Young musician Zhenya Kovalchuk falls in love with aerobatic pilot Yulia. The feeling is mutual, but Yulia cannot bring herself to reveal her feelings to Zhenya. Then the famous, but not yet elderly, Doctor of Science Kressovsky, who also hopes for Yulia's affection, stands in his way. The two suitors clash with their swords, and the duel ends with the doctor being wounded. The doctor intrigues, and Zhenya faces expulsion from the institute.