Transylvanian Lynx

I am reasonably certain that vampirism is not a not a thing in this world, so to expect such from any breed of lynx is somewhat unreasonable. That being said, the Transylvanian lynx is kind of more bloodthirsty than most other cats, so it's not entirely unfair.
One of the five species of the cat genus Lynx, the Transylvanian lynx has in the past been equated with the Eurasian lynx, but modern studies show this to be a mistake. They are two different species. The Transylvanian lynx is slightly larger than the Eurasian, and generally has darker coloring. Their diets are similar.
The primary difference comes from the unusual formation of their teeth, which along with the shape of their faces usually makes them look somewhat like vampires. I'm pretty sure the name came from their approximate location of origin.
As a species, they have a reputation as a symbol of power in their Slavic homeland. This particular type of lynx is visibly associated with the ancient flags of a few warlords, and there are folk legends about how they kept the lynx as pets.
They also have a reputation for secrecy, due to their more reclusive habits, and due to how isolated they keep themselves, they are associated with independence.
All those factors together made this animal the perfect mascot for the Academics Club. As an organization dedicated to secretly teaching younger superheroes how to better master their powers, while ultimately teaching them to stand on their own two feet, the comparisons are clear.
It's also proved to be a valuable association for the lynx species, since the club has taken on preservation measures to ensure that their most beloved symbol will continue jumping out at people from the shadows for a long time into the future.