Magic in Negima
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This page discusses the magic and magic systems in the manga and anime series Negima!: Magister Negi Magi.
[edit] Western Mages and Eastern Mages
There are many significant differences between the Western Mage schools and the Eastern Mage schools. The Western school of mages emphasizes the mage as a part of a group; the mage casts spells, whilst the partner or allies provide support, protecting the magician. In this way, many of the spells have a focus on two main sections: support powers, such as magic barriers, healing, and precognition, and assault powers, designed to either fire too many attacks to dodge, or to make an extremely powerful attack to break through any magic barriers. Even in this grouping however, many of these spells are designed for sealing, capture, and disarming rather than for outright destruction of the enemy.
On the other hand, the Eastern Mage School emphasizes the mage as a solo operative, with many of the spells devised to disrupt and confuse rather than to play a role in direct combat. In addition, the Eastern mage's talismans are highly specific. An assault demon, for example, will last until it is either destroyed, or until no more enemies remain, and then dissipate. In much the same way, a defensive demon will only last until it defends the mage from an assault. Once there are no possible threats, they dissipate. Talisman monsters, such as the assault (zenki) and protective (goki) demons, are an exception; these talisman monsters last until their purpose is accomplished, or until they are destroyed. In the case that no orders are given to talismans, they will take whatever task they are first given, and attempt to complete that. Once that task is completed, they return to paper.
Mages, whether from the East or West, cannot control time.
[edit] Western Magic Spells
[edit] Magic Boost and Barriers
While not an actual spell, most mages and magical beings use their magic to augment their physical abilities and for protection. For example, the ten-year-old Negi is, with the help of his magic, slightly more physically capable than a normal adult male. Mages can also increase this boost deliberately, for protection or to increase combat abilities, if a combat mage. Negi has discovered two methods of doing this. The first is by essentially invoking a pactio with himself, giving himself a timed boost of energy. The second is with a spell.
Most mages have a low-level barrier that protects them against physical blows, letting only a fraction of the force behind them pass through to strike the mage. This barrier is not a perfect defense, as it can be worn down by repeated blows, or can be broken by a spell as a prelude to an attack. In addition, some people are capable of breaking or bypassing barriers altogether. Asuna Kagurazaka (in various situations - see Magic Canceller below) and Chizuru Naba (when striking a demon with her hand) have both been shown capable of getting past barriers, often completely by accident.
In addition, a popular form of barrier is an area-effect shield used to prevent mundanes from getting in an area where mages battle or otherwise conduct business in the open. This barrier works to mask sound, to prevent overhearing, and causes a desire of anyone outside the barrier to want to leave the area. This is more of a suggestion than outright mental control, as a person can choose to fight the feeling if they are aware of it.
[edit] Sagitta Magica (Magic Archer)
One of the most basic attack spells, but also very versatile. The caster fires a number of elemental magic missiles and fires them at the target. The number can vary from just one to at least a hundred and ninety-nine arrows, but in the manga is usually a prime number. The missiles have a homing capability, and will track and follow their target at the direction of the caster. Normally, the attack fires in a wide-spread swarm, similar to a Macross Missile Massacre, striking the target from multiple angles, but the caster, by substituting Convergentia for Series, can combine the arrows into a single larger bolt, which is easier to avoid, but hits that much harder.
The elemental variations of the Sagitta Magica shown in the manga are:
- Wind
- Thunder
- Light
- Ice
- Dark
- Fire
Elements are usually used according to the caster's affinities. For Example, Negi primarily uses Light, Thunder, and Wind Arrows, while Evangeline uses Ice and Dark.
Different elements may also give the arrows different properties. Wind arrows, for example, usually do not inflict damage but instead bind the target, while Thunder arrows may paralyze the target if they hit in addition to the damage they do. This makes them useful for stopping someone the caster does not have the intention or ability to hurt.
Some mages, particularly combat mages, will also use the Sagitta Magica to power up their close combat attacks. A single Light or Dark arrow can add considerable power to a punch, while adding a Thunder arrow to an attack is doubly useful for the reasons stated above. On the contrary to most spells this spell can only be as powerful as one of the user's normal punches although many can be used at once. During the Mahora tournament Negi is seen using many of these arroes and twisting them aroujnd his arm to enhance his puches strength
[edit] Evocatio Valcryarum
This spell summons a number of spirits that take the form of the caster, armed with a variety of swords, knives, or lances (even a frying pan). These can be directed to attack or capture an enemy.
