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  [i]There is something cheap about magic that works just because it is magic.[/i]
  [i]<br />
  [b][i]~Richard Doekins[/i][/b]
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Zootopia had stopped, as it was now looking at the interview.

Mammals of the city now were stopping and focusing their attention in each screen that they could to be able to see what the ZNN was showing, as every screen available was now changing to that channel.

Well, most of them.

A teenage leopard just busted through the door, looking around as he tossed his backpack to the rack as he nearly busted into the living room.

"Is it on!? They are still talking!? Did I lost anything?"

The leopards in the living room just looked at him, as the two adults and two girl cubs stared back at him, none of them saying a word.

"So… how was school?" The adult female asked, and the teenager insisted:

"So, what have they said!?" He spoke in an urgent tone. "It was something important!?"

"Oh, it was!" One of the girl cubs answered. "Princess Celestina just gave a speech to Glimmering Aurora."

"What?" The leopard said, and looked at the television.

"You are watching [i]Our Mini Ostriches[/i]!?"

"Yeah, it is the new movie!" The other girl cub said.

"Your sisters have been wanting to watch it for a while". The other adult said. "So, we decided to rent and watch it today."

"And you guys are watching it in place of the interview!?" The teenager said in exasperation. This caused the adults to look at him.

"Interview? What interview?"

"Seriously!?" The teenager said, looking at them as if they had five heads each. "You don't know about the interview!? In what planet do you guys live!?"

"Okay, what is with the attitude, young mammal?" One of the adults said, not losing her patience. However, the teenage seemed to ignore them, and he just reached out for the remote.

"Look, you guys can watch this later! We need to put in the ZNN!" The teenager said, quickly changing the channel, causing protests from the two girls. "They are showing an interview with a mage! A [i]real[/i] mage!"

Soon, the television was now in the ZNN, and they were right in time to see the interview.

"No one says a word!" The teenager said as he sat on the ground in front of the television, and the family just remained frozen in place as they now saw the interview that they had previously been unaware of…

[i]"It is not [/i]magic[i], Ms. Vupen. It is [b]magecraft[/b]. It is not the same…" [/i]The ferret said to the vixen.
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"… You can't just go calling magecraft magic, just like you can't refer to magic as mere magecraft." Zillah said, and it seemed that she was explaining something really important to the other one. Vicky took it high in consideration before making her next commentary.

"Right, I'm sorry." She said, and Zillah looked back at her, sighing.

"Is okay. You had no way of knowing." She explained to the vixen. "Is just that the difference is very important. Every mage worth their magecraft knows it."

"Yeah, but the non-mages like me are not familiar with it." Vicky said, noting an obvious fact. "So, would you mind explaining?" She asked, and she hoped that the answer would be yes. And of course it was, for Zillah had already decided to explain what she could in that interview, and this was among the things that she actually could explain.

"Magecraft is what mages do." She explained to the vixen. "It is also referred to as [b]thaumaturgy[/b], or even as [b]magic science[/b]. It is an artificial reenactment of events that would otherwise be impossible for mammals to perform."

"To be more precise, magecraft is the act of bringing forth events through supernatural means. However, these events are not impossible in themselves. Magecraft would be the capacity of using a supernatural mean to bring into existence something that could happen in the world naturally. For instance…"

As Zillah said that, once more she flicked the lighter she had in her paw, producing a small flame. She then took her paw to it, and the flame reacted as she chanted a line. Soon, the flame grew and produced tendrils of flame.

"This is an example. I'm doing that by changing the temperature around the flames, as well as affecting the way it reacts with the oxygen of the air, allowing it to consume the oxygen more steadily, and allowing it to grow and move according to my will. Also…"

Soon something else started to happen, the tendrils of flame started to fade, and the flames disappeared from the lighter, and they looked like they were being sucked into each tip of the tendrils, and soon, all that was left in there were brightly glowing sparks.

"…I can condense the heat and combustion of the flames into a single spot, generating sparks of flame that are extremely hot and volatile, once they have a big combustion process focused into a small point."

She spoke, and soon, the sparks started to move around her, in circles.

"The same way I controlled the flames themselves, I can control the sparks by influencing the temperature around them, and causing them to move in certain directions by causing the heat to drive them in a specific direction. Also, since the sparks are made by compacting a combustion into a very small space, they are highly volatile, and I can take advantage by this by increasing the volatile properties so they will react violently upon an impact, resulting into an explosion. Or…"

As she spoke that, the sparks stopped in the air, and soon, they vanished.

"… I can just make them disappear the way that sparks do, by letting the heat that forms them be dissipated into the air, ending the combustion in them and snuffing out the flames."

Zillah turned back to Vicky, who had watched in silent awe to the demonstration of "magecraft" that the ferret just gave to her.

"Amazing." Vicky said, once the ferret girl seemed to be done.

"Yeah, I'm sure it seems awesome, but is just a series of events that were made possible through the use of a supernatural mean." Zillah continued to explain. "This type of spell I just used is actually considered very basic, and it is an offensive spell that many mages can learn and master rather easily."

"Well, it is still impressive." Vicky said to her. "Also, I am amazed about how you explained how it works. It sounded so… scientific."

