In the summer of sixteen, life in the orphanage was finally coming to an end.
I stood at the window of the dormitory, looking at the sunset on the distant mountains.
Seven years later, the nine-year-old child has grown into a 1.8-meter-tall teenager.
His muscles are faintly visible under his T-shirt, and his body contains strength that is unimaginable to ordinary people.
The dean knocked on the door, a kind smile still on his face.
"Liam, your file is ready."
"You can report to the high school in the new city tomorrow."
I nodded without saying much.
Over the past seven years, I have rejected all adoption applications.
I don't need anyone's sympathy or pity.
Night fell and the other children were asleep.
I quietly got up and walked towards the dense forest behind the orphanage.
This is where I've been going every night for seven years.
The moonlight shines through the leaves onto the ground, and the mottled light and shadows sway.
I took off my shirt, revealing my strong chest.
The wolf head mark on its back was clearly visible in the moonlight, and the dark red lines seemed to come alive.
"Blood Wolf."
I called softly, smoke rising from my forehead.
A huge wolf shadow took shape, its red eyes glowing in the darkness.
"Master, tonight is the last time."
Blood Wolf's voice was filled with reluctance, but more with excitement.
"Tomorrow you will leave here and face the bigger world."
I stretched my body and felt the blood flowing.
For seven years, Blood Wolf and I have been training in this dense forest almost every night.
From the initial stumbling to the current agility.
From being afraid of the darkness at first to dancing with the darkness now.
"Come on, one last time."
The blood wolf roared, and its sharp claws flashed coldly in the moonlight.
It pounced on me so fast that only its afterimage could be seen.
I dodged sideways and pushed my palm into its flank.
The blood wolf turned in the air and kicked me in the chest with its hind legs.
I took two steps back and blocked with my arms.
The impact came and the muscles tensed to resist.
The blood wolf didn't stop after landing and pounced again.
He retracted his sharp claws and slapped my shoulder with his paw.
I bent down to avoid it and swept my leg.
The blood wolf jumped and dodged, and the distance between us widened again.
"Good, your reaction speed has improved again."
"All these years of training have not been in vain."
I wiped the sweat from my forehead and my breathing gradually became steady.
From the age of nine to sixteen, every night was spent like this.
Blood Wolf taught me how to fight and how to survive in danger.
More importantly, it taught me how to control my inner desire to kill.
"Master, you are already strong enough."
The blood wolf walked up to me, staring at me with its red eyes.
"But the world out there is more complicated."
"You'll encounter more enemies, more challenges."
I put on my T-shirt and looked at the city lights in the distance.
"I'm ready."
The blood wolf turned into green smoke and drilled back into my body.
The wolf head mark on my back was slightly warm, reminding me of the power contained in my body.
When I returned to the dormitory, the sky was already turning pale.
I lay on the bed and closed my eyes.
I'm leaving here tomorrow and starting a new life in another city.
The seven years in the orphanage made me grow from a vengeful child to a silent teenager.
I learned to hide my strength and to disguise myself in front of ordinary people.
But I have not forgotten the oath we made on that snowy night.
I didn't forget my sister lying in the trash can.
I haven't forgotten the secret that Blood Wolf told me.
One day I will find the enemy who killed my parents.
The sun shines in through the window and a new day begins.
I got up, washed, and packed my luggage.
Just a few simple clothes, a few books, nothing extra.
The dean was waiting for me at the door with an envelope in his hand.
"This is your living expenses, use it sparingly."
"If you have any difficulties, please contact us."
I took the envelope and nodded.
"Thank you for your care over the years."
The dean patted my shoulder with some reluctance in his eyes.
"Study hard and live well."
"You're a good kid."
I picked up my luggage bag and walked towards the gate of the orphanage.
I looked back at the place where I had lived for nine years.
Here are the darkest memories of my childhood, but also the most important times of my growth.
But now, it's time to leave.
The car bumped along the mountain road, and I looked through the window at the orphanage going away.
New city, new school, new life.
Blood Wolf nodded with satisfaction.
I don't know what's waiting for me.
But I know I'm ready.
The blood wolf in the body was ready to move, as if expecting something.
"There will be new prey soon."
I muttered to myself, with the corners of my mouth slightly raised.
At the age of sixteen, I am finally about to step into the real battlefield.