Fantasy authors have tried to make their worlds more believable, by designing intricate systems of magic. These systems, often defined by clear rules, measurable limitations, and costs, mirror the logic of science and its processes.

  Yet in doing so, they had lost something fundamental. When magic becomes rule-bound, it ceases to be magical in any meaningful sense. The need to codify it into laws and equations transforms their version of magic into a ‘substitute physics’.

  Most modern fantasy magic systems, from the meticulous nature of alchemy-based novels to the classifications of spells in tabletop games, all of them follow scientific logic disguised as wonder. They reward knowledge, not faith; calculation, not surrender.

  To write about true magic is to imagine worlds where belief itself can reshape reality, where impossibility is not broken by explanation, but made sacred by acceptance.

  Those of us in the Order have been practicing different forms of magic for thousands of years. We still continue to this day with the same principles. To practice magic, or even to recognize it, one must accept a world in which, the unseen is as real as the visible.

  Magic is not a failed science as many modern-day scientists claim, on the contrary, magic, properly understood, belongs to another category of being and knowing. That said, even for our sacred arts, some classification and constraints are inevitable.

  This is because, the magic that we know of, represents an entirely different relationship to the unknown. One that does not seek to conquer or explain it. Where science transforms the unknown into the known by figuring out how it works, our magic preserves the unknown as a living force.

  However, magic as we know it, moves through all three realms, controlled by different variables but mostly by the degree in which belief and reality coincide.

  Our magic simply expresses itself according to the laws of the world in which we move. The mechanisms we witness here in the Kosmos, the dense and material stratum of existence, are shaped by matter’s properties and by time’s sequential flow.

  In this realm, our magic bends, but does not fully break the physical laws of the realm. Its manifestations appear as convergences between the what is mundane, and what many would perceive as divine.

  For the Empyrean, the same term takes a different form. Their magic is simply more instinctual, following more to the base urges of their infernal forms. In contrast, in the Aurean realm, magic there becomes indistinguishable from the souls of the being wielding it.

  Though modern fantasy often organizes magic into predictable systems, for their own ends, our magic however, transcends this. The magic that we wield, manifests differently depending on the realm. This reflects a spectrum of interaction between the seen and unseen.

  To simplify true magic, is unpredictable or is without limits in any realm. Therefore, I believe, the essence of magic, whether it is written or not, lies not in its rules, but in its refusal to be ruled.

  -excerpt from, Beyond Rules: Magic and Systems, an essay, by Marc Aira Reyvidanneo, neophyte member of the Order. Essay submitted to Rami Abdallah, member of the Order, 2010

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  When Reika and I returned to the 23rd floor, we were immediately greeted by our classmates as we walked out of the elevator. I saw my mother lurking in the corner. She was looking at me strangely but she was keeping her distance.

  Our classmates on the other hand were asking all sorts of questions. Who were they? How old were they? Did we know Remy or Yukihito? How did we get close? Where are the other three? We took our time and answered every single question to the best of our knowledge.

  “They had something to talk about,” I answered Yuuto. “From the looks on their faces, it was probably something stupid.”

  My reply made him exchange looks with Hanzo and Shunsuke. Next to me and Reika, these three had the closest relationship with Arthur, Trayn and Takashi.

  “So, he’s from the Philippines then? And he’s your childhood friend?” Suzu asked while playing with her hair.

  We were talking in the hall, some were standing, a few had sat on the floor. Fortunately, our entire group was placed here, that meant we had the entire floor all to ourselves, so us talking like this in the corridors would not cause any problems for anyone.

  “Yes, we’ve known him since we were children,” Reika answered happily. “He usually visits around, four times a year.”

  “Reika-san did he hurt you!?” Hiroto asked, sounding worried.

  “Did he do anything to you!?” Daiki asked as well, sounding equally worried.

  They sounded like concerned boyfriends, which made the three Ai’s roll their eyes at their display. Reika looked more confused by their questions than thankful for his worries.

  “No? Why would Ae hurt me?” She replied tilting her head.

  “Like we keep telling you three,” Airi snapped at Hiroto her displeasure plain as day. “He was angry because Reika suddenly Jumped on his back and they both fell.”

  “These three have been saying that he pushed you to the ground,” Aika said, shaking her head with an unamused smile. “Besides, why would Reika eat with them if he assaulted her in any way?”

  Her statement made Takumi growl under his breath. He opened his mouth and was about to retort, but Haruto spoke first.

  “Well, I’m glad that you’re ok Reika,” he said looking relieved himself. “You too, Shizuku.”

  Both Reika and I nodded. It’s somewhat funny as to how everyone was reacting. And it was easy to figure out why those three acted like that. A good portion of the male student body has a crush on Reika.

  The thing that worried me most, is the fact that the three were spreading lies about him. He does have a bit of a temper, but hopefully, nothing happens. Strange or otherwise.