Zillah smiled at her. "Yeah, I know it did. After all, magecraft works by bringing forth natural events through a supernatural mean." She explained.

"It could have been made by other, non-supernatural means, but it would be a lot harder. There is a theory that says that all that can be achieve by magecraft could also be achieve by science, once it gets advanced enough. Of course, many mages look down on that theory, but it does make sense once you think that mages had, for a long time, been able to communicate with each other over long distances, and it became possible for everyone once Graham Baah invented the telephone."

"It demonstrates that magecraft, although powerful, is still limited by the natural laws. The laws of physics and chemistry can, many times, interfere directly with the result of a spell." Zillah explained. "Also, it makes clear that magecraft cannot do the impossible. I mean, it is not possible to force time to travel ten years into the past, since this would not be something that would happen in the natural world, just like it is not possible to cause someone who died three years ago to just get back on their feet and resume their lives. That cannot be done." Zillah explained to her.

"Well, it does makes a lot of sense." Vicky explained to her. "It seems that magecraft almost seems like it is really a form of science, although it is a curious science. It is especially true in the way you described that spell works. It seems that there is a whole process for the spell to take place."

"All spells and rituals have processes in them." She said to the vixen. "That is another thing about magecraft, it cannot simply 'make' things happen. You cannot just will something to happen and it will happen in a blink of an eye. It is tied to the natural laws of the world, limited by them, so it can only happen through a certain process. For instance, to create a flame, you cannot just mentalize a flame to appear out of thin air. You need to offer a process for it to happen, for instance, by inducing a flame to appear in the air through the chemical reactions of the elements in the air, or by increasing the temperature of a specific spot while increasing the combustion rate of the oxygen so you can cause a flame to be produce and maintained. You see, magecraft needs a logical process to work; it needs a logic and concrete method through which the desired event will be achieve. Of course, the way that the event begins is purely supernatural, almost a miracle, but the result is far from being a miracle, as it is a mere reproduction of an event that can happen naturally in the world, like chemical reactions or combustion through temperature. That is true, no matter what foundation you use."

"I see, and by 'foundation' you mean the specific process that happens, be it physics or chemistry?" Vicky asked, and Zillah still was amazed at how attentive the vixen was to details, and how good at she was for looking for answers with smart questions.

"Actually, by 'foundation', I mean '[b]Thaumaturgical Foundations[/b]', also referred to as [b]thaumaturgical theories, branches or schools[/b]. They are a set of rules that can be followed to achieve spells and rituals." Zillah explained.

"Oh, so, you mean there are specific rules that dictate what can be done through magecraft? The means that can be used to achieve the performing of spells and rituals?"

"Of course." Zillah said in answer to Vicky's question. "There are laws of physics that dictate what can be achieved through science. Magecraft also has a set of established rules through which the spells can be achieve. There are a number of schools out there; there is Astrology, Kabbalah, Alchemy, just to name a few. Each school is different, however, they are all methods through which one can achieve spells and produce magecraft through an established set of rules in a way… well, I guess a good way of comparing it would be comparing to the way a computer works."

"A computer works with a command being send to the system, which them causes a program to be executed. In magecraft, the order of the will of the mage takes the place of the 'command', with the specific foundation being the 'system' to which the command is sent, and finally, it causes a pre-established phenomenon to be executed, and this is the 'program' that happens. Basically, it is a series of rules that are already there, and that one must learn and dominate to be able to perform magecraft.

"You see, this is why we spend a long time studying and researching, so we can better dominate those rules. Just like scientists do their research and study to understand and dominate the natural rules that make science be possible, so must mages study so they can dominate the rules or even discover new rules that allows them to perform spells. This is something that all mages should dedicate themselves, as they expand the horizons of the knowledge of magecraft and expand what can be achieved through it."

"Wow…" Was all that Vicky was able to say with the explanation that the ferret just gave. Of course, as a good reporter, she soon was able to find more words to say:

"So, it really seems that mages are actually closer to scientists than the exoteric individuals that often appear in fiction." She said to her, and she could not help but ask:

"So, a foundation can be used by anyone? Anyone who wants to study it will be able to perform magecraft?"

"Yeah, that would be nice." Zillah said with a smile. "And it would make things a lot easier… No, it is not anyone that can do magecraft." She said to the vixen. "It is not anyone who can go around and start to study magecraft. It is like the computer again. There is the command, the system, and the program. However, to start it all, to start the whole process, you need to be capable of sending the command, and it is not anyone who can do it."

"Oh, I see." Vicky said, "So, how does one is capable of performing magecraft? Do you have to be born with the skill? With some kind of 'magic gene'? Or it is the kind of skill you can actually acquire?"

The ferret looked at her for a few moments. She sighed, and she soon was moving again. She removed her glasses, both of her paws went to the bottom of her sweater, and she started pulling it up. Vicky was surprised, and so where the other mammals of the team, was she going to undress?

However, Zillah only removed her sweater, revealing that underneath she was wearing a bra-cut tank top. She let the sweater hang, as Cory held it in its beak like a good bird.

"To do magecraft." Zillah explained, as she adjusted her glasses back in his face, "You need to be able to start off the command. In a computer, the command is given by electrical energy. In magecraft, the command is given by [b]magical energy[/b]." She said, looking at the camera. She then spread her arms, and she closed her eyes, it seemed that she was focusing.

