I think the big question is "What is magic?"
From my understanding, magic is the manipulation of aether to cause an effect. Â I don't think there's enough information yet to know everything that aether can effect. Â Some examples are: Â your mage classes, aehteryte stones (teleportation), and synthesis.
I also recall that the opening cutscenes mentions you feeling discomfort, after you wake up from your 'dream.'  The merchant comments that "it's the aether."  This seems to imply that Eorzea is rich in Aether, where  other areas of Hydaelyn may not be. This may be why the Garleans have an ineptitude for magic: there's not enough aether for them to effectively manipulate.
From my understanding, magic is the manipulation of aether to cause an effect. Â I don't think there's enough information yet to know everything that aether can effect. Â Some examples are: Â your mage classes, aehteryte stones (teleportation), and synthesis.
I also recall that the opening cutscenes mentions you feeling discomfort, after you wake up from your 'dream.'  The merchant comments that "it's the aether."  This seems to imply that Eorzea is rich in Aether, where  other areas of Hydaelyn may not be. This may be why the Garleans have an ineptitude for magic: there's not enough aether for them to effectively manipulate.