Chapter 53

Pow. Ariana

Ariana ran through the forest from a huge number of orcs and goblins. She did not try to break away, because then the orcs might lose interest and go back to the shaman, which she could not allow.

"Damn." She said, dodging the flying rocks.

She had to hide behind a tree to avoid being hit by the next pile of rocks. She peered out cautiously and began to internally complain about the lack of arrows. If she had them, she could have gained a decent amount of levels. As it was, her only option was to engage in close combat, but she did not do so, since her skills and techniques were not enough. If she decided to do so, the orcs would eventually corner her so that she would not be able to escape, or they would start throwing rocks that she would not be able to dodge at close range.

She had been running from the orcs for about 30 minutes when she suddenly noticed something strange. Every single orc had stopped. Blinking in confusion, Ariana noticed that the goblins were still chasing her. She was naturally curious, but not stupid. So, deciding that this would not lead to anything good, she began to run much faster.

Ariana heard a loud scream from many orcs and looked over her shoulder, seeing that each orc was emitting a slight red glow. Looking closer, she saw that their eyes were completely red and their muscles were bulging with tension. The next moment, every orc rushed after her and they did it much faster than before.

"A berserker state, but how?!" Ariana spoke in shock.

Watching over her shoulder, she saw an orc kill a goblin with a swing of his mace as it blocked his path. It happened again a few seconds later with another goblin. Seeing this, the goblins stopped chasing her and began to run away from them.

The orcs didn't pay attention to them, but only looked at her, slowly gaining speed. Ariana swallowed loudly and decided that she would not try to keep the orcs interested any longer. She used the clan's movement technique "Ghost Sword" and quickly appeared behind a tree. Watching so that she would not be seen while running behind the trees, she slightly changed her direction. The next moment, a wooden club crashed into the tree behind her and bounced off with a loud sound.

Ariana began to feel fear for her life and put all her strength into running. But the orcs were relentless. No matter how hard she tried to break away, it didn't work. At some point, she ran out into an open clearing and immediately realized that this was her end. There were no trees around to hide from the things thrown at her, but she hoped for her luck, since fighting the orcs was not an option.

Ariana used a movement technique and managed to dodge the thrown club, so that it blew in front of her face. She was genuinely happy about this and was about to use another technique, when another club hit her and instantly knocked her down. The pain that rushed from her lower back made her grit her teeth. She landed on the ground and stopped several times.

Ariana immediately tried to get up despite the dizziness and noise in her ears. She leaned her hand on the ground to stand up, but she realized that she couldn't feel her legs. Genuine fear ran through her body, drowning out the pain, she turned her head and finally paid attention to other sounds. She saw how the orc was already a meter away from her and how his fist was flying at her head. Ariana only managed to jump back in horror, but it didn't help her dodge and the orc's fist hit the target, smashing her head. She instantly lost consciousness and a rift in space formed around her, taking her away.

***

Pow. Evander

Evander waited in the shelter with the others. Near a small clearing, with the help of mana, they dug themselves a place, leaving many holes for observation and casting spells. Many were very nervous while waiting for the orcs, as they understood that most likely they would receive fatal injuries in order to get to the academy. Evander himself was worried about this, and as time went on, this general feeling of depression only grew.

After 15 minutes, Evander realized that something had gone wrong and that Cassandra would not be able to lead the shaman into the ambush. He wanted to hope that she was simply running late, but quickly dismissed that thought.

"Let me out, Brandon." He said.

"But, my prince, you will be in danger outside." Brandon answered worriedly.

"It doesn't matter." The prince said, shaking his head in disappointment.

Brandon looked at him in confusion and Evander decided to explain to him and everyone present why.

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"Cassandra won't come, there's no point in us being here anymore."

Everyone understood what he wanted to say, but everyone wanted to maintain the false hope that he was wrong.

"My prince, wouldn't it be better for us to stay here and hide so that the orcs can't find us?" Norn asked.

Evander looked at her and thought about it. He wanted to be angry at these words, but he didn't even have the strength for that. He was so tired of everything that he could even agree to this, just so it would stop. Shaking his head, he thought about his answer, so that it would convince everyone.

