Every Lightkeeper holds the potential for magic, but few become Mages. Due to the sheer rigor, the drop-out rate at the Mage’s Academy is considerably high, especially in Rank II when academics begin to intensify. Many of these Faians choose to take the Rogue path instead, training their affinity at their own pace outside of the Mage’s Academy. Additionally, it is not uncommon for Academy students to get stuck in Rank IV, simply waiting for their affinity spirit to transition. The path to Magedom is different for every Faian, but ultimately, it is something that requires extraordinary dedication and years of hard work.

The Connection

The first step for all Faians is to activate an affinity, accomplished by mentally finding a deity’s power pool. For most, this requires using an affinity totem. However, it is possible for a Faian to naturally stumble upon this connection, typically during moments of intense emotion or need. In rare cases, Faians are born with an activated affinity. Aside from Faia’s magical bloodlines, this has only happened a handful of times, and is seen as a direct blessing from the deities.

Magical Growth

Once the initial connection is made, the journey truly begins. Magical growth is all about strengthening the connection and learning to access the power pool with greater ease, efficiency, and potency. Training these things takes time, as too much practice can lead to magical overexertion. Additionally, character flaws and unresolved trauma can impede a Faian’s progress, as they interfere with the focus needed to control spells and intent.

• Control: Learning to control the flow of energy and direct it in the form of spells (the three core principles: focus, intent, and channeling).
• Efficiency: Being able to borrow more magical energy in one ‘trip’ to the power pool.
• Potency: Increasing the raw power and impact of spells- not letting any borrowed energy go to waste.
• Endurance: The ability to channel more energy before experiencing overexertion.
  
  

Education

Magical growth is useless without knowledge. Most Faians attend the Mage’s Academy for a formal education. The Academy offers a structured curriculum, guidance, and many resources essential to success. However, attending the Mage’s Academy is not technically necessary, as it is the transition of a Lesser Affinity Spirit to a Greater Affinity Spirit that truly signifies passage into Magedom. Thus, there are those who choose to train independently.

Indeed, while rare, some Faians achieve Magedom without ever stepping foot in the Academy. These Mages are known as “Rogue Mages.” Though respected all the same, they are viewed with caution by the wider magical community due to their unorthodox methods. Their spells tend to be wilder and less predictable than Mages graduated from the Academy.

The path as an independent student is vastly different from the path of an Academy student, requiring significant self-discipline, talent, and an unconventional approach to magical learning. Rogue students typically have some kind of mentor, though this mentor may not be a formally trained Mage, or a Mage at all. They spend much of their time in temples, ruins, or studying ancient texts, seeking hidden knowledge. In fact, many Rogue students make groundbreaking discoveries without even realizing it. Additionally, most students on this path do not have the same resources as those in the Academy. They are forced to be resourceful; a crucial skill that many Academy graduates lack. Training involves massive amounts of experimentation… Rogue Mages are not afraid of failure.

The Spirit's Transition

The transition of a Faian’s affinity spirit from Lesser to Greater is a pivotal moment, signifying a student becoming a Mage. This can only happen when the Lesser Affinity Spirit is already summoned and present. Everything the Faian does up to the transition, in terms of characterization and interaction with their affinity, affects the spirit’s permanent form as a Greater Affinity Spirit. For Academy students, the transition has only ever happened during Rank IV, leading most to believe that it is the material taught in previous ranks that facilitates it. However, there are many Rogue Mages who lack essential knowledge that is taught in the Academy, or even Rogue Mages who experienced the transition within just two to three years of training. Even after years of research, many aspects of affinity spirits remain a mystery.