Morning mist still clung to the forest when the training began.
The clearing near the camp was quiet, surrounded by tall trees that swayed gently in the breeze. A few wolves watched from a distance, curious about what was about to happen.
In the middle of the clearing stood Aria, staring at the glowing crescent mark on her wrist.
The silver symbol pulsed faintly.
She sighed.
"So this is my life now."
A few meters away, the massive silver wolf of Alpha Kael stood watching her calmly.
Even in wolf form, his presence was powerful.
Behind Aria, the familiar tok of wood echoed again.
Tok.
Tok.
Ikechukwu leaned on his staff and observed the scene carefully.
"My sister…"
Aria glanced at him.
"Yes?"
Ikechukwu pointed at Kael's wolf form.
"You no go learn power if you fear opponent."
Aria looked back at the giant wolf in front of her.
"I'm not scared."
The silver wolf tilted its head slightly.
Aria quickly corrected herself.
"Okay… maybe a little."
Ikechukwu chuckled.
"Fear no bad. But control am."
Aria rolled her shoulders slightly and took a step forward.
The crescent mark on her wrist glowed brighter as she focused.
Silver light slowly spread across her arm.
The air around her began to shift.
Leaves on the ground moved as if a small wind had appeared.
Kael's wolf lowered its stance, ready.
Aria noticed immediately.
"Wait…"
She raised her hand slightly.
"We're actually doing this?"
The wolf gave a low rumbling growl.
Aria sighed.
"Alright."
She took a deep breath.
"First lesson."
The crescent mark suddenly flared.
Silver light burst from her wrist like a wave of moonlight.
Startled, Aria instinctively pushed her hand forward.
A flash of power shot across the clearing.
But instead of hitting Kael—
It blasted into a tree beside him.
CRACK!
The trunk split with a loud sound as bark exploded outward.
Silence followed.
Aria blinked.
"Oh."
She looked at the broken tree.
"I meant to do that."
Kael's wolf slowly turned its head toward the shattered trunk.
Then back toward her.
Behind them, Ikechukwu burst into laughter.
"My sister!"
Aria looked at him.
"What?"
He tapped his staff against the ground.
"You go destroy whole forest if you no focus."
Aria rubbed her forehead.
"This is harder than it looks."
Kael's wolf stepped forward slowly now.
Aria raised her glowing wrist again.
"Okay."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Second attempt."
The crescent mark pulsed brighter.
This time, instead of pushing the power out, she tried something different.
She held it.
The silver energy gathered around her hand, glowing softly.
The air around her vibrated.
Even the leaves above them rustled slightly.
Kael's wolf stopped moving.
Watching.
Waiting.
Aria concentrated harder.
The power felt like liquid light moving under her skin.
"Okay…"
She whispered.
"I think I'm getting it."
Then suddenly—
The energy slipped from her control.
A shockwave burst outward again.
Kael jumped back instantly as the blast pushed him several meters across the clearing.
Dust and leaves exploded into the air.
When the wind settled, Aria stood frozen.
Her arm slowly stopped glowing.
Silence filled the clearing.
Then Ikechukwu spoke.
"That one better."
Aria stared at Kael.
"Are you okay?"
The silver wolf stood up and shook his fur.
Then, surprisingly—
He looked impressed.
A moment later he shifted back into human form.
Kael walked toward her slowly.
"You're learning fast."
Aria blinked.
"That didn't look controlled at all."
Kael smirked slightly.
"Power comes first."
He gestured toward her wrist.
"Control comes later."
Aria looked down at the crescent mark again.
For a moment, it pulsed softly.
Like it was alive.
Then she sighed.
"Well…"
She looked back at Kael.
"At least I didn't accidentally destroy the camp."
Behind them, Ikechukwu raised his staff.
"Training never finish."
Aria groaned.
"Of course it doesn't."
Far away in the dark forest…
A pair of red eyes watched the clearing silently.
Hidden in the shadows, Magnus smiled faintly.
"She's improving."
His voice was almost a whisper.
The red eyes gleamed in the darkness.
"Good."
Because soon…
He would need her power at its strongest.