As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the bustling campus, James strolled into the common area where Bella and Sally were chatting animatedly. He flashed a friendly smile, breaking the ice with a casual greeting.
"Hello girls," he said, his voice cheerful and inviting.
"Hi James," Bella replied, her eyes lighting up at his arrival.
Sally, ever the pragmatist, added a formal touch to the evening with her greeting. "Good evening."
But her demeanor quickly shifted as she leaned in, her tone serious. "Please tell me that today you're having a meeting for something important."
She crossed her arms, her expression fierce. "I swear if you end up wasting my time again I'll kill you." The playful threat hung in the air, a testament to their close friendship and Sally's fiery spirit.
"Relax, Sally," James chuckled, trying to ease the tension. He gestured for them to sit down as he continued, "We're having a meeting today to celebrate."
"Celebrate?" Sally echoed, her eyebrows raised in curiosity.
"Yes," James affirmed with enthusiasm. "To celebrate our freshmen's success."
Bella perked up, recalling the recent achievements. "Oh, that's right! Battol won a gold medal in chess!"
Luka, who had just joined them, chimed in with pride. "And Mikey won a silver medal in boxing."
James nodded, pleased with the camaraderie among them. "That's right."
Bella, always supportive, asked about another freshman. "What about Tylor?"
James sighed slightly but kept his tone upbeat. "His team made it to the semifinals but unfortunately, they lost. They won a bronze medal, so he passed the course."
Sally's face brightened at the news. "Wow! That's great."
Luka beamed with pride as he added, "All of our freshmen successfully passed one course thanks to our help. Good job everyone."
James smiled at the group, but he tempered their excitement with a note of caution. "Yeah, but it's too early to celebrate, you know. They still have four courses left in order."
Bella looked at him incredulously. "Didn't you say that you gathered us here to celebrate?"
James laughed lightly, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, we're having a little welcome party for our freshmen." The atmosphere shifted from tension to joy as they all began to discuss plans for the celebration, their laughter echoing through the common area as they embraced the spirit of teamwork and success.
As the sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the gathering, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and camaraderie. Luka, with a proud smile, announced Mikey's recent triumph in boxing, his voice filled with admiration.
"And Mikey won a silver medal in boxing," he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with pride.
James chimed in, his tone enthusiastic, "And so we could properly congratulate them on their achievement." The group nodded in agreement, their faces lit with joy.
Luka nodded thoughtfully, "I see." His expression conveyed a mix of understanding and appreciation for their hard work.
Sally's voice broke through the chatter, her eyes lighting up as she spotted someone approaching. "Oh, there comes Battol," she said, excitement bubbling in her voice.
"Hello, everyone," Battol greeted them, his presence bringing a sense of warmth to the gathering.
"Hi, Battol," Sally replied, her smile wide and welcoming.
James stepped forward, playfully addressing Battol with a grin. "Hello, our golden champion."
Luka added sincerely, "Congrats on your achievement," extending a hand in friendship. "I'm Luka, a second-year student like James."
Battol returned the gesture, his smile genuine. "Thanks, nice to meet you, Luka."
Just then, Tylor arrived, slightly breathless but cheerful. "Hello, thanks for waiting guys," he said, catching his breath.
"Just in time Tylor," James responded with a grin.
With a flourish, James introduced Tylor to the group. "Everyone, this is Tylor, our basketball genius."
Tylor waved dismissively, a modest smile on his face. "Oh please, you know I'm not a genius," he laughed lightly. "If it weren't for the peace seekers' help I wouldn't have made it this far."
Luka's eyes widened with interest. "I heard that you were the star of your team and that you scored over 40 points by yourself."
Battol's jaw dropped in awe. "Wow, that's awesome! You're so cool," he exclaimed, admiration evident in his voice.
Tylor chuckled, a hint of blush creeping onto his cheeks. "Thanks, you're all so kind; you're making me blush."
Suddenly, Mikey burst onto the scene, frustration etched on his face. "Luka, why did you send me the wrong address?" he huffed.
"I've been trying to find this place for an hour!" he added dramatically.
Luka raised his hands defensively. "I did not send you the wrong address, I swear," he insisted. "You just don't know the directions."
