Rankings

Magic users have five different rankings, which dictate the level of their mastery over magic.

A Novice is the first rank, and is thus the lowest. This is where a mage first starts their schooling, which begins as soon as they are discovered (usually around age 3-5) and continues until they graduate, which tends to happen by age 7. Novices have little to no control and know only the most basic of magical theory.

Apprenticeship is the next level of training, and tends to be the longest lasting one. An apprentice has a decent amount of control and foundations of magic. This ranking lasts around ten years, during which time their knowledge of magical theory and history is firmly cemented, they greatly increase their control, learn to use Spell Circles, learn other academic basics and are generally prepared for the world. The graduation of an Apprentice mage happens only after they have found and bonded a familiar, as tradition dictates.

Journeyman is the next step of a mage’s growth, one that some don’t make it past, either not having it in them or even being killed before they can make it past. Journeymanship is the time when the mages learn and develop on their own, as they are assigned to field work lasting at least two years. Journeymen (and women) must complete assignments and then pass a test to see if they can make it to the next level. If they fail, they are given another assignment and keep training in hopes of making it as an Adept, or drop out of the program and do magic work independently (as its much harder for a mere journeyman to get a good job.)

Adepts are the next rank, and the highest that the average mage can ever go. They have a strong command over their element and tend to be swift and able in or out of battle. They are powerful and frequently-used mages.

Masters are the final ranking, one that very few mages have the potential of becoming. They have mastery over their elements, and are capable of controlling it, attacking, etc, without even having to use spell circles.