"Great power comes at a price... Chise Hatori's life has recently undergone shocking change. As a sleigh beggy--a person capable of generating and wielding tremendous magical power--she has transformed from an unwanted child to a magician's apprentice who has been introduced to fae royalty. But Chise's newly discovered abilities also mean a cruel fate awaits her." -- Page [4] of cover.

As she travels to the Dragon Aerie to craft her own wand, Chise gains insight into Elias' past and the secrets he's reluctant to reveal, but while she is learning about the inhuman mage's history, mysterious beings show an interest in Chise, herself.

"Chise may have stopped the dragon's rampage, but at a great cost: she has been cursed, and a dragon's curse is unbreakable! Chise and Elias are visited by Marielle the witch, whose fellow witches claim to know the secret to helping Chise. There's one catch -- in exchange for their aid, Chise must join the witches' coven."--Publisher description.

After Cartaphilus enters a long slumber, Chise receives an invitation to join the college, a society of alchemists, located deep beneath the British Library.

KEEPING SECRETS Many different students from different backgrounds attend the fantastical institution of higher learning known as "The College." They are the nameless, faceless strangers sitting in the next seat, or living in the next dorm room. As Chise begins to come out of her shell and interact with her classmates, she overhears a certain rumor about her roommate, Lucy...

"First Lucy was attacked during the College camping trip. Then professor Simeon was caught unawares on the College campus itself. As the victim count begins to rise, it comes to light that a forbidden tome, thought safely stored in the archives, has been stolen--a tome that Elias once glanced through-The Testament of Carnamagos. As the College staff begins to suspect a connection between the two events, Chise and Lucy, a survivor of the Webster Tragedy,...

The stolen grimoire was thought long gone, but it turns out it's still hidden within the College. But why leave the stolen goods so close to the scene of the crime? The College alchemists are left scratching their heads in confusion. Meanwhile, weeks stuck in lockdown leave tempers short, and minor misunderstandings lead to major doubts. All it takes is one small incident for strings drawn tight to snap.

Chise becomes a dragon and swims through the earth's ley lines to reach the Sargant family house, Elias and the others in tow. Together they make their way to Philomela, but she's too corrupted by the Testament to hear their words. To save her, Chise must delve into Philomela's inner world. What does she find there? "The people who want to help can reach out their hands."