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%(white)[▏▏]%(sandybrown)[𝓜𝓪𝓰𝓲𝓬 is something that one is born with, though it takes years of study and practice in order to perfect it. Children with at least one magical parent are always born with magic, and there are also cases where children with no magical ancestry at all are born with magic.]

%(white)[▏▏]%(sandybrown)[There are many ways to practice magic, though the form taught at the Institute and spear-headed by its original founders is widely regarded as the "official" way of doing so. It is described as an energy from within that magical individuals must harness in order to put it to use. It is a precise, exacting science, and even one slight mispronunciation of a spell could send the entire thing out of whack. ]

%(white)[▏▏]%(sandybrown)[Magic, as it is taught at the Institute, is inherently spell-based. Even so-called 'magic potions' require an activation spell, and charms, talismans, and magical amulets and artifacts are usually all created with spells and enchantments as well. Many spells read like short poems, and are written the same way that one would write a haiku (5-7-5 syllables per line) or a classical Chinese verse (4 lines, 5 characters per line, AABA or ABCB rhyme scheme). There are also a number of spells that have been incorporated into Chinese culture as common 4-word sayings. All spells are taught in Asian languages at the Institute, with the most common language being, unsurprisingly, Mandarin Chinese.]

||𝓒𝓸𝓵𝓸𝓻𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓭 𝓪𝓼𝓼𝓸𝓬𝓲𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼 derived from two words that have become associated with each other through their pronunciations also have magical importance, though this 'science' is much less precise than that of spells. Some examples:

𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱 **(死亡):** the color white, the number four (四)

𝓛𝓾𝓬𝓴: the colors red/yellow/gold, hanging a 福 (fu) sign upside down, chicken (because the word for chicken, 鸡/ji, is similar to the first word of the phrase for auspicious 吉利/ji li)

𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓼𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓽𝔂: the number eight (八/ba), because its pronunciation is very similar to the word associated with getting rich (发/fa)

𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮: the number two (二/er), because it sounds like the word for love (爱/ai)

𝓛𝓲𝓯𝓮: the number three (三/san)

*****

𝓕𝓮𝓷𝓰 𝓼𝓱𝓾𝓲, also known as 𝓰𝓮𝓸𝓶𝓪𝓷𝓬𝔂, is (according to Wikipedia) "a pseudoscience originating from China, which claims to use energy forces to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environment". The truth, however, is a lot more complicated-some feng shui practices stem from true magical origins, while others are laughably useless, and still others are just plain...common sense. 

While spells and most other magical applications require the use of internal energy, 𝓰𝓮𝓸𝓶𝓪𝓷𝓬𝔂 requires that one harness *external* spiritual energy. However, this external energy is usually quite weak, so more often than not, geomancy is used in addition to regular ol' spell-casting in order to achieve the desired effect. A few basic examples:

𝓒𝓻𝔂𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓵 𝓫𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓼 **(水晶球)** infused with the correct spells are used to bring harmonious, calming energy to any space. For example, a clear quartz crystal ball can be placed in the living room to soothe and clear the energy. Contrary to popular belief, they have no uses in seeing the future.

𝓒𝓲𝓻𝓬𝓵𝓮𝓼 help encourage auspicious harmony. As such, circular rugs and circular tables are quite popular.

𝓛𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼 are also regarded as auspicious, and they allegedly protect homes and businesses from evil. Although the magical community knows that plain old stone lions really don't do anything, magic folk will nevertheless take advantage of their popularity and/or ubiquitous nature and convert them into magical items that serve protective purposes.

𝓜𝓲𝓻𝓻𝓸𝓻𝓼 are all placed on the inside of closet doors. Since students at the Institute are learning basic astral projection, and returning spirits may get confused to which medium-the reflection of the body, or the actual body-they should go back in. Therefore, having mirrors reflecting into the room or reflecting the bed makes people tired and dizzy the next morning.

*****

𝓢𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓮𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓯𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓵 𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓳𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 are two skills that can be mastered through intense study and practice, though even the Institute only has the capacity to teach students basic astral projection during their time at the school (and shapeshifting isn't even touched upon). A student must be taught how to separate their spirit from their physical body, which is definitely not an easy process. However, while learning how to do so, there are many times where the spirit and the body will separate themselves (outside of the volition of the person themselves), especially when the person is sleeping.

𝓟𝓸𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼 exist for a variety of uses. In fact, many traditional Asian herbal remedies are derived from magical potions (though they do not include the spell component, which is an essential part of all potions).]

𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓼 of nature and the dead can be communicated with, though delving into the spirit world is always fraught with risk and should not be taken lightly. ||

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%(white)[▏▏]%(sandybrown)[𝓦𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓭𝓲𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 is used to sort incoming students into four different houses. Students are brought to a wide river, and given a stone. A professor gives them four different sets of spells to try out, all centered around getting the stone across the river. Students are sorted into houses depending on which one they find the easiest. ]

||The 𝓭𝓸𝓷𝓰-𝓷𝓲𝓾 technique requires actively navigating the stone across the river at an even pace, skirting around any obstacles that are encountered and taking advantage of the river's currents. It requires focus, concentration, and patience. This is the technique of 𝓗𝓸𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓜𝓮𝓲.

