"At least the Thornean variant does. They call it academic magic, and indeed it relies on words. Carefully worded spells that require diligent practice before you can make them work. The mages in Thorne believe it's safer. It surely is easier to teach this kind to people with even a trace of skill. It doesn't need deeper understanding, innate talent or raw power. All you need is to have even a drop of magic within you, say the right words in the right way, and there you have it."

He's being unjust in his assessment. What he said is good for the basics, and it was made perfectly clear by the disaster that preceded their current one, that Thornean mages are capable of both impressive and deadly feats of magic. But he can't pretend that his own didn't need practice.

"It only looks easy because I've been doing this since I was little," he admits. "It's as much a part of me as my blood is. It may appear effortless, but that's just years of practice." And focus, and control. Both of which he had to learn, with the latter being harder and more tricky.

"Don't sell yourself short. There are many uses for wind magic. It doesn't need to be hurricane strength to help."

Kell can list a few right off the top of his head.