Chapter 7: Translation Spells

Arthur followed the merchant and the boy, keeping enough distance so that he could observe the pair without appearing menacing.

Although his Dissonance was still significantly higher than it should be, not dangerous anymore, it was still too high to allow him to engage in major Resonance techniques. Currently his Dissonance levels were at approximately 380 points, and his reduced threshold was 600. So, while it was manageable, it wasn’t ideal.

As they continued down the path, the trail expanded into what would have been considered a “road” in this world. The ground was packed dirt, with deep ruts from the passage of wagons and foot traffic. Clearly, there were many people traveling this way. That was good news. If people were frequently passing along this route, then that likely indicated there were settlements nearby. Settles often included places where travelers could find shelter, food, and time to rest.

Arthur’s thoughts continually turned to his translation issue.

As an Archmage graduated from the Symphonic Spire, Arthur was familiar with a variety of spells. However, one of the most important skills students at the Spirer were taught were the basics of linguistic techniques. These techniques were useful for deciphering ancient texts or for communicating with diplomats from other countries. Arthur had received instruction in these techniques and had learned them dutifully, never thinking he would ever have the opportunity to apply them in a completely different reality.

But for many reasons Arthur chose not to use any of these techniques immediately.

First, Arthur’s Dissonance levels were too high immediately following the battle. If he attempted to use any type of technique when he was that close to his threshold, it would be reckless.

Second, Arthur wanted time to watch and observe before he decided to reveal his abilities. By playing the role of an ignorant foreigner, Arthur was able to watch, learn, and understand the rules of this world before making a decision regarding his actions.

Third, the curious side of Arthur wanted to see how communication would develop naturally. What gestures were universal? How can concepts be conveyed without language? It was a fascinating example of cross-cultural communication, and the type of subject he may have written a paper about in the past, if he had access to the Symphonic Spire’s publications and colleagues who were interested in the topic.

Since Arthur needed to determine which technique to use, he reviewed the four techniques he had available:

The first technique was called Linguistic Imprint.

This technique relied on Prismatic Harmonic to impart the user’s language directly into a person’s mind. In order to do this effectively, the practitioner must achieve Shallow Synchronization with Prismatic and spend approximately 15 minutes in direct contact with the target’s mind allowing the imprint to settle into the target’s consciousness. This technique was quite effective but short-lived. The imprinted language would fade over a couple of weeks unless the language was reinforced regularly. Also, the target must cooperate in the sense that they must open their mind to the user.

The second technique was called Echo Translation.

This technique relied on Prismatic in combination with a very small amount of Vitae. The user must synchronize with both Harmonics (Prismatic and Vitae) simultaneously and create a Resonance effect that made their words understandable to anyone listening regardless of their native language. The technique did not truly translate the language; it manipulated the listener’s perception of speech to make it appear as if they were hearing the user speak their native language. The limitation of this technique was its range, which was approximately 20 feet. Also, there was a moderate Dissonance cost associated with this technique due to the need to synchronize with both Harmonics. The greater problem was that, once the utilized Echo Translation, they could not understand anyone else. The listener would hear the user perfectly well, but the user would continue to hear their target speak their native language.

The third technique was called Resonant Comprehension.

This technique used Prismatic at Standard Synchronization to align hearing with the essential frequency structure of the language being spoken. This technique allowed the practitioner to understand any language as long as the speaker was within approximately 50 feet and spoke clearly. In addition, this technique also enabled the user to communicate clearly with the speaker, although the accent would be poor, because they were not actually learning the language; they were simply resonating with the fundamental structure of the language. The limitation of this technique was the gradual buildup of Dissonance, which was approximately 5 points per hour while the technique as active. While this was a relatively slow accumulation, it added up quickly over the course of days.

The final technique was called Language Absorption.

This technique combined Prismatic, Vitae, and a very small amount of Bedrock in a complex Triad Weave. When the technique was utilized correctly, it enabled the user to acquire a new language in a matter of hours by synchronizing with native speakers and absorbing the linguistic patterns of those speakers directly into their Cadence. The acquired language becomes a part of their self, embedded in the fundamental structure of their soul-frequency. The advantage of this technique was that it provided the practitioner with permanent, perfect understanding and fluency of the new language.

