Yugen

What happens when the chosen one isn't chosen?

Vian has survived ten years of Guardian training. Dreaming of adventure and glory. He's a wizard-warrior with the highest exam scores in his cohort. He's also got a dark secret slumbering behind his eyes—uncontrollable magic that activates with eye contact. If his fellow Guardians discover it, they'll be duty-bound to kill him.

The night before their final trial, Ridvik tells him they've both been hand-selected for the Wolves. An hour later, Vian learns the truth: Ridvik gets the elite assignment, and Vian gets shipped off to a fortress basement. His job? Watch the rocks glow. Pull a rope if one stops glowing. Stay safe, stay protected, and never see anything remotely resembling the danger or adventure he's been craving.

But Vian's adventure is only beginning. The Goddess of Destiny isn't finished with her nephew, and she's offering everything he's ever wanted: his dead brother back, a chance at greatness, and all the power he could dream of. Meanwhile, the man who trained him offers something else entirely—a chance to escape the Guardians, the crap job, and decide his own fate.

Too bad divine gifts always come with a price. And sometimes the biggest choice isn't between good and evil—it's between the adventure you think you want and the person you're meant to become.

One day you're serving alcohol to pompous Guardians who didn't earn their rank. The next you're standing back to back with the ones who did. Then you're getting your ass literally paddled by middle management while your friend wiggles his bare butt at the guy with the paddle.

Welcome to military life. It's exactly as stupid as you think it is.