Anyone else wish RDM was a PURE support class?

[Vexander]

You are correct. The way "white magic" works is that they draw aether from the earth to use their spells, and "black magic" is when aether is drawn from the body. RDM isn't utilising the teachings of both Thaumaturgy and Conjury, rather they use the crystal medium to draw aether from both themselves and the earth, mix it together like a cookpot, and use this mix of aether to perform "Red Magic", which draws from all 6 elements.

I may be wrong but I don't think that is correct either. Both White and Black Magic drew aether from the world around the mage performing the magic. In this the two arts were similar, and were draining the aether in the world. Only when that drain became dangerous during the War of the Magi did it spark a Calamity.

Conjurers gain their power from the Elementals in part, as well as themselves, while Thaumaturges draw aether strictly from within, using Umbral and Astral attunements to rapidly replenish, and empower, their spells.

What Red Mages do as far as a source for their power, we don't know yet sadly.