8 Chapter 8: Diamond Inbound

Marco left his house, and entered Marshall's house and saw the others. Looking around, he noticed the solemn air flowing around the room.

"Take a seat," Marshall looked at Marco and pointed at an empty chair, "Alright, let's not waste time, and tell you guys what I was told. Randall told me some heavy piece of information. He says that, Diamond Kingdom has made some movement in the neutral zone, that means villages in the forsaken zone are susceptible to attacks. Other Magic Knights are posted in forsaken realm villages that are closer to the border of Diamond Kingdom, while some are guarding the noble realm. He asked us for help since, in his eyes we're the most capable combatants in the village, while he's a lone Magic Knight.

Marco, and the others nodded in understanding. Ali sighed and said, "Well, I guess we're gonna have to prepare to a fight with other people." Hans added on, "Also, these are people, are made for fighting, not some random thug in the streets."

Marshall winced, as he heard it. But calmed down as he thought about it. "Well, since Randall asked us for help, we should also ask him for help." Marco muttered, as everyone directly looked at him, urging him to continue speaking with their looks.

"Since we know we're gonna fight with a trained military force, we should ask Randall to help us train, so we could keep up as the village's strongest militia."

"He's right! HAHAHA!" Marshall was amused, and enlightened by Marco idea, as he laughed out loud, it immediately changed the serious air, and made the atmosphere more pleasant. While the others also laughed, and expressed their agreement.

"Oh right, Marco let's head to the Grimoire Tower to see how many years you have to wait. And Hans you meet up with Randall, and tell him what we think." Marshall said, as he looked at Marco, and Hans, telling the team the plan.

"Sounds good." Hans nodded, and got Chris, and Ali to accompany him to meet Randall. While Marco goes with Marshall to the Grimoire Tower close to the village. Soon, they came upon a large cylindrical tower made of stone bricks.

Before they got inside, they were approached by an old man wearing grey robes, with white balding hair. "Greetings, I am Dorsi, the Master of this Grimoire Tower. It's not time for the Grimoire Acceptance Ceremony yet, so what brings you here?" He looked at Marco and Marshall with an inquisitive gaze.

"Sir Dorsi, we came to check his age, and know how many years he has to wait for the ceremony." Marshall explained as he patted Marco's shoulder, introducing him to Dorsi. Meanwhile Marco just nods as he stays silent, observing the tower master, and the grimoire tower.

"Hmm... Alright then," Dorsi's grimoire opened as it floated in front of him, flipping its pages. With a burst of light, he immediately informs them of his findings, "Hmm... according to his physique he is 9 years old, but his physique can already allow him to possess a grimoire."

Confusion was seen on Marshall's face as asked Dorsi, "What does that mean?"

Dorsi sighed as he looked at Marshall deeply, "Do you know why once we turn 15 years old we are eligible to a grimoire? It just means our body can tolerate the change in our soul when we possess a grimoire. And if you miss the ceremony you can request for a grimoire as long as you are 15 years old and above. But this kid can already handle a grimoire... His body is already suited for it." Dorsi looked at Marco weirdly, boggling his mind, and testing his knowledge about magic.

Before he thought about it deeply and go insane, he continued, "You remember your ceremony right? Did you feel a change in you?" He looked at Marshall and asked him about his experience.

Marshall recalled about his experience, "I did feel my mana control increase, and felt my body being energized... that's all I felt."

"Right, those are the normal benefits in receiving a grimoire, though some experience an increase in their mana reserves, but they rarely happen... anyways, the reason your mana control improved is because the influence of the grimoire in our souls, I could explain it to you but I doubt you could understand it. As for your body being energized, its because your soul changed as it harmonized and blended with the grimoire."

"The soul... so that means the body must be developed to contain a soul that has been influenced by a grimoire." Marco muttered, when they Dorsi heard it, he was shocked inwardly, as he tried his best not to widen his eyes.

"...Precisely! Because if the body cannot contain an improved soul, a dissonance with the body will occur... Your pretty smart kid, what's your name?"

"...Marco..."

"Hmm... so just Marco?"

"Oh, uh... Marco Rett" He realizes what Dorsi meant, and immediately thinks of a surname, since this was medieval era, with severe class difference, a surname can also distinguish a person's status.

"Oh? So you had a family name kid?" Marshall looks at Marco with an intrigued look, curious about his family.

Marco just shrugs at Marshall, as he looked at Dorsi, "So does that mean I can get my grimoire?" He asked, since he was very interested in the secrets of magic, and a grimoire is the key to it.

"Hmm... although you can already handle a grimoire, I still have to follow the kingdom's law of 15 years old as the eligible age for a grimoire."

Marco had a thoughtful look on his face as he sighed, "Fine... I guess I'll see you in 6 years old man." He was very hopeful when he heard he can already possess a grimoire, but the disappoint as he was not allowed to.

Dorsi scoffed at Marco remark, and smirked a little, as he was impressed by Marco, a 9 year old kid's mannerism. He observed that he was not as childish as the kids his age, while his companion did not really mind that behavior. With his many years of life experience he already identified Marco as a genius among his peers.

"Heh, I look forward in seeing you too kid."

Soon after Marco, and Marshall left as they headed to find Hans and company.

"So kid, you actually have a family, I'm curious since I didn't notice you wanting to go back to your family." Marshall as he pinched his chin in thought.

"Oh, just made that up."

"I see... wait, what?! why?" Marshall looked cynical, as he asked for Marco's intent. "Hmm... dunno just felt right." Marco replied lackadaisically, receiving a an incredulous gaze from Marshall.

"Whatever... Let's just go find our lone guardian." Marshall said as they headed for Kelly's tavern expecting to meet Randall, and the others there.