Unwan stepped inside. The surroundings weren't exactly opulent, but they were certainly a cut above the ordinary. These were not the grand corridors of a royal palace, of course, but the assembly hall leading to the library's restricted vaults where the ancient grimoires were kept.
The room appeared perfectly square. Since windows were a structural impossibility in this deep section, candles flickered along the walls, their glow resisting the daylight left behind. Directly across from the entrance stood another door, preceded by three or four shallow, almost imperceptible steps set a few meters back.
Unwan scanned the room quietly before taking his place in a corner near the entrance. A crowd had already gathered. Students stood with their teacher, while a few plainly dressed teenagers huddled together, whispering. Others simply waited in silence, their eyes fixed on the far door.
'Who are they waiting for? For that matter... where am I supposed to go?'
As these thoughts drifted through Unwan's mind, he found himself inadvertently eavesdropping on a nearby conversation.
"Fred, what are you going to do if you fail to claim a grimoire again?" one of them asked. "This is your sixth attempt, isn't it?"
Fred's voice was laced with bitterness.
— I don't know. My father said if I strike out this time, he's sending me to the blacksmith to learn manual labor. This damn grimoire just won't manifest. My parents think I'm a idiot, they say the reason I can't claim one is because I'm not 'spiritually mature' enough.
"Maybe they're right," another joked.
— Keep your mouth shut! Look, if I don't get one today, I'm turning to the streets. I'll do what I have to do.
— You mean theft? How?
— If I can just get my hands on someone else's grimoire, I'll tell my old man it's mine. I'll pose as some monster-hunting mercenary and spend my days loafing around with you lot. If he ever asks me to show off its power, I'll just make excuses – tell him I'm exhausted or my spiritual energy is depleted.
His two friends fell silent for a moment.
— Fine, but how do you plan to find a target? You can't exactly fight someone who possesses spells.
— Yeah, but the moment someone receives their first grimoire, they have no idea how to use it. That's my opening. And...
Fred's eyes shifted toward Unwan, and his voice dropped to a low, predatory hiss.
— ...if that kid over there gets one, we'll jump him the moment he steps out. Whether I get lucky or not, if he gets lucky, the prize is mine.
Unwan kept his expression neutral, but a storm of unease surged within him. Fred was physically imposing; even without grimoire, he looked like he could easily overpower someone of Unwan's stature. To make matters worse, he had two cronies backing him up. Unwan's options were thinning. His best hope was that his employment request would be accepted, allowing him to stay within the safety of the library.
At that moment, an elderly man emerged from the far door. He was short, bald, and clean-shaven, wearing a long, flowing robe that Unwan found peculiar. Clutching a small, folded piece of parchment, he scanned the room with a wide, welcoming smile.
— Ah, greetings! Ladies and gentlemen, brilliant boys and charming girls. It warms my heart to see you all in such a magnificent place today.
'Is all this formality really necessary?'
— Oh, where are my manners? I have forgotten to introduce myself. I am Mr. Derang, the overseer of that library – the Greater Spell Library, one of the five Great Libraries of this world.
'So if I receive a grimoire, will it be because of you too?'
Derang studied the children for a moment before continuing.
"I can see the fire in your eyes. You are all eager to claim powerful grimoires. Do not fret; the books aren't going anywhere," he said with a chuckle. "But before we begin, I must outline the proceedings."
He unfolded the parchment and began to read aloud.
— First, we must understand the nature of the grimoires. You may have covered this in school, but a brief refresher never hurts.
He glanced at his notes and spoke with practiced clarity.
— As we know, grimoires are categorized into five distinct tiers. Let us start with first tier. These are the most common and versatile. There are six types in this category: the five Grimoires of Elements – Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, and Lightning, and finally, the Grimoire of Mechanics, which we use to power our daily lives.
Unwan thought of the Mechanical guardian he had seen earlier. 'If that's just the first tier, what kind of power lies in the fifth?'
— Tier 2 consists of two specialized types. The Grimoire of Life and the Grimoire of Space. The Grimoire of Life allows one to summon and command living creatures, ranging from tiny insects to massive beasts. The Grimoire of Space, however, is a bit of a tragic case. While its potential is breathtaking, the impossibility of truly 'controlling' the cosmos limits its users. Most who possess it are relegated to the art of 'Star Prophecy'.
'And the third tier?'
— 3-tier is reserved solely for the Grimoire of Objects. It is not about simply moving objects, but rather the ability to transmute and edit physical substances. Obtaining one is exceptionally rare. Should you join the Cohorts in the future, possessing this grimoire will ensure you are the center of attention.
Unwan was impressed.
'Even a third-tier can be that remarkable?'
— Now, we approach the pinnacle. 4-tier is the Grimoire of Elements. This is one of the rarest sights in the world. It is, quite literally, the fusion of the five basic elements. It allows the wielder to command Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, Lightning and even Ice simultaneously. Yes, you guessed it, our first King, Rendi Won Andel, was a master of the Grimoire of Elements.
'I knew it, I recognized the pentagram symbol on his grimoire.
"And finally," Derang's voice lowered with reverence, "the Fifth Tier. Only a handful of individuals in history have ever reached this height. They are split into two categories: the Grimoire of Infinity and the Grimoire of Time."