Succession

After a lot of mind-grinding research, consideration and thought, I have decided that it must be true. There can't be any sort of succession plan at the place of the wyverns, simply because it is clear that the second tier cannot handle the academy at the level required. The third tier has insufficient experience, skill or desire to lead.

Conclusion: if there is a succession plan, it is either a very bad one or it is a very cunning one, designed to destroy the institution from within.