Chapter 563
Evaline:
Out of ten, only two buses now stood in the quiet parking lot of the restaurant. The other buses were already on their separate ways, taking the first, third, and fourth years to their trip destinations.
It was barely half past seven in the morning.
The sky was clear now, washed clean by the night rain, and the early sunlight reflected off the restaurant windows. A faint smell of fried bread and brewed tea lingered in the air.
We still had more than an hour of travel left before reaching the beach resort.
Considering that Silver Moon Academy… and most of our packs… were nestled deep in the mountains, the idea of spending three whole days by the sea felt unreal. Cool wind, salty air, open horizons instead of towering cliffs and endless trees.
No one complained about Nadine’s choice.
If anything, people were openly grateful.
I caught snippets of conversations as we walked back toward the buses after breakfast.
“Beach this time of year is perfect p>
“At least we won’t be dying from heat p>
“I swear, if I see sand, I’m lying down and not moving for a whole day p>
Even Mallory, who looked like she was running purely on willpower and caffeine, perked up at the thought of the sea.
Breakfast itself passed quickly… simple but filling. Toast, eggs, fruit, warm drinks. Students ate faster than usual, excitement bubbling under the surface now that the destination was so close.
Half an hour later, we were back on the buses.
This time, I didn’t fall asleep.
Instead, I pulled out the potions book I had borrowed from the library last Friday and settled into my seat by the window. The bus hummed steadily as it pulled onto the road, and sunlight streamed through the glass, warming my shoulders.
I flipped open the book, skimming through notes I had already read once before.
Lately, I had been spending extra hours in the potion lab, long after classes had ended and all students had left. Elixirs, brews, stabilizers… I had thrown myself into learning everything I could.
I wasn’t the best potion maker the academy had ever seen.
Not even close.
But I was improving. Faster than before. Faster than I had expected.
And I wasn’t stopping until I had learned everything out there needed to be learned.
As the bus rolled on, I lost track of time, occasionally underlining passages or scribbling small notes in my personal herbs and potions diary that I started writing not long ago.
Outside, the scenery slowly changed – the dense mountain greenery thinning, the air growing warmer, lighter.
An hour later, the bus slowed once again.
Then stopped.
A ripple of excitement rushed through the bus.
“We are here p>
I closed my book and stood, slinging my bag over my shoulder. When I stepped down from the bus, the first thing I noticed was the air.
It smelled different.
Saltier. Fresher.
The resort stretched out before us… white buildings with wide balconies, palm trees swaying gently, and beyond them, a glimpse of blue that made my chest tighten with anticipation.
The ocean.
Students poured out of the buses, collecting their luggage, their voices rising with excitement. Some stood frozen, just staring. Others immediately pulled out their phones.
Professor Elira’s voice cut through the noise. “Alright, everyone! Bags first, then gather here p>
Once everyone had their luggage, Professor Elira and Oscar moved to the front. Ten warriors – tall, alert, dressed in uniform gear – stood behind them in a neat line.
“These are the assigned warriors responsible for your safety during this trip,” Professor Elira explained. “They’ll be rotating shifts, patrolling the resort and surrounding areas p>
Oscar stepped forward next.
The chatter died instantly.
His gaze swept over the students, sharp and assessing, as if he could already tell who was planning trouble.
“Listen carefully,” he said, his voice calm but carrying undeniable authority. “No one is to step outside the resort grounds without my direct permission p>
A few students shifted uncomfortably.
“If anyone is found breaking this rule,” he continued, “there will be a fifty-point deduction and one month of detention p>
A collective shudder ran through the group.
I could practically hear plans of sneaking out dying dramatic deaths.
Oscar’s eyes lingered for half a second too long on a group of boys near the back, who suddenly found the ground very interesting.
“Good,” he concluded. “Rooms will now be assigned p>
Names were called out one by one.
When I heard mine – “Miss Evaline, Miss Grates, 514” – I turned to Selene, who smiled brightly.
“Looks like we are roommates,” she said.
I smiled back. “Looks like it p>
As we headed toward the elevators, I found Oscar following after us. There were eight of us in the elevator… and then he stepped in too.
I kept my expression neutral, trying to not react to his presence, but it was impossible. Especially when Selene almost sent me crashing into Oscar’s back the first chance she got.
I glared at her and she just gave me a cheeky smile, clearly proud of her mischief.
Fortunately, the other six people with us in the elevator were either too guys admiring Oscar or anxious with his presence that they hardly noticed Selene’s antics.
The elevator came to a stop seconds later on fifth floor and the doors slid open, and I bit back my smile when Oscar stepped out too. Turned out he was in Room 502.
Selene gave a knowing look, clearly pleased at the thought of tormenting me with her teasing throughout the trip.
I just shook my head and healed to our room.
An hour later, after unpacking and a quick freshen-up, it was time for everyone to gather at the beach.
The sand was warm beneath my feet as I stepped onto the shore, the ocean stretching endlessly before us, waves rolling in rhythmically. Students clustered together, laughter and excitement filling the air.
Professor Elira stood near the volleyball nets already set up.
“Alright,” she announced, clapping her hands. “Our first activity of the day – volleyball p>
Cheers erupted instantly.
“This is going to be fun.” Rowan said as he stretched his body, joining our group of friends.
I nodded my head in agreement. “I think so. Let’s make it fun p>