The discovery of your magic was both a happy high and a somber low. Your mother and father were filled with joy at the prospect of you having magic, but such a strange and rare one like gravity. Gravity was always a possible concept for magic at least in recorded history but according to your mother, no one in the Clover Kingdom had possessed it for quite some time. The subtle thrill of having better magic than others simply due to rareness created an interesting feeling in your chest that did battle with the low. The people associated with your parents suddenly grew at the prospect of rare magic. Family friends seem to always be around when the prospect of something interesting is presented. Your (E/c) could only watch over the next few years as your family seemingly grew more and more relevant. The architecture business exploded as your family grew past the need to remodel entryways for old commoner homes as nobles in the nearby realm began requesting new gardens and statues to flaunt. Thus, at the age of thirteen, your father began his monthly trips into the noble realm and royal capital to establish future projects. 

The extra yul was always lovely but you didn't much care for a nicer pair of shoes or an extra bookshelf for your growing collection of books, you much more cared for your family and in particular, Alienor. The young fifteen-year-old took a trip to a nearby grimoire tower as soon as she was able and you were the first one awaiting her family as they returned in the low light of the evening. Her face could have lit the evening itself at how excited she was at the prospect of her grimoire and of course you were the first one beside her family that saw it. It was a simple little thing, a white book with golden accents along the spine of the novel. It was a rather thin book but seemed to hold potential, at least in Alienor's words. The prominent golden three-leafed clover shone in the limited light and brought a question to your mind. What would your grimoire look like... Or better yet, did you even really need a grimoire? You could control gravity and a few extra pages of spells didn't seem necessary at least in your mind. Alienor hastily requested permission to stay the night at your home before showing off her grimoire to your mother. The way her face lit up in excitement for the pale pink-haired girl warmed your heart. Alienor took a hold of your fingers and pulled you upstairs toward your room as your mother prepared arrangements for dinner.

Allie: I can't believe this!

(Y/n): What?

Allie: I have a grimoire! It sounds so surreal... The sky is the limit now!

(Y/n): Eh, if you asked nicely I could control that for you too.

The girl scoffed at your little remark, flipping through the pages of her tome as you flopped back into the material of your bed. Your eyes glanced up at the ceiling illuminated by candlelight, not finding anything interesting but simply wanting to.

Allie: So only two years away and you get yours! I bet your grimoire is gonna be huge. I mean imagine all the stuff you can do with gravity itself!

(Y/n): Yeah... Well... Do I need one?

You could almost feel the shock the girl felt at your statement, your mind imagining her wide-eyed stare shifting from the pages before her to stare at your hanging legs.

Allie: Are you serious? Of course, you need a grimoire!

(Y/n): I guess... ah it's stupid.

Alienor placed her tome upon your nearby desk and lifted herself. Her legs carried her over to your bed before flopping next to you. Her warmth instantly hit against your cool skin, causing your eyes to blink softly before turning to her. 

Allie: What's wrong?

(Y/n): I don't know really. I never know what's wrong. It's like my brain is telling me something only it understands and won't let me in. I guess it's like I already control gravity, why take a tome I won't ever really need.

Allie: Even if you don't need it, you shouldn't let it sit there. You used to bully the rocks and trees so you should at least be nice to your grimoire.

A sigh escaped your lips as your (E/c) gaze turned away from Alienor's sakura-grey eyes to return to the top of your room. Your shoulder rolled softly and it resulted in pop, but what truly took your attention was the slight brush of your fingers against Alienor's. A gentle gasp escaped your lips from the sheer difference in temperature.

Allie: Gravity is an awesome ability... better than paper at least. So don't just settle for the basics when you can do so much more (Y/n).

The girl's words sunk in. She was right of course. She made a habit of ensuring you couldn't win against her logic in most cases and once more you couldn't think of a retort. When you didn't respond, Alienor took it upon herself to speak out loud.

Allie: We can do so many great things with our magic. You can sit here and be lazy all you want but now that I have this grimoire... I think I know what I want to do in life.

(Y/n): And what's that?

