We are presented with an alternative Russian Empire of the early 20th century. In it, magic lives alongside technological progress, and the foundation of both is malachirium—the material that the state watches over with extreme strictness. So strict, in fact, that there is a separate College of Magical Security investigating crimes in this sphere. That is exactly where Mikhail Skuratov goes to serve—he is a descendant of a noble family who, due to tragic events, has become the last in his line.
In the third book, having distinguished himself in service, Skuratov is promoted and sent from Tula to Moscow. By a lucky coincidence, his friend Zubov is also transferred to the First Capital, so Mikhail won’t have time to get bored at home—especially since they also acquire a pet. And at work, too, he won’t be bored: the new collective and the familiar obstacles of official life won’t let him, and most importantly, there is new management with a full set of bureaucratic qualities and a high level of arbitrary power. Besides that, Mikhail becomes drawn into an extremely serious investigation. Influential people are implicated in the case. A highly unstable contraband jade begins to circulate—one that they are trying to use to replace the malachirium. And that’s a blow straight to the heart of the state’s power. The College of Magical Security takes up the case!