XVIII century. Gabriel Lodya is a foundling raised by a family of pomor fishermen, having matured, leaves his adoptive parents and goes "to people." An irresistible craving for the new, for knowledge, leads him first to Petersburg, and then to Europe, to the land of Hesse-Darmstadt. But knowledge of the sciences soon turns into an unexpected side. It turns out that among the learned people are full of those who engage in magic and witchcraft. Warlocks liked a young, aspiring, courageous and quick-witted youth, and Lodier is offered secret service in exchange for great knowledge...