the story reflects the transition of power from the "exceptional" into the hands of the masses. basically, the transition from feudalism into more centralized forms of government.I really really want the Wizards and friends to win but I think the faceless bureaucy will win in the end.. but hey... Looks like things might get hyper chaotic pretty soon since the point sheet was found.
Well they were already using magic-capable people before so might just have been something that carried on through inertia."The Masses" of faceless bureaucrats might have wanted to check if all the 'exceptional' people in the city were on board with their 'use children as fuel' plan.