The Arclight Saga Series by Cameron M. Hayden

To rise through the ranks of an ancient military order, magic-wielding students are pitted against each other in vicious survival matches.Sixteen-year-old Kyra dreams of making it to the top, but on her final trial she's teamed up with a mysterious student who isn't what he appears to be. Amidst the chaos and bloodshed, they must find a way to survive while preventing a great evil from finding its way back into the world... moreTo rise through the ranks of an ancient military order, magic-wielding students are pitted against each other in vicious survival matches.Sixteen-year-old Kyra dreams of making it to the top, but on her final trial she's teamed up with a mysterious student who isn't what he appears to be. Amidst the chaos and bloodshed, they must find a way to survive while preventing a great evil from finding its way back into the world.WHY DRAGONS HIDE is a must-read for fans of the Arclight Saga, and a good entry point for new readers. less

Taro lost his right leg years ago, but with a family to support, he doesn’t let it slow him down. For years he’s worked for a notorious crime lord named Victor Mathan. Mathan deals in stolen magical artifacts and trusts Taro to finish his work with as few questions as possible. When an absurdly well-paying job comes up, Taro is quick to volunteer. Mathan wants him to break a powerful sorceress out of jail, but her prison is under the control of an ancient military order called the Magisterium... moreTaro lost his right leg years ago, but with a family to support, he doesn’t let it slow him down. For years he’s worked for a notorious crime lord named Victor Mathan. Mathan deals in stolen magical artifacts and trusts Taro to finish his work with as few questions as possible. When an absurdly well-paying job comes up, Taro is quick to volunteer. Mathan wants him to break a powerful sorceress out of jail, but her prison is under the control of an ancient military order called the Magisterium. To get to her, Taro must pose as a Magisterium recruit. The courses are grueling, the trials drive students mad, and the magic they teach can be as deadly to the caster as it is to the target. less

Nearly a year has passed since the Arclight incident, and Endra is beginning to thrive once more. Trade lines have re-opened, the city streets bustle with life, and Vexis now sits behind the bars of the most sophisticated magical prison ever conceived.Spurred by the death of their beloved brother, Antherion, the dragons of the north arrive at the Magisterium to issue an ultimatum: turn Vexis over or face destruction.Meanwhile, Taro searches for his sister's whereabouts... moreNearly a year has passed since the Arclight incident, and Endra is beginning to thrive once more. Trade lines have re-opened, the city streets bustle with life, and Vexis now sits behind the bars of the most sophisticated magical prison ever conceived.Spurred by the death of their beloved brother, Antherion, the dragons of the north arrive at the Magisterium to issue an ultimatum: turn Vexis over or face destruction.Meanwhile, Taro searches for his sister's whereabouts. With few clues and fewer allies, he travels to the hostile nation of Helia where the use of magic is punishable by death. To survive, he'll require the help of an unlikely (and unstable) ally. less