I stood there wondering what just happened. It was sudden and my mind was in a mess. It’s a given that wolves have sharp eyes. They have eyes that can see far and wide. Eyes of a natural born hunter. If anything ever happens, I highly trust my senses, mainly sight, smell, and hearing. That’s why when I saw that black shadow, I was sure. Even if it disappears as quickly as it appeared, I saw it clear as day. A jet black wolf. It was exactly the same as I saw in the vision. What was it doing here? Is it here for me? What does it want?

I found myself asking a lot of questions. Obviously, there is no one around that will answer them. Still, I stood there for a good time wondering about these ‘What ifs”. It was silly since I fully knew that there will be no answers even if I ask a hundred questions but you cannot just dismiss what I just saw. It lingers in my mind and I cannot get it off no matter what.

I touched the mark on my chest. It was hurting a little and I can feel the weird energy getting denser by the moment. I found myself getting worried about what will happen later. Is this all connected? All that’s happened proves that this is not just some kind of dream or some coincidence. The sequence of events is too fast and my mind cannot keep up to what’s happening around.

I didn’t know how long I stood there frozen but I went back to reality when I heard an overly familiar voice. A voice that stood above the rest, one that I will immediately recognize in the distance. It was a voice I knew too well.

“Oh? What do we have here?” I heard a mocking voice and some footsteps coming close to me. I got incredibly annoyed. It was Lance, my younger brother. He was the third child next to me.

Ever since my parents found out that I’m incredibly weak and I don’t receive some kind of blessing from the gods during a full moon, Lance’s attitude went a full rotation. Before he treats me like a normal elder brother, we may not be as close as it gets, at least the treatment he gives me isn’t bad. Now, when I was branded as a failure among the family, his attitude underwent a huge change.

He always picks on me, boasting that he is much more powerful than me. He also sticks around our eldest brother during that time, always making himself look good and powerful, even if it means stepping on others. And by others, I mean myself. He always boasts that he was the second strongest in the family, second only to brother.

In a pack of wolves, strength is everything. It determines your social position among the hierarchy. If you are the strongest, you will lead everyone, other strong wolves have other responsibilities as well. The benefits of being a high-rank wolf are good as well. They have access to more training facilities, more herbal medicines, and stronger training regimes. It’s always a plus that you can do practically anything with the people lower than you. So if you are stronger than everyone, the weak cannot disobey you.

Lance’s intention on staying close to the future headmaster is obvious to everyone. If we follow the norm since I was the second son, I should be the second most powerful in the family, but destiny differs. Such, Lance always look for a chance to trample my honor every second he finds to make my position lower and he can lift himself upwards. If he wants to be the second son that badly, I’ll give it to him, free of charge, it’s troublesome and I’m too lazy to do some stuff anyway.

“What do you want Lance?” I’m annoyed by his presence. He was up to no good again, he does something troublesome every month. He was also the reason why I moved out of the house. It was a good choice actually, I didn’t think my parents would approve it that easily but I guess they were glad to relieve some dead weight.

“Do I need a reason now to see my beloved brother? I just want to talk, you know, catch up. Since you moved out of the house, I felt really lonely.” His tone was mocking and filled to brim with sarcasm. Lonely he says, bet he was just annoyed he lost his stepping stone. Just the way he talks, I’m running out of patience here.

“Leave me alone. I have things to do.” I tried to escape. I have many things to worry about and I don’t want another troublesome being pestering my life. I have my hands full of worrying about what will happen in the next few hours.

“Oh? Our failure of a brother has some things to do? I wonder what could it be? It’s certainly not preparing for the full moon later, right? As we all know, our elder brother right here is…” Man, he sure can run his mouth. He blocked my way as well. Not this again. If was fine back then, I couldn’t care less about him. I always ignore him and pass by. I thought being bothered by him was a waste of time and energy.

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This time, however, I have things in my mind and he was distracting in more ways than one. I cannot lose my cool here, I knew very well that he's just taunting me. I won't fall for such an obvious trap. Things can get really ugly if I took the bait and I'm too lazy to deal with whatever comes next. I just wish I have some kind of method to shut him up and leave me alone. Oh. I almost forgot that I have that.

