Rescuing a first-year from a monster, exploring a haunted garden, and taking final exams don’t scare a trained mercenary like Almark. Even so, failing the exam would mean attending remedial classes instead of visiting Wendy over summer break. And while Almark has never felt this way about someone before, he knows better than to let this opportunity slip. But questions loom as his school life settles back into rhythm after the previous tumult. Where did those monsters in the forest come from? Why can’t Almark get a read on Wollis? And most importantly—how is he going to pass this test when he’s barely learned a single spell?!