Elemental manipulation is more often referred to as magic. The concept of magic is based on the idea that a universal unconscious will exists between all things living and that an individual can tap into that power to bring forth energy or matter at will.

The ability to use magic is predetermined by genetics. Each person, whether capable of using magic or not, has a natural affinity towards each of four elements. The element a person has the strongest affinity to is called their "primary element" and if that affinity is strong enough, they will be able to use magic power. Most people have at least one "secondary element" which is notable. Those practiced in magic can use both their primary and secondary element at will. It is rare, but some individuals have a strong affinity for many elements and have more than one secondary element (Nara Holmcross has three secondary elements).

In human cultures, the presence of these elements is obvious, though few people can use them in the form of magic. There are common conceptions that a hot-headed person has the fire element as their primary and that a well-grounded person will have the element earth, but this is not always true. Element-reading is a type of fortune-reading similar to astrology where people are given personality traits and advice for the future based on their combination of primary and secondary elements.

There are two elements which are beyond the use of mortals whether they are human, dwarf, or elf. These are referred to as "light" and "darkness" due to the natural association with their powers to good and evil. In truth, these elements have no affiliation and the line between them is unclear. Light magic can heal the weak and dark magic can be used to weaken and kill, but in instances (such as re-animating the dead) it is unclear whether light or dark is truly at work.

There are extremely rare circumstances which lead to the use of light and dark magic. The most notable use was in the Archmage War, when Tristan was overthrown by a powerful mage with the ability to re-animate corpses and suck the life from those who opposed him. During this time a group of elvin descent called the Eternal Clan came forward demonstrating their ability to heal the ailing and push back the forces of the Archmage. Unfortunately both sides were all but wiped out by the end of the war, leaving their powers a mystery.

There is a way that these two special elements can be used by human beings, and this has caused great controversy throughout the world. The art of creating elemental materials, commonly called potions, was practiced widely over one thousand years ago. When the potential dangers of this science were realized, the writings of all the mages' formulas were locked away in the castle of newly formed Tristan, and the practice was banned under strict laws. On thousand years later these archaic laws were forgotten. Nara Holmcross's team of researchers stumbled upon the writings in the lower levels of the castle.

These formulas were extremely practical for the most part. Many of them used readily available ingredients such as animal and plant parts, and had everyday uses such as an stone that could be used to instantly start a fire, or a pouch that would generate small amounts of water. To everyday people, these inventions would be highly prized. It was only when Nara found the writings on light and dark materials that things began to go awry.

By sacrificing a proportional amount of living material, a person could heal the sick or wounded. The power could even be stored as a substance for emergency use. Nara could not see the potential downfall of this technology, but only considered its amazing benefits for society. She acquired permission from the king of Tristan to research and create these potions. One of Nara's students had much loftier goals in mind. The result was the Archmage War.

Due to these terrible repercussions, the practice of magic as a whole is now restricted to "sanctioned" mages--people recognized as responsible individuals by King Nicholas of Tristan. Nara is one of these, Lilya is another. Though the creation of potions is banned even among this number, Nara continues to research it in her solitary laboratory hidden in the Dragon Forests surrounding Tristan.

Another magical technology which Nara Holmcross advanced is acceptable and widely used. This is the study of magical items. For thousands of years people have recognized the natural power within certain objects. Though they are in reality the same as the compositions created by magic formulas, they form naturally and are much more difficult to abuse. Most of these items take the shape of a gem or a metal substance, but certain plants and animal parts have magical properties as well. They are crafted into jewelry and have a very high value. Their properties vary, but most only heighten a person's awareness of a certain element, making their affinity towards that element stronger. For most people this means nothing, but for mages it means that more power is available to them.

Some natural magical items have astounding effects, such as the ability to ward away monsters. These are often placed around towns in statues and other ornaments for protection, though monsters rarely attack populated areas. Sometimes the effect of magical items is so mild that they really have no purpose. These are used only by the superstitious, along with items that have no magical attributes at all. Magical items are surrounded by traditions, especially birth, wedding, and funeral ceremonies, in various cultures throughout the world despite their usefulness or lack thereof.

The six elements are:

Fire: Fire is primarily destructive. It has plenty of practical uses in providing warmth and light, but most people prefer match sticks to the dangers of magic. Mages with a fire affinity are often used in military operations by Tristan's army.

Water: Water is a very practical and well-received element, but it has a destructive side as well. Water mages can easily find jobs in agriculture, serving to keep populated areas well-watered during droughts. Water magic can also take the form of ice depending on the user. Those who use water have trouble using ice and visa versa, making it almost two different elements in one.

Wind: Wind is associated with travel and freedom. This element has few practical uses, but (as Gisela demonstrates) a studied user of wind magic can cause a major disturbance when they want to. Despite that ability, they are rarely used in the military because their magic tends to hurt both friend and foe equally.

Earth: Earth is the most difficult element to control and its practical applications are also limited. As a result, there are few mages with a primary element of earth. They are used mainly in the mining industry. They are very good at demolition, but are a bit too dangerous for the military.

Light: Sort of a psuedo-element, light is not typically used. It can heal wounds and even resurrect the dead, but disastrous side-effects are certain to occur. Even within the Eternal Clan, practitioners of this magic are extremely careful.

Dark: Like light, dark is almost completely unusable. The Sect of the Archmage continues to use dark magic through the practice of magical substances and formulas despite the worldwide ban on all magic of the sort. Those who use these powers are called necromancers rather than mages.

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