Ari Elfkin is your typical sixteen-jahr-old in the country of Weström. He attends the mandatory schooling, where Ari does okay, but it is outside where he does his best. His friends, except Henrie, because Henrie is so smart, and Clarissa, because, well, she's a girl, are all going to have to do the mandatory two jahren in the Imperial Armies of Weström.
For Ari, reaching the age of sixteen begins a whole other set of firsts. First time he is called upon by his father. First time he is called upon by a Daughter of Thoth. First time he begins using, and learning, all of what comes from having the true name of Areal Démonsohn.