The Silence Before Flame by Shikisoy

Miso Kim was born with a forbidden gift - one the world thought extinct. While others at Kioku University bend fire, water, and wind with ease, Miso bends light... and emotion. But his power is volatile, fueled by everything he feels - fear, grief, longing - and it's made him a danger in the eyes of many, including himself.

Then he meets Cyan Lee - the Academy's golden boy, a prodigy of elemental mastery. Their collision is accidental, but their connection is instant. As whispers grow and tensions rise, Cyan doesn't back away from Miso's light... he reaches for it.

When Miso's powers explode in public - revealing a lost legacy tied to the ancient Starborne - he becomes more than an outcast. He becomes a target. Now hunted, misunderstood, and unraveling, Miso must decide if he'll keep hiding in the dark... or ignite.

In a world afraid of what burns too brightly, Miso must fight not only for control - but for a future where he doesn't burn alone.