"Cutting deep with words." Ethan's comment made the two noblemen's faces turn pale.
They glanced around nervously, noticing the icy, hostile glares from the so-called commoners around them.
The tension between nobles and commoners had always been present.
If the nobles dared to say something outrageous, they didn't doubt that these commoners might collectively toss them out.
At that moment, an aged, commanding voice echoed:
"Welcome, young ones! To those who begin their journeys today, I offer you honesty, hope, and love. I am the Keeper of the Grimoire Tower. May one among you rise to become the Wizard King! Now, let the granting ceremony begin!"
With these words, a white-bearded elder gracefully descended from above.
Seeing the ceremony commence, the two nobles grabbing Ethan's collar quickly let go, finding an excuse to back away.
"Hmph, a commoner will always be a commoner. What's the point of staying here? A one-leaf grimoire? Maybe two? Hahaha..."
Ethan smirked as he straightened his collar. "How about a bet? If I get a three-leaf grimoire, you both let me punch you."
The nobles hesitated, dumbfounded.
They wanted to agree but couldn't bring themselves to do so under Ethan's confident gaze.
"Tsk tsk... What's wrong? Are the noble lords too scared to gamble with a commoner?"
"Who said we're scared? Fine, let's bet! But if you don't get it, we'll beat you up!"
"Deal."
Ethan shrugged off their threats and looked up as the ceremony began.
Grimoires stored within the tower began to fly out, emitting colorful glows as they drifted through the air like butterflies.
Occasionally, a grimoire would land in someone's hands, chosen based on their talent and magical potential.
"Wow! This is my grimoire!"
"Hey, mine's bigger than yours!"
"Yes! Now I can leave the village and head to the city!"
"But... why is mine so small?"
Some rejoiced while others lamented.
Regardless of size or quality, everyone received their grimoire—except for two people.
Even the two nobles were granted three-leaf grimoires and were visibly ecstatic.
However...
"A grimoire hasn't come to me..."
Asta knelt on the ground, despair and fear etched across his face.
Everyone else had theirs, yet his grimoire was nowhere to be seen.
"Hmm... try again next year," the Keeper of the Tower finally said after a moment of hesitation.
His words crushed Asta, pushing him into an abyss of despair.
"Hahaha! That's hilarious!"
"Unbelievable—he didn't get one?"
"Even I got a one-leaf grimoire..."
But suddenly, someone in the crowd pointed out:
"Wait, he's not the only one!"
Everyone turned to look at Ethan.
"This doesn't make sense!" Ethan's expression remained calm, but internally, he was panicking.
In his mind, even if he was the worst of the worst, he should have at least gotten a one-leaf or two-leaf grimoire.
How could he receive nothing?
Just as confusion mounted, a radiant golden light burst forth.
Everyone forgot to mock Ethan as their gazes shifted to Yuno.
Under the golden glow, a grimoire symbolizing honesty, hope, and love floated into his hands.
But unlike others, Yuno's grimoire featured an additional leaf, representing luck.
"A four-leaf... a four-leaf clover!"
"Unbelievable—a legendary grimoire!"
"The first Wizard King was said to have one of those, too!"
"Filled with immense magical power and luck—this is incredible!"
The crowd erupted in awe, their voices trembling.
The four-leaf grimoire landed in Yuno's hands.
Turning calmly, he announced, "I will become the Wizard King"
Before anyone could react, another golden light illuminated the tower, shocking everyone once again.
Ethan now held a four-leaf grimoire, glowing with the same brilliance.
Everyone froze, unable to process what they were witnessing.
"Another... another one?"
"Is this some kind of mistake? Two four-leaf grimoires in one day?"
Even the Keeper of the Tower was speechless.
But the surprises weren't over. A fiery red light blazed forth from the bookshelf.
Yet another grimoire, containing luck and marked with a four-leaf clover, floated into the air.
The crowd stood in stunned silence, utterly overwhelmed.