Fireblood teenage mage Andi Drakespring, who has the ability to change back and forth between human and dragon forms at will, is now attending classes at the Mages' Academy in Eisenstag. His father Andrion, who has been the Academy's Magister for years, has Andi and his beautiful dypalfar girlfriend, Rezira, working with him and the leukalfar genius Gylabris on a project to recreate long-lost dypalfar technology. Their work could revolutionize life for everyone on Agena, and when Andrion's counterpart in Roma learns of it he invites the entire Drakespring clan to stay in the empire's capital so they can work together. But while they're having fun exploring the big city and attending lavish balls, a sinister plot is underway - one that could see Andrion executed for murder.