Supplementary Reading - Mana Stones

In the past, the people of Erkedia were blessed with Magic. Nearly every person on the continent had some form of Magic that they were able to perform, be it Healing Magic, Storage Magic, or even Fire or Earth Magic. However, this often caused division between the people.

Those who were able to use Offensive Magic were seen as useful and thus gained luxuries such as better homes and foodstuffs for their contributions to society. However, Utility Magic and even Defensive Magic was often looked down upon. Even Healers, who would usually patch up the Offensive Mages on the battlefield, were considered undesirable. Class divisions were plentiful and wars between kingdoms were quite common.

Until one day, the Magic in people started to disappear.

Those who had been born with it were unable to perform it as well, if at all, and newborns weren't born with an ounce of Mana inside them. For years, scholars looked for an answer as to why the Magic was gone, but to no avail. For years, Magic was gone from the world.

That was until one day when some archeologists were on a dig, looking for the bones of a Red-Horned Dragon, that the sought-after Mana Stones were found. [1]

"Mana Stones" (scientific name Magianite) allow some people to regain Magic abilities, although there does not seem to be a consistent reason as to why someone is able to use Magic again. Once someone has regained their abilities through a Mana Stone, the gem turns into an ordinary jewel, it's form often chosen by what Magic the wielder regained (ex. a Water Magic user would turn a Mana Stone into an Aquamarine gem).

Those who don't get their abilities back often weave the Mana Stones into technology, the most common uses being transportation, weaponry, and fuel.

Due to the rarity of Mana Stones, they are extremely expensive. There has currently been a rise in fake Mana Stones being sold, usually for more than the actual market price. Additionally, someone who has never even used their Magic before is at risk for extreme medical emergencies when they get their powers. This includes conditions such as: lacerations, mana poisoning, organ failure, bones breaking/fracturing, mental deterioration (depending on the magic they wield), and death. [2]

Because of the risk factors, many people still opt to live a Magickless lifestyle.

[1] The name of the excavators who found the Mana Stones have been scrubbed out of all known text about their findings. Considering they found them hundreds of years ago, it's safe to assume they are no longer with us and the amount of people coming forward lying about their relatives being one of the excavators makes some sources unreliable.
[2] Sourced from Magia and Medical: The Truth Behind Humans Wielding Magic.