There were 2,118 kapybaras, yet the number of apprentices far exceeded that. Maybe some teachers refused to join the game, or maybe some apprentices had no formal mentors aside from their academy instructors.
She wondered if Lightchaser had come.
On the ice island, one kapybara after another began to appear. They all had the same dopey, cute face, yet somehow each one radiated its own style and aura: gloomy, shrewd, gentle, world-weary, cold, or simple and honest. Clearly, these weren't ordinary kapybaras.
The island sat level with the ocean, and waves occasionally washed across its surface, keeping it slick and making sure the fish could slide over it by skill alone.
But Rita didn't rush to climb up. Like most apprentices, she circled the island.
As she swam, she shouted toward the herd of kapybaras. "Lightchaser, are you here? Lightchaser!"
No kapybara responded.
Rita muttered, "What kind of reward is this? You won't even recognize me?"
