In this world, Magic is Everything. All people, all races, are granted with the power to perform mystical and magical feats via grimories, mystical tomes granted to each and every child on their 15th birthday. Those blessed by the mana can have their names written down in legend.
Shattered Grimoires is the work of the mind(s) of Ardere & Shattered Grimoire's staff. All characters and content are copyright their creators, and may not be replicated without their creators' permission. Black Clover is owned by Yuki Tabata and published by Viz Shonen Jump. All images belong to their original owners. The theme you are currently viewing was made by Eliza of ElizaCodes exclusively for Shattered Grimoires.
Artemis had not been here for a while. Truth be told, she had had no reason to leave the Green Mantis base for a few days now. The paperwork that seemed to swamp her desk had been piling up, since the previous Vice Captain had disappeared. Artemis knew that it must have something to do with the event that had happened in the Witches’ Forest. The Captain and Vice Captain had been there, and only the Captain had actually returned. Of course, there was no official statement, though Artemis was sure it was classified. At the end of the day, nobody batted an eye. None of the members really cared for the previous Vice Captain, and the Magic Knights as a whole really did not give it too much of a thought. So she let it go, and instead took to doing the work that had been left behind by the previous Vice Captain.[break][break]
The demon skull, a centerpiece of Hage, had been towering the place for years. Artemis started her way up, remembering the last time she had been here. It was the day when she had found herself face to face with Alexander, the once thief now turned Magic Knight of the Green Mantis. He had potential, and Artemis made sure to direct the young man towards a better future, a better life.[break][break]
As she made her way up, she noticed another mana signature. She gave it no thought, however. The top of the demon skull was empty as per usual, and the mana signature was below her. Maybe it was a passer by, or a random farmer. Artemis sighed, and closed her eyes, letting herself go as a light breeze swept around her. She could feel the fresh air, and the latent mana that surrounded the area. She felt safe here, at peace. [break][break]
Them, she would sense the mana signature approaching. Though, from what she sensed, the person harboured no ill intent. She would wait it out, and greet the person. It was the polite thing to do, after all.
Post by Alexander Valentine on Jul 9, 2020 11:11:35 GMT -5
Hage, one of the many villages out in the forsaken region that many call their home. Known for its various foods that have a rather ‘unique’ taste when cooked, the town that has a legend of legendary heroes that were supposedly born in it and home to the Green Mantises, and the ever present giant demon skull that is a large focal point of the town. A rather good list of things, would anyone agree?
Alexander didn't care much about those either way, he found a place of work that was near his home and he has a new long term gig that involves getting into whatever business the magic knights get into these days. It felt like a few months ago that he got caught and scouted by a magic knight. Time seems to go by fast these days or perhaps that's just him finally having something to do with his time besides bumming around and traveling around the kingdom and getting his arse kicked. Now he can get his arse kicked by some strong mages and learn a thing or two from them.
He walked around the town with his new clothes as he bought himself some bread and dried meat as he figured he may as well check out the usual places once again. Tasting the food, introducing himself to the residents, punching a few troublemakers, the works were given. One of the stops was of course the huge demon skull which is the perfect place to take naps on days like this.
After finishing his meal, he started to walk towards the skull at the center of Hage. He felt someone else was there but he can only guess a few who would come up to enjoy the view. As he made his way up the skill, in the distance he could see someone familiar. Alexander was someone familiar with the figure in question as it was the Vice Captain of the Green Mantis. He kept his cool as he didn't have any stolen food on him. As he made his way up as he would go up to greet her in his usual matter.
“Fancy seeing you up here again, Vice Captain.” , he raise his hand up to faux salute to her as he sat on the ground to enjoy the forest breeze that was coming in.
Artemis would nod at the young man, turning her attention towards the view once more. The last she had been here was when she had invited this particular young man to join the Magic Knights Exam. Of course, that had been quite a bit ago, and she had yet to complete her Vice Captain’s Exam then. The Captain, Barron “Hannibal” Castle, had only had thought of her as the one of the most prominent Green Mantises then. There were others, she was sure, that the man had been eyeing to take the mantle of Vice Captain. Yet, it was Artemis who prevailed in the end. She was sure that with her power surge the past few months, no other Green Mantis save the Captain himself could equate her in terms of power levels.[break][break]
She would shake her head then.[break][break]
“Vice Captain, hm?” Artemis would whisper, turning towards the young man, “I was not a Vice Captain then, when we had first met.” She had been a Senior ranked Magic Knight, one of the more prominent, but had little to show for in terms of titles. “And you were yet wearing the Green Mantis Magic Knights Mantle back then.”[break][break]
She let a silence come over them. There was a light breeze, soothing to the skin, and created a comfortable environment. It had been awhile since she had time to just sit like this. And truly, she enjoyed her down times, even though they were few and far between.[break][break]
“Tell me, how does it feel to be a Magic Knight?” She would finally ask, “To wear the mantle of the Green Mantis is no small feat, especially since there were quite a few examinees that did not get an offer from the Captains.” While countless took the Magic Knights Exams, only a handful were actually selected, and they were seen as the more talented ones of the group. Artemis herself had been an examinee once upon a time, though with more competitive nobles around her since she had taken it in the Noble Region. “A change, I would think, hm?”
