Part 4

  This Better Be Good

  “FWEEEEEEEEET!!!! Alright, boys. Make a line!” Mr. Arlon commanded them with ease as his students obediently followed their teacher’s orders. They all lined up on the roadside to avoid colliding with other visitors.

  “We’re going to explore the first side of Uprise Down.” He looked at his wristwatch as he continued. “And, if we have time, we can explore other places. Like this one, and that one, and maybe that one as well.” Mr. Arlon points to the map. From one location to another, and another. “You guys can explore freely whenever you like.” His students whispered from one to another in anticipation.

  “Yes! Alright! This is going to be so much fun! I’m gonna bring my favorites to the rides I wanna take on!”

  The ecstasy in Thomas’ mind is making him excited in all places. Yet, he was not the only one who shared the same excitement like his.

  “But I want you guys to follow these simple rules.” Mr. Arlon spoke as he stared at them all one by one. “When I tell you guys to follow me, then follow me. Make a line behind me so it’ll be easier to navigate through the crowds. You guys can explore places when I tell you so. And lastly, when you hear my whistle, follow the sound and return to me to regroup. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Mr Arlon!” His students answered loud and clear. And to Mr. Arlon’s response, he clapped his hands once and walked closer to the glass board map.

  “Wuh—What happened to the ‘roam freely’ that you promised, sir???” Thomas asked in slight disbelief. Cutting off Mr. Arlon, who was about to continue talking.

  “Why did he change his mind all of a sudden??”

  He asked himself. Wondering ‘why’ a thousand times, hoping that his teacher would still allow him and his friends to explore all the places in this park.

  “Well, a little someone took my trust away by bringing something unallowed.” Mr. Arlon answered with a glare upon Gio’s face. Not a serious gut-wrenching stare, but more of a playful one, with a smile curling on his lips. Gio’s friends were quite disappointed with him, with most of them gathering around to tease him by pushing him around.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  “C’mon, dudes! I thought bringing my console was fineee!~” Gio spoke as he was being pushed around constantly. Once the students had calmed down and returned to their respective lines, Mr. Arlon took a good look at the map, moving his gaze smoothly around it before deciding where his students would visit first. When his eyes were caught by Uprise Down’s popular destination—the water park, he glanced away to another destination on the left part of the map. He wanted his students to explore the park ‘to the max’, just like he had said earlier.

  “Alright. So the first place we’re going to visit is… This one.” He points at the map, his finger landing on a specific place: 'Secret Village.'

  The response from students?

  “Aw, what?!”

  “Mr. Arlon nooo..!”

  “It’s a water park, sir. A water park!”

  “Huh? What did I miss?”

  Mr. Arlon was taken aback by how his students reacted to his choice. He understands that his choice might be a questionable one if he were a kid as well. But, he tries to reason with them anyway.

  “Oh, don’t be like that, you guys. We’re going to have a blast exploring these places!”

  “But Mr. Arlon,” Ray swiftly raised his hand in a hurry before he spoke. “Do we really have enough time to explore all of these places?” He scratches the back of his head through his messy hair.

  “Of course we do, Ray. Even now it’s noon, the sun is still up and we still have time to explore other rides and fun stuff!” His smile helped his students see the good in it, but it couldn’t quite make them grasp the fun of it. Their main reason for coming here is to enjoy the water park; they love the splash of cold water, swimming, and the thrilling slides that the park has to offer. Not some boring kiddie village attraction that adults and grannies take pictures of to hang on the wall. They want action and spontaneous joy.

  “Oh c’mon, you guys. It doesn’t take that much time to get there and to explore. ” Mr. Arlon spoke again. This time more reassuring than before, making his students accept his ‘quest’ to explore the bland side of Uprise Down.

  “Okay, Mr. Arlon..” His students took a nice, deep sigh before they accepted their dull quest, followed by a cheerful tone from Mr. Arlon. He then walks in front of all his students to lead them all.

  “Great! So follow me then!” He then released the sound of his whistle as they all marched to the Secret Village. In their thoughts, this was going to be the dullest experience they’d ever had in this wide-open water park, not knowing that they’d be visiting a gate to a new experience.

  “This better be good…”