Upon careful reading of the text, I think that the "no one can be a White Mage but Padjal" is not the only valid interpretation.
One thing that supports such a claim is Raya-O-Senna referring to the WoL in the first White Mage quest as:
HOWEVER, the Encyclopedia Eorzea and the 1.0 dialogue shows seems to indicate that Padjal are not the only ones permited to use white magic, but instead are in charge of its preservation and use and have the authority to teach it to non-Padjal.
The Encyclopedia Eorzea:
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One thing that supports such a claim is Raya-O-Senna referring to the WoL in the first White Mage quest as:
Again she says something along the lines of that interpretation in the level 40 quest."Bearer of the soul crystal, inheritor of arcane knowledge long since forbidden to those not of our kind..."
Those two lines of dialogue make it seem pretty cut-and-dry. And if you are only looking at dialogue which is presently in game, that's where it ends."[...] And so it was that the practicing of white magic was forbidden... with one exception. ...The Padjal. Our kind were entrusted as sole shepherds of the now-forbidden art, to serve as healers and bringers of peace while ensuring that this great power would never again be misused."
HOWEVER, the Encyclopedia Eorzea and the 1.0 dialogue shows seems to indicate that Padjal are not the only ones permited to use white magic, but instead are in charge of its preservation and use and have the authority to teach it to non-Padjal.
The Encyclopedia Eorzea:
And:"Some five centuries past, the elementals relented, and did at last allow the legacy of the Amdapori magi to be wielded by a chosen few. The Padjal, revered leaders of Gridania, have since served as the stewards of white magic and oversee its careful instruction."
This is aligned with dialogue from Raya-O-Senna in 1.0, in which she gives the player character, who is really just an adventurer at this point, permission to use white magic. No need for them to be chosen by a soul crystal descending from a tree."Although the art was subsequently forbidden, it is now in the midst of a revival at the hands of the Padjal, chosen of the elementals."
"White magic and conjury are close relations, the two governed by the same laws. The former, however, places the utmost importance upon healing and protection, and demands of practitioners the greatest intimacy with the elementals. On account of this, its use is granted only to those few who are deemed worthy. It is the sacred charge of we Padjal to ensure that the art survives, and in righteous hands.”
"And, as you act in my name, I hereby permit you the use of white magic. Take here this linkpearl and the Soul of the White Mage. The latter is an ancient crystal imbued with the light of succor - by its power, the forbidden art will be yours to wield, albeit within the bounds of your skill as a conjurer. To walk the path of the white mage is to devote oneself to the salving of hurts and the lifting of misery - ours is the hand that proffers comfort. Should it ever come to light that you have used your powers contrary to this, be forewarned that you will promptly be dispossessed of the crystal and duly punished."
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