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Reincarnation wasn't exactly something *he* had been expecting. One moment, he had been living an ordinary life, scrolling through anime, memes, and daydreaming about his favorite characters-and then suddenly, everything changed. An accident, a flash of light, and when he woke up... well, he was no longer in the world he knew.
Even stranger, he wasn't the same person anymore either. He had been reborn into the body of *Julius Novachrono*, but not the seasoned, powerful Wizard King. No, he had become *teen Julius*, full of potential, but without the burden of age and responsibility. His youthful appearance belied the incredible powers now flowing within him.
His hands could slow down or speed up the flow of events, freeze moments, and see glimpses of possible futures. It was surreal and powerful beyond imagination.
But that wasn't even the craziest part. No, the wildest thing was finding himself face-to-face with *her*-the very girl he had been low-key simping for ever since he'd laid eyes on her: Tsukasa.
She stood beneath a canopy of cherry blossoms, the delicate pink petals swirling gently in the breeze, her serene presence overwhelming. His heart pounded as he stared at her, standing a few meters away. She was even more beautiful, more ethereal than he ever could have imagined. Her calmness radiated, and in that moment, all he wanted was to keep her safe, to protect her from the cruel fates that lay ahead.
He knew. He knew about her future, about Nasa, about their destined meeting. But now... with the power of time itself in his hands, he had been given the chance to rewrite that destiny.
With a deep breath, he stepped forward, adjusting his posture to appear more confident. The robes he wore-Julius's robes-fluttered slightly in the wind, giving him an air of mystery. His heart raced, but his face remained composed. "Excuse me," he began, doing his best to sound smooth. "You're Tsukasa, aren't you?"
Tsukasa turned, her calm, piercing eyes meeting his. "Yes, that's right. And you are...?"
For a moment, he panicked. Who *was* he now? He wasn't Julius in his full glory, and he wasn't his old self either. But as he gazed into her eyes, the weight of his past life faded.
"I'm... Julius," he said smoothly, embracing his new identity. He didn't need to explain the teen part-he felt like he could stand confidently in this younger version of the famed Wizard King. "It's... an honor to meet you."
Tsukasa raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. "I see. You're not from around here, are you?"
He smiled slightly, feeling the time magic coursing through his veins. "I guess you could say I've traveled through more places than most." His words carried a double meaning that she couldn't possibly understand, but it made him feel a little more in control.
"I've... seen a lot of different futures," he continued, his voice soft but confident. "And in all of them, there's something special about you, Tsukasa. You stand out."
Her expression softened, but her eyes remained sharp. "Is that so? You talk as if you know me."
"I don't know you, not yet," he admitted, "but I've... glimpsed pieces of your future." He took a step closer, watching her carefully. "You've lived through more than most people can imagine. You've endured things no one should have to endure."
Tsukasa remained calm, her posture as steady as ever. "That's an interesting thing to say to someone you just met," she remarked, but there was no edge to her voice-just curiosity.
He could feel the weight of the moment, the destiny that had yet to unfold. *This* was his chance to change it all, to offer her a different future. "I don't want to scare you," he said gently, "but I believe I can help you."
Tsukasa tilted her head slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Help me how?"
Raising his hand, he let a small ripple of time magic flicker in the air. The world around them seemed to slow ever so slightly, the cherry blossom petals hanging in mid-air, suspended in time. Her eyes widened as she watched the display, her calm demeanor shifting for the first time.
"With these powers," he explained, "I can control time itself. I can see possible futures, and I can change them." He let the petals fall again as the time flow returned to normal. "You're destined for something great, Tsukasa. But I think there's a future where you don't have to walk that path alone."
Tsukasa blinked, studying him closely. "You're... an interesting person," she said softly, her lips curving into the smallest hint of a smile. "But the future is something we create ourselves, isn't it?"
His heart skipped a beat. *Did she already know? Could she sense what I'm trying to do?*
He stepped closer to her, trying to match her calm energy. "You're right. The future isn't set in stone. But that's why it's so beautiful, isn't it? We can shape it, little by little. And... I'd like to shape a future where you don't have to bear everything on your own."
For a moment, Tsukasa was silent, her gaze drifting towards the cherry blossoms above them. The soft pink petals danced in the wind, creating a serene atmosphere. Then, slowly, she looked back at him, her expression softening just a bit more.
"You really are something," she said, her tone lighter than before. "I suppose there's no harm in seeing where this goes."
His heart leapt. *Did she just agree to let me stay by her side?* He tried to play it cool, nodding as casually as he could. "I think you'll find I'm full of surprises."
As they walked together under the cherry blossoms, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. Sure, he was a normal guy thrust into a bizarre situation, wielding unimaginable power, but right now?
He was walking next to *Tsukasa*.
And maybe, just maybe, he could use his newfound powers to create a future where he could protect her, cherish her, and maybe... just maybe... win her heart.
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To be continued..