Growl of Trial

CHAPTER 2 (Elimination)

Next morning, a thick fog enveloped the Adamson University compound, covering everything on the campus with an eerie quietness. I woke up early, my mind a swirl of anticipation and anxiety for the upcoming elimination round. My brief taste of success was exhilarating. Now, today's challenge would rise to a much greater scale of height. The top ten would move into the next round, and everyone else would go home.

I took a deep breath to steel myself for today. In my training gear, I headed out toward the arena. There was a knot of nerves in my stomach that did not seem to go away. The fog began to lift as I drew closer, making the sprawling, imposing structure of the trial grounds more visible. The scent of determination and apprehension from all the gathered contestants hung heavy in the air.

One could feel the overload in this sea of wolves, some overconfident, others fidgeting due to nervousness, as the air was charged with anxiety for our turn. It was named the "Bloody Circle," a round of elimination renowned for its brutality. In essence, the challenge is simple yet vicious: it involves pushing other wolves out from within a designated red circle so that only the last ten wolves standing within that circle will pass through.

A loudspeaker burst into life, and Principal Enits's voice resounded across the arena. "Welcome to the Bloody Circle. There will be a strength and strategy test to compete in. Only the top ten can advance into this last round. Good luck to you all."

My heart pounded as I strode toward the circle's rim. Turning my head to the right, then left, I snagged the more superior wolves who had kept out of my reach in the earlier trial. One was Elias, whose eyes stayed on mine, interested. While his staring was unnerving, his watching somehow comforted me.

Before the starting gun went off, I spotted Ethan, already a student at the university and notorious for his ruthless tactics. He was surrounded by a group of high-ranking wolves, his presence commanding attention. His gaze swept across the crowd, cold and calculating.

My attention fell on a rumpus near the fringe of the arena as the fight ensued. There was Ethan, who could not have been more handsome and staring with the gaze of death, leading high-ranking wolves. They seemed to zero in on a lonely commoner who stumbled around in an effort to keep footing. Cold amusement flickered in Ethan's razor-sharp eyes as he taunted the commoner; his voice cut through chaos.

"Come on, what's the matter? Can't handle a little competition?" Ethan sneered, his voice full of disdain. The commoner, a young wolf with a coat of muted brown, struggled to stay in the circle. Ethan and his entourage laughed, their cruelty evident as they closed in on their prey.

It was a shot in the gut to watch. I had witnessed Ethan's merciless ways before, but this was the most blatant time. I knew that I should do something, but it took so much courage to get in the way of Ethan and antagonize him further. My nerves were strung taut; still, there was nothing that I could stand and do.

I summon my courage and squeezed my way through the mass of people to stand in front of Ethan. "Ethan, we are not a toy," I said, my voice shaking just a bit but firm. "You should stop this."

"You are a toy." Ethan's eyes shifted onto me, and in an instant, the mirth was replaced with something dangerous, curious. His handsome face was framed with a mane of dark fur, and he radiated absolutely no warmth. "And this? The low-ranking commoner with a conscience?" His eyes were cold, almost predatory.

"Look, I know we're all competing against each other, but that doesn't mean we have to treat each other this way, you already have your high rank why you just keep it?" I continued, making my tone not shake. "Everyone deserves respect no matter their rank."

Ethan's lips twisted into a smirk, and his eyes didn't leave mine. "Respect? You're going to find out real quick in this place respect is earned—not given. If you want to make a change, maybe you should focus on winning the trials rather than playing hero."

My anger surged again, but I wouldn't back down. "I'm not trying to play hero. I just want you to stop bullying those who are at a disadvantage."

Ethan's eyes flashed with a dangerous light, and for a moment, I feared that I had gone too far. The air was charged again with that sizzling feeling. Just as Ethan was going to reply to me, one of his cronies nudged him, and he turned away with a dismissive wave. "This isn't over, commoner. You might want to remember that."

I watched Ethan and his group walk away from where the commoner was still covered on the ground. I knelt beside him with a comforting smile. "Are you alright?"

He looked up at me, his eyes filled with gratitude and embarrassment. "Thank you. I didn't expect anyone to stand up for me."

I helped him to his feet. "No one should have to face that kind of treatment. Just hang in there. We're all here to prove ourselves. And your name?"

"Rei." He smiled, for sure he was younger than me.

"Dana." I offer my hands and he take it.

As I turned my back toward the arena, I felt a mix of relief and apprehension. I had stood up to Ethan, but that was going to cost me. The trials were an exercise in skill, not in courage or resilience.

The starting gun fired, and suddenly the arena was awash with bedlam. Wolves streamed into the circle, a storm of fur and claw, each wolf fighting to be top dog. I launched myself into the melee, right in the thick of battle in no time at all. Groans, yips, and shouts mingled with the thudding of body against body.

I used every ounce of my training to hold my ground. I ducked and weaved, depending on my agility to keep me from being pushed out. Indeed, it was as much about strategy as strength. I noticed some wolves working together to drive others out, others relying on brute force.

The bloody circle raged on. I fought to hold up my place, every movement a thinking man's dance, in avoidance of being pushed out. Every minute, the circle was shrinking, and the number of competitors was decreasing. My will and ability pulled me through to the final bell, placing me among the last ten standing.

I was exhausted but elated as I turned to Elias, whose expression remained unchanged, watching me. I felt a sense of accomplishment anyway. I had faced my fears and bullied someone back, and succeeded in the trials.

The road ahead of me was still blurry, but I was ready to face it. The image of Elias, with his piercing eyes, the ominous warning from Ethan, was already in my mind—the real test only waiting for me at the very beginning.