The story begins with the protagonist, Leopin, and his classmates preparing to enter the Royal Frontier Academy. Leopin, known for his dexterity, crafts matching necklaces for his friends as a parting gift. Upon arrival at the academy, located in a castle overlooking a vast, undeveloped land, the students undergo an "Ability Awakening Ceremony." The ceremony involves placing hands on a crystal orb before a goddess statue, which then displays their stats and skills on a large crystal board.
The academy's principal, Nekodran, and the sycophantic vice-principal, Yesman, emphasize the academy's goal of discovering talented youths to develop the land, with the promise of financial support from patrons. Students are divided into twenty classes, with those from the same middle school often grouped together. Leopin's class, 1st Year Class 20, is the last to be called.
Their leader, Weiss, a brilliant student with exceptional stats and the "Wisdom of God" skill, is revealed to be a "Sage," an advanced class. He boasts about his classmates, introducing Leopin. When Leopin's stats are revealed, they are shockingly low: Level 1, minimal stats across the board, with only "Dexterity" at an extraordinary 2000, and a skill called "Dexterous Poverty." This revelation causes a stunned silence, followed by mockery from the other students. Weiss, embarrassed and enraged, immediately destroys the necklace Leopin made for him and proceeds to have Leopin expelled from the class. The expulsion is a formal process where a majority vote can remove a student to the "Special Training Class," essentially a dumping ground. Leopin is unceremoniously thrown out of the ceremony.
The class ranking is announced, with Class 20 placing C-rank. Weiss is furious, believing Leopin's poor performance dragged their rank down. A reward is announced for the first student to receive a healing from Monaka, a renowned "Saintess" and a potential love interest for Weiss.
Meanwhile, Leopin, now in the Special Training Class, is approached by Monaka, his childhood friend. She has become a beautiful Saintess and, despite his ostracization, heals his minor injuries. Their reunion is witnessed by everyone, causing further shock and anger from Weiss and his former classmates, who realize they've lost out on the reward.
Leopin, left alone, discovers his "Dexterous Poverty" skill has sub-skills: "Dexterous Growth," "Dexterous Body," and "Dexterous Job Change." By using "Dexterous Body," he can convert his high Dexterity into other stats. He experiments, converting Dexterity into HP, MP, and other stats, drastically improving his capabilities. He then uses "Dexterous Job Change" to become a "Ranger," gaining survival skills. He crafts a stone knife and axe, leveling up and unlocking "Appraiser" as a new job option. He then becomes an "Axeman" and easily defeats a group of bullying warriors, demonstrating immense strength and skill. He further levels up and becomes a "Carpenter," building a magnificent two-story house in a single day, far surpassing the crude huts built by other students.
Later, a building competition is announced for the "Good House Built Award." Leopin, now a Carpenter, builds another impressive house using rare wood. Monaka is delighted and impressed by his creations. The other students' houses are revealed to be poorly constructed and collapse. The school principal and vice-principal, initially dismissive of Leopin due to his "Special Training Class" status and their plan to pocket prize money, are forced to acknowledge his talent when they see his superior construction. They are further infuriated when they realize Monaka's house was built by Leopin, not the "super boy" they envisioned.
Leopin continues to evolve, becoming a "Ninja" and then an "Appraiser," demonstrating incredible crafting and combat abilities. He easily fends off a group of aspiring mages who try to set his house on fire, showcasing his house's fire resistance and his own skill in creating fire. He also discovers rare mushrooms and encounters Akemi, an alchemist, whom he helps identify edible mushrooms, earning her admiration.
The narrative highlights Leopin's unique abilities and rapid growth, contrasting sharply with the struggles and petty rivalries of his former classmates and the corrupt intentions of the school administration. His journey is marked by unexpected discoveries about his own potential and the emergence of new skills and professions.