Why four classical elements in Arcane Elemental Academy?

YA fiction? Simpler plot? Why only the four classical elements instead of the usual nine in Arcane Elemental Academy? The answer’s obvious. 

Picture this: Yote Diamondback standing across from her sister Jett, runes flashing before her as she throws a three-rune combo — Thurisaz, Nied, Kenaz — all in perfect sync. That’s what The Arcane Prophecy delivers in its first couple chapters.

You may’ve read my Renegades Epic and thought a magic system with nine elements was pretty f*cking cool. Then, you read Arcane Awakenings and thought, “Why the hell did TC only use the classical elements?”

No, I didn’t plan on dumbing Arcane down. You don’t need to worry about that. Instead, I rolled with a different system entirely, and one that still has some caveats.

While you’re getting a lethal blend of magical swords with the blood, smoke, wood, and metal elements in the Epic, I combined elemental and rune magic in Arcane. This made things simpler, no doubt, but it also distinguished Arcane from the shared universe.

Plus, I needed to mix things up sooner than later. It gets boring to write about the same damn thing every time a new idea crashes into my mind. So I thought, Why not make something new, for once?

Nordic runes take center stage

I have a thing for Nordic runes. You may know them as the Elder Futhark. That’s been the case since 2018, and they were easy to inject into Arcane’s magic system. Instead of more abstract “leveling up,” which I have in the shared universe, and something that’s softer, I wanted to be more straightforward and direct.

In Arcane, you’ll quickly figure out that an Elemental’s leveling up as they practice and master runic combos:

• One-rune combo: A single rune’s used for an earth, wind, water, or fire movement.
• Three-rune combo: Three runes are used. Ditto for the others:
• Five-rune
• Seven-rune
• 11-rune
• 13-plus rune

You’ll know which of the 24 runes in the Elder Futhark corresponds to each element (water, fire, earth, air) from the attack my characters use. While an Elemental can use a 13-rune combo and unleash an attack with all four classical elements, you don’t need to worry about that happening in The Arcane Prophecy.

Once Yote learns those advanced combos, so will you. Think of it like in Harry Potter, where Harry learns certain spells, potions, and techniques that are conducive to the story. The Unforgivable Curses in Goblet of Fire, if you need a visual.

What about the fifth element?

Glad you asked. And yes, Spirit’s involved in Arcane. But it’s rare, and only certain characters access the fifth element.

It’s like this. Think of Elementals born with a specific gene that lets them control the elements. Like how some of us are born with an easier time putting on muscle than others.

Then, you have Elementals with an advanced gene that gives them access to something more. But that gene only “turns on” under specific circumstances. And yes, I’m being vague.

In people who can build muscle easier than others, some can access that “next level,” because they’re part of that one percent who can pack on so much muscle that they end up competing in and winning bodybuilding shows.

Spirit’s there, but a minute number of Elementals can access it. And even then, an even smaller number will figure out the steps needed to gain access.

No Elemental Swords needed

In my Renegades Epic, when an Elemental, Sentry, or Mage, depending on the book series, they’re called something different, reaches a certain level, a sword manifests in their hands. This lets them perform stronger maneuvers, but with less energy cost.

Here, performing a higher rune combo takes more energy. But, as one learns to perfect five-rune combos and they get used to practicing them, that energy cost decreases.

It’s like running. It takes a lot out of you to run a mile if you haven’t run often. But when that mile gets easier, you bump up to three miles, which gets tough and forces you to expend more energy. Then, three miles get easier, and you bump up to five miles, and so on.

Mastering runic combos is no different.

See those rune combos in action

Looking for more of a visual? Check out the first three chapters of The Arcane Prophecy, where Yote battles Jett in two adrenaline-pumping duels early.

You’ll see how Yote visualizes the runes in front of her, and through traditional boxing movements, she summons, conjures, and unleashes each of the four classical elements.

You don’t wanna miss this one if you’re into elemental magic and sibling rivalries.