Lily Arvensdaughter is a teenager with a lot of problems.  The only commoner in an academy normally reserved for royalty and nobility, she's spent six months being tormented by student and staff alike.  When despair drives her to make a foolish decision, her life is saved by Rine, a mysterious entity who offers to teach her how to be a powerful wizard, in exchange for signing a familiar contract with the promise of helping him escape from the prison that holds him. Rine quickly proves to be a generous friend and an effective tutor, being as knowledgable as he claims and providing training that rapidly provides incredible results.  However, as time passes, it quickly becomes clear that he is far more powerful than she imagined possible, even imprisoned.  As his power and influence increase with each step they take towards his liberation, Lily learns that Rine has far greater designs than simply regaining his freedom.  Meanwhile, dark and dangerous forces strike from the shadows, attempting to topple the kingdom and imperil everyone that Lily loves.   Can Lily afford to trust Rine, especially once she learns what he truly is?  Can she afford not to as she becomes the focus of events that could doom thousands, if not millions, of lives without his aid?