User blog comment:TheNewProtagonist/Dust is actually kinda dumb./@comment-5217560-20130813193627

Dust is just energy. That's probably the simplest explanation that can be offered at the moment. How it works, and how to bend it to one's will, will be revealed later in the series.

It's just like the world of Avatar. It's not magic that allows them to manipulate nature, but energy within their own bodies. Have you heard of "The children of the lamp" series? It's a series about a family of good djinn who try to keep the balance of luck, etc. What they use in the book looks like magic to humans, but they actually abhor the very idea. Instead they manipulate photons,electtrons, and molecules in order to accomplish the feats they perform.

I would assume Dust is similar to the forementioned examples. Not to mention, Monty said it isn't magic because to him, Magic means something deeper, and he has a much broader perception of what Magic is. Therefore, you may not accept that or believe it but it doesn't change what it is.

So we know a few things about Dust: 1.It isn't magic 2.It's energy 3.It comes in crystal and powder state 4. different colors cause different affects 6. It is used in machinary 7. It glows 8.the forces of nature and other phenomenon can be summoned and/or manipulated

We'll get down to it's innerworkings later in the show, so don't fret :D. Once it alll comes together it's going to click.