Let's try to do some general brainstorming then, yeah? None of these links are 100% going to lead you to "Abstract Magic" but I think all of them could spark an idea for something that could fit the description.

Wild Magic - The underlying magical forces at work in the universe, or at least in this section of it, are, quite literally, alive. And more often than not, they are completely amoral. At best they are whimsical, in a way that would normally be completely harmless. They just want to play.

Ritual Magic - One of the oldest conceptions of magic is Ritual Magic, a method of casting spells based on the performance of specific words, gestures, actions and offerings at specific places and times. Magic isn't a question of talent, spiritual enlightenment, or a power you're born with. It's something that anyone can learn, even (perhaps dangerously) a Muggle.

Magic Misfire - Either because of inexperience, a Malfunction Malady, the magic equivalent of Phlebotinum Breakdown, or some other reason, the spell screws up, often resulting in an unintended effect or Amusing Injuries, or both. In a game, a Magic Misfire can be a subtype of Critical Failure.

Wrong Context Magic - Sometimes it's met with skepticism by "normal" magic users. They will insist that the strange magic is fake or against the rules and so they will be left scratching their heads when the rulebreaking magic continuously works. Of course, in a world where magic is considered normal this can be justified since having magic that works on other rules is a lot like having a microwave that works by taking away cold instead of adding heat.

Unequal Rites - Frequently the themes behind the various forms of magic will take one of the various points within Functional Magic. Magicians who follow Magic A Is Magic A will be academic, studious, and always "researching" new spells. Artistic mages usually have some form of Functional Magic that they tap into in unconventional ways. Hermetic Magic practitioners follow ritual like academic magicians but usually ignore the “how” and “why” in favor of theological explanations or even plain old faith. Expect these mages to be on differing sides of Harmony Versus Discipline, with some seeking to “control” magic, others to “channel” it, and some to understand and influence it.

I enjoy browsing TVTropes to get ideas for things. I have an idea for this prompt already, though there's been no urge to start writing it, but just from reading these I got a few more seeds of ideas. Music as Magic, perhaps elevator music and thoughts of bowling. Different cultures with magic that doesn't use wands, that isn't taught but learned naturally from birth, where there are no schools and no traditional magical education. Inserting a Dresden system of magic into HP and making it somehow work. Squibs in general, and if they are truly magical beings or not.

Most of that might not work into a story with proper abstract magic, but if I was still brainstorming it could.

Cheers

 

That will probably be fine, Silirt - don't stress XD

 

Obligatory “depends how you write it” answer.

But probably. It often is in fanfic.

I’m a bit at a loss as to how to explain that it’s not the topic that makes it abstract by itself. But wandmaking often goes this route.

 

Less than a week left!

I didn't even get a start TBH - I was supposed to be in China at present and NOT being there (Coronoavirus!) created some work things to avoid.

Not that I'd have managed to finish the damn thing anyway.

...hmmm, but instead of writing the planned/plotted story that would have pushed 10k, maybe I can brainstorm something I could write quickly. I do wonder.

Edit: Next up we have more SHORT comps in Q2! Look forward to it! Q3 back to the longer one. PRovide thoughts and suggestions in the General comp thread, and go post some prompt ideas as you have them!

 

Get your stories in to @Xiph0 people! Today is the deadline (in his timezone!)

 

Longer than 17.5k? Eeesh mate. No chance of editing it down?

Hope you’ll share soon anyway.

 

I messaged him earlier.

 

There were submissions. Y'all just hold on tight and they'll get posted when they get posted.