Menon was a different breed of Mage.
The vast majority of Mages majored in attack-type spells, and even if they had a minor in protection-type, it was to protect themselves on the battlefield or in battles with others.
Menon, on the other hand, preferred to pursue the essence of magic, and he was not interested in magic with lethality, instead preferring to create strange magical items.
For example, magic fountains and magic rainbows.
This kind of magic that could bring happiness to people was what he was after.
And such behavior, in the eyes of his teachers and friends, was simply deviant. A Mage wasn't a Mage if they didn't pursue high lethality and great strength.
Menon remained true to his path, and because of it, he drifted away from his friends.
While he studied how to gather magic, his friends were learning how to make their spells more lethal.