Chapter Text
Loid Forger aka Twilight, the kingdom of Westalis’ greatest spy is now a retired father of two living out the rest of his days, peacefully in the Clover Kingdom. Well, he is a bit too young to retire, but he is no longer a spy for the agency known as WISE, though he still kept in touch in case there was any kind of emergency. But for the most part Twilight or Loid as he was now known was free to live out the rest of his days in peace with his family. His son, Gael had just turned 6 and his daughter Anya was now 15 years old and would soon receive her grimoire. Although Yor seemed to be more excited than Anya was. Loid’s days turned from stressful to carefree in what seemed like the blink of an eye… until.
It was a summons from WISE, as Yor, Loid, Anya and Gael were on their way to the grimoire tower for the ceremony where Anya would receive her grimoire Loid noticed the summons on a tree as they passed by. Shocked and a bit frustrated, Loid quickly made up an excuse to leave.
“URK! I suddenly have a horrible stomach ache… I’m so sorry, Anya, I don't think I can accompany you to the ceremony…”
Anya turned around, a disappointment expression on her face that suddenly turned to a sad, but reassuring smile. A smile that tugged at Loid’s heartstrings making it impossible for him to look Anya in the eyes.
“Oh no! It was the breakfast I made, wasn’t it?! I can’t believe after all these years I still can’t make a decent breakfast. I’m a failure as a wife…” Yor said, staring at the ground and twiddling her thumbs as she sniffled.
“No, Yor I assure you it wasn’t your breakfast and you are far from a failure! I’m truly sorry, I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
After apologizing a few more times Loid ran off to find one of the secret passages leading to HQ that had been untouched for years. He approached the handlers desk, she was sitting with her legs and arms crossed, wearing that same floppy hat she’d always wear.
“Agent Twilight, I apologize for summoning you out of the blue like this. Especially since you decided to retire, but I’m afraid this is an emergency.” Sylvia said, standing from her chair and picking up a file from her desk and handing it to Loid. Loid’s expression of disappointment quickly turned to concern as he skimmed through the file.
“Relations between Clover and Westalis are worsening and with radicals advocating for a war the ice might just break. Your target is the leader of the national unity party, Donovan Desmond. Peace between Westalis and Clover hangs in the balance and he is a threat to that peace.”
“And you want me to make contact with this target and figure out exactly what’s going on?”
“Precisely, but that’s easier said than done. Desmond is an extremely cautious man and rarely goes outside. He only ever attends meetings and awards ceremonies held by the wizard king and even then it’s still quite rare.”
“So what do you want me to do?”
“Your daughter, Anya, she just turned 15, yes?”
“Yes, but what does that have to do with..” Before Loid could finish his sentence, Sylvia cut him off.
“I’m sorry to ask this of you, but we’d like your daughter to become a magic knight and preferably make it into Desmond’s squad, the Imperial Stellas.” As the words left her mouth, Loid’s face tensed up. “Twilight, I know what you’re thinking but it’d be more practical to have Anya become a magic knight. You have a wife and son to take care of after all and I’m sure they’d get suspicious if you decided to become a magic knight out of the blue, especially at your age.”
“I’m not getting Anya involved in this mission!” Loid snapped before catching his tongue and composing himself.
“Twilight, this is imperative to Operation Strix, peace hangs in the balance.”
Conflicted, Loid turned to leave but stopped when he saw Nightfall standing in front of him, a look of disappointment on her face. “Family life seems to have made you soft, Twilight.” She said, Loid looked away, avoiding eye contact.
“It’s a shame you see me that way, Nightfall.” Loid said as he walked past her, she glared daggers into his back until he was out of sight.
——————
“I welcome you to the ceremony young ones, I am the master of this grimoire tower. Today you will be granted faith, hope and love, I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Maybe one of you will even become the wizard king!…NO, SERIOUSLY!! Shouted an old man with a long white beard, sitting on a flying carpet. There were grimoires covering the entire tower, walls and walls filled with them as everyone looked in awe. The room was packed with 15 year olds from all the nearest towns and even some from the boonies.
(“Wow, look at all those grimoires!”)
(“I wonder which one I’m gonna get.”)
(“Look at those two, they look so poor.”)
