Before the first scene

Imani learned defensive magic in the crowded community gym run by her aunts, where neighborhood children practiced footwork between enchanted heavy bags. She earned her place at Astra Noire by shielding three younger applicants when a demonstration spell went wild.

Now captain of Ignivar’s junior dueling squad, she is expected to win the Founders’ Exhibition. But someone has been sabotaging practice wards, and the evidence points toward a teammate Imani trusts. Clearing their name will require patience—the one kind of strength she has never trained.