The Last Graduate

The Scholomance is a microcosm of the larger magical world that exists beyond its boundaries. It was originally created by the most powerful enclaves, and in both a figurative and literal sense, it reproduces the power relationships that dominate the world outside of the school. Within the school’s walls, enclave students become the beneficiaries of large mana stores that they access using power-sharers. They have also inherited clothing and creature comforts, as well as enhanced protection from mals, and they have greater odds of surviving the graduation hall. Beyond the school, the actual enclaves are collectives that enjoy protection from mals because they have enough mana and spells to band together. With their pooled resources, they enjoy greater material wealth and protection from the outside world.

Inside the school, independent students are socially isolated as they must constantly work to build up enough mana to power spells and enhance their studies, and they are more vulnerable to mals due to their isolation and limited resources. The more socially adept of the independent students learn to call upon the enclave students and make deals that will ensure their survival; enclave students use that fact as leverage that sometimes results in indie students becoming cannon fodder.