Homelands is stalled in editing, so some brain drippings instead. (Patreon)

Currently RL is hitting all three of my editors hard, and 14 desperately needs editing.  Will work on something else in the mean time.

Just an idea.

"You want to major in magic?" my fairy guidance counselor, Mrs  Twinklebum  asked, twisting her lips to hide her mixed unease and amusement.  "No one majors in majors in magic anymore, Miss Prouster.  It's just a half step above 'liberal arts' in terms of marketability in this day and age."

"But it's something that's been my dream," I stressed, leaning towards her.  "It's been in the family for generations.  I'm kinda expected to at least minor in basic sorcery."  The foot tall woman behind her miniature desk just shook her head with a sigh.

"Well, I can empathize with that," she said, leaning back and brushing her hair behind her pointed ears.  "But really, if you're interested in a paying degree, you might want to reconsider a STEM career, business, or law.  The ins and outs of an actual career in magic has become increasingly difficult and complicated in our modern world."

"If it's so impractical, why offer the major?" I asked with a frown, crossing my arms stubbornly.

She sighed, her mother of pearl eyes rolling.  "It's in the college charter.  We were founded as a 'arcane college' and eight centuries ago, it was mandated that we always provide for the education and eludication of the arcane arts.  Quite honestly, you'd be better off with an art major than a magic major."

"I still don't see why.  I mean you're an fairy.  The Fae invented magic!  You shouldn't be talking me out of it." I pointed out with a frown.

"There's no need to be racist, Miss Prouster.  Please keep the focus on yourself," she corrected me primly, fluttering her wings.  "The sad reality is that while magic can achieve some impressive effects, mundane technology is reliable, and relatively simple.  It's the same reason we drive cars rather than ride unicorns.  Your car doesn't have an opinion on your 'virtue'.  I don't need to keep a piece of someone I'm trying to contact on my cell phone."

"But technology can't bring the dead back to life or throw fireballs," I pointed out.

She sighed, "Having worked with the undead, I can tell you the laws against re-animation are quite necessary.  And any soldier with a grenade can do just as much damage as a fireball spell."  She shifted back in her seat.   "Plus, if you do major in magic, you'll be forced to register with the Bureau of Arcane Practices.  I can tell you that the bureaucracy alone is reason to pursue a degree in a more mundane field."

I grunted, uncrossing my arms.  I hadn't thought of the magic laws.  "I know there has to be marketability with magic."

"Oh, there are, but it's usually in tandem with other fields.  For instance, most police find it advantageous if their coroners have some talent in necromantic communication.  Or law enforcement with some evocational skills.  A sleep spell is far less distressing than a taser or a bullet.  Or if you like working with paranormal animals, then you'd also need a degree in zoology or environmental sciences."  She reached over and pulled out a phamphlet.  "Though I should warn you that working with dragons is far more perilous than they display on TV."

I felt real life strangling my dreams of being a sorceress.  "At this rate, I might as well go work for a church."

She brightened immediately at that.  "Oh, well you don't need a major for that!  Just join whichever church suits your fancy."  She leaned in and lowered her voice, as if sharing a juicy secret, "I know for a fact that the Temple of Cernunnos offers some amazing parties, if you're in to that sort of thing.  There's lots of smaller temples and faiths that offer far more beneficial experiences than the big six."

"My uncle Charles is with the Catholic church," I pointed out.

"Oh yes.  Catholics.  The Walmart of faith," she muttered, and then her eyes widened.  "I'm so sorry if I offended!  I just like to point out that there's a lot of spiritual variety beyond  Catholicism, Jesus, Allah, Lucifer, Buddah, and the Dharmic patheon."  

I couldn't be offended.  After all, no one offered spiritual reward cheaper than the Catholics.  You just had to go through all the hoops.  "Honestly, I've thought of getting a job with Lucifercorp.  They've got great commercials."

"Yeah, but talk to some of their ex-devotees before you sign up, and if you're looking for fun without the antagonism, consider the lesser cults and faiths.  There's never a dull time with Dionysus or Thor," even if they don't offer the benefits they used to."

True.  I supposed there'd be some benefit to being able to drink without ever being hung over.  "Still, like you said I don't need a degree for that.  I do if I want to do magic professionally."

She slumped, clearly disappointed that I'd come back to it.  "Well then, what I should suggest, strenuously, is that you get a double major.  That way, you'll have something else to fall back on."  She opened up a catalog.  "Lets see.  For just a general magic degree you'd need eighteen units in Arcane studies.  Introduction to Sorcery, advanced arcane practice, and then you'd need to consider where you'd be interested in focusing.  Evocation?  Transmutation?  Necromancy?  Restorative magic?"  She leaned towards me.  "Please be aware that if you plan to do medical healing, you'll need to go through medical school.  The days of 'cure wounds' ended half a century ago when they learned 'cure wounds' meant 'inflict cancer'."

"No, not healing.  I dunno.  I was just interested in magic.  Just doing it.  It was always a fun hobby and I want to do it for a career," I admitted.

"Well then, I suppose you have a lot to consider.  And hopefully reconsider," she added with a disdainful sniff.  "I know television and that... what's it called... anime?  I know it's repopularized magic with your generation, but there's a world of difference between playing with it, and doing it professionally."

"Right.  Well, thank you Miss Twinklebum," I said as I rose.

"Twhenklebahum," the tiny woman corrected me.  "Not... it's just better if ts not pronounced that way."