Magic is the science you don't know yet. The science you already know is engineering. -- RecklessPrudence
The nature of magic is one of constant debate. Any sufficiently advanced technology can be indistinguishable from magic. Any sufficiently analysed magic can be treated like science. But, overall, anything that can not fit into the rules of science can be called magic.
Conjuring is always a good one. Making things, even temporarily, from thin air defies the laws of thermodynamics. Levitation defies the laws of physics. Science can take the molecules of a sow's ear and transform it through laborious processes into a silk purse, but magic can do it in seconds with a simple transmogrification spell.
Which has lead, more or less, to the Magical Investigation Society.
Science may have grown to give an edge to the non-magical of society, in the same way that accomodation technology grew to give an edge to the disabled. And very possibly for similar reasons. It's all very well to have someone who can heal with a word or a prayer, but when one is stuck without access to either of those, it helps to have treated bandages that can do the same job. Even if it does take more time to do so.
Science does what it can to replicate or at least come close to the abilities of magic. A log of wood can turn into a loaf of bread either way, and neither version tastes less like a log when it's done. And they're more edible and sustaining than any conjured fare. Subjects who have had to use them say that they are motivating, too. As in, they motivate one to find anything else to eat other than a log that has been turned into bread.
As for essential supplies, magic has pocket realities, but science has made compressible materials so that a tent can fit into a pocket and still be proof against all weathers. Though not, unfortunately, rocky ground. Immense progress has been made in the field of Rogue's armour, being both light and flexible, whilst still being able to turn aside arrows. And many rogues thank sciences for finally ending the "leather fetish era".
Science can, with a lot of effort, copy magic. But it is not and never will be magic. And yet, the wizards are worried. One day, not too far in the future, science will do something that magic has not already done. They can see it happening in small ways, already. Finding new means to heal, and to purge disease from a sickened body. Finding ways to help the afflicted that had dumbfounded magic.
Soon. Perhaps very soon. Science would do something big.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / justdd]
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