Soon, something started to happen to her body, as it looked like it was starting to glow. However, it was not as if her entire body was glowing. It was like there was a glowing pattern forming in her body. It was a blue glow that could be see beneath her fur, moving over her body. Thanks to the bra-cut top tank, it was possible to see that this pattern formed on her torso, on her arms, went up her neck and even on her face, they also suspected it went on her lower body as well. These patterns were lines of a solid pattern, and they kind of looked like… circuits…

"These…" Zillah said, as she allowed the camera to capture the event that was happening in her body. "Are my [b]magic circuits[/b]. They are a pseudo-nervous system that runs over my body. Their function is to conduct magical energy; much like my actual nervous systems conducts electrical signals. They are what allow one to perform magecraft, as they allow the exchange of magical energy between yourself and the environment around you."

Vicky said nothing to this, as she only kept looking. Indeed, these patterns of lines looked just like what one would imagine for the circuits of a computer's microchip.

"Magic circuits are essential to the performing of magecraft, for they allow for the magic energy, or [b]prana[/b], to be exchanged between yourself and the environment. The magical energy that is produced naturally inside the body is known as [b]od[/b], while the magical energy present in the world around us is called [b]mana[/b]. Magecraft is possible because our magic circuits allow us to exchange energy between the world and ourselves, making it possible to perform the spells. You can say that our circuits allow us to send the command to the system and execute the program." Zillah explained, as she looked at her body, at the glowing lines in her arms. After a few moments, she picked her sweater from Cory's beak, and she was soon dressing it again.

"I see…" Vicky said, as the ferret put her sweater back on. "So, magic circuits allow for one to perform magecraft. So, can magic circuits be acquired? Can someone 'grow' them? Would a mammal who does not have them acquire them suddenly, or a mage like you would gain more with time?"

"They are not like fur." Zillah said. "They don't grow with time. I mean, they kind of do, once your body is growing… what I mean is, they are kind of like a number of limbs or of internal organs that you have." The ferret explained. "You don't grow a third arm or a second heart. The amount you have at birth is the amount you are fated to have. Of course, you can lose them in one way or another, just like you can lose a limb in an accident, but you can't just grow extra magic circuits. That is not how it works."

"I once heard someone say that every living creature had at least one magic circuit inside of them, however, that is not even by far enough to be able to perform exchange of magical energy. No, you cannot just acquire the ability to make magecraft. You need to be born with a certain quantity of magic circuits in your body, and they need to be functional enough to exchange prana with the environment. You need to be born a mage." Zillah finished as she looked at the camera.

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Many houses were watching the news, and seeing the things that the ferret girl was saying.

Among them, there was one house that had a family in it. A female lioness and her three cubs were all watching the television, all sitting in the ground. The cubs were calling a lot of attention, because they all were wearing pointed hats and they had toy magic wands in their paws.

As soon as the ferret on the television said these words, the three cubs immediately deflated.

"Owwwww…" The three young lion cubs went, looking dejected, making their mother feel really sorry for the three young ones.

"Oh, cubs…" She said gently, petting each one of them in the head. "Would you like some cookies?"

The three cubs nodded their heads, still looking quite dejected…

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At the same time, another family of mammals was watching the news. This family was composed of rhinos, a mother, a father, and two sons. They all were watching the news on the couch, with the two sons showing the more interest into it. However, it was the oldest son, who was nearly nineteen, who was dressed the part, as he was wearing a purple robe with silver stars and a matching pointy hat. He was also was carrying a long staff, which seemed like it was made with the stick of a broom with a purple crystal strapped to it with duct tape.

As they watched the news, and as the ferret said that, the rhino visibly deflated.

"Owwwww…" he groaned, slumping over and looking dejected.

"Oh… bummer, huh?" The younger sibling said, patting the arm of his older brother in an attempt at comforting.

"Can you go put normal clothes now?" The father asked, sounding annoyed. "Or at least an underwear?"

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"Well, that does makes a lot of sense." Vicky said, still following the explanations of the ferret. "So, do mammals can just be born randomly with magic circuits, or there is some hereditary predisposition to having them? I mean, you did mention how mages are loyal to their families, so I am assuming that there is at least a hereditary factor involved."

"Quite smart." Zillah said to her, and Vicky could not help but feel a twinge of pride.

"Yes, indeed, it is more likely for you to be born with magic circuits if at least one of your parents have them." Zillah explained. "Affinity with magecraft is something that is related to bloodlines. That is why so many mage families are so careful with who their children marry, for they know that the best way to ensure that the following generations will be possessors of the best magic circuits, for they not only define the fact that someone is a mage or not, but also determine the power a mage have."

"Really? How so?" Vicky asked, as she was

"A mage's circuits allow them to interact with the environment in exchange of energy that allows magecraft to happen. As so, the level of magecraft that a mage can achieve are directly related to how much magical energy they can conduct at once to exchange with the environment." Zillah explained. "In this point, both quantity and quality of the magic circuits are factors. After all, a mage with a greater quantity of circuits will be able to channel more magical energy than one with few, and magic circuits of a greater quality will be able to conduct magical energy better than magic circuits of inferior quality."

