For someone so gifted in the ways of magic, I've struggled to understand why Briar was expelled from the University of Magic.
What I do know--which comes from my son, Green Luckyfeller (who has had dealings with the mägo for years), is that any magic user with any semblance of a reputation won't associate with Briar. That's not an exaggeration.
For nearly twenty years, which I mark from the opening of The Black Box, Briar has been working on building is own reputation among the marchants of Andilain.

The Black Box

Sitting among the finer shops of the capital, The Black Box touts the magical wares few mägo are willing to craft (or part with). Charms, gems embued with curious spells, and for those willing to part with enough coin--custom (yes, I said 'custom') magic for a wide array of situations and experiences.
Briar seems to find pleasure in assisting the 'normal' folk around him, in overcoming obsticles in life's path. Especially when it messes with someone else's path in the outcome.
So should you have need of a unique potion, pin, magic mirror, or walking staff--The Black Box just might be the place to visit.
That is, unless the Olen championships are being played. Then you'll likely find the shop closed for the suration of the tourament.

Unnatural Obsession

My son tells me there's no secret about Briars obsession for Olen. He says it's hard to miss.
Hiring himself out as a personal trainer to the highest bidder, Briars focus is always on winning the Mägo Cup.
Green assures me it's not the money he's after--for Briar ays little attention to issues of coin, but rather the beating of the current champion of the games, the famous "Lights Out"
Yes, I realize this is starting to sound like some badly written 'B' movie, but the same contestant has won the Olen Mägo Cup every four years for the last 28 years! Now when you consider the grand prize money far exceeds the wealth of a noble for the life of the contestant, the current champion has amased the wealth beyond any king I know of...
Still, Green believes Briar seeks revenge against this champion for some unknown reason, which is yet to be revealed.