The snow had stopped falling.
Kyota awoke to the distant chirping of birds—soft, uncertain notes that hesitated between the fading grip of winter and the coming breath of spring. Pale sunlight seeped through the curtain of clouds, washing the mountaintop cottage in gold. The world outside shimmered as the frost began to melt, leaving glassy trails along stones and branches.
He sat up slowly, his muscles sore from the week-long training in the Lightning Realm. His body felt both heavy and alive. The searing ache in his arms reminded him that he had faced chaos, danced with pain, and still emerged standing.
Outside, the snow was thinning. Patches of green peeked from beneath white, and the trees stretched their branches as if exhaling after a long slumber. Kyota stepped into the morning air, his breath still forming clouds. The cold didn't bite him like before—it brushed against him, familiar and harmless.
He turned toward the path leading to the forest, where someone stood silently.
"Morning," the man called, waving casually.
Kyota narrowed his eyes. The man had short silver hair tied loosely behind his head, a lean but strong build, and striking gray eyes that sparkled mischievously. He looked no older than twenty—handsome, confident, and calm.
Kyota frowned. "Who are you?"
The man chuckled. "That hurts, kid. You really don't recognize me?"
Kyota tilted his head. "…Do I know you?"
The man walked closer. "It's me."
"Me who?"
"The wizard."
Kyota blinked. Then stared. Then blinked again.
"Nope. You're lying."
The man smirked. "Wanna test me?"
Without warning, Kyota lunged, throwing a light punch. The man dodged easily. Kyota swept his leg next—only to be flipped onto his back with absurd ease.
"I knew it! You can't be him!" Kyota growled, bouncing up. "The old man has a beer belly! You've got… abs!"
They both laughed, but the next moment turned serious. Kyota rushed in again, his movements swift and sharp. Flames sparked on his fingers, but the man blocked them with his bare palm. Wind gathered behind Kyota's kick, but the man halted it with a single hand.
It turned into a dance of clashing fists and bursts of mana. The forest trembled as lightning crackled between them. But it was short-lived.
A sudden pulse of energy knocked Kyota back. He landed hard, gritting his teeth.
The young wizard stepped forward calmly. As he passed the cottage door, Kyota spotted something.
A cut. Thin and shallow, tracing his cheek.
The wizard touched it and smiled. "He's growing."
The door creaked open behind them.
Yuki yawned, rubbing her eyes and walking barefoot onto the porch. Her soft white robe flapped lightly in the breeze.
She blinked once. Then again.
"…Who's the pretty boy?"
The wizard turned with a dazzling grin. "Ah, Yuki! How do I look? Handsome, right?"
She stared at him.
"I look young again! Strong. Fresh. Dangerous."
She snorted. "You look like a narcissist who borrowed his son's face."
His smile froze. "Eh?"
"I liked the old man more. At least he didn't try to flirt like a peacock."
Kyota coughed to hide his laugh. The wizard dramatically clutched his chest and stumbled to a corner of the porch, crouching like a scolded puppy.
"Why must you wound me with words… I came back in style… and you spit in my soul…"
Yuki rolled her eyes. "Grow up, grandpa."
Kyota grinned. "What is this ability, anyway?"
The wizard stood up slowly, sighing. "It's called Eikō no Rinne—Rebirth of Glory. A forbidden technique that lets a mage sacrifice their accumulated experience and skills to temporarily regain their youthful form."
Kyota's eyes widened. "Wait… all your skills?! That's—insane."
"Indeed," the wizard said. "Few survive it. Your mind has to remain sharp while your body resets. Many have tried. Their bodies collapsed… or worse."
"…And you did it just to… look good?"
The wizard shrugged. "Sometimes, a man has his reasons."
Later that day, as the sun climbed higher and the snow melted into rivulets, Kyota sat beside the wizard, sipping warm tea brewed with wild herbs.
"So," Kyota said, "spring's almost here. Can we… go home?"
The wizard closed his eyes. "You've regained the five elements. The first part of your path is complete."
Kyota leaned forward.
"Yes. You may return."
"Really?!" Kyota stood up in disbelief.
The wizard smiled. "Take Yuki with you. But not just yet."
"Why?"
He raised a finger. "Today… is her birthday."
The cottage bloomed with life.
Kyota spent hours decorating with wildflowers, bright streamers, and a string of floating lights. Yuki, turning six, was blindfolded and led to the surprise by Kyota himself.
When she opened her eyes, her mouth dropped.
A long wooden table stretched across the snowy yard, covered in cakes, fruits, pastries, and hand-cooked meals. Lanterns hovered above them, flickering with soft blue and gold flames.
"Happy birthday, Yuki," Kyota said with a soft smile.
She stood frozen for a second. Then ran to him and hugged him tight.
The feast was loud, joyous, filled with laughter. The wizard, still in his youthful form, danced ridiculously. Yuki made him wear a paper crown. Kyota sang off-key, and Yuki nearly fell from laughing too hard.
Snowflakes floated down gently as they sang her birthday song.
That night, beneath the stars, a small pigeon flapped down into the clearing. A letter was tied to its leg.
The wizard untied it and read silently. His expression shifted.
"…It's time," he said.
Kyota and Yuki looked at him.
"I have to leave. There's something I must attend to."
Kyota stood. "What happened?"
"I cannot say. Not yet. But you," he pointed to Kyota, "will leave tomorrow. Take Yuki with you. Go home."
Yuki stepped forward. "Wait, but—"
The wizard smiled.
"I won't be gone forever."
Then he vanished—without light, without sound. Just… gone.
The fire crackled between them. Kyota and Yuki sat wrapped in shared silence, the warmth of the feast now fading into soft memories.
"I guess… we're really going back," Kyota said.
Yuki nodded. Her face glowed orange from the flames.
She turned to him, her eyes calm and deep. "Kyota?"
"Hm?"
"Thank you."
He blinked.
She leaned forward and kissed him softly on the cheek. "For always saving me. For… being here. For today."
Kyota's ears went red. "I-It's nothing. I mean, of course."
She giggled. "You're cute when you panic."
He fumbled in his pocket. "Actually, I got you something too."
He handed her a small wrapped box.
Inside was a delicate silver locket, shaped like a teardrop. A crystal inside shimmered like a frozen star.
She gasped. "It's… beautiful."
"I thought… you'd like it."
She smiled with teary eyes. "Can you help me put it on?"
He stepped behind her, hands trembling slightly as he fixed the chain around her neck.
She turned and hugged him tightly. "I'll treasure it forever."
The full moon rose above them, silver and glowing.
And under that last winter moonlight, as the cold faded into warmth, the two sat by the fire—quiet, content, and closer than ever before.
[End of Chapter 26]