This book is meant to be an introduction to the theory of magic for first-year students, though some of the sections go beyond the standard for a first-year course (Chapter 7). It was created as there was no one good book on the subject. Existing works were either split across multiple volumes or so outdated that they were no longer understandable to the average student. Basic knowledge of mathematics is expected from the reader. Specifically, the reader must know how to figure out an unknown variable and how a function increases. If the reader does not know these skills, then he is suggested to improve on these skills until he is confident enough to begin study the theory of magic.
The theory of magic is an ever evolving field of study (with even a new branch of magic being created this year!), and so this book cannot be expected to be accurate after years and years, so every so often, this book will be updated with new additions and or removals. This book is split into 3 main sections. Elemental Magic (Chapters 1-3), Motion (Chapters 4-6) and Interactions (Chapters 7). Elemental Magic introduces many of the important formulas and definitions that which will be use in all of studying magic. It also talks about some of the most fundamental and basic spells. Motion will build on the definitions introduced in Element Magic and will explain how motion created by magic means works. The last section, Interactions, will be a complex section on how different magic spells interact with each other and explore the idea of misspells and mana overload.
I would like to thank many different people who have helped me make this book. Thank you, Mage Therious, Hoki, Jacque, and Gotya for reading and correcting any mistakes in the book. I also want to give a large thanks to Archmage Fori, for overall perfecting this book.
Magic Theory is a bit different from what most people think of when the word "magic" comes to mind. Yes, Magic Theory is about spells and mana, but it less focuses on the act of the casting the spells, and more of what the effect the spell will have. So, if we are studying a simple elemental spell, such as Fireball, we think less of it as a fire projectile, and more a ball with a radius equal to the mana put in square rooted with a set amount of fire energy also based on mana put in. Formally, Magic Theory can be defined as the study of spells and how they interact with each other.
First, we should define the most important unit in magic theory: Mana. Mana (shortened as Mn) is defined as the amount of magical energy required to heat up a gram of frozen water, at exactly 0°C, to boil (1 Mana is about 419 Joules). This unit allows for a consistent way to measure and compare the energy involved in spellcasting. A Spell is an action that transforms mana into to another from of energy or matter. A few examples of spells is Enlight (turns magic energy into light energy), Water Blast (turns magic energy into creation of matter and kenetic energy) and Enlarge (turns magic energy into matter). When a spell creates a unwanted byproduct, that is known as a Magical Residue. An example of this, is that a Noisemaking spell might also create heat.
A student may wonder how we can create matter from mana, which is just a form of energy. Now, it is true, by the vireston of conservation of mass that no matter can be created. But, this mana is known as a pseudo-energy, where it is both matter, and energy. So it can either be converted to another form of matter or energy. (NOTE: A vireston is a statement which is based on repeated tests that describes the laws of the plane. A vireston may not be true in other planes)
One very important basic formula is a spell's efficiency.
For example, lets say we put in 70 Mn into a spell and the output we got had 27,235J of energy. Then, the spell was around 93% efficient.