However, the cost of using this technique was extremely high in terms of the accumulation of Dissonance. Both the Triad Weave and the process of absorption generated significant Dissonance accumulation. The user must also maintain the Triad Weave for hours while in close proximity to multiple native speakers.

Arthur had used this technique to learn Standard Continental, the most commonly used trade language of the eastern kingdoms, during his Archmage examination. The process of acquisition had taken Arthur six hours, and had placed him in serious danger of exceeding his previous threshold of 1250 points.

Given his current threshold of 600, attempting to use Language Absorption would not only be dumb but fatal. Arthur would exceed his threshold before the technique completed its initial phase of settling into his Cadence.

Echo Translation would be useless, as it would only allow others to understand him, but not provide him with any ability to comprehend them.

The Linguistic Imprint would be impossible to use, since it required the cooperation of the target, and it was unlikely that anyone here would agree to allow him to enter their mind.

That left Resonant Comprehension. Utilizing Prismatic at Standard Synchronization to provide a functional, two-way communication while only requiring a moderate Dissonance cost. Since Arthur’s current Dissonance levels would eventually drop below 300 points, he would be able to use this technique safely and would still have a suitable margin to use emergency techniques if anymore spirit beasts appeared.

Which was exactly why in the meantime, Arthur continued to walk in silence and wait for his Cadence to finish processing the damage he had accumulated.

Merchant Hua, as identified by what Arthur had heard the boy call him, had not stopped speaking since they began walking. Arthur had no idea what he was saying. The tone of Merchant Hua’s conversation ranged from grateful, to nervous, to conversational. Occasionally the merchant would gesture towards the surrounding forest. Other times he would gesture toward his salvaged goods. At other times, he simply spoke to fill the void.

Arthur responded with occasional, non-committal sounds, just enough to appear polite.

The merchant seemed content with that level of interaction.

The boy was much more intriguing.

The child was currently walking beside Arthur, maintaining a safe distance of approximately 6 feet. Enough to watch him, but far enough to respond quickly if Arthur proved hostile. Professional spacing. Someone had trained this child in assessing threats and positioning tactically. That was not typical behavior for a 9-year-old, regardless of the fact that the child was obviously some type of practitioner in this world’s magic system.

Whenever his Dissonance levels permitted Arthur to briefly Attune to the child’s energy signature, he studied the child’s pattern. The pattern was fascinating. The child’s energy flow, what Arthur perceived as weaponized Dissonance but was clearly not, flowed through the child’s body in specific pathways. Structured and intentional. The pathways in the child’s energy signature reminded Arthur of blood vessels that formed a system similar to the circulatory system found in humans.

The source of the energy was located near the base of the child’s torso, just below and to the rear of the navel. The energy then traveled upward through the spine, branched off to the limbs, circulated through the head, and then returned to the source point in a continuous loop. Closed system. Completely internal. The energy was produced internally. Refined internally. Used internally. Recycled internally. Self-sufficient. External influence was not necessary to sustain the energy.

This was fundamentally different than the Resonance theory that Arthur was accustomed to.

Arthur’s magic system was an open system. He did not produce Harmonic energy. He could not. No one could. The Harmonics existed externally to the world. Ambient frequencies that permeated all of existence.

Practitioners of Resonance Attuned to the existing external Harmonics, Synchronized their personal Cadence to correspond with the Harmonics, then channeled the external energy through their bodies to cause changes in the physical world.

The practitioner was merely a conduit, not a generator.

The cost, the Dissonance, came from forcing Cadence to match frequencies it was not naturally aligned with. It was the strain of Synchronization. However, the energy itself was external and limitless. Practitioners could tap into the Ember Harmonic for as long as their Cadence could withstand the Dissonance costs of maintaining the connection.

The boy’s magic system functioned in a different manner. The child produced internal energy, presumably of limited quantity, and stored it in his body. When the child enhanced his physical attributes, or used techniques, he was drawing on these internal energy reserves. Eventually, those reserves would deplete and require time to recharge.

Unless Arthur has misunderstood something fundamental regarding the child’s magic system. Which was entirely possible, considering he had only been in this world for less than 12 hours, and was attempting to analyze an alien magic system through the lens of his own theoretical constructs.

