"It's both, depending on the magic. Academic magic requires learning spells, but it is your energy that causes them to happen correctly. When you start, it will be tiring doing too many all at once. Like training with a sword, only it is with your mind and spirit."

Istredd had no fighting skills before coming here and he is still an amateur at best, but he has been learning some combat to balance out his ability to stay alive here. And it has been an aching process, with his muscles learning to do more than go to the library and stay there. He can see the appeal, it is very active, and he would say it is similar to learning magic in the start.

"When you say the light spell, it won't just happen. You need to focus. Being in a calm state is helpful the first time, in terms of balance. Imagine that you are willing light to appear from your hand. Picture it and tell it to happen when you speak the words."