A Psychic (超能力者, Chō Nōryokusha?) refers to one who was born with a mutation, an Abnormal Ability (異能, Inō?) gained as a result of the brain being able to comprehend a "channel" (common sense, or perception of reality) not native to humans. It is a different type of Mystery than Magecraft, although similar in nature.
Psychic Power
Psychic Power (超能力, Chō Nōryoku?), also referred to as Extrasensory Perception (ESP), is a catch-all term to refer to the circuits that cause supernatural phenomena to occur. It is a form of nature interference that to the psychic comes as naturally as breathing. Unlike Magecraft, which can be taught and practiced, inherent ability is an absolute necessity. Psychic powers are the ultimate ability of humans, who have become an existence independent of nature. However, these powers are generally incomparable to the great abilities possessed by Demons or Mixed-Bloods. In the end, they are only human.
Psychic powers only appear by chance and are limited to one generation, although families such as the Nanaya or Ryougi have discovered ways to keep them perpetuated throughout the generations. Generally, a psychic is born with both a "normal" perception (channel) that allows one to function in society using society's own common sense, as well as an "abnormal" psychic perception (extra channel). However, there rarely exist those who only possess the latter who cannot live within society's rules of common sense, eventually degenerating into what normal people would call murderers. These are known as Unfit Existences (存在不適合者, Sonzai Futekigōsha?) - for example, Fujino Asagami.[1] In order to cure an Unfit Existence so they are able to fully adapt to society, one must remove his or her only channel and take away their ESP; however, doing so permanently is impossible with current technology without destroying the brain entirely. To imitate this purpose of removing their ESP, measures such as removing their sense of pain or Mystic Eye Killers exist.
Known Powers
Mystic Eyes are well-known examples of psychic powers on the level of magecraft; there are methods to artificially induce their formation such as magecraft or vampiric influence, even if the user has no innate ability, though the result will be weaker than an inborn power. The members of the Demon Hunter Organization are also known psychics - refer to that page for specifics.
Note that Touko actually described 'extra senses' as a regression. Modern societies are so complex and contain so much information that normal humans would disregard anything not necessary for them. Those who can see beyond normal perception, on the other hand, will irrevocably record everything in their memories - an information overload.
Clairvoyance
Clairvoyance (透視能力, Tōshinōryoku?) is the ability to perceive beyond what is physically possible, achieved by Fujino Asagami. Possibly related to the Servant skill of the same name. Pure Eyes such as those possessed by the Nanaya clan may also qualify.
Masochistic Pneumatic Automatism Diathesis
Masochistic Pneumatic Automatism Diathesis (被虐霊媒体質, Higyaku Reibai Taishitsu?), is the genetic condition of Caren Hortensia, if there is a person nearby who has been possessed by a daemon, her body will mimic the end effects that the daemon possession will eventually have on the possessed human. This ability can't be gained from training since it's purely genetic, which is why people born with these traits are valued by the Church as daemon detectors.
Pure Eyes
Pure Eyes (淨眼, Jō gan?), also called Eyes of Purity, are the ability to see that which normally cannot be seen. They are similar to Mystic Eyes, and, while both are inheritable, Pure Eyes differ from them.
Precognition
Precognition (未来視, Miraishi?) is the ability to perceive the future. There are two main types, Future Prediction (未来予測, Mirai Yosoku?) and Future Calculation (未来測定, Mirai Sokutei?), with the majority of users being able to Predict instead of Calculate. There also exists a rare third type known as Divination (予言, Yogen?) that does not require information processing and is considered "true" precognition.
Prediction is the ability to unconsciously gather information about one's surroundings and, comparing it to past events and experiences, to use it to predict future events and their outcomes. Touko Aozaki describes it as being the "more human" kind of Precognition.
Calculation, on the other hand, is the ability to purge possibilities from occurring by watching the location of the possible futures, thereby bringing to fruition the events one desires. It can thus be described as forging the path to achieve a desired future, enabling its user to calculate and define the future with perfect accuracy. Calculation is limited by its requirement of directly watching the target area. It also makes the normally formless and ever-shifting concept of "the future" tangible, making it vulnerable to be killed by Shiki Ryougi's Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.
- Shizune Seo - She is able to "predict" the future of those around her randomly and without prior notice. While she is initially hesitant to use this ability, she eventually accepts it with the help of Mikiya.
- Akira Seo - She is able to "predict" the future based on the past of those she meets.
- Mitsuru Kamekura - His Right Eye was capable of seeing the future he desired, while his Left Eye could see "the path" to achieve that future. This allowed him to actually "calculate" and define the future with a 100% accuracy. As it is a future backed by calculation, gathering the evidence of actions, he had to physically see the target to see the future. A power that exceeds simple prediction; however, it is a contradiction as a future that becomes certain cannot be defined as 'the future', which is by nature uncertain. Shiki remarks that he "can't actually see anything" due to this. When Shiki Ryougi killed the future he envisioned, his abilities were killed as well.
- The "Mother of Mifune" - Unlike others who rely on information processing for seeing the future, the Mother of Mifune is a "real" prophetess who can see the future using "Divination." She generally sees tragedies, and she gives advice on how to avoid those tragedies. Thus, she notes that she is not making accurate predictions, as they can be changed. However, if her advice is not followed, then the tragedy will definitely occur with no exceptions. By the year 2010, she has lost her precognitive ability in her old age.
