The next morning, the arena of the Royal Magic University of Ferbia was more crowded than ever.
Students from every year had come to watch the semifinals of the First-Year Magic League. Even some professors stood near the upper stands, curious to see how the talented first-years would fight.
The air was full of excitement.
Sun, Yuki, and Aria stood together near the arena entrance.
Today would decide everything.
Only two of them would reach the final match.
Yuki stretched her arms and looked toward the battlefield.
"I can feel it," she said with a grin. "Today's fights will be amazing."
Sun smiled.
"Just don't burn the arena down."
Yuki laughed.
"No promises."
Aria stood quietly beside them, looking calm as always.
"Looks like we'll finally see who's stronger."
Sun looked at her and nodded.
"Yeah."
But there was no hostility between them.
Only determination.
They had trained together.
Laughed together.
Now they would fight each other with everything they had.
A professor stepped into the center of the arena.
"Students! Today we begin the semifinals of the First-Year Magic League!"
The crowd cheered loudly.
The professor raised his hand.
"The first semifinal will be - Sun Star versus Aria Stark!"
Excited whispers filled the arena.
"The princess versus Sun!"
"That match will be incredible!"
Sun looked at Aria and smiled.
"Shall we?"
Aria returned the smile.
"Let's give them a good show."
They both stepped into the arena.
A magical barrier rose around the battlefield.
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Sun vs Aria - The Storm and the Wind
The moment the match began, neither of them attacked immediately.
They slowly walked in a circle, observing each other.
Sun spoke first.
"You've been holding back during training."
Aria smiled slightly.
"So have you."
For a moment, silence filled the arena.
Then Aria moved first.
"Wind Blade!"
Three sharp blades of air rushed toward Sun.
Sun reacted instantly.
"Earth Wall!"
A stone barrier rose and blocked the attack.
But Aria had already moved.
"Gale Dash!"
She dashed forward at incredible speed.
Sun quickly raised his hand.
"Fire Burst!"
A sudden explosion of flames forced Aria to jump backward.
The crowd cheered loudly.
"That was fast!"
Aria lifted her hand again.
"Cyclone!"
A spinning tornado of wind rushed across the battlefield.
Sun planted his foot firmly.
"Water Barrier!"
A swirling shield of water formed around him, resisting the powerful wind.
The cyclone slammed into the shield, sending water and wind exploding across the arena.
Sun then thrust his hand forward.
"Thunder Strike!"
Lightning crashed toward Aria.
But she spun gracefully.
"Wind Step."
The lightning struck the ground where she had been standing a moment before.
Sun smirked.
"You're quick."
Aria raised both hands.
"Let's raise the stakes."
The wind around her suddenly became stronger.
Her hair and robes began to move violently.
"Royal Wind Magic... Storm Field."
A powerful storm formed around the arena.
Strong winds pushed Sun backward.
Students in the audience gasped.
"That's advanced magic!"
Sun narrowed his eyes.
"So that's your real power."
He raised his hand.
Electricity crackled around his arm.
"Thunder Storm."
Dark clouds formed above the arena.
Lightning flashed.
For a moment, wind and thunder clashed violently in the sky.
The arena shook.
Boom!
Lightning and wind collided in a massive explosion.
Dust filled the battlefield.
When the dust cleared, both of them were still standing.
But both were breathing heavily.
Aria smiled.
"You're really strong."
Sun laughed.
"You too."
They both raised their hands for one final attack.
Aria shouted, "Wind Lance!"
Sun shouted, "Thunder Burst!"
The two attacks collided in the center of the arena.
Boom!
A massive explosion shook the battlefield.
When the light faded, both Sun and Aria were on their knees.
The referee watched carefully.
Sun slowly stood up.
Aria tried to stand but stumbled.
The referee raised his hand.
"Winner... Sun Star!"
The arena erupted with cheers.
Sun quickly walked over and offered his hand.
"You were amazing."
Aria smiled and took his hand.
"So were you."
They both walked out of the arena together.
Yuki vs Wela - Fire Against Ice
Next, the referee announced,
"Yuki Star versus Wela Frost!"
Yuki walked confidently into the arena.