Vicky nodded as the ferret continued to explain that. Zillah reached out for her arm, and pulled the sleeve of her sweater back, exposing her arm. Once more it was possible to see the lines of her magic circuits shining under her fur.

"The average mage has twenty magic circuits on their body. I have eighteen of them." She explained as she looked at her glowing arm. "And they are of a quite regular quality. So, in terms of power, I guess I am slightly below average as a mage."

"And, you inherited your circuits from your family, right?" Vicky asked, as if to show that she was paying attention.

"Yeah." Zillah confirmed, "My grandfather was a mage, and so was my father, and because of this, I was born with magic circuits. Of course, these two did their breeding right; they were able to choose mates who gave them kits with magic circuits of a better quality than they had themselves."

"This is how mage families manage to grow overtime. Not only they study and pass down all the knowledge they accumulated, but they also keep their pedigree strong by choosing their mates carefully, so their offspring will have better magic circuits." Zillah told her. "As you probably guessed, mages don't marry based on love, they marry based on partners that will give them offspring with better magic circuits."

Vicky nodded at this and, once more, showed that she knew how to make smart questions:

"So, this means that possession of magic circuits is hereditary. However, all things need to start somewhere." The vixen said, and Zillah looked back at her as she continued, "This means that there must have been someone along these lines who was the first. Someone who had the magic circuits first and then started to pass then down to their descendants."

"You are right." Zillah confirmed. "Everything starts at a certain point, and it is the same with mage lineages."

"Affinity with magecraft and the possession of magic circuits is related to bloodline." Zillah continued to explain. "But sometimes, it is possible that a bloodline that never had mages before can suddenly give birth to a mage. It is perfectly possible that a mammal whose both mother and father's lineages never produced a mage before to be born with magic circuits, although it is considered rare. Among mages, individuals like that are popularly called [b]rough diamonds[/b]. It is said that these individuals have the potential to start out new lineages, as it was the case with my family."

"The Ferron clan, a lineage of mage ferrets, started with my grandfather, Oswald Ferron. He was the first mage of the Ferron clan. My father, Livingston Ferron, was the second generation of mage of our family. And finally, you have me." The ferret said, and she made a gesture, as if she was presenting herself. "Zillah Mustelia Ferron, the third generation of mage of the Ferron clan, heir of their legacy and the current matriarch of the family."

She sighed as she recomposed herself. "Of course, like I explained, families of mages breed carefully to ensure the better magic circuits of their descenders, and while my father and grandfather both did that, we are a new clan. There are families out there who have been around for many more generations, and had a lot more time to do their breeding carefully, making sure that each generation of their lineage would be stronger than the previous one, all the while leaving their research for them, so they can continue to study and expand the knowledge of the clan. For this is how mage clans have their power, pedigree combined with knowledge passed down."

"I see…" Vicky said. "So, this means that mages take notes of all of their studies and leave them down for their kits to study them, right?"

"Yeah, many mages do that." Zillah confirmed, however, there was something about her expression… "However, all of the mage lineages have chosen for an approach that is… a bit more radical."

As she spoke that, she reached out for the bottom of her sweater and started to pull up. Vicky even thought that she was going to remove it again, but instead, the ferret only rose it to expose her belly. As she did, something was glowing in there, and it seemed like a small piece of her circuits that were glowing in that area.

"This… is my [b]magic crest[/b]." Zillah said, a he gestured to the glowing mass of circuits that shone under her fur. "The most important treasure of any mage family, and it has the combined experience and knowledge of all of my ancestors."

Vicky looked at this, and she turned to her. "So… mages actually imprint their knowledge into the bodies of their descendants?"

"Actually, they do it in their circuits." Zillah explained to the vixen. "There is a method that allows a mage to alter a portion of their circuits, imprinting knowledge into them. Basically, the circuits are turned into a storage device that holds into information, downloaded in them. This is later transplanted into another mammal, and all of the downloaded information goes with it."

Vicky blinked, as she looked at the ferret.

"The magic crest of the Ferron clan started with my grandfather, who made a download of all of the spells and all of the thaumaturgical knowledge that he acquired in life into a set of his own circuits." Zillah explained. "Then, he passed these circuits down, transplanting them from himself into my father. At some point, my father repeated the process, downloading his own accumulated knowledge into the circuits that he received from my grandfather, and then he passed it down to me before he passed away. Now I hold the magic crest, being the heir and matriarch of the Ferron clan, and I'm able to access the knowledges stored in it and even to use the spells that were downloaded into the crest, even if I never learned these spells myself. You can say that it is an archive that holds all of the accumulated knowledge of my clan ever since it was first created."

Vicky had listened to that very intently, and she nodded.

"You are right. It [i]is[/i] a bit radical."

"You, many agree, but it is that how mages do things. It is a method that works, and it has proven to be very efficient." Zillah said to her. "My crest is rather small, once I'm only a third generation of my clan. Some clans have repeated the process over eight, nine, even ten or more generations. Due to this, their crests are better, for not only they have more knowledge, but became far more stable and easier to use."