( “I can’t believe they’re letting those peasants get grimoires.” )
(“Just being in the same room with them makes me sick…”)
Anya’s head started to spin as everyone’s thoughts flooded into her head, her nose starting to bleed a bit. Anya wiped her nose with a handkerchief as she looked around and spotted two boys. One was tall with messy black hair while the other was short and with white hair and a noticeable cowlick.
(Those are the boys everyone is thinking mean things about…) Anya thought to herself, but before she could finish her thought…
“And now… the awarding of the grimoires!” The old man said as hundreds of grimoires floated off the shelves of the giant tower. Each a different shape, size and color with unique patterns and designs. They floated slowly down to their wielders, a bright aura shining around them. Anya watched in awe as her grimoire floated into the palm of her hands. The book was a nice pastel pink, just a bit lighter than her hair with a gold border and gold colored patterns on the cover shaped like tree branches and what looked like a fancy peanut was on the back. It was a three leaf clover grimoire which made Anya sigh in disappointment. Though she wasn’t expecting much she still had a bit of hope that she’d receive a four leaf like her father.
She could see Yor and Gael standing in the back waving to her with bright smiles. She gave them a small smile and waved back, everything seemed to be going well until…
“UM… my grimoire isn’t coming?!” Said the short boy Anya noticed before. He was kneeling with his arms outstretched to either side of him, eyes widened in disbelief.
The old man looked at him for a second before responding… “Uh… try again next year.”
“WHAAAAAAT??!!??!!” He screamed as the entire tower erupted into laughter, mocking the already distraught boy.
“I can’t believe it! This is too funny!”
“It’s actually amazing!”
The boy stood there frozen in place as the crowd laughed at him which left a bad taste in Anya’s mouth. They continued to laugh until a blindingly bright light shined from the middle of the room. It came from the boy with the black hair, a four leaf grimoire floated in front of him, lighting up the whole room. Everyone looked at the boy in awe as he grabbed the book and whipped around.
“I will become the wizard king.” He said in a nonchalant tone that even impressed Anya. The crowd cheered him on while a few looked on in disbelief that a peasant was chosen by the four leaf grimoire. They once again fell silent when the smaller boy raised his voice.
“YUNO!!” He shouted, looking determined. “I’ll catch up to you soon enough, just you wait! After all… I’M YOUR RIVAL!!” The taller boy looked surprised for a moment before his face fell to a frown and everyone began laughing again.
“You? His rival? Give me a break!”
“You didn’t even get a grimoire! Talk about clueless…”
The boy called Yuno just turned and walked past him.
“There’s no way…” he said to himself. The smaller boy hung his head in shock as he heard those words.
“Yuno…?”
(“There’s no way Asta wasn’t chosen…”) Anya heard Yuno think to himself as he walked off and her eyes widened.
“Did he misunderstand him?” Anya asked herself.
“Big sis!” Gael beamed as he ran up to Anya. “What kind of spells are on your grimoire?! I wanna see, I wanna see!”
“Huh, there’s nothing really in here yet, I guess I have to learn some new spells.”
“Awww…” Gael pouted.
“Oh, how exciting! You finally have your grimoire Anya! I’m so proud of you!” Yor said, clasping her hands together and giving Anya a sweet smile.
Anya, Yor and Gael left the tower and made their way back home as the sun retired for the day. Anya found herself thinking about those two boys from the grimoire tower, Yuno and Asta, she wondered if she’d see them again. They’re from the boonies so probably not, she was so lost in thought she didn’t even notice that they’d run into Loid on their way home. She kept walking until Loid grabbed her shoulder, startling her.
“AHH!” She screamed and turned around slowly, embarrassed by her sudden outburst.
“Papa! Where did you come from?” She asked.
Yor and Loid looked at each other with a bit of concern and then back at Anya.
“Is everything okay, Anya? It seems like you’ve got something on your mind.” Yor asked, a look of worry on her face.
“I’m fine mama, just a little tired.”
“Then I guess we can talk about what you’d like to do in the future tomorrow since you have your grimoire now.” Yor suggested, a big smile on her face.
“Eh… Anya doesn’t wanna think about that…” Anya looked at Loid, debating on whether she should read his mind.
(It’s been a while since papa used the stomachache excuse, is he doing spy stuff again? Maybe I can help him now that I’m older! I will read papa’s mind just this once, it’s for world peace!) (Potentially)
(“That’s right, Anya should be the one deciding what she’ll do now. I can’t force her to be a magic knight for this mission, I’ll find another way to make contact with Desmond. I doubt the Imperial Stellas would accept her anyway, her magic attribute isn’t very well suited for combat and I wouldn’t want her out on the battlefield regardless.)