The practical implications of an internal energy system was significant. Such practitioners were limited by their physical ability to produce and store energy. A highly skilled practitioner may have a larger energy reserve, or be capable of producing energy at a faster rate than other practitioners. However, every practitioner would ultimately reach a plateau based on their physical limitations.

On the other hand, an external energy system had no such limits.

Arthur could theoretically tap into the Harmonics indefinitely, provided that his Cadence could survive the Dissonance costs of maintaining that connection. The only limit for Arthur was the structural integrity of his body, not the availability of energy.

Different magic systems, different strengths, different weaknesses.

One system was not inherently better than the other.

Only different paths that magic had evolved in two separate realities.

Arthur wanted to thoroughly study the child’s system. Understand the mechanisms. Identify the principles. Document the similarities and differences with Resonance theory. Reach conclusions regarding the fundamental nature of magical energy and how it manifested throughout multiple realities.

Unfortunately, he did not have the time, tools, or willing subjects to accomplish this at the present moment. So, Arthur saved his observations for further study and continued to focus on the immediate circumstances.

The storage bag hanging at Arthur’s waist was heavier now. Not physically heavier. The enchantment prevented that. However, Arthur could perceive the weight of what was inside the pouch pushing against his awareness every time he touched his Cadence to the pouch’s Resonance signature.

Storage enchantments were an advanced version of Resonance Anchors. Creating a stable spatial fold required Perfect Synchronization with the Void Harmonic, combined with either Prismatic for the dimensional manipulation or Bedrock for structural support. A

rthur created the enchantment for this particular pouch during his second month as an Archmage. At that time, he still thought that by following the research guidelines set forth by the Council of Mages, he might stumble upon something interesting.

The enchantment created a small, cubic pocket dimension, approximately 15 feet on each side. Relatively small compared to other storage containers Arthur had seen. Some master Resonants were able to create storage containers that resembled mansions. However, Arthur’s pouch was sufficient for his needs. He had stored his personal equipment, research materials, and emergency supplies. And now, the three spirit beast corpses.

The mechanics of the pouch function were pretty straightforward: any item that Arthur touched to the pouch’s opening while he maintained Surface Synchronization with its Resonance signature would be drawn into the pocket dimension. The item was not inside the pouch. It existed in a parallel dimension that was anchored to the pouch by the enchantment. Time does not pass in the pocket dimension. The organic material in the items would not decay. The liquids would not evaporate. Every item would remain in the exact condition that it was in when it was stored.

To retrieve items from the pouch required the same procedure as storing the items. Arthur would need to Attune to the pouch, mentally picture the item he wished to retrieve, and pull the item back through the dimensional fold. The entire process takes perhaps three seconds for someone with his level of skill.

The Dissonance cost of using the pouch was negligible for simple storage and retrieval.

Arthur used Surface Synchronization with the Void Harmonic for the duration of the transfers. Approximately 5 Dissonance points were expended for each item retrieved. Given Arthur’s current levels, that equated to a total of 15 points for the three spirit beasts. Negligible.

Arthur had stored the spirit beasts because they presented potential research opportunities.

The spirit beasts use their internal energy reserves to enhance their physical attributes and execute techniques. Arthur wanted to understand how the people in this world manipulate their internal energy to perform their magic. He wanted to dissect one of the spirit beasts and examine its internal anatomy to identify the organs or pathways responsible for generating and manipulating the internal energy. He also wanted to compare and contrast the child’s internal energy system with the Resonance-based magic system. Document the similarities and differences.

Regardless of the reality he was in, the scientific method remained the same:

•  

• Formulate a hypothesis

• Test the hypothesis

• Analyze the results

• Draw a conclusion.

Arthur’s entire career had been founded on that methodology. Trapped in an alternate reality as he was, the scientific method remained the only viable means by which he could obtain knowledge.

The living beasts were still alive in the storage space, just frozen in time. When Arthur retrieved them, they would resume whatever state they were in when stored. Unconscious, wounded, but recoverable. He could study them intact, learn from observing living specimens rather than just corpses.

Assuming he survived long enough to conduct proper research.

That still remained uncertain.