Discussion Why test magic capability with attack spells?

That only if combat was considered as as basic skill of a mage. Which wasn't that strange. But other settings where mage aren't automatically expected to be a combatant are just so damn rare. All military academy and so few collage/university.

As for the age, I am talking about teaching 9 minus years old kids which wasn't that rare in WN. I think there are quite a few as low as 6. Age15 is about when one start cadet program. So, we do train soldiers at that age even today.

 

That is a good question. A better one is why they don't even bother to leave their cave to do so. vandalizing their own home like nutters