The competition was due to start tomorrow, a lot of the students were on edge. One could almost feel the anticipation in the air.
Last night sleep had been blissful, after the satisfying meal and sleep last night, the students were feeling really hyped. Since they had the orientation, they knew what they were supposed to do and they also had the maps to make sure they don't get lost.
They were not bound by Elton's shackles anymore, the students were free to explore as they wished and that was exactly what Derek wanted to do.
Bayland was far bigger than anything he had seen and if nothing else, it was interesting. The different smells that hit his nose, he wanted to identify each one.
Derek stepped out of the hotel just as the sun fully rose in the horizon. Turning left then right he smelled the air and then went off to the right with his brochure in his back pocket.
Just off to the side, a figure stood watching him in awe. She thought he was really strange and decided to follow him. Derek started off slowly and gradually increased his pace, walking faster.
His first stop was at Tate's, he really needed something to eat. Ever since he spoke with the system, he realized that his metabolism had increased greatly, thereby intensifying his hunger oddly.
Speaking of the system, he also wondered if it was still there as he had not spoken to it in a while.
Tate immediately recognized him and ushered him into the restaurant. Without asking, Tate knew just what to fix for Derek.
Derek didn't mind eating the same thing as last night either. He sat silently at the same table as yesterday, waiting for his meal.
The students had been informed at the orientation, that they would have to buy their food during the day except at night when the hotel would provide meals for the visitors.
They had no issues with the mandate, since they had all come with the thought that they would have to get their food by themselves, no one could say that they couldn't afford their own meals except they had found ways to do away with their money wastefully.
As Tate brought the food to the table, Derek dug in, he didn't want to waste the better part of his exploration time eating. He didn't notice Maya approach the table, until she was lowering herself down to her seat.
"Hey there" Maya greeted
Derek paused with his food in his mouth, staring at her. He tried to hide his confusion, he had always known when someone approached him. There was definitely something different about her.
He slowly chewed the food in his mouth, drank a little water and turned his full attention to her.
"Your friend isn't here with you?" She asked
Derek shook his head in response and continued with his food. Soon after Tate came with another serving, this time for Maya. It made Derek wonder if she only ate at Tate's but he wasn't curious enough to ask.
'Why are you here' was the question on Derek's mind, but he had made up his mind not to ask any questions. He ate his food in silence and let Maya do the same.
Luckily for him, Maya had started eating when he had gone half way, so they finished right about the same time. He didn't want to have her watch him eat without Chuck sitting across to take the attention away from him.
Once again Maya paid for their meal, Derek wanted to complain but he decided against it and settled with a thank you.
"The competition doesn't start until tomorrow, so do you have any plans or can I show you around from where we stopped yesterday."
"Alright" Derek agreed, not being in the mood for much talk this morning.
"Are you going to participate in the competition tomorrow?" Maya asked further.
"No. You?" finally it was a topic Derek was finally interested in. He wanted to see what she was capable of since she had made him so edgy. She must be someone quite strong or influential.
"No, I won't. I guess we both have to watch from the side lines" Derek was disappointed but he didn't let it show.
"I'm guessing you want to see me compete?" Maya smiled
"Not really" Derek replied, trying not to give a definite answer.
"That's the first question you've asked me today, and for someone who just came here for the first time you should have a lot of questions"
Derek couldn't disagree, she was quite the observant one, he must have shown a little bit interest in the question. He might as well have kept his mouth shut.
Derek kept his mouth shut, he couldn't say she was wrong and he didn't want to agree with her either.
"Where are we going to?" Derek asked
"The Citadel" Maya smiled
"Am I supposed to know what the Citadel is?"
"No, you're not. But it is called the Citadel for a reason"
Derek hoped it was really worth the hype since Maya wad being so cryptic about it.
"So, what is the Citadel" Derek asked.
"Don't spoil the fun for yourself. Just sit back and enjoy"
'Sit back?' Derek was confused, then he saw a flying object head towards them. It stopped just in front of Maya's outstretched hand.
It was a small vehicle with transparent glass all around
"Get in" Maya ordered.
Derek paused and stared at Maya, but entered either way, not like she could harm him or so he thought.
"Citadel" Maya said when they had both gotten in. The small vehicle rose into the air gently and then zoomed off.
It seemed like these vehicles were only allowed on this part of the school because Derek was sure he had not noticed any flying objects since they got here.
It was only now in the air did he begin to see other flying vehicles moving in a straight imaginary line to and fro in the air.