Cote: Elite in Action

The Challenge of the Mixed Camp

—I can't believe we're leaving school so soon again —Honami commented, sitting next to me on the bus, with a light smile, though her words reflected a bit of surprise.

We were on one of the buses taking us to our next destination: a camp in the mountains, owned by the school. The landscape was already starting to change, with rolling hills and dense forests flanking the road. This school never ceases to amaze me. It always manages to plan the unexpected.

Unlike the special island exam we had last year, where only the first-year students participated, this new exam seemed to involve all the grades. That made it much more interesting... and probably more difficult. I couldn't help but feel a slight excitement, mixed with the tension of the unknown.

We had been traveling for quite a while now, but there was still a long way to go. The journey lasted about three hours, giving us plenty of time to chat, relax, or, like many on the bus, stare out the window, lost in our own thoughts.

—Kayden, do you want one? —Honami suddenly asked, pulling out a pack of Pocky and offering it to me with a smile.

—Sure —I replied without a second thought, leaning slightly forward and opening my mouth for her to feed me.

The relationship between Honami and me had changed quite a bit since our last conversation. Now, she showed her emotions much more openly, and although at first, I found it unexpected, I couldn't deny that I liked seeing her this happy. Besides, her closeness no longer made me uncomfortable as it once did; in fact, I had grown accustomed to her warmth and kind gestures.

At that moment, Hoshinomiya-sensei's voice echoed throughout the bus.

—Everyone, attention for a moment! —she announced from the front of the vehicle, grabbing a microphone she didn't really need, as her energetic personality easily grabbed our attention—. I have some important information to share with you about our destination.

We all turned towards her as some of our classmates, who were either distracted or half-asleep, straightened up, now focused on what was coming.

—The place we're heading to is located deep in the mountains, on a property owned by the school —she began, taking a deep breath to make sure everyone was listening clearly—. We'll be there for eight days and seven nights. It's going to be like a camp, where not only the first-years will be involved. This time, all grades will participate. Yes, that includes the second and third-years as well.

A murmur spread throughout the bus. It wasn't common for the school to organize activities that mixed all the grades, which added a layer of mystery to the exam. What kind of challenges awaited us?

—Now, I'll be passing out sheets with the detailed information about the special exam —continued Hoshinomiya-sensei, as she began distributing the handouts. As usual in this school, we were given written instructions to avoid any misunderstandings... or perhaps to let us analyze what awaited us in a more meticulous manner.

Mixed Training Camp

Duration: 7 nights and 8 days.

Main Objectives:

Social Integration: Teach students to live and work as a team with people they don't usually interact with.

Adaptation and Harmony: Assess students' ability to live in harmony and face challenges together.

Exam Structure:

Group Formation:

Small groups: Groups will be divided by gender, with 6 small groups per grade, and each group consisting of 10-15 students.