@icam98 Nah, when this arc started, it was made to sound like the magic academy is the top place of learning and developing magic in the whole world (as they know it). So, it should have been an institution of great prestige. But what did it turn out to be? It's like some bloody high school in Japan that must fight for its very survival by attracting children of wealthy families by any means necessary. It has zero prestige. The nobles and other rich folks aren't willing to pay anything (within reason) to have their children get the best education there. Instead the school must promise to bend to the nobles' every whim to have the nobles deign to send their spoiled brats there.
Such an approach is a downward spiral. The quality of the school will inevitable degrade further when things are like that, which means the nobles are even less willing to have their children attend. Let alone less fortunate folks. Why would they save money for years to send their son/daughter there when they know it's a lousy place, where everything is decided by petty nobles, not qualified staff? The principal should be kicked out immediately and a stern mofo should be placed in charge. Maybe a third prince or a second son of a duke, or something, who had not only a background that allowed him to meet nobles eye to eye, but who of course would also need to be an excellent administrator.