"Cutthroat, yes, that's a good way to describe it at times, especially for anyone competing for a slot to study abroad or explore," Alaric agreed. "After all, if you can't make it at the Academy where people aren't trying to kill you - well, deliberately. Usually. Aren't supposed to, at any rate, then what chance do you have outside the academy? I imagine it's the same philosophy among the Rahal. If you can't defend a position in a debate, how can you properly judge whether a behavior or thought edges into heresy in the real world?"