(A MAGIC KNIGHT?! If I become a magic knight… it’ll help papa and his mission?)
“Actually, mama, I think I know what I wanna do!” Anya blurted out.
“Oh really? That’s wonderful, darling! What is it that you have your heart set on?”
“I wanna be a magic knight! So I can help protect this kingdom!”
“HUH?!” Loid and Yor exclaimed.
(What? She wants to be a magic knight? Why? She’s never mentioned it before. I’m not sure how I feel about this…) Loid thought to himself.
“A-Anya… are you sure, it’s quite a dangerous profession…” Yor said in a shaky voice.
“Why don’t we talk about this in the morning, it’s getting pretty late. Let’s head home.” Loid suggested.
After they arrived home Yor put Gael to bed while Anya made herself a cup of hot cocoa and Loid locked himself up in his office. Anya sat next to her window, curled up in a fluffy white blanket as she sipped her hot cocoa. It started raining not too long ago and Anya watched as the raindrops hit the window pane and slid out of view.
(I read papa’s mind a bit more after he locked himself in his office. I know all the details of his mission now and it makes me want to help out even more! But I don’t want to worry him and mama… but it’s for world peace so… Anya debated in her mind a bit more before deciding to settle into bed for the night.)
As his family laid fast asleep in their beds, Loid still sat slumped over his desk, thinking about what Anya said as hundreds of scenarios played out in his mind.
(The old me, Twilight, would probably be happy about this turn of events. Anya wants to be a magic knight, there’s no convincing needed, but I don’t want her to. But who am I to deny her dream? If it’s really what she wants to do then what right do I have to stop her? I’m not even her real father… No, Loid you shouldn’t think like that. Besides, if Anya doesn’t make it in then you have nothing to worry about… that’s right, I can just hope for that.)
The next morning Loid woke up later than usual due to staying up so late last night. He left the bedroom to find their little house completely empty, he checked Anya and Gael’s rooms to see if they were still asleep but they were nowhere in sight. Then suddenly…
CRASH!!
Loid tensed up for a moment before whipping around to face the back door… it came from outside. Loid only took a second to run through all the possibilities in his head as he ran out the back door to meet an unexpected sight.
“You’re finally awake, papa!” Anya said, her hair was tied up into a bun and she held a wooden sword in her hand. Yor was kneeling next to a fallen tree, begging for its forgiveness while Gael watched on the sidelines.
“Uh… Anya, what are you doing?” Loid asked.
“C’mon, papa isn’t it obvious? I’m training! I won’t be able to pass the exam if I don’t!”
“You’re really serious about this…?”
“Of course I am!” Anya retorted with a pouty expression.
“Oh, Loid! Good morning.” Yor greeted as she walked over to them. “Since Anya’s magic isn’t suited for combat I offered to train her so she’ll at least be able to defend herself! Although… I might have been a bit too rough… I’m sorry Mr. Tree..”
“Mama, I want to train too!” Gael exclaimed.
“Huh? Oh… um maybe when you’re a bit older…”
“No fair…”
(She’s really serious about this… then… I should support her.)
Anya looked at Loid and gave him a smug smile. “Heh.”
“What are you looking so smug for?”
“Heh heh heh, no reason…”
(Sometimes I wonder what goes on in that girl's head.)
“Heh heh heh…”
Loid gave her a look of concern before her and Yor continued sparring.
(I can’t help but feel anxious over this…)
——————
Six months passed and it was almost time for the magic knights entrance exam. Anya was dressed in a rosewood turtleneck sweater and a skirt patterned with peanuts that fell just above her knees. Beige thigh high socks with brown laced boots and black fingerless gloves. Her grimoire was strapped around her waist in a salmon colored bag and she had a short sword in a similar colored sheath strapped on her back.
“Oh, Anya! I’m so proud of you!” Yor said as she started to tear up, both her hands covering her mouth.
“Mama, you don’t have to cry.”
“I’m sorry, I just can’t help…” She blubbered through tears.
“Don’t start crying if you fail, big sis.”
“I’m not gonna fail!” Anya hissed back.
Loid walked over to Anya and gave her a quick pat on the head.
“Do your best, Anya.”
