The Magic Academy—

a gathering place for children from grade-school age up to high school, a crucible where talent was forged.

The uniforms were deep green robes, each embroidered at the chest with a mark showing the wearer’s mana attribute.

Mine was a small golden flower.

Rei’s was a silver-white star.

Even the teachers were young, more like college students than strict instructors, giving the school a surprisingly approachable atmosphere.

Among them, the one assigned to us on our very first day, Teacher Lorl, felt almost like the friendly big brother from next door.

“Maikado Mai and Rei, right? Looking forward to teaching you two!”

That easy smile made it seem like our new life would be bright and peaceful.

The other students assumed we were siblings: “the older sister skilled at magic and the younger brother who followed her around.”

To be fair, it wasn’t far off—I was used to controlling magic, while Rei always stood quietly at my side.

But one day, something changed.

During lunch break, Rei was called over to the edge of the courtyard—where three older boys cornered him.

“Hey, lend us some mana. You’re Light-attribute, right?”

“C’mon, just a little. You don’t even use it yourself, do you?”

Rei shook his head, trembling.

I happened to be passing by, and my breath caught.

(Stop it…!)

The moment I cried out in my heart, a cold gleam flickered in Rei’s eyes.

“I said… stop.”

His voice trembled. Not with fear, but with anger, held down to the breaking point.

“I didn’t want to use magic. But…”

The air quivered.

A flash of light rippled outward—and the magical tools in the bullies’ hands slipped to the ground.

“Wh-what!? …My mana’s… gone!?”

From Rei’s fingertips drifted a pale glow.

“High-level spell… Mana Seal…”

Everyone froze.

Rei had been suppressing his mana all this time.

Without realizing it, he’d stored it up until emotion burst the dam and power spilled out.

I rushed to his side and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s okay, Rei. I’m here.”

His expression wavered—half on the verge of tears—before he gave a small nod.

After the incident, Rei was placed under special supervision, and his training regimen was revised.

I chose to stay by him more than ever.

The power to turn emotions into mana—

It was something only the two of us shared.

And if we could use it not for fear, but for hope—

Macikado Mai, age six.

In a new place, I am forging deeper bonds with my former enemy.

A winter memory I will never forget.