The Forsaken Heir's Ascension
Chapter 97: House Roarhart of the Mythic Lions

Chapter 97: House Roarhart of the Mythic Lions

In a dimly lit room, soft, stifled sobs echoed faintly. A large glass window, veiled by white silk drapes, allowed the moonlight to cast a pale shimmer across the space. Near it stood a single bed, neatly made with a plain white sheet. Pillows were stacked one atop another—but now one was clutched tightly in trembling arms.

Rina, her short golden hair disheveled and sticking to her tear-streaked face, was curled up, hugging the pillow as though it could hold her shattered heart together.

She had been crying for a while, unable to fall sleep.

Why did I do that?

Why do I always cave under pressure?

Why do I always act weak?

Her mind tormented her, with repeated thoughts again and again.

His cold eyes... the hate in them—it wounds my heart.

I’m not strong enough to bear it.

She buried her face deeper into the pillow, her tears soaking into the fabric.

What should I do?

How can I make it right?

Will I lose him... forever?

I am pathetic... truly pathetic.

I promised I’d be stronger, but here I am.

Eventually, exhaustion overtook grief. She cried herself into a restless sleep.

Rina was, by most accounts, a strong person—but not in the ways that truly mattered. She had always followed others. She never truly thought for herself. But now, in the silence of her isolation, something had changed.

The hurt she felt... it wasn’t just from Alex. It was older, deeper—born from the coldness of her own family.

And in that quiet sorrow, something awakened.

Her golden hair, like a lion’s mane, shimmered faintly in the darkness. A glow began to spread from her skin—soft, warm, and golden—casting her in the faint light of something ancient.

The Roarhart Clan, descendants of the Mythical Lion, once stood unmatched in their control over Metal—a power long thought lost, deteriorated over centuries until it became little more than a Earth element.

Now they were known only for their lion-like eyes, golden hair, and Earth element.

But no Roarhart had awakened the true power in generations.

They said pain makes you stronger, but perhaps it was peace they had clung to instead. And maybe that’s why they lost their roar.

As rays of sunlight shimmered through the glass window, filtering through the sheer white drapes, they fell on the face of a girl with messy, short golden hair. She lay curled up, hugging her pillow. Slowly, her lion-like eyes fluttered open. She sat up, still feeling tired.

Yawning and stretching in her maroon pajamas, she walked to the window. Outside, the sun shone brightly, and waves crashed against the jagged rocks below. She opened the window, and a blast of frigid, salty sea air hit her face, washing away the last of her drowsiness. The rhythmic sound of the waves was somehow comforting.

Now wide awake, she went to the washroom to freshen up. When she returned, she wore a black tank top tucked into blue jeans and slipped on her maroon jacket.

Her stomach grumbled in protest, reminding her to head to the cafeteria. As she entered, the place buzzed with life—students laughing, chatting, and enjoying their morning in tight-knit groups.

A sting of loneliness tugged at her heart.

I never truly had a close friend... only Alex and Hati were close... but...

She shook her head, forcing herself to stop the loop of familiar thoughts from returning. Walking up to the counter, she ordered a coffee and a chicken sandwich.

With the steel tray in hand, she turned around to find a place to sit. As her eyes scanned the cafeteria, she spotted Alex and Hati sitting together in a quiet corner, away from the bustling crowd. Her fingers tightened around the tray, and she silently chose a different corner.

She reached her table and placed the tray down with a metallic clang. Pulling out the steel chair with a faint screech, she sat down.

Biting into her chicken sandwich, she washed it down with a sip of black coffee—then immediately scrunched her face at the bitterness. She wasn’t used to bitter coffee. She had always preferred mocha. But today wasn’t a day for sweetness. She needed change, and this was where she would start—with small habits.

As she chewed, her thoughts wandered.

I don’t want to keep following others. I want to become someone my mother would be proud of.

Finishing her meal in silence, she stood up and left the cafeteria, heading toward the Arena for the start of the main round.

As Rina entered the arena through one of the doors, she noticed that today’s crowd was even larger than yesterday’s. The stands were packed, and among the spectators were the families of many students she recognized—smiling, cheering, and brimming with pride for their sons’ and daughters’ achievements.

