The narrative picks up with Princess Kirik of the Aslerita Kingdom, a capricious royal who summons her loyal butler, Riito, at an unusually early hour. Riito, despite being roused from sleep, is always prepared, anticipating Kirik's whims with remarkable foresight and efficiency. Kirik, however, is indecisive, changing her mind from a leisurely ride to a hunt, and Riito calmly adapts to each request, demonstrating his exceptional skills and dedication. While Kirik and Riito maintain a serene demeanor, the other servants scramble to keep up with their demands, acknowledging Riito's superior capabilities.
Meanwhile, Riito's life as a butler has become unbearable. He has been tasked with impossible errands, such as summoning a theater troupe from a three-day journey away to perform the next day. After finally fulfilling this request, he discovers Kirik has left him a note, stating she has changed her mind and will deduct the troupe's fee from his salary. This, coupled with Kirik's increasingly unreasonable demands and the threat of withholding his salary and days off (which he already lacks), pushes Riito to his breaking point. He decides to flee the kingdom, seeking refuge in the Gardeld Empire, known for its meritocracy, where he believes his diverse skills, honed by years of serving Kirik, might be valued. He escapes the kingdom with minimal possessions, noting the surprisingly lax security.
Upon returning from her ride, Kirik summons Riito again, her earlier request for sweets forgotten in favor of immediate meal preparations. The other servants are accustomed to Riito's uncanny ability to appear within ten seconds of being called, but today, he is absent. As Kirik grows impatient, the accompanying nobles begin to criticize Riito, calling him incompetent and questioning his suitability as a butler due to his orphan status. Kirik, fiercely protective of Riito, silences them with a chilling reprimand, demoting one of the nobles on the spot. The servants understand that while they can mock Riito for their own protection and out of envy, directly insulting his origins is a grave offense to the princess. They recognize Riito's extraordinary abilities, which allowed him to fulfill Kirik's impossible demands, and view him as a "monster" capable of handling any problem. However, his continued absence leaves Kirik bewildered and angered, unaware that she will never see him again.
Riito arrives at the Imperial capital, Galistel, a massive walled city. He attempts to gain entry by claiming to be a traveling warrior on a training journey, but the guards are skeptical of his appearance. He learns about the capital's training facilities and the possibility of receiving a recommendation letter from the guards. Before he can secure one, a burly man, who identifies himself as a renowned bounty hunter named Awen, intervenes. Awen challenges Riito, believing he is too weak to receive a recommendation. Riito, however, easily disarms Awen, impressing the guards and Awen himself. Awen, recognizing Riito's hidden skill, offers to lend him money for equipment and guides him to a weapon shop.
At the weapon shop, Riito's unassuming appearance again leads to skepticism. Awen explains that Riito lacks "aura" or "presence," which is crucial for making a good impression. Riito attempts to project this aura, accidentally unleashing a terrifying killing intent that briefly incapacitates the shopkeeper. Awen, impressed by Riito's latent power, insists on buying him high-quality, albeit used, equipment to enhance his appearance. Riito, skilled in swordsmanship from his time as a butler, tests a sword, further astonishing Awen and the shopkeeper with his technique, which he admits is largely self-taught. They discuss the training school, noting that noble enrollment is common and that performance there significantly impacts future careers, even for nobles.
Awen then takes Riito to a guild to sell monster materials. Riito, needing funds, presents a surprisingly large quantity of high-ranked "Flare Lizards," which he claims to have hunted. The guild is thrown into a frenzy, recognizing the rarity and value of the materials, especially given their pristine condition. Riito also reveals he possesses a "Magic Bag," an incredibly expensive item that further astonishes everyone. With the proceeds from the sale, Riito repays Awen for the equipment and realizes he has enough to live comfortably for a while.
They discuss the training school's enrollment process, which involves written and combat exams. Riito expresses his desire to join the military, believing it offers the best chance of evading pursuit from his former kingdom. Awen, though initially aiming for an adventurer's path, agrees to join Riito in pursuing military careers, as he believes it will be beneficial for both of them. They decide to use the guild's library to study for the written exam, which focuses on Imperial knowledge.
In the library, Riito devours books at an astonishing rate, reading thousands of volumes in two days. Awen is amazed by his capacity, calling him a "monster." As they head to the training school, they encounter a group of arrogant nobles. One of them, named Birdra, is accidentally bumped into by a young dwarf girl who cannot see due to her long hair. Birdra reacts with anger, drawing a magical staff and casting a spell that narrowly misses the girl. The incident draws attention, and the guild members, having witnessed Riito's prowess and the value of his possessions, are determined to keep him in the Empire. Riito and Awen prepare for their entrance exams, with Riito aiming for the military and Awen seemingly following suit.
