Chapter 3: Departure 2.0
Philippines – HVIS University
The airport terminal in Manila was already crowded when the HVIS University group arrived.
Eight students.
And within three minutes…
They were already causing chaos.
"Wait—WHO packed the survival kit?!" Freya suddenly asked, holding up a huge backpack.
Rakhi pointed immediately.
"Endrix."
Endrix looked offended.
"What? I packed everything properly."
Freya unzipped the bag.
Inside were three knives, rope, flashlights, protein bars… and two packs of instant noodles.
Freya stared.
"…Why noodles?"
Endrix shrugged.
"In case we get hungry."
Aries burst out laughing.
"In the Sahara Desert?"
Endrix crossed his arms.
"You never know."
Percy shook his head.
"This man thinks survival means cooking ramen in the desert."
Cin, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke.
"At least he packed something useful."
Keifer stood slightly away from the group, watching them with calm amusement.
Jayjay walked toward him.
"Your group is loud."
Keifer glanced at her.
"Your friends started it."
Jayjay smirked.
Freya turned around dramatically.
"Excuse me, WE started it?"
Rakhi pointed at Aries.
"He's the one who started laughing."
Aries grinned.
"I laugh at stupidity."
Endrix pointed back.
"Say that again."
Percy stepped between them.
"Relax. We haven't even boarded the plane yet."
Cin added quietly,
"Security is already looking at us."
They all turned.
Two airport guards were indeed staring.
Freya waved awkwardly.
"…Hi."
Jayjay sighed.
"This is embarrassing."
Keifer chuckled softly.
"You're the one who said this trip might be interesting."
Jayjay crossed her arms.
"I meant the other universities."
Percy leaned closer.
"You think they'll be tough?"
Jayjay's eyes sharpened slightly.
"I hope so."
Aries cracked his knuckles.
"It's just a survival camp."
Keifer shook his head.
"Nothing is just anything when four universities are involved."
Cin nodded slowly.
"Especially when they selected their best students."
Rakhi looked curious.
"You think they'll try to compete?"
Keifer smiled faintly.
"They definitely will."
Freya clapped her hands.
"Oh my god imagine if the Thailand group is super serious."
Endrix said,
"Or the Vietnam group."
Aries added dramatically,
"Or the Indian group arrives like some genius masterminds."
Jayjay shrugged.
"Let them."
Keifer looked at the departure screen.
"Boarding in twenty minutes."
Percy stretched.
"Morocco."
Freya grinned.
"Sahara Desert."
Rakhi added,
"Thirty days."
Endrix looked excited.
"This is going to be legendary."
Cin quietly said,
"Or dangerous."
Jayjay smiled slightly.
"Either way…"
Keifer finished the sentence.
"…it won't be boring."
Their flight announcement echoed through the terminal.
"Passengers for Morocco – Sahara Camp Program, please proceed to Gate 14."
Aries grabbed his bag.
"Alright chaos squad."
Freya pointed at him.
"YOU are chaos."
Percy laughed.
"Let's move."
Seven students walked toward the gate.
None of them realized yet…
That the students waiting at the same camp were nothing like ordinary competitors.
---
Thailand – Hamilton University
Unlike the chaotic energy of the HVIS group…
The Hamilton University group moved like a perfectly coordinated team.
Five students walked through the Bangkok airport together.
Confident.
Calm.
And extremely comfortable with each other.
They didn't need to pretend.
Because unlike the other universities…
They shared everything.
Their empire.
Their secrets.
Their power.
The Serpent Syndicate.
Thyme walked in front, sunglasses on, completely relaxed.
Gorya walked beside him.
Ren followed quietly.
Kavin and MJ trailed behind, talking casually.
Kavin looked at the flight ticket.
"Morocco."
MJ smirked.
"Sahara Desert first."
Ren added calmly.
"Then Ladakh."
Gorya stretched her arms.
"Thirty days away from university life."
Thyme chuckled.
"Don't act like we live normal university lives."
MJ laughed.
"Fair point."
Kavin nudged Ren.
"You excited?"
Ren shrugged.
"It's a survival camp."
Thyme turned slightly.
"You're forgetting something."
Ren raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Thyme smiled.
"Three other universities."
Gorya added,
"Which means competition."
MJ crossed his arms.
"Probably the best students from each place."
Kavin grinned.
"Good."
Ren asked quietly,
"You think they'll be strong?"
Thyme shrugged.
"Doesn't matter."
Gorya smiled confidently.
"We've handled bigger challenges."
MJ nodded.
"The Serpent Syndicate doesn't lose."
Kavin added,
"Especially when all five of us are together."
Ren looked thoughtful.
"Still… we shouldn't underestimate them."
Thyme laughed softly.
"That's why I like you."
MJ looked around the airport.
"I wonder what kind of people they'll be."
Kavin guessed dramatically.
"Probably nerds."
Gorya rolled her eyes.
"This is an international survival program, not a math competition."
Thyme added calmly,
"They'll be strong."
Ren asked,
"How do you know?"
Thyme looked at the boarding gate.
"Because schools don't send weak students into a desert."
MJ smirked.
"Good."
Kavin cracked his knuckles.
"I was getting bored anyway."
Gorya laughed.
"You're hoping for trouble."
Kavin grinned.
"Maybe."
Ren looked serious again.
"We should observe them first."
Thyme nodded.
"Exactly."
MJ added,
"No rushing."
Gorya smiled.
"Just like always."
Thyme finished calmly,
"The Serpent Syndicate moves when it chooses to."
The boarding announcement echoed.
"Passengers for Morocco – Sahara International Camp, please proceed to Gate 9."
Kavin picked up his bag.
"Time to meet our competition."
MJ smirked.
"Or future problems."
Ren adjusted his jacket.
"Or future allies."
Thyme started walking toward the gate.
"We'll find out soon."
Gorya followed.
Five students boarded the plane.
Confident.
United.
Deadly.
But even they didn't know yet…
That the students from the other universities were leaders of their own worlds.
And soon…
All of them would be standing in the same desert.