The dream was a blur of darkness, punctuated by a small, pulsating red light. Iris reached for it, only for it to vanish, replaced by the snarling visage of a blood-red eyed wolf. A jarring knock at the door shattered the illusion, pulling her back to the mundane reality of her bedroom. "What the hell was that?" she mumbled, her heart still pounding.

"Iris, are you okay? You have been in there for an hour already. Please tell me you forgot your graduation day." Medicia's voice, warm but laced with concern, filtered through the door. Iris didn't see Medicia Becker as a parent, but as a guardian, the werewolf doctor who had taken her in years ago after finding her stranded by the riverside. In the Wulflands, a human living with a werewolf was an oddity, a fact not everyone welcomed.

Today was her graduation, a milestone she'd dreamed of, the first step towards becoming a doctor and helping the children at the orphanage. She hurried to dry herself, the dream already fading, replaced by the excitement of her future. As she dressed, Medicia called out, "Congratulations on your graduation day! As much as I want to attend the ceremony, I have an emergency client to attend to."

Iris's frown deepened. Medicia had been working constantly, barely home. It stung that she wouldn't be there, but Iris understood. "I understand. Once this graduation is over, I want to train under you to become a doctor and treat the children at the orphanage," Iris declared, her voice firm. It was her dream, and no one, not even the fact that she was human, would stop her.

Medicia's voice softened, almost imperceptibly. "When that time comes, I will train you even if it becomes impossible." Iris didn't catch the last few words, already waving goodbye as she headed towards Moonfall University, a strange mix of disappointment and determination settling in her chest.