Flames of Wisdom

Tiala opened the envelope, which was sealed with a fire sigil. She squinted and imagined the sigil beginning to glow, revealing the contents of the letter:

Dear aspiring novice,

We would like to congratulate you on your acceptance into the "Flame of Wisdom" Academy of Zimuniya. We invite you to present yourself at the Vanishing Gate on the southeast side of the labyrinth on the 40th of Tamnyitu 2,694 during the 2nd hour.

Be sure to be punctual, otherwise you run the risk of not being admitted. The watchword is: “Ngidi lead me!” Please wear Jala-repellent long clothing when crossing and be sure to follow your guide's instructions through the labyrinth.

Enclosed you will find a list of the books and materials to bring with you. We wish you a pleasant stay.

May the flame of light illuminate you!
Sincerely, Dabalee Timnit, Dean.

by Blue Fairy 74

The motto of the Academy of Zimunyia is: “In their light, wisdom grows.” The “their” refers to the three stages of life of the sun goddess, which is also symbolized in the shape of a three-sided pyramid. The light of wisdom radiates from the sun goddess in all directions.

Left: Invitation with fire sigil: "Fire is in me"

The most important universities for fire magic on Layida are referred to as “Flames of Wisdom”. Every woman who later wants to practice fire magic, join the Safambi Order or become a political leader must attend one of these universities. Today these academies can be found near every Layid capital and religious center. They form a continental network and are subordinated to the fire magic department of the Elaqitan Universal University of Elemental Magic (EUeM) in Aqila.

Philosophy & brief historical development

As early as the 2nd millennium BEC, there were the first fire magic faculties on Layida, but they only taught certain areas. Around 1,500 BEC the first religious colleges were permitted through the "Order Bull of the Wise Flame". The main task was to protect the matriarchy and expand the power of the Safambi Order. Little by little, especially in larger cities and religious centers, several fire magic faculties merged to form the first simple universities. In addition, many fire magic regulations were written down in Layid laws.
With the founding of the Elaqitan Council, foreign and domestic political interest in the Fire Continent as well as pressure on the Safambi Order increased. The calls for better, more equal education for women and men became louder. This resulted in the existing theological and fire magic core areas being supplemented by the area of the humanities.

At the same time, however, the order also sought to protect the girls more and more against external influences, as the order wanted to continue to withhold access to fire magic from men. This led to the construction of academies protected by fire labyrinths starting in the 5th century AEC. The continent's many academies all have around 500 students and 120 employees with around 30 teachers.

All fire magic institutes are financed by an education tax that every Layikani has to pay and which is divided among the individual institutions depending on the number of students. In addition, the academy receives funds through semester fees based on parents' income and donations. Scholarships are awarded exclusively to low-income daughters with extraordinary fire magic talents.

Our main principles are:

1. Preservation of the fire magic heritage and belief in the three-faced sun goddess
2. Development of Layid civilization under matriarchal leadership for the benefit of all Layikani
3. Maintaining the Elaqitanian peace.

Strictly in accordance with the matriarchal society of the Fire Continent, access to studies is only permitted to women aged 16 and over, as men have a much lower predisposition to fire magic for physiological reasons and would hardly survive the final test of a spark symbiosis.
In addition, our order secures matriarchal sovereignty by successfully preventing the development of Spark Enhancer technologies by men."

Dabalee Timnit (73) - Dean

Graduates, Teachers & other Staff

At the academy, around 500 students are trained in 20 classes in five years. Each year group consists of around four classes with 100 students.

As a prerequisite for entry, the student must design her own fire sigil, which, as a kind of application, reflects her innermost desire and goals for the future. The reply is sealed with the sigil to ensure that only the recipient can open the reply letter with further information.

Tiala Musandi (20)
5th year student

Tiala is one of the academy's ambitious students. She is helpful and is involved in the Dewinimodo in her free time.

She shows particular talent for pyromancy and thermokinesis and is interested in the pantheon and history.

She is currently working on a thesis with the topic: “Geokinesis through the ages”.

by Blue Fairy 74

by Blue Fairy 74

Seyami Nandisa (45)
Training, Thermokinesis

Prior to her employment, Seyami worked as a volcanic thermogeologist for ten years and is part of the Layid Fire Rescue Squadron.

She likes to use bad words and curses often. At the same time, she is a good listener and mentor. After formal lessons, Tiala often trains with her in the use of geokinetic fighting techniques.

