"As for how magic works, it involves reciting incantations to cast spells. The people of Azura have three basic spell classes: elemental, alteration, and dark. Elemental spells involve manipulation of things like fire, wind, water, and earth. Alteration spells include healing, body enhancement, and weapon enhancement. Dark class is full of rare spells that don't fall into the first two categories. This has previously included things like making an item box or invisibility." (Azazel)
Teleportation and time manipulation don't seem to be included in dark spell examples. That seems like something that would be notable if a person had managed to achieve it, so does that mean those spells don't exist? I'll have to remember to investigate that, because teleportation would be pretty sweet.
"People on Azura are limited to aptitude for a single class of spells, and even then, it's rare for them to be able to master all subtypes of a spell class. The exception to this has been the human transfers from more advanced planets with less magic – they can usually wield two classes of spells with a high diversity of subtypes. For example, one elemental class could also change rock into gold, which is a dark class spell." (Azazel)
Now that's quite the wealth of information. In my opinion, all the elemental spells are just manipulating different forms of matter, which would also be true for changing rocks into gold. In the latter case, it's just a matter of rearranging the protons, neutrons, and electrons in the atoms.
However, based on Azazel's descriptions of Azura's scientific advancement, atoms and atomic structure isn't something they'd know about. So, it makes sense that they'd consider them different classes of magic.
Azazel mentioned that the humans from more advanced worlds had a better range of spell affinities. Is it possible that using magic properly requires some fundamental understanding of how you're affecting the natural world, and those human transplants just understood that seemingly unrelated spells were similar at their core?
In that case, the single magic class trend on Azura may be from a limitation in how primitive humans think about the world. If so…
"Hey, Azazel. Why does casting magic require an incantation? If you're just shouting words in front of you, what does that have to do with producing a spell. You said people from other worlds, who probably had different home languages, could already use magic. So, obviously the exact words of an incantation aren't necessary. Is it even needed at all? I've seen you and Dio cast spells without speaking." (Mizuki)
In response to this question, shock flashes across Azazel's face. However, he quickly suppresses it, then narrows his eyes at me with a polite smile.
"Well, what Dio and I did isn't magic, it's something else specific to deities. It wouldn't be of any use to mortals. As for whether magic requires incantations to use, all I can tell you is that I've seen mortals try casting spells without incantations. In the rare cases where it works, it is inferior to spells cast with incantations." (Azazel)
That's weird behavior from him, he's being uncharacteristically mysterious with his answers. Normally he'd jump at the chance to explain this awesome deity power in detail. That aside, he did confirm that incantation-less spells aren't completely impossible.
I'm becoming more convinced that magic is just some form of energy, and spells are just using that energy to alter the natural world to fit your mental image of it. If so, incantations might just be a visualization tool that makes up for your lack of understanding about how the spell is altering the world. An interesting theory.
"Okay, final and most important question before we move on to me starting my life on Azura. Am I going to stand out there with a name like 'Mizuki'? If so, I totally want you to help me come up with a more normal name for my new life here." (Mizuki)
Upon hearing that, Azazel fixes his gaze on me with a look of genuine confusion.
"Uhm…no? That doesn't seem that weird to me. I think that there are plenty of similar sounding names among the humans on Azura. Is your name uncommon on Earth?" (Azazel)
"Well, not really. It's just uncommon for humans that live on the area of Earth that I do and look like me, so it always made me stick out. I'd like to avoid that here." (Mizuki)
"Ahh, I see. Well, the humans of Azura don't vary that much in appearance as far as I know, so that problem doesn't really exist here. Most of them have a similar skin tone to yours, and many have dark brown hair like yours. If anything were to make you stick out, it would be your eyes. I'm not aware of a single human on Azura currently that doesn't have brown eyes, so your green eyes are quite the anomaly." (Azazel)
Can't say that I was expecting that response. Whatever, if I don't have to change my name, that's good news to me. Having unique eyes doesn't sound like a bad thing. I can live with that.
"Alright, then I think I'm all set, Azazel. Let's discuss next steps! First, what godly gifts will I be taking with me?" (Mizuki)
In every isekai, the protagonist is granted unique items or abilities by the god overseeing their travel to a new world. Needless to say, I'm pretty stoked about this.
Azazel once again gives me a perplexed expression.
"Err…I was just going to give you the ability to speak and understand the Common language on Azura to get you started. Was there something else you wanted?" (Azazel)
Well crap…should I try and backtrack? Nah, Azazel seems like a chill guy. I'm starting over after all, and I need every advantage I can get.
Best to go for broke and ask for everything I can! Worst he can say is no, right? I doubt he'd hold it against me.