Wela followed calmly.
Cold air surrounded her.
The temperature in the arena dropped instantly.
Yuki grinned.
"Looks like you really like ice."
Wela replied calmly.
"And you like fire."
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Immediately, Wela attacked.
"Ice Spears!"
Sharp spears of ice shot toward Yuki.
Yuki jumped sideways.
"Fire Shot!"
A blazing fireball melted the ice spears instantly.
But Wela continued attacking.
"Ice Wall!"
Large frozen walls surrounded Yuki.
Then,
"Ice Storm!"
Hundreds of small ice shards rained down.
The crowd gasped.
Yuki raised her hand quickly.
"Fire Shield!"
A ring of flames formed around her, melting the falling ice.
Steam filled the arena.
But suddenly ice chains shot from the ground and wrapped around Yuki's legs.
Wela spoke calmly.
"Ice Bind."
Yuki struggled.
"Not bad..."
She gathered mana.
Then shouted,
"Fire Explosion!"
Boom!
The chains shattered instantly.
Flames burst outward.
Wela slid backward across the ice-covered floor.
Yuki rushed forward.
"Fire Dash!"
She moved like a blazing comet.
Wela raised both hands.
"Ice Fortress!"
A thick wall of ice appeared.
Yuki punched forward.
"Fire Break!"
Her flames shattered the ice wall.
The explosion sent both girls backward.
For a moment, both stood silently.
Then Wela raised her hand one last time.
"Frozen Field."
The entire arena floor turned into ice.
Yuki slipped slightly.
Wela launched her final attack.
"Absolute Ice Spear!"
A massive spear of frozen energy rushed forward.
Yuki closed her eyes.
Then whispered softly,
"Flame Heart."
Her entire body ignited with blazing fire.
She stepped forward.
"Fire Dragon!"
A roaring dragon-shaped flame burst forward.
The fire dragon and ice spear collided.
Boom!
The explosion shook the entire arena.
When the smoke cleared, Wela was lying on the ground.
Yuki stood at the center of the battlefield.
The referee raised his hand.
"Winner... Yuki Star!"
The crowd erupted with cheers.
Now the final match was decided.
The Final Battle - Sun vs Yuki
The sun began to set as the final match began.
The arena was silent.
Everyone was watching.
Sun and Yuki stood facing each other.
They had trained together for years.
They knew each other's strengths.
Yuki smiled.
"Ready?"
Sun nodded.
"Always."
"Begin!"
Immediately fire and lightning exploded across the arena.
Yuki attacked with blazing fire spells.
Sun countered with water and thunder.
Explosions shook the battlefield again and again.
Sun used earth magic to trap Yuki.
Yuki broke free with fire bursts.
Lightning struck.
Flames roared.
The battle lasted longer than any match before.
Both of them were exhausted.
Finally Sun launched his strongest spell.
"Thunder Dragon!"
A massive dragon of lightning rushed forward.
Yuki gathered every bit of mana she had left.
"Blazing Phoenix!"
A giant flaming phoenix flew toward the lightning dragon.
The two legendary spells collided.
Boom!
The explosion lit up the entire arena.
When the light faded, Sun collapsed to one knee.
Yuki was still standing.
The referee raised his hand.
"Winner of the First-Year Magic League... Yuki Star!"
The arena exploded with cheers.
Sun laughed and stood up.
"Looks like you won."
Yuki smiled proudly.
"Told you I would."
The Magical Pet
Later that evening, the dean stood in front of the students.
"Congratulations, Yuki Star."
A small golden cage was brought forward.
Inside it was a tiny creature.
A baby dragon.
Its scales were red and gold.
Small wings fluttered as it looked around curiously.
The dean opened the cage.
"This magical dragon will be your companion."
The little dragon jumped onto Yuki's shoulder.
It looked at her and chirped softly.
Yuki laughed happily.
"You're so cute."
Sun smiled.
"What will you name it?"
Yuki thought for a moment.
Then she smiled.
"Drago."
The little dragon happily flapped its wings.
The students clapped and cheered.
Under the glowing evening sky of Ferbia, the first chapter of their university life ended.
But many adventures were still waiting ahead.