  I drifted away a bit, my mind going back to the item in my back pocket and my grandmother’s words. Only returning when I heard Aiko’s voice.

  “Reika, why did you jump on him?” Aiko asked, her smile, a mixture of confusion and amusement. “Wouldn’t a hello suffice?”

  “Oh, I got excited,” Reika replied without an ounce of shame or contrition. “It’s been so long since Ae visited. Around a year now, we thought something happened.”

  “Rai’s excitement aside, we thought that it was a bit strange,” I replied, tilting my head.

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  Reika and I thought it was because he was having some sort of trouble at home. He’s smart, as he likes to point out, every chance he gets, so he was unlikely to have any trouble with his studies.

  “We never would have though he would be graduating in a few months. That’s probably why he couldn’t visit.”

  “Don’t you, like talk about that stuff, normally?” Shunsuke said with a tone that was half a question half confused.

  “No, Ae doesn’t like to talk about school or anything, he always says it’s boring,” Reika said, waving her hand with a smile. “We just play around, eat out. Sometimes I get him to buy me things, like books”

  “I see, I see. Now I understand,” Karin said, two fingers supporting her chin like a wise sage. “I would be annoyed at you as well.”

  Reika was taken aback, shocked at what she said and looked like she was about to protest.

  “Reika-chan, he treats you nicely, but if your idea of a hello was that, then yes, I would get annoyed.” Airi said kindly. “Was his nose okay?”

  “I only saw after he was already standing, but it was quite red, wasn’t it?” Aika said, a hint of laughter in her tone.

  “I just wanted to hug Ae,” Reika murmured, unapologetically. It was loud enough for those closest to hear, us females.

  “Hmm? So, you call him Ae?” Aiko asked with a teasing smile. “Why?”

  Reika completely missed her tone, looked down and thought for a moment, her brows furrowing slightly.

  “I don’t know, Ae is Ae, I guess,” she said slowly, then she looked up with a small smile. “I’ve called him that since we were little.”

  “So, you two are childhood friends, you call each other Ae and Rai,” Aiko began, her smile growing wider and wider as she spoke.

  “You also go out to eat, as well as get him to buy things for you,” Airi continued, her smile the same as her friend.

  “Ladies, I think I smell something here,” Suzu said confidently, though her smile was fierce.

  “Come on now, Reika-chan could only be using him for his money,” Aika started, though her tone was an obvious tell.

  “What!? I would never do something like that to Ae!” Reika said defensively.

  She just dug her own grave.

  Every other girl, save for Akane, who was still silently watching and listening with a small smile, pounced. They were now ribbing and teasing Reika, while I watched warmly, as my best friend’s face became redder and redder.

  Off to the side, Hiroto, Daiki and Takumi looked bored. With disapproving grunts, they walked away and went back to their rooms. The other males, except for Kazuki who was simply watching with calm disinterest, like he always does, were whispering amongst themselves.

  “It’s my first time seeing Reika-san like this,” Sora said, while watching curiously.

  “What? You think she’s into him as well?” Hanzo asked, looking at Sora with doubtful eyes and an unbelieving smile.

  “That would be funny, and weird,” agreed Shunsuke, also with a smirk.

  “There are girls like that though,” Yuuto said in a relaxed tone before placing both hands behind his head. “I just didn’t think Reika would be one of them.”

  His last remark made the other three nod their heads in agreement.

  “I have to agree with what they are saying Reika,” Haruto interjected amongst the teasing voices, with a gentle smile. “If you don’t feel the same way about someone, the kindest thing you can do is be honest, softly, but clearly.”

  I think Haruto, misunderstood something, or he was choosing to misunderstand the conversation. He tends to do these kinds of things from time to time. But I suppose it was not my place to say anything.

  “That’s right Reika-chan,” Suzu jumped at the chance, however and teased some more. “Don’t drain your childhood ATM’s money.”

  This, as with the earlier teasing, made everyone snicker. Reika now fully red in the face, was looking around frantically.

  “What about Shizuku!?” She suddenly said in a rather loud voice which caught me off guard. “She Asked Ae to buy her a scarf! Ae bought her an expensive one, seven hundred dollars!”

  I felt my cheeks burn as the stares of everyone bore into me. I glanced at my side, my best friend looked quite relieved that some of the attention was diverted from her.

  “Wha!? Why do you know that!?” I asked my best friend who was grinning from ear to ear at me. “Wait, I never said that he buys me that! I just—implied. It was a simple gift! I never said he buys me anything expensive!”

  “Oh? I see, I see,” Karin said in a tone that implied she did not see. “So, a seven hundred dollar present is just a simple gift, I, see?”

  “I didn’t expect he would buy something that expensive!” I repeated, a bit louder than I expected.

  Who would even believe that someone would give a seven-hundred-dollar gift. That kind of thing only happens in weddings and rarely. I was about to deny it more, but Haruto spoke before I could.