Mikey's eyes narrowed in disbelief. "What! Are you saying that I'm stupid?"
With a playful smirk, Luka introduced their friend. "Everyone, meet Mikey—our boxing champion."
Mikey struck a pose, his confidence radiating from him. "Hello everyone, I'm your striking fabulous king; nice to meet you."
Bella rolled her eyes playfully. "Wow! Such a narcissist," she remarked with a laugh.
Sally nodded in agreement. "Indeed."
Mikey shrugged nonchalantly. "I was trying to make a cool first impression," he said with a wink.
Battol stepped forward with an outstretched hand. "Nice to meet you, Mikey; I'm Battol." The group shared laughter and warmth as they welcomed each other into their circle of friendship, ready to celebrate their achievements together.
As the laughter and chatter began to settle, Mikey leaned forward, a grin spreading across his face. "Oh, I heard about you from James, hello, golden champion," he said, his voice filled with playful admiration.
James clapped his hands together, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright, now that everyone is here please sit down," he instructed, a sense of authority in his tone.
Once everyone was settled, James continued, his expression turning serious. "We have a lot to talk about," he said, his eyes scanning the group.
With a proud smile, he added, "Congratulations, our dear freshmen." The warmth in his voice made the newcomers feel welcomed and appreciated.
"We are so proud of your achievement," James declared, his sincerity evident as he acknowledged their hard work.
Battol nodded appreciatively. "Thanks, James," he replied, a hint of gratitude in his tone.
Tylor chimed in, his voice earnest. "We wouldn't have made it without your help." The camaraderie among them was palpable.
Mikey, ever the confident one, interjected with a playful smirk. "I was already a great boxer you know, but it was nice to have your guidance and support." His tone was light-hearted, but there was a hint of truth in his words.
James nodded in agreement. "Indeed," he replied with a knowing smile.
However, he quickly shifted gears, his expression turning more serious. "But I want you all to know that the real challenge has yet to begin." The weight of his words hung in the air as everyone listened intently.
"Did you think that the sports course was the most challenging one?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Battol looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "Personally, when the dean announced that we needed to win a medal in International tournaments I didn't even think it was possible to qualify." His honesty resonated with the group.
Tylor chimed in with a reflective tone. "Yeah, looking back we've come such a long way." He glanced around at his friends, pride evident in his voice.
"I've practiced day and night thinking that if I made it and won a medal then everything else should be easy," Tylor added, determination shining through.
James raised an eyebrow at Tylor's statement. "Easy?" he echoed incredulously. "How bold of you to use that word!"
Mikey jumped in with enthusiasm. "Oh come on, seriously! We're international champions; don't underestimate us!" His competitive spirit flared up as he defended their accomplishments.
Luka interjected calmly, trying to diffuse the tension. "Calm down Mikey; James has something important to tell you."
Mikey took a deep breath, nodding in acknowledgment. "Ok, sorry, James."
James cleared his throat and continued. "As I was saying," he began again, his tone steady and focused.
"The real challenge starts now," he stated firmly, ensuring everyone understood the gravity of what lay ahead.
"I can guarantee that you will pass the languages and the science courses with no trouble," James assured them confidently.
"After all," he concluded with a teasing glint in his eye, "you're a bunch of nerds and these are academic courses." The group erupted into laughter once more, the camaraderie and spirit of friendly competition filling the air as they prepared for the challenges ahead.
As the laughter from their earlier banter began to fade, James leaned back in his chair, a serious expression crossing his face. "But of course, there is a limit to how much we can help," he warned, his tone shifting to one of caution. "Or else you will get suspended for cheating." The weight of his words hung in the air, prompting a collective moment of reflection among the group.
Mikey's eyes widened at the thought. "Suspended?" he echoed, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Luka nodded solemnly, confirming the gravity of the situation. "Yeah, they don't tolerate cheating," he explained, his demeanor serious as he glanced around at his friends.
Sally chimed in, her voice steady and informative. "There are a lot of rules regarding how the groups should recruit and support freshmen," she added, emphasizing the structure that governed their academic environment.
"That's why cheating is a taboo," she concluded, ensuring everyone understood the importance of integrity in their work.