Vicky nodded, as she took in all that she had just heard. Still, there was a point where she needed to develop more, even because it was somewhat bothering her:

"I see… So, the crest is removed from the previous user to the next to pass down accumulated knowledge. I can understand that. But, how the crest is transferred? The two must go through a surgical process? Like when you are transplanting an organ?"

"There is no need for surgery." Zillah clarified. "Mages developed a way to pass down the crest through physical contact, by using a special ritualistic process; there is even a lot of theater around the 'sacred ritual' of magic crest transference. However, there are similarities to what you just said, as it is needed for donor and receptor to be compatible, by being relatives for example, otherwise, the crest will produce negative effects to the user, as their body will reject the crest, pretty much like it would reject a new organ."

"Yeah, you can say that in this point the transference of magic crest is exactly like the transference of an organ. It [i]needs[/i] to have compatibility, and the chances of rejection are high, even between close relatives."

Vicky nodded. "So, this means that the process is actually risky? That it can put the receptor's life in danger?"

"Not anymore." Vicky explained. "There was a death rate in the past, but mages developed good ways of countering it and minimizing the strain that it causes in the one inheriting the magic crest. This includes passing it little by little, passing small pieces of the crest, one at a time, to the heir while they are still in their young years."

"Young years?" Vicky asked, interrupting her as she was surprised by this. "You mean they do this while the 'heirs' are still kits?"

"Well… it is tradition among mages." Zillah admitted. "The process was perfected over many generations so the risks are minimal. It is easier for the body to adapt to the crest while still young, so they will adapt to it's presence in their bodies while they mature. I started to receive the pieces of the crest from my father when I was seven. Also, in order to prevent our bodies from rejecting the crest, we are given special medicine made from special herbs and crushed reptile and bird bones, it is somewhat like an immunosuppressant that allows our bodies to adapt to the crest. By the time we have received all of it, our bodies grew used to the crest, and there is no longer any risk of rejection. The whole process if safe... even though it is a bit painful…"

Vicky remained silent as she took this in. The idea that mages put their own kits through such thing was unsettling. She thought it was, and she was sure that some others who saw this would think the same way. She decided to push these thoughts aside and focus on continuing the interview.

"So, it is all very interesting." Vicky said to her. "How mages use their magic circuits to realize exchange of magical energy between themselves and the environment around them. Of course, the very concept of magical energy is one that is interesting in itself. The fact that mages can produce it on their own bodies is fascinating, and the fact that it exists in the atmosphere is something worth of note. Of course, it leads me to wonder just what exactly would be magical energy, and how common it could actually be, once it exist in the air."

Zillah nodded.

"Yeah, it is a complex theme. They often refer to it as [b]animus[/b], or by [b]life[/b], as it is observed that all living things have it. From non-mages to plants and insects, all things have od in them. Also, a quantity of magical energy, the mana, can be found in the air, in the land, and in the water. In this point, magical energy is actually considered the same as life energy, the energy that all living things have in their bodies, according to old texts. Some question these claims, but the fact that mages can get tired and worm out if they use too much of their magical energy, or even die if they run out of it, actually gives valid to these theories." Zillah explained, while Vicky continued to listen very intently.

"Among mages it is often said that od is the [i]lifeblood of the soul[/i], while mana is the [i]lifeblood of the planet[/i]."

"Oh, you mean, as if the planet itself is alive?" Vicky asked, and the ferret girl nodded.

"Yeah, it is a bit complicated." Zillah admitted. "It is as if the world has its own life, as it possesses its own magical energy, with which mages like me are able to interact. Of course, the concept is hard to grasp, but it becomes easier when you take in consideration the existence of [b]ley lines[/b]."

"I am sorry, ley lines?" Vicky asked, and Zillah was quick to clarify.

"These are natural lines in the world in which the mana flows in greater quantity. There is mana everywhere, and it is said to be the lifeblood of the planet, which fills the world with nature and life, according to some of our more exoteric teachings and beliefs. As the mana travels in greater quantities naturally through the ley lines, some go as far as to saying that ley lines are the [i]magic circuits of the planet[/i]. Of course, some question such analogy, but we do know it is a fact."

"Mages often rely on their own magical energy, but od is produced in low quantity, in a way that mages are often forced to rely on it, merely using their own od as way of jumpstarting the process. Of course, the amount of mana they can use from the world is directly related to the quality and quantity of magic circuits they have, their own personal limits."

Vicky nodded at this. It was a lot of information to take at once. However, she was focusing into the interview, as it was clearly the most important thing at the moment. So, she soon was formulating her next words.

"I see, so, through the exchange of magical energy between yourself and the world you can realize the effects like what you just did with the flames." Vicky said to her. "So, this means you could also produce other effects, like controlling water, for instance? Or do you have more practicing in using flames?"

The ferret looked at her, and she said:

"Well, I do have more tricks besides the use of flames. I know basic magecraft, like mental interference and healing magecraft, but I cannot control water, like you said. You see, I don't have the water element, only the fire element."

"Oh?" Vicky said, getting interested in that point, and Zillah already knew that she would have to develop the theme.