- Ryougi Shiki under the influence of her self-suggestion - Based on Shizune Seo's remarks, she is assumed to use "divination."
It is said that Servants with a high rank of Clairvoyance are capable of a sort of precognition. Powerful instinct, both naturally and as a Servant skill is also a form of subconscious precognition. Characters who possess such skills are:
- All Servants with the skill Instinct
- Tohno Shiki under pressure of imminent death.
Retrocognition
Retrocognition (過去視, Kakoshi?) is the ability to perceive the past.
- Fake Shiki (Plus-Disc) - The ability to see the records (memories) of one's life upon meeting. Also capable of sharing perceptions to an extent.
- Shiki Tohno has displayed a similar ability, having been able to see the past of the original SHIKI Tohno, implied to be due to a telepathic connection established since childhood. This ability mainly took the form of seeing his "death" by SHIKI's hands through his eyes in his memories.
Spontaneous Combustion
Spontaneous Combustion is Azaka Kokutou's magecraft specialty, though in her case, it is an innate pyrokinetic ability that directly causes the target to combust.[2]
Synchronization
Synchronization (感応能力, Kan'nō Nōryoku?), is the ability of Hisui and Kohaku to transfer energy. This transference of energy is performed by the exchange of bodily fluids, such as another drinking their blood, but it is strongest in the act of intercourse.[3]
References
- ↑
[] Kara no Kyoukai Special Pamphlet - Encyclopedia: Psychic Power [Others], p.035 [T] Psychic Power [Others]
Abnormal powers. Functions that normal humans do not possess. A kind of circuitry that leads to what are commonly called paranormal activities.
Different from magecraft, inborn talents are absolutely necessary for ESP. Those possessing ESP circuits can induce paranormal phenomenons as naturally as breathing. The ESPers themselves take ESP for granted, and treat it as something they simply "can do". They only realise that they are abnormal after others (who can only comprehend "normal") have pointed it out.
In this story, Asagami Fujino is an ESPer, but since she was tampered with somewhat, her ability falls between ESP and magecraft.
ESP is normally an incidental occurrence, a sudden mutation limited to one generation.超能力【ちょうのうりょく】【その他】
異能。本来、人間という生き物を運営するに含まれない機能の事。俗に言う超常現象を引き起こす回線。
魔術と違い、先天的な才能が必要不可欠。異能の回線を持つ者は、息を吸うかの如く超常現象を引き起こす。本人たちにとってもそれが『出来て』当たり前のことなので、外部（一般常識）からの指摘で始めて自分が異常なのだと気がつく事になる。
本編では浅上藤乃が超能力者とされているが、彼女はある程度人為的な手が加えられている為、魔術と異能の中間に属する。
本来超能力は偶発的に発生するもので、一代限りの突然変異なのである。 - ↑
[] Kara no Kyoukai Special Pamphlet - Encyclopedia: Spontaneous Combustion [Others], p.037 [T] Spontaneous Combustion [Others]
The so-called unexplained phenomenon of human combustion.
It was the spell that Kokutou Azaka favoured. However, it was closer to ESP than magecraft. In terms of ESP, it would be called Pyrokinesis.
Spontaneous Combustion is a method of attack that causes the target to self-combust, rather than immolating the target directly.
There are many theories which explain Spontaneous Combustion, Azaka's Spontaneous Combustion can be explained by an amalgamation of the Charged Corpus Theory and the Electromagnetism Theory. The Charged Corpus Theory suggests that the human body produces electrical current during states of psychological arousal which causes Spontaneous Combustion, while the Electromagnetism Theory suggests that Spontaneous Combustion is a result of an increased release of electrons in the atmosphere.
All incantations used to activate Spontaneous Combustion were musical notes, since Azaka comprehended magecraft and combat through music.発火能力【その他】
スポンティニアス・コンバッション。人体発火現象と呼ばれる、原因不明の発火現象。
黒桐鮮花が得意とする魔術だが、魔術というより超能力に近い。超能力で言うのならパイロキネシス。
炎で対象を焼くのではなく、対象自体に発火してもらう、という攻撃方法。
人体発火現象には様々な説があるが、鮮花の発火能力は精神｜昂揚により人体に電気を発生させる人体帯電説と、空気中に大量放出された電子を原因とする電磁波説を混ぜ合わせたもの。
発動の為の詠唱が単一かつ楽譜記号なのは、鮮花が魔術と戦闘を楽曲だと捉えている為。 - ↑
[] Tsukihime Dokuhon PlusPeriod - TSUKIHIME Dictionary: Synchronization [Unusual talent], p.177 Synchronization [Unusual talent]
The ability to sympathize with other people. Putting it simply, it's giving one's own physical strength to somebody else. (Synchronizing with somebody else would be empathy.)
As Kohaku and Hisui are particularly talented sympaths, they don't just give their own physical strength, but also strengthen and support the mental and physical strength of their target.
Also, because this is sympathy and not empathy, even if the target is injured there won't be any feedback for the sympath. In game terms, it's like turning off collision detection.
The method of sympathizing varies depending on the practitioner. For some, it is possible to sympathize regardless of the target's will, while for others some sort of ritual is necessary.
The ritual is a switch on the spiritual plane passed down within a family, to control heretical abilities. It is a mental block implanted in the subconscious that prevents the ability from activating unless certain conditions are met.
…In other words, Hisui's family must have been a bunch of perverts, huh?感応能力【異能】