Arnold von Hohenfels, the first son of the Margrave of Hohenfels, finds himself in the unfortunate position of having to attend the Imperial Academy, a notorious battleground of wits and brawn for the Holy Empire's most powerful and ambitious young nobles.

Armed with a magical gift that is as much a blessing as it is a curse, he must learn to navigate the treacherous waters of aristocratic entanglements, all in the name of his family's ambition. He has no choice but to represent House Hohenfels' interests in this microcosm of Imperial politics, deal with his formidable enemies, form alliances of his own, and somehow keep his brash cousin Friedrich out of trouble.

Frankly, he would much rather be anywhere else.