"The world is formed by natural [b]elements[/b]: fire, water, earth and wind. According to the teachings that are standard to the Association, there is also a fifth element known as [b]ether[/b] or [b]void[/b], which is the element of magical energy itself. These five elements form the basis of magecraft. Every mage has a specific [b]elemental affinity[/b], being able to control at least one element. So to say, it can be said that mages are each one born with a certain element, the one they have affinity with."

"In my case, I have affinity with the fire element, which is considered 'common', some mages have affinity with water or earth, and some have affinity with the wind, which is considered 'noble'. Of course, there are also some who have affinity with void, the fifth element, but those are rarer."

Zillah saw the way that the vixen followed her explanation, and she thought that it was better to develop the theme even further:

"But don't go thinking that a specific element deals only with the element itself, for each element has its own association and its own domains. As I said, elements are the basis to all magecraft, and that is because each element has a lot of associations to itself, as it was saw in the research of the famous mage Paracelsus von Foxenheim." Zillah explained as she looked at the vixen.

"For instance, spells of the fire element are not only related to flames and sparks, but to heat, entropy, consumption, fuels, transference of energy and thermodynamics. Spells of the water element are related to flows, forms, cycles, combinations and manipulations. The spells of the earth element, in their turn, are related to grounding, cultivation of energy and energy embedding. Finally, the spells of the wind element are related to the air, kinetic forces, static energy, free energy, and directed movement." Zillah said, numbering everything that she could remember from her own studies. "And, of course, we can't forget the element of ether, which is the one that actually combines with all the other four, in order to actualize the effects of magecraft."

"I understand…" Vicky said, as she followed the explanation that Zillah was giving. "So, mages are limited to having affinity with only one of each of these elements?"

"Well, the element you have is the one you control, but they are not limited to possess only one of these five, or these five, by that matter." Zillah said, "There are cases in which a mage can have affinity with two, or even three elements, but these cases are considered rare in and on themselves. I heard about some skilled mages who have Earth and Fire, or even Fire and Water, and there is actually a famous mage who has three elements."

"Sounds interesting." Vicky agreed, and Zillah continued:

"Also, there are the 'rare elements'. We are talking about elements like lightning and ice, or maybe even more specific and specialized elements. Now, those who have rare elements like that can often find themselves with difficulties to use other kinds of magecraft, but in compensation, the mages who master these special elements can become powerful specialists. I could tell you about a mage who is the master of lightning magecraft thanks to her rare element of lightning… but I know when not to talk too much, believe it or not." Zillah said, and both she and Vicky were able to chuckle at this.

"I totally get it." Vicky said, "I have to say, this got me quite curious. In terms of rarity, what kind of elemental affinity would be considered the rarest of them all?"

Zillah took a moment to think, and she soon said:

"[b]Average ones[/b], definitely."

"Average… ones?" Vicky asked, and Zillah soon was explaining.

"Normally a mage will have affinity with only one element, be either a basic one or a rare one. To have more than one affinity is very rare." Zillah explained once more. "However, there are cases that are very rare, in which a mammal will have affinity with [i]all[/i] of the five elements. They will have affinity with fire, water, earth, wind and ether. Individuals like that are rare, and they are seen in very high regard by the Association, for they are able to master all kinds of spells, and so, their potential as mages is huge."

Vicky nodded at this.

"I see. I see… So, it sounds to me that elemental affinity is like magic circuits. The one you have is the one that you will have for the rest of your life."

"Not necessarily." Zillah said, causing the fox to look at her. "Elemental affinity is something that you might have from birth, like magic circuits, and some lineages even have more affinity to a certain element. However, there are methods that have been developed within the centuries, methods that actually allow one to change their elemental affinity."

"Oh, so it would be possible to change from one element to another? Like, you could trade your fire element for another one?" Vicky asked, and Zillah looked at her as she answered:

"Yeah, the methods actually exist, but they are not exactly popular. You see, changing one's elemental affinity is complex and it is very taxing to the body, once it involves radically changing something about yourself. The processes are hard and they put a lot of stress on the one who is making them. These methods cause a lot of pain, and many of them can actually put the life of someone in danger. They are not the kind of thing that a mage would do unless they were absolutely sure they wanted to go through something so dangerous. But, if they are willing and sure, they can go through said processes and effectively change their elemental affinities."

"Yeah, it does makes sense." Vicky said, and she soon was saying something more:

"All in all, it seems that magecraft is indeed something amazing." The vixen admitted, "Even if it is not as overpowered as the examples of magic that are often depicted in works of fiction. It does makes sense that it follows rules, and that it cannot do the impossible. Still, there is one thing…"

Zillah looked at her, as the vixen questioned:

"You said that there was a difference between magecraft and 'magic'. Does it means that there is actually magic out there? What differences are these exactly? At which point something passes from the stage of magecraft and can be considered magic?"

Zillah looked at her for a few moments, as if she was choosing the next things that she would say. However, it was clear that she intended to explain.

"Magic… is something that many mages dream with." Zillah said, and she continued to explain, "It is also called [b]True Magic[/b], and some also call it [b]Sorcery[/b]. It is something that is much higher than magecraft, or than any form of science. It is different from magecraft, in the point where it can actually do the impossible."

