Am I Different?

From afar, crowds of people began to gather around the arena, their low, boisterous voices filling the air. Cheers and excited shouts could be heard from within, signalling that something big was happening. Today was no ordinary day-it was the day of Joaqin's, the first prince of Ziviel Kingdom, final test to become a Beast Tamer. For Joaqin, this was his last chance. If he failed again, the title of crown prince would be lost to him forever.

Joaqin stood in the centre of the arena, his breathing laboured. In front of him, a wild fox with golden red fur sniffed warily, its sharp eyes following his every move. Joaqin's body was tired, but he couldn't give up. Not now. Not after all his efforts.

"Come on, Joaqin! You can do it!" someone shouted from the crowd, but the voice was drowned out in jeers and snide whispers.

"Look at him, not even a fox can he tame," whispered a woman in a condescending tone.

"That's right. Even a novice Harmony Tamer can tame a wild fox like that," the man next to him chimed in.

Joaqin tried to ignore them, but the words stabbed like knives. His hands clenched into tight fists, his nails digging into his palms. He knew all too well how important this moment was. Since childhood, he had been taught that becoming a Beast Tamer was his destiny. But that destiny felt like a curse to him.

With unsteady steps, Joaqin tried to approach the fox again. "Relax," he whispered to himself. "You can do this." But the fox just wagged its tail, its eyes implying disinterest. Before Joaqin could react, the fox jumped nimbly to the side, sending him tumbling to the hard ground of the arena.

Laughter broke out in the audience. Joaqin felt the heat of embarrassment burn his cheeks. He got up quickly, dust clinging to his wrinkled clothes. He could not give up. Not here. Not in front of all of them.

But before he could try again, a young man in fancy clothes jumped into the arena. With quick, confident movements, he caught the fox quickly, gripping its neck with one hand. The fox immediately looked down, frightened.

"This is what you have to do if you want to be a Dominion Tamer, older brother." Elliot said, turning to him with a mocking smile.

Joaqin felt his chest tighten. "What do you mean by this, Elliot? I haven't given up yet!" he protested, his voice trembling.

Elliot laughed. "You're really funny. If you were capable, this fox wouldn't be making fun of you like this." He released the fox, which immediately ran away.

The audience's whispers grew louder. "There's no hope for him anymore," someone said. "Maybe he should just give up."

Joaqin looked down, his hands clenched into tight fists. There was no point in Joaqin staying there; he turned and walked out of the arena, leaving the cheers for Elliot still ringing out behind him.

. . .

Joaqin's steps were heavy as he walked down the long corridor of the palace. The sounds of laughter and derision still echoed in his head. He knew what awaited him in his father's study, but he had no choice.

"Your Majesty is waiting for you inside, Your Highness," one of the guards said in a flat tone.

Joaqin nodded slowly. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself before pushing the large door open.

Inside the room, King Byron sat on his throne, his face cold and expressionless. His eyes swept Joaqin from head to toe as if assessing every inch of his failure.

"So, how did you do on your exam today?" asked Byron, his voice like cold steel.

Joaqin looked down, not daring to look at his father. "I'm sorry, Dad," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

The clink of broken glass broke the silence. Joaqin was surprised to see the glass his father had thrown hit the wall beside him. The shards of glass cut his arm, but he didn't dare move.

"You are a failure!" roared Byron, his voice booming in the room. "How can any of my descendants have no powers?!"

Joaqin clenched his fists tightly, "I tried, Father. I've been training day and night, but-"

"But what?!" snapped Byron, rising from his throne. "You think this is just about training? It's about honor, Joaqin! The honor of our family! The honor of this kingdom!"

With quick steps, Byron approached Joaqin. Before Joaqin could react, a brutal slap landed on his cheek. Joaqin staggered, blood flowing from his torn lip.

"I won't think of you as my son until you regain your strength," Byron said in a low, threatening voice. "Get out of here. Don't come back until you can prove yourself."

Joaqin looked down, ashamed and hurt filling his heart. He turned around and walked out of the room, his steps unsteady. In the deserted corridor, Joaqin's steps stopped. He stood in the middle of the corridor with a blank stare. He didn't know what else to do. All his efforts had been in vain. All his hopes were shattered.

But in the midst of his despair, something felt different. There was a subtle whisper in his head, like a voice calling him from afar. Joaqin raised his head, his eyes sweeping the dark corridor. Was it just his imagination?

These days, Joaqin often hears this strange whisper; not only that, but he always feels watched from behind the darkness.

Feeling that it was just his feelings, Joaqin continued his steps to leave the corridor, saying that he had better return to the east side of the palace where his residence was located. 

Along the way, Joaqin's feelings were shattered entirely at the moment; what else did he have to do to prove himself to his father? Right now, Joaqin felt that whatever he did would not make his father happy. 

Even his other brothers were ready to seize the opportunity of his failure this time, just like Elliot had come to the arena today. As the son of a concubine favoured by the king, Elliot was ambitious to become the crown prince. 

Joaqin was even sadder when he thought of his mother, who was in an awful position because of his uselessness. It was then that Joaqin actually heard his mother's voice in the distance. 

"Joaqin, come here." Camelia, who was in the garden, called Joaqin to join her. She had heard what happened today, and from the look on his face alone, she knew that Joaqin was suffering at the moment.