"Magic is not easy, young one. It is an art, yet it is governed by very strict rules that we only partially understand. Nearly as much of a calling as the clergy, those who do not have the talent can never hope to accomplish much in the mystical professions.
"What we do know is the following:
"Firstly, the understanding of the universe's secrets can be broken down and quantified using advanced mathematics and theory that has been developed over the centuries. These patterns of cause and effect, as solid and unchanging as any mountain, are what we refer to as "Arcane Knowledges". These Knowledges are broken down loosely into groups. These groups follow the same rules and trends. Light forces, or "Illusion" if you like, all work on the same principles. Causing light to spring from your palm, is rather like making one's self invisible, for example. And Air, Fire, Water, and Earth, the "Elements", all obey the same basic metaphysical laws and are therefore grouped together.
"Secondly, without the Power to bend the forces of the universe that surround us, all the Knowledge in the world is nearly useless. Being able to light a candle requires far less energy than consuming a room in a ball of flame. Using the mind to force the universe to react in a way of your choosing is much like exercising one's muscles. A man who can perform a given task repeatedly, such as loading ten pound barrels onto the back of a wagon, is obviously able to perform a much more strenuous task, perhaps loading a single fifty pound barrel. A man barely able to perform the first task is unlikely to be able to perform the second.
"Lastly, Power and Knowledge are extremely dangerous with out the proper Controls. The Controls give the spell "direction" and "flavor", if you will. Willing the very ground to reach forth and crush your enemy requires different Control than coaxing it into revealing the path that someone used to escape into the forest.
"Now, that being said, understand that the realm of magic is very broad indeed. It is possible to specialize in the normal casting of spells, or in the rituals, or in the wide realm of artifacts and other devices. Maybe one of these limits you too much. Then you can study them all if so choose! Most of us do just that, anyway. Not much sense limiting yourself to the power you can wield, right?
"Now, down to business. I've detected your talents, so we know that's in order. You've kept up on your studies, so you should have the Knowledge and Control necessary. If you have practiced those mind exercises like you say you have, then this task should be simple enough.
"I present to you.... your first wand. Notice the Rune of Focus here on the handle. It helps us to shape and influence the powers that we manipulate. Some of the most powerful mages evolve beyond the need for the wand, but most of us inscribe more and more runes on to them as we grow in power. Think of it as a storage place for commonly used spells. In fact, my first wand eventual snapped in two because layers and layers of carvings caused it to become too weak in places!
"But all that is for the future. For now, let's try and cast a spell..."