"Magecraft is limited by the rules of the world, as it is merely '[i]a way around the rules[/i]'. However, Magic goes far beyond such limits, for it is a '[i]rule outside of rules[/i]'. Because of this, Magic is not tied by the same rules of reality that magecraft and science are, and it is something that can actually do the impossible. Travelling through time, bringing the dead back to life, and other forms of miracles, these things are possible through Magic."

Vicky remained in a respectful silence as she heard that, and Zillah continued:

"I only heard about it, actually, just like I heard about the legendary individuals who are said to have acquired Magic. Among us, these individuals are know as [b]Magicians[/b], but I, personally, prefer to call them [b]Sorcerers[/b]. They are said to be mages, practitioners of magecraft, like all of us, but they have actually went one step further, and managed to break the barriers and achieve the power that only True Magic can grant."

"Oh…" Vicky said, as she took in this new piece of information. No wonder they made sure to let the difference between magecraft and magic very clear. After all, one was tied to rules and other seemed to be above the rules. It was a very meaningful difference.

"So, for what I can understand, all sorcerers are mages, but not all mages are sorcerers, right?" Vicky asked.

"That… is somewhat of an understatement, but it is correct." Zillah admitted, "After all, in order to acquire true magic and become a sorcerer, you would need to be an adept of magecraft."

"So, magic can be achieved by complete mastery of magecraft?" Vicky asked. "That is how one acquires magic?"

"Actually, you acquire true magic by achieving the ultimate truth." Zillah said, and she looked at the vixen as she explained:

"Magecraft holds it in similar with science the fact that it looks to uncover the truth, and to find out the mechanisms that cause the universe and the reality to work." Zillah explained, "So, in theory, all of the research of magecraft has in goal to reach the truth, the ultimate knowledge."

"Sorcerers did not achieved true magic out of power or even from experience." The ferret girl continued. "They achieved it because they reached the supreme goal of all mages, which is to reach the truth. They have deepened into their studies and understanding of the world so deeply and efficiently that they have uncovered the secrets of how the universe works. They have reached the deeper understanding of reality, which allowed them to reach a level of skill that no other mage could be able to mimic."

"They have, even for a split-second, witnessed the absolute truth of everything…" Zillah concluded, and she seemed to be in deep thought. Vicky had been listening intently to everything, and she nodded. It was indeed something.

"Well, I guess that is the result of reaching the Root." Zillah said, and the vixen perked.

"The Root?" She inquired, and the ferret soon put herself to explain:

"[b]The Swirl of the Root[/b]." She said, and she didn't even needed to look into the face of the vixen to know that she needed to develop the topic better. "The Root is something that all mages are told to in order to understand the concept of what we look for. The Root is said to be the origin of all that existed, exists and will one day exist. It is also know as [b]akashic records[/b]. It is a concept that they say that exists beyond the reach of time and space, and of mammal comprehension, being that from which everything came, and to which everything will return one day, the beginning and ending of the universe."

Vicky nodded at all of that. The concept was a little hard to grasp, but she was able to understand the basic idea.

"And this Root, it is the source of all truth?" Vicky asked, and Zillah nodded.

"It is the source of everything. It has the plans and memory of everything that ever was and ever will, of everything that could have been and everything that can still be. It is a universal record of everything, from the past to the future, and of all of eternity in between. So, it is no surprise that it is considered to be nothing more than the source of all of the truth of the universe. So, in theory, if you are able to reach the root, to see it, to touch, and to decipher it, you will learn the absolute truth of everything."

"Once you have learned the supreme truth of everything, you will be able to control the truth, and maybe even change it to suit your needs." Zillah continued, "It is said that by reaching the Root, one will be able to completely erase the concept of impossible. They would be able to force reality to submit to their will, and to do absolutely anything that they put their minds into. They will acquire the power of a god."

"Wow…" Was all that Vicky could articulate.

"Of course, doing such a thing is impossible, even to the best mages." Zillah continued. "The Root is beyond the reach of any mortal. Still, it does not stops them from wanting to reach for it. That is the goal of all mages, you know?"

"We study and try to perfect our craft to the ultimate form in hopes of maybe using it as a mean of reaching for the Root. We study endlessly in hopes that one day our craft will have evolved enough so we will be able to achieve the ultimate truth of the universe and of everything that comes from it. Both the supreme knowledge that comes from reaching the truth, and the True Magic that one acquires as a result of knowing the truth. These are two things that guide every and each mage of this world. Out ultimate aspiration." Zillah said, concluding her reasoning, and leaving Vicky a bit stunned by such information.

[center]**********************[/center]

A pair of mammals was watching the interview through the television. One of them was a moose, and the other was a brown bear. They had been watching it for a while, and that talk in the end was something that really caught both of their attention, as they shared a look.

"Man…" The bear said, and the moose looked at him for a few moments, before nodding.

"Yes, it surely is something... Even if it is just a symbolism."

"Sorry, 'just a symbolism'?" The bear asked. "Dude, have you not heard all that was said just now by the ferret?"

"We can't take everything at words value." The moose said to him. "I don't know about you, but to me this whole 'Root' thing sounds like a very strong symbolism. It seems to be a representation of what the mages seem to aspire: understanding of the functioning of the world and great knowledge. They truly are kind of like scientists."

