This is completely different from the current magical system based on incantations, gestures, and invoking external magic.
The fire flickered in the fireplace, reflecting the faces of the crowd in contemplation or shock.
Karl's words opened a door before them that they had never dreamed of, leading to the essence of magic and even power.
Karl's voice continued amidst the warm crackling of the fireplace.
His gaze gently swept around as he tried to touch the light butterfly with his fingertip.
"Lineage, one could say the elves. Their natural affinity for magic far surpasses that of humans."
"And... the Elder Blood is the most direct manifestation of the power of blood."
Hearing her mentioned, Ciri felt a slight embarrassment and withdrew her hand, but when Karl gave her an encouraging smile, she blinked curiously.
Karl looked away and continued: "A strong spirit can stabilize the construction of spells and make magical manipulation more precise."
"We also become more sensitive to magical fluctuations in the external world, the emotions of others, and even hidden dangers."
"This is an area where the vast majority of spellcasters can improve through training and practice."
Karl paused for a moment. The people around him, especially Triss and Keira, who were directly involved in spellcasting,
all involuntarily held their breath for a moment, leaning forward slightly.
They knew that what Karl was about to say might be the foundation and that part which would change perception.
Karl did not keep them guessing and said clearly: "And the soul, if a person's soul is strong enough,"
"then even if his lineage is thin or he has no special lineage, his spiritual power may be weaker than others at the beginning, and progress may be slow in the early stages..."
"...But in the middle and later stages, when those who rely on bloodline, or focus only on the spirit, encounter difficulties, stagnate, or even begin to decline,"
"people with strong souls will go far beyond imagination, reaching heights the former can never achieve."
"On the other hand, for those with weak souls, the upper limit of achievement is set from the beginning, making it difficult to understand the essence of power."
"The soul determines a person's attachment to the world, determines their consciousness, and even the essence of life – its 'capacity' and 'evolutionary potential'."
"This... is the foundation for transcending mortal levels and transitioning to higher forms of life."
The fireplace was quiet, only the crackling of burning wood could be heard as everyone digested the surprising message in their words.
This is different from the existing system they are familiar with, which focuses on magical talents and knowledge.
Karl changed his tone, carrying a warning note: "But the power of the soul is also a double-edged sword."
"A person whose soul is naturally strong but lacks the corresponding power of self-preservation, willpower, or protective knowledge is like a brighter beacon in the darkness."
"To mortals, it may just seem different or inspiring."
"But in certain... sensitive perceptions, navigation in the cracks of reality or the spiritual world of being,"
"such a soul is a very tempting 'treasure,' easily attracting greedy and entangled people."
At this point, Karl paused, thinking he had already understood why sorcerers can cast spells with magic,
and why they exist, as well as other spellcasting methods that do not rely on magic at all, analyzed clearly enough.
One could even say that he crushed complex theories and spoon-fed them directly.
If he still couldn't understand, then it was truly a matter of comprehension, but among those he knew, such fools probably did not exist.
Triss, Keira, Hen, and the others fell into deep thought.
Triss lowered her eyes, her fingers unconsciously tracing the hem of her skirt, comparing them to her own magical experiences.
Keira frowned, as if weighing the possibilities and risks in Karl's words.
Although Geralt's face was expressionless, his cat-like eyes sparkled with thought. Did the Witcher mutation affect his soul?
Hen looked with an understanding expression that had long been discussed and now partially confirmed, lightly tapping his fingers on his knee.
Mousesack stroked his beard and pondered; the druidic tradition did indeed include the "soul of nature" and the "spirit of all things."
But this was the first time he had heard of placing the soul at the center of power.
Only Ciri, after hearing the parts about blood and soul, tilted her head and thought for a moment.
These conversations seemed far less interesting to her than the golden light butterfly before her.
So her attention quickly returned to chasing the butterfly.
She quickly ran behind several adult seats, trying to catch the lively, shimmering point of light.
Karl looked at Ciri's lively figure, and his smile grew even wider. Of course, he didn't scold or stop her.
Ciri herself is the "official cheat code" of the world, and the ancient blood bestowed by the goddess of fate has an extremely high ceiling.
Her future path lies more in awakening and mastering this innate gift, rather than getting caught up in these fundamental theories.
Everything he had just explained was more about pointing out possible directions and frameworks for those following the traditional path of magic, like Triss and Keira.
At that moment, Karl's ears twitched slightly as he caught a familiar, noted voice appearing on the outskirts of the manor.
He turned his head, ignoring the wall and the barrier of distance, passing through layers of buildings, and saw the open ground not far beyond the main gates of the manor.
A swirl of orange magical force suddenly appeared, then receded, and from it emerged a graceful figure – it was Yennefer.
She seemed a little... annoyed? She muttered to herself: "What bad luck... and that damn teleportation deviation..."
While tidying her slightly disheveled long black wavy hair and well-tailored dress, caused by the teleportation,
a look of understanding appeared in Karl's eyes. He raised his hand and drew a few circles in the void before him.
HISS! Bright golden energy sparks burst out, and the portal gradually expanded to accommodate Yennefer's passage.
On the other side of the door stood Yennefer, who had just steadied herself and was slightly displeased, brushing non-existent dust from her sleeve.
Yennefer was startled by the sudden appearance of the portal before her, its edges shimmering with golden sparks, and she froze.
When she saw Karl, smiling and nodding through the door, and the people barely visible by the fireplace behind him, a flicker of obvious surprise appeared on her face.
"From such a distance, he instantly detects and accurately positions the portal to open it? That range of perception and control..."
Though thoughts raced, Yennefer's face quickly regained its composure and pride.
Without much hesitation, she gracefully stepped through the portal. As soon as she entered the warm banquet hall, she immediately felt a curious gaze.
She looked down and saw a little girl with mousy gray hair, emerald eyes, and freckles on her nose.