From Amda the protection mage to Tania the alchemist, it's made apparent that magic is here but yet still hard to come by. This is because it takes more than just a wand and some supplies to do magic. Magic is generally seen as something unattainable by normal means. In Tania's case, she's not the first to be an alchemist. Her mother, her grandmother, and all before that were into magic. People study very hard all their lives and still some can barely make a spark with the snap of their fingers, while those who have studied the same amount can cast a fireball with ease. Due to this, it's very discouraging to many, so that topped with the fact you typically don't make money with magic, makes magic in Aerra very rare!