"Except for the fact that they can shot magic missiles."

"I do believe that this thing she just talked about, the 'Root', is more of a metaphysical concept, a symbolism for the knowledge and wisdom that mages look to achieve." The moose insisted. "All religions are like that. Just ways of giving a physical shape to something that they either don't understand or want to achieve."

The bear rolled his eyes, and soon, both of them had their attention once more turned to the television, as the interview was still not over.

[center]**********************[/center]

"So, mages basically aim to reach the Root?" Vicky asked, and the ferret nodded.

"Yeah, it is the ultimate ideal of all mages. To be able to reach the state of ultimate perfection that will finally allow you to look and see the truth behind everything. To be in a state in which all the secrets of the universe will reveal themselves to you." Zillah explained. "It is the goal of mages, just like it is of many other kinds of mammals, like scientist and even monks. They look for the ultimate understanding of the universe. All that we do is in order to reach the truth, and all of the abilities and spells that we develop on the way are merely consequences of looking for the truth. At least, that in theory…"

Vicky nodded, and she remained in silence, and Zillah sighed.

"We are supposed to look for the Root in hope of learning the absolute truth of the universe. We should do it for no other purpose than the shake of knowing it. However, I think that many of us are more interested in the prospect of acquiring True Magic. We do want more power…"

Zillah made another pause, and she seemed like she was in deep thought. Vicky looked at her, and she remained in silence, not wanting to break whatever line of thought that the ferret looked like she was having now.

At one point, Zillah turned to Vicky, and she spoke:

"You asked me if mages had a religion, didn't you?" She asked, and Vicky only looked at her.

"Well, I guess that you can say different things, in depending on what you define as 'religion'."

Zillah looked up at her, and the vixen let her talk all she wanted.

"If you define religion as the belief into a superior entity to which you own devotion and adoration, as the submission of oneself to the will of a mysterious entity that you cannot see or understand, as the consequent devotion of your life to live according to the designs of this entity or entities, then mages do not have a religion. We see no point in something like that."

She stopped a little, and she then continued:

"But, if you define religion as the belief into something bigger than yourself, as a belief that molds and directs your actions, as something that gives sense and purpose for your existence, then you can say that mages [i]do[/i] have a religion."

Another silence followed these words, and in this, Vicky ventured to ask:

"The Root?"

"The [i]quest[/i] for the Root." Zillah corrected her. "This is what all mages want, and is what all of us search for. It is something that makes our lives and actions have sense, and is something that gives purpose to all of our researches, efforts and sacrifices."

"We do all of that in hope to search for the Root, and acquired the power that will come from the ultimate knowledge."

Zillah stopped for a moment, and she looked up. The sky was darkening with the coming of dawn, and it was already possible to see some stars in the changing sky, as well as the pale moon in the sky.

"We dedicate ourselves fully for this search with all that we have." Zillah continued, as she looked at the sky. "We dedicate nearly every hour of our waking time into researches and studies, neglecting our relationships, personal lives and even our personal needs in the process. We evolve our art to the ultimate form throughout our lives in hope that we will achieve the perfection in our lifetime. And when we realize we won't be able to reach it yet in our lives, we then trust our descendants to continue our work and one day reach it for us."

She had explained, and the vixen looked at her as she continued to talk.

"We do all of that in hope of achieving this power." Zillah said, as she kept looking at the sky. "In hope of achieving even a sliver of this power."

She spoke and rose her paw, as if trying to reach at something, the moon in her sight. "This power that will allow us to do everything and to reach anything… This power that will allow us to reach out for the night sky…" She made a gesture with her paw, and as she did, her closed paw blocked the moon, making it seem that she had grabbed it. "…and grab the stars."

As she spoke, the camera only captured her looking up, raising her paw and making a gesture as if she was grabbing something in the air. Still, the sense of what she was speaking did not get lost in the slightest, as Vicky was able to understand it perfectly.

She even ventured to look at her team, and their expressions told her everything. They too had gotten the gist of what she meant, and she could only wonder what they were thinking. As well as what anyone else who saw the interview would think.

Zillah kept her eyes turned to the sky for a few more moments, but she soon was recomposing herself, realizing that she had let herself get carried away a bit.

"Sorry." Zillah said, "Well, I guess this just serves to expose just how passionate we mages are about this." She said.

"I guess you can say that being a mage means living to reach the truth." She explained. "Or at least, that is what it should meant, if most mages weren't so busy with personal matters."

"Yeah, I totally understand." The vixen said, and Zillah soon was speaking:

"Well, that pretty much sums up the most basic of magecraft and magic." The ferret said, "There is a lot more to it, obviously, but I told you I'd only explain what I could. I'm pretty sure that the big shots of the Association would not like me talking more about this than I already did."

Vicky looked at her. Indeed, the matter addressed until now had been fascinating. However, Vicky was an experienced reporter, and there was other questions that needed to be ask, starting with one that had been in her mind for a while.

"Yes, this was a great Magecraft 101." The vixen said to her. "But… I'm sorry, you have talked about this 'Association' a few times now. Would you mind talking about it next?"

Zillah looked at her before smiling.

"Oh, yes, of course… The [b]Mage's Association[/b]."