The Orb of Binding - The Starsea Cycle, #2

Lucian has achieved the improbable with his acceptance into the prestigious Volsung Academy. Now, he must do something even more difficult: survive it. As a Novice, he must learn the fundamentals of magic while navigating Academy politics. Lucian must not only pass the grueling Trials, but survive other mages' mechanizations. But doing that is difficult when he's being left behind. But one day, Lucian makes a breakthrough that puts him on top.
He's about to learn that being good is far more dangerous than being unexceptional. Expulsion is an ever-looming threat, and with it, Lucian risks losing the only place in the Worlds he can call home...