The 𝓬𝓱𝓾𝓷-𝓽𝓾 technique involves using a series of spells to quite literally *skip* the stone across the water while avoiding any potential obstacles. It requires quick-thinking and creativity-and above all, energy. This is the technique of 𝓗𝓸𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓛𝓪𝓷.

The 𝓺𝓲𝓾-𝓼𝓱𝓾 technique involves using spells in order to take advantage of the surrounding environment-other stones, plants, the wind, water currents, even debris such as driftwood and litter. It requires cleverness, intelligence, and an analytical assessment of the big picture. This is the technique of 𝓗𝓸𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓙𝓾.

Finally, the 𝔁𝓲𝓪-𝓱𝓾 technique involves using magic to have the stone plow straight across the water, heedless of any potential obstacles or the water's currents. It requires determination, resolve, and an ability to take challenges head-on. This is the technique of 𝓗𝓸𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓛𝓲𝓪𝓷.||

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%(white)[▏▏]%(sandybrown)[𝓗𝓸𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓜𝓮𝓲 is the house of the ox, the plum blossom, and winter. Their colors are dark pink and white, and sorceresses in House Mei are known for their resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity; like the plum blossoms that bloom vibrantly even amidst the harsh winter snow or the water-ox that swam untiringly across the Heavenly River to earn its place on the zodiac, these sorceresses don't know the meaning of 'giving up'. They are diligent, patient, determined, and tend to make decisions based on logic and a rational analysis of the situation. However, they are usually also stubborn and inflexible, unable to easily adapt to drastic changes, and they tend to play by the rules, no matter what. House Mei's dorms are located in a cozy house with plenty of sofas and a warm, comfortable cream and dull orange color palette.]

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𝓓𝓸𝓻𝓶𝓼
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%(white)[▏▏]%(sandybrown)[𝓗𝓸𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓛𝓪𝓷 is the house of the rabbit, the orchid, and spring. Their colors are purple and yellow, and sorceresses in House Lan are known for their friendly and outgoing nature. Like the rabbit who hopped from stone to stone across the Heavenly River in order to earn its place on the zodiac, sorceresses of House Lan are tirelessly energetic. They love deeply, and they have an open-minded empathy for others that makes them well-liked by their peers; it isn't an exaggeration to say that they can see the silver lining on every storm cloud. However, these sorceresses are also perfectionists, always striving to meet the high standards that they set for themselves, and they can be manipulative, petty, and two-faced if they think they have been wronged. They tend to be rather emotional, and they can also be quite indecisive, not wanting to hurt anybody's feelings. House Lan's dorms are located in a renovated ancient Chinese village, with pagodas and water lilies and moon doors galore.]

|| %(#dedede)[1]

𝓓𝓸𝓻𝓶𝓼
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%(white)[▏▏]%(sandybrown)[𝓗𝓸𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓙𝓾 is the house of the rat, the chrysanthemum, and autumn. Their colors are orange and gold, and sorceresses of House Ju are known for their cleverness and intelligence, taking after the rat who became first on the zodiac by devising a cunning plan in order to win the race across the Heavenly River. Quick-witted, charming, and persuasive, these sorceresses are smart and adaptable, capable of seeing the "big picture" and quickly analyzing all the different components of a situation. They are risk-takers who aren't afraid to think outside the box and try something that nobody has ever tried before. However, sorceresses who are placed in House Ju are sometimes described as sly, cunning, and ruthless-and although this is an extreme characterization of them, it stems from a seed of truth. They are not afraid to bend the rules for their own benefit, and can be a bit judgmental of other people. House Ju's dorms are located in house that brings back memories of 1930s Shanghai; all gilt-lined panels and luxurious four-poster beds.]

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𝓓𝓸𝓻𝓶𝓼
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%(white)[▏▏]%(sandybrown)[𝓗𝓸𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓛𝓲𝓪𝓷 is the house of the tiger, the lotus, and summer. Their colors are light pink and green, and sorceresses of House Ju are known for their courage and resolve. Indeed, like the lotus blossom itself, the sorceresses of House Lian are capable of going through hell and back without letting the world change their core values. Energetic and humorous, they are the true "rebels with a cause", though they also tend to be emotionally sensitive (almost *prickly*) and go way too overboard with some things. Sorceresses of House Lian thrive in the limelight, almost to the point of being attention whores, and they can also be rather reckless and/or impulsive; indeed, there are definitely people who have said that they can't tell whether these sorceresses are reckless, brave, or both). House Lian's dorms are located in a vintage luxury hotel/lodge. They love scaring people with the giant stuffed tiger in the main foyer.]

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𝓓𝓸𝓻𝓶𝓼
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