I glared at him. A good old glare that I used to shut some small fries back at school. I multiplied my killing intent this time as I feel it will be much more effective that way. I just stood there, piercing holes in his body with my glare.

He went silent after our eyes met. His expression turned pale and he was madly sweating. It was good to know that this method works fine here. I made a mental note to use this every time I faced this annoyance. In this exchange, I also learned that he's not truly strong. The strong don't have a weak resolve. The true resolve of the strong won't falter with just a glare, especially from what he labeled as a weak person. He's putting up a front to make his position higher in the family. I sighed. Power blinds people, especially greedy ones.

“Wh-what are you going to do? Elder brother won't let you get away with this!” He was panicking. Threatening me won't do you good, I fully knew that the family doesn’t have an ounce of care for me. You're the second strongest right? Why would you even use the eldest brother's name to protect yourself?

“Leave me alone.” I went and walked away, thinking that all of this is over. Unfortunately, this guy wants to cause trouble no matter what. Maybe I damaged his pride or anything, but he obviously wanted to get back at me.

“You..! Stop right there! I won't let you get away with this!” He shouted while running to block my way once again. This time his face is full of anger and shame. He also assumed his battle stance, growling and snarling at me. This is getting out of hand. I don't want anything to do with him anymore but here he was. Things may get a little dirty so I immediately went and thought of a way to escape this madman.

“Hey! Stop that!” Just as I was thinking of what to do next, I heard another familiar voice over the distance. The voice, however, doesn't strike me as annoying or hostile. I turned my attention towards the source of the voice and I recognized the figure approaching us fast.

“Hey, you over there! You're bullying Kane again! I won't let you get away with this!” The girl jumped from her position to the gap between me and Lance. She held her own battle stance, ready to brawl anytime.

The girl that came was Aysha. If I were to describe this girl… even I will have a hard time. To put it in simple terms, she was a battle maniac. A good one at that. She isn't a member of the main family, she was the eldest daughter of the Burnness Family, one of the branch family of the Elliot Family. We share the same age but… she's ridiculously strong. Even my brother acknowledges her strength. Every wolf in the pack approves that she is one of the strongest in my age. She also battles some of the older ones and can stand her ground. A battle maniac to boot. Unfortunately, that's all she is. She isn't particularly smart either. All brawn and no brains. It was one of the reasons why she isn't allowed to leave the mountains as they fear that she will go on a battle spree once outside.

“If you're that bored, I'll be happy to entertain you in a battle!” She was full of spirit, itching for a fight it seems.

“Do-don't interfere here! Or else…”

“Or else what?” Aysha stood her ground, she was brimming with energy and fighting spirit. Lance was back to his nervous self. Maybe a battle maniac was too much for him. So much for the number two strongest.

“You… Stop hiding behind a girl! Do you call yourself a man?” Seeing that he can't get through Aysha, he started targeting me instead. I won't be falling for his trap though. I finally found a cover and I'm planning to use it through.

“Hey! I told you to stop pestering him! Pester me instead! I'll be happy to amuse you in his stead.” Lance eventually gave up seeing he can't get through Aysha. His expression was grim and angry as he walked away from us.

“I'll remember this!” I sighed. Just leave me alone already.

Aysha turned around and smiled at me. I smiled back, it was a long time since I visited Aysha. She was one of my good friends that do not discriminate me for being weak despite being strong herself. We are also close when we are kids as we play around a lot back then.

When I thought that this scene will be a heartwarming reunion for both of us, I suddenly felt a pain in my right arm. I looked at Aysha and she apparently punched my arm! What happened? Did I make her angry?

“You said you will always visit me! I haven't seen you in like, forever!” So she was mad about that, I feel a bit guilty as well but modern life is too comfortable once you have a taste.

“I'm sorry but I've been busy.” I apologized while rubbing my arm. This brute girl.

Aysha and I went to her house to catch up. Apparently, her mother is cooking something special, so I came with her because I ate nothing but candy since earlier. It was then when the mark on my chest started burning. What's happening now?