Tantalus by Aaron McQueen

Resolution 1-15-A:

"Individuals possessing the qualities necessary for the practice of magic shall be required to enlist and serve in the armed forces for a period of no less than ten years, the Executive Committee having resolved that such measures are both necessary and warranted."

Five years at the academy. Five years at war. Kazen had heard the words a thousand times. He’d never even considered that they might someday apply to him. His only comfort was the fact that his closest friends had been drafted right alongside him. Tantalus was their home now, the war was their future, and together they would fight for the future of mankind.

Or at least…what was left of it.