: Re: How to demonstrate an evolution of magic without it seeming like it is improvised? I'm writing a fantasy novel, in which the story progresses over a number of years. Throughout the story, I

@Cody1607638

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All you need to do is establish the idea of progress in magic.

You need to introduce the reader to the magic system as it stands at the beginning, sure. But for this case, you also need to demonstrate that magic is something that can be investigated, innovated with, used in new ways for new uses.

A simple example would be: early on,make some mention of a discovery or an evolution that has already occurred.

It can be relatively minor, but any magical discovery has potential to have impact and cause conflict. That should be plenty to find a small story hook. And in that little arc, you tell us what we need to know:

That magic is not "complete"; it progresses and evolves.
That breakthroughs have happened before, and will presumably continue to happen.
What the pace and dynamics of "magic science" are in this setting. (Are there magic-scientists? Are there geographical pockets that have technologically advanced far beyond other areas? How disruptive have advances been?)
What does a real discovery look/feel like?
What's necessary to succeed at innovating in magic?

...and so on.

The point is, a solution is to show that magic-tech is fluid, evolving.

Establish that, before the setting starts to calcify into something set and unquestionable, and the reader won't think "whoa, they're breaking the rules." If you tell us "Listen, this setting is still figuring out the rules," you should be fine.

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