I was playing W101 yesterday and what I was playing alongside three maguses and I am a master. We were up against 2 novices, initiate and an adept. Because my team was made up of higher levels, we had the upper hand and won. I knew the adept must've felt really upset, because he was so outmatched. I wanted to comfort him but I have easy chat. The poor guy just teleported away.
I think practice dueling should be divided in two parts so everyone's even and not badly beaten: lvls 1-29 and 30-50. Just because if it's a level 9 to a grand it's just not fun anymore because you're gotten rid of in one Storm-zilla, and you don't even get a chance.