It’s been a tumultuous couple of months, but Zelos has wrapped up his job as a private magic tutor and moved into his very own home. Finally, he hopes, he can settle down and live a quiet life…but things might not be that easy.

Not only is there a band of rowdy dwarven builders determined to rope him into helping out with a difficult project—some people with mysterious plans are lurking in the shadows, as are what might just be the toughest foes Zelos has faced yet.

Meanwhile, Zweit and Celestina are back at the Istol Academy of Magic, equipped with all the knowledge they’ve learned from Zelos over their summer break. How will they stack up against their brother, Croesus, who spent the whole break engrossed in research of his own? And will any of the three siblings get to focus on what they actually want to do at the academy, or will they get caught up in factions, distractions, and more?

James McBride