But authors found their own way in developing this standard. The novel starts with some ununderstandable disparities of characters' activities. It seems the authors were not able to find a better way to start the plot. Narration also begins slack. But so happens, from chapter to chapter the plot becomes stronger and more logical and short- comings vanish.
Magic is alive.
They don't rule the world, just exist and research. Very seldom new talented magicians appear and become students of old ones. He came to study Magic to the most powerful magician Lart. Once Marran bet with one of his friends and provoked hostility between his teacher and another powerful magician. When they realised that they punished Marran having him turned into a hall-stand.