Single Mother of a Werewolf Baby-Chapter 307: Last Day Before Trial

While the Kingdom buzzed with activity in the lead-up to the election, Eleanor remained untouched by the noise of the secular world. Her focus was fixed entirely on the challenge ahead. The Trial of Yggdrasil was unpredictable and perilous. Though the academy prepared its cadets as thoroughly as possible, each would face dangers only they themselves could overcome if they wished to return alive.

Her fight against her doppelgänger had given her valuable insight into improving her combat ability, prompting several consultations with Instructor Arrichion for guidance. She also sought out Professor Jiro to clear up lingering questions about the nature of Vanaheim.

Every day, she spent a few hours discussing the upcoming trial with Kiara Raynor, Maíra Arara Neblina, Jaciara Moara, Marsha Kirana Tidebringer, Phoebe Juno Solstice, Izumi Tsuki Kuroda, and of course, Ophelia Blanc. Their small group of girls had already become well known among the primary-term cadets. Their friend Joshua Cordillera joined them from time to time.

To her surprise, Aria Nightwind began visiting them often after her duel with Eleanor. Enthusiastic and remarkably well informed, Aria seemed to know almost everything about their cohort. With her in the circle, Eleanor learned far more about academy affairs than she ever had before.

And then, the day arrived... her final day on Earth, at least for a while. That evening, Yggdrasil would transport them to Vanaheim for the trial. It was time to face the vastness of another realm.

What awaited her in that ruined, magical world? Would she clear the trial and return unharmed, or would disaster strike, claiming her life as it had so many of her predecessors?

There was no point dwelling on possibilities now. She had already done everything in her power to prepare. She had studied hard, trained relentlessly, and kept both body and mind at their peak. Her combat skills surpassed most of her peers, and her mental resilience was among the strongest in her cohort.

All in all, she was ready to face the trial... and to triumph.

With a loud sigh, Eleanor rose from bed and made her way to the bathroom. After freshening up, she took her last hot shower before breakfast. Although the academy uniforms possessed cleaning properties and she never felt sweat or grime cling to her skin, she still relished a long bath... a lingering habit from her human life.

There was no morning exercise, so she had some time before breakfast. It had been announced that this would be their final meal before the trial. Attendance was mandatory.

She didn’t feel hungry... the effects of the previous food pill were likely still lingering, but she had no choice but to follow academy protocol.

The dining hall was full of cadets, yet the atmosphere was strangely subdued. Everyone seemed weighed down, unusually quiet and contemplative. The usual laughter and easy chatter that had defined the entire term were nowhere to be found. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Eleanor’s thoughts drifted back to the first time she stepped into this dining hall. Maira had been so lively then; no one would believe the silent, dejected girl before her now was the same person. With a soft sigh, Eleanor said, "Maira, why are you so down? You’re more than ready for the trial. Mark my words... you’ll pass easily and come back even stronger."

Maira looked up, as if seeing Eleanor for the first time that morning, and offered a faint smile. "Actually, I’m a bit tense. I’ve prepared as best I can. But you know how it is... most water users get sent straight near the sea in Vanaheim. The lucky ones appear near the shore, but some end up near the islands. The waters there are deadly. We can’t drink them or stay submerged for long. And there’s no shortage of sea monsters. Most cadets who die in Vanaheim are water users."

Eleanor returned a reassuring smile. "Don’t worry. Your luck isn’t that bad. You’ll land by a lakeside."

"I hope your words come true," Maira murmured. "I’m not ready to die, you know. I’ve never even left the Amazon before this. This is my first time outside our territory. I’ve got so much I want to do... places to visit, people and races to meet, life to enjoy. Sigh... I have to pass the trial and become an Ascendant."

Eleanor said, "Don’t worry. Did you forget what we planned after the trial? We’re going to travel the world together. I’ll personally come to Brazil to drag you out. And don’t forget what Marsha promised when we visit Indonesia."

Maira smiled faintly. "I haven’t forgotten. It’s just... this trial has my mind twisted. It feels like a final goodbye to the world."

"Get used to it," Eleanor replied. "I’m tense as well, but what good will worrying do? Better to enjoy the time we have before walking into danger. We still need to go to Molgrath later. Our realm isn’t confined to Midgard anymore. Remember, travelling between realms will become normal for us in the future. This is just the beginning."

Maira sighed. "Yes. You’re right. It’s just the first time that’s hard."

Hearing their conversation, the others at the table slowly joined in. Bit by bit, the tension surrounding them softened. Once the food was served, they began to eat. Despite her lack of appetite, Eleanor genuinely enjoyed her last meal on Earth.

After lunch, they headed to the academic building for their final class with Professor Sylphania Jovienne Angélique. The professor gave them last-minute guidance and answered every question the cadets raised. There was no set time limit, so the class stretched to nearly two hours.

When it ended, most students returned to their dormitories, but Eleanor made her way to the Mixed Martial Arts School to see Instructor Arrichion. After bidding him goodbye, she returned to her room.

Before she could change out of her uniform, there was a knock at her door. Ophelia stood outside. "Ma’am, we’re all in Miss Maira’s room. You can join us if you’re free."

"Alright. I need to change first. I’ll be there soon," Eleanor said, closing the door.

Once she’d changed into something comfortable, she opened her laptop. "Nora, this might be your last access to the academy server. Check if you need anything."

After giving her instructions to Nora, Eleanor went next door to join the girls. Spending time gossiping with them had become a small but precious routine. Since graduating from the University of Manchester, she hadn’t had many chances to simply relax with friends. Life had been hard on her. She had almost forgotten how to smile. Except for Freya, her life had been nothing but the relentless pursuit of her next goal.

Now, unknowingly, these girls had become her friends. For the first time in a long while, she found herself offering genuine smiles. She even felt a quiet gratitude towards them. It was as if she were living again.

When she entered Maira’s room, it was as though the group had completely forgotten about the looming trial. They were busy planning their world tour for after their return to the secular world. Unlike Eleanor, the girls had spent their entire lives confined to their home territories. Maira had never stepped outside the Amazon... not even into a Brazilian city. Jaciara, being older, had visited a few places, yet still had never left Brazil.

Marsha had spent her whole life training under the elders of her clan and had never left Indonesia. The same was true for Izumi, who had never stepped beyond her clan’s lands. Aria had never ventured outside Brittany, the north-westernmost region of France.

The exception was Phoebe. Born and raised in Kvernheim, she carried the traditions of the Fairy race. According to their customs, once they became ascendants, they were granted the chance to visit the surface world. There they could pursue university education or travel for several years. It was seen as a rite of passage, an adventure to understand the wider world.

After becoming friends with the girls and learning so much from them, Phoebe’s eagerness to visit the surface world had only grown. She had already decided she would leave Kvernheim with Eleanor once the trial was over. She could hardly wait.

The girls gossiped for hours before eventually returning to their rooms to prepare for the trial. Apart from an extra set of academy uniform, they were not permitted to bring anything else.

That evening, all the cadets of the term gathered in the teleportation room. The principal of the academy was present once again, with Professor Sylpha standing beside him. They gave no speeches this time.

Once everyone had assembled, the sergeants called out each cadet’s number and sent them forward one by one into the teleportation gate. When Eleanor’s turn came, she stepped slowly into the shimmering portal, and in the next moment found herself at the base of a colossal tree trunk. Its bark glimmered like gold-veined mahogany, and its vast roots pulsed with shifting colours: blue, green, crimson, gold, and white. High above, its branches vanished into starlit clouds, casting an emerald glow.

Without anyone telling her, Eleanor knew exactly where she was: standing before Yggdrasil, the World Tree that sustained her realm... and all realms.