[Some of that, he can relate to. Other ideas only add to his uncertainty -- particularly the bit implying gender exclusivity.]

It sounds too similar to be a coincidence, but... The Fade is another realm, where humans dream and spirits and demons reside. Mages draw their power from it, as you draw from this "Phase." There are many schools of magic one can learn to use, regardless of anything except whether or not one was born a mage.