Latin
"EVOCATIO VALCYRIARUM, CONTUBERNALIA GLADIARIA. [age capiant.]"
English
"I summon the Valkyries, Sword-weilding partners!"
[edit] Fulguratio Albicans (White Lightning)
A powerful blast of electricity from the caster's palm. It is very powerful against living targets, but not as effective against objects.
Incantation in Latin:
"Unus Fulgor Concidens Noctem, In Mea Manu Ens Inimicum Edate"
Incantation in English:
"A stream of light to cut through the darkness, spring forth from my hand and throttle my enemy!"
[edit] Jovis Tempestas Fulguriens (Jupiter's storm of thunder)
This is one of the most powerful long-range magic attacks. The caster combines Wind and Thunder magic and unleashes them at the enemy in a massive storm of destructive energy.
Latin
" veniant spīritūs āēriālēs fulgurientēs, cum fulgurātiōne flet tempestās austrīna. JOVIS TEMPESTĀS FULGURIĒNS."
Englsih
" Come wind spirit's that hurl thunder, O thunder blow with the southern storm! JUPITER'S TEMPEST OF THUNDER!"
[edit] Nivas Tempestas Obscurans (Snowstorm of darkness)
A variation used by Evangeline, which utilizes water (Ice) and Dark Magic.
"veniant spīritūs glaciālēs obscūrantēs, cum obscūrātiōne flet tempestās nivālis. NIVIS TEMPESTĀS OBSCŪRĀNS."
" Come spirits of Ice and Darkness, O darkness blow with the snowstorm! SNOWSTORM OF DARKNESS!"
[edit] Διοε Τυκοσ (Axe of Lightning)
This is a medium-range, but powerful, Thunder-element attack that is invoked in Ancient Greek, as opposed to Latin. The caster makes a downward-sweeping motion and hits the target with a massive electrical attack. It is a favorite attack of Nagi Springfield, who would combine it with a (Thunder) Sagitta Magica-powered physical attack to help slow the target down and give him a bigger opening. Evangeline and Negi also use this spell.
[edit] Flans Exarmatio (Blowing disarment)
This is one of the most-used spells in Negima, if by accident. The spell is supposed to disarm enemies with a strong wind, as an added effect, it may also turn the target's clothes into flower petals, giving an added touch of humiliation on top of disarmament, although it is possible for a mage to forego that effect. For some odd reason, Negi has a high probability of accidentally invoking this spell when he sneezes.
[edit] Frigerans Exarmatio (Freezing disarment)
This is Evangeline's ice-based variation of the spell. Freezes the clothes of the target and shatters them as if they had been sprayed with liquid nitrogen.
[edit] Flans Saltatio Pulverea (Blow forth dancing dust)
Causes a powerful wind to blow in the direction cast. First used by Negi to put out the fire spell cast by Chigusa Amagasaki when she kidnapped Konoka for the first time during the Kyoto Trip Arc. (Volume 4, Thirty-First & Thirty-Second Periods, Page 118)
"Flet une vente, Flans saltatio Pulverea!"
" Blow one gust of wind, Blow forth dancing dust!"
[edit] Flans Paries Venti Vertenis( Blow forth wall of spiraling wall wind)
Conjures a powerful tornado around the caster that lasts for several seconds. The inside of the whirlwind is calm, like the eye of a storm, but anything trying to pass through the barrier of wind will get blown away.
" vertātur tempestās vēris, nōbis prōtectiōnem aēriālem. FLĀNS PARIĒS VENTĪ VERTENTIS "
" O storm of spring turn, Bring an aerial protection upon us, Blow forth spiralling wall of wind!!
[edit] Infernus Scholacticus (School Hell)
Infernus Scholacticus is the name of a curse placed upon Evangeline by Nagi Springfield that weakens Evangeline's magic power and prevents her from leaving the Mahora campus, a spell normally used to force truants to attend school. The only one who knows how to lift the curse is Nagi himself, but the headmaster was able to allow her to visit Kyoto briefly, since it was an official school activity, although this required the headmaster to stamp a permission form every 5 seconds for the entire duration of her stay there. There is an additional element to the curse in Evangeline's case restricts her magical abilities. This restriction is enforced by technological rather than magical means, and Chachamaru was able to lift the restriction temporarily during a blackout by hacking into the control system.
