The chatter of the auditorium dimmed as Professor Alder continued to call out the names. The weight of anticipation settled on everyone present, heightening the sense of intrigue and anxiety that permeated the room.
Professor Alder: "Group 28: Henry Whitlock, Clara Fields, Marcus Reeves, Theo Grant, and Elena Summers."
Henry exchanged a look of both relief and mild surprise with his friends. They had been worried about getting split up, and the familiarity of the names brought a momentary reprieve. Clara's shoulders relaxed, Marcus offered a subtle nod of approval, and Theo flashed a grin that revealed his dimples.
Clara (whispering): "At least we're all together."
Theo: "Could've been worse. Imagine getting stuck with Caleb."
The mention of Caleb made Henry's jaw tighten briefly, but he shook it off. The earlier encounter still left a sour taste, but now wasn't the time to dwell on old grudges.
Professor Alder (calling out): "Group 29: Ava Sinclair, Liam Hart, Jack Rivers, Mia Harper, Amelia Cross, and Luna Reyes."
( They used fake last names)
Ava exchanged glances with Liam and Jack, a flicker of excitement crossing her face.
Ava: "Looks like we're sticking together."
Liam: "Lucky us. Let's just hope the challenge isn't too intense."
Jack: "It's a school project. How hard could it be?"
Mia and Luna shared a smile, while Amelia remained quiet, her eyes thoughtful as she scanned the other groups forming around the auditorium.
---
Professor Alder: "And finally, Group 30: Dakota, Emily Greene, Alex Carter, Marie Thompson, and Michael Renard."
A small silence fell over Dakota as his eyes met Michael's across the room. Michael's smile was confident, his demeanor easygoing as he waved to Emily and Alex. Dakota felt a strange twist in his chest. This was a moment he hadn't predicted—a chance to face the person he once was without revealing who he now is.
Dakota (thinking): "This is going to be a test in more ways than one."
Emily bounced over to him, her auburn hair catching the light as she beamed. She had an infectious energy that made her hard to dislike, even if Dakota found himself trying to keep his guard up.
Emily: "Dakota! I heard about you from Ava. This is going to be great!"
Dakota (with a small smile): "Yeah. Should be interesting."
Dakota thinking: Emily huh... My former girlfriend in my past life... Never thought I would see you again, it pains me to see you right now.
Michael approached with an extended hand, his eyes sharp and evaluating.
Michael: "Nice to officially work with you. I've heard you're pretty resourceful."
Dakota: "Thanks. Let's hope we all are."
---
Professor Alder (raising a hand): "Now that you've all been assigned, here's the nature of your challenge. This year, we've prepared a comprehensive simulation that will test your critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. You'll be navigating an abandoned city setup on campus, complete with obstacles, puzzles, and strategic decisions. The objective is to find and secure four relics hidden throughout. Each relic will present unique challenges, and you'll need to use your combined skills to retrieve them. The first group to secure all four relics and return wins."
The excitement in the room was palpable. Whispers and excited chatter erupted as students exchanged theories on what the challenges might be. Dakota's eyes narrowed as he analyzed the situation, already mentally preparing strategies.
Dakota (thinking): "This will be more than just a competition. It's a chance to see how well Michael and I can work together—and if my past self can still surprise me."
The groups were given an hour to gather supplies from the school's inventory room. Henry and his friends quickly made their way to the supply area, grabbing essentials like ropes, flashlights, compasses, and first aid kits.
Marcus (to Henry): "This is right up your alley, isn't it? Leadership, strategy, the whole shebang."
Henry: "Yeah, but it's not just about leading. We need to be smart and cover each other's weaknesses."
Clara picked up a map and handed it to Theo, who rolled it out to examine the layout of the campus turned city simulation.
Theo: "We should plan our route. If we're strategic, we can hit two relics before any other group gets a chance."
Clara (nodding): "Agreed. Let's focus on speed and efficiency."
---
Meanwhile, Ava and her group had assembled their supplies, chatting excitedly about the challenge. Liam pointed at a set of climbing gear.
Liam: "Think we'll need this?"
Jack: "Better to have it and not need it than the other way around."
Mia: "Good point. We should also focus on communication. If this city setup is as elaborate as they say, we could end up split up."
Luna (smirking): "We've got this. We're used to working together."
---
Dakota's group stood apart from the rest, a mix of familiar faces and tense curiosity. Emily and Alex were gathering their supplies while Marie double-checked their strategy list. Michael paced with a casual air, exuding confidence that reminded Dakota of the person he used to be.
Michael: "We should take the northern route. It's more open, but it's also the most direct path to the relic near the old tower."
Dakota (considering): "It's risky. Everyone else will probably think the same. We should consider a less obvious route—through the maze of alleyways on the west side."
Alex (raising an eyebrow): "Won't that slow us down?"
Dakota: "It might, but it'll give us cover and reduce the chance of running into other groups. We can play to our strengths that way."
Emily (grinning): "I like it. Let's go with Dakota's plan."
Michael (smiling but watching Dakota closely): "Interesting choice. Let's see if it pays off."
---
The challenge began with the blare of a horn, signaling the start. The groups dispersed quickly, each heading towards their first goal. Henry led his team with determination, Clara and Theo following his directives seamlessly. Ava's group moved like a well-oiled machine, using Jack's climbing gear to scale a building and find an advantageous lookout point.
Dakota's team moved through the western alleyways as planned. The narrow pathways were lined with obstacles and shadowed by towering structures. They moved cautiously but with purpose, Dakota guiding them with quiet precision. He could feel Michael's eyes on him, questioning but intrigued.
Michael (thinking): "Who are you really, Dakota? You're not just a student here."
Dakota thinking: huh? Looks like my past self is sharp as always.
Dakota (thinking): "You'll find out soon enough."
The challenge had begun, but the real test was only just unfolding.