The climb through the ranks often ends with a knife in the back.
Slum-dwelling orphan Garrett Walker scrounges for scraps in the wildlands beyond the walls that guard society, salvaging valuables from the ruins of fallen civilization.
Offered the opportunity to compete in the Warden Academy entrance trials, Garrett seizes the chance for a better life. However, the academy holds dangers a street rat is ill-equipped to handle and he'll have to grow stronger while relying on his wits to survive.
Rivalries turn heated as Garrett's hard work challenges classmates who would rather rely on family connections and wealth to succeed. As society's most affluent see the threat in Garrett's rise, he will discover that not all enemies live outside the city walls.
Good thing Garrett's no stranger to adversity.