visual symbols, sort of like a visual language for directing mana.

Things like circular loop symbols around mana lines most likely act as mana stabilizers to make the mana flowing through them more steady. Logic gates in the spell model make decisions on what the mana should do.

The system is truly fascinating as it approaches circuitry with a totally different approach that is alien and illogical by conventional electronics standards. I wonder how it is even able to produce magic at all. Aegis explained to Zephyr who had resorted to pulling out the spell models from his satchel, preferring a physical copy he could see over the image in his head.

’You mean these lines?’ Zephyr traced the common looping circles he spotted across different spell models.

Yes. Aegis replied. You can also see stop points that serve as repeaters for mana. They strengthen mana signals, curbing mana loss that even the stabilizing loop symbols can’t prevent.

There are also things like mesh symbols for filtering specific mana types even further in some specific spell models, and a bunch of more miniaturized transistor-like points in a select few spell models from the samples.

I’ve come to the conclusion that what separates basic spells from more complex spells is the number of transistor-like points—I’ll refer to them as transistors for the sake of coherence.

Basic spells have only a few logic gates for telling mana what to do, while more advanced spells have multiple times that for more control in what the spell does... though there’s only three such spell models in this sample.

Zephyr looked over everything carefully as Aegis explained. ’So the old man’s spell models were not defective after all?’

Not quite. The spell models are actually defective by the standard of this world. The analysis I provided you was only made possible by sampling from multiple spell models, cross-referencing to infer where things deviate from normal standards. What the old man was trying to do was refine the extravagant symbols of their spell models down to the most basic paths to functionality, cutting off all fluff, though he was still far from creating such an efficient system. Essentially, down the line in a very distant future, the end goal might be integrated circuits as we know it.

"Really?!" Zephyr exclaimed.

Affirmative. Although it remains to be seen whether such a system would be valid in this world. The present system, despite its illogicality, seems to work to create magic simply because it is validated by what I assume to be origin.

The requirements for this validation is unknown at the moment, but based on the current system, I would assume it has to have a tie to some aspect of what origin truly is.

’What origin truly is?’ Zephyr thought back to his first time in his mana core space. The overwhelming knowledge he felt when he tapped into the stream that connected his node to origin.

Do you remember anything from your first experience? Aegis asked.

’I don’t know... I kind of remember a vague feeling of a few concepts, but it was all jumbled up and rapidly moving, so it was hard to grasp anything in particular. I was having a difficult enough time trying to simply keep sane in the first place.’ Zephyr responded. ’But if I had to guess, I would say it felt similar to a processor as you described.’

If you’re correct, then that further muddles the matter at hand because the ’old man’ had begun the early process of converting their mana pathway symbols into structures resembling regular data buses, though his attempts were very rudimentary and inefficient.

Aside from transistors and logic gates, there’s nothing with a closer one-for-one translation to a modern processor component than his rudimentary buses in this world. And yet, there has been no validation from origin, pointing to the fact that there is more to obtaining a validation than simply having a close enough concept to what origin is.

’Maybe the whole thing needs to be fully created and finalized for there to be validation from origin?’ Zephyr hypothesized.

Possibly. Taking that scenario further, what then happens to the current magical language/system in place? Does it get overwritten, and natives of this world have to relearn how to cast magic all over?

Zephyr let out a breath, ’That would be...’

...Well, a lot of these are assumptions based on inference. It hinges on a lot of ’maybes,’ so we should treat them simply as hypotheses.

’Yeah...’ Zephyr could see the leap in logic. What if mana didn’t behave like electrical current in a circuit? Most of what Aegis analyzed was based on that assumption. They knew for sure that it wasn’t a one-to-one translation, but how different was mana compared to electrical currents?

There was also the fact that all this was redundant to Zephyr. His valid method of casting magic was fundamentally different from all they’d analyzed... except he could find a way to incorporate the knowledge somehow.

’I have to assume that what origin truly is doesn’t differ from world to world. And that we’re all just pointing in the same direction regardless of the form it comes in.’ Zephyr tapped his chin, bouncing ideas with Aegis. ’What’s different is how direct our access and translation is...’

That is likely a correct assumption. All that is left is to find out a clearer picture about how people from your world cast magic. It has been the most puzzling system so far. Origin itself also remains a mystery. So far it seems to be the source of magic, yet at the same time some kind of immutable law. And in some scenarios, somewhat like a conscious moderator of some sort, deciding what is valid and what isn’t...

’Yeah, hopefully we will find out more tomorrow.’ Zephyr responded. ’I was told there were Half-Exalted here, so I’m hoping some of them are part of the teachers I can choose from... and hopefully they are normal... and sane.’ Zephyr chuckled humorlessly. He wasn’t planning on having another ’Veronica’ as a teacher.

"Well, it all starts tomorrow." Zephyr said out loud as he stretched his body, standing from his kneeling position with the spell models scattered across the floor of the room. He’d made a mess trying to follow along with Aegis as the findings were discussed.

He quickly tidied up the room, and just as he finished, as if on cue, he heard a knock on his door.

He looked through the peephole and opened the door, seeing that it was Rita.

"Hey. Wanna go get something to eat?" Rita asked.

"Yeah, sure. I just started to feel hungry again."

Rita chuckled, "Well, you have the appetite of five men, so I’m not surprised."

Zephyr simply laughed, neither affirming nor denying the allegation, causing Rita to laugh even more.

"Huh? Aren’t we eating in your apartment?" Zephyr asked, confused as Rita stepped past her door and further down the corridor. He knew their supplies for the journey still remained with Rita, so he wondered where she was going.

"You still wanna eat rations?" She asked, chuckling. "I don’t."

"... Yeah, well we could use some fresh food." Zephyr agreed. "But do you have any money?" He asked, "We don’t know what currency they take here. Is it still the regular coins?"

"Well— We’ll try first, right?" Rita pouted.

"Fair point." Zephyr chuckled.

They both descended the stairs, getting to the lower floors where there was more noise and ruckus, reminding them they were in a student-filled apartment complex.

Zephyr just hoped they wouldn’t draw any attention and could walk their way without anyone stopping them. If that happened Zephyr would really—

"Hey! You two!"

’Fu—!’