Chapter 7: School Trip

A week had passed since Trip had gained access to his new room, and it was clear that his skill had improved a lot. Trip especially improved his control over water magic. He was able to control much more dense water than before, and his improvement has been going much faster than previously. This was mainly due to his new room. With the perfect ventilation, white walls, and simple floors he felt that this new place was perfect for training.

Due to Trip not having to attend certain classes he also had more time on his hands in general. Today was different however. Alex had told him that he had to show up to the school courtyard, because there was an announcement. Trip wasn’t very interested in this, but he did not want to upset any teachers by skipping mandatory events.

Trip walked to the school courtyard and was surprised to see many people there. Alex quickly ran over to him and explained how all the first year students had showed up. This meant that there was probably a very large announcement. This meant that all the students were excited and were talking very loudly. Watching all the people talking made Trip feel a bit sick, this was because lately he had been in a very silent environment and he has not experienced such a loud environment since his fight with the bullies.

Eventually the chatter died down and a teacher came out. “Hello students. We have an announcement for you. In 4 days all the first year students will go on a week-long camping trip in the forest. In the forest you will be in a group with 4 people and you will participate in many team building exercises. You can choose who you want in your group. Before you leave, make sure to register your group and your group’s name.”

There was silence for a second, and then an explosion of excitement and happiness. With the forest being off-limits for first year students and with the school being a boarding school meant that everyone had been isolated to just the school campus since the beginning of the school year. Going into the forest and participating in many fun activities almost sounded too good to be true. Even Alex was excited. Both Alex and Trip had been unable to go to the forest for the since the fight and Alex definitely missed the beautiful scenery. Trip did not care too much, if anything he found it annoying. He never went to the forest for the beauty of it, and this trip would stall his growth in strength.

There was also another problem with the trip. This was because Trip only knew Alex, and Alex only knew Trip. Most people had more than 1 friend so it was not difficult for them to join a group, but Trip and Alex now realised that they might not have anyone in their group. Trip noted that many people did consider inviting the two of them, but most people were intimidated by him and Alex. They were very distant and did not talk to anyone, but each other.

Trip watched the hordes of people slowly thin down to just them. Everyone had already left yet they still had no group. He then spotted 2 people in the distance. Trip went over to invite them into his group. When he came closer he saw that there was a rather large boy with a very cute small girl. They looked very similar; they both had hazel eyes and light brown hair. Just from a glance one could tell that they were brother and sister, and that the brother was being quite protective over his little sister, at least it looked that way from the way they were standing.

“Hey look, there are some people left. Let’s join them.” the boy said, to Trips surprise

“NO. I already said that all these peasants are unworthy of even being close to me!” the girl said.

Trip couldn’t help but laugh. The way he saw them was completely different now, it was clear that the girl didn’t deem anyone worthy of her presence, whereas her brother was more open to meeting new people. Trip couldn’t help but feel slightly sorry for the boy.

Trip had very good hearing so the girl probably thought he wouldn’t hear her. Alex didn’t hear her, and he was completely stricken by the cute little girl. Alex was quite advanced for his age, and he realised that this girl would be an absolute beauty later in life. If he could court her now then he would certainly be very happy in the future when she had blossomed.

Looking at his friend Trip wanted to tell Alex that he should not try to approach this girl, but he decided that it would be better for Alex to figure out her true personality by himself.

Trip approached the brother and sister and said “Hi. It seems that we’re the only ones left so we have to group up.”

The girl had a wonderful gentle smile, but Trip saw the hatred and annoyance in her eyes. She was especially angry because what Trip said was true. There was no-one else left, they would have to join up, otherwise the teachers would probably force them into a group anyway.

Seeing the look on his sister’s face, the boy sighed in relief. He knew his sister very well and he understood that this look was the, ‘I guess I’ve got no choice’ look. Relieved he quickly said “Nice to meet you. My name is Randolph and this is my sister Eleonore.

We’d be happy to join your group.”

Alex looked ecstatic, knowing that he would spend several days with this pretty, nice little girl. His only concern was that she would fall for Trip. Trip was better looking than him after all. Alex was not too concerned, as Trip would probably not try and get a girlfriend for a long time.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I hope we can get along. My name is Trip and this is my friend Alex.” Trip said in reply to Randolph

“By the way, the teacher said that we need a group name. Any ideas?”

Alex decided that this was a good opportunity to speak up and impress Eleonore “I’ve got an idea! How about the angel and the mortals?” It was a horrible team name, but Alex would do anything to compliment Eleonore and get on her good side.

Trip saw how sickened Eleonore looked by this remark and decided to save Alex from full embarrassment by saying “Haha, while I’m flattered that you would refer to me as an angel it does seem slightly egotistical.”

Randolph found this hilarious and Eleonore even smirked a bit, but Alex completely misinterpreted Trip’s actions. To Alex it was as if his worst nightmare had come true, because at this point it was clear to Alex that Trip was trying to court Eleonore as well. Alex looked at Trip with a stare that would send a shiver down one’s spine. In Alex’s mind a war had started.

The group eventually decided on ‘TEAR’. It was just a collection of their names and it made a word so everyone was fairly happy with it. They then went on to register their group before parting their ways.

Alex followed Trip to his room. Once they sat down Alex said “I didn’t think that we would be fighting over a girl this early on in our friendship. Let’s keep this war friendly; no matter who wins we will still be friends so let’s not worry about hurting each other’s feelings.”

Trip was flabbergasted. He thought that Alex might have misinterpreted his intentions, but for this to happen was simply too much. Trip barely muttered out a response “There will be no war.”

Alex understood this not as a resignation from the war, but instead a cocky statement about how Trip had pretty much already courted he.

Surprised by his friend’s boldness he replied “Haha, I see that you have become rather cocky. Let me tell you Trip. You may have looks, but I have the natural charm that you will never be able to replicate. I will win this war!”

Alex then proceeded to walk out of the room, leaving Trip in a daze. ‘What just happened?’ Trip thought to himself. He decided to let the misunderstandings work themselves out as he began to train again.

Over the next 3 and a half days Trip trained harder than he ever had before, he would be missing a week of training after all. Alex had not gone to see Trip at all during those days, instead Alex was trying his best to enter Hyuru. Since Trip was unwilling to announce his strength, he would put Trip at checkmate if he managed to learn perfect control over Hyuru, then Eleonore would definitely fall for him.

Trip had already established himself as the leader of the group; he seemed to naturally be a leader. However this really annoyed Eleonore. She hated the fact that the moment Trip arrived her brother seemed to have accepted him as a leader. What Eleonore wanted was to be the leader, but not have any of the responsibilities of one.

After all the groups had gathered the teacher asked “Ok guys! Are you ready for a fun trip?”