Mana:

Mana is the vital energy that flows through every living being. Those who are capable of intentionally controlling it are called mages.
The use of mana to cast a spell consists of two phases:

• Activation of the mana flow.
• Manipulation of the mana to shape the magic.

Mages distinguish themselves by their ability to generate and expand a secondary magical reserve. This reserve is distinct from the essential one inherent to all living beings. It functions like a muscle: it increases with experience and can be trained and enlarged through the constant practice of magic.

When a mage casts a spell, they normally draw from this secondary reserve. Mana consumption takes place in three phases that trigger based on which energy is being used:

• Fatigue: Occurs as long as the mage consumes their secondary reserve. They experience a growing exhaustion, akin to intense physical exertion.
• Attrition: Triggers when the secondary reserve is completely depleted. To continue channeling magic, the mage is forced to draw directly from their vital energy. The cast spells draw from primary life forces and begin to take a physical toll on the mage’s body. Symptoms include severe headaches, tremors, nosebleeds, and blurred vision.
• Complete Exhaustion: If the fixed vital energy is also consumed, the bond between soul and body breaks, leading to immediate death.

The mana cost of a spell is not fixed; rather, it depends on the mage’s skill. For beginners, the perceived exhaustion is comparable to what would be required to perform the same action firsthand, whereas expert mages can reduce the energy consumed several times over.
The principal method to reduce the consumed mana consists in avoiding dissipations toward the surrounding environment; this can be done by better channeling the mana and drawing the Magical Symbols with more precision.
Another important ability that distinguishes the best mages is finding the most effective formula to obtain the desired objective, to make the spell more efficient. In most cases, the best formulas are the simplest and most linear.