Curve 6. Akustikoi, Epodoi, and Mathematikoi

"Thank you, miss maid," said Nuvolo Ardito Figliuoli.

The maid received a verbal thank-you after she poured Nuvolo a drink. Nuvolo was enjoying a siero di latte, a whey-based beverage rich in protein. It was served cold as a refreshing treat.

The maid then did the same thing to Agnesi's glass. The drink poured into the girl's glass was vin cotto or saba. Vin Cotto is a drink mixed with warm or cold water along with fruit juice such as fresh grapes or pomegranates, which then thickens, resulting in a thick, sweet syrup. In Agnesi's case this morning, her Vin Cotto is served with cold water and pomegranate juice.

Of course, the maid received the same greeting again. “Thank you, Miss Maid,” said Agnesi Maria Caetana.

After both expressing their appreciation for the maid, Nuvolo and Agnesi continued their intellectual discussion. The teacher-student Q&A session now focused on Agnesi's recollection of the Magoi, or mage, levels. Magoi is a term used to describe humans with magical abilities or Aecte Arts.

Nuvolo asked, “Miss Agnesi, since you were little, you have been a rare breed; why is that?”

Agnesi replied, "I'm considered a rare human concerning my Aecte control abilities. When I was around three years old, I was already able to perform Aecte Arts. At that time, I could create fire manifestations from aether. Although I could do it for a limited amount of time, I was already classified as a Magoi."

Nuvolo commented, “Exactly.”

Nuvolo was one hundred percent certain Agnesi would answer correctly if she were asked what differentiates Magoi from humans as a whole. It could be said that humans = Magoi + humans who cannot perform magic or Aecte Arts. A human can be called Magoi if they can demonstrate Aecte Arts, which most humans can do when they are considered to be approaching adulthood—specifically, around fifteen years old.

In other words, in a normal situation, children are human beings who cannot perform Aecte Arts. Only one in millions of children can perform Aecte Arts as Agnesi did. What Agnesi can do shows that she is an outlier.

Nuvolo chose to state that he wanted to hear Agnesi's explanation of the Magoi ranks. "Very well, Miss Caetana. You have been considered a Magoi since you were three years old. Now, Miss Caetana, please explain the Magoi ranks and how they were formed."

Agnesi answered without hesitation, “Yes, Mr. Figliuoli. In this era, Magoi are basically divided into three levels based on the Aecte they possess and the Aecte Arts skills they can perform. These three levels are Akustikoi, Epodoi, and Mathematikoi.”

Nuvolo commented, “That’s right, Miss Caetana. Try explaining it from the Akustikoi level first, then the Epodoi, then the Mathematikoi.”

Agnesi revealed what she remembered, "Akustikoi could be said to be the foundational level of Magoi. Most adults fall into this category. At this level, their Aecte Arts are limited; for example, they can only create flames or gusts of wind on a small scale. Most of them can also only manifest one of the four classical elements: earth, air, fire, or water."

Nuvolo took a sip of siero di latte and nodded his head as Agnesi's explanation continued.

Agnesi continued, "Furthermore, the manifestation of Aecte into Aecte Arts can sometimes be uncontrolled. For example, if someone shoots an arrow, sometimes the arrow misses its intended path, and sometimes the arrow's flight is too weak."

Nuvolo commented briefly, “Right.”

She said, “In today’s world, most Magoi, the majority of adults, are classified into this category. One of them is my father.”

Nuvolo commented, “All my brothers and sisters are also Akustikoi. Next, would you please explain the origin of this term?”

"Akustikoi is a term derived from the Hellenika language, meaning 'The Listeners.' This is because the Akustikoi group doesn't use much Aecte Arts in their daily lives due to their lack of accuracy. Therefore, you could say this group spends more time "listening" or "watching" the other two groups perform Aecte Arts," Agnesi answered fluently.

Nuvolo commented, “Exactly, Miss Caetana. Next, let’s discuss the Epodoi.”

Agnesi responded immediately, "Epodoi is a term derived from Hellenika, meaning 'The Spellcasters.' This group possesses more Aecte and can perform Aecte Arts on a larger scale and with more variety compared to the Akustikoi. Furthermore, the manifestation of their Aecte Arts can also be more controlled."

Nuvolo commented and asked, “That’s right. What kind of case study would that be, Miss Caetana?”

Agnesi replied, "For example, they can create magic in the form of a tube-shaped flame that shoots precisely toward a target, or create magic in the form of a hemispherical wind vortex around their body as a defense, or create a layer of earth covering their shield to strengthen it. In addition, they can also create magical combinations of more than one of the four classical elements."

Nuvolo commented, “That’s true, Miss Caetana. I’m an Epodoi, which could be said to be close to becoming a Mathematikoi. But that’s the limit of my abilities; I can’t improve any further.”

Agnesi continued her long wording, “When this Epodoi class uses their Aecte Arts, they must chant what kind of manifestation they will create and how much Aecte they will use. This class can become regular soldiers or militia. They can also take other jobs that require Aecte Arts skills at a certain level, such as emergency road and bridge repair workers or Polterbahn movers. However, because they must say what they will create, this class cannot become elite soldiers or secret soldiers who must be able to attack suddenly.”

Nuvolo did not deny Agnesi's words at all and asked, "Who can become an elite soldier?"

Agnesi replied, “Those who can become elite soldiers are the Magoi, the Mathematikoi. The name of this class comes from the Hellenika language, meaning 'the Learners.' They were called that because this class not only followed the teachings of Pythagoras, the Father of Magic, the Magismat, and the Pythagoreans, the first people to practice magic, but this class also developed the Aecte Arts into a much wider variety of techniques.”

“What kind of variations are there?” asked Nuvolo.

Agnesi replied, "These variations can be a combination of manifestations; for example, they can create water, fire, air, and earth magic all at once. Or they can create magical manifestations that don't consist of the four classical elements; for example, they can create light magic. They also have unique or distinctive weapons integrated with their Aecte Arts."

Nuvolo praised her and instructed, “Miss Agnesi’s descriptions are accurate. You mentioned the Pythagoreans earlier, so please tell me the history of that once-secret group and how it relates to the current three levels of Magoi.”