Ah, so Oppendorf is more of a college, then? Something about the cast seems so teenager-y, but okay. Still - I thought this was an authoritarian regime? Wouldn't a training academy for mandatory service have some system of discipline and correction? Even in military academy, there's kitchen duty and such. Anyway, the reason why didn't matter. It's just an excuse to set up the scenario. I saw your post about people working with aches. I wanted to ask for that - especially for the girls :)
Yep, the incoming students are ~21, so it’s kinda like they’re going to grad school. Not sure what to say about the cast seeming teenager-y…. I don’t think they do, I’d write teenagers really differently.
The government is oppressive, yeah, but uses subtler methods. It recognizes that mages are powerful and wants to keep them happy. So they’re treated like respected professionals, with the idea that then they won’t notice so much that they’re prisoners forced into certain kinds of work.
I’m sure the “working while stuffed” thing will come up eventually, though I don’t wanna guarantee any specific situations / genders.