BERTRIM ACADEMY 11 CHAPTER 11: THE YEARLY EVEN

"Announcement: ALL instructors and personnel are asked to go in the mansion after class" Was written in all walls of all the buildings and rooms.

ONE ROOM IN THE MANSION

"Good evening everyone, as all of you know it, another year has come and we have new students. It is time for a new batch of skilled and trained protectors. Our seniors are already leaving while our juniors are also near. The sophomores are starting to have heavy school requirements. This would remind us to hasten the choosing under some additional criteria."

"Criteria? What kind of criteria are you planning to add?" A man asked.

"If you plan on adding, do make sure it will help in keeping this island guarded and hidden." A woman added.

"Of course, our main priority is to make sure this place is safe and secure from both inside and out. Now, the floor is open for suggestions and it is going though a discussion." The school founder asked.

"I would like to propose a test on controlling their personal emotions. We do not only enhance their physical skills and talents but to built-up their psychological and emotional states." One of the elders propose.

"Well, finally! someone notice that. Remember 2 yrs ago, one senior went berserk. They were even the strongest team, my...my...., the damage it brought on this island." A woman in her mid 30's spoke.

"I would also agree on the proposed plan and would like to add regarding the grouping. We have been letting the students create their group and most teams are unsuccessful in maintaining it. Why not we make the group itself once all interested students joins in." A man said to them.

"That is a good suggestion. Anymore proposals?... If none then we finalise this by voting. I would be passing papers and write your votes."

The entire assembly started writing their votes in few minutes then the youngest was asked to tally it. All agreed in both suggestion and revision.

"Alright, we add psychological and emotional criteria and that would go under the science department. I suggest Ms. Wales, please assemble a team to do this part then coordinate with the facilitator of the competition on how to incorporate your part. As for the groupings we start with them choosing their own groups during the event but once the list is shorten then we make the team itself. We would give them chances in this grouping." The founder summarised the meeting. It was then written by someone and signed by everyone present. All left half past 1 in the morning that next day.

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[The School Tour]

It was the second day of school and all students were asked to assemble in the school ground for the official tour.

"Good morning everyone, my name is Silvia, the ground keeper and head guard. I would like everyone to lend me their ears for a while please..... Thank you! We are going to start touring the school campus then the market and residential areas. We will end up in the Hospital and the Council's palace. I Would also asked that when you see the residents' of the island, please do not stare but smile, be polite. Now we leave and we are going to walk, so all has to group according to your course and gender, Good. If any of you have questions during our tour, just call my attention." Ms. Silvia started and went ahead of the line. They were all directed to walk around the school campus.

"There are 5 school buildings as per department. The building near the gate going to the north is the Library, one of the oldest structure it is made by the citizens for their seven leaders years ago, it is now where we hold all of their personal artefacts and the island's history. Of course, it is also where you go for research because but for the internet, we make sure that it is available and inaccessible by any outsider for safety of everyone. We will enter the Library but we are going to the museum, underground."

All students were excited because they are going to see the restricted area of the building. The door was opened by a certain key and 10 people has to push the doors wide open. Once inside they can smell the earth, musty and cold wet. They went around to see the islands treasures from paintings, sculptures, books, clothing, weapons, and lifestyle. The tour took the whole morning. By 11:30 in the morning they all went to the canteen for lunch and by 1 pm they were ushered to the public market.

"I think all are full and energise, as you could see we are in the market place. The citizens call it "Tserof tekram" it means a market within the forest. All crops here are what we have in our kitchen that you eat. They are all fresh and no chemicals used during their growth."

"Come along everyone, we are now going to the seashore, where the source of fresh seafood are found and taken. In your right are different shops that sells them and other goods. Any questions?"

"Ms. Silvia, what about that place after the shops?"

"That would be the meat section. Now you could also see the residential area and as you can see the resemblance of the library to their houses. It is made out of the stones they have here. There are also who live near the cliffs and mountains. So, greet when you see them and remember be polite, smile." Ms. Silvia reminded them once again.

Suddenly a tall man with a long beard along with 3 kids, where one was wearing a feather coat, the other two are almost identical twin however the other has different eye color, walked and greeted them.

"Good day,... Silvia. Wen stneduts no ruot, I musserp?" The man greeted and ask Silvia.

"Sey, sey Anon, evah a efas yad." Silvia answered and look at the students. This stop the freshmen's to stare and greet them.

"Good afternoon sir." or "Hello sir." Were the greetings they gave and the man left passing though the shops.

"Well then, thank you for greeting them why don't we all start walking to reach the hospital." They walk for another 15-20 minutes before they saw the gate first and entered, then another 5 minutes to reach the park in front of the hospital.

"This tall building was designed by the residents and with a good collaboration with other people here this is the result. A six storey high and as wide as the school grounds to cater both the school and the citizens. We are not going to enter but for those taking up medical courses you'll see it one day. We move now on my right, this place is the Council's Palace, its off limits. We are just going to past through. If you could see the mountains at the back behind it is the lighthouse, no one is also allowed to go there without permission."

They pass thought the gate near the library to go back to the school hall and waited for further instructions.

"Hello everyone, I know how tiring it was but we hope you enjoyed the walk. Thank you Ms. Silvia for the help. It is close for dinner so you may all go back to your dorms." The school head's assistant ended the tour.

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[Dinner Time]

"Hey Rei, that was soo... tiring. I never walk more then 1 km in my life. My whole body hurts, the rest was not enough! How about you?" Ritz complained sitting beside her after getting her food. Rei laughed at her.

"I am doing fine, I usually walk as an exercise, so I'm used to it. Although it was tiring. Why didn't you just skip dinner and sleep on it?" Rei asked smiling.

"And not eat, I'll starve in the middle of the night." Ritz explained.

"So what do you think of the tour?" Rei started after a few minutes.

"It was soo... nice, the shops and how their houses are made, and even the garden near the hospital." Ritz enumerated.

"Why don't we add the part that you were staring at the children." Rei Added.

"Oh! that, yeah..... I did forget the 'not to stare' part good thing you were there. But truly, I know they are different because, hello!, its the Bermuda triangle. I was just surprise even the language is different. How about you? you did not even have this surprise look in your face."

"Actually, I have already seen the place except the Library and the Palace. To tell you the truth my first time seeing this place made me speechless and shock. He has to pull me just to keep moving." Rei explained nonchalantly.

"That explains why, and who was the person showed you this place? Oh no, was it Jade? I can't believe you. You should have called me, when was this?" Ritz suddenly bombarded her with questions but Rei laughed at her for a minute.

"No! it wasn't him, and definitely no classmate of ours. It was the school founder and head, he's a family friend. I never met you before so... I could have invited you but..." Rei answered.

"Oh!, that explains it. We should head back to the dorm then. I feel like sleeping again." Ritz suggested.

They left after putting back their plates, then went separate ways because Ritz Stays in the 3rd floor.

Chapter end