The first chapter serves the purpose of introducing the setting and characters. The beginning of the novel takes place on Gont and begins with the story of a young boy named Duny. He lives with his aunt who is a witch, and she teaches him his first lessons in magic. He learns how to control the mist and call the animals thereby getting his nickname, Sparrowhawk. Duny expresses his power over the fog when the Kargad Empire attacked his village, catching the eye of Ogion, a wizard. On the day of Sparrowhawk's 13th birthday, Ogion returns to Gont to teach Duny more magic and rename him Ged. While traveling with Ogion, Ged becomes bored with his style of teaching because all he is learning is the power of herbs. In attempt to impress a girl, Ged goes into Ogion's books to learn the things he was not yet taught. Before he can find anything, Ogion stops him. Ged complains that he wants to learn more "magic" and Ogion offers to send him to Roke, a school for wizards. Sparrowhawk goes on a boat to Roke, but gets caught in a storm. He sees a light, and leads the ship to the island. Ged goes to the school for wizards and tries to get through the door but cannot pass until he says his name, which is never done, but he does and he is allowed in. He finds the Archmage and reads the letter Ogion had sent with him. Ged meets two fellow students, Jasper and Vetch. He becomes friends with Vetch, but dislikes Jasper. Sparrowhawk learns about Old Speech and the way to change things by knowing their real name to have power over it. The three boys are sent to the Isolate Tower to learn names and Ged gets a new friend, a rare animal, an otak. Ged learns his spells and illusions quicker than most of the students. He is taken aside and taught privately by another wizard and he also secretly studies things about spirits. Jasper and Ged are bragging about their power and Ged says he can summon a spirit, but when he tries to do so he releas...