The series begins with a raid on a group of bandits at the hands of the 15-year-old sorceress Lina Inverse. On her way to Atlas City, she is surrounded by bandits. Just as Lina prepares to attack, a mercenary swordsman, Gourry Gabriev, appears and defeats the bandits. Lina and Gourry befriend each other. Soon after, Lina and Gourry are asked to exterminate the dragon threatening a small village. Having no reason to refuse, Lina takes on the job despite Gourry's dissuasion. Being intimidated by the dragon, Lina is outraged. Lina uses the Dragon Slave technique on the dragon, killing it and destroying most of the village. Lina and Gourry eventually run away from the villagers after the village's destruction.