Animus

**Animus** (情素(心力), *Shinryoku*?) is the universal source of energy found naturally within the World acting as the source to actualize the Sorcery of Earth and the Magecraft of Alrum. They are a particular type of exotic matter that is heavily influenced by the minds of living beings and is able to take on many different properties depending on the situation. They are both the building blocks of, and sustenance for, Phantasmals.

Animus generated by sorcerers brain is different from the Animus found in magi souls. Sorcerers can freely manipulate their Animus using the Grasp of Enigma because it's free forming, it naturally wans to escape into the atmosphere. But magi requires a Spirit Gallery to pump out the Animus in their soul, because the Animus serves as fuel for the body, which is why humans in Alrum are so much naturally stronger than humans on Earth.

## Principles

Animus is a fundamental aspect of the Arts, representing both the psychic energy generated through the thoughts and ideas within one's mind and the life force that exists within every living being. Raw Animus, in its uncontrolled state, possesses a raw and unrefined power. However, as Animus are highly susceptible to the thoughts and emotions of living beings, Sorcerers usually shape their Animus according to their Innate Technique while Magi usually processes it through their Spirit Gallery to change the shape and nature of the Animus. No matter the system you're using, the broad process is the same. It involves the person actively guiding the Animus to flow through each part of their body. Sorcerers could do this simply by thinking, but Magi usually need a short incantation or draw simple outlines because the can't consciously activate their Spirit Gallery.

The application of Animus can manifest in various ways. It can be employed to amplify the destructive power of physical attacks, infusing them with a surge of energy. By channeling it into their body, one can also fortify their defenses, forming a protective barrier or hardening their physical form. The strength and level of Animus possessed by a sorcerer or magus often serve as a gauge of their power and capabilities. In addition to the direct utilization of Animus, it also leaves behind residual traces known as Residuals. These residuals act as a lingering imprint of the Animus released during the enactment of magic. By examining these residuals, one can discern information about the specific magic used and even identify the person responsible. Advanced practitioners possess the ability to conceal or manipulate their residuals, allowing them to hide their magic or intentionally leave a trail for strategic purposes.

Animus emission is a natural phenomenon and serves as the origin of Phantasmals, entities born from the overflow of Animus. One of the essential skills taught to sorcerers is the ability to control and reduce the leakage of Animus. As part of their basic training, they learn to manage and direct this energy within themselves. By consciously containing and regulating the flow of Animus, sorcerers can prevent unnecessary wastage and maintain better control over their powers. Though a variation of this teaching also exists for magi, it isn't as prominent as their Animus are usually contained in their Spirit Gallery. Instead, Animus is released into the atmosphere when a magus dies.

## Properties

Animus exhibits a unique duality, behaving both as particles and waves, which gives rise to their exceptional versatility and power. Animus contains a minuscule amount of will within themselves, and this inherent will becomes increasingly apparent when a large amount within an object resonates as one. This resonance imbues the object with a growing sense of willpower over time, a phenomenon most prominently seen in objects like the Genesis, mythological, and legendary-class items, which are considered fully sentient manifestations of this magical phenomenon. They are invisible to the naked human eye and despite having mass, do not normally interact with most types of physical matter and energy, although they are capable of doing so. They act as a sort of radiation and can be found inside of materials as well as in the atmosphere.

Animus serve as an omnipotent energy source, being an indirect usage of the Ultimate Observer to produce miracles. One intriguing aspect of animus is their ability to dilute themselves to form an inferior type of mana, which can embody one or more of the magical aspects mentioned above. This theoretical concept adds depth to the lore, suggesting that magicules are not just a uniform energy source but can be fine-tuned for specific applications.

### Particle Nature

The particle nature of animus is widespread. These energy particles can be found not only in sentient beings like Phantasmals and Majins but also in inanimate objects like swords and plants. In swords, the quantity of animus determines the weapon's grade, impacting its effectiveness in combat. In plants, a high quantity of animus can yield herbs like the hipokute herb, celebrated for its 99% animus content and remarkable healing properties. Different plants containing animus may exhibit varying magical properties, making them valuable resources in the world of magic.

One compelling argument for the particle nature of animus is the fact that they can be stored in flasks as potions, crystals, and metals. Additionally, animus can be broken down into smaller particles, such as spiritrons, or condensed into bigger particles, such as stardust, revealing their granular and quantifiable nature.

### Wave Nature

The wave nature of animus is crucial in understanding the energy reserves of beings like Phantasmals, Sorcerers, and Magi. While animus in their particle form exist in the material body, their wave nature resides within the spiritual body. This distinction is significant because it explains the mechanics of how Arts are harnessed. Magi draws from their mana reserves in their spiritual body when casting spells, which doesn't cause them pain. However, forcibly extracting animus from someone's material body results in excruciating pain. It's the wave nature of animus that makes Arts possible, allowing for the manipulation of these energy waves to produce magical effects.

Evidence for the wave nature of animus can be found in the limitations of containers like flasks and the capacity of physical bodies, which can only hold a finite amount of animus particles. This limitation explains how seemingly small entities like Veldora and Rimuru can harness immense energy, and how something as compact as a "true dragon core transformation" orb can unleash vast power by leveraging the superimposition of wave nature within the spiritual body.

## Effects

Animus function much like radiation, with a defined safety threshold that living beings can endure before encountering adverse consequences and, ultimately, succumbing to it. Typical humans possess a modest amount of animus within their bodies and exhibit limited resistance to animus exposure. In contrast, their Demi-Human counterparts boast considerably higher tolerances. Monsters, on the other hand, comprise predominantly animus and rely on them for sustenance to sustain their existence. However, even these creatures have an upper limit to the animus they can withstand.

In regions where animus are concentrated at elevated levels, they have the potential to amalgamate and give rise to a new form of life: phantasmals. The strength of these magic-born lifeforms corresponds directly to the intensity of the originating animus concentration. With prolonged exposure to even higher animus densities, phantasmals may undergo further transformations, evolving into more formidable forms.

Occasionally, when a living entity is subjected to excessive animus exposure, rather than perishing, it may adapt to the heightened animus environment and undergo a rebirth as a Majin. Not even Elementals are immune to the influence of animus, and exposure to excessive animus can corrupt them, leading to their transformation into monsters. This transformation extends to even the Elemental Queen, who is not exempt from this fate.