Academy of Arcane Survival

As previously stated, there normally are not more than five students enrolled in the school at a time. And even then, enrolled is a hard word to put in there. People sensitive to the arcane, or people that just found out they could use magic, or children from well known magic families, are all invited in here.

the lessons are normally held after they're done with their regular school or jobs, or on the weekends if that works better for the students. Besides the owner of the boxing club, a few members of the circle of magic frequent the school, and if students are enrolled, some of them act as their teachers. Sometimes, when very special students with a special purview enroll in the school, those student can have a single Solo-Teacher, with a more flexible schedule if need be.

What is a purview and how does that affect the teaching?

A purview is very simple the root of a mages power. It can be the source of their power, or the tools they need. What a purview is, and how a mage uses it, is bound to their understanding of it. A mage with the purview of electricity is either able to command thunder or is immune to being shocked. Or they can control everything that runs on electricity. How an individual interprets their purview and flow of Mana, and how sensitive they react to it, is absolutely up to them.

With the abundance of possible use cases for magic, it is hard to fit that in any sort of teaching guidelines. And rather than teaching new mages one correct way of using magic, the teachers at the academy prefer a more hands-on experience. Showing them examples within their own purview, and testing the students creativity and knowledge.

But alas, the most important part in using magic, is controlling one's Mana. The flow of magic energy in the body itself is the power house of every magic, and understanding and controlling that battery, is the first step to every lesson.

How do you actually finish a school with no actual curriculum?

One of the finer prints of the academy is, that no one ever really finishes learning and studying. Since our creativity and knowledge can grow and meanings shift, the purview of a mage can change form as well. That is why it is hard to actively teach spells or something like that.

That's why the one common rule is the teaching about Mana control. If a student is able to control their Mana, the teacher(s) start developing the individual brilliance of the student. Depending on the students general affection to the arcane, or innate talent, the overall study time varies a lot.

Rule of thumb is, as soon as a teacher is convinced, that their student(s) have a general understanding of their purview and the way magic works, they prepare a practical exam. It is individual for every single student, made to highlight their strengths, while also testing their weak spots. It is dangerous, to a certain degree, but never life threatening. And to finish school, and get a certificate from the academy, as well as a traditional invitation letter to "La Troupe d'Elégance", the Circle of Magic in Heldencoast.

But even after finishing the exam and becoming a part of the magic circle, the academy is open for everyone, and one of the favorite hang-out spots for mages all throughout the city.

"Mr. Flanagan, I always wanted to know why you decided to renovate this old building. And why keep it as a Boxing Club? Isn't that kind of weird?"

A question often asked by either students, alumni or sometimes even member of the Magic Circle. The short answer is: Angus Flanagan inherited the old building, and the mages society was in need of a school. So they used what they had available, when they had it available.

The longer answer is, that to teach someone in a sheer endless amount of ways their power could work, it is better to be prepared. Someone that needs to punch stuff before they can use their magic? Better to have them test it on boxing dummies. Someone needs a lot of space for their magic? No problem, we have a gym, just go through that door. And sometimes the students and member just like to train their bodies. The principal and owner himself enjoys boxing and working out, so it's the easiest and most convenient solution.

Also, having a dedicated building on the outskirts of the city, where the old industrial area was located, means the neighborhood is basically deserted. Only a short drive to be completely out of the city and in the wilds. Something that the academy, as well as the mages in general, love to use to their advantage.

And most important: having the front of the academy be a sports club that people show up to with different bags and on different times, does not raise too many suspicions.

All the students and mages laugh at the motto, since it does not describe the school at all. It is more of a relic of old times, long before the super humans appeared in the world. The oldest magical academies in the world, especially in Europe, used that old phrase to showcase the endless possibilities of a magic user's purview.

After a lot of changes in the magic community, as well as organizations popping up everywhere, dedicated to super humans and abilities, the magic society shrank down to a fraction of what they were before. Some of the older mages still think of the glory of older days, when they were still a secret from the public, but the most powerful humanoids on earth. But the younger generations almost all agree, that the course of time does not stop and adapted to the new society.

And with the appearance of more arcane sensitive people born from normal families, most of the people have no problems or objections with integrating and adapting to modern times, while still maintaining their secret and specialties. With still having their purview be their focus point for every magic, nobody is particularly interested in changing the motto right now.