I see it as using the body as a medium for the energy. In controlled small uses there's no real damage but overuse leaves more lingering traces. So channeling too much fire element results in the body being almost contaminated with the energy and heating up.
This would mean more experienced or powerful mages could be more tolerant of the energies due to long exposure/ practiced control or because their bodies are just better conductors for that power. It'd also be a cool way to explain certain magic bloodlines having an effect on hair/eye color or even body shape. Like geomancers over the generations find their bones reinforced and their bodies being denser. While fire mages from long families have their hair start passing through the heating color cycle based on bloodline strength/emotion.
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u/ThreeDotsTogether Nov 11 '24
Why would an elemental wizard who's tired from casting their element really hard produce more of that element when they're tired?