Fairy Tail: Igneel's eldest son in Anime Multiverse Chapter 3: The Grimoire

Years raced forward. Five years slipped away since Charles chose to remain in Hage Village, finally hitting fifteen—the right age to claim his grimoire.

Charles wasn't sure if crossing the Eclipse Gate had messed with his real age, yet he waited patiently for his body to grow to the fitting stage.

Charles grasped that grimoires arrived at fifteen because mana reached full strength then.

Grimoires pick their masters. With immature mana, how could anyone earn the nod from a top-tier four-leaf clover grimoire?

Charles felt most frustrated by the backward state of magic research here. Grimoires steered magic growth toward over-relying on personal flair.

The isolation of Hage Village might contribute too—a forgotten, impoverished outpost lacking even one famous mage.

Naturally, no magic lore resources existed nearby. In far-off poor areas, mighty mages were practically myths.

Thus, over those five years, Charles poured all effort into refining his Dragon Slayer Magic. He hoped the grimoire he'd get would meet his wishes and offer a shot at heading back to Fairy Tail.

...

Sister Lily straightened the sheet she hung out to dry, beaming under the dazzling sun.

Suddenly, noise erupted. No need to wonder—Charles had returned.

For five years, every Charles homecoming sparked joy among the church kids.

She recalled vividly how, five years back, Asta hauled in a kid, pleading with Father Orsi to shelter him, leaving her stunned.

Father Orsi stayed his usual tender-hearted fellow under the rough shell. Ultimately, he took in the stray boy.

Charles, that boy, acted way beyond his years—thoughtful, caring, and empathetic.

Hage Village's church doubled as an orphanage, funded mostly by villager gifts.

Yet in this distant hamlet, folks struggled financially, so the church barely got by. Growing kids often ate wild yams to stay full.

Charles's arrival prompted Father Orsi to brace for tighter rations—but next day, Charles vanished.

That night's return saw Charles shouldering a huge wild boar.

Wild boars lacked magic beast status since they wielded no spells, but they raged fiercely, daunting even solo grown-ups.

All knew only true mages with real power could handle them.

Nobody foresaw a ten-year-old soloing one and hauling it home. The strength in that tiny frame boggled minds.

Thereafter, Charles hunted every few days, hauling back loads of game. This stocked the church with meat and sold furs for cash.

Father Orsi fretted over Charles's risks, so he mandated rarer hunts. Thus, each return brought feasts for all.

Wondering his latest haul, Sister Lily headed church-front. Outside, kids swarmed the boy.

One look, and Sister Lily lost composure. The boar Charles pulled was big—but the giant tiger over his shoulder stunned more.

This tiger stretched beyond two and a half meters, tail scraping earth even half-draped on Charles.

Its eyes shut, tongue out—it was dead for sure.

Kids gawked at the shoulder beast, fear and wonder mixing, itching to near but held back.

Charles lifted a hand, dumping the tiger down with a grin. "No fears, all. I already beat this beast. He can't harm you!"

"Spring nights chill yet. We'll craft a blanket from his hide."

"For real, Charles-nii?" Reika yanked Charles's garb, eyes sparkling with hope.

Charles knelt, ruffling her hair. "Sure thing. Have I ever fibbed to you?"

"Charles-nii's the kindest! And coolest!"

Reika's face flushed, head nearly steaming. Truthfully, Charles-nii's grin always left her spinning.

Nearby boy Nash huffed. "Such a show-off. Don't rub your boogers on Charles-nii."

Charles laughed. Nash's prickly vibe screamed tsundere, though a boyish one lacked charm.

Reika blew up fast. "Quiet, Nash! Wasn't my nose!"

Sister Lily intervened. "You kids—stop bickering!"

She eyed the grounded tiger, voicing concern to Charles. "How'd you meet such a massive tiger? You okay?"

Charles pumped his arm, flashing brawn with a beam. "Relax. I'm tough—no easy hurts for me."

As for him, he eyed my kill, so I finished him off!"

Reika jumped in before Sister Lily spoke. "Yep! Charles-nii's insanely powerful—that tiger's no match!"

Mid-chat, a distant shout rang out.

"Chaaarleeees...!"

Charles couldn't spot him, but Asta's yell pierced from afar.

True to form, ten seconds post-call, Asta dashed up, dust flying.

He zeroed on the tiger, glaring at Charles. "Downing a monster like that... Rival-worthy! But I won't quit!"

Nash sneered. "Big words! Charles-nii crushes you—you're mana-less!"

"IT'S NOT OVER! NEVER OVER!"

Asta ignored Nash entirely. He bellowed, sprinting to the demon god's skull.

Charles grinned. He knew Asta slaved endlessly at body training by the skull. Impressive—peak physique sans mana.

A black-clad youth approached, halting by Charles, eyeing Asta's dash. "Total fool."

Charles sighed. "Yuno, time to drop the facade."

This lad was this world's co-lead—Yuno Grinberryall, church-raised with Asta.

Unlike Asta, Yuno screamed protagonist.

Good-looking, talented, royal blood—he nailed every hero trope.

Yuno hailed as Spade Kingdom prince, escaped to Clover post-Dark Triad devil coup.

Royalty meant potent mana for him. Four-leaf grimoire nod? Expected.

He'd later snag wind spirit's boon and a rare second grimoire. His OP arc rivaled Asta's.

Kid Yuno shied away, idolizing sunny Asta.

Once, thieves nabbed Yuno's pendant stone. Asta braved all to reclaim it.

There, Asta declared, "We're rivals!" Yuno might've twisted it—from shy to icy loner.

To Asta especially, icy barbs and taunts nonstop.

Charles knew deepest: Yuno prized Asta most, trusted the no-mana kid utmost. He viewed Asta as true peer inside.

Hence, dishonest fit Yuno.

Yuno skipped rebuttal. "Priest says ceremony starts soon. Prep up."

Charles snapped alert. Moment arrived. His grimoire awaited, kicking off this world's "plot."

Asta and Yuno hit fifteen too. They'd grab grimoires with him, launching Wizard King quests.

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