Allie lifted herself up and you could now see in her in your gaze, just in the corner of your eye as she turned to you with a grin.

Allie: I'm going to join the magic knights.

This finally piqued your interest as you found the will to lift yourself up and sit next to the girl.

(Y/n): The magic knights? You want to go out there and do dangerous missions for yul?

Allie: It's not just about the money! Magic knights are something everyone puts their hope into. People that uphold our kingdom and show the best that magic can be! If I can join then I can give back to my family and this village for letting us lead happy lives.

(Y/n): I suppose that makes sense... you did always want to be some goofy hero.

Your joked seemed to bounce off the sudden seriousness of the girl, her gaze trained at your floor as her hand slid closer to yours and her pinky hooked onto yours softly. 

Allie: Why don't we join together?

(Y/n): You want me to join the magic knights?

Allie: Even if we end up doing nothing or sitting back pulling cats out of trees, I'm sure we could make something out of it! The next set of exams are in a few months and I'll do them now and after you get your grimoire you can take it too! I mean think of how easy it will be getting cats down with gravity!

You took a moment to ponder it over, even moving to rest your hand over the girl's fingers... before slowly pulling them away. A soft smile pulled its way onto your face before you met the girl's gaze.

(Y/n): No.

Allie: Eh?

(Y/n): I mean it's not like I hate it! I just... I don't think the knights is something I would enjoy. I like to think I'm a good person but I've also never put my life on the line to save someone else. I'm sure I'll find a way to keep us together but... 

You slid off the bed and took a few careful steps toward your bookshelves in the dim light. You pulled out a random book and gazed at the deep leathery material of the book and took in the old scent of the pages.

(Y/n): I'll just do something with these types of books. I'll keep my grimoire and we can train together. You can regale me with your tales of cats while I record them.

Your gaze lifted and turned to the girl with a smile, one growing along with happiness in your heart. Alienor's eyes were covered by her pink locks and the darkness of the ever-shrinking scandal but you could tell a gentle smile was on her features.

(Y/n): The knight and her scholar! The tale of the magical maiden Mannerheim... t-the title will probably be a lot cooler when the time comes but we can do it!

Allie: ... Her scholar, huh...

Alienor whispered something under her breath that you couldn't quite pick up on but the air was much more clearly filled with the voice of your mother.

Mom: (Y/n)! Allie! Dinner is almost ready! Come on down and eat! And leave the grimoire up there, wouldn't want to stain it! 

The book in your hand slid back into its place on the shelf as Alienor stumbled out of the room, egging you into racing her down the stairs. With a smirk, you followed after her, confident at least making it to the kitchen first even with her headstart.

The months would soon come and go. The magic knight's entrance exam arrived and Alienoir made true on her promise and attended. You and your mother attended as well as the Mannerhiems. The wait was rather exhausting as only the exam takers and the magic knight captains were allowed inside the arena-like structure. After a while, people began trickling out with dejected, fearful, or angry expressions coating their features.

Mom: It is a shame but the knights are rather particular.

(Y/n): I understand being exclusive... but if the knights protect everyone shouldn't they just take anyone good-hearted?

Your mother went to respond but it was actually the patriarch of the Mannerheim family that spoke. His old face seemed as if it came chiseled onto his head, his grey hair not really telling of his age. 

Mr. Mannerheim: The knights are an elite section. Only the best and most capable are selected to carry the mantle of a knight. Royal knights are also selected from these groups, so not every person who can hold a book can be admitted.

His sentiment was then followed up by Mrs. Mannerheim. She was rather short, her round face framed by shoulder-length pink hair.

Mrs. Mannerheim: It would be nice if everyone could simply join, but not all good intentions should be followed upon.

(Y/n): What do you mean?

Mrs. Mannerheim:  We all have good intentions, at least the majority of us do. But just because someone wants to do good means they are able to. The magic knights might be exclusive but they share the same goal of protecting our king and kingdom which means they need the best of the best... Alienor~!

