Core Atrophy

A mage's mana core is unique to that person. Its size, mana production rate, physical size and resiliance is different between individuals. However, an aspect that is shared between all Elemental Mages is the fact that they needs to exercise/use their cores regulary. If they do not, the mana production rate will slowly, then quickly fall, and the organ will physicalt shrink, preventing it from absorbing much wild mana from the environement. This is what is called core atrophy.

Physical

Once the condition sets in, a mage may start to feel tired and weak even after sleeping well. They may also start to feel overly sensitive to sources of mana in the wild, and pain when trying to absorb it. They may also begin gaining weight, as the core isn't coverting and burning through some of the food they consume at the same rate. As said before, their magic abilities will be greatly reduced, and using only a regular amount of mana will also become painful. This can become a vicious cycle as a mage will instinctively try to use less mana, or use magic less overall, to spare themselves the pain, which only exacerbates the problem.

Mental

Not too suprisingly, having this condition is bad for the mental health of any affected mages. It induces feelings of stress and anxiety and many feel depressed and emotionaly fragile as a result. While some say that the reason they feel this way is only really due to them having performance issues, others have speculated that since magic is indirectly connected to their souls, via the core, a condition that affects it so severely must also affect the soul in some way, which would explain their depressive state.

The treatement for core atrophy is quite simple. The affected mage must start using and practicing their magic abilities again, and as soon as possible, as the longer this condition lasts, the harder it is for them to get themselves out of it. They have to start by doing short sessions a few times a week, and then every day, but it is important to not over exert and to remind themselves that their capabilities are greatly diminished. When they feel pain, they should stop, and over time, it will take longer for that pain to manifest, indicating that their core is in fact healing. Doing these little sessions will not only allow the core to slowly regain its vigor, but it will also improve their physical and mental health. Eventualy, they will reach their pre-atrophy level of magic strenght. This process can take a few weeks for the lucky ones, but months are generaly needed to fully rid themselves of the condition

The best way Elemental Mages have to prevent this condtion to develop is simply to practice magic regulary, at least a few times a week, and idealy every day. The core is just like a muscle, and using it regulary keeps it strong and healthy, but neglecting it leads to atrophy. It is important for mages to both use the mana they produce regularly, and absorb it from the environement as well. Much like during or after an intense workout or running session, using magic induces a high in mages, which encourage them to do it more regularly, which in turns beats back the possibility of the core ever atrophying. Most young mages are though to do magic whenever they feel like it and able too for this exact reason.