The Lion's Dawn

The first rays of sunlight stretched across the sky, painting the horizon in shades of gold and crimson. Escanor stood at the edge of the village, facing the rising sun with unwavering resolve. The warmth of its light bathed his skin, but unlike before, it did not trigger an immediate surge of power. His connection to Sunshine—or whatever version of it existed in this world—was still weak, still dormant.

But that would change.

He took a deep breath, centering himself. His body was small and fragile, a far cry from the mighty form he once possessed, but it was not powerless. If the strength of the sun still resided within him, then he would draw it out, piece by piece.

Escanor began his morning routine—running through the fields, lifting small logs as makeshift weights, and practicing the battle stances he remembered from his past life. His movements were clumsy, his muscles untrained, but he refused to stop. He had been weak once before, and he had overcome it. He would do so again.

As he trained, he felt a presence approaching.

"You're up early," Rowan called out, arms crossed as he leaned against a fence post. "Didn't take you for the training type, kid."

Escanor wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to the farmer with a calm smile. "Strength is not something given. It must be earned."

Rowan chuckled. "That so? You sound like one of them Magic Knights."

Magic Knights. The title caught Escanor's interest. He had heard the villagers mention them in passing—the warriors of the Clover Kingdom, protectors of the realm. If anyone in this world possessed great strength, it would be them.

"What do you know about the Magic Knights?" Escanor asked.

Rowan shrugged. "Not much, just that they serve under the Wizard King and protect the kingdom. They're powerful mages, each carrying a grimoire."

A grimoire. Escanor had heard that term before as well. It was a book that granted its wielder spells unique to their magic. If his magic truly existed in this world, then he would need one to fully awaken it.

"How does one become a Magic Knight?" he inquired further.

Rowan smirked. "Planning to join, are you?"

Escanor's expression remained firm. "If strength is what I seek, then it is only natural to pursue it."

Rowan laughed, shaking his head. "You really are something else, kid. If you want to become a Magic Knight, you'll need to attend the Magic Knight Entrance Exam in the capital. But you can't just walk in—you need a grimoire first."

Escanor nodded. "And where does one obtain a grimoire?"

"The Grimoire Tower. Every year, kids turning fifteen head there to receive their grimoire. That's how it works."

Fifteen. Escanor's current body was far from that age, which meant he had years to wait. A minor setback, but one he would endure. He had always been patient.

Still, he could not waste those years idly. If he was to wield the power of the sun once more, then he had to grow stronger, even without a grimoire.

Rowan studied him for a moment before sighing. "You really are serious about this, huh?"

Escanor met his gaze with unwavering determination.

"…Alright," Rowan said. "If you're that set on getting stronger, I know someone who might be able to help."

Escanor raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

Rowan smirked. "An old friend of mine. Used to be a Magic Knight before he retired. He lives on the outskirts of the village. If you really want to get stronger, I can take you to him."

A former Magic Knight?

Escanor's eyes burned with newfound determination.

This was the first step. The path to reclaiming his strength had begun.