#yay magic

Book 1. // Pages 32- 33- afterword.

Let me begin by saying this: everything on the planet has the potential for magic. They are made of it, just as much as they are formed from scientific elements. In fact, I would go so far as to assert that it is within the bonds of any possible compound, for what is magic but energy shaped by intent? This is not to say that a stone’s potential is equal to a human’s, or that one human has exactly the same potential as their neighbor. Naturally, magical potential (referred to from here on as innate magic) varies wildly throughout the natural world. In inorganic substances such as minerals, gems, and metals, innate magic is measured by how receptive it is to magic cast on it, in much the same way as it is measured by how conductive it may be. Incidentally -and supporting the theory that magic may be an outward expression of the energy in chemical bonds- there is a strong correlation between receptivity and conductivity in metals. However, many scientists point out that this would not explain variance within human and fae populations. There are plenty of hypotheses to explain this, but few are widely accepted. (Some of these point to Word and Psymagics as a reason for these variations)

In official texts magic is measured on a scale from zero (or Mundane) to six (or Prodigious) and follows a bell curve. While all newborns are tested for exceptionally high levels of innate magic, it is generally accepted that innate magic levels are best assessed at 6-7 years old, prior to starting formal schooling. These tests focus on evaluating the child’s second sight (ability to see and follow magical auras and energies) and ability to manifest faerie lights (small orbs of light, no larger than an adult’s thumbnail, most children will instinctually produce these lights near familiar adults) -Mundane: no noticeable second sight, unable to manifest faerie lights -Level 1: able to follow strong, moving energies (level 5-6), faerie lights are dim, small (1mm avg), and do not last long (under 30 seconds) -Level 2: difficulty following weak moving energy (level 0-2) but may see strong auras (level 5-6), faerie lights are larger (2-3mm) and last up to a minute -Level 3: able to easily follow moving auras, able to see level three auras or stronger, faerie lights average 5mm and last at least 5 minutes -Level 4: difficulty seeing weak auras (level 0-1), faerie lights average 6-8 mm and last at least 15 minutes -Level 5: no trouble seeing even weak auras, faerie lights average 1 cm in size and last indefinitely -Prodigy: able to recognize auras with affinities similar to their own though they may have difficulty seeing other kinds of energy, is drawn toward objects associated with their affinity. Easily spotted by anyone with second sight. Untrained or insufficiently trained prodigies are often at risk of being consumed by their magic, so early identification is vital. Anyone who suspects their child has been incorrectly assessed/labeled for innate magic are urged to get their child reassessed after a waiting period of six months. There is a limit of three reassessments.