[edit] The End of The World (KOΣMIKH' KATAΣTPOΦH')
Incantation in Ancient Greek:
" To Shumbolion Diakonoto Moi Hei Krystaline Bashleia Evigenato Taionion Elebos Haionie Krystale Versais Zoice Ton Ison Tanaton Hos Ataksia Kozmike Katazrofe"
Incantation in English:
" Upon our pact, do my bidding, O Queen of Ice. Come forth from the never-ending darkness, the eternal glacier, bring death to all that hast life. You are the place of eternal rest: "The End of The World"
Description: A spell incanted by Evangeline to defeat the Demon-God Sukuna (Ryômen Sukuna no Kami) during the Kyoto arc. An Ice-based spell which is incanted in Ancient Greek and requires a massive amount of magical power to set the spell on effect as the spell's effect defies that of the law of Thermodynamics.
Effect: The target is first, made frozen when the phrase "Haionie Krystale" or "Eternal Glacier" is spoken, then the demobilized enemy would shatter to pieces of ice crystals when the part of the spell "Kozmike Katazrofe" or "The End of The World" is uttered. Evangeline would often leave out the final, and fatal portion of the spell for those pursuers who would've shown mercy on her.
[edit] Beginner's Incantation
Incantation in Latin:
"Practi-Bigi-Naru Ardescat"
Incantation in English:
There is no literal translation given in the English version.
Description: This is possibly one of the simplest of spells and is used as practice for novices. This is what Negi demonstrated to Nodoka, Yue, and Konoka in volume 8. Setsuna was already able to do this on one finger.
Effect: The spell causes a small flame to appear on the tip of the practice wand. Though the spell seems minor, making a flame appear from nothing (even in a vacuum) is considered substantial. The girls used this spell during the fight against Graf Wilhem Josef Von Herrmann, as the incantation was a focal point to escape from their water prison. Yue and Konoka were able to achieve this feat by the time of the Mahora Festival, (though it could also be due to the extra magical power being emitted by the World Tree). Nodoka has yet to show any proficiency with this spell.
[edit] Magic Vampirism
Of note is the fact that while Evangeline does not have any of the weaknesses of a vampire; she still makes use of vampirism to empower herself. Before being cursed, she wielded immense magical power, which was likely what prevented any aging. However, the curse placed upon her sealed most of that magic power away, leaving her extremely vulnerable. Judging by her physical weaknesses, it can probably be assumed that Evangeline's magical powers probably boosted her physical capabilities. However, upon losing them, her body, which was now more dependent on magic, became far more susceptible to disease than that of an ordinary human. In fact, it appears the only thing the remaining magic seems to do is prevent her from aging.
In an attempt to counter this, Evangeline has taken to many different techniques to boost her magical capabilities. The first is her use of catalysts that reduce the drain each spell cast has upon her. The second is vampirism, in which the magical power within the blood is consumed, rather than the blood itself. Thus, Evangeline can keep herself from becoming sick, and allow herself to use stronger magic by drinking the blood of someone with significant magic power. This can also explain why Evangeline is significantly healthier and capable of stronger magic later on in the series.
[edit] Magic Canceller
Magic Canceller is an ability that completely nullifies magic. Certain magic cast or used on a person with this ability has no effect. However, not all types of magic are nullified. Magic that harms the person is stopped, while magic that helps the person is not. It is unclear how one gets this ability, as is it rare. The only person known to have this ability is Asuna, which may have something to do with her and the Thousand Master, Nagi Springfield. In the anime storyline, she received the ability as the result of a pact with a demon. However, Chizuru was able to actually hurt Graf Wilhelm when she slapped him in volume 8, suggesting that she may have a similar ability.
Magical Canceller does not explain events, such as Asuna not being able to protect herself from Fate's magically produced monster. A possible explanation for this is that magical spells are stopped by magic neutralization but they do not stop physical attacks, so even if the attacker is a demon, monster or a person powered by magic any attack that is physical like punching, kicking or using a weapon will not be stopped.
Asuna's weapon is generally a harisen. When Asuna mentions it, a flustered Chamo says that on the card is written "Hamanotsurugi" (which means Demon Banishing Blade). Her ability to banish demons and onmyou monsters in one hit is due to her weapon, not her magic canceling abilities.
The use of love potions with Magic Canceller is not entirely understood. If another person drinks a love potion that causes anyone who sees them to be affected, a person with Magic Canceller would not be affected. However, if someone with Magic Canceller were to drink a love potion that causes them to fall in love with the first person they see, they will be affected. An example is in chapter 54 when Asuna accidentally ate a chocolate that contained such a love potion; fans were confused because Asuna was falling in love with Negi even though she had Magic Canceller. Likely, the potion bypassed cancellation through her eating of it, while the previous potion was an effect coming from the person who drank it.
