A world similar to ours at the end of the 19th century. Russian Empire with aristocrats with a magical spark and the rest filed. Technology hasn't stepped forward much. The first gasoline mobiles exist along with giants balloons for hundreds of passengers and magic engines. Magic power depends on the reserve, which is small for the absolute majority. Ordinary noble magicians are only able to drive mobiles of aristocrats or drive balloons. But combat aristos can easily incinerate a person. The main character, still a young man of sixteen, is an orphan and a pupil of the imperial shelter. In a place with a tiny sister, he tries to survive in this world, fighting off youth gangs, extortion educators and other rabble. His salvation is only in cunning, incredible stubbornness and rat cruelty.