Institut d'Arcanique de Vallastra
A ruthless magic university of immutable prestige
Also called the Vallastra Arcanic Institute in Syncretongue-- not to be confused with the University of Vallastra, a different school which offers more generalized course matter-- the Institut d'Arcanique is the premier center of higher education in magic and the arcane sciences in the nation of Sidusimpere. Sidusimpere is the only place in Gilden where there even are formal education facilities for magic to begin with, so there isn't much competition, but the Institut d'Arcanique is still beyond reproach in its renown and prestige. Located in the country's capital city for which it is named, it is the oldest institution for formal education in magic in Sidusimpere, most reputable, and most competitive.
History
The Institut d'Arcanique was founded nearly a hundred and fifty years ago by the Magus Heirs, the revolutionary mages that overthrew the oppressive Siduseran monarchy in 241 KW and transformed the nation into a modern republic, and formed the Council of New Elders, the ruling council that governs Sidusimpere to this day. Restrictive royal law on magic and the arcane, which exacerbated social and economic disparity, was a key motivation for the Magus Heirs to take point on the rebellious organization developing and lead the people of Sidusimpere in toppling the monarchy. Before, only those of noble birth or those sponsored by a noble family were lawfully permitted to study and practise magic, and in order for a recognized mage to take on an apprentice, permission had to be granted from the king. The Magus Heirs wanted people to have the freedom to learn magic regardless of background or social standing, and wanted for themselves the freedom to share their arcane knowledge and skills with the people, for the betterment of society. Thus, the Institut d'Arcanique was established in 249 KW.
Reputation
For the last seventy years, every newly elected member of the Council of New Elders has been an alumni of the Institut d'Arcanique. Not only does the Institut d'Arcanique boast the most advanced and highest quality education in magic and the arcane sciences, it is also one of the top centers for magical research in the nation. While any other of the handful of higher education institutions for magic around Sidusimpere may sufficiently serve an aspiring wizard, the industry of magic in Sidusimpere is highly competitive, being the core pillar of their society and modern infrastructure, and the prestige associated with a degree from the Institut is hard to beat. Of every arcane university in Sidusimpere, the Institut d'Arcanique has the lowest rate of admission in comparison to the volume of applicants each year. For many aspiring young wizards, whether or not they get accepted into this particular school can determine the entire rest of their future. As access to preliminary magical education has increased over the years, so has the number of prospective students, causing the competition to only get fiercer. The Institut d'Arcanique only accepts the best, and only the best of the best will graduate as fully fledged Ascendant Mages.
University Culture
Because of the exclusivity and fierce competition prevalent in earning a place at this institution, a harsh principle of 'every man for himself' is fostered by and at the school. It's a dog eat dog world when the classes shrink with each advancing year. This creates cut-throat politics amongst the present student body. There is little trust between peers, but at the same time, establishing alliances and rapport between one's fellow students is imperative for one's continued success at the Institut. One has to be willing to do all that they must in order to rise in their class, and many students often end up resorting to underhanded manipulation and sabotage of their peers. Students who struggle to keep up recieve little sympathy, and it's hard for anyone to retain their compassion when clinging to such ideals could jepoardize their future at the Institut. There is an intense culture of elitism, and everyone is constantly vying to prove they are a cut above the rest. This experience is reinforced by the faculty, as a teaching position at the university is as hard-won as admission, and many of the professors were once students there themselves. There is no one at the Institut d'Arcanique who didn't fight to be there, who wouldn't fight to stay. Not so literally, usually, though full out wizard duels have been known to occur from time to time, but only one student has ever died in one, and that was over seventy years ago.
New Age Pariah
There are three main stages to a full arcane education in Sidusimpere: Initiate, a class which lasts three years, Adept, which lasts two, and Cresting, which lasts five years. While a prospective mage is in Cresting, they will move from the classroom to undergo an intensive apprenticeship with an Arch Mage mentor. Mira Toranthykoulos is a young mage who had shown great promise in her years at the Institut d'Arcanique already. Though she struggled to navigate the complex allyships and betrayals turning over amongst her peers, she'd fought and clawed her way to the top through sheer valour, skill, and talent. She had an incredible mind and impressive raw power-- everyone agreed she had a splendid future ahead of her as an Arch Mage. When she entered Cresting, she obtained an apprenticeship with the venerable Judoc Caron, an Arch Mage of great renown. Mira revered and respected Caron greatly, and considered herself quite blessed to be able to learn directly from such a master mage as she honed her craft. However, little more than halfway through her Cresting, an ugly scandal involving Judoc Caron was exposed, in which several women, who all had worked for Caron as assistants, lab and office staff, and house staff, published allegations of sexual harrassment and assault against him. Caron was met by lots of support, both from the public and his colleagues, especially those at the Institut, while the women were decried as liars. Mira was horrified, but not for Caron's sake. She couldn't reconcile the image she had of her honourable, irreproachable mentor with the dire truth of who he really was, and she did believe the allegations to be true.
Mira renounced her apprenticeship with Judoc Caron, putting forth a public statement in support of the women who accused him and criticizing the powers of the national magic community and the Vallastra Institut d'Arcanique for protecting him from rightful consequence, and if there was any justice in their nation then he would be shunned and expelled from the mage's society. Unfortunately, Caron went on unchallenged, and the one who was shunned was Mira herself, for daring to speak out against him. Mira held the belief that she did the right thing, but it was a grievous tragedy that in doing so she burned so many of her bridges, sacrificing her future as an Ascended and Arch Mage, and lost her place of honour at the Institut d'Arcanique. She wasn't expelled, per se, but she'd become imfamous overnight, and the backlash not only she but her family were experiencing was so severe that rather than try to find another mentor to complete her training, Mira left the Institut d'Arcanique of her own volition.
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