Winter slowly arrived in the kingdom of Ferbia.
Cold winds flowed through the towering halls of the Royal Magic University of Ferbia, carrying the scent of frost and the quiet anticipation of something big. Snow had begun to gather along the stone pathways, and students walked through the campus wrapped in thick cloaks while practicing small warming spells in their palms.
For most students, winter meant holidays.
But for the 5th year magicians, winter meant something far more important.
The 5th Year Magic League.
The most prestigious league inside the university.
And this year... it would begin on 15th December.
The announcement echoed through the grand auditorium as the Dean stood on the stage before hundreds of students.
"Students of the Royal Magic University of Ferbia," the dean's voice boomed across the hall, "the 5th Year Magic League will begin on the 15th of December. Only the strongest magicians will survive its battles."
Excited murmurs spread through the crowd.
The dean continued.
"The final match will take place on 22nd December."
Sun slightly froze when he heard the date.
22nd December.
His birthday.
Beside him, Yuki turned toward him with a small smile.
"Looks like the universe wants you to fight on your birthday."
Sun smirked.
"Then I guess I'll have to win."
Aria, sitting beside them, laughed softly.
"That would be quite the birthday celebration."
---
Yuki's Birthday
Ten days before the league began, another special day arrived.
5th December.
It was Yuki's birthday.
But Yuki had completely forgotten about it.
Early that morning, she woke up to the quiet winter sunlight shining through the dorm window. She stretched lazily and walked toward the door.
The moment she opened it-
BOOM!
A burst of colorful magic lights exploded in front of her.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
Sun and Aria shouted together.
Yuki blinked in shock.
"What-?!"
The hallway was decorated with glowing magical ribbons floating in the air. Small fire sparks formed glowing numbers 13 → 14 → 15 → 16, representing the years that had passed.
In the center floated a beautiful magical cake surrounded by tiny water orbs.
Yuki slowly realized.
"...You remembered."
Sun crossed his arms.
"Of course I did."
Aria smiled warmly.
"You think we'd forget?"
Yuki laughed softly, her eyes shining slightly.
For a moment she remembered the small birthday they once celebrated alone in the mansion when they were kids.
Now things were different.
But the feeling was the same.
Warm.
Sun floated the cake closer.
"Go on."
Yuki closed her eyes and made a wish.
Then blew out the magical candles.
They spent the entire day celebrating.
They walked through the winter market of Ferbia city, drank hot chocolate enchanted with warmth spells, and watched street magicians perform tricks.
Later that evening, they returned to their dorm.
Sun handed her a small box.
Yuki raised an eyebrow.
"Another gift?"
"Open it."
Inside was a silver bracelet with a tiny dragon-shaped charm.
Yuki stared at it quietly.
"It reminded me of your water dragons," Sun said.
Yuki gently smiled.
"Thank you... Sun."
She carefully wore the bracelet.
Aria crossed her arms playfully.
"Wow, Sun giving emotional gifts now?"
Sun rolled his eyes.
"Don't start."
They laughed together as snow slowly began falling outside the window.
But soon...
The league would begin.
And everything would change.
---
The Magic League Begins
15th December
The university arena was overflowing with students.
Thousands gathered around the massive circular battlefield made entirely of enchanted stone.
Floating crystals hovered above the arena, recording every moment.
The dean stepped forward.
"The 5th Year Magic League begins now!"
Cheers erupted across the stadium.
Unlike the earlier leagues, this one was brutal.
Every participant was already an elite magician.
And among them...
Three names were whispered the most.
Sun.
Yuki.
Princess Aria Stark.
---
Sun's First Match
Sun stepped into the arena calmly.
His opponent was a tall magician named Rovan, known for his earth magic.
Rovan grinned.
"I've been waiting to fight you."
Sun replied calmly.
"Then don't waste the chance."
The signal bell rang.
CLANG!
Rovan slammed his hands into the ground.
"EARTH FANGS!"
Huge spikes erupted toward Sun.
Sun calmly lifted his hand.
"Fire Style: Blazing Step."
His body flashed through the battlefield like a streak of fire.
Rovan barely reacted before-
BOOM
A fire blast slammed into his chest.
But Rovan wasn't done.
"EARTH GOLEM!"
The ground cracked open as a massive stone creature rose.
The crowd roared.
Sun smiled slightly.
"Interesting."
His eyes glowed.
"Thunder Style: Sky Strike."
Lightning fell from above.
CRACK!!!
The golem shattered instantly.
Sun pointed forward.
"Fire Lance."
A compressed spear of flame shot forward.
Rovan collapsed.
The referee raised his hand.
"Winner - SUN!"
Cheers erupted through the stadium.
---
Yuki's Match
Yuki entered the arena next.
Her opponent was a wind magician named Selva.
The battle began instantly.
Wind blades rushed toward Yuki.
She calmly raised her hand.
"Water Shield."
The attacks dissolved instantly.
Selva smirked.
"Too slow."
She disappeared into the wind.
But Yuki closed her eyes.
Through the Mind Link, she felt Sun watching.
His thoughts brushed her mind.
Behind you.
Yuki turned instantly.
"Water Dragon!"
A massive serpent of water erupted from the ground and swallowed Selva's wind attack.
Moments later, Selva was knocked out of the arena.
"Winner - Yuki!"
The crowd cheered loudly.
---
Aria's Match
Princess Aria's fight was equally stunning.
Her light magic illuminated the entire arena.
