22nd December arrived quietly.
Snow covered the towers and gardens of the Royal Magic University of Ferbia. The cold winter wind moved through the arena, but the entire university was full of excitement.
Today was not just another day.
Today was the final match of the Fifth-Year Magic League.
And today was also Sun's seventeenth birthday.
Students from every year gathered around the massive arena. Professors, nobles, and even members of the royal court had come to watch the final battle.
Because the two finalists were not ordinary students.
They were the strongest magicians in the university.
Yuki Star.
Aria Stark.
Best friends.
Rivals.
And two of the most powerful young magicians in Ferbia.
The crowd roared with excitement as both of them entered the arena.
Snowflakes slowly fell around them as they walked toward the center.
Yuki stretched her shoulders slightly and smiled.
"So it's finally us."
Aria smiled back calmly.
"Yes. The final battle."
Yuki laughed softly.
"Don't expect me to hold back."
Aria raised her hand as wind magic slowly gathered around her fingers.
"I wouldn't want you to."
High above in the spectator seats, Sun watched silently.
His expression was calm, but his mind was not.
Everything felt strange today.
The same date as the day he died in his previous life.
The same day he was supposed to marry Jamie.
And now Jamie stood in the arena below him.
But so did Yuki.
The girl who had been beside him for thirteen years.
The girl who trained with him, laughed with him, fought beside him.
Sun exhaled slowly.
"...This is going to be complicated."
The referee stepped forward.
"Final match of the Fifth-Year Magic League!"
The arena barrier activated, glowing with protective runes.
"Begin!"
The moment the signal was given-
Both of them moved.
Aria attacked first.
"Wind Spear!"
A sharp spear of compressed wind shot toward Yuki at incredible speed.
Yuki jumped to the side.
The spear struck the ground and exploded, sending stone fragments flying.
Yuki grinned.
"Fast start."
She raised her hand.
"Fire Lance!"
A blazing spear of fire shot toward Aria.
Aria lifted her arm calmly.
"Wind Shield."
A spinning barrier of air deflected the attack.
But Yuki was already moving.
"Flame Step!"
She dashed forward using a burst of fire magic beneath her feet.
Aria reacted instantly.
"Cyclone Ring!"
A circular storm erupted around her, forcing Yuki to stop.
The powerful winds pushed flames in every direction.
Students in the audience leaned forward in excitement.
"They're both moving so fast!"
"They're not even testing each other anymore!"
The real fight had already begun.
Yuki slammed her hand onto the ground.
"Frost Wave!"
A massive wave of ice rushed across the arena floor.
Aria leaped into the air.
"Wind Flight!"
A burst of wind lifted her body upward.
From the sky she pointed her hand downward.
"Storm Rain!"
Dozens of sharp wind blades rained down.
Yuki crossed her arms.
"Ice Dome!"
A thick dome of ice formed around her.
The wind blades struck the dome repeatedly, creating loud cracks.
But the dome held.
Then suddenly-
It exploded outward.
Yuki burst from the ice shield.
"Flame Spiral!"
A spinning tornado of fire rushed toward Aria.
Aria narrowed her eyes.
"Twin Cyclones!"
Two powerful wind storms collided with the flames.
The arena filled with swirling fire and wind.
Heat and pressure spread everywhere.
Even the spectators could feel it.
Sun watched carefully.
Both of them were still holding back their strongest spells.
But the intensity was already incredible.
Yuki jumped backward and formed a seal with both hands.
"Water Dragon!"
A massive dragon made of water erupted from the ground and charged toward Aria.
Aria responded instantly.
"Lightning Gale!"
Wind and lightning merged together into a violent storm.
The lightning struck the water dragon.
The entire arena exploded with steam.
Visibility disappeared for a moment.
When the smoke cleared-
Both girls stood on opposite sides of the battlefield.
Breathing slightly heavier now.
Yuki smiled.
"Not bad."
Aria smiled back.
"You too."
Then both of them raised their hands again.
Mana exploded across the arena.
This time neither of them held back.
Aria spoke first.
"Royal Art: Sky Dominion!"
The entire sky above the arena darkened.
A massive storm began forming overhead.
Wind pressure pushed downward with terrifying force.
Students gasped.
"That's a royal technique!"
Yuki clenched her fists.
"Guess I need to get serious too."
Cold air spread across the arena.
Ice crystals began forming in the air around her.
"Frozen Domain."
The ground instantly turned into thick ice.
The temperature dropped sharply.
Storm above.
Frozen world below.
Two powerful domains clashed in the arena.
Aria moved first.
"Thunder Cyclone!"
A massive tornado filled with lightning descended toward Yuki.
Yuki slammed her staff into the ground.
