CHAPTER 222: CROSSING THE RIVER

Eleanor and Maíra set off once their strength had returned. No goblins or any other monsters disturbed them during their meditation, nor along the quiet march towards the water source.

Yet when they finally arrived, disappointment struck them both.

"This isn’t a river," Maíra said flatly. She pointed towards a distant cascade. "The water’s just coming down from that waterfall and spreading across the land. Should we cross the stream and check the other side?"

Eleanor paused, studying the flow. "No. We follow the water. I think this trickle distracted us. If we stay with it, it should lead us to the river."

They pressed on, following the narrow stream. Luck remained with them... not a single monster barred their way.

After a long walk, they reached a true river at last. Its waters moved with calm persistence, not a raging torrent but a steady, single-direction flow. It was vast, easily a kilometre wide to the naked eye, its surface clear as crystal. No mud, no silt, nothing to obscure the gentle ripples.

Peering into its depths, Eleanor saw schools of small fish drifting lazily, their bodies glinting in many colours. Beautiful, and seemed harmless.

In the distance, a cluster of green-robed cadets caught her eye. Without hesitation, she steered towards them to gather some information.

"Eleanor!" a voice rang out. Kiara rushed forward, face alight with relief. "Thank the goddess you’re here!"

Her shout drew the attention of the others, among whom was Jaciara Moara. The moment she saw Maíra at Eleanor’s side, she hurried over.

"Miss, are you alright?" Jaciara asked anxiously.

"I’m fine. Nothing happened," Maíra replied as though the earlier battle had been nothing more than a stroll.

From their gathering, Eleanor learned the situation. Dragons, Fairies, and Banshees had already crossed by flying. Those left behind were hesitant... swimming had proven fatal. Several cadets who had attempted it were ambushed by river monsters and eliminated. Now the rest lingered on the shore, debating strategies.

"You’re from the Amazon Clan," Eleanor said to Jaciara. "Do you have the ability to use water or ice?"

"I do, Miss Raynor. But if I use my ability to build a path for us, I’ll be defenceless. My control isn’t strong enough to fight and maintain it at the same time."

"Don’t worry about fighting. Your task is to make the road. We’ll circle around you and keep you safe," Eleanor assured her.

Before Jaciara could reply, movement drew their attention. A vampire sprinted across the river’s surface, feet skimming the water with unnatural speed. Crocodile-like monsters erupted from below, lunging with snapping jaws... but the vampire’s swiftness and erratic trajectory outpaced them. The ambushes continued until he vanished onto the opposite shore.

"It seems speed can beat them," Eleanor observed coolly. "They’re slow, but there are many of them. If we go in as a single group, we’ll attract the full swarm. But if every cadet here enters together, the pressure will be divided. Fewer monsters will target each of us, and the crossing will be easier."

"Yes," Maíra agreed. "But we can fight. I can also use water to shape a path. Those things don’t look that frightening."

Eleanor’s gaze hardened. "It isn’t about how frightening they are. This is their territory... the water gives them a clear advantage. If we waste energy fighting head-on, we’ll cross exhausted. And we still don’t know what’s waiting on the other side. We can’t afford that risk."

"Then what do we do?" Kiara asked anxiously.

"We wait," Eleanor replied firmly. "The more cadets who enter the river, the more the monsters’ attention will be divided."

She paused, then frowned. "Has anyone seen Ophelia? I can’t find her here."

Jaciara shook her head. "I saw her at the beginning, when only a few cadets had gathered. But then... she vanished. I don’t know what happened."

Eleanor narrowed her eyes in thought. "She must have crossed already. If she used someone’s shadow, no one would have noticed."

"Thank you," Eleanor said aloud. "I trust she’s fine."

A few more cadets emerged from the forest and joined the waiting group. Humans, werewolves, vampires, kitsune, and werehyenas were all arguing, trying to persuade nagas and merfolk to use their water abilities to ferry others across. The discussion was growing heated.

Eleanor, however, kept her small circle apart from the chaos. Their plan was already clear.

"Kiara," Eleanor said, "what’s your cadet number? I want you in my team."

The numbers were sewn into their robes, so Eleanor could have added her without asking. But she wanted Kiara to understand what was happening. Kiara gave her number aloud, and after a flicker of light in her eyes she had joined the team.

Jaciara immediately spoke up. "Please, let me join as well."

"Very well," Eleanor said. "That makes four of us. Jaciara will be responsible for creating the path. The rest of us will defend you. Whatever happens, you must not stop advancing."

Her gaze fixed on Jaciara. "How exactly do you intend to make it?"

