Sylia, the Dark & Light Saint

Welcome to Nagasmar, a Kingdom now ruled by several Substitute Kings, following the changes brought about by a civil war that erupted decades before the beginning of our tale. This country is home to many races, though Humans form the predominant majority.

Yet, the term 'Humans' here refers to beings quite unlike those of your own world. The Humans living in the continent where Nagasmar is located, are physically different from your world's humans and divided into several sub-races. Among them, the Magirians sub-race is the most widespread throughout the region.

Over ninety percent of Nagasmar's population, including the Magirians, is born with Magic, and the majority of those individuals also possess what is known as Mana. At this point, one might wonder how does Mana differ from Magic? Though both are magical in essence, they are not interchangeable, and their relationship is far more nuanced than the terminology might suggest.

In Sylia's world, Mana and Magic are closely related, yet fundamentally distinct in nature, structure, and use. Mana is a denser, more concentrated form of raw magical energy which is both potent and stable. It is not only far more refined and resilient than Magic but also much stronger and harder to break.

Still, Mana cannot be molded easily nor created from Magic.

In fact, the relationship flows only in one direction. Mana can be used to fuel Magic, but Magic can never be turned back into Mana. This distinction is not merely academic, it is intrinsic to the laws of this world. Mana is known to have been made like this by Divine design.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Magic, by contrast, is used to control and manipulate Mana. Without Magic, Mana remains unusable outside of its original receptacle. In fact, only Magic contains the formulas and principles that allow for the external application of Mana.

Where Mana is inherently elemental and stable, Magic is fluid, volatile, and elementally neutral. It is far easier to draw or harvest from the environment and is essential to the production of Spells, Sigils, Summons, and magical constructs. Magic is widespread and accessible, but unstable on its own. It must be molded with intent and often guided through external structures or rituals to be properly directed.

One could say that to wield Magic, a Mage must learn formulas and magical constructs. In contrast, someone who wishes to command Mana must possess, on top of the necessary affinity, a sheer force of will. In this world, Magic is a practiced art, while Mana is often instinctive or innate.

Mana itself originates from elemental sources. It may stem from the Primary Elements (Darkness, Dark, Darkling, Light, and Lightling) or from Secondary Elements (such as Fire, Water, Ice, and Earth). On rarer occasions, it may originate from Neutral Elements, which are by definition compatible with all other Elements.

Unlike Magic, which can be shaped to suit the wielder's intent, Mana inherently retains the nature of the Elements that birthed it. For this reason, it often leads to incompatibility with other Primary Elements unless it originates solely from Neutral ones. Something considered extremely rare.