As the years passed, Snowy grew stronger, mastering techniques that others only dreamed of. He learned the Ten Fangs technique by merely observing, a feat that had taken the Hound Clan's leader years of dedicated practice. Snowy had earned this privilege after defeating the clan's finest warrior in a duel, impressing them enough that they agreed to teach him their ways.
The Ten Fangs Technique was formidable, designed for combat against multiple opponents. For Snowy, who had once been a wolf and still thought like a predator, learning it was second nature. Within a month, he had surpassed expectations, mastering the technique and even innovating new forms. His prowess earned him respect within the Hound Clan, though he never officially joined them.
Snowy spent two months as a guest at the Hound Clan's dojo, constantly refining his skills. He often outperformed others, creating new variations of Ten Fangs that left even seasoned fighters in awe. But now, having learned all he needed, he decided it was time to return home to Daikyo City, where his parents lived.
As he approached his house, Snowy was startled by a high-pitched scream from inside—a little girl's voice.
"Mama! Mama! An intruder!" the girl shrieked.
Snowy hesitated but pushed the door open, only to be met by a small girl wielding a stick. She swung at his leg, her blows ineffectual, and Snowy simply looked down at her, bewildered by her presence. Giving up on figuring it out himself, he called out.
"Mother! I'm home!"
His mother, Eleanor, rushed in from the kitchen and hugged him tightly. Snowy hugged back, feeling the weight of time spent apart. As he released her, he pointed to the little girl.
"Who's she?" he asked.
Eleanor smiled and gestured to the girl. "Miya, come here."
The girl, Miya, cautiously approached, hiding behind Eleanor's leg.
"She's your sister, Snowy," Eleanor said gently.
Snowy blinked, utterly baffled. "Huh? That annoying brat is my sister?"
Eleanor's expression changed in an instant. She tugged on Snowy's ear, scolding him.
"Apologize to your sister!" she demanded.
"Alright, alright!" Snowy groaned, rubbing his ear. He looked at Miya. "I'm sorry… my loving little sister. Good enough?"
Eleanor nodded with a smile. "You must be hungry from your travels. Come eat."
"Oh, no, I'm fine. I already ate on the way here," Snowy replied quickly.
"Really?" his mother questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, really!" Snowy insisted.
"Alright, but if you get hungry, don't hesitate to ask," Eleanor said.
"Why would I hesitate in my own home?" Snowy chuckled, but Miya shot him a mischievous look.
"Because you look skinny!" she teased, giggling as she ran off. Eleanor couldn't help but laugh too.
Snowy glared after her. "Brat, I'll catch you one day! And Mom, you're supposed to be on my side!"
Eleanor wiped a tear of laughter. "Not gonna lie, you do look a bit skinny. Are you on a diet?"
"No, I'm eating fine! It's muscle, not fat," Snowy argued.
"Sure, sure," Eleanor teased. "But you've gotten quite muscular, haven't you?"
Snowy nodded proudly, but his expression changed. "By the way, where's Dad?"
"He's at work," Eleanor answered.
"Oh, alright. I'm gonna go rest. I'm exhausted," Snowy said, heading to his room.
"Get some rest, then. Goodnight!" Eleanor called after him.
"It's still daytime, Mom," Snowy reminded her, chuckling as he walked away. Eleanor smiled, watching him go, marveling at how much her son had grown and changed in the past three years. As she cleaned the living room, she wiped away a small tear, grateful for these moments.
**The Next Morning**
Snowy woke up early—4:00 AM, much earlier than usual. He checked around the house; his mother and Miya were still asleep. Deciding to make the most of the quiet morning, he prepared a simple breakfast for himself. As he ate, he recalled a piece of advice from the Hound Clan's leader about meditation to reach a heightened state of awareness.
After finishing his meal, Snowy went back to his room and sat down to meditate. At first, he struggled to find calm. The room was too warm, and he couldn't settle into a comfortable posture. Opening a window to let in fresh air, he adjusted his position several times until he found one that suited his body. Finally, he felt his mind drifting into a state of calm, hovering between awareness and non-awareness.
Minutes turned into an hour, and Snowy felt his consciousness expand, sharpening his senses. He was pulled from his meditative trance only when his mother called him from downstairs.
Snowy stood, feeling heavy and slightly disoriented from the deep meditation. "Mom, one minute…" he called out, his breath labored. He made his way to the living room, where Eleanor handed him a sheet of paper.
"Snow, come here and sign this."
"What's this for?" Snowy asked, sitting beside her. He glanced at the paper, noticing it was an enrollment form for a school. Oddly, the paper was yellow.
"This is for your admission to the Arcane Nexus Academy in Central City," Eleanor explained.
Snowy was taken aback. "Arcane Nexus Academy? Why would they accept me?"
"They've approved your enrollment, but you'll need to pass their tests," Eleanor said.
Snowy sighed. "But I have so much more to learn on my own."
Before he could argue further, he felt a light smack on the head. It was his father, William Anderson, towering with a stern expression.
"Sign it before they change their minds," William ordered.
"Alright, alright," Snowy relented, signing the form. He was now officially a candidate for Arcane Nexus Academy, a renowned institution known for its magic, combat, and craftsmanship. Snowy had no clear plans for the future, but the academy was a new challenge—one he was ready to face, even if it meant stepping out of his comfort zone.
The path ahead was uncertain, but Snowy knew one thing: he would continue to grow stronger, no matter the cost.