Yan Di Wonderwalk claims he’s just an ordinary guy trying to make a quiet living. Just ignore his creepy shadow magic, unnatural resistance to fire, and uncanny resemblance to Viktor Irre Faraday—a legendary, long-dead anti-mage.

Then the Blue Paths, an ancient order of elite knights, hire him to hunt down a fugitive court mage. The job quickly becomes much worse: a grieving queen plans to tear open a portal to the cosmic horrors of the Beyond, a mistake that could destroy all of Existence.

Now Yan is stuck leading a dysfunctional suicide squad: a grumpy mage with dangerous secrets, a gorilla with a battle staff, a katana-wielding crane, two mute knights with a notebook, and a pair of unlicensed magic hobos.

Their next stop: Triverd Academy, a xenophobic magical fortress packed with murderous archmages, assassins, necromancers, and an international tournament.

So much for keeping a low profile.