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raven-at-the-writing-desk · 2 days ago

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I noticed that people keep saying that Kalim, Silver, and Rook, use light magic (which i know is because they are based on good guys), and the others use dark magic (because they are based on villains). I'm..confused on what exactly that means. It doesn't mean the magic the villain based characters use is evil, right? I'm asking because the story states that Azul's UM is seen as "taboo" so I at first thought that "taboo" magic was considered dark magic. You would've thought that something like Ruggie's or Jamil's UM would be considered "dark" or "taboo" but I feel like that's another can of worms. I just have some questions, and I'm not sure if there are canon answers, but I would love to know what you think. What exactly is considered dark magic? How do people learn to use light or dark magic? Are people who use this "dark magic" more likely to overblot?

“Light” and “dark” magic refer to the fandom-given (not official) classifications for the Null/Cosmic spells the playable versions of the boys produce. (Those are the grey colored spells!)

Kalim, Rook, and Silver are the only three characters that uses “light” (yellow) Null/Cosmic attacks in battle.

Everyone else uses “dark” (purple) Null/Cosmic attacks:

Again, these “light” and “dark” magic classifications come from Twst fandom and are not actually used or acknowledged in-universe or in official Twst materials. The fact that it’s the three “good” or “non-villainous” NRC characters that have light Null/Cosmic spells is also from fandom.

Another variant of this theory suggests that the so-called “Light Trio” enrolled at NRC in atypical ways, but this is only true for Kalim. He transferred into NRC a few months in and with financial help from his dad. Silver and Rook were enrolled via normal means as far as we know, although Rook did transfer dorms later.

So 😅 there technically is no official meaning for what “light” vs “dark” magic means. These are unofficial terms and only have meaning and relevance within fandom and its theories.

In-universe, light magic is not treated like something exclusive to Kalim, Silver, and/or Rook. It's a simple spell that the common mage can use. For example, Jamil uses magic to light the way in darkness, despite his Cosmic/Null affinity being the purple-colored/"darkness" magic in battles. There are also multiple instances of NRC students like Malleus and Ace making fireworks or achieving a similar effect using magic.

Magic in the Twst world is NOT classified into “good” or “bad” categories. Night Raven College (+ the other arcane academies), other institutions, and individuals do not teach or learn “good” and “bad” magic. Whether magic is “good” or “bad” depends largely on how it is used and the intent of the mage casting the spell. For example, positive/negative intent is what determines if bestowed magic is a “blessing” or a “curse”.

As examples, Idia and Malleus both reframe their perspective on their own magic. In book 6, Idia refers to the power to burn blot (passed down in his Shroud blood) as a “curse”. However, he later calls this power a “blessing”, as it allows him to endlessly cast magic, since his body basically burns it away instantaneously. Malleus, conversely, calls his immense magical power a “curse” that isolates him and forbids him from openly expressing emotions (otherwise this could change the weather and endanger people). Early in book 7, he uses his UM to grant his classmates a “blessing” in an effort to prevent his loved ones from leaving.

Leona does refer to Azul’s UM as “taboo”, though it’s not certain what aspect of the magic is “taboo”. If Leona means that it’s “taboo” to take away someone’s power or to suck out their power, then how come Ace’s UM—which allows him to swap magic with someone else—or Rollo’s actions with the fire lotuses are not labelled the same thing? Maybe this was careless wording on the part of the early main story writing.

In Malleus’s Dorm Uniform vignettes, he uses a spell typically cast on items to teleport his fellow dorm leaders to him. The others indicate that this is highly rude, as Malleus is treating them less like peers and more like objects.

This doesn’t appear to be the same as so-called “taboo” magic; the issue here is how the spell is used, not that the spell exists at all. It implies there is etiquette around spells and that some require consent so as to not be considered rude.

It’s strange to consider that apparently taking magic from someone else is considered “taboo”, but spells which involve control over others or removing an individual’s autonomy aren’t viewed that way. Instead, the most we get is the lore that mind manipulation takes a high degree of skill and magical ability.

The presentation makes it sound as though it’s an incredible feat to be in awe at, not something to be scorned or banned when… shouldn’t you very obviously regulate that in case it leads to mages with this power (few as they are) abusing it? This is especially odd given that the main story points out to us that Azul and Jamil’s UMs demand similar amounts of skills and power to pull off. What makes Azul’s magic “taboo” but Jamil’s not?

Transformation potions and magical medicines/potions are regulated by the government. I’m sure as to why it seems like “taboo” magic like Azul’s or potentially dangerous magic like Jamil’s or Ruggie’s are not also regulated. It really feels like they should be.

As for the impact on blot accumulation 💦 again, there is no true “light”/“dark” (good/bad) magic dichotomy in canon. Blot accumulation is based on the individual mage, their abilities, and their limits. It’s not based on whether their spells are arbitrarily labelled as “good” or “bad”. For example, Kalim’s UM allows him to summon a lot of water for only a little bit of magic. For another mage, it could take significantly more magic to summon the same amount of water. In this case, the other mage could accumulate more blot, regardless of their reasons for summoning that large amount of water.

