Trapped in a fortress-like orphanage, Kuro finds himself surrounded by enemies, separated from his friends, and buried in remedial schoolwork.

Book 2 Chapter 2 - Market Day

Living in secret and stealing to eat is a hard life, but it's all Kuro has ever known. Fear and necessity forged him into the finest young thief in the wizard kingdoms. Nobody can hide forever, though, and a run of poor luck lands Kuro in a place where his quick hands and quiet feet count for nothing: Avalon Academy, school of magic.