Forged in Ruin

First book in the series "The shattered Empire"
In a world still reeling from the aftermath of a devastating war, survival is the only rule. Society's new order demands strength and obedience, and the Academy is the crucible where the next generation of soldiers is forged-or broken. For Ayla, being sent to the Academy is not a choice but a command from her father, a once-celebrated war hero who has spent years trying to mold his only daughter into the son he never had. Here, only the strong survive, and the weak are discarded.
Ayla enters the Academy with a target on her back-small, smart, and constantly underestimated. Her mind is her greatest weapon, but standing out in a place that values brute force makes her an instant enemy among her peers. As she navigates deadly trials designed to weed out the weak, Ayla must battle not only the relentless physical challenges but also the animosity of cadets like Marcus, who resent her every success.
Among the cadets, Ayla finds unexpected allies. As Ayla fights to prove her worth, she discovers that the Academy's trials are more than just tests of endurance-they are a brutal game of survival orchestrated by a government desperate to maintain control. Each day pushes her closer to the edge, reveals glimpses of the Academy's dark secrets and the lengths the powerful will go to shape the perfect soldier.
In a world where strength is currency and failure is fatal, Ayla must decide what she's willing to sacrifice to survive-and who she's willing to trust. Because in the Academy, enemies are everywhere, and the greatest threat might be the one standing beside her.