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The chanting crowd demanding Narissa’s expulsion panicked the instructors. Offending so many influential families could end their careers in Sinney.
As they debated sacrificing Narissa to appease the mob, Jaylen and his friends who defended her stepped forward.
“Shut it,” Jaylen commanded, his voice cutting through the noise. “Or I’ll call my family immediately and cancel all business dealings with every single one of your families.”
“Same here!” Gilbert added, brandishing his phone like a weapon.
Panic rippled through the crowd. They understood Sinney’s intricate web of power. Crossing a powerful family wouldn’t just cost a few deals. It could get their minor family wiped out entirely, even banished from Sinney forever.
That was a consequence none dared risk. Those who had spoken against Narissa, however grudgingly, fell silent, their heads bowed.
“Narissa, let’s go. Talking to this trash lowers your standards,” Gilbert said, seizing the chance to curry favor.
Jaylen’s other friends shot Gilbert annoyed looks for beating them to the punch. Soon, Narissa was surrounded and escorted away like royalty, leaving the hall in stunned silence.
The instructors and security breathed a sigh of relief. Only Cressida remained, practically vibrating with rage.
Miranda leaned in, her voice a venomous whisper. “That Narissa, she’s pure seduction incarnate. Who knew she’d snag everyone?”
“Now Jaylen and his whole inner circle favor her?” Miranda hooked her arm through Cressida’s. “It’s not right. That spotlight should be yours, Cressida.”
Cressida clenched her jaw. ‘Why?‘ she seethed internally. ‘Why does that scandalous gutter rat get their attention? She must be using her old tricks.
No wonder they say mistresses know all the dirty moves. Narissa’s just like those cheap homewreckers.’
Thanks to Cressida’s subtle put–downs, most people on the ship misunderstood Narissa, looking down on her.
“Attention all students! An hour until island landing! Report immediately to the main deck for survival gear assignment,” the lead teacher announced over the intercom, summoning students from across the ship.
Students streamed towards the main deck. Narissa, Jaylen, and the others joined the crowd gathering on the deck. A pile of messy items sat in the open space there.
“What is this junk?” someone asked.
“This is our training gear? My socks are better quality!” another echoed.
“Seriously? We’re supposed to survive with this?” someone else chimed in.
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Complaints filled the air, but the instructor, holding a megaphone, remained unmoved. “Listen up! To enhance your combat skill, this exercise requires you to survive solo on the island for three days.”
He continued, “For your safety and basic needs, we’ve provided these supplies. Each of you may select items to take ashore.”
“Sir!” someone yelled. “This is gear. Where’s the food and water?”
The instructor’s response was firm. “The island holds challenges we’ve prepared for–dangerous but not fatal. Food, water, shelter? That’s on you. And forget your luxuries; they stay on the ship.”
“What?!” someone shouted.
“So it is a survival challenge. Oh no!” another echoed.
“You’re dumping us there for three days to starve? That’s ridiculous!” a boy screamed.
“There won’t be fresh water. Or it’ll be impossible to find. We’re dead. Totally dead!” someone else exclaimed.
Amidst the groans, the instructor urged action. Landing was imminent. Reluctantly, students began sifting through the pile of seemingly useless gear.
– “We’ll need serious weapons,” Jaylen advised Narissa, scanning the pile. “Wildlife could be a problem.”
“Don’t worry, Narissa. We got your back,” Gilbert declared, already clutching a bulky flak vest and a heavy–looking club.
Narissa’s gaze swept over the jumble of armor and weapons. She bent down, her hand bypassing everything else, and pulled out a single item: a matte–black combat knife.
It was heavy, with a serrated spine and a knuckle guard—unmistakably military–grade, forged from a dense, dark alloy. Only this blade met her standards; the rest was clutter.
As others finished selecting and began boasting about their findings, Cressida and Miranda, convinced Narissa was clueless and eager to see her fail, pushed through to see her pathetic choice.
Their eyes widened. Narissa held only that plain, dark, utilitarian knife. Miranda couldn’t contain her glee.
Miranda sneered, “Look, guys. Narissa thinks this is a joke. She picked a lousy knife. One little knife to survive three days? She’s insane!”
The crowd, already disdainful, eagerly craned their necks to witness the foolishness.
“Such a know–nothing,” someone sneered.
“Total embarrassment, huh?” another student echoed.
“The Evertons are going to be the laughingstock of the season. Ridiculous!” someone else teased.
Cressida flinched. She might despise Narissa, but she couldn’t let the Evertons name be mocked. Besides, she’d half- promised Amanda and Hector to look out for Narissa.
At least she couldn’t let her die on the island–who knew how heartbroken they’d be? So she was about to step forward to scold them.
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“Narissa,” Jaylen was saying, concern etched on his face. “Maybe pick something more useful? How about that flak vest?”
“Yeah, Narissa,” Gilbert chimed in, “even a baseball bat or a bow would be better than just a knife. Are you sure?”
Seeing Jaylen’s solicitous attention focused entirely on Narissa yet again, a sour taste filled Cressida’s mouth. She stopped dead, swallowing her warnings and scolding.
‘Fine. Let the arrogant bitch fall flat on her face. Maybe losing a limb will teach her a lesson. I don’t give a damn,‘ Cressida thought.
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The ship soon anchored off a sizable island, spanning thousands of acres. Instructors and security escorted students ashore, reiterating the dangers and strongly advising teamwork for safety and to build cohesion.
“Three days, guys! Helicopters will retrieve you then. Enjoy your rustic getaway!” With a final wave, the instructors and security boarded the tender and sped back to the ship.
To eliminate any thoughts of a quick retreat, the ship itself began moving away from the shore, shrinking rapidly into a distant speck on the horizon.
“Damn it. They weren’t kidding,” someone said.
“Stop whining. Lunaris pulled out the big guns this time. Besides,” another student muttered bitterly, “face it, Lunaris has been kicking our asses in combat for two years straight.”
