[Butz]

Magic in my opinion, is regarded as a force, or source of energy. Like you said, once the Mage has the energy, it's up to them what to shape it into. Some mages are known to draw from nature, others from their own bodies, elsewhere, I've seen mages that draw power from invisible threads of magic in the air. They concentrate them together and shape them into the desired effect. Wands are merely a concentration point for the magic. ^.~ Skilled mages wouldn't need them.