Gōta Midorikawa is a teenage boy living in Tokyo whose life becomes intertwined with the world of magic through a training program. He inherits his magical potential from his father, who ultimately abandoned his own magical career due to difficulties he encountered. His mother is a non-magical person, and the fact that his father kept his magical heritage a secret for many years led to significant family conflict. When the truth came out, his mother became enraged and moved back to her parents' home, offering to take Gōta with her. Gōta chose to stay behind, though he subsequently had little meaningful communication with his father. This lack of family support and early guidance meant that Gōta, unlike most trainees, did not receive any magical practice or training during his childhood.

Upon arriving in Tokyo to begin his magical training, Gōta was involved in a dramatic incident at a station. He attempted to save a young girl in danger but was unable to act effectively and nearly got himself hit by a truck. He was saved by Sora Suzuki, a talented young mage who used her magic to avert the disaster. This moment marked the beginning of Gōta's connection with Sora and with the broader magical community.

Externally, Gōta presents a dismissive and sullen attitude. He shows little interest in his peers, resists forming emotional connections, and has no hesitation in confronting instructors or even clients when he disagrees with them. However, beneath this hostile exterior lies a fundamentally helpful and conscientious nature. His aloof demeanor is largely the product of deep emotional barriers and a refusal to discuss his past. A significant portion of his internal struggle stems from his profound dissatisfaction with his own magical abilities and his inherited magical legacy. He possesses extensive theoretical knowledge of magic, having studied many textbooks, yet he struggles immensely with practical control over his power. This inability makes him doubt his qualification to become a mage and fuels a deep-seated fear that he will fail just as his father did. At one point, he even refuses to use magic altogether, though he eventually decides to give it a genuine try.

Despite his magical struggles, Gōta harbors a passionate love for surfing, which he considers his favorite activity. His dream is to become a professional surfer, a goal entirely separate from the magical world he has been thrust into. His magical journey is defined by this internal conflict between his theoretical knowledge and his practical ineptitude, especially when compared to his advancing classmates.

His relationship with Sora Suzuki is the most crucial factor in his personal development. Her persistent patience and efforts to reach him slowly break down his defenses. As they train together, Gōta falls in love with Sora, and their relationship deepens significantly over the course of the story. Gōta also possesses a remarkable magical ability to create and project detailed mental worlds. He uses this power in a deeply meaningful way to fulfill a promise to Sora after her death, projecting the image of the ocean he had seen to bring her comfort.

After the pair complete their training and become certified mages, Sora returns to her hometown of Biei while Gōta remains in Tokyo. They maintain a long-distance relationship to stay connected despite the physical distance between them. Eventually, Gōta travels to Biei to visit her. Following a five-year time skip, Gōta has matured considerably. He has gained control over his previously unruly magical abilities and has grown into a capable and licensed mage, demonstrating that he has overcome the doubts and fears that once defined his early life.