The Usual

"There are five types of grimoire that a fated person can awaken. From weakest to strongest, there are Unranked, Iron, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. The grade of a grimoire is predetermined upon awakening…"

Starlight Academy, inside a room, a teacher was explaining the various grades of grimoires to the students who seemed to listen attentively but were actually quite bored from the teachers long explanation and repetitive discussion.

"Teacher Julian, can you discuss something else? Every year, we hear such words from our class advisers. Even I, a dumb student, have already memorized the various facts and knowledge about grimoires due to you, teachers' repetitive lectures," a student wearing a red bandana over his head started with a lazy and criticizing tone.

The teacher did not seem to care about his attitude but just looked at the student before saying, "Then, Hector, could you please come in front and recite the whole first chapter of 'Grimoires: Facts and Knowledge' for the whole class to listen to?"

The student named Hector paled in fear upon the mention of recitation. Although he claimed that he memorized the various facts and knowledge, he did not dare to say that he completely memorized the whole chapter of the book.

The whole class immediately laughed upon seeing his reaction. There was nothing more funny than seeing a boastful guy getting face-slapped at the next instant.

Hector could only grit his teeth in anger and embarrassment.

At this moment, a person's head suddenly popped up in the door of the room.

The teacher, Julian, noticed the head immediately and he instantly beamed a radiant and welcoming smile, "Teacher Christy, welcome, welcome!"

The students also quietened down upon hearing Teacher Julian's words. Each of them adjusted their seats, expectations and excitement apparent on their face as they looked at the box held by Teacher Christie.

Teacher Christie nodded her head as she put the box on the table," Are they ready?" she asked Teacher Julian.

Teacher Julian nodded his head and looked at the students, "Alright guys, the day you've been waiting for is finally here."

"Just like we discussed earlier, each of you will undergo your awakening in alphabetical order. Just a reminder, do not laugh and look down on your classmates that awakens a low level grimoire. And anyone that awakens higher level grimoires, do not be complacent and stay humble." 

"Dungeons are dangerous places full of nasty demons and beasts. It has been more than 100 years since they appeared and we now possess knowledge about them that our ancestors were not privy to."

"Dangers lurk everywhere inside the dungeons, so each of you needs all the help one can get to survive inside, who knows if it's your low level classmate that helps you in the most dangerous time."

"Alright, let's start. Good luck everyone!"

The reminder of Teacher Julian was not heard by everyone as all of them now had their all attention fully captivated by the ball brought by Teacher Christie.

"Anjie, you go first," Teacher Julian looked at the class record and mentioned the name of the first student in the list.

The girl named Anjie stood up from her seat. She gulped a mouthful of saliva and began walking to the front. She felt nervous, but deep inside, was also excited about what kind of grimoire she will awaken and what kind of beast it will give her.

Teacher Christie nodded her head and opened the box for everyone to see what was inside.

It was a crystal ball the size of an infant's head. It looked unique and perfect, without any impurities mixed in.

"Awakening Ball," at the back of the class, a boy muttered to himself as he looked at the crystal ball that was now emitting a mysterious light.

'Sigh! It's been 15 years. This day has finally come,' Lucas thought.

In truth, he was actually not originally from this world.

After an unfortunate accident back on Earth, his soul had mysteriously possessed the body of a baby in this world with the same name as himself.

As for what kind of accident it was that sent him here, well… All he could say was that it was the usual.

Lucas had always been conscious since he was delivered out of his mother's womb. On the day of his transmigration, a mysterious system also popped up inside his mind. Unfortunately, ever since then, it has never appeared again in his life.

However, Lucas knew for himself that the day of his awakening as grimoire summoner, would also be the day that the slumbering system would once again awaken to help him.

At this moment, Anjie had already retracted her hand away from the Awakening Ball. Anjie had already closed her eyes. No one made a sound, as if afraid of interrupting her from what she was going through.

At the next moment, the Awakening Ball suddenly let out a resplendent bronze light, startling everyone.

"A Bronze Grade Grimoire?"

"Damn she's lucky!"

"I hope I can awaken a Bronze Grade Grimoire, too!"