I know that wad s lot of information, but I hope this all made sense ^^ Let me know if you would like any clarification!

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solxamber · 3 months ago

Text

You Try to Sleep on the Couch after an Argument with: Cater, Floyd, Silver, Rollo

Other parts: Housewardens ; Vice-Housewardens ; First-Years

Cater Diamond

The argument had been unexpected. Cater was easygoing, always quick with a joke or a teasing remark to smooth things over, but tonight had been different. The tension had built and built until, for once, neither of you had been willing to back down.

So, with a huff, you grabbed a blanket and marched to the couch, making a big show of snuggling in and getting comfortable. It wasn’t comfortable—not even a little—but your pride refused to let you move.

The room was quiet. Too quiet.

Then—ping.

You ignored it.

Ping. Ping. Ping.

With a groan, you reached for your phone, only to find your Magicam notifications lighting up your screen. You blinked. Cater had tagged you in a post. And then another. And another.

The first picture was of your shared bed, completely empty. The caption? lonely boy hours :’(

The second? Cater lying dramatically on his side, clutching a pillow like a heartbroken lover in a tragic romance. send thoughts & prayers, my partner has abandoned me

The third was even worse. A close-up of his face, his lower lip jutted in a ridiculous pout, captioned simply: is this what heartbreak feels like???

You stared at your phone, torn between laughing and crying because what the hell, Cater???

You tried to ignore it, but then another notification popped up. The newest post? A dramatic black-and-white shot of his hand reaching for the empty side of the bed. missing you rn. come home.

You buried your face in the pillow, groaning. He was so annoying.

And yet—your feet were already moving.

When you pushed open the bedroom door, Cater was sitting up, phone in hand, eyes flicking up to meet yours the second you walked in. His pout deepened, exaggerated and just barely pathetic enough to make your resolve crumble.

“You’re insufferable,” you muttered.

“But you love me,” he singsonged, setting his phone aside and opening his arms wide, waiting.

You tried to fight it, but the corners of your lips twitched despite yourself. That was all the encouragement he needed. With a soft, satisfied hah, Cater wrapped his arms around you the second you got close, pulling you into a tight hug.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, his voice quieter now, warm against your skin.

You sighed, resting against him. “I’m sorry too.”

He squeezed you a little tighter before pulling back just enough to reach for his phone.

You rolled your eyes. “Cater.”

He grinned, not even pretending to feel guilty.

A second later, your phone buzzed. When you glanced at the screen, there it was—a final post. A simple picture of your hands together, warm and steady beneath the sheets.

reunited <3

Floyd Leech

The argument had been bad. Not the usual push-and-pull of Floyd’s unpredictable moods, not the teasing jabs that sometimes went too far—this had been real, raw, and biting in a way that made your chest ache.

You knew better than to expect an apology right away. Floyd wasn’t wired for that. So, with your pride stinging and your patience worn thin, you grabbed a blanket, made your way to the couch, and flopped down with your back stubbornly turned toward the bedroom.

Which, in hindsight, was a mistake.

Because if you’d been facing the bedroom, maybe—maybe—you would have had some warning before the Floyd-shaped projectile came flying toward you at full speed.

A thud, a weight collapsing onto you, and suddenly your whole world was Floyd—arms, legs, and far too much Floyd as he sprawled across your body like a particularly annoying weighted blanket.

You let out a strangled noise. “Floyd—”

He didn’t move. Didn’t even pretend to move. Just settled more comfortably on top of you like this was the most natural thing in the world.

With a grunt, you attempted to shove him off, but he was all lean muscle and deadweight. He wouldn’t budge. Worse, he refused to look at you, his face half-buried against your shoulder, arms loosely draped around you like a net that would tighten if you tried to escape.

“…Seriously?” you huffed, exasperated.

A long silence. Then, barely above a mumble—

“Sorry.”

You blinked. “What?”

Floyd finally shifted, but only to grumble into your neck, voice muffled against your skin. “You’re my shrimpy. I thought you’d get it.” A pause, then a quiet, almost begrudging, “…But I guess I was a little mean.”

You sighed, the last remnants of your anger melting into something softer. Floyd wasn’t the type to say sorry outright. For him, this was already pushing it.

With another sigh, you gave up and wrapped your arms around him.

Immediately, Floyd perked up, and before you could prepare yourself, he bit you—just a little nip against your shoulder, affectionate in that ridiculous way of his. When you startled, he looked up at you, grinning now, sharp teeth on full display.

You rolled your eyes, but you couldn’t fight the small smile tugging at your lips. “You’re the worst.”

“And you love me~”

Unfortunately, he was right.

With a tired chuckle, you pressed a kiss to his forehead, feeling the way his grin softened just a little. He snuggled closer, his grip tightening around you, and just like that, the argument was behind you.

Floyd let out a pleased hum, already half-asleep. “M’keeping you here forever.”

You weren’t even going to try fighting him on that.

