Well not to get all philosophical, but what about magic bothers you? Fire is real. Ice, lightning, etc. The methods of manipulation vary quite a lot to make amusing scenario's. A lot of science domains especially when approaching quantum levels are very well.... Um let's say they can't say they have all the answers haha. If your really curious you look up topics of vibrations and energy in physics. Heat and cold are vibration rates at there core as is lightning. Lightning requires two opposing energy sources though most naturally through positive and negative in upper atmospheres. Vibrations also can generate visible light that could even be quite dangerous.
For the sake of your question I would say to establish a sense of self. You are you. You are not people, you are not society, you are not humanity. You live in these themes, but you are not them. You begin and end in the choices you make. You are not the ripples. You are what caused the ripples. Strength in sense of self.
I guess to simply all this I've studied math, science(most in general with some more than others), religion, philosophy, Mythology, psychology, and very little history(I dislike it). Believe me magic is the least disgusting thing you can immerse yourself in lol.
At the end of the day you be what you want to be. Unfortunately games cannot accomodate everything. Do what feels fun.
Magic doesn't bother me in the least. I would even say it can be used in rl, depending on interpretation and belief (namely belief of the target.) Using Skyrim as an example, if I was in that world I could probably do some illusion magic (for stealthy purpose, defusing situations, and misdirection) and maybe occasionally some alteration like Oakflesh with my interpretation of it (I have a high pain tolerance, natural and trained, that is even higher when I am angry.) Conjuration would be out unless hallucinogenics and suggestion were being used but I have no experience in making someone be hurt by something only they can see, which isn't the point of conjuration anyway. Some basic restoration and maybe a bit of destruction could be considered energy manipulation but I am not trained in this, have only read about it (Reiki, some monk techniques.) Shooting fire out of my hand would be immersion breaking. Using enchanted weapons or armour would be perfectly fine since they are available in the world and I would probably work with or hire a mage since I can't do most magic. Maybe could study it I guess but I never think of that. :P Skyrim alchemy is really just herbalism, not magic, so I could do that easily once I learned the native flora (have studied some herbal medicine.)