Her eyes trembled slightly at the sight. A silent ache pierced her chest.

She clenched her fists.

No one will come for me.

Without a word, she walked forward, pushing down the heaviness in her heart.

The arena today was different—larger than before, with only one massive battle stage at the centre of the ground. A shimmering blue light barrier surrounded it, pulsing faintly, while a scoreboard hovered above, golden letters glowing against a sleek black background.

She descended the steps slowly, her gaze scanning the area. Finally, she spotted her teammates seated at the far corner on the team benches.

Pressing her hand against the katana strapped to her waist, she took a deep breath and stepped forward.

Rina walked briskly toward her team and saw Selene already standing. Normally, she would have greeted her with an energetic "hi," but today, her heart didn’t have the strength. Instead, she offered Selene a curt nod and a faint smile before silently standing beside her.

Selene noticed the subtle shift in her friend’s demeanor but didn’t comment.

Moments later, Darian and Tina arrived.

Darian, as carefree as ever, announced, "Our first match is against the Roarhart Club."

Tina shot a subtle glance at Rina but said nothing.

Rina didn’t react. The name Roarhart Club meant little to her now.

I don’t care about the people who already abandoned me, she reminded herself, hardening her expression.

Darian took a few steps toward the arena and called out, "Let’s go."

Alex shouted after him, "Wait, what about the toss?"

Just then, Luther came from behind and casually placed a hand on Alex’s shoulder. "Isn’t it obvious?"

Alex’s eyes widened. "He lost it again?"

He muttered under his breath, "Why is he even captain if he loses the toss every single time?"

Luther scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "It’s his bad habit—he always picks the dragon side.".

Alex sighed in defeat and stepped into the arena.

Rina followed Selene quietly, her steps steady but her mind distant. Something felt different—like a faint disconnection from the world around her, as if she were moving through fog.

As they entered the arena, the Roarhart Club stood across from them, clad in uniforms of black and gleaming gold—flashy, arrogant, and unmistakably loud. Their signature blonde hair made them look like a pride of golden lions.

The moment they spotted Rina among the Rebel team, a ripple of mocking laughter spread through their group.

"Look, there’s our Roarhart clan’s stray cat," one of them jeered.

The others erupted into laughter.

Rina didn’t flinch.

After her mother’s death, she had lived alone in that cold, so-called home. The resentment people once held toward her mother—the legendary Lioness of the Roarhart—had fallen on her like a curse. When her mother lived, they feared even speaking her name, referring to her only as the Lioness. But after her death, the hyenas came out.

Rina exhaled slowly and gripped the black, sleek handle of her katana. Its sheath was just as elegant—black with gold strips wrapped tight around it.

Her lion-like eyes glowed faintly as she looked straight at the Roarhart team. Something in her gaze pierced them deeply. A chill crawled up their spines—an instinctive fear they couldn’t explain. Without realizing it, several of them looked away, avoiding her eyes as they silently moved into formation as defenders.

The umpire stepped forward. "Attacker team, get ready. The round will begin shortly."

Tina’s thunderous voice echoed across the arena.

"Attacker team—huddle up for strategy!"

Rina moved into the circle, taking her place between Selene and Tina. Her gaze remained focused, calm, unreadable.

Tina began, her tone sharp and commanding. "We’re going to hit them hard. No mercy, no hesitation. Dashers—attack. Shield breakers—attack. Blasters—attack. We’re not getting another chance if we play this passively."

She paused for a breath, her voice steel. "Their defence is solid. All of them are earth element users—coordinated and tough. So hit them and hit them hard."

"Yes, Captain!" the team responded in unison, their voices ringing through the arena like a war cry.

The whistle blew.

The crowd went silent.

The attacker team moved into formation, lining up at the front column, tension crackling in the air.

Alex leaned in slightly, whispering with hesitation, "Captain, you didn’t tell us—what zone is this?"

Tina exhaled sharply. "Lightning. We’re weak against it... and they’re a little immune to it."

Luther blinked slowly. "So we’re starting with a disadvantage. Huh."

He didn’t sound surprised.

Alex grinned, crouching into position. "Lightning, huh?"

Rina crouched beside him, her eyes glowing faintly.

This time will be different, she told herself.

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