The site was filled with vertical buildings and landscapes - all stood in enormous heights.
Professionals equipped with protective equipment poured out of the facilities, carrying technology advancement parts, massive mechanical wires, and operating advanced machineries.
Dancing in the air, surveillance drones graced the site with supplemental sophistication and protection.
In the center of this picturesque landscape, an ethereal towering gate dominated the site.
Defined by its elliptical vertical figure tinged with color of the cosmos and height twice of the tallest 10-floor building in the site, the gate captivated the awe of the students.
Like the cosmos, chaos and disorder were not apparent in the gate. It was serene and peaceful to look at.
Wandering their eyes further, a student exclaimed as he witnessed humanoid entities covered with a metallic, silver exoskeleton. Their intimidating and menacing appearance drew fear from the class.
"That is a sentinel, an advanced robot.", the man seated in the front seat explained.
'He finally has the energy to orient us, huh', Grey pondered.
The man, their teacher, rose from his seat and after clumsily tucking his headphones back to his bag, he looked at the class and muttered.
"We are now on the site. I am expecting you all to be well-behaved on this field trip. You must have known the consequences for misbehavior.", his voice was loud and tinged with annoyance.
Seeing that the class had fully understood his intention, he pulled out a folder from his bag, dropping the contents with his clumsiness.
*cough
"Class representative?"
"Yes, sir?", Grey responded
Looking at the source of the voice, the teacher handed the folder to Grey.
"Here, pick up the sheets and read its contents. I have to go out so you orient the class, understand?"
"Understood, sir", Grey took the folder and shortly picked up the spilled contents. He couldn't help but wonder what the teacher was up to but he had expected this already.
Straightening his posture, Grey scanned the bus interior. With everyone's attention drawn on him, he began reading the contents.
"Everyone must be registered and checked before entering the site then to be checked further before entering the portal. Any sharp tools, devices like cell phones, or dangerous materials are not allowed inside the gate. The students are only permitted to bring extra clothes and personal hygiene items in the gate…"
Grey read through the 10 pages enumerating the do's and don'ts in the site and the portal. In instances that the students' attention were wandering off him, he utilized his power to influence that student's focus.
Another hour had passed with Grey orienting the other world's culture which was supposed to be elaborated by the class adviser days prior to the field trip.
Nonetheless, with inevitables at hand, Grey could only further use his power to support the mental fortitude of the students, ensuring that his words were instilled to their minds.
By the time the orientation had ended, the clock hit 12 in the afternoon. A knock from the bus door resounded as a group of professionals greeted the class.
"Good day class 12. We will be escorting you to the site now after some inspections. Now lets begin with the class representative"
Grey walked forward and greeted the man. He watched as he searched for their class list in their pile containing the classes that were going on the field trip this year.
There were about 12 more classes that were attending this field trip, originating from different parts of the country.
Each country had a single gate connected to the otherworld. The Earth Union had the rights and managed these portals. Annually, a class field trip was being held in different countries aimed at fostering mutual understanding and knowledge advancement between the two worlds.
Before he knew it, the inspection was already over and the professionals led them inside the site to the camp they will be staying at for lunch and further orientation.
In the camp, Grey, who was recovering from mental fatigue brought by excessive usage of his power once more, was greeted with a familiar voice.
"Grey! "
It was a soft and charming voice of a young girl.
Massaging his head, Grey turned his head to the source of the voice. A girl in similar university attire leaped as she approached him.
Her hair riched in black hues and glossy texture, catching the light and dancing with an ethereal radiance along with the air, captivated all who gazed upon it. Her skin as white as snow and soft lips dyed in rosy paint brought her charming beauty appeal.
Her slender figure immediately wrapped around Grey's, filling the air with captivating charm.
Draped with the sweet fragrance wafting in the air, the lethargic Grey immediately knew the girl even without seeing her face.
"Kate? What are you doing here?", Grey was in disbelief to have seen the girl in this place
Pouting, Kate replied.
"Not even greeting me, huh? Well, I have convinced my dad to let me join the field trip.", kate explained, pulling her arms out from the embrace
Grey was somehow doubtful of her words. After all, she was the daughter of the leader of the Earth Union.
Her father was renowned for being strict and analytical. It was for this same reason that Kate didn't enlist for the field trip initially.
'Her father might have change his mind…', Grey just assumed
"How about the others, do you think they would come as well?"Grey pondered over his other classmates.
Out of 45 students in their class, only 29 had joined the field trip. Those with connections with the World Union or had higher social status were not permitted by their parents or respective guardians.
Of course, there were exceptions like Alex and a few more who had either lied or convinced their way to get permission.
"I don't think so. It took me a lot to convince my dad, you know", Kate muttered
Having Kate beside him, Grey felt more assured as he now had someone to share the responsibilities of the class representative with.
"So how is the trip so far? Did Alex cause any trouble?", Kate displayed a coy smile
Hearing his words, Grey couldn't help but chuckle.
"You mean the kind and humble Alex? Why would he cause trouble?", he jested
Laughing their hearts out, Grey and Kate bantered for some more until the sheet to their tent opened and the professionals came to do another inspection.
Another hour passed with strict inspection done by the professionals.
"My dad gave me that! Give it back, old man!"Alex retaliated as a professional found a hidden device implanted in his scalp.
It was a small version of sentinel, specializing in defense, even smaller than lice.
With another beep in an advanced scanner, a professional found another implanted device in another student. The class erupted in retaliation with their hidden devices being confiscated.
Amidst all this, Grey observed as these devices were explanted from their bodies on the spot, with cuts made and blood dripping from their scalps.
*Zzzap!
Tasers were used against students who retaliated. Kate covered her mouth in disbelief of the force used by these professionals, unconcerned for the students' well-being.
"Why are they doing this?..", she stammered
Grey, still feeling the mental strain, remained seated. He had tried to activate his power only to be greeted by a shattering mental strain from the chaotic mental energies from these students.
He couldn't fully control his power yet supplemented by the mental strain, deeming him unable to limit the minds he would connect to.
Falling into deep concentration in this situation proved to be difficult even for Grey.
He clutched his head, yearning for the chaotic mental energy to cease.
Beside him, Kate checked on his situation.
"What's happening to you, Grey?" Kate muttered, worries evident in her voice.
Half an hour later, the inspection finally came to an end.
"You won't be needing these devices, class 12, after all, you will be going there to enjoy. You won't have to defend yourself from anyone. If some unfortunate events are to occur, be assured that these 5 professionals will be there to ensure your safety. With the inspection finally over, shall we head to the gate now?", a leading professional reiterated to the class, pulling up the cover of the camp, revealing the ethereal gate dominating the site.
With the air drenched with denser mana, the students stood in awe with the majestic sight.
The memories from earlier put in the past, indulged in the magic of the present.
Excitement filled them once again.
With everything set in place, the leading professional muttered.
"We hereby welcome you all to the world of Magic, Arcania. We wish you all a safe and fun travels."
The man uttered as he watched the students hop on a mana-powered bus, their figures vanishing as the bus led them inside the enormous gate.
The students radiated with delight as the magical gate warped their skin, inducing a serene sensation. The sweet smell of the otherworld pervaded their noses as they adjusted their breath.
Watching the landscape change with their arrival to Arcania, Grey stabilized his breathing. He looked at the worried eyes of the girl beside him and he muttered.
"I am relieved to have you here, Kate. Thank you.", Grey exhaled with a relieved smile before his consciousness faded.
—--
Back on Earth, the leading professional gazed at the portal with wistful looks.
His eyes, softer and mind at unease.
Full of yearning, he whispered…
"Please, return safely, kids…"