After sending off the Formless Mother's rambunctious cloud of blood mist, Horace could finally begin the truly important work of the day.
Developing incantations.
As an Empyrean with his own Law, it stood to reason that he should create a corresponding system of incantations.
True Magic and incantations both essentially channeled the world's underlying power through specific methods: the former drew on glintstone and the stars, while the latter relied on faith and Law.
Horace had a fair talent for True Magic; even Rennala had praised how quickly he learned. In theory, incantations, which shared the same roots, should not have posed much difficulty either.
Reality, however, was harsh.
Even after improving his talent through the Great Runes, his knowledge of incantations could best be described as having every piece of the puzzle except the one that made it all click.
He had spent three whole months producing only three rudimentary incantation prototypes.
And each one made him feel that Melina and Messmer might be better suited to this than he was.
At least those two children had absurdly high talent for incantations under the Golden Order: Melina was exceptionally adept with her Minor Erdtree incantation, as was Messmer with his flame incantations.
And Horace himself?
He picked up the first reasonably successful draft.
[Oath]: Take a brief oath to greatly increase poise and slightly increase all resistances for a short time.
Very simple, and very basic. It essentially projected the immediate enhancement effects of the "Great Runes" system outward in the form of an incantation.
The second sheet.
[Chains]: Summon chains of Restraint that damage the target while reducing their maximum FP.
This one was slightly more complicated. An offensive incantation, it barely qualified as distinctive.
The third sheet.
[Punishment]: Summon a Law sigil beneath an enemy's feet. Reduce