I looked at the new screen in front of me as the text changed:
{ System Currently Incomplete...
Please proceed to the Grimoire Tower to complete the system }
I read the new text and sighed. Of course, they wouldn't give me the whole system.
The old man sitting in front of me waved his hand in front of my face, breaking me out of my thoughts.
"Don't smile like that—you're scaring the customers away," he grumbled.
I looked around and saw a couple of people giving me weird looks.
"Alright, old man, I'll leave. But make the cake—I'll collect it in the evening," I said, placing the payment on the counter and walking off.
"Which one, brat?"
"You choose," I replied as I headed out, buying a fried fish while strolling through the market. I swear I could still feel the old man cursing me even from a distance.
After wandering around for a while, I made my way back to the church, since we were all going to the Grimoire Tower together.
I arrived just as Yuno and the others were setting the table.
I waited as the food was finally brought out, and we began to eat.
"So, Asta, what do you think your magic will be?" Recca asked, looking at me. Then I glanced at Nash, who was concentrating intensely on his food. Surely this was his plan.
"I don't know. We'll find out at the Tower, won't we?" I replied. As Nash looked up and our eyes met, I raised an eyebrow, making him quickly return his focus to his plate.
Father Orsi was doting on Yuno as always, before it was finally time to leave.
"Asta... don't get too worried, alright?" Sister Lily said, pulling me aside as I placed the dishes in the kitchen.
"Don't worry about it," I said, waving it off. Honestly, these looks of pity were starting to get annoying. I knew they meant well, but there had to be a limit.
We left, along with many others, heading toward the tower.
"Asta, Yuno, we've reached the tower!" Aruru said excitedly as she ran ahead, with Recca following behind.
Honestly, I hadn't expected this many people. I looked at the crowd heading toward the tower.
Upon entering the vast ground floor, I saw that the walls were lined with grimoires.
Both Yuno and I moved to the center, while the others who had come with us stood at the edges.
Many people were shuffling nervously as the tower master came flying down on a magic carpet.
"Welcome to the acceptance ceremony," a loud voice echoed through the tower as the carpet laid itself out on the podium.
"Without further ado, let's begin," he said, just as a slight tremor passed through the tower.
The grimoires began flying off the shelves, swirling through the air as they descended. Soon, people around us started receiving theirs. Then, a new screen popped up in front of me:
{ System Integration Initializing... }
I glanced up as a commotion started around Yuno. A shining grimoire floated down in front of him. Even from a distance, I could tell it was special—brighter than any of the others.
"That's a four-leaf! How could he get that?" someone whispered, as Yuno accepted the grimoire and people around him began murmuring.
Suddenly, the air grew cold, and the lights dimmed slightly.
{ Integration started... 2%... 10%... 25%... }
I read the message, then looked up. A grimoire was descending—withered and surrounded by a reddish-black hue.
Everyone fell silent as it approached.
' That's right...come to papa. '
{ 75%... 89%... 98%... 100%! Integration complete. Congratulations }
I read the message as the grimoire floated to a stop in front of me.
The light from the surrounding grimoires seemed to fade as they recoiled, while Yuno's four-leaf grimoire glowed even brighter, as if resisting the darkness of mine.
I reached out and touched it. I felt a slight tug near my heart. The reddish black aura vanished, and the surroundings returned to normal.
Everyone was staring—mostly because of the grimoire, but also because none of them had expected someone born without magic to receive one.
No one spoke. They just kept watching me.
Finally, the tower master intervened.
"Alright, I hope everyone who has obtained a grimoire today will use it to serve their kingdom and loved ones. With that, I declare this ceremony concluded," he announced as the remaining grimoires flew back into their slots.
The hall came back to life as people began to talk and move again. I returned to the others with Yuno.
"Asta, what's your grimoire like?" Recca asked, staring at it.
I was surprised she asked. I had expected people to be distant after the oppressive aura earlier, but that didn't seem to be the case. Sure, they were curious, but they weren't afraid or hostile.
"Well, I still need to figure it out," I lied. I didn't want everyone to know what I could do.
"Oh." She didn't press further. Yuno arrived soon after, and everyone turned their attention to his four-leaf grimoire. He didn't say much about it, though.
We were just about to leave when the tower master appeared behind us.
Fuck. I didn't even sense him.
"Sorry, Orsi, may I borrow these two for a while?" he asked—but it felt more like a command.
"Yes, of course," Father Orsi replied quickly. "We'll wait for you at the church," he said to us, then began to leave.
Sister Lily and the rest hesitated, but followed him without question, leaving us with the tower master.
"Let's have a talk in my office, shall we?" the tower master said as the flying carpet descended.
I looked at Yuno. He was just as tense as I was—but we weren't in a position to refuse.
I stepped onto the carpet, and Yuno followed. It rose into the air.
I looked at the tower master's back.
I'd let my guard down. This guy had appeared without me realizing it.
Yuno glanced at me, and a silent understanding passed between us.
This man was strong—how strong, we had no idea.
"Don't think too much about it. I already have one foot in the grave," the tower master said, sensing our gaze.
I was half-embarrassed by that... but then again, this old guy was really strong.