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.
The buzz of the crowd as it formed around the news board was unmistakable. The excitement that rippled from person to person, the giddy whispers and claims of future success were rife. Pinned to the board was a large sheet of paper that read simply, ‘Magic Knight Exams’. People spent their entire lives thinking that they were preparing themselves for the tests. The failure rate of the applicants was well known but it never stopped people from dreaming. Who wouldn’t? The cloaks of varying colors, the uniforms, the prestige and the respect that were bestowed on them by the public. It was intoxicating and most would be foolish not to take such an opportunity if granted.
All of that said, even amongst the ripples of excitement stood Insajj, her silver hair pulled tight into a braid that dangled in between her shoulder blades. A look of apathy plastered on her face as her haunting eyes studied the writing on the piece of paper. Her jaw clenching and unclenching as if she were forced to consume the vilest plate of garbage ever imagined. The magic knights to her were, how best to describe it, a sore subject. Her grandfather a success within its ranks decades ago at this point and her grandmother even claimed membership to its ranks at one point. Uncles, aunts, cousins, they all could be counted on being a member at one point or another. Even a sister.
“Rhianon, which squad were you in again…” She questioned quietly as her hands pulled at the hem of her half tucked in worn shirt. Dust and dirt clinging to each fold of the fabric as her well worn boots aching for the sweet release of death that was lingered just beyond the horizon. At the moment the coin purse refused to allow her to provide that release that came with it. She had barely enough coin to cover the cost of her room and feed her let alone allow for the purchase of new clothing. That would all change soon enough but not today. The plan was not ready yet and it would be a hassle to deal with anything that may or may not arise from any procurement of funds.
Even amongst the crowd she could hear the soft murmurs of those that had caught sight of the girl as she stood close to the board. It was nothing new, just the typical ‘look at her she is weird looking.’ She heard it all of the time, it was either because she was dressed as she was today looking little better than at the current moment or when she had prey in her sight. It was then that she didn’t want them to take their eyes off of her. Her tongue pressed against the edges of her teeth as others pushed past to get a better view of the board. “Where oh where were you placed again…we will have to have a long talk you and I…” Words whispering out as a mischievousness laced in with itself.
Maria walked threw the streets with a white cloak and a donned hood. She had on a grey dress with a short skirt and white sandals. Over the last couple of days, she had made it a habit of walking up to these boards with the notices about the Magic Knights Exam and looking at the noticed. She wanted to be a knight. She was nervous about the future. She was scared about what the results would mean. Would she be deem strong and become a knight, or would she be deemed a weak and fail to be chosen by a squad.
The streets were not empty but along this board was another person. They were talking, as if somebody was but well, the only person in talking distance was really herself so well to not be rude, Maria spoke up. "Sorry... I don't believe I heard you. Could you repeat that?"
The words cut through her trance causing Insajj to noticeably jump at the mere sound that was uttered. Not because of them simply existing by at the mention of them being directed at her itself. Most people had moved away and left her be. It happened in the past and was still happening today. For some it was her ears, others her clothing choices and yet others it was her eyes. The very eyes that her grandmother would often refer to as ‘daemon touched’. They had just developed over time as she had grown. She could remember them being normal in some of her reflections but over time they darkened into the state they were today. At least that was her own truth, what people heard from her was something else entirely.
“Pardon?” The words falling out of her mouth as she turned to face the source of the question. Standing next to her was a short woman, no short was not descriptive enough to accurately paint the picture here. No, this woman was tiny, something akin to a child as Insajj was easily an entire head and shoulders taller than her. The white fabric of her hood still hiding most of her features but glowing in the sun none the less.
Realizing that the question to repeat herself was directed at herself, one which was further confirmed by the fact that most people had full on retreated away from her, she turned back to the little girl. “Ummm…I was just trying to recollect which squad someone I knew was in…” Her words trailing off as she was unsure of who she was speaking with. Usually when someone addressed her in such a manner things went sideways and fast. It was something that had been drilled into her head as she was growing up.
“Mind me asking what business it may pertain to you?” Eyes scanning the tiny figure that stood next to her. She did not believe she had pissed anyone on the wrong side of a problem. That said she may have been thrown under the cart by Varen for expediency out of a situation that he found himself in at that given moment. Certainly, wouldn’t be the first time and she highly doubted that it would end up being her last either. “You don’t appear to be a guard or a knight…though that has stopped few people in the past from fucking with me…” Her words were not meant to be harsh as her tone was set more in the realm of a quizzical nature. She didn’t feel like fighting at the moment so it was to find out whether or not that she would have to abscond from the situation.
"Oh... so you are one of those weirdos who talk to themselves." Maria gave a light giggle, "My apologizes for cutting in." The girl started to turn to the woman but stopped, as if she was trying to keep her face from being seen. When the question about her not minding her business and mentioning that she was not a guard or knight came up, Maria could not help but laugh. "I could say the same about you. But if you must know. I simply though you to be a normal person who was trying to communicate but I made a wrong assumption." It was a weird thing to bring up guards and knights for such a simple conversation. So the girl lowered her right hand so it hanged over her right leg, ready start the activation of a spell. She was not looking for a fight, but she was not going to be pushed around by some crazy person. [WC 163 (315)] insajj
‘The little one has spunk. Moxy even. Quite amusing.’ Insajj thought to herself as she just kept taking in the person that was standing right next to her. She couldn’t help but feel a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth at the entire situation. It was funny and she needed a good laugh for the day. After all it had begun to be more mundane than she had preferred. There was no new information on anyone that she had on her list. Varen was off doing god knows what and there simply was not enough fucks in the world to make it so that Insajj had any desire to seeking him out. It simply was not worth the effort in the slightest.
“Easy easy. No need to get your hair in a knot.” Insajj said as she took a step back with both of her hands raised in the air. She had no clue if this person was just bluster and full of hot air or if they were actually capable of holding their own in combat. In either case it didn’t matter, the quieter the front the better it was for the mage.
“No need to start reaching for your grimoire. No one here is trying to fight you. Not worth the hassle or any of the headaches that come with it.” Insajj teased in a semi playful tone. “So, unless you are planning on robbing me, right here in the middle of the street in front of everyone, just chill.” If the girl did cool off Insajj would lower her hands but if she didn’t they would remain right where they were. Opposite each other at shoulder level. There was no way she wanted to be confused with somehow who was picking a fight.
“The reason I ask is because one of my ‘friends’ loves to fuck with me whenever I come to town. He makes a point of it to get the local guards to take up my time. Says it is to get a good laugh. He absolutely loves it when he is able to trick a magic knight into playing along as well. Says it is triple points if I am ‘taken in for questioning’.” Insajj sighed. While not inaccurate as to what Varen loved to do, she was omitting the part that he would then use the distraction to go off and perform the job he was actually there to commit. “He likes to ‘make it up to me’ by getting me something to drink afterwards. Fat load of good that does when you are questioned for hours on end. So, it’s nothing personal, just scarred a bit because of that asshole.”
