Almark, Vol. 1 (novel) The Institute for Magic

ONE BOY’S QUEST TO PROVE HIMSELFAlmark, the son of a mercenary, has known nothing but conflict in the war-torn North. Despite being told that he has an affinity for magic, he chose to hone his combat skills on the battlefield as a child soldier. But his father wishes for him to become a mage in the peaceful southlands, so Almark travels to the Norkh Institute for Magic where he quickly discovers that life in the South is unlike anything he’s ever seen. For one, Southerners view the Northerners as barbarians, a prejudice that may be as insurmountable as the rift between nobles and commoners. While hiding his mercenary lineage and getting help from his new friends, Almark takes his first steps toward becoming a full-fledged mage!