ECHOES OF ENIGMA

EOE 7

7: Heller.

Six years later, Silvermoon University.

The peak holiday of the Lunar Year was over; the freezing temperature, strong winds, and bitter cold were an addition to early February. The freezing temperatures seemed to intensify the anticipation among the werewolf students, their senses heightened by the brisk winds that swept through the campus. As the lunar energies pulsed, so did the restlessness among the pack, and the air crackled with an unspoken understanding that the month marked the prelude to an extraordinary event.

Amidst the stone halls, the chattering of students took on a different cadence—a blend of excitement and an undercurrent of primal instincts. Pre-examinations loomed not only as a test of academic prowess but also as a selection process to identify the strongest candidates for leadership roles within the werewolf community.

The library, usually a sanctuary for study, now bore witness to discussions on ancient texts and lunar lore. Lecture halls became arenas where werewolf scholars debated strategies for harnessing their supernatural abilities and navigating the challenges of coexisting with different ranks.

"Aish, why are we studying this?" The warm brown-haired male nudged his best friend, who was skimming through the shelf of books, looking for materials that would help them with their exam. The latter, who was disturbed by his friend's words, let out an annoyed sigh.

"To graduate, duh." The brown-haired man scowled, closing the textbook and harshly stuffing it amongst the books on the shelf.

"I don't wanna graduate! I just wanna get married to a handsome foreign dude with biceps and have daddy vibes."

"Well, you have to graduate since it will be a burden for the other person to do everything financially, and having a job for both partners will be helpful in the future, Changbin." The said male, Changbin, groaned in annoyance.

"Aish, stop with your philosophy classes, Jisung." Jisung shrugged his shoulders, not giving a flying fuck about his friend's behavior and continued picking up books. Meanwhile Changbin continued watching Jisung, who was noting down important points with boredom. He whined.

"We lost the fun to enjoy campus because of all the studies and exams we had to do! Can you believe it? We only have a few weeks to graduate." Said Changbin, glancing around the library only to see couples walking hand in hand, giggling and laughing amongst each other, while some sitting together acting lovey-dovey instead of reading the books. Changbin cringed at the scene.

Why do I always see single people when I am taken and couples when I am single? He thought, shaking his head like a disappointed mother whose daughter told that she wants to marry an idol who doesn't know her existence.

"We have to get laid at least once Jisung before the academic ends!" He exclaimed, biting his lips at the thought. Jisung placed the books back once again and closed his lecture book. He turned on his heels.

"We can, but first let's get done with this." Changbin's jaw dropped on the floor as he watched his best friend in utter disbelief.

"You are unbelievable!"

The duo walked through the corridors,some greeting them for being seniors while they watched numerous students walk past them, breathing in the fresh air of the campus, feeling accomplished as final year students.

"Can't believe we are almost twenty-three. It feels like yesterday that we were highschoolers. Now we are the senior students from the Therianthrope Studies," Jisung sighed, looking at the aesthetic surroundings as if he were in some sort of webtoon drawing. "I have no regrets."