When I pray to my gods to give me blessings of magic, there are rituals I have to follow. I have to say the right words and do the right actions to show I'm worthy of the blessing before they'll give it.

I don't worship the Norse gods, but I know about them through working with other mages. They sometimes demand animal sacrifices from Icelandic mages in rituals. And the method of sacrifice is a part of their rituals too.

[The rumors he has heard are. Greatly exaggerated. But technically it's a thing.]

Is this something like that? Are the deaths a part of some school-related ritual to summon up magic?