Ella Durand is the first conjurer to attend the Arcane Training Institute, a school of magic in the clouds, where prodigies (those young people with special powers) from all over the world put their skills into practice. Despite her enthusiasm, Ella discovers that being the first is no easy feat: some prodigies distrust her magic and consider it evil and unnatural. Over time, Ella will befriend Masterji Thakur (the elixir professor), Brigit (a misfit who hates magic), and Jason (a fan of magical creatures). When a dangerous criminal known as the Ace of Anarchy breaks out of prison (supposedly with the help of a conjurer), terror spreads throughout the prodigious world and Ella becomes the target of all suspicion. And, as if that were not enough, her mentor disappears. With the help of her friends and her great powers, Ella must clear her family name and find her mentor before it's too late.