James nodded in agreement, affirming Sally's point. "Certainly," he said, his gaze steady and resolute.
Battol, ever confident, shrugged off the concern. "You shouldn't worry about me," he said with a wave of his hand. "I'm almost done with my online project." His tone was relaxed, a hint of pride in his voice.
"I just need to test it, and if you want, you can try it and give me feedback," he offered, looking around at his friends with an inviting smile.
Sally's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "Sure, I'll check it out," she replied eagerly.
Bella chimed in with her support. "Me too," she added, her tone encouraging.
"Thanks," Battol said appreciatively, feeling buoyed by their willingness to help.
Tylor leaned forward, excitement evident in his voice. "My project is almost complete too! The professor said that it's a unique project, and once it's complete, it's going to impress everyone." His enthusiasm was contagious, sparking interest among the group.
James nodded approvingly. "I do not doubt that it's going to make you famous once you complete it," he encouraged Tylor, a smile playing on his lips.
"Thanks," Tylor replied, though a hint of anxiety crept into his voice. "Let's hope I don't mess up."
Luka turned to Mikey, curious about his progress. "What about you, Mikey?" he asked, genuinely interested.
Mikey sighed, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Well, I have a lot of things to work on and I've been focusing on boxing; I had no time to work on it," he admitted, a hint of frustration in his tone.
Luka pressed on with curiosity. "What is your project about?"
Mikey straightened up slightly, trying to sound proud. "Car renting," he stated confidently. "I made a website for car rental."
Bella couldn't help but roll her eyes. "So lame," she quipped playfully, crossing her arms.
Mikey shot her a glare. "Who asked for your opinion?" he retorted defensively.
James interjected with a knowing nod. "She's right; there are a lot of students who might be working on similar projects," he pointed out logically.
Mikey frowned, feeling the weight of uncertainty. "What should I do then?" he asked, looking for guidance.
Luka thought for a moment before responding decisively. "I'll search for project ideas online and get back to you," he offered helpfully. "We will choose a good project idea together."
"We just need to hurry up and start working on it before we run out of time," Luka added, urgency creeping into his voice.
James took charge again, a glimmer of determination in his eyes. "Leave it to me; I'll purchase an app template for you," he said confidently.
Mikey raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Didn't you just say that cheating is taboo?" he challenged.
James smiled knowingly. "Buying a template isn't against the rules," he explained patiently. "You can use online tools; if your project idea is impressive, it will make up for it."
Mikey considered this for a moment before nodding slowly. "Oh, okay," he conceded.
"When should we start?" he asked, eager to get moving.
Luka's response was immediate and decisive. "Tomorrow; we shouldn't waste time."
"Okay," Mikey agreed, feeling the adrenaline of impending collaboration.
James cleared his throat, refocusing the group's attention. "Now, where was I?" he asked, ready to steer the conversation back on track as they prepared for the challenges ahead.
The group sat in a semi-circle, the atmosphere charged with anticipation as they discussed the looming challenge ahead. Bella's voice broke through the tension, her tone serious. "The real challenge," she stated, her eyes darting around the room, gauging her friends' reactions.
James leaned forward, his expression grave. "Oh yeah, the real and final challenge is the main course," he replied, emphasizing the weight of the task they were about to face.
Battol raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "To save someone?" he asked, trying to piece together the implications of James's words.
"Yes, each year they change the main course," James confirmed, his voice steady but laced with urgency.
He continued, his tone growing more intense. "This means that none of us here can tell what exactly you're supposed to do to pass." The gravity of his statement settled over the group like a thick fog.
"There are no tricks that we know of," he added, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.
"And since it's the main course, you can't fail; failing it means you're out," James warned, his eyes scanning the faces of his friends to ensure they understood the stakes.
"So be careful. Try and interrogate Professor Ali; he's not as easygoing as he claims to be. He won't give you hints willingly," he advised, his demeanor shifting to one of caution.
"You need to be smart and ask the right questions," he emphasized, ensuring that everyone grasped the importance of their approach. "Do you understand?"
Tylor nodded vigorously. "Yes sir," he replied, determination shining in his eyes.
Battol frowned, still confused. "No, what should we ask him?" he pressed, seeking clarity.
