The morning came clear and cold. A pale winter sun pushed through the window, thin and bright, offering light without warmth. Leo was already dressed when the first rays touched the glass. He sat at the desk with the mana theory text open in front of him, eyes moving across the pages without taking in a single thing. Diagrams of circulation patterns and capacity thresholds blurred together. The words entered his mind and dissolved before they could stick.
He closed the book. The leather cover fell with a soft thump.
The awards ceremony was at midday. After that, an evening reception. After that, Iori.
He had known his answer for days. Since the mountain overlook, if he was being honest. Since the cold stone under them, the stars fading one by one, and her voice staying steady. Knowing the answer had not made the waiting easier. It had only changed the shape of it. Less uncertain. More weighted. The decision sat inside him now. Only the words remained.
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