The serious tone of the conversation dropped instantly as the matriarch of the family brushed past you quickly. You quickly followed her flanked by your mother and Alienor's father. The girl's sakura-grey eyes stood wide open, her mouth hanging open as she stared at the ground before her.

Mrs. Mannerheim: Alienor? Sweetie?

Alienor: I... I didn't...

She didn't need to say anymore to be comforted by her mother, hugging the girl into her chest as you watched with a heavy heart. How could not a single one of them take her? She was so talented! S-She... how could... Their choice seemed to baffle you as much as it did Alienor, but whereas you sat in your mind angry at a choice you didn't even make, Alienor hadn't even cried. You had never seen her cry. Angry and happy sure, but the girl didn't even know the meaning of the word sadness.

Alienor: I just... I need to train more. The next exam is next year a-and with a little time I'm sure I will make it!

Mr. Mannerheim could only chuckle at the resolve of his daughter as the pair of mothers smiled in relief that they wouldn't have to worry about the girl breaking out in tears. You were still dazed by the whole episode but knew... one thing. Alienor was amazing. If you could even have a fraction of the strength she possessed then maybe even a coward like you could be a magic knight. But first... you would need to get your grimoire. And even before that, you would need to train with your dear friend Alienor. But of course, fate knew things were looking far too good and decided to separate the two of you for a moment.

Your father returned to the household soon after the magic knight exam with thunderous news. Thanks to recommendations by various nobles, a royal family had asked for his assistance in planning the early stages of a new garden. The news was so shocking that even your mother did a double-take. Your father wouldn't even unpack but instead, collect more supplies. He was to ride to the royal capital and even enter the Clover Kingdom castle to one of the estates. Your mother would obviously accompany him as she was his partner in life and architecture and you would follow them to the capital for a few weeks. The packing concluded quickly and after a few moments to say goodbye to your pink-haired friend, the (L/n) family made for the capital. The trip was rather eventful due to the increased urbanization and presence of magic knights the closer the capital got. but you knew in the glimmering light of the castle sat the dark underworld of crime in the capital which worried you during your first trip. The (L/n)'s would find their lodgings and sleep for the night before waking bright and early to take to the castle. With a few words, the guards at the front let your Father in, your mother trailing him with you on her heels. The castle was huge but with a strange vigor rare for him, your father was in nearly an excited jog as your family approached the estate of the royal family seeking the architectural designs of the (L/n) family.

The royalty that had requested your father was the Silva family. Their estate was massive compared to your humble home. Even with all of the expansions your father funded and built through the years your home was still probably barely as wide as a few rooms in this place. Your father was met by servants of the household and your mother followed in his steps to find the leader of the Silva family, leaving you a warning to stick to the area around the entrance to avoid getting lost or in trouble. With them gone... you instantly went about exploring. You would probably never see this place again so why not take this chance to reasonably see what the life of a royal entailed. You explored the outside of the estate, gazing into the windows occasionally until you found something strange. Mana... yeah this was mana. Alienor taught you how to detect mana, but this was by much more than you were used to. In fact, the air almost seemed consumed by mana from various places around the estate. However, you decided to investigate the one closest to you to try and lay an eye upon one of these royals. The expansive yard before you slowly grew smaller and smaller until funneling into a closed-off section of what appeared to be some sort of garden. Why would they need a new garden when they already have one? Royal stuff probably... It was here that you met them.

To say you met them first would be an understatement actually as you got a face full of magic first. A ball of water collided into your face and chest sending you stumbling back before finally giving way to the exerted force and falling onto your back. Your eyes snapped open once you were flat on your back in time to hear shuffling. A startled vermillion-haired girl looked down upon you.

???: Are you ok?! 

Her yellow eyes glanced down and met your still confused (E/c) gaze before you tried to stand up.

(Y/n): I've never been hit with water magic before...

???: W-Well... you shouldn't have been standing there then.

Your gaze lifted and this time met with another girl, presumably the one that blasted you. This girl was different from the girl that had come to check up on you. She appeared much more prickly and glanced away with a soft blush on her face from embarrassment. Her silver hair was done in pigtails and swayed softly as she finally opened her eyes and turned to you. Her eyes... they somewhat reminded you of Alienor's in a way. The silver-haired girls were pink but a much solid pink than your childhood friends.

