The qualifying rounds of Koreldon University pit hundreds of young mana artists against each other in a brutal competition. Only the strongest will earn spots in the interschool war games, and Akari will need all her tricks to survive.

Alliances shatter and secrets explode as her enemies close in. The mysterious Sons of Talek have infiltrated the games, and they'll stop at nothing to drag Akari back to the nightmare she escaped.

Now, she and Kalden must climb higher through the ranks of power and master their new aspects. But when trust becomes the deadliest weapon, she'll learn that some battles can't be won alone.