Magic is the ability to communicate with a lower form of 'qi' called Mana, mana exists in the forms of all elements and combination elements. You call them outside of you and talk with them to get them do your work with your own internalized mana which you have purified of all elements to a blank state or a 'pure' state.
The way you talk with the outside mana with your internalized mana differs from person to person but one thing is the same the blank or 'pure' mana changes to either match or be the opposite element to either entice or coerce the outside mana to do something in response.