"I can form a water platform beneath us," Jaciara explained. "It should slide forward across the river. But if a strong monster strikes and breaks it, we’ll be thrown into the water. You’ll have to hold them off."

Eleanor’s lips curved in a reassuring smile. "Then slide fast when the time, and don’t look back. With me at the front and Kiara behind, Maíra by your side, no beast will reach you."

At that moment a young man approached, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Erm... hello. I’m Joshua Cordillera, from the Cordillera Clan of Philippines. I noticed you’re not relying on the naga or merfolk... so I thought you must have your own plan."

He paused, giving a sheepish grin. "I’ve some ability with water, though my control is poor. But I can fight. If you’ll have me... as a fellow werewolf... I’ll contribute."

Eleanor studied him coolly. "Why us? Wouldn’t you be safer in a larger group? And if you can use water, why not fend for yourself?"

Joshua’s smile faded into seriousness. "Because they’re too loose to be a team. The moment a real threat appears, they’ll scatter. But you..." he nodded at her with quiet respect "you look like you mean what you say."

Eleanor already recognised the name. She had seen it in her reports. Joshua Cordillera is a reputed sword master, though no blade hung at his waist now. Still, he was worth noting.

"Do you know any of us?" she asked.

"I’ve heard of you," he admitted. "Miss Raynor... Eleanor Raynor, the one everyone talks about. I don’t know the others. Forgive me. I’ve never followed society closely... I’ve been busy with my training."

"Then listen closely," Eleanor said. "This is a real team. We share our points. If you want in, give me your cadet number."

He gave it without hesitation, and in a flash he too was part of the team.

Their strategy was settled... Eleanor in the vanguard, Kiara guarding the rear, Joshua and Maíra covering the flanks, while Jaciara concentrated solely on pushing the sliding platform across the water as swiftly as possible.

Suddenly Maíra cried out, "Oh no! I’ve dropped to thirty-first place!"

Eleanor ignored her exclamation and quietly summoned her own status screen.

[Status]

Primary Objective: Kill the troll king and recapture the stronghold.

Secondary Objective: Eliminate the monsters.

Team members: 5

Points: 170 (Rank–4)

[Do you want to hide the status screen? Yes/No]

Eleanor breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Three cadets had already surpassed her in the rankings. "Good. I don’t want to be under the spotlight this early in academy life," she thought.

"Don’t concern yourself," she said calmly to her teammates. "Those rushing ahead will only draw stronger monsters and may die before long. If we stay alive until the end, all five of us will reach the top ten. Survival is our true goal."

Before anyone could respond, the crowd of cadets by the river surged forward, launching their crossing all at once.

The monsters didn’t disappoint. The river boiled with movement as crocodilian monsters erupted from beneath the surface, snapping at legs and tearing at stragglers. A chaotic melee broke out across the water as dozens of cadets screamed, fought, or tried desperately to push onward.

Eleanor’s eyes narrowed. "They’ll keep the monsters busy. It’s time. Let’s go."

Her team moved as one. The moment they stepped onto Jaciara’s platform, it felt strange underfoot... soft, pliant, almost like jelly... but it held. With her eyes screwed tight in concentration, Jaciara drove the platform forward.

She shot the platform across the water like a dart, and the others encircled her to protect. For a few precious seconds, nothing stood in their way.

Then two monsters burst from the front, jaws snapping wide. Eleanor’s pupils sharpened as she activated her bloodline. She focused on her passive ability ’Killing Precision’, guiding her eyes straight to the weak points.

She struck like lightning. Two punches, clean and decisive, cracked into the creatures’ skulls. Both fell back into the water with sickening splashes. Eleanor immediately withdrew her bloodline, conserving her strength.

But the respite was brief. A wave of monsters came at them from all sides, teeth flashing, tails whipping.

"Attack on eyes or the crown of the skull!" Eleanor barked, her voice cutting through the chaos. "If they rise, strike the belly. Avoid the scales, jaws, and tails... they’ll break you if you’re careless. Defend yourself!"

Her teammates obeyed without hesitation. Joshua punched with raw ferocity, Maíra darted with bursts of speed, Kiara struck with quick precision, while Eleanor covered the front, her every blow perfectly placed.

One after another, the monsters faltered and fell back beneath the water, leaving their corpses drifting.

"Ha!" Maíra whooped. "I killed one! Thirty-two points! These things are worth far more than goblins."

Joshua gave her a flat look as he wiped monster blood from his hands. "You’re mistaken. It’s team points. I killed two, and I’ve also received thirty-two."