Starting a new school is daunting at the best of times, but for Bastien, Hina, and Boris, their first year at the Institute of Excellence is going to be downright terrifying. New students at the ultra-elite private school are subjected to the "ritual"—weeks of hazing by the seniors—and if they refuse to take part, they are branded "bastards" for life and can say goodbye to any kind of social life. But something even more sinister is going on behind the scenes... Who is the mysterious benefactor paying Bastien's tuition, what is the principal hiding, and what are the real circumstances behind the deaths of former "bastard" alumni?

After refusing to take part in the initiation ritual, Boris, Bastien, and Hina are facing three long years at the Institute of Excellence; no one will talk to them, they're forced to sleep in a storage closet, and the cafeteria has always just run out of dessert as soon as they show up. But no chocolate pudding is the least of their worries... Franck, the ritual president, is being forced to make amends for his failure, and Bastien has been selected for punishment. And on the island, punishments can have deadly consequences...

As their vacation comes to an end, Hina and Boris plan their return to the Institute of Excellence with the hope that their new ally, Valérie, will be able to blackmail her debauched father for the information they need to bring down the school. As for Bastien, in fear for his life he goes on the run, determined to investigate his past and find out who has been manipulating him all these years. But with killers hot on his tail, he and his friends are running out of time.