Post by Alexander Valentine on Jul 13, 2020 11:53:40 GMT -5
Of course the lady who stood up at the Demon Skull was his superior and the person who got him into the whole magic knight deal, Artemis. It feels so different from the first time he met her on the same spot, a lot of things can change in a matter of months. She held the same noble aura from the day they met and many things feel the same yet different. She was of course the one to respond as she started to recall their first meeting. Or perhaps one could say her recruited him into her Magic Knight Squad.
A silence then fell as both came to admire the scenery around them as he he would looked out to Hage with a smile on his face. He stretched his arms into the air before answering his vice captains question. Tough question to spring onto someone like Alexander, who was more or less joined the knight squads for the money and thrill. But he gave it some thought as he looked at his mantle before giving a proper response.
“To tell you the truth? Its a welcome addition to my wardrobe”, He’d finally answer as he closed his eyes for a moment. “It feels nice to wear it, its comfy and made of material that one would normally wear back in my old hometown. But it feels different despite that, I can’t tell you what it feels like since I have yet to understand the meaning behind wearing this mantle.”, he opened his eyes as he explained. ” … But I do feel that wearing it does carry a certain responsibility I have to uphold to the people who choose me ala the Green Mantis.” he finished with as he took out some boar meat fried in berries and fat, a rather delicatble snack that he learned while he was a kid. Before he took a bite of the succulent snack he simply looked at Artemis. “Does that answer suffice, Vice Captain or do I have to work on my delivery?”, he ask as he offered some of his snack to her.
Artemis would nod. Of course, the Magic Knights Mantle, once accepted and worn, came with the responsibilities and duties. Being a Magic Knight was never just for show. Missions were often the most prominent duty of a Magic Knight, to respond to the call when it is needed by the citizens of the Clover Kingdom. There was also the dungeons that Magic Knights were often sent to delve into and discover its secrets. Finally, the Magic Knights were also the protectors of the Clover Kingdom from outside forces. Whether they be natural, human, or supernatural. A Magic Knight was expected to be the first to respond, and the last to leave. [break][break]
“I suppose the responsibility is something one must get used to.” She herself had gotten used to it pretty quick. The deaths that she had seen during her first year as a Magic Knight, of those who were not prepared at all for the dangers, had been an eye opener. “But in the end, the rewards are great for those who persevere.” There were a few perks of being a Magic Knight, and truly, those who live to retire live very good lives.[break][break]
“I saw your performance during the Exam. I was surprised that you had not asked for a Captain or Vice Captain to spar against you.” Artemis would turn towards the young man, “I would have been delighted to test out your capabilities.” The only call to action she had during that time was defending the Captain’s stand against projectiles of some sort. “But as it stands, you have definitely caught the attention of some of the other squads.” She remembered the results, and the offers. “Of all those who offered, why the Green Mantis?” It was a legitimate question. After all, they had been offered by both the Golden Dawn and the Crimson Lions a spot. It was not often that those offers were rejected, especially in favour of the Green Mantis.
Post by Alexander Valentine on Jul 14, 2020 0:30:28 GMT -5
As Artemis responded in turn, his mind began to think about his life before now. The life of a wanderer who traveled place to place and living off the land. No responsibility or sense of belonging due to his possession of a grimoire. One wonders why he didn't turn to a life of crime but it was thankful he didnt as he became rather relaxed in his lifestyle. Eating cheap food and sleeping in whatever was comfortable and getting into various fights for nothing more than money was a lifestyle but it was rather unfulfilling. Being caught my the Vice Captain in this same place was perhaps a call to action that helped get his life in order. It was safe to assume as he recalled the numerous nights in which he trained his spells before the exam and how much blood sweat and tears. It was liberating to say the least.
“Eh, responsibility keeps me busy and the position doesnt seem much different from when I was a wanderer”, He replied as his eyes swept across the landscape to admire the view once again as he wanted to feel the breeze flow through his hair.
