"Seer, hurry up and tell us if that old man is the werewolf!"

The townspeople in front of me were still hounding me relentlessly.

I bit my lip and gave a stiff nod.

Shock rippled through the crowd as they clamored to know how Preston knew who the werewolf was.

He smiled smugly. "The spirit of our founder has chosen me. He saw my pure heart and grants me prophecies in my dreams! He knows the town suffers, and he sent me a warning."

Gasps of astonishment erupted around us, but I couldn't bear to listen anymore and fled home, my heart pounding.

The distant clamor was a dull roar. I sat on my bed, my mind racing.

Our town, Port Blossom, has a history of over two hundred years.

According to my family's records, in the hundred years since werewolves became a threat, there has never been two Seers at once.

Could someone have used black magic to spy on my visions and then fed the information to Preston?

Yes, that had to be it.

I couldn't think of any other explanation.

Soon, another murder occurred in town.

When I rushed over, Preston was already at the scene.

Seeing me arrive, a mocking smile touched the corner of his mouth. "Jasper, better work hard tonight. The townspeople are waiting for your vision!"

I took a deep breath, pushing down the hatred that churned in my gut as I surveyed the scene.

On the floor of the room was a large pool of fresh blood. The body of the victim, Ashley, was missing, and several tufts of gray fur were scattered around.

This was undoubtedly the work of a werewolf.

A young man nearby was trembling with fear. "I was Ashley's roommate. I spent last night at my girlfriend's house, and when I came back today, I found this!"

"Seer, was Ashley eaten by a werewolf?"

Just as I was about to answer, Preston suddenly yawned, and I instantly went on high alert.

"Jasper, don't be so tense. It's not dark yet, so I'm not going to sleep now."

My expression darkened, but I didn't waste my breath arguing with him.

As night fell, I once again entered the secret chamber in the archives.

Clutching the family heirlooms, I pushed my spiritual energy to its limits, forcing the vision to come.

Gradually, cold sweat beaded on my forehead, and the strain of using so much power left me drained, but a single thought drove me onward.

Faster, just a little faster. This time, I have to find the werewolf before Preston does!

After what felt like an eternity, a name gradually emerged in my mind.

I snapped my eyes open. The wall clock showed the time.

Ten o'clock at night.

The townspeople, terrified of another death before the werewolf was identified, were gathered for safety in the town hall.

When I stumbled out of the archives, my legs were so weak I nearly collapsed. A patrolling officer rushed forward to steady me, asking if I was all right.

I shook my head and stubbornly pushed myself upright.

Fortunately, the archives weren't far from the town hall. When I reached the main hall, many people were still awake.

A spark of triumph ignited in me, and I spoke quickly. "I've had a vision. I've found the werewolf who killed Ashley!"

"It's her roommate, Josh!"

The words were barely out of my mouth when the townspeople turned to me in unison, their expressions strange.

Preston poked his head out from the crowd, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

"Jasper, you're late. I've already announced the results of the vision for you. By now, Sheriff Quinn has probably already apprehended the werewolf!"

I bit my lip, my shock rendering me speechless.

Preston raised an eyebrow at me triumphantly. "I don't mean to criticize, Jasper, but as a Seer who receives so much attention and support from the town, you can't afford to fail in your duties again. Luckily I was here this time. Otherwise, someone else might have been killed by a werewolf tonight, and the blame would have fallen on you."

I stared at him intently, trying to find any clue on his face, when my girlfriend, Quinn, strode in.

She immediately stepped in front of Preston, shielding him. "Jasper, what's with that look! You should be thanking Preston. If he hadn't covered for you, you would have been a spectacular failure!"

Hearing their words, the gazes of the surrounding townspeople turned to contempt.

An icy dread washed over me, colder than any winter night.

How could this be? My vision this time was a full seven hours faster than my last one!

To prevent any leaks, I had refused the officers' request to stand guard outside the secret chamber, only allowing them to patrol outside the archives.

The result of the vision had been locked in my mind; I hadn't told a soul. How on earth did Preston know?

Could it be... he really was the Chosen One?

With two so-called prophets in town, the werewolves laid low for a while.

Even if I wanted to prove myself, I had no opportunity.

"Some Seer he is. Can't even beat Preston. How did his family's bloodline even choose him in the first place!"

"Who knows? Preston is better than him in every way! I went to give Preston a freshly baked apple pie yesterday, and he refused to take it. See? That's a real hero!"

I strode past them, my face a mask of indifference, but their words still twisted like daggers in my gut.

Preston's reputation in town was soaring, while I, the real Seer, felt more like an impostor.

Soon after, I was suspended from my position as the archivist, and even my access to the archives was restricted.

Having lost my sanctuary for performing rituals, I knew a werewolf could kill me at any moment, and I'd never see it coming.

As the sun sank toward the horizon, I stood at the cliff's edge, screaming two lifetimes of grievances into the tumultuous sea.

"Since you've accepted Preston as the Chosen One, why even keep me around!"

"Are you laughing at me too? I'm not as powerful as Preston. After being a Seer for over ten years, I still can't have visions in my dreams! If you're so disappointed in me, then take back my ability!"

Tears slid down my cheeks, and then, a sigh echoed in my mind.

The sound seemed to carry a mix of pity, helplessness, and a sorrow that felt as ancient as the earth itself.

My breath caught. Could it be? Was Preston not the Chosen One? Was this all just an elaborate lie?

Before I could process it, my phone buzzed.

The townspeople were frantically sharing a message in the social media group: "The Herb Witch is dead!"