Royal Institute of Magic

Ben Greenwood’s life turned upside down the day his parents vanished—leaving behind nothing but questions. But when a mysterious letter arrives out of the blue, it changes everything. The letter points Ben toward a strange organisation he’s never heard of: the Royal Institute of Magic. Suddenly, he’s thrown into a realm where spells are bought and sold, magical creatures roam the streets, and danger lurks around every corner.

Spellswords, Wardens, Traders, Scholars, Diplomats–the five departments of the Royal Institute of Magic an apprentice must master to become a full member. Ben Greenwood has no idea what to expect when he begins his apprenticeship, but he quickly realises his family history is going to make life difficult. On his very first day, a Shadowseeker–a mysterious and dangerous dark elf–surfaces, and Ben suspects the dark elves might be trying to capture him again in an effort to flush out his parents.

Ben Greenwood is continuing his apprenticeship at the Royal Institute of Magic, hoping things will be slightly less complicated now that he has advanced to the second grade. Fat chance. Coupled with the sterner challenges that the second grade brings, there is also the small matter of the impending dark elf invasion, making life at the Institute even busier than usual. Ben is the only one who can stop them, by finding Elizabeth's Armour and its Guardians. Ben has retrieved one piece of the Armour–the boots–but the rest remain hidden.