The Academy unit, like the Warlock, doesn't excel in combat stats. Counterspell will lead to a mutual inability to cast spells if neither of them has empathy. Everything will be decided by the troops. If empathy is only present in one of them, nothing will save the opponent. I always level up attack and luck for the Warlock.

In my opinion, against the Academy, it's more reliable to take Kifru due to her leadership.

Loken, if I manage to quickly gain leadership while playing as a mage, I will definitely level up counterspell and empathy.