This chapters gives a short explanation about all 3 forms of the powers mentioned.
(Well, short wouldn't be exactly word, since even the shorten up version does take bit of time to explain.)
[Magic]
In this world, exist many form of powers as well as their manifestations.
One of most common manifestation of these powers is magic.
Magic.
There is mana everywhere and can be pretty much found in anybody.
You just need to learn how to control it - Feel it and move it.
However, if you wish to use magic directly, you need a "GATEWAY".
This "gateway" is affinity for specific element.
Fire, water, earth, wind and so on.
Some beings posses a natural compatibility with the specific affinity, with some cases allowing the being to straight up posses in born affinity for the specific element.
However, there could also be beings that naturally have hard time using specific element, with some cases even having negative compatibility.
Example of that would be a elemental being that have their entire existence revolving around maybe fire – Can't use water magic like at all.
Besides affinity, there is also understanding and control.
You need to understand how element works and best way to control it.
It all can be trained – This is the very important fact.
For example, a mage that has extremely bad compatibility with water magic can train their water element magic over and over, as well as trying to understand it as well as their control.
This will help them out in controlling the element.
So even with the mage doesn't have affinity and have hard time using it, it doesn't mean it is completely impossible for them to use it.
However, there is a question like HOW you are using magic and form.
You can have different masteries in different areas of the magic.
Manipulation, enchantment, manifestation, creation and so on.
Just learning how to use element and possessing affinity isn't enough alone.
You need to "know" how to "use" magic the way you want it.
Some people can specializes in just launching a balls of fire, while some others created a constructs made out of fire, giving them specific purposes or maybe some others can use their fire magic to influence the flames around them.
Besides elemental affinity magic, there are also types of magic that does not require affinity.
[Weapon Art]
As you may know, besides magic there is other form of manifestation called "Weapon Arts".
These are physical manifestation of the power that can surge through the weapon and the body of the user…. Or it could also be called physical strength given unique form.
There exist countless form of arts for each weapon.
[Sword Art]
[Axe Art]
[Spear Art]
[Whip Art]
[Bow Art]
And so on.
Magic uses mana, but on the other hand the Weapon Arts uses the user's physical strength. Devouring the user stamina or/and putting pressure on the user's body.
Weapon Arts can have many functions.
Sometimes they are about enchanting one specific aspect of the weapon, like for example cutting power, stabbing, sharpness or defense.
Or it can be something more special. For example enchanting the blade and causing the slash to be just launched like a projectile.
Now here is interesting question.
Why there are some Weapon Arts for different weapons that have a same function.
[Sword Art: Slash] / [Axe Art: Slash]
Simple put, understanding of the weapons and Weapon Arts can perfume some different or similar actions.
Now, here is a question.
"If I learned [Sword Art: Slash], can I just use [Axe Art: Slash] like nothing?"
Well…. It is bit complicated.
You CAN use Weapon Arts, even without having "Weapon Mastery" type skills…. But that doesn't they are not completely not needed.
Weapon Mastery skills can lent a huge help in area of using Weapon Arts.
Now, different weapons aspect.
Simple put, different weapons means different flows of energy as well as form of manifestations.
But in theory, you can use it.
Those are called the "Nameless Weapon Arts" or just "Plain Weapon Arts"
Example: [Weapon Art: Slash]
You can fire off a same attack using just anything. Be it sword, axe, stick or maybe even just a pencil. It can fire them all.
However there are obviously a side effects of using this thing.
First thing first would be the "base" of the attack is straight up non existing.
The backbone / the core of the art.
And the second problem is understanding of the object. If you don't have proper understanding of the object, then the energy flow could end up going haywire or just misfire, causing the Weapon Art to fail.
The performance of the Plain Weapon Art is also much lower compare to the regular art.
And there is also the problem of the object mastery.
For example, a man that mastered a sword VS a man who just picked up a random branch it never wielded in its live.
Even without arts, the performance can be seen clear as day.
In short, weapon mastery of specific weapon is far superior than "nameless" type.
[Element Weapon Magic Art]
This form of power is combination of both a Magic and Weapon Art into one.
Understanding of the physical power.
Understanding of the magical power.
Fused into one power.
To fully utilize this form of power you need to know how to handle both Weapon Art and Magic.
Sounds simple on paper, but it is really not.
Understanding how to use magic and weapon art separately is completely different from the element weapon magic art.
Now, here is a question.
"Is there 'nameless' version of the elemental weapon magic art?"
The answer is : YES
There exist such versions.
There also exist some spells that uses weapons as conducts, like with mage staffs.
Simply put, using their weapon as the base of their spells.