Chapter 2
The forest was alive with the sound of steel.
A sharp whistle cut through the air as a goblin swung its crude blade. But before the strike could land, a blur of silver darted past.
Shhhhk!
The goblin's weapon shattered, its wielder collapsing into the dirt with a cry of pain. Standing over it was a girl with flowing silver hair, her pale-blue eyes glowing with determination.
Her name was Aria.
Now fifteen years old.
She tightened her grip on the short sword in her hand. The weapon wasn't elegant, nor was her stance perfect, but each movement carried precision honed by countless hours of training.
The goblin snarled and lunged again. Aria braced herself—yet she didn't stand alone.
From the shadows of the trees, a massive figure emerged. White fur shimmering in the dappled sunlight, fangs bared, eyes blazing like frozen fire.
The White Wolf.
"Now, Fenrir!" Aria shouted.
With a single bound, the wolf crushed the goblin beneath its claws, ending the fight instantly. Blood stained the grass, but none of it touched Aria. She exhaled slowly, lowering her sword.
"…Another one down," she murmured.
The wolf padded to her side, its fur brushing against her arm. Its presence was no longer the terrifying aura of a legend, but the warm familiarity of a partner who had watched her grow.
"Your strike was steadier today," the wolf's deep voice echoed within her mind. "But hesitation still lingers."
Aria pouted slightly. "You always say that. But I'm trying, you know."
"Trying is not enough. In this world, hesitation will kill you before a blade does."
She sighed, brushing snowflake-shaped bangs from her eyes. Ever since that night in the blizzard, the wolf had guided her. It was strict, merciless even, but it never abandoned her.
Others saw only a girl and her beast. They didn't know the truth—that Aria carried the mark of the White Wolf's bond, etched into her hand like frost upon glass. It granted her strength, speed, and senses beyond a normal human's. But even with that, she was still considered weak compared to gifted adventurers blessed by gods.
Still, Aria never gave up. She couldn't.
"…One day, I'll be strong enough to stand on