The Imperial Academy is a formulaic institution of magic and higher learning for the Varencian Empire. It follows the precepts of the eight traditional schools of magic, with each school having a philosophically different or opposed school. Most of the learned scholars are specialists in one school, and have another school as a secondary tradition. On occasion some mages stray outside of tradition, having unique or even contradictory combinations of schools and abilities.
| Divination: spells that reveal information. | opposes | Illusion: spells that alter perception or create false images. |
| Transmutation: spells that transform the recipient physically or change its properties. | opposes | Enchantment: spells that imbue some property or grant the caster power over another being. |
| Necromancy: spells that manipulate, create, or destroy life or life force. | opposes | Abjuration: spells that protect, block or banish. |
| Evocation: spells that manipulate energy or create something out of nothing. | opposes | Conjuration: spells that bring creatures or materials to the caster. |
