Chapter 35 Team A or Team B
THE FIFTH ELEMENT 🌊🔥🌪️⛰️☯️
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CASSIE'S POV
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After showering and getting dressed for the day, Madeline and I had a little breakfast before heading out to the field for our combat lessons this morning.
Madeline and Stacy kept telling me about how good Jake looked last night.
How he was like a knight in shining armor for me.
Stacy also wished she was the one who was saved by him.
I was kinda entertained by their bantering.
"Hi. Cassie." I heard someone say, and I turned to look at who it was.
It was that air girl. The one who had a duel with Sage the other day.
"Hi! Phoebe, right?" I said with a smile.
"Yeah," she returned the smile.
"Okay. Hey, Phoebe," I said awkwardly.
"I just wanted to say, what you did last night, it was really brave. Even though you didn't grow up in a place of magic, you still managed to be brave enough to face that creature. You did great. You practically saved us all. So thank you," Phoebe said.
She was the first person to actually commend what I did last night.
I suddenly felt gratitude toward her.
"Thanks for that. I think all I've gotten since last night was unpleasant gossip and aggressive whispering. You're actually the first person who appreciated what I did," I said and smiled.
"Most people here are posers. They don't appreciate good things," she said.
"Well, thanks anyway," I said.
"If you need anything, or a friend to rely on, you can come to me," she said and patted my shoulder.
I nodded slightly, and she made her way to join her fellow air clan.
"Look at that. I think you're even more popular now. The school's saviour..." Madeline said in a mocking tone.
"Don't be jealous and green with envy," Stacy said, amused.
"I'm not jealous," Madeline said defensively.
"Okay then. Whatever you say," Stacy was still amused.
"Okay, students! I heard about what happened last night in your dorms. That was unexpected and sudden. Which is why from now on, your lessons will be more combat skills. I have to teach you how to defend yourselves, especially when there is no full adult supervision. Like last night. So please gather your strength and attention here, because you'll be needing it for today, and every other day onwards. This is no time for play anymore," the instructor addressed us all.
The field was packed with students today. I guess no one wants to be left out.
I scanned the field, especially toward the fire clan, searching for even a glimpse of someone.
I caught a flash of gold, almost white hair at the far end of the fire clan’s line.
I knew it was Jake and was satisfied knowing he was present.
I noticed several eyes were on me.
They were still murmuring about what I did.
I tried not to pay attention to them.
My wandering eyes suddenly landed on someone.
Someone familiar. Damon.
It's been a while since I saw him.
I smirked to myself.
Even Damon didn't want to be left out.
He caught my eyes and winked, which made me look away, embarrassed that he’d caught me staring.
Again.
"There's something you all might not know about these creatures that threaten us. They don't act on their own. They are like mere puppets to their master. Yes, they threaten us, but the real villain is the master that controls them. We have no idea who the enemy is, because they use servants, like these creatures, to do their work for them and distract us from finding out who they really are. I believe you all have witnessed what the creature is capable of. If you haven't, then there's proof of the boy locked up in a cell right now for our own protection. He was a victim of the creature. But now, he is nothing but a mere slave to the creature and its master, ready to do its bidding. He is now a danger to us all."
The whole field erupted in murmurs and side talk.
Everyone seemed anxious and worried.
Even I was beginning to get afraid of this whole thing.
"What happens if one of us here becomes another victim of the creature?" someone from the crowd called out.
"Yeah! What happens if all of us here become victims? What then!?" another student yelled.
"Then that means you all will become threats to the innocent and uncorrupted ones. And we'll take measures to ensure you won't be a threat anymore," the instructor said boldly.
"What does that even mean?" someone else yelled from the crowd.
"What if we want to go back home? What if we don't want to be here anymore!" someone said aloud.
"It'll be unwise for anyone to leave the school premises for now. Your parents sent you here for a reason. For protection. You are the last generation of elementals, and this school is the safest place for you. Those creatures smell your elements from a thousand miles away, and that's why they're drawn to the school. So please, let's all work together for your own protection and for the safety of everyone in this school," the instructor addressed.
The crowd seemed to understand better now, since everywhere became a bit quieter.
"I'll be teaming you guys up. There are four elements onboard..." The instructor said but immediately locked eyes with me.
"I mean five elements onboard. Since there's only one existence of the fifth element, she'll be joining any of the teams of her choice. Four elements, one person from each element, will form a team of four members," the instructor said loudly while strolling back and forth from one clan corner to the next.
"Damon, Jake, Phoebe, and Madeline. Kindly step forward. You guys have earned team number 1 honors," the instructor said casually.
I noticed Damon's face change. He didn't like this. He didn't have a choice but to step out.
Jake also had his normal charming frown. He didn't seem to like it either.
"This won't be good," Madeline said to me before she stepped out to join her teammates.
I also saw Phoebe going to join them at the corner.
The instructor grouped everyone into fours. Although it took a lot of time, he still got it done.
"And last but not least, Cara, Sage, Richie, and Will. You guys just earned the last team honors."
"Okay, before we set out for our little exercise, Cassie! It's time for you to make your choice. In all the teams you've seen me group, which of them would you like to be a part of?" The instructor asked me, putting me in the spotlight.
Which team should I join now?
I thought to myself, looking between Jake’s fire, Damon’s smirk, Madeline’s warning glare, and Phoebe’s hopeful eyes.
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