The story begins in the village of Silbe, a cold northern settlement bordering the Gaileen Empire. Here, at the age of six, young Einz is undergoing basic wooden sword training under the tutelage of Dars, a burly villager. Einz, however, lacks motivation, his mind often wandering to thoughts of magic rather than swordsmanship. Silbe village's traditions, including combat training, are vital for survival, as they face harsh winters and frequent skirmishes with neighboring Gaileen villages over resources. Combat training encompasses archery (most valued for hunting), swordsmanship (for combat), and magic, which is primarily practiced by women for household chores like generating water and fire. Offensive magic is virtually unknown, as swords and bows suffice for both hunting and conflict.
During a sparring session between older boys, Einz observes their techniques, his thoughts drifting to how magic could be incorporated. He muses about earth magic to immobilize opponents or healing magic for injuries, demonstrating a nascent understanding of magical possibilities beyond Silbe's limited scope. Despite his lack of practical application, Einz is captivated by the potential of magic. His own match against Saias ends quickly with Einz on the ground, having been struck.
Returning home, Einz discovers he can manipulate water magic to create ice for pain relief, a skill he developed out of necessity after his sword training injuries. He also demonstrates advanced control over basic water and wind magic for washing his hands. His father, Kilza, a skilled archer, teases him about his injury, while his mother, Lina, manages the household. During dinner, Kilza discusses the dwindling game due to winter and the aggressive hunting practices of the Gaileen Empire.
The narrative takes a dark turn when Einz awakens to a village engulfed in flames. He witnesses a brutal massacre, with villagers being slaughtered by invaders. His parents are among the victims. The village's young warriors, including his peers Rosin and Berg, are quickly overwhelmed and killed by the skilled attackers. Saias, another friend, is also struck down by a mysterious man wielding a glowing wooden branch, which unleashes a powerful lightning-like attack. This man, who exhibits a casual cruelty and a scar on his cheek, reveals that Silbe village lacked "magic," only knowing basic "life magic," and that he possesses "sorcery." He then targets Einz with a similar attack, causing his home to collapse on him, burying him under debris and inflicting severe injuries, including the loss of his left leg below the knee and his right arm.
Two years later, Einz, now eight, is living in Tas village with Silca and her family. Silbe's destruction has reached Tas, and Silca's father, Evan, leads a scavenging mission to the ruins. They find only devastation and death. Silca, however, discovers Einz alive, albeit severely wounded, buried beneath the rubble. Despite his critical condition, Einz has survived. Silca, deeply affected by the sight of his injuries and the loss of his village, takes responsibility for him.
Einz, now with a prosthetic left leg and right arm, struggles with his new reality. He is initially withdrawn, his only focus being the pursuit of "sorcery," the powerful magic he witnessed during Silbe's destruction. He experiments with his remaining abilities, discovering he can manipulate water and fire with greater power than Silbe's life magic, and that precise imagery is key to casting spells. He also learns that his right eye has lost its sight.
Silca, now twelve, becomes Einz's protector and friend, though she is disturbed by his detached demeanor and singular focus on magic. The villagers of Tas are wary of Einz, the sole survivor of Silbe, and often mistreat him.
One evening, children from Tas village go missing near the Great Tree. Evan organizes a search party, and Silca joins, despite her initial apprehension. Einz, driven by his desire to find magical knowledge, insists on going into the dangerous forest alone in his wheelchair, using his developing magic to navigate. He encounters and easily dispatches a Silver Wolf with a powerful water-based attack he calls "Water Cutter." He then discovers a mysterious hut inhabited by three boys who had previously mocked him.
Meanwhile, Evan and Silca, along with the search party, enter the forest. They are concerned about Einz's solo venture and the presence of dangerous monsters. Evan and Silca demonstrate their combat prowess by defeating a Silver Wolf, highlighting the dangers of the forest. The narrative ends with Einz heading deeper into the forest, seeking more powerful magic, while the search party ventures in to find the missing children and, unknowingly, Einz.
