It was time for the trip. The first and second years were going to go into the wild, and everyone was split into three groups. Of course, the first years and their mentors would stick together in the groupings.
Out of those who Alex talks to, he was grouped with Raven, Claire, Freya, and Seraphina, who more than likely used her political influence to get into that group and also used it to sneak Amelie and her mentor into the group as well. It never hurts to be friends with royalty.
The three groups would be held in different areas in the woods, and the group Alex was put in was to be based in a clearing with a small lake next to it, meaning they would have a steady supply of food because of fishing.
On this trip, everyone was given limited rationing—four days worth of rice for every group—that's it. Any other type of food needed to be gathered or hunted by the people in said group.
Truly a survival-based trip.
Some of the newer students were hoping for a typical school trip—you know, going to a resort or someone of importance—but their expectations were completely destroyed when they learned everything about the trip.
"Is this everything?" Alex asked Raven, who had two duffle bags packed with things.
"Everything I was allowed to carry." Raven responded.
"Alright, we should be ready." Alex said, grabbing his single backpack.
Raven looked at him, confused. "Is that all you're bringing? You know we are going to be out in the wild for a week, right?"
Alex smiled and said, "Yeah, I know. I have enough clothes and some other things; I'll be fine."
"If you say so..." Raven responded.
Alex and Raven walked to the front of the school, where everyone was meeting up to board their assigned carriages. When they got there, they met up with Freya and the others, who had been waiting for them. After they greeted each other, a teacher started to speak.
"Listen up! Now, as you know, everyone in their first year will be paired with their second-year mentor; however, due to an unforeseen shortage, all second-year students will be sharing tents with their first-year peers or if the first years or second years have friends who would like to swap that is fine too."
"What?!" Freya, Seraphina, Claire, and Raven said it out loud, with Amelie silently saying it with her face in shock.
Freya started to blush at the idea of sharing a tent with Alex. "The tents aren't that big, but does that mean...we have sleep next to each other?" Freya thought to herself.
Raven, Claire, and Seraphina looked especially mad at this prospect. However, Seraphina was not one to miss an opportunity.
"You know, Freya, if you're against sharing your tent, I don't have a protege, so Alex could always stay with me." Seraphina smiled, knowing that she was just instigating everyone.
"Hell no!" Raven yelled out.
"Not happening." Claire said angrily.
"I could always sleep in our tent while Freya shares with Seraphina." Alex suggested but was quickly shut down.
"Not happening!" Raven said. "Someone has to keep their eye on you, and it should be me; after all, we have slept next to each other before."
"I have too; we've shared a tent before too." Claire added to the conversation.
"What? When?" Raven asked, shocked.
"When we were on our own after we left, we didn't have money to waste, so we shared a single tent." Claire said it with a hint of a smile on her face.
"This bitch..." Raven thought to herself. She thought she had that honor all to herself.
"So since you two had a turn, that means it's mine now." Seraphina said smiling.
"Talking about who gets to sleep next to Alex?" someone said, walking towards the group.
It was Sophia, as her beauty was getting attention from the nearby boys. In fact, all the girls around Alex were getting attention from everyone; all the boys were mad it wasn't them in that position, and the girls were trying to figure out what made him special, although a few had to admit he was handsome.
"Don't tell me you're in our group too." Raven said this with her fists clenched.
Sophia smiled, seeing her reaction. "Sadly, no, I'm in another group heading towards the mountain region; I just wanted to see my fiancé off; is that okay?"
That word caused a stir around the crowd; she had just laid down her claim in front of everyone, and Alex had never received so much hatred before from the other guys.
"Not only is he surrounded by such beauties, but he's going to marry her?"
"This bastard...what the hell is with him?"
"Is he a player or something?"
"Maybe not; after all, they are all talking to each other semi-peacefully."
"So he has a harem, then?"
"I wish I was with him..."
"Do you need some water? Because you're sure acting thirsty.
Alex, trying to ignore that last bit from the crowd, tried to sneak onboard the carriages, but was stopped by Freya.
"No, you don't; you have to choose, so who are you going to share your tent with?" Freya asked.
Alex sighed. He knew that question would cause so much unnecessary drama, so he tried to think of the best solution.
"Ok, fine, I choose Freya." Alex stated, causing a mix of emotions in the girls, with Freya blushing because she thought she wouldn't choose her. However, Alex had other plans. "But, I will sleep outside of the tent."
"What..." the girls said in unison.
"I prefer sleeping outside anyway, so this works for everyone, right?" Alex said with a smile on his face, "Checkmate."
"I guess..." Raven said, sounding defeated.
Alex and the girls boarded their carriages after saying goodbye to Sophia, who went to join her group and set off towards the woods; however, their departure didn't go unnoticed.
In the treeline outside of the academy stood a girl with long blue hair watching them.
"Dammit, it would've been easier if Alex was staying in his room; now I have to follow this caravan." Adelia thought to herself. "Well, it should be easier to find him and get to the target; he's heading in the right direction. Lucky for me."
Adelia jumped up into the tree's path and started to follow the carriage that Alex was in.
"I wonder how he will react when she arrives..."
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