Young Mikhil Opetlev, a prodigy of the the Opetlevs, a noble family of bastards, witches, and murderers, thrive not by honor but by deeds too dark to name. Their creed is simple: blood is currency, and survival is the only morality. Heir to this legacy of blood and betrayal, raised to lead with a dagger in one hand and an iron fist in the other. But his path to power is no gilded staircase-it is a trail paved with broken bones, shattered oaths, and bodies left to rot in shallow graves.  Already in a precarious position, a recent spat has hindered his family's goal of enrolling him into the prestigious Imperial Academy, a haven for the empire's nobles and a crucible of political power. But in a world where the strong prey on the weak and diplomacy is often written in blood, acceptance into the academy isn't a privilege-it's war. But only after his entry will the biggest trials begin for young Mikhil.