Fifteen-year-old Taydis Fletcher lost his grandfather—his only positive role model—in a supposed wild animal attack. Without his mentor, Taydis has lost his way.

Everything changes when magical orbs gift him the very thing he needs most, something humanity lost long ago: empathy.

Taydis is whisked away to Arrendar Academy, an outdoor school once attended by his late grandfather. There, he learns how to survive in the wild, craft magical armor, and ultimately, earn more orbs. For the first time in his life, he feels like he belongs.

But beneath the academy’s charm, danger lurks. An instructor harbors many secrets. The warden has a target on his back. Rivalries could turn deadly. And when Taydis discovers his grandfather may have actually fallen victim to foul play, he’ll stop at nothing to uncover the truth.

This character-driven academy adventure is a mix of mystery, wonder, and self-discovery—set in a world where magic must be earned, and empathy just might change everything