Great Tournament

The Academy hosts a public team tournament each year, where third year students compete against each other. Spectated by nobility from all over the continent, the Great Tournament is used by some students to make a name for themselves. An excellent performance, even if not on the winning team, can easily lead to a good job offer for commoners, or marriage proposal for nobles.
To qualify for participation, a student must be in the top of average grades, without having any failing grades. The best 48 are allowed to form teams. If any student refuses to participate in the Tournament, the next-highest average grade qualifies instead. Teams exist of six students, for students to form their own team, at least four must mutually agree. If they are short of six, the Academy may assign remaining students to their team.
The Tournament is fought by avatar proxy, so that students cannot use Tarot abilities against each other directly. Avatars are powered by willpower, so that the worst that can happen is a student falling unconscious. Within the warded circle, all abilities are allowed to be used through the avatars. A team loses if all fall unconscious or forfeit. After fifteen minutes, the Academy decides on a victor based on people left standing and quality of their participation.
A student is normally allowed to graduate from the Academy after their third year, though they are allowed to stay and complete two more years of classes. As a result, each year many students try to qualify and make a good impression, intending to graduate immediately if they receive a good offer. With less than one in fifteen qualifying, this makes the third year a very intense competition in grades.