Her opponent surrendered after being overwhelmed by blinding attacks.
Aria walked off the stage smiling.
"Looks like we're all advancing."
Sun nodded.
"For now."
---
Days of Battle
Over the next several days, the tournament continued.
Every match became more dangerous.
Many strong magicians were eliminated.
But three names kept advancing.
Sun.
Yuki.
Aria.
Finally...
The final four were decided.
---
The Semi Finals
Sun vs Aria
Yuki vs Kairo
One afternoon, Sun walked through the royal dormitory hallway looking for Aria.
She had asked him earlier to meet her, but when he reached her room, she was not there.
The door was slightly open.
Sun knocked.
No answer.
"Aria?"
Still nothing.
He stepped inside.
Her room was quiet and organized. Bookshelves covered the walls, filled with magic books and historical records.
Sun decided to wait.
While sitting near the desk, his eyes noticed a small book lying near the window.
The book looked old and worn.
Curious, Sun picked it up.
It looked like a personal journal.
He hesitated for a moment.
But then he opened it.
Most of the pages contained simple notes and thoughts written in neat handwriting.
But then one sentence caught his attention.
A name.
Jamie.
Sun's heart skipped a beat.
He kept reading.
The journal described memories from another world.
Memories about college life.
Beach trips.
Office work.
Parties.
And someone named Jack.
Sun's breathing suddenly became heavy.
Because those memories were his memories.
He turned another page slowly.
Then he saw something written clearly.
"I sometimes wonder if Jack ever got another chance at life."
Sun froze.
The handwriting was clearly Aria's.
His mind began racing.
Aria...
Jamie...
Could it really be possible?
Before he could think further, footsteps approached outside.
Sun quickly closed the journal and placed it back.
The door opened.
Aria walked inside.
She stopped when she saw him.
"Oh. Sun?"
She looked surprised.
"What are you doing here?"
Sun stared at her quietly.
For the first time, his calm expression looked shaken.
"Aria... I need to ask you something."
She raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
Sun hesitated.
Then he spoke slowly.
"...Are you Jamie?"
The room suddenly became silent.
Aria's eyes widened.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she asked quietly,
"How... do you know that name?"
Sun took a deep breath.
"I read your journal."
Aria looked shocked.
Then she slowly sat down on the chair.
"You weren't supposed to find that yet."
Sun stepped closer.
"So it's true?"
Aria looked at him.
"Yes."
Her voice was calm but emotional.
"My name in my previous life was Jamie."
Sun felt his chest tighten.
He looked at her carefully.
"Then... you remember everything?"
She nodded slowly.
"I remember my life on Earth."
Sun's voice became softer.
"...Then you must remember someone named Jack."
Aria looked at him carefully.
"Yes."
"Jack was the person I loved."
Sun slowly spoke.
"Aria... I am Jack."
Aria's eyes widened.
For a moment she looked completely shocked.
"You... what?"
Sun told her everything.
His death.
His reincarnation.
His childhood.
His life with Yuki.
Everything.
Aria listened quietly.
When he finished speaking, tears had formed in her eyes.
"You're really... Jack?"
Sun nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Aria suddenly stood up.
Then she stepped forward and hugged him tightly.
Sun froze for a moment.
Then he hugged her back.
After so many years...
They had finally found each other again.
Aria pulled back slightly and looked at him.
"I thought I lost you forever."
Sun smiled softly.
"So did I."
For a moment they simply stood there, looking at each other.
Then Aria laughed quietly.
"This world is really strange."
Sun smiled.
"Yes... it is."
Then suddenly Aria leaned forward and kissed him.
Sun was surprised, but he didn't pull away.
The moment felt natural.
Like something that had been waiting to happen for years.
After a few seconds they separated.
Aria smiled softly.
"I missed you, Jack."
Sun looked at her gently.
"I missed you too... Jamie."
They spent the next hour talking quietly.
Sharing memories.
Laughing about their past.
For a moment it felt like their old life had returned.
But eventually reality returned.
The Magic League.
The semifinal match.
Sun vs Aria.
The next day, the semifinal arena was completely full.
Everyone was excited for the match between the two strongest students.
Sun and Aria stepped into the arena.
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Aria attacked immediately.
"Light Spear!"
A shining spear of light flew toward Sun.
But he didn't move.
The attack hit him directly.
The crowd gasped.
But Sun still stood there.
Unharmed.
Aria frowned.
"Sun... fight me properly."
Sun remained silent.
She attacked again.
"Light Barrage!"
Dozens of light projectiles struck him.
But he still didn't move.
He stood like a wall.
Like a monster that could not be damaged.
Yuki watched from the stands in confusion.
"Why isn't he fighting?"
Finally Sun moved.
He raised his hand slowly.
A massive surge of mana filled the arena.
Even the professors looked shocked.
"Sacred Art: Solar Collapse."
A huge explosion of energy rushed toward Aria.
The entire stadium shook.
When the dust cleared, Aria was barely standing.
She had almost lost in a single attack.
But before anyone could react-
Sun raised his hand.
"I surrender."
The crowd gasped.
He turned and walked out of the arena.
Everyone was confused.
Yuki ran after him.
"Sun! Why did you do that?!"
Sun looked down quietly.
"I... had a feeling."
"What feeling?"
"That I couldn't hurt her."
Yuki stared at him.
But Sun said nothing more.
Behind them, Aria watched quietly.
Because she understood the real reason.