The story begins by establishing the "Dark Continent," a land in the far east inhabited by powerful monsters, making it inaccessible to humans. In the year 900 of the Holy Calendar, this peace was shattered by the emergence of "Demons" from the Dark Continent. Led by a powerful individual who declared himself "Demon Lord," they invaded the human continent, conquering eastern territories. Demons wielded elemental powers like fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, and darkness, mocking human resistance.
By 920, twenty years later, humanity had begun to understand and replicate these powers, calling them "magic." This offered a glimmer of hope, and mages became crucial for survival. However, humanity's territory had shrunk significantly. In their desperate search for a power to surpass demons, they discovered "spirits" in 935. Through contracts with spirits, humans gained "spirit magic," which allowed them to push back most demons to the Dark Continent.
Unfortunately, humanity's newfound unity fractured. Instead of focusing on the demon threat, they turned their powers against each other, leading to large-scale, devastating wars. This weakened humanity, creating an opening for the demons. In response, the "United Front Treaty of Humanity" was established, mandating non-aggression between nations and the creation of "Spirit Master Training Schools," or "Spirit Schools." Students entering these schools are essentially trained as "weapons" for future conflicts.
The narrative then shifts to Fey, a former prodigy of the Bonnet family, one of the seven ducal houses of the Armond Kingdom. Fey was once hailed as the "Trembling Mage" due to his immense magical power and talent. However, his life took a drastic turn when he failed to form a contract with a spirit, a feat expected of him. This failure led to widespread scorn, transforming him from a prodigy into an "outcast." His family, including his parents, siblings, and sister, ostracized him, treating him as an object rather than a son.
One day, Fey's father, Alex Bonnet, declared him no longer a child of the Bonnet family and ordered him to leave the estate immediately. Witnessing the cold, indifferent gazes of his entire family, Fey was consumed by despair and realized their past affection was a facade. He fled the estate and, while running, was attacked by ten high-ranking mages from a Bonnet branch family, acting on his father's orders to kill him and burn his body. Fey managed to defend himself using his magic, including a powerful "Water Wall" to counter their "Fireball" attacks and a "Fire Tornado" combined magic. Despite his efforts and the use of "Enchant Body" to enhance his physical abilities, he was severely injured. Facing death, Fey devised a plan to create a decoy using a combination of "Clay Doll" and "Dark Form" magic, creating "Dark Clay Doll," to escape. He was found by Lana Dirk, a kind woman who healed his wounds and offered him a new home, adopting him and giving him the surname Dirk. Fey experienced genuine affection for the first time.
Five years later, Fey, now Fey Dirk, is preparing to attend the Spirit School, which he was persuaded by Lana to enroll in. He learns that the school is a prestigious institution where both spirit masters and mages are trained, though mages are treated with less respect. He also discovers that his enrollment in the "E Class," a class exclusively for mages, is due to his contract with the Five Imperial Beasts being sealed, making him officially a mage.
At the Spirit School, Fey encounters his former family, the Bonnets, including his father Alex, mother Adi, sister Cecilia, and twin siblings Bram and Eliss. Bram, who had actively participated in the plot to have Fey killed, is now the self-proclaimed eldest son and displays arrogance and a penchant for bullying. Fey also reconnects with Melia Famis, a girl he had protected from bullying in the past, who is now also attending the Spirit School and is still associated with the Bonnets.
During the entrance ceremony, Fey witnesses the school's young and powerful headmistress, Jessica Friel, deliver an inspiring speech. Later, Fey's classmates, Geison and Iris, become his close friends. During a class, Fey intervenes when Bram and his companions are bullying Melia, revealing his survival and his mastery of advanced magic, including the combined "Dark Clay Doll" and the ability to use "High Heal," a top-tier healing magic. This revelation shocks Bram and the other Bonnets, who believed Fey was dead. Bram, consumed by jealousy and hatred, attacks Fey with powerful fire magic. Fey, now determined to protect Melia and no longer willing to flee, retaliates, demonstrating his superior magical prowess and revealing his true identity as Fey Bonnet, the "Trembling Mage." The chapter ends with the beginning of a significant battle between Fey and Bram, hinting at a major shift in the world's power dynamics.
