Video, back on the train

[les_magique]

I've mentioned this before, but we've gotten enough new people since then that I dare say it's worth repeating.

I am a wizard. That means that I have absolutely no inherited magical talent, but that I can still manipulate ambient magical energy in the environment through carefully calculated understanding of how it behaves when it interacts with a living person.

The practical upshot of this is that not only can I cast spells, but I can teach anyone else how to cast spells. It doesn't require you to be born with power, just to be able to use your mind. And to be able to do a lot of math.

Since we constantly find ourselves in increasingly bizarre situations (though honestly compared to some of the places we've been, that last world felt positively homey.), I imagine it can only be to our benefit to expand our skillsets as much as possible. I've never felt very comfortable with the idea of direct face to face violence, but I've still been doing my best to learn from Monsieur Rieper's lessons, for example.

So what I'm getting at is, if anyone feels confident in their mathematics skills, I would be willing to teach them how to be a wizard. And if anyone ISN'T confident in their mathematics skills, I can also be a passable math tutor until you reach such a point that you are. It's not EASY by any stretch of the imagination, but it is achievable by anyone who is willing to put the work in.

Comments

video

[nocawsforconcern]

What does magic do, though?

[les_magique]

Far more than a mind like mine can possibly comprehend!

Which is to say, I'm still doing research on new spells and probably will be for the rest of my life. So far I have figured out how to teleport things, make shields, make lights, and a few other tricks.

[nocawsforconcern]

Cawwww...

Can it do anything useful?

[extrasaltypotato]

Some of my power is instinctive, but I don't think any of it was inherent - it just exercised different muscles, if that makes sense?

As mentioned, Professor, I would be very interested in such lessons.

I should mention if I haven't that I can sense magical Auras and concentrations of magical energy, which... may be helpful. Or it may not.

[les_magique]

Actually for what I'm teaching, such a talent might be incredibly useful. I built a device that lets me sort of do that myself because I wanted to be able to see what I was doing.

[extrasaltypotato]

...notionally, Spirit Sight is a teachable skill, not bound to character creation. It may be possible to teach it to you. Since you have goggles enchanted with it, the ability to cast that spell on yourself cannot be much further behind.

I can explain “character creation” in that statement later; mine is a long story.

[Video]

[iamnotgod]

[... Well, when life hands you the opposite of lemons, why not take the chance? Certainly Caitlin would have been all for trying something like this, if their own Earth had allowed for the possibility.]

Perhaps I would be of some use, Samata Mahto? Math is quite straightforward for me, and I could help tutor as well.

[les_magique]

It would save me a lot of work, I'll admit. If you can get anyone to beginner level calculus and vector equations, send them my way. They'll be about ready.

[iamnotgod]

Calculus and vectors?

[Hello, familiar territory!]

Consider it done; and consider the offer open to everyone responding to this post - I can attend your lessons, as well, Samata, to make arranging a meeting place easier.

[Itsuki, pay attention!]

[ Video ]

[fun_thementalist]

So, when you're saying 'a lot of math' ... what sort of math are we speaking of? Algebra? Trigonometry? Advanced calculus?

[ Instead of sounding worried about it, though, he sounds intrigued ]

[les_magique]

Basic calculus and vector equations.

[Video]

[10billionpercent]

I'm confident in my math skills. How do I become a wizard?

[les_magique]

If I could answer that in one sitting everyone would be wizards by now.

But the basic idea is that there is a flow of magical energy all around us at all times. It reacts to the physical world in complicated ways, and it especially reacts to anything animate. That means that if you know exactly what you're doing you can direct it where you need it to go and even tie it in knots.

video;

[sunbloom]

[Itsuki knows she has a magical artifact that lets her do magical things, but she's never been sure if that means she is magical. So-]

I think I'd like to learn, if you're willing to take on another student? I'm decent at math, but I still have a few more years of school left, so I'm not sure if it'll be enough.

[les_magique]

Well, how far in the field of mathematics have you made it? Basic arithmetic? Trigonometry? Multivariable calculus?

[blue_ice]

I can handle any math thrown at me.

But how that transitions to magic, of all things...is it like programming or manipulating a virtual reality space?

[les_magique]

Perhaps.

[She wasn't QUITE sure what programming or virtual reality were.]

It's more like directing the flow of a river.

That sounds metaphorical but it really isn't, currents are a big part of magic.

[video]

[stillnewatthis]

I believe I have detected an inconsistency in your statements! If your foundation of understanding is based on the interaction of an ambient energy field with a body that is both organic and living, you could not teach "anyone" how to perform magic. Some of us are omnics!

Or at least I am an omnic, and I consider myself a somebody.

[Orisa is cheerful about all of this, not criticizing so much as intending to add to the wizard's knowledge.]

[les_magique]

Actually, in theory, being an organic being is not a prerequisite to being a wizard. Perhaps "animate" might be a better word.

[Video]

[tactlesstantei]

I was still in my second year of high school back home, so I don't know if that's enough math, but consider me interested in this.

[Masumi has been looking for a way to back up her existing skills, so why not take a shot at this?]

[les_magique]

Several people have mentioned "high school", but I don't have that term. What level of schooling is it?

Also, how is your calculus?

video;

[adropofsunlight]

I mean... I am good at calculating how much space I can use on walls. Would that count as math?

[She was interested when it comes to magic it seems.]

[les_magique]

Calculus is a few steps above geometry, I'm afraid. You're welcome to give it a try though.

[herolegs]

Ugh, I was with you right up until "doing a lot of math". [She's improved her math grades, sure, but she's still far from the top of the class.] I guess I'll just stick to using my Persona...

[les_magique]

I'm very sorry, but it's unescapable.

What, if I may ask, is a persona?