"Ah, that's almost unfair. Andrew is very good!" exclaimed Emily with an amused look on her face.
Andrew laughed modestly. "It's all a matter of practice and observation, Emily. And you can never know too little, the game can change at any moment."
Klaus' group sat together on the bus as it made its way to the tour destination.
The mood among most was upbeat and full of anticipation. When they were told that the trip was about to begin, Klaus' group decided to pass the time by playing cards. As the bus drove down the road, they were immersed in a game of Truco. After the last round, won by Andrew, the cards were dealt out again and a look of anticipation spread across the players' faces.
Klaus, who had been concentrating on his cards, looked up, glanced at Emily and saw a modest smile on her face, then joked:
"Careful, Andrew. Don't underestimate Emily, she might surprise us all."
Emily winked at Klaus and smiled mischievously. "Who knows, Klaus. Maybe you're underestimating my abilities as well."
Cleo, who was quieter, watched the dynamic between her friends while she carefully considered her own moves. Finally, she let out a sigh and commented:
"I have to admit that I am still getting used to the rules of this game, but it is fun."
Klaus smiled briefly. "Yes, and in time you will learn all you need to know. I'm sure you'll master the game soon as well."
Emily looked at them closely and when she realized that she was staring too seriously, she looked away.
Cleo thanked Klaus for his words with a shy smile, grateful for his patience.
As the bus continued its journey, the landscape outside unfolded into a succession of mountains, green fields, and long roads. The destination of the tour was still unknown to them, but that was about to change. After hours of traveling, the bus finally reached its destination, a mountainous region with a dense green forest. The fresh air and lush landscape indicated that they were far from the hustle and bustle of the big city, and the lack of roads showed that even small towns were miles away.
As they got off the bus, the students saw other buses parked in front of a large building. Teachers were organizing their arrival and directing the students to enter the building to prepare for the next leg of the tour.
The physical fitness teacher, accompanied by his assistant, made his way through the students to stand in front of the building. With an energetic smile, he began to explain the dynamics of the activity.
"As you can see, we are in a distant forest in the mountains." The teacher began excitedly. "For the next three days, you will be challenged to work in teams, overcome obstacles, and explore the nature around us."
The students' curious and fearful eyes were fixed on the teacher. Most of them had never been to a park before, let alone lived in the middle of a forest.
"You have to wear your gym clothes for this. In the building across the street are the living quarters where you will meet. You will have thirty minutes to leave your belongings in lockers and change, and then you must return here, because each member will receive an item to help you survive these three days. This forest is very rich in food, such as fruits, mushrooms, and smaller animals, but it is also a wild place, so you must be careful.
He then pointed in the direction of the building.
"This building will only be used by us teachers, and also by the doctors who will be on standby in case of an emergency."
At that moment, one of Klaus' classmates raised his hand to ask a question.
"But sir, is the purpose of the activity just to go camping as scouts?"
The teacher smiled. "No, in the forest, each group will have a mission: to find a golden ticket," the professor announced. "This golden ticket is a symbol of the success of the activity, and besides the recognition it brings to the groups that find it, it will also bring a special reward. There will be one golden ticket for each of the hundred groups that will stay in this forest, so don't worry too much."
The students looked at each other, mostly wary of the challenge.
"Of course, to find the golden ticket, you will have to overcome physical obstacles and work as a team, as well as deal with your physiological and human problems. To become the elite of society in the future, you must experience this as a journey of self-awareness, cooperation, and overcoming limitations. And remember, each of you has unique abilities that will be fundamental to the success of the group. Work together, listen to each other, and trust your abilities.
The students seemed excited by the teacher's speech, and the prospect of finding the golden ticket began to fill them with enthusiasm and determination.
"The tour is not only about finding the Golden Ticket, but also about growing as individuals and as a team. Enjoy every moment, learn from the experiences, and have fun!" The teacher concluded.
With their instructions in hand, the students made their way to the building, ready to prepare for the challenges that awaited them. The excitement was palpable in the air as each group prepared to explore, and when they returned in their gym clothes, they were handed four items: a compass, a first aid kit, a canteen, and a fishing rod.
However, while Klaus and the others thought this would be an ordinary activity, like a treasure hunt, there were those who had not-so-innocent plans. On the outskirts of the Teachers' Building, hidden among the parked buses, a group of people were carefully watching Klaus and his group. These people had no plans to just get the tickets and leave the three of them alone, for their dark, determined gazes saw this as an opportunity to do something they could not do inside the campus. While Klaus and the others were analyzing the items they had received, these mysterious observers were whispering and forming a previously unknown plan.