“I will! Thanks, papa.” Anya smiled brightly before turning to leave, she waved at them before turning back and running off. “Bye mama, papa, Gael!” They waved back as she ran down the street, on her way to the royal capital.
There were people everywhere, crowding the streets and cheering on the future magic knights as they made their way to the stadium. There are hundreds of examinees waiting for the exam to begin, chatting amongst themselves and running from anti birds. The less mana you had the more the little pests would flock to you, luckily for Anya only one or two seemed to be following her around. Annoyed, she swatted them away before hearing a familiar scream.
“AARRGGHH!!! What’s up with these stupid birds!??!” Asta shouted as he ran around, the birds pecking at his head and pinching his face.
(Huh, it’s that boy from the grimoire ceremony… What's he doing here? I thought he didn’t receive a grimoire… ugh, everyone’s laughing at him again…)
“Whoa, look at that guy! There are no birds around him at all!” The crowd looked on in awe. It was the other boy, Yuno, he was standing there looking as cool as ever, not a bird in sight.
(Ehh… it must be nice being so cool…)
As Asta ran and flailed around, trying to get the birds off of him he ran into the chest of a tall, muscular man. The birds around him suddenly flew away in a hurry as if they were frightened. They exchanged a few words that Anya couldn’t hear and the man suddenly grabbed Asta by the head and began squeezing his skull.
(WHAT IS HE DOING??!) Anya’s mouth was wide open as if it were going to hit the floor.
“Woah, that’s the lord of destruction and the captain of the Black Bulls, Yami Sukehiro!” An examinee shouted out.
“Jeez, I’d hate to be in his squad.” Another said under their breath.
(Black Bulls? So he’s a captain? How scary…) Anya thought to herself and then…
“Thank you for waiting, invited examinees.” A voice said from above as 8 people stepped into view, they were the magic knights squad captains. Each donned in the robes of their respective squads, The Blue Rose Kights, Crimson Lion Kings, Silver Eagles, Aqua Deer, Green Praying Mantis’, Coral Peacocks, Purple Orcas, Imperial Stellas and the captain of the black bulls who was making his way up to sit with the other captains. Then out came the 9th and final captain, the captain of the Golden Dawn, Willam Vangeance. The man who is said to be the one closest to becoming the Wizard King. Everyone looked at all the captains in awe as they sat down, each with a member of their squad standing behind them. Anya turned to look at Asta and Yuno who had determined looks on their faces as they watched captain Vangeance speak.
(He’s got a weird mask…)
Anya had no interest in becoming the wizard, but she did have a goal and that was to impress the captain of the Imperial Stellas so he’d let her join his squad. She turned to look up at him, it was an old man with a long pointy white beard and monocle on his right eye.
“It seems neither the captain nor the vice captain of the Imperial Stellas could make it here today so a trustworthy member was sent in their place.” Vangeance explained.
(So that’s not papa’s target? I guess I should have expected that…)
“Magic tree, descend.” Vangeance called out as he opened his grimoire, the sky began to turn dark and swirl with dark clouds as a giant tree grew from the sky. The ends of the roots formed into brooms as the tree descended right into the hands of each contestant. “We shall now begin the magic knights entrance exam.” He announced as he shut his grimoire.
“As you go through these tests the ten captains here will be judging you to determine who we want in our squads. If you are not chosen you are deemed to lack the skills to be a magic knight. The first test is to fly using those broomsticks.” Vangeance explained as a quick demonstration was shown. “If you can’t fly on a broom you have no future here.”
Anya’s hands started to sweat and tremble as she gripped the broom in her hand.
(Come on, Anya, you can do this. Papa helped you practice and everything!)
The other examinees either struggled to get off the ground and flipped upside down on their brooms or flew high into the sky with ease. Anya took a deep breath before getting on the broom and floating up into the air slowly. She flew higher and higher while hunched over her broom, trying not to shake and sway side to side. After getting to a comfortable height she straightened her back and took a look at her surroundings. Unsurprisingly, Yuno was as impressive as ever, he was standing on his broom while flying all over the place. Not even faltering for a moment, her attention snapped to the ground when she heard laughter once again.
It was Asta… again… The other examinees were laughing as Asta struggled to get off the ground. He grunted and trembled not moving an inch, Anya sighed and continued to focus on staying upright. The next few tests were more combat focused, so there wasn’t too much Anya could show for herself, looks like this would be a long exam for the both of them.