Mikey echoed Battol's sentiment, frustration evident in his tone. "Yeah, stop being vague; you're supposed to help us!"
Sally stepped in with a practical suggestion. "For example, tell him about the person you chose to help and make him tell you his opinions regarding the behaviors of this person," she explained thoughtfully.
"You should be able to understand what he wants you to do with this person from his answer," she added, her voice steady and confident.
James nodded in agreement with Sally's advice. "Or you just need to ask him to tell you about his favorite mythology," he suggested, a glimmer of insight in his eyes.
"That's a trick I used with him," James continued, recalling his own experiences. "I noticed in his lectures that every day he tells a new myth or short story or tale and writes it on the board. By the end of the first month, I noticed that each myth referred to one of his students."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "If you ask him about his favorite myth, he'll tell you the one that refers to you. You see, he analyzes his students and knows about their complexes and insecurities."
Luka's curiosity was piqued. "So which myth did he tell you?" he asked eagerly.
James paused for a moment before responding. "It wasn't a myth; he told me the story of Sydney Carton, a character in A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens."
Battol looked intrigued. "What was your main course about?" he asked.
James shook his head regretfully. "I can't tell you," he replied firmly.
Bella chimed in with a knowing smile. "It's one of the rules that even James can't break," she added playfully.
Mikey leaned forward, intrigued. "So did you find out why he told you that story?" he asked.
James took a deep breath, reflecting on his past. "Sydney Carton was a depressed man; he was a smart crybaby who believed that he didn't deserve to be happy. He spent his life doing other people's jobs and in the end, he sacrificed himself to protect the woman he loves and her husband and daughter."
Mikey frowned in confusion. "I don't get it; how does that relate to you?"
James looked thoughtful as he recounted his journey. "When I first got in, I seriously thought that they made a mistake by selecting me to study here. I had been suffering from a few health problems that ended up affecting my mental health; I wasn't even trying to pass any course." His voice
softened as he continued, "After he told me about Sydney Carton, I ended up reading the novel and analyzing it. Then I talked to him again and discussed with him what I had come up with."
Tylor nodded slowly, absorbing James's story. "Alright, then I'll ask him about his favorite myth too," he declared confidently.
Battol hesitated for a moment before voicing his concern. "Yeah, but won't he get suspicious if three students ask him the same question?"
James waved off Battol's worries with a reassuring smile. "No, don't worry about that. He loves that question."
"Okay, if you say so," Battol replied, though doubt lingered in his eyes.
"But remember," James cautioned, "my course wasn't the same as yours; I don't guarantee that this would help you."
Tylor shrugged off the uncertainty. "Well, it wouldn't hurt to try."
Battol smiled gratefully at James. "Yeah, thanks a lot, James."
"You're welcome," James replied warmly, feeling a sense of camaraderie among them.
The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room as Bushra entered with a bright smile, her energy infectious.
"Good morning Nora," she greeted cheerfully, her enthusiasm lighting up the atmosphere.
Nora looked up from her notes and returned the greeting with a warm smile. "Good morning."
Bushra's eyes sparkled with excitement as she continued, "Congratulations on your medal! As expected of you."
Nora's smile widened, a hint of pride in her voice. "Thank you, congratulations on your medal too. I heard you were on the volleyball team who made it to the final match."
Bushra nodded, her expression shifting slightly as she recalled the recent competition. "Yeah, but unfortunately we lost the final game."
There was a moment of silence before Bushra added, "It's crazy, who would have thought? The coaches and the athletic training program in this institution work like magic."
Nora shook her head gently, her voice steady and thoughtful. "It's not magic. That's the result of good training, planning, and hard work. When all the circumstances work in your favor, you can achieve wonders."
Bushra nodded in agreement, appreciating Nora's perspective. "Indeed."
Nora's tone shifted to one of seriousness as she continued, "Now, we must not let this success blind us. We must not lose focus; we still have a long way to go."
Bushra sighed, recognizing the truth in Nora's words. "Yeah, you're right. We still have four courses to worry about."
Nora's expression turned serious as she leaned in closer. "That's why I called you. My cousin told me that he's been doing his best, but there is something wrong. He's not able to make progress because there