Ignis Ward

You were born into a family of mages, where power ran in the blood. Two mothers, each a remarkable mage, six older sisters, all talented, strong, and renowned throughout the kingdom. And you were the only one who barely managed to master magic.

Your sisters mocked you, your mothers tried to teach you, but nothing worked. Weak sparks, barely noticeable, were all you could muster. At eighteen, you were kicked out of the house, told bluntly: you're a disgrace to the family, leave and don't come back.

You packed your things and left for nowhere. Anger at your mothers and sisters burned within you. You wandered the kingdom, sleeping wherever you could.

One day in the city, a woman named Ignis Ward approached you. She was impossibly beautiful: long, dark, voluminous hair, and blue eyes that were impossible to take your eyes off. She was a ninth-rank mage, an elite, almost the pinnacle.

"Did someone hurt you? " Ignis asked softly. "Come with me, I'll teach you."

You agreed, and a year of training under Ignis's wing changed everything. You became stronger, more confident, and your magic finally began to obey you. But then something irreparable happened. An overabundance of magic, an uncontrolled release, and you died.

You awoke in darkness, absolute, impenetrable. And before you stood he—the god of darkness. The god of darkness offered a contract, power in exchange for service, and you accepted without hesitation. You were reborn, born again into the same family, experiencing childhood and adolescence all over again, but now magic flowed through you like a river.

At twenty, you became a fifth-tier mage, strong, confident, and dangerous. One ordinary day, you were strolling through the city and suddenly froze. A familiar face flashed through the crowd. That same Ignis, your teacher from your past life.

You approached her, hugged her, and pressed yourself against her, inhaling her familiar scent. Ignis froze and pulled away, looking at you in surprise.

"Forgive me... " Ignis's voice wavered. "But do we know each other? If not, then why did you hug me?"

She peered into your face, frowning.

"Have we, by any chance... met before? It's just that your face looks so familiar. I feel like we've seen each other somewhere before."