When Alera, a young girl from a powerful family, is sent to the Hristak Institute of Specialty Mastery, she expects to be nothing more than a research subject. To her surprise, the headmaster pushes her to explore the magical world she's been kept from. But as her explosive powers grow increasingly unpredictable, her tutor, Azurael-the pride of the institute-must ensure she doesn't bring half the country down with her.