Possible explanations have been offered for various seeming discrepancies. If Magic Canceller is a protective field that surrounds its source, it would ideally be able to hold out any foreign influence trying to enter said source. Also, the source might use it as an augment to physical attacks, allowing it to batter through magical fields, such as Asuna has been seen to do to Evangeline several times, kicking her despite the presence of Eva's defensive shield magic. Any influence working out from the inside, such as a love potion ingested or essence of a Magi absorbed through a kiss or exchange of blood, would not be affected however. Count Herrmann's ability to usurp Asuna's Magic Canceller-ability by placing a charm on her seems to indicate that this power has a radius of effect; any power that is already within the radius is apparently able to do its work unopposed. Alternatively, it is possible the Magic Canceller-field is only set to protect its source, not itself.
[edit] Pactio
The Pactio system, which is commonly used among Western Mages, has two components comprising it: The Magister Magi and the Minister or Ministra Magi. The traditional purpose to this system is to give the Magister a kind of support during battle. Normally, the Ministra's duty is to protect the mage with physical abilities and his/her artifact, while the Magister is given time and space to cast offensive and defensive spells. One might compare the Ministra like infantry, while the Magister is like the long-range artillery. The Magister fighting alongside the Ministra with combat spells and physical attacks is another version of this system. In this case, the Magister is also referred to as a Combat Mage or Magic Swordsman. Negi had decided to be the latter.
The Pactio enables the magician casting the spell, the Magister, to transfer some of his/her magic power to the other person involved in the pactio, the Ministra, improving the Ministra's natural capabilities, by an average of ten times their normal capacity, according to Chamo. Another advantage included in having a pactio is the ability for the Ministra to summon a "magic artifact". Each magic artifact reflects the Ministra summoning it, and as such, the vast majority of magic artifacts will be quite different. In the case of Nodoka, she received a magic picture diary, which reflects her title as a librarian. With Haruna, she received a magic quill and sketchbook, which ties in with her personality as an artist. As Chamo stated, there is no real way of determining just what kind of artifact is given to each new Ministra, but one can assume that the artifact will reflect an aspect of the Ministra's personality.
When a Pactio is established, a card is created as proof of the contract. Copies can be made (the mage keeps hold over the originals), and these cards allow for telepathic communication between the Magister and Ministra. It also allows the Magister to summon the Ministra at any time. This ability has so far been shown twice in the manga series, when Negi called Asuna, (much to her horror since she was taking a bath at the time), and when he summoned Setsuna.
If the Ministra should be left to his/her own wits, he/she can use the copy of the Pactio card to borrow magical energy from the Magister, or to summon his/her artifacts. To summon forth the artifact, the Ministra invokes the phrase "Adeat," meaning to "bring forth" in Latin. This causes the copy card to transform into the artifact. To return the artifact to its card form, the phrase "Abeat" is used. The Magister can also make the artifact to appear by using the Master Copy.
Due to the importance the Western Mages places on having the Ministra Magi, it should come as no surprise that there is a spell designed specifically for forming partnerships. Kissing usually forms the Pactio, also known as “contract”. The Del Rey version omitted the fact that the Pactio can be done in more ways than just kissing. The "blood swap" scenario made by Del Rey is actually a fallacy in translation, but it can be considered as a possible way to make a Pactio.
If the mage in a Pactio dies, then the Pactio can be considered as cancelled or invalid. The Ministra would no longer have mystically-boosted abilities nor an artifact, because logically the source of his/her powers is gone. It was stated in the English-version manga that Mana is no longer magically empowered nor is able to summon her artifact, because her previous partner is deceased.
It should be noted that there are also at least three "levels" of contracts: "Mistake", "Temporary", and "Permanent".
The weakest level, the Mistake Pactio cards, tend to be badly drawn and are extremely specific, providing little real information. The titles given are blunt and not very flattering. They are also known as Botched Cards. Mistake Pactio cards in turn allow for little to no magical effects - there is the possibility of empowering the Ministra with magic much like a normal Pactio card, but requiring a great deal of magic power for the Magister. For Asuna, Negi had to utilize a large amount of his own personal energy to power her up. In Konoka's case, the Mistake Pactio card awakened the magical potential within her. Mistake Pactio cards, as implied by the name, are formed via mistakes in the Pactio ceremony's completion, such as an improper kiss, blood swap, or other mishaps.
