~Aurora~

　　Odin was retreating from the challenge. The Trials of Heirs was supposed to be a challenging, competitive environment where the victor emerges as a deserving winner! But with the kind of events which were happening to me lately were incredibly discouraging.

　　Even right now...

　　Odin was trying to back away from the duel because...he thinks I'm not a good opponent for him? What is making him back out from our duel!? THIS IS GOING TO CHANGE OUR LIVES!

　　My chest has started to feel tight as I drum my fist against the protective gear. It wasn't helping much.

　　"Odin! Fight me! Why don't you fight me, Odin!?" At this point, no one could hear me screaming because of the noise around us. All except Odin himself. But it appears as though even he had gone deaf against me.

　　"FIGHT ME—!"

　　"No," I'm pretty sure i heard that right. Did he just deny on fighting against me...?

　　"I can't fight you, Aurora." He dropped his belt that held the daggers. My frowned expression was facing his dropped belt as I shook my head. I was staring at his feet as I spoke, "Why...? Do I not deserve a fair fight?"

　　"You do. More than I could ever deserve a fair fight, you do. But this...this naturally belongs to you, Aurora. You're the legitimate Heir to the alpha of Darkforest pack. Aren't you, Fangborn?"

　　"THAT IS NOT THE POINT, ODIN! What will these people think of me!? She just won because someone gave up and gave into her weakness!? Fight me, Odin! I want to prove to the world—"

　　"That you're a strong woman? You've already done that. Very early on, Aurora. It's not easy being a teen and losing everything, coming here as a contender. You're the strongest of them all." My senses went numb. It wasn't an adrenaline rush. His words were making me angry, but somewhere within me, I knew he was only trying to pacify me into believing his decision is right.

　　His decision...was to back down from the fight. Concede and give up on his dreams of expanding his territory...

　　All...for me...?

　　'Aurora! Aurora! You've gotta hear me out!' Rolling my eyes, I turned to Odin who was scolded by the librarian to silence himself. He shrugged in, and whispered close to my face,

　　'I'm seriously going to expand my territory after I win these trials, you hear me? Ah! The Darkforest pack is such a resourceful land with the best kind of people already trained by blood! I can't wait to conquer, Aurora.'

　　I scoffed at his confidence. It was always a friendly tug between us, to encourage each other to give our best during these trials.

　　'Bold of you to assume that I'd even give up on something that is naturally mine. I'm the heir, and the rewards are mine. Good luck snatching it back from me, however.' Giving a witty response, also in a whisper, we chuckled after that.

　　...I'm not sure why this memory suddenly flashed in front of my eyes. Taking a deep breath in, I shook my head at Odin once again. He was really trying to back away...

　　Don't I deserve a fair fight? Is he perhaps conceding because he doesn't see me as his worthy opponent? Is it that he knows he'd win...because he has a wolf who can always heal him, anytime? Why do these things always happen to me, and only me!?

　　A tear of frustration rolled down my cheek. The speaker had started counting down to announce the natural winner, since Odin was showing signs of retreat.

　　"Please, Odin...don't do this." I cried. Alas, it fell into a deaf person's ears as he started smiling out of nowhere.

　　"You never knew the name of my wolf, right?" I crushed my eyebrows together. Why was he trying to deviate the topic!?

　　"It's Alarick. He's the white wolf who had enchanted you.

　　Don't get me wrong, Aurora. You're stronger than me. That's why I know who's going to be the winner of these trials. That trophy, those rewards...all belonged to you since the beginning. Who am I to interfere with your divine path to success?"

　　I could tell he was lying through his teeth! His breath was shaky, he was shaking like a leaf as well.

　　"Good luck, Alpha Aurora Fangborn. It was a pleasure to know such a great warrior will take over Darkforest pack." I closed my eyes, instinctively. After he said those words, the countdown had ended. I could hear the deafening screams of the audience. Amongst them, I could hear the sound of retreating footsteps. Odin had turned around and walked away, back into his chamber to mourn for his loss.

　　Will he be mourning...?

　　He had willingly given me the name of a victor.

　　Now suddenly...everything feels like a burden to me. All these people who are looking up to me, they'll be knowing that I was GRANTED the title of Alpha. Rather than me attaining it, working for it.

　　It pains me. My heart, it feels so warm and unsettling.

　　At once, I fell to my knees and let all emotions roll out of me in the form of crystals. I never wanted any of this to be given to me! I wanted to take it by myself! There's so much joy in that process, but people have snatched that away from me, AGAIN!

　　Odin...you're unforgivable.

　　Whatever you did, I know you were looking down on me just because I'm not a worthy opponent for you.

　　I won...but at what cost?

　　I lost a good friend.

　　I lost trust from people that everything will be given to me, and I'm not someone who works for those things.

　　Everything was overwhelming me.

　　Without a second thought, I sprung myself out of the arena and ran until my legs hurt. I ran back into my room, praying no one would have followed me here.

　　And the rest all, was history.