Mage Schools - not schools of magic

There are three possible paths for any aspiring arcane spellcaster in the world of Poy.

The first is, you can slough it out on your own. Perhaps it's an innate gift, perhaps a left vestige of some ancestor's great power. Whatever it is, it's something that you've had to struggle to grow and develop. Perhaps in secret, or not.

The second, more traditional way through Apprenticeship. You have shown yourself worthy to a wise teacher who has worked with you to hone your skills. Months, perhaps years, of one-on-one training has helped guide you through the labyrinthine paths of magic. Now, you are able to stand on your own, as long as the floor doesn't shake too much. These students are generally best able to adapt to changes and well suited to exploration and research.

The last is the Academes. There are dozens scattered around the world. They are almost evenly divided between those founded by governments and those formed by groups of mages who banded together for mutual benefit. These schools normally focus on more 'practical magic' such as crafting Volaticus or operating the numerous @gateways that require the constant attention of mages. Some are trained in the art of war, learning to focus on combat spells. Those that graduate from these schools often possess a simplified understanding of magic that focuses on their specific field.