Life at the Royal Magic University of Ferbia slowly became exciting for Sun, Yuki, and Aria.
Now that they were thirteen years old, every day at the university felt like a new adventure.
Their mornings began with magic theory classes. Professors explained how mana flowed through the body, how different elements interacted, and how powerful spells were formed.
Sun listened very carefully during these classes. His curiosity about magic had never faded. Sometimes he even asked questions that surprised the professors.
Yuki, on the other hand, preferred practical classes.
Whenever they entered the training arena, her face lit up with excitement.
"Finally!" she would say. "Something fun."
Aria was good at both theory and practice. She understood magic quickly and used it with elegance and control.
Soon, the three of them became well known among the first-year students.
Some students admired them.
Others felt jealous of their talent.
But Sun, Yuki, and Aria did not care much about what others thought.
They simply enjoyed their time together.
One morning, the loud bell of the university rang across the entire campus.
Students began gathering inside the Grand Assembly Hall.
Sun, Yuki, and Aria sat together among hundreds of students.
The university dean stood on the stage in front of them.
He slowly raised his hand, and the hall became silent.
"Students," he began, his voice echoing through the hall, "today I will officially announce the start of the Magic League."
Excited whispers spread through the crowd.
But the dean continued.
"This year's Magic League will be a solo competition."
Some students looked nervous.
Others looked excited.
The dean explained further.
"Each student will fight alone."
"No teams."
"Each year will have its own league, and the strongest student will become the champion."
Sun smiled slightly.
"A solo competition…"
Yuki cracked her knuckles.
"That means I can go all out."
Aria crossed her arms confidently.
"This will be interesting."
The dean continued speaking.
"The winner of each league will receive a very special prize."
The hall became quiet again.
"A magical pet."
Gasps filled the room.
Magical pets were extremely rare creatures that formed strong bonds with their owners. Some could help in battle, some could store magical energy, and some possessed unique magical abilities.
Winning such a creature would be an incredible honor.
After the announcement ended, the students slowly left the hall while discussing the competition.
Yuki looked extremely excited.
"I'm definitely winning this."
Sun laughed.
"You sound pretty confident."
She smirked.
"Of course."
Aria smiled.
"Well… you'll have to defeat us first."
Yuki looked at both of them.
"Then bring it on."
Two days later, the Magic League for first-year students officially began.
The competition took place in the university's large battle arena.
The arena was circular, surrounded by tall stone walls and protective magical barriers.
Hundreds of students filled the seats around the arena, watching the matches with excitement.
A professor stood in the center, acting as the referee.
"Welcome to the First-Year Magic League!"
The crowd cheered loudly.
Sun, Yuki, and Aria stood among the competitors waiting for their names to be called.
The first few matches began.
Two students stepped into the arena.
"Begin!"
Fire and wind spells collided in the center of the field.
The crowd shouted and cheered as the students fought.
Some battles ended quickly.
Others lasted several minutes.
Sun watched carefully.
He was studying the fighting styles of other students.
Yuki leaned against the wall, looking impatient.
"When is my turn?"
Aria laughed quietly.
"Relax."
Soon the professor called a name.
"Yuki Star!"
Yuki immediately stepped forward with a confident smile.
"Finally."
Her opponent was a tall boy who used earth magic.
The two stood facing each other in the arena.
"Begin!"
The boy attacked first.
"Earth Pillar!"
Several stone spikes rose from the ground and rushed toward Yuki.
Yuki jumped back quickly.
"Fire Burst!"
A powerful explosion of flames shattered the stone pillars instantly.
The boy looked shocked.
Before he could react—
"Fire Shot!"
A fast fireball hit him directly and knocked him to the ground.
The referee raised his hand.
"Winner: Yuki Star!"
The crowd cheered.
Yuki walked back to Sun and Aria with a proud smile.
"That was easy."
Sun chuckled.
"Show off."
Soon it was Sun's turn.
"Sun Star!"
Sun walked calmly into the arena.
His opponent was a boy who specialized in wind magic.
"Begin!"
The boy immediately launched several wind blades.
"Wind Cutter!"
Sharp blades of air rushed toward Sun.
Sun raised his hand calmly.
"Water Shield."
A spinning barrier of water formed in front of him, blocking the attacks.
The wind magician frowned.
"Let's see how you stop this!"
He gathered more mana.
"Gale Storm!"
A powerful gust of wind rushed across the arena.
Sun remained calm.
He stepped forward.
"Water Bind."
Several streams of water shot from the ground and wrapped around the boy's legs.
Before the boy could escape—
Sun raised his hand again.
"Thunder Strike."
A flash of lightning hit the ground beside the boy.
The impact knocked him down instantly.
The referee raised his hand.
"Winner: Sun Star!"
The crowd murmured with surprise.
"That was fast…"
"He used three elements…"
Sun returned to his seat quietly.
Yuki grinned.
"Not bad."
Aria smiled.
"Impressive."
Later that afternoon, Aria's match began.
"Aria Stark!"
Many students began whispering.
"The princess…"
Her opponent was another fire magician.
"Begin!"
The fire magician attacked first.
"Flame Wave!"
A wide wave of fire rushed toward Aria.
But Aria calmly lifted her hand.
"Wind Wall."
A strong wall of wind appeared and pushed the flames away.
Then she stepped forward gracefully.
"Wind Blade."
A sharp blade of air flew across the arena and cut the opponent's staff in half.
Before he could recover—
"Cyclone."
A powerful spinning wind lifted him off the ground and dropped him outside the arena.
The referee raised his hand.
"Winner: Aria Stark!"
The crowd cheered loudly.
Sun smiled.
"She's strong."
Yuki nodded.
"Yeah."
As the sun began to set, the first day of the Magic League ended.
Many students had already been eliminated.
But Sun, Yuki, and Aria had all won their first matches.
The three of them walked back toward the university dorms together.
Yuki stretched her arms.
"This is fun."
Sun smiled.
"The real challenge hasn't started yet."
Aria looked at both of them.
"One of us might have to fight each other soon."
For a moment, they all became quiet.
Then Yuki grinned.
"Well…"
"Whoever wins…"
Sun nodded.
"…will deserve that magical pet."
Aria smiled softly.
"May the best magician win."
Above them, the evening sky slowly darkened.
But the excitement of the Magic League had only just begun.