The story begins in Zenith, a hidden city where life is cheap and death is commonplace. The protagonist, Weiss, a resident of Zenith, walks through the city, observing the grim reality of the slave trade. He encounters a familiar slave merchant named Ges, who is selling several young elves. Weiss is shocked to see that among them are several High Elves, a legendary and supposedly extinct sub-race of elves known for their immense magical potential. He recognizes their distinctive light blue hair and unusually thin ears from historical texts.
Weiss learns that Ges acquired these elves, along with many others, from a mansion where a massacre had occurred. The mansion's owner was involved in human trafficking, and the slaves were discovered in a hidden underground prison. Ges, overwhelmed by the sheer number of slaves, had to divide them among several merchants. He complains that the High Elves are difficult to sell due to their unusual appearance, which he attributes to the previous owner's cruelty or experimentation. Ges plans to abandon the High Elves if they don't sell.
Weiss, driven by a whim and a desire to acquire a High Elf, decides to buy one. He negotiates with Ges, eventually purchasing a young High Elf girl for 230 Zenith coins, though he pays 300. He frees her from her chains, and she, numb and uncomprehending, is led away by Weiss.
A year passes, and the narrative shifts to Weiss's life with the High Elf girl, whom he has named Lily. Weiss bought Lily simply because she was a High Elf, not out of pity or for profit. He decided to raise her as his daughter, a decision that presented immediate challenges. Lily was initially unresponsive and unable to understand or speak his language. Weiss dedicated himself to teaching her, aiming to restore her "elf heart" and eventually train her as his successor, though this plan was already deviating from his initial intentions.
The process of teaching Lily was difficult. Weiss struggled to connect with her, as she remained largely passive. He bathed her, dressed her in clothes purchased from a female tailor named Holo, and began the arduous task of teaching her to speak. He sought advice from Holo and a seasoned tavern owner named Loret, who suggested that Lily's condition stemmed from a lack of love and that Weiss should treat her with affection.
Through consistent effort, Lily began to show signs of progress. She started to respond to Weiss, even holding onto his shirt in her sleep. She learned to eat independently and eventually to walk. Her speech gradually improved, though she struggled with the "ra" sound. Weiss decided to name her Lily, inspired by the author's name on a picture book she pointed to.
As Lily's development progressed, Weiss decided it was time to leave Zenith. He believed the city was unsuitable for Lily's education and future. He planned to return to the Imperial Capital, where he had a history as a prodigious magic user and had connections within the Ministry of Magic. He arranged for Lily to be enrolled in a prestigious magic academy, a plan that required the assistance of his former classmate and now high-ranking Ministry official, Zeuglinde. Weiss also requested a bodyguard for Lily, wanting to keep her High Elf heritage a secret from the wider public and the Ministry's potentially exploitative research. He offered his own assistance to Zeuglinde in exchange for her help, solidifying their alliance. The chapters conclude with Weiss and Lily departing Zenith, heading towards the Imperial Capital, with Lily's future as a High Elf now set on a path of formal education and protection.
