The narrative begins with the protagonist, Joan Rampair, a five-year-old noble daughter, waking up in a luxurious room. She retains memories of her past life as an eighty-two-year-old woman, which she refers to as her "previous life." This dual consciousness is a significant development. Joan's family, the Rampairs, are the Margraves of a border territory, known for producing skilled knights and mages. Her father, Stanley, is the head of the family and possesses the Fire attribute, formerly a deputy commander of the knights. Her mother, Margaret, has the Wind attribute and was a deputy commander of the mages. Her two older brothers, Noel (Fire attribute) and Gene (Wind attribute), are also expected to follow in their parents' footsteps.
The central conflict arises from Joan's recent baptism ceremony, where, unlike her family and the expectations for a noble, she received the "Null" attribute. This is a source of shame and disappointment, especially in a society where magical attributes determine one's future prospects and social standing. The five common attributes are Fire, Water, Lightning, Wind, and Earth. Joan's Null attribute is considered a "dud" attribute, leading her to believe she will be a disgrace to her family.
Upon waking, Joan is greeted by her worried parents and brothers. She uses her past life experience to put on a composed facade, employing a "sales smile" that momentarily stuns her family. She then decides to take control of her situation, recognizing the disparity between her five-year-old body and her eighty-two-year-old mind. Her primary goals are to understand her new reality and to avoid becoming a burden.
During dinner, Joan's refined manners and her polite apology for not finishing her meal, which she found unappetizing, surprise her family. Later, when her father brings up the baptism, Joan preemptively offers to become a servant rather than a disgrace, demonstrating her deep-seated fear of rejection due to her Null attribute. Her family reassures her of their unconditional love, which brings her immense relief.
The following day, Joan wakes early and, exhibiting a newfound politeness and consideration, seeks water from the kitchen. Her interactions with the butler, Gray, and the head chef, Abe, reveal her changed demeanor, as she expresses gratitude and apologizes for her previous night's meal. She also encounters a red-haired girl named Annie, who is a cook.
Later, during tea time, Joan's father asks about her "skills." To everyone's astonishment, Joan's status reveals she possesses seven skills, including Search S and Storage S, far exceeding the usual three or five. The "S" designation indicates superior performance. Her Search skill proves remarkably potent, revealing detailed information about objects, including the fact that Gene broke a teacup and that he has a mouth ulcer due to insufficient vegetable intake, and that he has secrets. This revelation leads to Gene's embarrassment and his father's decision to have him drink vegetable juice. Noel, concerned for his sister, offers to teach her about her skills in his room, allowing Joan to escape further questioning. The family also learns from Noel that their aunt, Dr. Julietta Longest, has researched the Null attribute, suggesting it might not be as disadvantageous as commonly believed, potentially indicating an average aptitude across all attributes or a unique connection to them. This discovery offers a glimmer of hope regarding Joan's future.
