The Lion's Dawn

The day had finally arrived.

Escanor stood at the edge of the bustling town square, his heart pounding in anticipation. All around him, aspiring mages gathered in excitement, their eyes filled with hope. Today was the Grimoire Acceptance Ceremony, the day where the village's youth would receive their magical tomes and take their first step toward becoming full-fledged mages.

For Escanor, this moment was more than just a tradition.

It was proof.

Proof that he belonged in this world. Proof that his magic, though different from before, was still his own.

He took a deep breath, calming himself as he followed the crowd into the Grimoire Tower.

The inside of the tower was grand, lined with massive bookshelves that stretched toward the sky. An ancient magical energy lingered in the air, radiating from the thousands of grimoires that filled the space.

At the front of the hall, an elderly librarian stepped forward, raising his hands to silence the murmuring crowd. "Welcome, young ones," he announced, his voice echoing throughout the chamber. "Today, you will receive the grimoire that best suits your soul. May you wield your magic with honor and strength."

With a wave of his hand, the air shimmered with power.

The grimoires began to move.

One by one, books floated from the shelves, drawn toward their chosen owners. Gasps of awe filled the room as the children reached out to accept their new magic.

Escanor watched intently, his hands clenching at his sides. His magic had been growing stronger, but he still didn't fully understand it. Would the grimoire accept him? Would he even receive one?

Minutes passed. Most of the crowd had already received their grimoires, but Escanor remained empty-handed.

Whispers began to spread.

"Is he not getting one?"

"I knew it. He's got no magic."

"Poor guy…"

Doubt tried to creep into Escanor's heart.

But he crushed it.

He refused to falter. He refused to doubt himself.

He lifted his head high, staring at the floating grimoires.

I am Escanor. The power of the sun burns within me.

And then—

The tower trembled.

A deep, radiant glow filled the chamber. The remaining grimoires halted in place as a single book began to descend.

Unlike the others, which had simple covers marked with three-leaf clovers, this grimoire was different. Its golden cover shone like the sun, and emblazoned on its front was an unusual emblem—a four-leaf clover wreathed in flames.

The moment Escanor laid eyes on it, he knew.

This book was his.

The grimoire floated down, stopping just before him. Slowly, he reached out, his fingers brushing against the glowing cover. The moment he made contact, a surge of power coursed through his body. The warmth inside him flared to life, stronger than ever before.

Gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd.

"A four-leaf grimoire?!"

"Only legendary mages receive those!"

"Just who is this guy?"

Escanor didn't hear them. He was too focused on the raw energy coursing through his veins, on the way the magic inside him now felt whole.

He had done it.

He had been chosen.

The power of the sun was his to command once more.

And this was just the beginning.