The buzz in the training field was electric.
Mock battles were a daily routine now, but today felt different. Everyone in Class A knew the matchups well. Rachel and Nolan often had close fights. Momoshi and Roland too—they went back and forth, each trying to outdo the other. But when it came to Arthur and Emilia, there had never been any competition.
Arthur was the undisputed strongest in their year. A dual affinity user with both earth and water, each rated 4-stars. A once-in-history talent. No one could predict just how perfectly the two elements would work together in him. Nature—the element formed by combining his two—was not only rare but terrifying in control and power.
He wasn't just strong compared to his peers. Arthur had even defeated several Level 2 seniors from other sections, some with years more experience and training.
Even in Aiden's previous life, Arthur had always won against Emilia. Every. Single. Time.
Aiden had already accepted it. He wasn't even watching the field seriously, his thoughts drifting toward his own training. That is, until he heard gasps and murmurs rising from the crowd.
His eyes turned back to the arena.
And froze.
Emilia was pushing Arthur back.
Even as Arthur used his perfect nature element, conjuring vines and hardened bark, Emilia was keeping up, weaving through them with a new, fluid style. Her darkness spread like a shadow beneath her feet, absorbing and consuming Arthur's attacks. And then, from that darkness, flames erupted—controlled, refined, deadly.
Aiden's eyes widened. *That… that's not just a random combo.*
She wasn't merely using fire and darkness separately.
She was layering them.
Darkness as a base. Fire dancing above it, like flames cloaking the shadow. The style was unpredictable, beautiful… and terrifying.
*No,* Aiden thought. *This is the rudimentary version of the combat style she mastered in her previous life.*
His chest tightened.
He'd seen it. He remembered her final battles. But back then, they weren't close anymore. He had pushed her away—too consumed by his own failures, his inferiority complex. He'd missed so much. Missed *her.*
Back then, he had casually told her—*"Why don't you try merging the base control of your darkness with the aggression of fire?"*—a theory he had once read about but never explored.
He never thought she'd taken it seriously.
And yet… here she was.
In front of everyone.
Proving herself.
Arthur gritted his teeth and ramped up his pressure. Vines shot from the ground, bark hardened into living armor around his body, and water whirled around his fists. His element was perfect. Strong. Adaptive.
But Emilia was one step ahead.
She didn't overpower him—she *outmaneuvered* him. Her style was fluid, never fixed. Fire would ignite, flare, then vanish into darkness. Every move seemed improvised, yet refined. It was like watching a dancer—elegant, graceful, and completely in control.
The fight reached a crescendo.
Arthur tried to trap her with a cage of roots.
Emilia ducked, spun, and in one seamless motion, cloaked herself in fire and shadow, blasting straight through the vines. Her hand stopped just an inch from Arthur's chest, fingers coated in swirling fire.
The professor stepped in just then, halting the match with a barrier.
Everyone stood silent.
Then—
Arthur smiled, breathing hard, but proud. "Let's do this again soon."
Emilia lowered her hand and nodded with a grin. "Anytime."
Aiden was frozen.
That wasn't just a lucky win. Emilia had *evolved.* In just weeks, she'd surpassed the Emilia he once knew. Her mana control was sharper. Her elemental mastery was superior. Even her cultivation speed…
*Was she holding back in her previous life?* he wondered. *Was she always capable of this? Was I the reason she never grew this fast…?*
His heart twisted.
He had been so obsessed with his own path, his own failure, that he never noticed what she was capable of. What she could've become—*if only he had stayed.*
Lost in thought, he didn't realize when someone leaned close.
"Thinking of me?" Emilia teased, her voice soft, head tilted playfully to the side.
Aiden blinked, catching her red eyes shining with pride and joy.
He chuckled and rubbed her head, ruffling her hair gently. "Why are you acting like Ava now that she's not around?"
Emilia smirked. "Ava gets so jealous when you pat me like this."
Aiden smiled faintly at the thought of their little sister's pouting face.
"Did I surprise you?" she asked.
"You did," he replied dramatically, clutching his chest. "I think I'm about to faint. You might have to carry me out of here."
Emilia gasped in mock offense. "Look who's talking! I'm the one who just fought a powerhouse and won!"
Before Aiden could retort, Cecilia and Arthur approached.
"Hope we're not interrupting your date," Cecilia said with a sly smile.
"It's not a date!" Aiden answered a little too fast.
Emilia didn't even try to hide her grin.
Arthur laughed. "Relax, man. You two just give off *that* vibe."
"We've been called siblings, lovers, even husband and wife," Emilia added, sighing. "At this point, I think the universe has shipped us."
Aiden flushed. "Stop."
Emilia leaned closer and whispered, "I'm *definitely* teasing you about this later."
Aiden looked at her sideways, suppressing a smile. For once, things felt light.
But deep inside, the weight returned.
*She's growing stronger than before. Maybe this time… she won't die. Maybe this time, I won't let her.*
He looked toward the arena.
This world was merciless. Strong today could be dead tomorrow. And Emilia wasn't the only one he needed to protect. Ava. His parents. Even the classmates around him… they were all part of the future that could collapse if history repeated itself.
But not again.
This time, Aiden wouldn't let his fear or pride hold him back.
He had a second chance.
And he wouldn't waste it.