The very next day, in class, the teacher personally came to them, and it was surprising since he usually used the billboard to announce important information.
His usually expressionless face had a small smile plastered on it, which made the students even more curious.
"Today, we would not have any class," he said, his voice filled with a hint of excitement.
As he said that, the faces of everyone became elated.
Some students whispered to each other, speculating about what could be the reason for the cancellation of the class.
Others simply looked relieved, enjoying the unexpected break.
"What's going on?" one student whispered to another.
"Maybe it's a surprise test?" another student replied, their voice barely above a whisper.
But before the excitement could build up, the teacher's next words brought a sudden halt to the chatter.
"But..." The students became expressionless at once. There was always a but.
"There would be a one-week trip for the Nova class," the teacher continued, his smile growing slightly wider.
"Students would be handpicked by the academy and put in groups to complete missions on the trip. These missions would test you for the annual competition fast approaching."
The students looked at each other, their faces filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension.
"What's the trip about?" a student asked, their voice filled with curiosity.
"It's a mission-based trip," another student replied, their eyes scanning the teacher's face for more information. "We'll be working in groups to complete missions and compete against other teams."
The teacher paused, taking in the expressions of the students.
Some looked thrilled at the prospect of a trip, while others seemed apprehensive about the missions.
Wren's eyes narrowed, her mind already racing with strategies and possibilities.
"The winning team would be awarded an amount of 500,000 points each and a 100,000 stats," the teacher announced, his voice filled with emphasis. "And an amount of 10,000 points would be deducted from the losing team."
The students' eyes widened as they calculated the stakes. The reward was enormous, but the penalty was also significant.
"Whoa, that's a lot of points," a student exclaimed. "I'm so down for this trip."
"Me too," another student agreed. "But we need to make sure we're prepared for the missions."
"Rules would be set to your system later to study," the teacher reminded them. "Do remember, the academy would not tolerate cheating and laziness. Anyone would be eliminated at any given time."
The students nodded, some looking more determined than others.
"I'm going to study hard and make sure I'm on the winning team," a student said, their voice filled with determination.
"Me too," another student agreed. "Let's do this."
Not only was this message sent to the archery class, but other classes in the academy as well.
The news spread like wildfire, with students from different classes discussing the trip and the missions.
Some were confident about their chances, while others were nervous about the competition.
"You would be notified later by the system on your given group and the locations to find your group members," the teacher concluded.
The students looked at each other, wondering who they would be teamed up with and what challenges lay ahead.
"I'm excited to see who my group members are going to be," a student said, their voice filled with anticipation.
"Me too," another student agreed. "Let's hope we get a good team."
Wren's eyes sparkled with determination, she knew that this trip could be a game-changer, and she was determined to be part of the winning team.
...
Wren sat in her dormitory, surrounded by the soft glow of her laptop and the hum of her air conditioner.
She had finished packing her small bag for the trip and was scrolling through the system, catching up on the latest news from the academy radio station hosted by the Celestial class.
Suddenly, a notification popped up on her screen, and she received the location of the meeting point for her group.
Wren stood up, grabbed her heels, and walked to the Class B meeting room in the academy.
As she entered the room, she saw a sea of unfamiliar faces, and her heart skipped a beat.
Taking her seat, she noticed that they were still waiting for the last member to arrive.
Just as Wren was starting to feel impatient, the door swung open, and Elsa Jeanne walked in.
Wren's eyes widened in surprise as Elsa took the empty seat beside her. The familiar face made Wren's heart leap in her chest.
"Now that we are all here, let's begin," Mr. Dawson said, a teacher Wren recognized from the school blog.
"The trip is a one-week excursion to the Wilder Lands owned by the academy. The group consists of twenty members from the Nova class. Each group contains three A levelers, three B levelers, four C levelers, four D levelers, and six E levelers."
Mr. Dawson cleared his throat, "The reason for this trip is to test your survival skills, teamwork, and strategic thinking in a real-world environment. You will be completing various missions and challenges that will help you develop these skills and prepare you for the annual competition."
He paused, looking around the room, "Now, let's go over the rules. Each group will be given a map with designated areas to explore and complete missions. You will have to work together to complete these missions and gather resources. The team that completes the most missions and gathers the most resources will be declared the winner."
He continued, "There are a few things you should keep in mind. Firstly, safety is our top priority. You will be given safety gear and instructions on how to use it. Make sure to follow all safety protocols to avoid injury or harm."
"Secondly, teamwork is crucial. You will be working in groups, and each member's contribution is vital to the team's success. Make sure to communicate effectively and work together to complete missions."
"Thirdly, resources will be limited. You will have to ration your resources and make strategic decisions about how to use them. Don't waste resources, and make sure to conserve them for when you need them most."
He looked around the room, "And finally, there are certain areas that are off-limits. Make sure to stay within the designated areas and avoid any areas marked as danger zones. If you're caught venturing into these areas, it will result in penalties or even disqualification."
"Additionally, you will be required to check in with your team leader at regular intervals. Failure to do so will result in penalties. You will also be given a communication device that will allow you to stay in touch with your team members and receive updates on the missions."
"Now, let's go over what you should do and not do," Mr. Dawson said, displaying a hologram with the rules and guidelines. "Do:
- Follow all safety protocols and instructions
- Work together as a team to complete missions
- Conserve resources and make strategic decisions
- Stay within designated areas
- Communicate effectively with your team members
- Report any issues or concerns to your team leader
And don't:
- Venture into off-limits areas
- Waste resources or use them recklessly
- Fail to communicate effectively with your team members
- Disregard safety protocols or instructions
- Engage in any behavior that could harm yourself or others
- Share sensitive information with other teams or individuals outside of your group"
The students nodded, taking in the rules and guidelines. Wren felt a surge of excitement and determination. She was ready to take on the challenges of the trip and prove herself as a valuable member of the team.
Mr. Dawson concluded, "You will receive further instructions and details about the trip once you arrive at the Wilder Lands. Let's get ready to embark on this adventure and make the most of it. Remember, teamwork and strategic thinking will be key to your success."