"I'm afraid the teachers won't appreciate this. If we didn't have the rings, we could try to hide and leave. But with their privilege, we'll look like cowards, sending the others to their deaths without even trying to avenge them. We might even get punished for it by bringing shame on our families."

Evander was bitter that he had to resort to manipulation. But it paid off, as those who had previously wanted to stay took his words to heart. They agonized over the choice of whether to go to their deaths and emerge in glory, or to run away and leave in disgrace. Many made the choice quickly, overcoming their fear, but others were hesitant.

Evander noticed that Liam stood up and looked at the people who couldn't decide on a choice with an icy gaze, The people around him easily noticed his contempt, Liam turned to Evander without paying attention to them.

"If someone wants to hide, they can do so. You won't stop them, will you, my Prince?"

"Of course, everyone is free to do whatever he deems necessary."

Liam nodded and turned to Brandon.

"Dig us out."

Brandon could only nod with a sigh. He cast an earth spell, opening a small passage so that one person could come out. Liam, not expecting anyone, walked outside, looking back a couple of times and seeing no one, he cast a spell that began to collect the surrounding moisture and transform it into water.

Evander and most of the group went outside and watched what Liam was doing. Evander thought he was just preparing a spell for the fight. Taking advantage of the fact that he had everyone's attention on himself, Evander began to think of a new plan of action, silently watching him.

A ball of water formed in front of Liam that was constantly refilling, he reached into his armor and took out the last pouch of diamond dust. He activated the skill [Adaptive Water Weapon] and took control of the water. Casting another spell, ice began to form inside the water, throwing a pouch of diamond dust inside, Liam began to create an ice spear with a diamond tip inside. Five minutes later, he reached out and took out a spear of blue ice, with a shiny diamond tip.

He checked its weight in his hand, satisfied with that, he went to the tree and swung, hitting it with the spear. The impact caused vibrations to pass through the spear and it began to make a high-pitched sound that carried over long distances.

Evander realized what he really wanted to do, the sound would quickly attract the attention of the orcs. Many were shocked by his actions and Norn immediately ran out of the cave and used the spell "ice beam" on Liam, shouting at him.

"Why did you do this! We could have come up with another plan!"

Ignoring her, Liam blocked the spell with the surrounding water, causing most of it to turn into plain ice. He didn't answer her, just looked at her with a cold gaze, but that wasn't enough for Norn.

"Do you realize what you've done?!" She said and began to prepare another spell.

Evander saw this and chided himself for not intervening sooner, when Liam raised his hand, Evander quickly spoke up, stopping them.

"Stop! What are you doing?! Norn, please calm down. Liam has no excuse, but your attack won't solve anything."

Liam stopped moving his hand and waited for Norn to respond. She glanced from him to the others and everyone who came out of hiding, looking for support in them, but not seeing her, she lowered her hands, turned around and quickly went into the dugout, holding back her tears.

Evander was once again at a loss as to what to do, he had managed to stop Liam from killing him unjustifiably, but he wasn't sure if that was the end of it. Nathan walked up to Liam and looked him in the eye.

"Why did you do this?" he asked seriously.

"It doesn't matter, what matters is what you do with it?" Liam replied without looking away.

"You've taken away our ability to determine strategy and that's all you're going to say?"

"Instead of telling me this, you could do it now."

Nathan dropped his hand to his sword, to which Liam responded with a cruel smile.

"If you take it out, I'll send you to the academy before the orcs do."

Several people in Nathan's group began casting spells, but Liam just looked at them, doing nothing to stop them.

Evander seeing this wanted to just let it happen but being the leader he couldn't let it happen. Expanding his Aura he spoke using a spell that better conveyed his good intentions

"Enough, have you really decided to fight among yourselves, despite everything you've been through together?"

His words managed to sway some, but Nathan and Liam still stood between each other. After waiting for a while, Nathan nodded and removed his hand from the sword.

"You are right my prince, this is unworthy of nobles."

Evander sighed in relief and was about to defuse the situation. But he heard a loud scream, looked around and saw an orc with a red aura emanating from him. The orc was running towards them, not paying attention even to the uneven ground beneath their feet, demolishing obstacles in their path.

"Oh, shit!" Lynella said, to which Evander thought everyone could agree.