"5 to 10 thousand years," Temps answers "but it was very isolated and people weren't initially aware of all it's properties, like the ability to infuse new mages, not to mention superstition. The current mage population is just shy of a million. I can't tell you much about earlier efforts, but serious scientific research with people who are actual scientists only started 10 to 15 years ago. Keep in mind that the general public knowledge only started less than two years ago, before that most people who knew about magic are more interested in hiding it instead of publish academic studies in magic."

Temps eyes Max head to toe.

"Don't take this the wrong way," Temps says "but why are you curious about figuring out magic? Want to see if you can become rich slash edifice of human knowledge with it?"