Krabat is a poor begglerboy. Curiosity attracts him one day to the mill at the coselry break, from which one tells himself creepy stories. There he meets the sinister Müllermeister who takes Krabat into his service as a twelfth teaching boy. In three years, Krabat learns not only the mill crafts, but also the art of black school. He learns that the magic helps him to power and wealth, but also increasingly deprives him of his freedom. Krabat must watch as two of his fellow mates shy away from the restraints of evil. Krabat realises that the devil himself is the patron of the mill and he also floats in all the highest danger. From entanglement with evil can only save him the unconditional love of a girl