In that case the argument is sort of pointless - we both agree that the mage suffers a certain handicap that can easily be compensated with a few more rounds in battle, provided the battle allows it :)

I do not argue that it is boring to wait around, but that's a part of the gameplay as a mage. The game allows for unique gameplays for all 3 chars and that's what makes it fun. And besides - if the mage is handicaped by that - what do we say about the paladin, who neither gets enough rage in combat, nor gets enough mana for decent spellcasting other than buffing? :)

The game flow which is very fast doesn't match mana restore along exploration, a bit of design originality here would be quite better and wouldn't break any balance. That's not a perfect game, it has other points much better design.