As the empire of Albaron grows, its borders and industries expanding faster than ever before, Vincen Canto faces the greatest challenge of any young man's life: graduation. Every twin in the empire is required to attend the Mage's Academy, as only twins can wield magic, but Vincen is not like other mages. He is single-born - his twin brother having died at birth - and his father is a prince, so he is destined to oversee the richest gas mines in the empire as a Duke.

On the other side of the empire Rayna, an orphan born on the streets, struggles to break free from the oppressive figure she calls Father, desperate to find the family she never knew. As these two try to navigate a rapidly changing world, their journeys will collide in unexpected ways, with repercussions that will be felt the world over.