The 1st Body Arts: Foundations of Physical Manipulation Magic

The 1st Body Art is a foundational collection of novice-level spells designed to enhance a mage’s physical capabilities through the manipulation of their own body. These spells are crucial for any mage aspiring to progress in the higher levels of body manipulation magic, as they teach the basic principles of transforming, hardening, and controlling one's form. Here are the three primary spells that make up the 1st Body Art:

• 1st Body Art: Cloud Step
• 1st Body Art: Unbreakable Body
• 1st Body Art: Fluid Form

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Cloud Step: The Art of Intangibility and Wind Control

Cloud Step allows a mage to become intangible, temporarily phasing out of the physical world to avoid harm. This spell is essential for defense, evasion, and battlefield control. Upon casting, the mage vanishes in a puff of white clouds, becoming immune to physical and magical attacks. During this intangible state, they can manipulate Anila (Wind), allowing them to summon gusts to disorient foes or propel themselves through the air. Mages must receive a blessing from an Aurae (Cloud Nymph) to learn Cloud Step, and the spell demands intense concentration to maintain.
While powerful for avoiding danger, Cloud Step does come with limitations—primarily, the mage cannot interact with the physical world while intangible. The mage also becomes highly visible in the astral plane, making them susceptible to detection by certain magical entities. Mages with deep knowledge of wind manipulation can unleash devastating wind-based attacks the moment they rematerialize.

Unbreakable Body: The Art of Mimicking Materials

Unbreakable Body allows a mage to harden their physical form by mimicking solid materials such as metals or minerals. This spell grants extreme defensive capabilities by transforming the mage's body into a substance that resists physical and magical damage. The spell can be cast on the entire body or localized to specific parts, providing flexibility in both defense and movement. However, the effectiveness of the transformation is directly linked to the mage’s understanding of the material being mimicked. Gaps in knowledge weaken the defense, creating exploitable flaws.
The spell’s complexity grows with practice. Advanced mages can combine materials to create alloys, enhancing their defensive capabilities further. However, movement is typically restricted during the spell, and holding the transformation for extended periods drains magical energy exponentially. Unbreakable Body teaches mages to balance power with precision, reinforcing the importance of mastering material knowledge.

Fluid Form: The Art of Liquefaction and Adaptability

Fluid Form grants a mage the ability to transform its body into a liquid substance, making it perfect for evasion, infiltration, and strategic maneuvers. Mages can fully or partially liquefy themselves, allowing them to slip through tight spaces or evade detection. The spell also enhances the mage’s magical flow, bypassing internal magical gates and enabling the efficient distribution of energy throughout the body. In this form, magical attacks spread throughout the liquid, reducing the damage sustained in one area.
The spell requires the consumption of a Deep Sea Pearl, a rare component from powerful Komainu mollusks. While Fluid Form is invaluable for stealth and evasion, it demands immense mental fortitude. Mages must constantly focus on maintaining their form and avoid merging with surrounding liquids, which can lead to a loss of self. This unique form of body manipulation blends physical transformation with a heightened sense of magical control.