Well, first, it's important to note that there's a difference between true magic and magecraft. True magic is extremely rare in this day and age, and is something that goes so completely against the laws of the world that it could only be called a miracle. For example, something like time travel or traveling between worlds would be considered true magic.
Magecraft is something that is permissible within the laws of the world, but done in a far more efficient manner. For example, accelerating healing, controlling liquids... that sort of thing. It's still far beyond what can be accomplished through mundane means, of course, but it has more limits to it than true magic and is governed by a form of equivalent exchange. We mages primarily power our spells with Prana, which is magical energy primarily contained within Magic Circuits, which are contained within our souls. That isn't to say that there are no physical side-effects from using it: even relatively weak spells cause small amounts of pain, and overexertion can lead to physical exhaustion or, in some cases, death.
...That is, of course, the abridged version. It's really far more nuanced than that.
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Well, first, it's important to note that there's a difference between true magic and magecraft. True magic is extremely rare in this day and age, and is something that goes so completely against the laws of the world that it could only be called a miracle. For example, something like time travel or traveling between worlds would be considered true magic.
Magecraft is something that is permissible within the laws of the world, but done in a far more efficient manner. For example, accelerating healing, controlling liquids... that sort of thing. It's still far beyond what can be accomplished through mundane means, of course, but it has more limits to it than true magic and is governed by a form of equivalent exchange. We mages primarily power our spells with Prana, which is magical energy primarily contained within Magic Circuits, which are contained within our souls. That isn't to say that there are no physical side-effects from using it: even relatively weak spells cause small amounts of pain, and overexertion can lead to physical exhaustion or, in some cases, death.
...That is, of course, the abridged version. It's really far more nuanced than that.