Alec Barrett was born without magic. This is a surprise to just about the entire world, because everyone has had some sort of magical affinity since mana was discovered. The fact that Alec has no affinity, and furthermore seems to negate any magic that touches him, is something nobody thought possible. And now, he has to learn skills the way his forefathers did: without mana, and with a whole lot of knowledge of the world around them. Now at eighteen, he finds himself trapped in a prophecy-- as the villain. The Anti-Mage of legend, to inevitably face off against a magical powerhouse, rumored to be the embodiment of magic itself trying to right the supposed "natural order."