Silver Vanrouge

You still weren’t entirely sure how you had managed to get into an argument with Silver of all people. Silver, who was usually so calm, so patient, so utterly unbothered by most things. And yet, somehow, words had been exchanged, tempers had flared, and now you were lying on the couch, staring at the ceiling, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the pang of guilt gnawing at you.

The night was quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves outside your window. You closed your eyes, willing yourself to sleep—

Tap. Tap. Tap.

You frowned, cracking an eye open.

The sound came again, a soft pecking against the glass. Dragging yourself up with a sigh, you turned toward the window—only to be met with the sight of the cutest little bird, perched delicately on the sill.

You blinked. The bird tilted its head.

It had a tiny note tied to its leg.

Cautiously, you opened the window and untied the parchment, unfolding it with careful fingers.

"Sorry."

Your lips parted. You stared at the single-word apology, written in Silver’s neat, earnest handwriting.

Before you could fully process the sheer adorableness of the gesture, a rustling noise caught your attention. You turned your head just in time to see a squirrel scurrying up onto the windowsill, a small piece of paper clutched in its tiny paws.

It held it out to you.

You took it.

"Sorry."

You pressed a hand over your mouth, overwhelmed by a mix of affection and disbelief.

Was he seriously sending an entire woodland brigade to apologize for him?

And, perhaps more importantly—if you didn’t go talk to him right now, would he escalate this? Would an entire procession of deer, rabbits, and possibly a very regretful-looking bear show up next?

You sighed, rubbing your eyes. There was no way you were sleeping now.

Before you left, you rummaged through your cabinets and grabbed a handful of nuts, scattering them gently on the windowsill. “I don’t accept free labor,” you muttered, watching as the squirrel eagerly took a hazelnut before scampering off. The bird gave a happy chirp before fluttering away.

With that taken care of, you made your way to the bedroom.

The moment you stepped inside, he was already sitting up, eyes immediately locking onto yours. He looked a little sheepish, his usual composed demeanor softened with quiet guilt.

“I’m sorry,” he said, without hesitation. “I shouldn’t have let it turn into an argument.”

You exhaled, the last remnants of your irritation slipping away entirely. He was so sweet, so sincere, and you couldn’t even be mad anymore.

Stepping forward, you leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. “I’m sorry too,” you murmured. “Now, let's go to bed."

Silver didn’t argue. He simply nodded, slipping under the blankets, his expression peaceful now.

As you settled beside him, he hesitated for only a moment before murmuring, “Did the bird get to you first or the squirrel?”

You let out a quiet laugh. “Bird.”

He nodded, thoughtful. “I was going to send a rabbit next.”

You buried your face into his shoulder, shaking with silent laughter. “Go to sleep, Silver.”

And finally, you both did.

Rollo Flamme

The argument had left you drained, annoyance simmering just beneath your skin as you curled up on the couch, pulling the blanket over yourself with a sharp tug. You didn’t want to be this upset—Rollo could be infuriating, stubborn in ways that tested your patience, but you knew he didn’t argue without reason. Still, the weight of his words, the heat of the exchange, had made retreating seem like the best option.

At some point, exhaustion overtook frustration, and you drifted into uneasy sleep.

But then��dry throat, groggy mind—you stirred awake, an undeniable thirst pulling you from your rest. With a sigh, you pushed the blanket aside and padded toward the kitchen, the dim light of the apartment casting long shadows against the walls.

That’s when you noticed it—the faint glow beneath the bedroom door.

You hesitated, frowning. He was still awake?

Curiosity, or maybe guilt, urged you forward. Carefully, you peeked inside.

Rollo was pacing. Back and forth, hands buried in his hair, tension lining his shoulders. He looked wrecked—a man on the verge of either an epiphany or a breakdown.

Your heart squeezed.

You hadn't expected this. Hadn’t expected him to be just as shaken, just as restless.

Stepping inside, you barely made a sound, but he noticed instantly. His head snapped up, eyes widening.

For a second, he didn’t move. Then he took a step toward you, hands twitching at his sides, reaching out just barely before curling into hesitant fists. He stopped himself, as if afraid you’d pull away, as if unsure whether he had the right.

Your breath hitched. The sight of him—always so composed, now uncertain—made the last of your irritation fade.

Wordlessly, you closed the distance and took his hand.

The moment your fingers intertwined, you felt the tension in him unravel. His shoulders slumped, his grip tightening around yours, a quiet exhale escaping his lips. He held on like he needed the touch to ground him.

“I took it too far,” he murmured, voice raw with sincerity. “I shouldn’t have—”

“I know,” you interrupted softly. “And…I shouldn’t have either.”

His gaze met yours, searching, still unsure. You squeezed his hand, and that was all it took.

Rollo relaxed, expression melting into something exhausted, something relieved. He nodded, as if accepting an unspoken truce.

Neither of you needed to say anything else.

When you led him to bed, he followed without question. And when you pulled him into your arms, his body molded against yours with an ease that made it clear just how much he had needed this.

Within minutes, the tension that had kept him awake finally loosened its grip. His breathing evened out, his fingers curled into the fabric of your shirt, and for the first time since the argument, Rollo fell asleep— warm and finally at peace.

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