Set 35 years prior to the start of Gladiolus: Julius is 10, so is Ophie. Here's a bunch a headcanons about Julius. Also doubles as a birthday present for Julius' birthday.

(There was a story told in the Clover and Heart Kingdoms about the easy friendship of two children spawned a lifetime ally and a brighter future for all):

"Julius, son, don't go too far. We're too close to the Heart Kingdom border for you to be playing," warned his father, Dr. Thane Novachrono, a nobleman from the Novachrono noble family, and the foremost expert on flora and fauna and their magical properties.

"Okay, Dad!" Julius was more than happy to listen, but will he do what his father asked? Not likely. Julius was still only ten, after all and he was notoriously inquisitive and curious. His parents liked taking him on their expeditions around the Forsaken Realm and the Neutral Zone and that may had lead Julius to being reckless. "Honey, please remind your son not to get himself lost and in trouble?"

"Wha?"

Harmony Novachrono had her nose in a book, completely unaware of anything, sitting on a rock, ignoring Dad's interns and students work around the campsite. It was why Julius was a free-range child and why he got into so much trouble.

"Har, please, this is important. I know you're doing research for you next book, but I need this to go well. I need the funding from the King," said his dad. Julius really didn't understand. His dad was super smart about a lot of different things. He hated that his dad was so upset.

"Oh, I know, you've told me, repeatedly for weeks," said Harmony, with a frown at her husband. Dad was always reminding Mom to be more motherly. "Julius, be a good boy, and don't stray far, ok?"

"I'll be good," said Julius, cheerfully. He wouldn't go that far, at least. He wouldn't want his dad to get mad at him. His parents were easily distracted (mom by her book and dad by one of the students moving a piece of equipment to the wrong spot) and so Julius disappeared into the woods.

Julius was excited to be close by the Heart Kingdom. The magic there was super amazing. He wanted to study it so badly. But both his parents would not agree to let him go as an exchange student, preferring to keep Julius close. He knew that they were afraid of Julius' magic affinity. Time was a strange one, especially for a low-ranking noble.

He hoped that by the time he got his grimoire that his parents would be open to him joining the Magic Knights. Julius wanted to become the Wizard King. He could just imagine all the amazing things he could do. He'd be able to help people more, especially thought in the Forsaken Realm. There was nothing wrong with having low mana nor with being born in the Forsaken Realm, despite what a lot of people said, even his own parents said things that Julius didn't like.

People were people.

He pulled out his notebook and quill. He could sense the magic from the woods in front of him. Julius even saw the barrier, lightly shimmering all around it.

"So, this is the famed Tulgey Woods," mumbled Julius to himself. "I heard there's a bunch of weird creatures and talking trees in there, but that can't be right, even though it'd be super amazing."

He wandered around the clear border, when he saw something out of the corner of his eye. He stopped. Julius closed his eyes and sensed some mana.

"Hey, who are you," asked a girl's voice.

Startled, Julius opened his eyes and found that he was face-to-face with a girl his age. She had black hair and green eyes. And a cute button nose. The girl was scowling at him, expecting an answer.

"Oh, hello? My name is Julius Novachrono," said Julius, politely smiling. "I'm from the Clover Kingdom. My parents are nearby doing work."

The girl seemed like she liked the answer. "Name's Ophie. Nice to meet you, Julius. I'm from the Heart Kingdom. My brother was supposed to be watching me, but he left me to play with his girlfriend."

Julius grinned. "You're from the Heart Kingdom?! What's your magic? Mine's time!"

Ophie, the girl from the Heart Kingdom, blinked. "You're magic is time?! That's so cool. Mine's weather."

"No way," said Julius. "Like is it all weather or only certain kind of weather like rain or snow?"

"All weather," said Ophie, proudly. "It's powerful magic, so I have to be careful not to upset the balance in nature, at least, that what my teacher said."

Nodding, solemnly, Julius replied, "I have that same problem. Time can be a tricky magic too. So, will you tell me what the Heart Kingdom is like?"

Ophie nodded. "Sure! But I got to get back before sunset, so my brother won't get into trouble."

"Yeah, I gotta get back before then too. So, is it true that you guys have the strongest natural magic around?"

"Well, duh, so…"

(...But did the story really happen that way?)

(Fun fact: It did. Except there was a demon cat and more fire and yelling).