The narrative follows Aine, a member of the clandestine "Phantom Dragon Knights," as he undertakes a mission to investigate a series of disappearances in a remote region of the Adia Kingdom. These incidents are linked to the ruins of a church, where Aine confronts the Necromancer King Gnom, a former alchemist who has delved into forbidden arts. Gnom, who has been missing for over fifty years, reveals his immense power by summoning a colossal undead dragon. Aine, however, displays extraordinary strength, utilizing a technique called "Goma" which visibly enhances his physical prowess with dense mana, and swiftly defeats the dragon and Gnom. Gnom, in his dying moments, reveals Aine's true identity as one of four "Phantom Dragon Knights," created by the church's dark arts, and questions Aine's lack of personal attachments and honors, planting a seed of doubt in Aine's mind about his own existence.
Returning to the Grand Cathedral in the holy city of Sain, Aine reports to Cardinal Netia, a powerful and ancient figure who, through alchemy, maintains a youthful and beautiful appearance. Netia, the true power behind the kingdom, reveals she created the Phantom Dragon Knights, including Aine, by enhancing them with forbidden magic. Aine, still pondering Gnom's words, expresses a desire to attend the Royal Riedante Knight Academy. Netia, after some consideration, agrees, arranging for Aine to attend as a seemingly ordinary church orphan named Aine for three years, emphasizing the need for discretion due to his enhanced abilities.
Aine arrives at the academy for his entrance exams. He encounters Luluria, a kind-hearted girl who is being harassed by Candela, a conceited noble. Aine intervenes, easily overpowering Candela, who vows revenge. The entrance exams consist of written, magical, and swordsmanship tests. Aine, despite his immense power, intentionally underperforms in the magical and swordsmanship exams to avoid drawing undue attention, though his raw power is evident. Luluria, a dual-attribute magic user, struggles with her swordsmanship but excels in the written exam. Candela, despite his arrogance, is revealed to have a brother, Cars, who is a knight and an examiner, suggesting potential favoritism.
During the swordsmanship exam, Cars, Candela's brother, attempts to unfairly disqualify Aine and Luluria. However, Aine, feigning a lack of control, incapacitates Cars, leading to the intervention of another examiner, Thomas. Thomas, impressed by Aine's hidden strength and suspicious of the unfair practices, learns from the Academy Director, Ferzen, that Aine's placement at the bottom of the class was a directive from the "Forbidden Witch," a mysterious and powerful entity who is Netia. This revelation highlights the complex political and hidden powers at play within the kingdom.
The results are posted, revealing Aine placed last, in the lowest class, as intended, while Luluria narrowly qualifies. Candela, despite his family's influence, is placed in a lower class than expected due to his performance and his brother's disqualification. Aine, now a student at the academy, aims to experience a normal youth while remaining discreet about his true nature and abilities.