"The mastery of fire is an art that not everyone will understand."

Lani Jamal, 1st Dean 502 AEC

The leadership of the academies is under the Layid Safambi Order. The dean of the college, currently Dabalee Timnit, is one of the order's chief priestesses.

Fire magic subjects are only taught by experienced Layinis who have carried a symbiote for at least ten years. Male Layikani teach simple fighting techniques and Layid humanities.

The staff also includes three librarians, four doctors from the hospital and two gardeners, all of whom also take on some teaching duties, as well as the priestess of the Holy flame, who is responsible for all religious matters and church services within the area.

by Blue Fairy 74

Jilele Sibanda (38)
Theology, Pyromancy

According to Jilele's philosophy, each fire has its own essence, which must be understood before using any other types of fire magic.

She is calm and has a balancing effect on many students. Tiala often helps Jilele prepare for her lessons. She sees her as a friend to whom she confides her most secret wishes and desires.

by Blue Fairy 74

Sandile Kangelu (28)
Assistant steward

Sandile probably has one of the most thankless jobs in the academy. He is always there where he is needed and you could also describe him as a boy for everything.

He always has a mischievous smile on his lips, but deep down he also keeps a dark secret. To this day it is unclear how he was able to get the assistant position at the academy.

The remaining employees include all people who are associated with the supply and disposal of the area and compliance with the house rules. These include, among others, stewards, nuns for the hospital and cafeteria, cleaning staff and the house mothers of the boarding schools.

The area is delivered with fresh goods and mail once a week. In an on-site store, residents can purchase additional daily necessities and drop off their mail.

Study & Leisure

Each academic year consists of three semesters of three months each and always begins on the 1st of Bibanitu of the Layid calendar. The course is divided into three areas: theology of fire, the use of fire magic as the main focus, and Layid Humanities with social science, laws, politics and economicy. The curriculum shows the proportion of subjects in each year group.

Theology of Fire
Pantheon (sun goddess, other gods, rituals)
Order work (administration, hospital, spark symbiosis)
Theological writings (Theological Rhetoric, Holy Book, Laws & Rituals)
Use of fire magic
(Combat) training (basics, defense, attack, strategy, with fire)
Spells (basics, reading energies, enchantment, summoning)
Healing (basics, applied fire healing) & Alchemy (basics, liquids, gases, metals)
Types of fire magic
Layid Humanities
Culture & History
Laws
Economy
Politics

Dress code

Based on the robe of the Safambi Order, the students wear two-piece, light and simply cut underwear consisting of a top and trousers in light beige and sand tones for most subjects as well as combat training. For alchemical subjects or in the garden, they wear a simple apron over it.
On festive occasions, ceremonies or exams they wear a soutane whose front is held at the waist with a colored belt. The back covers the back as a coat. A protruding semi-circular collar is worn over this.
The Hair will be covered with a turban during class.
At the beginning of the 1st year, the collar, belt and turban are sunny yellow. After each year passed, the material turns darker until it is carmine red in the 5th year. This process cannot be influenced or manipulated, but it happens automatically when the year's grade is awarded. However, the color does not reveal which grade was reached.

1st year - Top and Pants

3rd year - Apron

5th year - Soutane

by Blue Fairy 74

Exams

Exams always take place in the penultimate week of the respective semester. The evaluation is based on points and weighting for each subject area. At the end of each year, the weighted points are added together to create a total score, which then results in a rating. In order to be admitted to the Spark symbiosis exam in the 5th year, at least the rating “empowered” must be achieved.

It is possible to repeat exams once at the end of a year due to failure or for improvement. When repeating an exam for improvement, the average of both scores is considered the exam result. However, if at least one exam in the year is not passed, the entire year must be repeated. If you fail again in the coming year, your studies will be considered a failure and the student will have to leave the academy.

Ratings: Excellent (86 - 100 points), Gifted (71 - 85 points), Empowered (56 - 70 points), Mediocre (41 - 55 points), Inadequate (< 40 points)

Leisure time

From the moment of admission, a student's entire life usually takes place within the academy's premises, which is due to the short semester holidays and also the limited access to the academy. However, the academy is not a prison and one could leave at any time if desired.
The students have the weekends and the last week of the semester free. During this time, however, many devote themselves to self-study during the day or help with religious tasks. Small cultural events often take place in the evenings, organized by the five alchemical student associations. These include readings, fire magic games, debates, plays or dance events.