Sangrid Borus was a professor at Elytrior Academy in Cillinova City and a prestigious Third Circle mage. He taught a class on the basics of augmentation and circle creation. He was clad in a dark black formal robe with golden accents, his eyes were dark red, and his hair jet black. His sharp features were well accented by his dark skin, leading to his striking appearance. He stood before a class of hundreds of students, elf, human, dwarf, among other mixed races. He was a wood elf hailing from Lindor forest.
"As you all know, the foundations of casting lies in the soul, and the foundation of augmentation lies in the heart. The circle of a Caster follows them, invisible to all except in combat. Once a magic circle is created, it cannot be naturally destroyed. In the case that it is... the result is catastrophic. The spellcaster will lose the damaged mana-circle and the ability to cultivate more in the future. Latent talent is scattered, and you are made something akin to still water."
The man looked towards his class. A woman with dark hair and icy blue eyes raised her hand.
"Ah yes, Aria. What would you like to add?" Sangrid mused. Standing up, the young woman spoke with a smug grin.
"If the circles are such a detrimental weakness, why would anyone become a caster?"
The sharp professor nodded, then answered.
"Excellent question! At the 5th circle, mages can imprint their mana circles upon their soul. Around the same realm, an orange core augmenter can make their mana-heart intangible. Their magic source is no longer physically targetable. In this state, the only thing that can damage a Mana-core or circle would be devastating soul magic. But in truth, any hit by a mage that powerful will most likely end you anyway, leaving the loss of a circle quite inconsequential in comparison. So while it seems like a weakness, it is obsolete."
The girl nodded before returning to her seat.
"Now mana hearts, on the other hand, or essence cores, depending on your demographic, are the main source of essence for augmenters. Their mana veins circulate the mana from said core throughout their whole body. This strengthens them over time. Increasing their physical durability and strength. Mana hearts are not only passive in effect but can also be used to actively increase the constitution of a melee mage."
He breathed, his eyes trailing over the rows of desks absentmindedly. The room was raised in tiers and split into two halves. The entrance arched in the back, and the office was just behind him, at the bottom, locked with a radiant mana signature array.
"Now mana hearts can be formed in two ways, much like a circle. First, you must sense the essence in your body, then visualize the movement; creating a mana heart requires you to imprint upon your actual heart, etching a magic circle into it."
He tapped his chest, and a soft glow illuminated his finger.
"The easiest way to do this is to create 4 cardinal points and then draw straight lines between them with your essence." –His glowing finger punctured four spots in the air, like a compass, north, south, east, and west– "Then bend them outwards until it begins to rotate naturally. Unlike a mana circle, a mana heart is just a loop, not a complex spell consisting of numerous mana constructs."
–His finger rotates around the four points, straight lines becoming more and more circular, and the loop starts to spin– "Once the core is complete. It attracts the mana in your body like a vortex and can be further improved upon. Mana circles, however, are stagnant. To increase your power, you must amplify them with another more complex mana circle." His pleasant voice lilted through the air; the students wrote down notes and nodded in eager understanding.
"At its root, a mana circle is tiered; there is a set limit to how much mana they can hold. The progression of a mana-heart is much more natural, continuous."
A young man with red hair raised his hand, his red eyes staring down at the professor.
"Professor? If an essence core can improve, why do caster mages exist?"
Sangrid nodded, pacing back and forth, his hands gesturing. One to the left and right.
"There are two reasons. Magic circles –waves a right hand. A complex group of intertwining circles visibly not unlike clockwork appears– can be copied and learned through mentoring. Augmentation, however, –waving left, the earlier loop of essence takes a seat over his left shoulder– is purely solitary. Every mana heart is different, and every melee mage has to carve their own path. Becoming a circle mage is much easier and safer. Given that augmenters cannot cast at range until they reach the elusive white core. The existence of the last white core augmenter is unconfirmed. Contrarily, we live in a time with over 14 10th circle mages, a High Priest in every one of the Seven Holy Cities, and the Kings of each Kingdom."
He smiled at the young man, who nodded. Satisfied with the response.
"To answer another common misconception —while augmenters may not be as common in the upper echelons of power and are seen as weak because of their pugilist nature— do not underestimate any mage caster or physi, or you may find the only weakness is your own pride…"
His expression turned serious as he adjusted his glasses, letting his gaze wash over the students. His red irises sparking a chill through the class attendees.
"The biggest risk of augmentation is the forging of the heart. It requires immense and continuous concentration. This path holds much danger in that if you fail, a minor backlash will cause your heart to be destroyed and you to die. So remember, someone who can bring themselves through that just for power… is usually not someone you want to tangle yourself with."
He stops pacing, his hands clasping in front of him, the grim expression on his face brightening.
"Now... where were we…ah yes, the basics of mana shaping and breathing."
The entire class groaned.