Chapter 5 William's Grimoire

In a secluded part of the forest, two figures were visible.

It was already noon, and the sun was descending.

A child, with light brown hair and a fair, handsome face, stood facing the kneeling blonde man before him.

"It's already March, and the upcoming Grimoire Acceptance Ceremony is tomorrow," the child said casually.

The blonde man nodded in response.

"I want you to participate," Light, the child, declared without hesitation.

The blonde man, still on his knees, appeared puzzled. "Master, this body has already summoned a grimoire... I don't think it's possible—" he hesitated, but Light cut him off.

"Silence!"

The blonde man bowed his head obediently.

"Just do as I say," Light ordered.

William, the blonde man, had no choice but to continue kneeling, even burying his head in submission.

"Besides... Your soul isn't the original. You've been renewed by my Death Flame," Light explained as he sat down on a nearby large rock.

William flinched, finally realizing why Light wanted him to participate.

"As you might have already guessed... the soul in that body isn't the same one that received the previous grimoir," Light mused, a chuckle escaping him as he saw William's reaction. "In short, you might receive a grimoire."

Hearing this, William felt a surge of excitement. This meant he wouldn't remain weak and useless to the master. His duty would evolve from mere chores to fulfilling the master's will at all times.

This excitement boosted his determination to attain a grimoire.

Observing this, Light chuckled at the scene.

Light then shifted his gaze to the setting sun. The beautiful red-hued sky fascinated him, but the reflection in his eyes looked gloomy and sinister, as they took on a slightly scarlet tint from the sky's reflection.

Light's ambition swelled as he felt the Death Flame within William's body churn with excitement.

Power.

Power.

Light's smile slowly transformed into a sinister grin.

...

At the time of the Grimoire Acceptance Ceremony,

Grimoire Tower.

William concealed his face by wearing a mask similar to the one worn by the captain of the Golden Dawn, William Vengeance.

Interestingly, they also shared the same name as the famous captain of the Clover Kingdom.

At the top of the Grimoire Tower, Doruo observed the participants at the age of 15.

He fixed his gaze on a masked individual who appeared taller than the other 15-year-olds.

Wizard Doruo continued to observe but shifted his focus to the other participants.

He ignored the masked individual because if they were older than 15 and had already received a grimoire, it was impossible to acquire another one. So, even if that masked individual had thoughts of obtaining another grimoire, they could forget about it.

...

The 15-year-olds stood in the center of the Grimoire Tower, with their families, friends, and supporters nearby.

Light was among the crowd. Sister Lily and the others didn't attend the Grimoire Tower despite it being the Grimoire Acceptance Ceremony since Asta, Yuno, and Light were not yet of age, and they had chores to attend to.

Light excused himself from the chapel church to observe what grimoire William might receive.

...

The young people, all 15 years old, were already excited.

Then Wizard Doruo of the Grimoire Tower descended from the tower.

He stood on a flying carpet. "Greetings, everyone! This day is the most important day of your life, as it's the day you will receive a grimoire. Each of you will be granted a grimoire, and each grimoire has its uses that can assist in our daily lives. Do not be discouraged if you receive a grimoire that doesn't meet your expectations..."

Wizard Doruo continued his speech, and many young people were excited.

William and Light were probably the ones who found it boring.

If this day weren't the Grimoire Acceptance Ceremony, the young ones would probably get bored too.

It's because this day was the day they would receive power-ups, which is why they had been so patient and excited.

"Cough..."

Finally, after a long and tedious speech, Wizard Doruo coughed to silence everyone.

Everyone was eager to discover which grimoire they would receive.

"It's time!!!" Wizard Doruo exclaimed loudly using communication magic, and everyone saw books emanating various lights. The Grimoire Tower's room was illuminated by the different lights radiating from the books.

The scattered grimoires flew toward their chosen recipients, indicating that the grimoires themselves were making the choices, not the people.

Suddenly, a grimoire with a dark cover and a sinister aura captured everyone's attention.

Wizard Doruo was on high alert. It was a Dark Grimoire, distinguished by its three-leaf clovers.

Who could be the one it had chosen?

Wizard Doruo's curiosity burned as he wondered who the Black Grimoire had chosen.

To his astonishment, the dark tome hurtled toward the tall figure, masked William.

"Hmmm!?" Old Wizard Doruo exclaimed in surprise.

He had initially assumed the masked man to be over 15, but now he possessed a Grimoire, and not just any Grimoire – a Dark Grimoire with a three-leaf clover insignia.

A truly exceptional individual had emerged.

"Incredible! We have here someone who's been graced with a three-leaf clovers Dark Magic, Grimoire similar to the one of the captain of a magic squad!" Wizard Doruo declared, utilizing his communication magic.

Whoa!!!

The crowd turned their attention to the masked William.

William felt an overwhelming rush of excitement – he was far from useless now!

He possessed a Dark Grimoire!

Among the onlookers, Light wore a smile, pleased to have gained a more potent ally.

With this, it marked the first stride toward Light establishing his own dominion in this world.

Indeed, William was merely the first of his underlings, and Light intended to gather more loyal followers.

With meticulous patience, he would amass his forces and ascend to a level of power where no one in this world could challenge him, sparing him the humiliations of his former life.

Light's smile, betraying a cunning glint in his eyes, hinted at the grand schemes he harbored.

Amidst the throngs of onlookers, William, who had earned the admiration of many, sensed Light's penetrating gaze upon him.

Comprehension dawned on William; he recognized his role in Light's grand design. With the dark grimoire clutched to his chest as a symbol of loyalty and respect, he nodded respectfully toward the figure hidden within the crowd, silently acknowledging his newfound purpose.