The Lonely Clover

Magic Knights Exam Day

We walked into town and I tried to warn Asta about the snake thing but he assured me it was fine and ate it anyway. It made me laugh remembering the consequences of that but I did my best to quiet myself.

When he offered me a bite, I happily and fiercely shook my head no.

I'm not even going to try it knowing what Asta will go through. I mean, it's normal but no thanks!

I stood in line with them to register for the magic knight exam, but as I stood there, I noticed that everyone had a grimoire, while I still didn't.

From what I remember, you need a grimoire to even get in. I have magic, if that's what it's called but I'm not sure if they'll let you in without that.

Now what do I do?

"Is everything alright?" Yuno asked, giving me a side glance as we waited in line for our turns.

I looked at him and opened my mouth to reply before remembering...

I promised I won't cause any further problems. This isn't his issue, so telling him doesn't do him any good.

I plastered on a smile as best I could. "Yes, I'm totally fine!"

His face didn't change, but he did look away without responding.

Yuno was first. Then Asta, but I replied the same way, doing my best to hide how much I'm panicking on the inside.

What do I do?! I'm next!

"You ready, Miss?" The man asked.

I wasn't even paying attention. Asta is heading into the stadium behind Yuno.

All I could do was stare and try to think of a response that didn't sound completely stupid when...

"Miss, I just need the grimoire ya got on your hip there."

My what now?

I looked to the spot he had pointed and there really was a grimoire there, like it had always been right there when I know it wasn't a few moments ago.

I didn't want to hold the man up for too much longer, so I passed it to him for inspection, knowing I'll want to take a closer look when I get the chance.

He raised an eyebrow at it as he turned it over. "Miss... Ah, there it is." He handed it back to me. "I couldn't see your clover. I apologize. You can go in." He gave me a number to allow me entry, but I heard him mumble as I walked away, "I need to get my eyes checked. It was really hard to see at first."

I looked at it trying to figure out if I could remember any kind of details from the outside of my grimoire that match from what I knew about the story.

It was bright red with streaks of white and in the middle having what looked like sparkles in different colors all over it. Red, yellow, green, blue, even black. The clover that was there when the man inspected it was changing forms from a clover into what seemed to be half the sun and half the moon in one.

Odd. I don't remember seeing a symbol like this before in anything I've ever read or watched.

I pocketed it and quickly walked into the stadium and was able to witness the antimagic birds flying around.

It's so much cooler seeing that none are around Yuno at all, and so much funnier seeing them all flock toward Asta. Although, I do feel a bit guilty for laughing. Poor guy.

I stood to the side watching it play out, trying hard to ignore the whispers that seemed to be growing. I know in the story, they whispered about Yuno and Asta, so I stayed silent, watching my friends make their presence known early on.

No birds....she has no birds either.

Before I had the chance to understand what they meant, I heard Captain Yami grab Asta by his head. I went over there before he had him too long.

I know Asta would be okay, but his head is definitely going to hurt later.

"Sir, could you please put down my friend?" I spoke politely.

This guy is friggin tall! Nothing but tall muscles! Seriously!?!?!

I stayed silent and calm as he puffed out some smoke and smirked at both of us while still holding onto Asta. Something about that made me angry.

"I said," I grabbed the arm he was using to hold Asta with one hand, "let him go." My voice echoed like back in our travels, but I was too focused on the situation at hand to really care.

Yami took a moment to think before he dropped Asta like a pot potato and I in turn, let go of Yami to check over my friend.

"Asta, are you.."

"Well, aren't you a very beautiful young lady!"

I was so shocked at the voice being so close to me all of a sudden, I squeaked and hid myself.

Silence.

I pulled my hands away, only to realize I hadn't just been using my hands to hide myself, but had wrapped my wings around me as well, managing to somehow lean back into the air without flying or even leaving the ground at all like I'm in the freakin Matrix.

If I had any intention of keeping a low profile before...

I thought as I look around at the wide eyes staring at me, trying to put my wings away once again.

I won't be able to now.