  “Oh, so that’s the scarf you wore last time?” he said which made most of the females snap their heads towards him.

  “You’ve seen it then, Haruto-kun?” Aiko asked curiously.

  “Hmm? Yeah, I did. It was rich dark reddish-purple on one side and cream on the other” Haruto said with a wry smile. He scratched his head at the rapt attention he was getting. “I think it was cashmere, and it looked brand new.”

  I felt my eye twitch as the stares returned to me. My best friend looked like she had won something. Well, two can play this game.

  “What about you Rai, you got him to buy tea, high quality ones at that,” I shot back. “And those books you have, half of those were from him. Those combined are easily twice my scarf.”

  “Wait, so you two didn’t just receive any kind of stuff, but expensive stuff?” Akane asked in disbelief. Though her voice was quiet, weirdly enough everyone heard what she said.

  “Wow,” Karin said looking both impressed and a bit horrified.

  “Suzu didn’t think both of you were like that!” Suzu chirped out while having the same look as her friend.

  “We are not like that!” We both shouted.

  After a while of back and forth, which, unfortunately involved just airing out our laundry, so to speak, everyone managed to calm down. Fortunately, we didn’t say anything too damning, I hoped.

  “Oh yeah, Shizuku-san, Reika-san,” Sora called out from the side. “I wanted to ask, how would we deal with him?”

  “What do you mean?” I asked, confused by his question.

  “Well, he can speak Japanese because he’s half, right?” he began, looking at everyone before continuing. “How would someone else, act around him?”

  “Good question, Sora. From how you two describe him, he seems a bit over generous,” Kazuki agreed. His tall frame shifting as he looked at us. “But that’s just for both of you, his childhood friends. And also, for that matter, his brother, what’s your take on him?”

  Me and Reika both looked at each other. Right, there was that to worry about. In all honesty I had forgotten about that. Possibly from the shock of seeing him become fat. It was like yesterday that he was somewhat lean and was giving me that cheeky, arrogant, self-centered smile he uses.

  It could also be because he didn’t act any stranger than he would normally act when it was just us three.

  “His brother’s fine,” I replied after I remembered how the person acted. “From our talks earlier, he seemed more—tame, compared to his elder brother.”

  “As for Ae—hmm—well, if you were looking at our table, you probably saw that skit he did with Yuki,” Reika said after a few moments. “Ae is like that; he can get along with anyone so long as you get along with him.”

  “Yes, he’s generous enough not just because we’re childhood friends,” I added. “If you get along just fine, he might just buy you things. In our case, it’s mostly snacks.”

  “And he won’t mind?” Kazuki asked sounding both stunned and amazed. “Is he that rich!?”

  “Well, wouldn’t he be? Considering he keeps visiting from overseas?” Haruto said matter-of-factly. “Kazu, airplane tickets abroad don’t come cheap.”

  “That’s true,” Kazuki said reluctantly. “But still, he really should be more frugal with his parents’ money.”

  “Don’t worry Kazuki-kun. Ae has a job so it’s his money he’s using.” Reika said cheerfully. “Like we said, Ae wouldn’t mind. All in all, Ae is nice to everyone like that.”

  “But unfortunately,” I said, hesitating a bit. “Those three, who tried to pick a fight with him, won’t be receiving anything other than a scowl. Unless, of course, they apologize first. Which is never going to happen, I suppose.”

  “True,” Reika agreed, her eyebrows creasing. “Ae can be—petty. And vindictive.”

  “So, in summary, he’s easy to get along with, just don’t be those three,” Sora said happily and looked quite relieved. “Got it. I thought for a moment there, I was going to have one of the worst bus rides ever.”

  “What do you mean?” Reika asked confused.

  “Oh, that’s right we hadn’t explained that the seating arrangement for bus ride had already been decided. I’ll go get yours from nee-san,” Karin said, looking like she had just remembered something. She turned and ran toward the end of the corridor.

  “Sorry we forgot to tell you, Reika. The partners for the bus ride have already been decided. They gave us the pamphlets a few minutes before you two arrived. If you want, I could give you mine.” Haruto said with a reassuring smile.

  “Ah, no thanks, I will just read Shizuku’s later,” she said turning down Haruto’s offer, before turning back to Sora. “You don’t have to worry about Ae during the bus ride Sora-kun.”

  “Why is that?” he asked, the confusion plain on his face.

  I too had just realized what Reika meant.

  “You won’t have a problem, because of two things,” I began, as my hand shot up to my forehead. “One, he sleeps until noon.”

  At my statement, everyone’s faces were a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

  “And, the other?” Sora asked slowly.

  “Ae has motion sickness,” Reika said, her face creased not with worry, but with memory. I also, in that moment remembered, the multiple occasions when we went to the countryside and had to stop multiple times just for him to throw up by the side of the road.

  Tiredly, I added, “I am a hundred percent sure, he’ll just skip the whole thing entirely. With a smile on his face.”