Sleigh-driving battle bears, tiny nuclear reactors in every house, a harsh and unsmiling people under the watchful eye of the omniscient Secret Guard, high culture of alcohol consumption—only with balalaikas something didn’t go right. That’s what the Russian Empire of 2007 looked like to a completely ordinary guy from our gray, boring world. Can a talkative guy manage not to keep piling on a heap of problems on his own head—problems that arise from his verbal overflow? Especially if, as a commoner, because of your abilities in combat magic, you end up as a cadet among hussars from noble families. If they try to “put you in your place” in a tough way, then you’ll have to show everything you’re capable of.