Grimoire Tower, Solmaria
The golden sun peeked over the lush green fields of Solmaria, casting long shadows over the cobbled roads. Birds chirped in harmony as the entire nation buzzed with a subtle excitement. Children, dressed in ceremonial white robes, walked hand in hand with their families toward a towering spire that touched the clouds —the Grimoire Tower. The day when the Grimoire tower is opened had finally arrived.
Among them was Kanak, a bright-eyed girl with wild black curls and as curious as a bird. Today was her seventh birthday. Like every child in Solmaria, she was to be judged by fate, chosen by a grimoire that would guide her magical destiny for life.
Her heart raced with nervous joy.
Walking beside her was a boy—Shaurya, her master who is like a younger brother to her. Though only four, his presence radiated a strange calmness. Unlike the other children who were trembling in anticipation. His pale blue eyes stared up at the Tower not with awe—but with familiarity.
"Stay close to me," Kanak said, gently holding his hand.
He simply nodded.
Inside the Grimoire Tower
The Tower's interior was grand—walls made of shimmering stone etched with ancient runes, glowing faintly like the heartbeat of the world itself. At the center of the circular chamber floated hundreds of Faded Grey Grimoires, each hovering silently in place like waiting spirits.
As the tower filled with children, a robed mage stood at the altar and raised his staff.
"Children of Solmaria, step forward. Today, your path begins. Let the Grimoire that resonates with your soul come forth."
One by one, the children stepped forward. A few grimoires fluttered, some glowed faintly, and then one would shoot forward and land gently in the child's hand.
A few minutes passed.
It was now Kanak's turn. She stepped forward nervously, standing in the middle of the circle. The air went still.
Suddenly, a grimoire with soft grey light hovered toward her slowly and landed in her hands. The crowd clapped. Her mother cried with joy. Her father whispered blessings.
Then came a voice.
"Wait… another one is reacting..."
A gasp echoed through the hall.
From the upper tier of the floating grimoires, one suddenly began spinning wildly. It shimmered more brightly than any before and then shot downward—not toward Kanak, but toward her master Shaurya, who had not even entered the circle.
The grimoire stopped just before him, glowing intensely—then opened on its own, pages flipping in a silent wind.
"By the gods... that child—he's only four!"
"No one under seven has ever awakened before!"
"Is this... a miracle?"
"Or an omen?"
Whispers filled the tower. The mages stepped forward cautiously, inspecting the floating book. Even the Archmage of Solmaria, usually absent from public ceremonies, came forward with eyes wide in disbelief.
"This grimoire," he said in a hushed tone, "is of ancient make... It's not even from our records."
The grimoire finally settled in Shaurya's small hands, its faded grey leather sparking briefly with golden inscriptions before dimming again.
Shaurya looked at it, puzzled, then smiled faintly.
No one knew then... but that day, history changed.
As they returned to Malhan House , the skies grew darker, even though it was still morning. The wind whispered things no one could hear.
In the distant corners of the world, eyes watched—some with curiosity, others with fear.
For a grimoire to choose a child before their seventh birthday…
…meant something ancient had stirred once again.