One year before Kazuma and Aqua arrive, young Crimson Magic Clan wizard Megumin is already obsessed with a spell few people consider practical: Explosion. A childhood encounter convinced her that the most spectacular offensive magic in the world is the only path worth following, and she devotes herself to mastering it despite warnings from teachers and classmates. Her determination, rivalry with Yunyun, and family troubles turn life in the Crimson Demon Village into an adventure long before Megumin joins Kazuma’s party.