The story begins with Hermes von Flenbreed, a ten-year-old boy, being disowned by his father, Zenos von Flenbreed, the head of a prestigious magical noble family in the magic-centric kingdom of Eustatia. Zenos, driven by ambition and disappointment, casts Hermes out for his lack of magical aptitude, specifically his failure to awaken any bloodline magic, a hereditary gift crucial for noble status. Hermes, once hailed as a prodigy with immense magical power, is now deemed a "defective product" and an embarrassment.
Hermes's early life was marked by immense privilege and high expectations. Born with exceptional magical potential, he was seen as the savior of the Flenbreed family, which had fallen from ducal rank to marquis due to a lack of talented mages. His father showered him with attention and gifts, fueling Hermes's passion for magic and his belief in a future as a great sorcerer. However, at seven years old, a royal appraiser declared Hermes "unsuited" for bloodline magic, shattering his and his father's dreams. Zenos's disappointment quickly turned to rage and hatred.
Hermes is then confined to a dark, solitary cell within the Flenbreed estate, receiving meager rations and enduring harsh treatment. His father visits only to berate him, blaming him for the family's social embarrassments. His older brother, Chris, who was previously overshadowed by Hermes's talent, now revels in tormenting him, demonstrating his own bloodline magic, "The Marksman," and blasting Hermes with it. The family's servants, under Zenos's implicit orders, offer little sympathy, though a few secretly provide small kindnesses.
The only consistent source of comfort for Hermes is his childhood friend, Katia von Thrakia, the daughter of a ducal family. Despite Hermes's lack of bloodline magic, Katia remains loyal, visiting him and expressing her unwavering belief in his potential. She is the sole person who continues to encourage him, offering a glimmer of hope.
Five years later, at the age of ten, Hermes is unexpectedly rescued by a mysterious and powerful woman named Rose, known as the "Witch of the Sky." Rose, an exceptionally skilled mage who wields a variety of powerful magic, intervenes when Hermes is being brutally attacked by thugs. She is intrigued by Hermes's sharp senses and his lack of bloodline magic, which she believes is not a curse but a unique advantage. Rose reveals that bloodline magic is a "curse" that limits a mage's potential, and Hermes, being free of it, has the potential to become the world's most versatile and free mage. She takes him on as her disciple, offering to teach him her "creation magic," the "Emerald Tablet," which allows for the analysis and reproduction of magic.
Under Rose's tutelage for five years, Hermes trains rigorously, honing his magical abilities and learning to wield his unique magic. He learns that his "Emerald Tablet" can not only analyze but also replicate magic, even bloodline magic. At fifteen, Hermes decides to return to the capital, driven by a desire to reclaim what he lost, understand his past, and find his own magic. Rose, despite her initial reluctance to part with him, supports his decision, acknowledging his growth.
Upon arriving in the capital, Hermes encounters Katia, who is now engaged to Prince Aster. Katia is being pursued by Chris, who, having risen to the Prince's side, accuses her of treason. Hermes, using his newly acquired abilities, intervenes and replicates Chris's bloodline magic, "The Marksman," to protect Katia. This display of power shocks everyone, especially Chris, who is defeated by Hermes's superior skill and training. Hermes then helps Katia escape, reaffirming his promise to her to become a great mage.
Katia, realizing Hermes's potential and her own precarious situation, invites him to stay with her family, the Thrakia dukedom. Despite his initial hesitation, Hermes accepts, seeing it as an opportunity to gain access to powerful bloodline magic and further his own magical development. The story concludes with Hermes arriving at the Thrakia estate, ready to embark on a new chapter of his life, with his past and future intertwined.