Teacher Julian and Teacher Christie had a smile on their face as they looked at the bronze light emitted by the awakening ball.

Although owning a Bronze Grade Grimoire doesn't mean that she was set for life, a Bronze Grade Grimoire still has a lot of promise compared to Iron Grade.

An individual's grimoire determines their talent and achievements in the future.

Iron Grade were considered mediocre, Bronze were average, Silver were very good while those who awakened a Gold Grade Grimoire were considered geniuses no matter where they went.

In Starlight Academy, awakening a Bronze Grade Grimoire was already considered good while those who awakened Silver Grade Grimoire can be nurtured to become the school's trump card. 

As for awakening the Gold Grade, there has never been a case like that in Starlight Academy. The Starlight Academy did not have a long history after all.

As for Unranked Grimoires, after a 100 years of development, the new generation like theirs would basically no longer awaken such grimoires.

Such grimoires were also considered trash by many. Those who awakened Iron Grade Grimoires still have a chance to rise, but the Unranked Grade Grimoires were basically hopeless.

One must note that an individual's grimoire also determines the kind of beast they can effectively control.

It was said that there were also grimoires higher than a Gold Grade, however, even on the internet, Lucas haven't been able to see one.

As for Lucas himself, he also hoped that he would awaken a Gold Grade Grimoire or higher. With the system, he was confident that he would be able to succeed.

Teacher Julian spoke up, "Anjie, since you are the first to awaken in your class, set a precedent and summon your first-ever contracted beasts."

Anjie nodded nervously and closed her eyes.

According to the information Lucas knew, summoning the grimoire once one awakened would be as easy as eating a pie. The hard part was summoning the creature it came along with as it needs the individual's spiritual power. 

However, since an individual's spiritual power would also increase one's they awaken, there has never been a precedent where an individual did not manage to summon their first contracted beast.

Concentrating hard, she channeled her newfound power into the grimoire that had appeared in her hand. A bronze-colored book floated before her, its cover intricately designed with ancient symbols.

The room watched in rapt attention as a beam of light shot out from the grimoire, forming into a shape in front of Anjie. As the light faded, a bronze-colored wolf stood before her, its eyes glowing with a fierce intelligence and confusion.

"Wow, a bronze wolf!" someone exclaimed.

"Such a powerful beast for a beginner!"

Anjie opened her eyes and looked at the wolf with amazement. She could feel a deep connection with it, as if they were linked by an unbreakable bond. The wolf padded over to her and sat at her feet, looking up at her with confusion and loyalty.

"Well done, Anjie," Teacher Julian said, nodding approvingly. "You have a strong companion to start your journey. Remember, your grimoire and your beast are your allies. Train hard and take care of them."

Anjie beamed with pride as she returned to her seat. As summoning and maintaining a contracted creature and beast requires spiritual power, Anjie decided to let it return inside the grimoire first.

The rest of the class looked on with a mix of envy and excitement, eager to discover their own fates.

"Next up, Brandon," Teacher Julian called out.

Brandon stood up, his face a mixture of determination and nervousness. He approached the Awakening Ball and placed his hand on it. The process repeated, and soon enough, a different light filled the room. 

As each student took their turn, the atmosphere grew more electric with anticipation. Some awoke Iron Grimoires, while others, like Anjie, were lucky enough to receive Bronze Grimoires. 

A student managed to awaken a rare Silver Grimoire, eliciting gasps of awe from the others. Teacher Julian and Teacher Christie nodded and beamed with smiles of approval as they told the student to come to the faculty later for future instructions.

Finally, it was Lucas's turn. He stood up, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the weight of the entire classroom's eyes on him. With a deep breath, he approached the Awakening Ball.

As he placed his hand on the ball, he felt a strange sensation wash over him. Like before, the ball began to glow, brighter and brighter, until it was almost blinding. The room held its breath, waiting for the result.

The light shifted, and Lucas felt a surge of energy. He closed his eyes, focusing on the connection he felt with the grimoire forming in his mind. When he opened his eyes, he saw the awakening ball before him, its cover shimmering with… ordinary and weak hue.