"Ice Fortress!"
Huge walls of ice rose upward.
The tornado smashed into them violently.
Ice shattered everywhere.
But the fortress slowed the attack enough for Yuki to escape.
She jumped high into the air.
"Blazing Meteor!"
A giant sphere of fire fell toward Aria like a burning star.
Aria extended both arms.
"Storm Breaker!"
A massive lightning bolt shot upward and destroyed the meteor.
The explosion shook the entire arena.
Students stood up from their seats.
"This is insane!"
"They're fighting like war generals!"
Both girls landed again.
Now their breathing had become heavier.
But neither of them planned to stop.
Yuki wiped a little sweat from her forehead.
"Alright."
She smiled.
"Last move."
Aria understood immediately.
"Same here."
Both of them gathered all their remaining mana.
The entire arena trembled.
Sun leaned forward slightly.
"This will decide everything."
Yuki closed her eyes for a moment.
Then she whispered softly.
"Burning Frost Dragon."
Two elements merged together.
Fire.
Ice.
A gigantic dragon formed behind her.
Its body was made of glowing blue ice, but burning flames flowed along its wings.
The creature roared loudly.
The audience was stunned.
"A dual-element dragon spell?!"
Aria raised both hands toward the sky.
"Royal Final Art: Storm Judgment!"
A massive storm descended from the sky.
Lightning gathered into a giant spear of thunder.
The two ultimate attacks rushed toward each other.
Dragon of burning frost.
Spear of divine lightning.
The collision shook the entire arena.
Light exploded everywhere.
For several seconds no one could see anything.
Then slowly-
The smoke cleared.
Aria was kneeling on the ground.
Her magic had been completely exhausted.
Yuki stood several meters away.
Breathing heavily.
But still standing.
The referee raised his hand.
"Winner..."
"Yuki Star!"
The arena exploded with cheers.
Students shouted loudly.
"Yuki!"
"Champion!"
Yuki fell onto her knees for a moment, exhausted but smiling.
She had done it.
Later that evening, the award ceremony was held in the arena.
The Dean stepped forward holding a small glowing pearl.
"This is the prize for the champion."
"The Eternal Pearl."
The pearl shone with soft blue light.
"This artifact contains ancient mana and will strengthen the magical power of its owner."
The Dean handed the pearl to Yuki.
"Congratulations."
The entire stadium applauded.
Yuki smiled happily.
But after the ceremony ended, she immediately ran away from the arena.
Because there was someone she wanted to see.
She found Sun standing quietly near the snowy garden behind the arena.
The moonlight reflected off the snow around him.
"Sun!"
He turned around.
Yuki smiled brightly.
"Happy birthday."
Sun laughed softly.
"Thanks."
For a moment they stood quietly.
Then Yuki took a deep breath.
Her expression became serious.
"Sun... there's something I want to tell you."
Sun tilted his head slightly.
"What is it?"
Yuki looked straight into his eyes.
"I love you."
Sun froze.
But Yuki continued speaking.
Her voice was calm but full of emotion.
"You idiot... we've been together for thirteen years."
"We trained together."
"We fought together."
"We survived everything together."
"You're my best friend... my partner... and the person I trust more than anyone."
Her eyes became slightly wet.
"I don't know when it happened."
"But somewhere along the way..."
"I fell in love with you."
Sun could not speak.
But suddenly-
Another voice spoke.
"I love him too."
Both of them turned.
Aria stood there quietly.
Snowflakes fell around her as she walked closer.
She looked at Sun gently.
"I loved him in my previous life."
"And I still love him now."
Sun felt completely overwhelmed.
His mind became chaotic.
Inside his thoughts he whispered to himself:
"I love Aria... because she was my past life's fiancée."
"But I also love Yuki... the girl I met thirteen years ago... who is my best friend and companion in this life."
Sun closed his eyes.
Then he spoke slowly.
"I... need time."
Both girls looked confused.
"How much time?" Yuki asked.
Sun hesitated.
"...Two years."
Both of them immediately shouted.
"WHAT?!"
Yuki crossed her arms angrily.
"You need TWO YEARS to decide?!"
Aria looked equally shocked.
"Seriously?!"
Sun scratched his head awkwardly.
"I'm confused!"
"I need time to understand my feelings!"
Yuki sighed loudly.
"You are unbelievable."
Aria shook her head.
"You're lucky we like you."
But after a moment-
Both girls laughed.
Finally Yuki said,
"Fine."
"Two years."
Aria nodded.
"But after two years..."
"You must choose."
Sun smiled awkwardly.
"Deal."
Then the three of them shared a warm group hug under the falling snow.
For now-
The battle of magic had ended.
But the battle of the heart had only just begun.