Temporary Pactio, as the name indicates, are equivalent to Permanent Pactio in many ways, but only last until a permanent contract is formed. They are also known as Probationary Contracts. From what has been indicated, a Magister can have an infinite amount of Temporary Contracts, but the number of Permanent Contracts depends on the power of the mage in question (most mages can only form one permanent contract). Furthermore, it has been said that the mage has to be a certain age to form a Permanent Pactio (Chamo explained to Negi that since he's still a kid, he can't make one). Presumably, it is also impossible to form a Temporary Contract once a Permanent Contract has been formed. Temporary Pactio cards are written almost entirely in Latin - including the name of the Ministra. Information provided on the Temporary Pactio cards includes the name of the Ministra, the Ministra's specialization, astrology sign (by planet), virtue, direction, and color. In the girls' case, the card also provides their seat number in class. Another point to note is the possibility that a Ministra could make a Pactio with more than one Magister. Konoka had later decided to study magic after the Kyoto field trip, and expressed the desire to have Setsuna as her partner.
Whenever Chamo draws up a circle and a proper Temporary Pactio is made, he receives a brokerage fee of 50,000 Ermine Dollars, which explains his desire for Negi to make as many contracts as possible. Mistake and Temporary Pactios have considerable leeway as to how they are formed. In these cases, they can be made without the consent, and sometimes knowledge, of those involved. Due to this fact, Negi is very cautious about making contracts, considering that some girls in his class have expressed a desire to get a card, without knowing about the truth behind it. He frequently states that he does not want others to get involved with the danger in dealing with magic, demons and such.
In Negi's case, he has seven contracts at present, none of which he had planned on making. Two of his Temporary Pactios, Asuna and Setsuna, were done because of necessity; one (Konoka) was made to save his life; one (Nodoka) was done due to Chamo's schemes. Two more were done when Haruna and Konoka pushed him together with Yue; with Haruna taking advantage of the situation immediately afterwards; and the latest with Chisame, when she attempted to kiss him while he was still unconscious, but he woke up. It is possible that more will be made during the course of the series.
The process for both Mistake and Temporary Pactios is as follows:
- A mediator for the contract (usually Chamo) draws up a magic circle.
- Both participants of the contract must be within the circle. Normally, the circle is only meant for two people at a time, but Chamo once drew a circle large enough to surround an inn during the Kyoto field trip.
- A ritual or vow is made to seal the contract, normally a kiss on the lips between the two involved, or blood exchanging, for those who are uncomfortable with such things. It is at this point that a mistake causes a Botched Card to be formed.
- A Pactio Card is magically drawn up to signify the completion of the process. The Mage keeps this Master Copy, but a Copy Card can be created for the partner to use.
Permanent Pactio are currently shrouded in mystery -- a possible permanent contract card may have appeared though nothing was truly revealed about it. It can be said there is a great possibility the Magister who initiated said contract died. As for any specifics on the card design, effects, and the completion of a contract, it is still completely unknown. It has been stated however, that if the Magister is deceased then the contract becomes invalid. According to Negi in Volume 2, a Permanent Pactio often leads to a non-platonic relationship between the partners, although this may not always be the case. Negi did admit that many partners wind up marrying each other, and through a series of misunderstandings and wild gossip, several of the girls believe that Negi's quest to find a partner means finding a lover.
In the Manga, Negi has made "Mistake" Pactios with Asuna, Konaka, Ayaka, Fei Ku, Makie, and Fuka and Fumika Narutaki. Asuna and Konaka's came from only giving Negi a kiss on the cheek, while the others were made when the girls in question kissed magic copies of Negi. Fuka and Fumika both kissed a copy at the same time, and got a single card featuring both of them. It is currently unknown if the Mistake Pactio cards of these girls has granted them any power at all.
In the Manga, Negi has Temporary Pactios with Asuna, Nodoka, Setsuna, Konoka, Yue, Haruna, and Chisame. In the anime, he makes Temporary Pactios with the entire class.
Mana and Misora also have Pactios in the manga, as does Albireo. Misora's Pactio is likely temporary, while Albireo and Mana's are presumed permanent. Although it is unknown whom Albireo's pactio is with, Mana's pactio is shrouded in mystery, though the mage she formed the pactio with is stated as deceased. This could imply that Mana may be free to form a new pactio with another mage.
| Negima! |
|---|
| Series: Negima!: Magister Negi Magi | Negima!? |
| Characters: Negi Springfield | Students 1–15 | Students 16–31 | Other characters |
| Other: Episode list | Magic | Items and artifacts | Music |
[edit] External links
- Latinitas Negimaria Latin -> English translation list
