Magic can be used in many ways, some of them helpful and some not so much. A brief lesson in magic is a collection of tips and stories to help upcoming mages.

When casting spells try and eat abjurers nightshade, this helps stop Magic Eaters appearing.

Summoners, want more summons? Try using summoning reagents to bring forth other creatures, you will need a conjurative focus.

Don't just keep information on magic, share it! Try writing scrolls and trading them for others, you can vastly increase your repetiore this way.

Always keep control. Remember to always control your magic, not let it control you.

Don't be afraid to ask. Some mages will help you with your studies, ask around if you don't understand something.

An old story my mentor told me follows:

Long ago in a place far away, a rich lord lived in a huge castle of stone. He had gold and jewels and beautiful women surround him. But the lord despite his huge fortune always wished for more, anything new and exciting he had to have, at the expense of everyone else. He was greedy, his word was law. But one day when the rich lord was sitting on his throne an old wizard arrived. "Oh great lord," said the old man. "I come before you today to offer you a great new spell that will summon forth an amazing musical spirit, i know you love interesting things so i have brought this to you." "Well show me what you have brought," said the lord impaitiently. "Before i do you must promise not to use this spell without focus and preparation." "Fine, fine just show me the scroll." The rich lord said his eyes gleaming with delight. Gravely the old man drew out a scroll bound with a green silk ribbon and handed to the king. "Now remember never make a mistake while performing the spell or the consequences will be dire..." Said the old man sternly. But already the greedy lord had unwrapped the scroll and began to read, the old wizard looked at him angrily. "You fool what are you doing, you have not the skill for the spell!" the old wizard screeched. But the greedy lord was already to far into the spell. Suddenly the room started to darken and instead of a beautiful noise, a hideous screeching shook the castle. The elegant spirit of music that should have come forth did not, instead the lord's unclean soul and mind brought out a darker side of the spell and a malicious demon came forth. It saw the power of the lord and instantly lept on him tearing him apart. Then when he was dead the demon vanished also, leaving the lords corpse upon his throne.

The moral of the story is do not let greed cloud your judgement. Especially with magic.