Magiology
Magiology is the encompassing study dedicated to the transformation of the Fabric via Magical Functions, and all the associated mechanisms, principles and phenomena thereof. It is considered the theoretical basis of Magic as a general metascience, branching into various other dedicated subdisciplines that are restricted to certain thematic domains, as well as their own specific principles.
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Magic
Magic is the transformation of the Fabric induced by the actualization of an Aetheric Interface, which requires aetheric energy derived from the liberation of metaparticles, such as Mana or Prana. More generally, Magic is executed in order to temporarily rewrite one or more parts of reality in order to achieve a purpose. These alterations modify the Fabric with extreme efficiency, integrating themselves as harmlessly and unintrusively as possible, before being corrected by the Fabric's self-restorative force.
The above is a categorically modern definition of Magic. This interpretation recognizes Magic not as a process fueled exclusively by Mana (often considered to be a "classical" definition), but as a phenomenon driven by aetheric energy. As such, the terms Manalistic Magic and Non-Manalistic Magic are often to used as means to disambiguate Magic cast using Mana and Magic cast using other aethers—specifically, the subcategories Pranic or Spiritual Magic are used for Prana-driven Magic, Antimanalistic Magic for Malice-driven Magic, and so on.
The distinction between Magic and Magiology is important, especially in technical contexts. Magic is described as a phenomenon, but it erroneous to refer to Magic as a discipline. In contrast, Magiology describes the study of Magic itself, which encompasses its laws, limitations and mechanisms.
Execution
Execution of Magic is purely a mental process, and it is often compared to resolving or calculating a series of mathematical expressions or algebraic equations. The complexity of this is directly dependent on the complexity of the Aetheric Interface that is being constructed, with simple Spells requiring relatively negligible levels of mental processing, whereas complex Spells require increasingly higher levels of focus or concentration from the Caster in order to successfully resolve all of its components. Therefore, it is accurate to say that the concept of innate "magical potential" is, strictly speaking, effectively nonexistent—instead, magical ability is largely in function of the ability to perform extremely fast mental quasilogical operations and deductions. Thus, when speaking of aptitude or capability in the context of Magic, one is referring to an individual's Magical Calculation Quotient', or simply Magical Quotient (MQ), which is a measure of determining a person's ability to achieve what is denominated as Spellwork.
Spellwork is the collective term for the abstract action of "computing" or "calculating" all the internal variables and components of a Spell, performed at the moment of constructing the Aetheric Interface. Thus, when referring to requiring a certain amount of Spellwork, it refers to the concentration necessary to mentally process, and sometimes maintain, a Spell. Without exception, all instances of Magic require a measure of Spellwork, and every Spell requires the complete resolution of all of its components in order to be successfully realized as Magic. Incompletely computing a Spell can be thought to be synonymous to the Spell failing to fully describe itself into reality, leading into problems such as so-called "miscasts" (integration of an incomplete or improperly-constructed Aetheric Interface) or the premature termination of the Magic in question (an internal collapse or breakdown of the Magical Function).
Activation Sequence
[WIP | A sequence of processes or operations that culminate in the execution of Magic. It involves the liberation of metaparticles into aetheric energy, the construction of an information body (the Aetheric Interface) via Spellwork, and the integration of this Interface into objective reality. The Activation Sequence terminates when the Aetheric Interface is actualized into the Fabric and becomes a Magical Function—at this point, Magic is considered to have been cast.]
Information Theory
Laws of Magic
Magical Entropy
More succinctly described with the dictum, "Magic is never eternal". The duration or continuity of a Magical Function is directly proportional to the amount of aetheric energy supplied to the system. In other words, the "lifetime" of a Spell before it terminates or decays is, invariably, a finite length of time. There exists no Magic that can continually affect the world indefinitely, as that would require an infinite amount of aetheric energy in order to sustain itself forever. This applies even to exceedingly simple processes like levitating a grain of sand; although a Spell designed to sustain this effect would be extremely simple and energy-efficient, it will eventually terminate once its corresponding Magical Function is depleted of available aetheric energy. Supplying such a Spell with the amount of Mana in the entire Manaverse may cause its duration to become arbitrarily large, but it will never truly become infinite.
Magical Entropy has vast implications on the long-term effectiveness of Magic. Autotrophic ("Self-Supplying") Magical Systems are always subject to a positive rise in Magical Entropy regardless of Mana (or equivalents) intake; this is due to the added complexity of an authotrophic component or components increasing the required amount of aetheric energy needed to sustain the Magical Function. As such, the "consumption" of a Spell will never be equal to or lower than the rate it acquires additional aetheric energy to maintain itself, and its Magical Entropy will always rise.
