The Grand Moonlight Festival had finally arrived.
Every year, the capital of Astralis celebrated the unity of magic and love with a vibrant festival that lit up the sky for three nights straight. Students from all over the kingdom gathered in the city center, dressed in colorful robes, wearing charms that enhanced their elemental magic.
Noa and Yuto walked hand-in-hand down the bustling streets, their matching pendants glowing faintly — a symbol of their bond.
"It's beautiful," Noa said, eyes wide as she took in the floating lanterns drifting across the sky, shimmering with soft magic.
Yuto grinned. "Almost as beautiful as you."
Noa flushed, swatting his arm playfully.
Vendors called out from their stalls, selling enchanted treats that sparkled with tiny fireworks. Children ran past them, chasing illusionary butterflies.
It was a perfect night.
But not everyone shared their happiness.
From the shadows of the alleys, Leonhard Stahl watched them, his heart bitter with jealousy. Beside him, Sarina Velrose leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"They look so... perfect," Leonhard muttered.
Sarina's lips curled into a cold smile. "Perfection is fragile. It only takes a little crack to shatter everything."
Leonhard glanced at her. "And you can make that happen?"
Sarina's fingers twitched, dark magic swirling faintly at her fingertips. "I can."
As the night deepened, the city's Grand Arena prepared for the highlight of the festival: The Tournament of Bonds, where pairs would battle to show the strength of their unity.
Yuto and Noa stood at the gate, ready.
Nearby, Aya Nishimura approached them, looking awkward but sincere.
"I just wanted to say... good luck," she said, offering a small bow.
Noa smiled warmly. "Thank you, Aya."
Yuto nodded. "Let's all do our best."
Aya smiled, a hint of sadness in her eyes, and walked away.
The announcer's voice boomed across the arena. "First match: Yuto Kisaragi and Noa Kanzaki versus... Leonhard Stahl and Sarina Velrose!"
The crowd roared.
Noa stiffened beside Yuto. "They're serious opponents," she whispered.
Yuto squeezed her hand. "We'll face them together."
They stepped onto the battlefield.
Leonhard and Sarina stood across from them, both wearing expressions of cold determination.
The signal was given.
The battle began.
Leonhard charged first, his greatsword glowing with earth magic. Sarina whispered under her breath, and dark tendrils slithered from her hands.
Noa raised her staff, summoning a fierce wall of wind that knocked Leonhard back. Yuto unleashed a blast of lightning, striking the ground at Sarina's feet, forcing her to leap backward.
But Sarina smirked.
The ground beneath Noa cracked — dark magic exploded upward, grabbing at her legs.
"Noa!" Yuto cried out, rushing forward.
Leonhard swung his sword at Yuto, but Yuto parried with a blade of water, the clash sending ripples of force through the air.
Noa struggled, fire sparking from her hands, burning away the dark tendrils.
For a moment, the four stood locked in a furious storm of magic and strength.
Then Noa and Yuto exchanged a look.
Time to end this.
Noa raised her hands, wind swirling around her, feeding the fire into a massive storm of flame and air. Yuto charged his body with lightning, water condensing into sharp spears around him.
With a shout, they unleashed their combined attack.
A roaring phoenix of wind and fire burst from Noa's staff, soaring into the sky, while Yuto launched a barrage of lightning-charged water spears.
Leonhard raised his sword in defense, but the onslaught was too powerful.
Sarina tried to summon a shield of darkness, but the phoenix tore through it, forcing them to their knees.
The referee called it. "Yuto Kisaragi and Noa Kanzaki are the winners!"
The crowd exploded into cheers.
Yuto rushed to Noa, lifting her into the air and spinning her around.
"We did it!" he laughed.
Noa giggled, clinging to him tightly. "We did it together."
Leonhard watched them from the ground, bitterness filling his chest.
Sarina placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Next time," she whispered.
Later that night, after the celebrations, Noa and Yuto sat by the riverside, watching the reflection of the stars in the water.
"You were amazing out there," Noa said softly.
Yuto smiled. "Only because you were with me."
He pulled a small box from his pocket.
Noa gasped as he opened it — inside was a beautiful ring, simple but glowing faintly with magic.
"I know we're already engaged," Yuto said, voice trembling a little. "But I wanted to give you something special here too. As a promise. No matter what happens — in this world or any other — I'm yours."
Tears filled Noa's eyes.
She leaned forward and kissed him, the stars above them witnessing their vow.
In the shadows, a new figure watched them silently.
A figure whose presence would change everything.
The next chapter of their lives was about to begin.