He listened to Artemis praise him for his performance during the exams and was quite surprised that he had not challenged any of the vice captains or captains at the time. He sighed as he recalls why he didn't do it quite vividly, “ Well I wanted to but before I went up, I had my spells stolen by a thief who surprisingly had some of your spells from what I was told...then I got my arse royally kicked”, a agitated expression showed on his face for a moment before he calmed himself . Artemis would then ask why he chose the Green Mantises of all choices, from what he heard from the other mages around him the Golden Dawn and Crimson Lions were rather renowned for their reputation. He recalled receiving a few requests for his joining as many of them liked his performance.At the time he gave it not much thought as he despised joining something solely for their prestige. They’re good but being a good fit is a completely different thing as he doesnt know jack squat about them aside from words of mouth.
“I joined the Green Mantis’s because you were the first one to ask….which would be the simple response”, he opened up with. “Given my lineage I wouldn't be a very good fit for Golden Dawn or Crimson Lions. Not really a refined one nor am I soldier type. I chose the Green Mantis’s because you caught me and was rather adamant in changing my ways from what I recall.”, memories of their meeting were quite vivid. “You were the first to present an opportunity to change my life and I responded in turn. Simple as that”
Artemis would nod at the young man’s response. It seems that she had been right after all. At least, it seems that her predictions had been correct. Artemis had seen the young man, and while she had not been sure whether he had what it took to become a Magic Knight, it was always an opportunity presented. Artemis saw in the man a chance to be better, to rise up from whatever he had been, and therefore to be better. Every single person in the Clover Kingdom should at least be given that chance, merit above everything else. [break][break] “Well, I’m glad I was the first one who was able to recruit you.” She would reply now, her gaze still focused on the horizon. It reminded her of the freedom that she envisioned for herself. As the Lady of the Somerset Family, and it’s Head of House, she knew that she would know little freedom after she retired from the Magic Knights. “Though…”[break][break]
Artemis would turn back to Alexander now. “The thief aside, I would like to offer you a chance for that missed spar.” She started. It seems as though she has been testing each and every single member of the Green Mantis recently, mostly through the spars. “It has been awhile since I had been able to use my old spells, though it seems to have been dusted off recently.” She mused, thinking of the spar against Fuu. “So, what say you?”[break][break]
It would be good to actually be able to gauge the young man. After all, it was good to be able to know just where your members are in terms of power and skill.
Post by Alexander Valentine on Jul 20, 2020 23:14:55 GMT -5
Alexander was rather shocked that he wasn't the one to suggest the spar against his Vice Captain. But the expression for shock turned to a somewhat excited expression as he turned to Artemis. “Here I thought i was going to ask first...I'm about as ready to see how I'm going to see how I get walloped by ya. ”, responding almost jovially as he dusted himself off.
The day was perfect for many activities as the weather was calm and the sun was still out and sparring was one such thing. He cracked his neck as he loosened up as he checked his boots. “Feel free to let loose and see what you can remember, I'm not in position to impose any rulesets for a friendly spar”, standing up as he looked around for a good clearing to walk to.
“Though you may wanna try and use different spells since I ran into someone else at the exams who told me some interesting info...something about taking some spells from you if I recall”, he remembered the thief who took his spells and proceeded to wipe the floor with him.
Those water spells were rather dangerous and fierce to say the least. It wasn't maddening but boy does he want some payback against that girl one of these days for doing that. As he walked he had a few ideas ready and how to take her on, but it was entirely a gamble whether or not he could actually land a hit. But nonetheless, he took a ready stance and waited for her response.
Artemis smirked as she remembered the young woman who had been cursing herself for not having spells. She had hoped that by giving the woman her spells, she would be able to showcase her skills, and not need to try and grab somebody else’s. Stealing, while criminal, is hard to be charged when they were spells that were being robbed. They were, after all, not a tangible property. While Green Mantis was known to take in reformed criminals and delinquents, it was not actively looking for members with criminal behaviour. It had been distasteful to see a Magic Knight hopeful to be taking advantage of the situation and trying to take another’s spell. At the end of the day, it was not a behaviour that the Green Mantis wanted. Reformed was the key word, not active. [break][break]
“Not here.” [break][break]
The woman dusted herself off, before pointing towards the Green Mantis base, though around the outskirts just by the forest. [break][break] “There is a clearing just beside the Green Mantis Headquarters. It is large enough to give us room.” Artemis would then leap down and land softly onto the foot of the skull. “I’ll meet you there in fifteen minutes.” [break][break]
That should be enough for the young man to prepare himself, and for Artemis to stop by the base to pre-order her after-spar cheesecake. It needed to be properly prepped and made, after all. Nothing frozen for the young woman.
