Song Magic (Ar tonelico)

Song Magic (詩魔法, utamahou^?) is a form of magic that only Reyvateils can use, also known as "Imaginary Magic." When a Reyvateil wishes strong enough, the object of her imagination will become a physical object in reality.

Reyvateils are the ones who craft the magic, but the energy needed for the physical manifestation is received from the Tower. This means that Reyvateils are connected to the Tower when they sing a Song Magic.

More technically speaking, Song Magic, formally known as Hymmnos Words (ヒュムノスワード, hyumunosuwaado^?) and thus falling under the Hymmnos classification, are no more than a Hymmnos Extract that is preinstalled in every single Reyvateil, called either EXEC_HYMME/. or METHOD_HYMME/., depending on the Song Server to which they are connected. Pureblooded β-Types have this Hymmnos Extract preinstalled into their D-Cellophanes, while Third Generations have it Downloaded into their minds at the time of their awakening, reason why they do not need Hymn Crystals for using it. Reyvateils all can customize this Extract with their own memories, feelings and sensations, which is what gives birth to every kind of Song Magic known so far.

When a Reyvateil sings, she first sends her Dynamic H-Waves from her Cosmosphere to the Song Server, using for this the direct connection they all have, known commonly as the Tower of Life. In response, the Server generates Dynamic D-Waves based on the feelings contained in the Dynamic H-Waves sent by the Reyvateil, and sends them back. In the most basic Song Magic, this is displayed as a large orb of energy, while in more advanced Songs, it can have more unique and special appearances, depending on the singer. All of this is accompanied by the voice of the singing Reyvateil, and the instruments and choruses that compose the song according to what the Reyvateil imagines, which can be heard up to a few kilometers around the singer herself.

Note that the definition in this article is not applicable to the Song Magic used in the Surge Concerto series due to them being based in different methods, while their base principles of converting emotions into power remain the same. For details on it, please read the Song Magic (Surge Concerto) article.

Nature of Song Magic

One point that must be noted about the Reyvateils' Song Magic, or strictly speaking, about EXEC_HYMME/. and METHOD_HYMME/., is that the objects summoned by it are no actual matter: they are instead images that are similar in nature to tridimensional holograms, as while they manifest under the same principle used by the Flip-Flop Conversion, their manifestation power is far weaker.

Therefore, these objects cannot be interacted with or held, and only serve as an indication of the area of effect for the Song Magic as well as a method of psychological attack on the enemies. However, the effects the Song Magic causes are real: the manipulation of energy involved allows it to mimic the damage type the Song actually inflicts, such as flames causing burns in a way similar to how an electric heater works, or speed up the cellular regeneration mechanisms found in the body in the case of healing Songs.

The only exception to this is the Song Magic used by Shurelia due to the fact she is not actually employing EXEC_HYMME/. for it: she instead establishes a link to data existing in the Binary Field and manifests it through Flip-Flop Conversion.

Crafting

Song Magic can be crafted in one of two ways: either by the Reyvateil herself or through the process known as Diving. The first alternative allows a Reyvateil to make her Song Magic by herself, but it has the incovenient that it allows to craft a lesser number of Songs, at a much slower rate and with wildly varying power rates and effects. As far as it is known currently, no Reyvateil has been able to make more than two Songs per year with this technique, given the great deal of effort and concentration that a Reyvateil needs to consciously sort out her own feelings to craft them.

As for Diving, it allows to craft Songs much faster and with a more reliable power level. However, this requires the Reyvateil to have a reliable partner, or in some cases a lover, given that this requires her to expose her own feelings and memories, even the ones that she would normally never reveal to anyone.

Power Variance

The power of Song Magic is great and is used in many applications in the current times, especially when it comes to combat. However, the effectiveness of a Song Magic is completely dependent on the confidence and self-esteem of the singer: if the singer feels confident and happy with herself, then the Song will display its effects with full efficiency. However, if the Reyvateil does not feel confident or considers herself to be a failure, her Song will barely release effects, if it evens shows effects in the first place. This is why a Reyvateil has to be always in a emotional state where she feels valued and happy to allow her Songs to attain their maximum potential.

Ways of Strengthening

Song Magic can be strengthened in many ways, although each one of the regions has a particular method for doing so:

• In Sol Ciel, the common method is performing Installs, which allows to add special, customized effects to the Songs.

• In Metafalss, the preferred method is through Dualstall, which has the added benefit of strengthening the Reyvateils themselves in a pleasant way.

• In Sol Cluster, the method is through Programming, which allows to program a Reyvateil's Song with fragments of their emotions called Hyuma.

Types

Song Magic can be classified under the following kinds:

Red Magic

Song Magic used exclusively for attacking and causing harm to the enemies. This is the only kind of Song Magic that can be used in Ar tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel.

Blue Magic

Used to heal allies, protect them or to increase their capabilities.

Green Magic

Used exclusively for exploration, in tasks such as destroying obstacles or activating switches. This kind of Song Magic can only be used in Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia.

Dual Songs

Gained in the Infelsphere or in some occasions from the Cosmosphere, this kind of Song Magic is a duet made between two Reyvateils that can release incomparable amounts of power. To be able to use them, the two singers have to be in Synchronicity status and be able to sympathize with each other in a deep level. Can only be used in Ar tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica.

Flipsphere

A special kind of Red Magic which allows the Reyvateil to summon forth a figment of her Cosmosphere or imagination into the real world and use it to attack the enemies. Can only be used in Ar tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel.

Individual Song Lists

• Misha's Song Magic
• Shurelia's Song Magic
• Aurica's Song Magic
• Cloche's Song Magic
• Jacqli's Song Magic
• Luca's Song Magic

Special Song Magic

• EXEC_HYMME_LIFE_W:R:S/.
• EXEC_HYMME_LUMINOUS_DEF/.
• EXEC_HYMME_MOISKYRIE/.
• EXEC_HYMME_CLOSSPHERE/.
• EXEC_HYMME_PLUTONIUS/.
• EXEC_HYMME_WINDILING/.
• EXEC_HYMME_SOLFIRLE/.
• EXEC_HYMME_MEGAREALICS/.
• Xa Ziqt Wac s
• EXEC_HYMME_BATTLESPHERE/.
• EXEC_HYMME_FRAY=FRANCESCA/.
• METHOD_HYMME_GRANZERO=SPEAR/.

Trivia

• Cocona is not old enough to use Song Magic in Ar tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica, while in Ar tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel, she is outside of Infel Phira's active range, and because of that, her Reyvateil powers are disabled.