The small church in Hage Village was unusually lively that evening.
Warm orange light from candles filled the wooden hall while the long dining table overflowed with food. Bread loaves, bowls of stew, roasted vegetables, and even a few pieces of meat sat spread across the table. For most people in the Clover Kingdom this would have looked like a modest dinner.
But for the children of the church, it felt like a feast.
Father Orsi stood proudly at the head of the table with his hands on his hips. His large frame practically filled the room as he looked down at the excited children gathered around the food.
"Well?" he announced loudly. "What are you all waiting for? Eat before it gets cold!"
The children cheered.
Asta immediately launched himself at the table like a starving beast.
"I CALL THE BIGGEST BOWL!"
"HEY! SHARE!" one of the younger kids shouted as Asta nearly grabbed half the bread in one sweep.
Yuno calmly sat down at his usual spot while shaking his head slightly.
Some things never changed.
David stood near the doorway for a moment, quietly watching the scene in front of him.
Only one month ago he had been alone.
Lost.
Confused.
Thrown into a world he barely understood.
Now…
He stood in a warm room surrounded by laughter and people who looked at him like family.
A small smile formed on his face.
Sister Lily noticed him standing there and walked over with gentle steps.
"David," she said softly, holding out a bowl. "You should eat before Asta takes everything."
David chuckled quietly and accepted the bowl.
"Thanks, Sister Lily."
As he stepped toward the table, one of the younger children tugged on his sleeve.
"David! Sit here!"
Another child immediately protested.
"No! He sits here!"
David laughed.
"Alright, alright."
He finally sat down between two of the younger kids, who both looked extremely proud of themselves.
Across the table, Asta was already halfway through his second bowl of stew.
"You better eat a lot tonight!" Asta said loudly while pointing a spoon at David. "Tomorrow you're getting your grimoire!"
David scooped a spoonful of stew and nodded.
"Yeah. Tomorrow."
Father Orsi crossed his arms proudly.
"I still can't believe another one of our kids is reaching the age for the Grimoire Acceptance Ceremony."
His voice carried both pride and nostalgia.
"It feels like just yesterday Asta and Yuno were tiny babies crying all night."
Asta immediately slammed his hands on the table.
"HEY! I DID NOT CRY ALL NIGHT!"
One of the younger kids immediately shouted, "You cried this morning!"
The entire table burst into laughter.
Even Yuno quietly smiled.
David leaned back slightly in his chair, enjoying the chaos around him.
For a moment he forgot about everything else.
Forgot about the strange world.
Forgot about the strange power inside him.
Forgot about the uncertainty of tomorrow.
He was just… here.
With family.
Yuno eventually looked toward David across the table.
"So," he said calmly, "are you nervous?"
David raised an eyebrow.
"About the grimoire?"
Yuno nodded.
David thought for a moment before shrugging.
"Not really."
Asta immediately leaned forward.
"You're not nervous at all?!"
"Nope."
"That's weird!"
David smirked slightly.
"Why? Were you nervous?"
Asta crossed his arms dramatically.
"I'M NEVER NERVOUS!"
Yuno glanced at him.
"You cried when you thought you wouldn't get one."
Asta turned bright red.
"I DID NOT!"
The younger children immediately began teasing him again.
David laughed.
The warmth of the moment settled around the table.
Father Orsi eventually lifted a mug and cleared his throat.
"Alright, quiet down for a moment."
The room slowly settled.
Father Orsi looked toward David with a proud expression.
"David came to us only one month ago," he said. "But in that short time, he's already become part of this family."
David felt several small eyes turn toward him.
"We don't know what kind of grimoire you'll receive tomorrow," Father Orsi continued, "but I have no doubt you'll become a fine magic knight one day."
He lifted his mug slightly.
"To David."
The children raised their cups, bowls, or whatever they were holding.
"To David!"
David felt his chest tighten slightly.
He wasn't used to this kind of attention.
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly before raising his bowl as well.
"…Thanks."
Asta suddenly stood up on the bench beside the table.
"AND WHEN DAVID BECOMES A MAGIC KNIGHT—"
He pointed dramatically at him.
"HE'LL HELP ME BECOME THE WIZARD KING!"
David nearly choked on his food.
Yuno calmly sipped his drink.
"That sounds like a lot of work."
Asta pointed at him next.
"YOU TOO, YUNO!"
Yuno looked unimpressed.
"I never agreed to that."
The room filled with laughter again.
The night continued with stories, jokes, and more food than usual.
At one point the younger children asked David to demonstrate the strange glowing sphere he sometimes created during training.
Father Orsi immediately shut that idea down.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT INSIDE THE CHURCH!"
Even Asta agreed with that one.
Eventually the candles burned lower and the younger children began falling asleep at the table.
One by one they were carried off to their beds.
The church slowly grew quiet.
David stepped outside for some fresh air.
The night sky stretched above the village.
Endless stars scattered across the darkness.
David rested his arms on the wooden fence nearby and stared upward.
"…Tomorrow, huh."
He didn't know what kind of grimoire he would receive.
But something deep inside him stirred whenever he thought about it.
Like a quiet pull.
Like something waiting.
Footsteps approached behind him.
Yuno stopped beside him.
Neither of them spoke for a moment as they looked up at the sky.
"You'll probably get a strong grimoire," Yuno finally said.
David glanced at him.
"Why?"
"Your mana."
David tilted his head slightly.
"What about it?"
Yuno looked forward again.
"…It's strange."
David chuckled.
"That sounds reassuring."
Yuno didn't respond.
After a moment he simply turned and walked back toward the church.
"Get some sleep," he said quietly.
"You'll need it tomorrow."
David remained outside a little longer.
The cool wind brushed across his face while the stars above shimmered softly.
He had no idea that tomorrow would change everything.
That tomorrow he would receive a grimoire unlike any other.
A grimoire that should not exist.
A grimoire born from both mana and something far darker.
But tonight…
David simply looked at the stars.
And smiled.