The BLM was weak. I have full confidence the WoL can achieve damn near anything.

The Mhachi mages aren't around because they were prominent during the War of the Magi. They are mostly wiped out now. They took the Ark into the Void supposedly...probably couldn't survive. Refer to what could have been the fate of Nero in the World of Darkness. That is likely what happened to all the Mages on board the Ark. Voidsent only survived because they can exist on that plane of existence. Xande made a pact with something that couldn't be controlled. And is mostly a homage to FF3.

Your arbitrary dismissal of why NPC BLM have access to petrification and a drain spell whereas the player does not only means you don't care much for them. If it's a fear of imbalance why not plop them in PvP?

That said further discussion with you shall lead nowhere. So nowhere it shall remain. Kudos.