Adopted by the Temple at the age of five, Korin Tarkelt has accepted the life of religious sacrifice. Although educated about the worlds around him, Korin has nonetheless been conditioned to avoid contact with the mage population and their magic. But one chilling night, Korin faces the Temple's ultimate test, quickly learning the true nature of his religious leaders. After nearing death multiple times escaping from his trial, Korin discovers a shocking truth: He's a mage. Korin immediately leaves behind his old life and begins his studies at Teloston University, gradually learning how to wield magic. Gladly embracing his new situation, he soon makes friends before successfully engaging in incredible extracurricular activities. Meanwhile, he progressively overcomes the several afflicting thoughts of his non-mage past. During his journey of self-discovery, however, Korin learns that he will need to navigate and contend with the numerous - and at times, unbelievable - cultural and political problems the mages also face. In stages over the first semester, he uncovers lost knowledge, ancient cults, and the tip of a dark, complex conspiracy... In the first of an epic series, the story is set in the Caelverse - 'universe' filled with gravitationally-warped worlds, mystifying astral planes, complex magic, and an astonishingly-diverse civilization, with regions featuring primitive forest trolls to radical transhumanists in computerized arcologies. Not recommended for people under 15 years of age.