The story begins with Arnode, a Court Mage, being summoned by an Imperial Seal Officer. To his surprise, he is informed by the officer, a man loyal to the Second Prince, that he is being exiled from the kingdom and stripped of his title. The stated reason is dereliction of duty, specifically a lack of combat achievements compared to other Court Mages. Arnode protests that his assigned duty is the defense of the Eastern Frontier, a task inherently focused on maintaining the status quo rather than offensive achievements, unlike the territorial expansion duties of mages like Ulsmus. Despite his valid points, the officer dismisses them as rebellion, threatening him with execution. Arnode reluctantly accepts the sentence, suspecting political machinations behind the decree.
Arnode reflects on his past. As one of the seven esteemed Court Mages, his position granted him and his descendants a life of comfort and noble status. However, the kingdom of Dessant values destructive magic for its aggressive expansionist policies, a focus that doesn't align with Arnode's defensive role in the frontier territory of Bulks. He believes his neutrality in the ongoing succession dispute between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, and his past association with the kind Second Princess, Puerella, may have made him a target. He recalls his fondness for Puerella, who reminded him of his younger sister, Lelia. Resigned to his fate, Arnode begins packing his belongings into his self-made "Storage Bags," magical items imbued with spatial magic that grant immense capacity. He uses rare materials for his personal items, equipping them with effects like "weight reduction" and "time dilation," making them incredibly durable and capable of preserving perishables for years. He notes the abundance of monster materials available in the frontier as a silver lining, and expresses gratitude for the camaraderie he found with the 35th Frontier Battalion.
Upon leaving the barracks, Arnode is met by Envy and Mariabel, two capable members of the 35th Frontier Battalion. They express their outrage at his exile, highlighting his crucial role in their survival and the value of his magical tools. Arnode, acknowledging his lower combat prowess but emphasizing his skill in magical item creation, is touched by their loyalty. The Eastern Frontier, Bulks, is a strategically unimportant region used for exiling disgraced officials. However, in recent years, the monsters there have become significantly stronger, a fact only apparent to those on the front lines like Arnode and his battalion. Arnode has been compensating for this by upgrading his battalion's equipment with his custom-made magical items. He suspects something significant is happening in the depths of the Toitburg Great Forest. Despite their vital contributions, their achievements are often claimed by the exiled officials, leading Arnode to be seen as a weak mage and his battalion as "barbarians."
Envy and Mariabel reveal they have resigned from the army, as the 35th Frontier Battalion is being reassigned to rear-guard duties with a new Court Mage and battalion taking their place. They found the prospect of fighting powerful monsters under Arnode's leadership enjoyable and are now planning to form a clan. Arnode agrees to join them, recognizing their combat prowess but also their lack of social navigation skills, which could hinder them in the outside world. He feels a sense of responsibility towards them, having developed affection for them during their shared battles. He decides to lead them, leveraging his former status as a "Seven Masters" (a designation for Court Mages) and his knowledge of magic to ensure their survival and prosperity in a new land. They depart in a carriage, with Mariabel, skilled with horses, taking the reins. Arnode reflects on his past in the kingdom with a mix of sadness and gratitude, and worries about Princess Puerella's safety.
Meanwhile, in the royal capital, Second Prince Galario and his confidant, Count Metel, celebrate the successful exile of Arnode, viewing it as a step towards consolidating their power and securing Galario's claim to the throne. Galario, driven by ambition and a desire to surpass his elder brother, the Crown Prince, has been actively manipulating court politics. He intentionally bumps into Princess Puerella, ruining her dress and relishing her distress, as her supporters have been absorbed into his faction. Puerella, heartbroken and remembering Arnode's kindness, blames herself for his downfall, believing Galario targeted him for not aligning with any faction. A messenger arrives with urgent news: a monster horde has appeared in the Eastern Frontier, and the new Court Mage, Vinland, leading a magic knight battalion, has suffered heavy losses and is requesting reinforcements.
The King, his Crown Prince, and Galario are informed. The King calmly consults his Minister of War, who proposes a strategic redeployment of troops, prioritizing the kingdom's defense over maintaining order in the provinces, a move that could incite rebellion. Galario is shocked to learn that the monster horde is merely the aftermath of a larger threat, the leader of which, a Tempest Ogre, was defeated by Arnode before his exile. The 35th Frontier Battalion, having defended the territory with minimal forces, had already retired. The kingdom manages to repel the monster invasion, but internal instability grows. Galario's negligence in his duties as overseer of the Bulks' governor leads to his disinheritance and forced monastic life. Princess Puerella, having been close to Arnode, gains influence in court.
Arnode, Envy, and Mariabel finally reach the border of the neighboring Kingdom of Limbur. They find the border surprisingly unguarded, a testament to a mutual non-aggression pact between the kingdoms. Arnode deduces that Limbur is also dealing with powerful monsters from the Toitburg Great Forest and is actively protecting adventurers capable of hunting them, making it an ideal place for them to begin their new lives. They decide to register as adventurers and form a clan, aiming to achieve a high rank to ensure their safety and influence. Arnode, having been a successful adventurer himself before becoming a Court Mage, uses his past achievements to secure a Silver rank for their party, allowing them to take on more challenging quests. He equips Envy and Mariabel with incredibly powerful, yet disguised, dragon-hide armor he crafted.
Upon entering the Adventurer's Guild in the city of Gardner, Arnode and his companions attract attention. Arnode, preferring to deal with the experienced guild staff, learns that Limbur's adventurer ranks are named after metals, with Silver being equivalent to Dessant's C rank. He notes that while Dessant valued pure skill, Limbur's guild emphasizes contribution and usefulness to the guild itself. Arnode's past accomplishments in Dessant are recognized, allowing him to start as a Silver rank. He also learns that the guild staff mistakenly assumes Envy and Mariabel are his mistresses, unaware of their true combat capabilities and the advanced enchantments on their seemingly ordinary gear. Arnode, while confident in their combat skills, is concerned about their tendency to rush into dangerous situations.
Arnode, Envy, and Mariabel successfully complete several bandit extermination quests, earning a significant amount of gold. Arnode, a skilled magical item craftsman, plans to use his vast collection of monster materials to establish a profitable business, ensuring financial stability for his companions. He teaches Envy and Mariabel the basics of monster part processing, emphasizing the importance of earning a living independently. They also begin recruiting other members of the 35th Frontier Battalion, aiming to build a formidable clan. Arnode, however, recognizes that Gardner is too small to support their growing numbers and plans to move to a larger city once they have established a stronger foundation. He also reflects on the importance of maintaining good relations with local nobility to secure their clan's future.
Arnode, while Envy and Mariabel are out hunting, sells processed monster parts, earning a substantial amount of gold. He notes the difference in quality and price of magical catalysts compared to his previous frontier base. He also observes the quality of magical items in Gardner, realizing the potential for his own business. He sells his crafted catalysts to a shop owner, who is impressed by their quality, hinting at Arnode's exceptional craftsmanship. Arnode calculates their daily earnings, confirming their financial viability. He then decides to look for real estate, planning for the clan's future expansion.
