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The University
The Arcane University of Thaumaturgy and Study of Magic, also known simply as The University, is a university that specializes in studying magical and paranormal phenomena as well as teaching witches and wizards from across the world how to master them.
The University is situated in the outskirts of Volkograd, Belsev, and is a subsidiary of Hyperborea.
History
Following the Exothaumic Emission Event and a complete ban on any magic practices in western nations like Astrolibert and Merland, Belsev became a popular tourist and immigration spot for mages from across the world who now needed a new place to continue practicing their craft.
Belsev's vast, largely uninhabited territories creating perfect conditions for magical fields that were strong enough to support frequent spellcasting, but also not extreme enough to create dangerous zones (outside of a few major ones, like the well-known Volkograd Oblast Thaumic Exclusion Zone). While Belsev's government didn't officially endorse or restrict such practices, being too busy with domestic disaster relief in wake of the recent cataclysm, it nonetheless gladly accepted any help from mages, who now had a perfect opportunity to finally make use of their skills once again.
With Elizaveta Medvedeva (Russian: Елизавета Медведева) becoming the president of Belsev at the turn of the millenium and the following government restructuring to get the nation back on its feet, Hyperborea proposed something to attract mages from across the world, both as a source of income and to gain powerful allies who were currently being persecuted in western nations. Thus, the Arcane University of Thaumaturgy and Study of Magic was founded, along with an official government policy to give free entry into the country to anyone with magic abilities and potential.
Early in its years the University was heavily understaffed, leading to students frequently having to teach themselves and each other, as well as more questionable hires like Sonya (who didn't have known magic potential, but was a very gifted potion brewer due to her past). Nonetheless, this created a tightly-knit community within the University walls and gave it a reputation of being extremely supportive and welcoming to anyone, even those who didn't have magic potential but wished to learn magic.
Nowadays, almost a decade later, the University had if first two waves of graduates, with some of them continuing studies to receive a higher degree. Earlier necessity of having more gifted students teach their peers created a practice of having more experienced students double as teachers (Samantha being a notable example), both as a form of apprenticeship and a way to further perfect their craft.
Staff
The first and current dean of the University is Morgan Conroy, an old and powerful witch who was appointed as head of the University in return for her help in its early years. Despite her unpleasant personality and notorious reputation, she is nonetheless highly respected within the University.
Morgan was approached by Catherine prior to the University's foundation as she was diving deeper into magic research. While Catherine had plenty of documents about Northern Union's past experiments with Siberium and Siberium-powered technology, magic was never openly practiced in Belsev before. They soon made an agreement where Morgan would share her knowledge with Hyperborea, and in return would become head of the newly-founded University.
Despite Morgan's highly cynical attitude towards magic these days, her passion for it can nonetheless be reignited upon seeing younger witches who show to be very promising. She is also very amused and intrigued by individuals who have great magic potential but are unaware of it, like Pamela.
Education
Upon enrolling in the University, the students are split into separate groups based on their magic affinity and skill, with those who have no experience in magic beginning their studies from the very basics, while those already skilled in it may skip straight to more advanced classes. Those with no magic affinity whatsoever are also allowed to enroll if they show great interest in learning and pass the entry exams, though they are usually restricted to simpler low-level magic and often tend to gravitate towards entertaining magical performances instead.
The three general groups of students are Indigo (for those just starting out or with no magical affinity), Scarlet (for those with magical abilities who show great promise) and Aurum (for the most skilled and accomplished students). Students are encouraged to incorporate their group's name into their uniform in the form of coloured ribbons or various decorations.
Education in the University has three levels:
- The first level is studying 4 years for a Bachelor's degree;
- The second level is either one year in a specific field for a Specialist degree, or two years for a Magister's degree;
- The third and final level is a Doctorate degree that requires from 3 to 5 years of studying depending on the chosen field, with some mages then allowed to pursue a further post-Doctorate degree if they seek deeper knowledge.
Students are allowed to hold smaller jobs within the University (such as librarians, shopkeepers, or other clerical work) and are generally expected to contribute to the University in a way that befits their desired field.
Subjects in the University are a mix of theory (such as History of Magic, Philosophy, Spellcasting Essentials and Techniques, etc.) and practice (Practical Spellcasting, Potion Brewing, Magical Form Upkeep, etc.) and train a mage to be adequately competent in every field before they can move on to specialized ones.
Aside from students, the University also welcomes already experienced mages, whether as potential teachers, or for other jobs.
Uniform
The University uniforms are most recognizable by their lavender-violet robes and large wide-brimmed traditional-style witch and wizard hats. Their official formal dress code consists of a violet top (whether robe or jacket), a white or black undershirt, violet or black pants for male students, violet or black skirt for female students, black formal shoes with black or dark leggings or tall black boots, and a large wide-brimmed violet or black witch or wizard-style hat. More accomplished students and staff are also allowed to decorate their uniforms with a gold trim.
Each mage's uniform is personalized and students are highly encouraged to decorate their uniforms based on their preferences, as long as they adhere to the dress code. Popular alterations include various patterns, trinkets and useful accessories.
Mages are not required to wear their uniforms outside of formal occasions and are allowed to dress more casually for their studies, although some nonetheless choose to continue wearing their uniforms daily to show their status, or style their casual clothes to appear more mage-like.