Illyasviel von Einzbern is an ordinary elementary school girl who loves magical girl anime, right up until a talking wand called Magical Ruby walks out on its owner, the mage Rin Tohsaka, and tricks Illya into becoming the real thing. Rin puts her to work collecting the Class Cards, which hold the power of Heroic Spirits, and pairs her with Miyu, a stoic girl carrying the companion wand Magical Sapphire after it abandoned Rin's rival Luviagelita Edelfelt.