Upstart at the Royal Academy

Brandon has spent years making the most of a small magical reserve. At the academy, that control gives him a use for his new spell-breaking talent. He still needs someone to teach him better swordwork before he can expect to win a tournament.

Private lessons with Cecily soon give him reasons to stay after practice. Juliet expects his help with her research, and his fairy-dragon familiar, Pip, will steal any food left unattended. Brandon wants better rooms and enough money to entertain. First, he has to earn them.