"When dealing with natural elements, pentagrams or hexagrams are typically used for magic arrays..."
Since the envoy sent by the 'Queen Mystic' had such poor fundamentals, Odis had no choice but to start from the basics, "The pentagram array was employed because, before the Third Epoch, Beyonders believed the world was composed of earth, air, water, fire, and aether..."
"...The hexagram array emerged in the Fourth Epoch, when Mystical scholars proposed that 'metal' should also be added as a foundational element..."
"...That is to say, 'metal' should be considered distinct from 'earth'. During that period, pentagram arrays were said to occasionally summon demons... It was due to this that hexagrams saw widespread adoption..."
The lady who had come to learn had long since shed her earlier condescension, "I've heard that the Beria Family of the 'Blood Sanctify Sect' incorporates pentagram elements in their crest..." She said.
Odis nodded, "I've encountered similar records. The shift from pentagrams to hexagrams likely connects to them..."
As he spoke, he drew two overlapping equilateral triangles on paper, which forming a hexagram, then he added a small circle at the center, "The symbol inside this circle is crucial. For the array we're discussing, you cannot use the common symbol representing fire. Instead, you must use this one..."
He sketched a trapezoid, then adorned each side with coiled directional markers.
Seeing this, the lady was slightly stunned, "I've never seen this symbol, but its structure resembles the flame sigil."
"It is derived from one of the six flame sigil applications," Odis explained.
"Mystical symbols can be... derived?" she inquired.
Instead of answering directly, Odis asked, "Have you heard the legend about the origin of Mystical symbols?"
She nodded, "Yes, the legend claims ancient civilizations modeled them after fragments of the 'Blasphemy Slate's' inscriptions, thus forming this system of Mystical symbolism..."
"That legend is partly fabricated," Odis said, "The symbols on the 'Blasphemy Slate' would never be so crude... Don't ask how I know, because I won't tell you."
He was aware that the 'Blasphemy Slate's' inscriptions were more about innate comprehension than fixed forms. So, how could anyone imitate that?
"It's more likely that ancient civilizations stumbled upon a set of symbols that could trigger reactions in Beyonder characteristics," Odis said, "Based on my research over the years, this system is flawed..."
"...That's why I derived a new set of symbols. After testing, it was verified that they outperform the traditional ones."
The woman belatedly realized a deeper question, "Why do Mystical symbols interact with Beyonders?"
"That touches on the 'nature of Spirituality'..." said Odis.
"The nature of Spirituality?"
Odis smiled, "As a scholar-type Beyonder yourself, surely you must have pondered what Spirituality truly is?"
She suddenly felt like an ignorant schoolgirl, "Spirituality is... just Spirituality, isn't it?"
"That topic isn't part of our current transaction," Odis said lightly, "We'll discuss it another time."
Disappointment flickered across her face.
"Let's continue. Outside the small circle are four directional indicators..." Odis resumed explaining the array used in the weapon.
From the outer markers of the small circle to the symbols at the hexagram's points, then to the ring of Mystical symbols around the large circle... the array he drew resembled the classic Hexagram, but with critical differences in detail...
Under his guidance, it was as if a new door had opened for the woman. The overlooked art of arrays held so much depth and potential!
...
Finally, Odis moved on to the paint used for the weapon's array...
- The entire array required deep red paint.
- The central symbol needed bright red.
- The six symbols in the hexagram's points were to be vivid yellow.
- The outer ring of Mystical symbols demanded black.
All paints had to be mixed with 'magma pyroxene powder' and 'red-crowned fairy grass powder' in precise ratios...
These were Sequence 7 'Pyromaniac' auxiliary materials from the 'Hunter' Pathway... They were far from common Mystical ingredients.
Hence, each maintenance session cost 80 Pounds...
Though the woman still had many questions, Odis only covered basic principles, avoiding finer details.
As he had said... that wasn't part of the deal...
.....
At 5 PM, Odis concluded the day's lesson, scheduling the next session for the day after tomorrow to teach the weapon's disassembly and reassembly...
The woman stood, "Professor Gale, my name is Aelia. I hope to learn more about Mystical symbols from you someday."
She'd realized that Odis's knowledge could revolutionize her abilities as a 'Scrolls Professor'.
Odis smiled, "We'll see."
Aelia then asked, "Does this weapon have a name?"
Odis scratched his head, "I hate naming things. It's just codenamed for now."
"Such an innovative weapon deserves a grand title!" Aelia pondered, "How about 'Flamebolt'?"
Odis nodded, "Sure."
When it came to names, he was always easygoing.
.....
After bidding farewell, Aelia left 'Gale's Herbal Shop' and took a carriage to a modest villa in Cherwood Borough...
The servants kept the fireplace burning, its warmth fighting the city's damp chill. Aelia hurried to her study, jotting down everything she had learned.
As she mulled over Odis's question about the 'nature of Spirituality', the fireplace flames suddenly turned emerald-green and icy, spilling out onto the floor.
Aelia knew the Queen Mystic's messenger/familiar had arrived. She stood immediately.
*Whoosh*
A burst of intense flames later, she sensed another presence... though the room appeared empty.
"How was today's lesson?" The Queen Mystic's voice came from thin air, as if she stood right before Aelia.
Aelia bowed slightly, "I've grasped the array's principles, but Odis didn't elaborate on the underlying theories..."
She now understood... the Queen was deeply invested in this matter...
"Did he explain those unfamiliar Mystical symbols?"
Aelia realized the Queen had pinpointed the array's most critical aspect: the derived symbols...
When she revealed that Odis had 'created' them himself, Bernadette (located elsewhere in the city) couldn't help but muse:
'Since when did running a herbal shop require deriving mystical symbols?'