(Y/n): Hey I didn't ask to be a target...

You slowly stood up, the orange-haired girl softly gripping your sleeve to help you up before you realized you were decently taller than both girls. Huh, so you were older than them at least. Confirming that you were at least taller than the prickly one, you finished your statement.

(Y/n): Tiny.

???: Eh?! Did you call me tiny?!

(Y/n): I would have called you shorty but I already have that nickname reserved... well it doesn't really fit anymore but still, it's special. 

The silver-haired girl appeared to not take your words lightly as you could positively see the vein pop in her forehead. It sort of reminded you of when you met Alienor for the first time. Your reminiscing was cut a bit sort as a faint green glow appeared as the vermillion-haired girl lifted her hands and a condensed ball of green rested against your hand.

???: Ah I'm sorry. When your fell you scraped your hand so I just wanted to help.

(Y/n): Oh... well thank you. 

As the girl finished up, the other girl took this moment to move closer, standing a few steps away before speaking. 

???: Who are you anyway?

(Y/n): Oh I'm (Y/n). (Y/n) (L/n). My family was invited by the Silva family to discuss some sort of project.

The girl's pink eyes widened before looking down. The vermillion girl noticed the sudden somber and suddenly sputtered out her name to continue the conversation.

Mimosa: M-My name is Mimosa Vermillion! Once again we're sorry for hitting you with that water. I was distracting her and she couldn't focus the magic.

Vermillion... huh... that name sounds super familiar for some reason. Maybe it was because of the color of her hair? No that wasn't it... The pink hair girl lifted her gaze at her associate before fully lifting her head and speaking as well. 

Noelle: My name is Noelle Silva. Not tiny. I'm surprised you can speak to royals that way.

That sentence is what made it click in your mind. Despite being at least roughly three years older than them... these girls were royals! One from the Vermillions and this one from the family your father was trying to work with. You nearly stumbled back, frozen in place as you tried to figure out what to do.

(Y/n): R-Royals?! You two are royals?!

Noelle: You didn't even know that? Have you been living under a rock or something?

(Y/n): Err... more like in the commoner realm.

Mimosa: You're a commoner? Oh, I remember now! You must be the son of those famous architects my parents were talking about!

(Y/n): Hah... yeah that's me. Good old fashion commoner.

Noelle went to say something but found her voice frozen in her throat from a familiar penetrating gaze. 

Mom: Ah there you are! 

Your mother's voice flowed into your ears and you turned to find her, your father, and a silver-haired young man. His cold gaze concentrated past you onto the silver-haired girl and still managed to send chills down your spine. Maybe... that was her brother? You wanted to question it but your mother hurriedly waved her hand for you to come.

(Y/n): O-Oh um! I'm glad I was able to meet you two. 

Mimosa: It was nice to meet your too, (Y/n).

Noelle remained silent but confirmed her opinion with a brief glance into your eyes. You turned on a heel and returned to your mother. She would guide you out of the large estate while your father concluded something. You didn't know why since they had already talked for a while but it must be something for adults.

Mom: Did you make new friends, dear?

(Y/n): I don't know about friends... but those two girls were royals!

Mom: Royals? Oh my! that must have been exciting!

(Y/n): In a way.

Mom: Well maybe you can see them more. Your father will be assisting in the project here so we will have to visit the capital.

(Y/n): Ok... but what about Alienor? 

Mom: Ah once she becomes a magic knight she will spend most of her time here anyway so it's not like you will leave her behind dear. Also... why are you wet? Did you fall into a fountain?

You didn't really respond as your mother examined your soaked clothing. You would have to come to the royal capital more? Sure it was a big city with a lot of cool shops from your walk to the castle but... you sort of just wanted things to return normal and quietly spend more time with Alienor in the commoner realm. But it appears you will be spending even more time with those two strange royals Mimosa Vermillion and Noelle Silva. Fate is such an intriguing thing, isn't it?