Leif glanced up at the sunlight shifting through the leaves above. It was bright and glittered on the mounds of treasure within Jasmine's nest. With another drawn out sigh, Leif glanced back at the book of magic. He'd managed to postpone it the previous evening by citing the fading light, but now he had no such excuse.

The Dawn of his life as a magical madman was waiting for him.

…

Leif couldn't help but snort at his own absurdity. With a grimace, Leif finally tugged the book over and opened to the first page.

The first question a young sorcerer must learn the answer to; What is magic?

For many people this can seem an emotional response due to outside stimulus that has been associated with the art. However, the basic definition of the term would be an individual's will focused through spells, objects, or potions with an effect to the supernatural or beyond natural limitations.

Leif sat back. Somehow, the book could explain exactly what magic was without explaining anything at all. Leif knew magic was a supernatural art that could be used in a myriad of different ways. What he didn't know was how, why, or what.

Leif let out a grumble before returning to the book.

Of course, that definition of magic does very little but define it for those who merely wish to classify and not to do. For those who wish to do, magic is the usage of mana through various foci to achieve the unachievable.

So, the book admitted that the previous definition was lacking.

Mana is unfortunately not so easily defined. For some, it is purely an emotional feeling. For others it is a well of power used when using magic. Though many have tried, none so far have been able to define what mana is beyond the source of magic. Mana is will power, energy, and even life itself. Yet, it is also much, much more. So perhaps, instead of trying to define what we [the writers] do not know, we should instead turn to what we do know about mana.

There are three main rules concerning mana and its usage.

The first, is that every living thing has mana. Plants, animals, men, and even creatures beyond our daily lives. Each creature that breathes and lives has mana.

Not all creatures are capable of using their mana for spell work or magic. Nor can they all use magic equally. The Torans are the most well-known magic users for their magical clothing and magnificent city. However, other tribes, like the Jalis, have difficulty using their mana for spell work but instead use it instinctively to buff up their physical attributes. All creatures have mana; not all are capable of spell work.

Of the Seven tribes, the Jalis, Plains, and Dread Gnomes have the greatest difficulty learning to use their mana through spell work.

Leif let out a breath, uncertain if he was relieved or disappointed that as a man of Del he was capable of magic. He didn't really want to learn the art, but he needed to if he wanted to complete the quest.

The third and final rule is that magic has its limits. Because magic is purely usage of the mana already existing within the body, its limits are based on the caster's own mortality. A mortal caster can not bring back the dead or any other absurdly ridiculous fantasy. It can do many things, but it can not do the purely impossible. It can not give life, it can not create life, and it can not return life. Also, because magic is based on the caster's mortal limitation, should the caster over reach themselves they will die of mana depletion. It is a most painful and terrifying death, we [The Writers] assure you. Do not learn magic because of some pipe dream like bringing a loved one back to life or turning dust into gold.

Leif blinked. He would have thought any magic user would encourage using magic to do the impossible or irresponsible. Perhaps this wouldn't be such a slippery slope? Leif carefully turned the cream toned page to begin chapter two.

The usage of magic is varied. One can use it in various concoctions and potions in order to achieve the incredible on their drinker; whether for good or for ill. Or, a trained spell caster could engrave written magic onto an item to enchant it to perform a specific task.

However, even with all of the various ways and directions a young apprentice can take in learning magic, there is still one basic beginning. In order to imbue mana into either written words or into ingredients through various ways of preparation, one must be able to call it in the first place. Different masters have different ways of doing this. Some make it some sort of test by forcing the student to call up their mana on their own. However, most have dispensed with such old methods of testing and now merely teach their student to call by first doing it for them. However, if you are reading this book, you likely either have an errant teacher who has left you to your own designs for far too long, or you are desperate enough to attempt to learn this art by yourself.

In either case, you will most likely need to call up your mana on your own. Fortunately, the usage of mana with spell casting is often instinctual. Every ritual, incantation, or spell is created with the intent of drawing forth mana in a specific way.

Thus, for many students, the easiest way to learn to call mana is to simply repeat the spell or incantation until it works. Of course, this could take days, weeks, or even years to work. For while the theory and structure is within the ritual or spell, mana's greatest motivator is the motivation within the caster. If the caster is not entirely committed to the spell, with all of their will, might, and mind the spell will fail no matter how many times it is incanted. The caster has to want the magic to work.

Thus, for the less enthused for magic, leave.

You are wasting your time.

I'm sooooooo tired. I hope you guys are happy because RL is kicking my behind. I'm working like... 70 hours a week and it hurts.