Chapter 133: The Water Trial (7)
It had been nearly three grueling hours since the trial had begun. The students swam tirelessly, exhausted and freezing, the icy water biting relentlessly at their skin like thousands of tiny blades. Their muscles, numb from the cold, felt as though they might give out at any moment. Every stroke forward required monumental effort, every breath painfully burned their lungs. With each passing second, they seemed to be edging closer to their absolute limits, both physically and mentally.
Everyone dreaded the approaching third hour, as if it represented an invisible wall, an insurmountable psychological boundary. A deep anxiety hung over the group: would it trigger another wave of panic, even more devastating than before? Pale, tense faces marked by latent fear glanced apprehensively into the dark depths of the ocean beneath them. Each swimmer nervously anticipated the third hour's verdict on their fate.
Some students murmured faint encouragement to their nearest comrades, their trembling voices quickly swallowed by the icy waves. Others silently fixed their gaze on the misty horizon, desperately trying to push away their anxious thoughts.
Finally, the dreaded moment arrived, plunging the group into tense silence. For several endless seconds, every swimmer held their breath. Yet, to their surprise, nothing happened. No new wave of hysteria surged through the ranks. It appeared those who had overcome the horrific second panic attack had successfully mastered, at least temporarily, this bizarre phobia of ocean depths.
Alexandre felt profound relief wash over him. He distinctly noticed his heart rate slowing slightly, his tense muscles gradually relaxing. He glanced toward Marlon, swimming painfully beside him. Despite exhaustion clearly etched into his pain-ridden features, Marlon gave Alexandre a subtle, yet genuine smile. That small gesture conveyed clearly to Alexandre that Marlon also appreciated this rare moment of relief.
However, just as hope cautiously returned among the students, Alexandre noticed something strange: about a hundred survivors had gradually begun to slow their pace. With troubling slowness but clear determination, they turned back toward the rear of the group, where the rescue boats awaited. One by one, these swimmers, physically and mentally drained from their ordeal, decided to voluntarily abandon the trial.
Alexandre slightly furrowed his brow, puzzled and surprised, not immediately understanding their decision. Then his gaze rested upon Marlon, swimming beside him. His friend's face was drawn and pale, visibly tormented; each stroke was obviously causing him unbearable agony. Alexandre could clearly sense Marlon was nearing his breaking point, internally fighting against the overwhelming temptation to surrender.