Two days later, the Academy held its annual mana synchronization test.
Students were paired to harmonize their magical frequency.
By fate—or design—Yukino was assigned to Kael.
As they stood facing each other in the enchanted garden,
their crystals began to glow—pink and gold intertwining.
The air shimmered. Time itself seemed to hesitate.
For a brief, impossible moment,
Yukino saw flashes of another world—
a boy under the sakura tree, smiling at her with the same golden eyes.
> "Tarou…" she whispered, before she could stop herself.
Kael froze.
The name hit him like lightning through his chest.
> "What did you just call me?"
Before Yukino could answer, the test ended abruptly.
The instructor dismissed them,
but both of them walked away with hearts pounding,
carrying a name neither could forget.