Chapter 68 - Level ? - Attack on the monks (1/2)
Similar things happened in 2 other locations. And of course, the sources of magic there were 2 other rings. These 2 rings were a ”Mind Ring” and an ”Energy Ring”.
Although the functionality of these 2 rings was different, they had similar behavior.
Regarding the ”Energy Ring”, it's bearer is already known. It was my other servant that came while me and miss Xie, were speaking. He is a monk of esteemed position. So, it can be said that I had quite some weight in the Magical Government of this country.
***
The Monk Temple at the top of a mountain somewhere in China.
The second team was on their way to infiltrate the temple because it was the location of the second magical emission.
Buddhist prayers surrounded the temple and echoed in the air. This majestic, slow and sonorous sound created an unbelievable and certainly magical atmosphere at the mountain.
Moreover, due to the enchantments laid by the generations of monks, it was literally a magical place with incredible plants growing all around the mountain and magical beasts roaming in the surroundings.
Unfortunately, the special ops team didn't care about any of those things. Due to the enchantments, they couldn't land at the top of the mountain. Therefore, they had to land at the mountain's foot and climb on their own. And normally, magical wards should have hindered their mission substantially, but... this team was equipped with special tools allowing them to bypass a majority of wards. As for those which could not be avoided, they used special scrolls that upon destruction emitted some dark substance that dissolved these wards.
This way soldiers climbed up the mountain in the record time. Apparently, the sci-fi armor they were wearing wasn't there just for invisibility. It enhanced the stamina, strength, and defense of these men.
”Central, we are close to the target's location. Ready to engage. Some people spotted on the minimap. How to proceed?”
”What's the status of these people?”
”Unknown. Cannot be scouted. Too many risks.”
After some pause, Central replied.
”You have a green light to engage. Lethal force is approved. Consider everyone hostile. Finishing operation is a priority.”
”Got it. Move out, people.”
***
Quote from the book ”Of difference in Magic 3: Mantras”
~
... In China, there are many types of magic and you won't find one main school of thought. This was mostly due to the fact, that Chinese mythology closely tied with real people and the majority of gods and demons were real people. And that was mainly due to the fact, that early magical society of these lands quite often participated in Muggle's politics and wars. This lead to a wide diversion in magical practices.
However, only the most ”fighting”-capable schools survived to these days. The closest to our European magic will be the practice of Buddhist Monks they call Mantras.
It's a highly complicated idea and rather than on diversity of the magic, they focus on control over the energy.
Or to be more precise, most of the monk practice the same sets of so-called mantras which are somewhat similar to our charms and jinxes. However, rather than applying their magic to something, they transform their magic into some energy and manipulate it to do their bidding.
For example, a wizard would ignite something with charms, while monks create an actual fire and manipulate it to do what's required.
Personally, I consider this magic strange and complicated. Controlling and manipulating raw magic without any conductors, such as wands, is madness. But even I must admit that there is a certain beauty in this. Especially when one of the elder monks created water and manipulated it into different shapes, creating a beautiful spectacle of carps turning into water dragons.
Moreover, compared to European wizards, Chinese monks dedicate their life to mastering a small number of mantras to the point of mastery or how they call it ”Kung Fu”.