[He pauses to fuss with the console before answering.]

You're the spirit of the world who can control the elements and reincarnates to create balance and order between all of the different people of your land and the spirit world.

How is that not magic?

[The face Korra is seeing is the face of a man that just swallowed a mouthful of vinegar.]

No, I wasn't born with it. I made it. My heart... I had an accident and needed some way to keep my heart beating. The armor was just to help me protect myself. This armor is special. Easier to move.

I guess if you want to put it in your terms it's more like machine bending. Kind of.

[That was the worst explanation ever.]