Four hours at most had passed since the international students went on the move to the Proto-Undergrounds Field Site. Along the journey, under authoritative supervision, students were allowed to make pit stops for those who wanted to purchase local snacks, souvenirs, and, naturally, bathroom breaks.
In the present, the color-flagged buses progressed far from the Capital City's main road and ventured deep into the abundant forest patches within a unified convoy.
Moreover, the buses' progress so far has been unnaturally smooth and soon traversed an empty two-lane structured expressway without notable issues.
On top of that, the formerly thundering clouds of the afternoon progressively lessened significantly, giving way to rays of light that illuminated the world, while the icy breeze streamed off the tainted windows of the impenetrable buses, gracing those inside with the warmth of the A/C.
This warm, cuddling environment had already conditioned some students to fall asleep naturally, leaving the most energetic students to resist the temptation of rest by constantly conversing with each other.
Tap tap.
On the other hand, Oredell swiped his finger through numerous paragraphs and specialized text on his phone with moderate speed, passing his time reading a web novel. In his memory, Oredell always read through many web novels that alleviated his boredom.
Occasionally, he would look out his window, full of drizzling droplets pouring down desperately, while trying to find something of interest, no matter how it presented itself.
Unfortunately, these four hours of traveling remained stagnant and consistent throughout the journey.
"Haaah..."
Inescapably drowsy, Oredell finally let out an exasperated yawn, and ultimately, his resistance to sleep started to thin out.
Now with visible effort, he struggled to stretch out his legs and desperately rubbed his wavering eyes open.
Yong Yi, who was beside him, remained steadfast in his ongoing studies and radiated determination in his pursuit of knowledge, unlike his peers.
In addition, this serious student was the only peer who buried his complete focus and attention in his littered notebooks, while using Oredell's notebook as the base of his research and newfound study feast.
Thump!
Oredell's eyes shut comically and froze in stunned silence, along with the others. He turned his head to the origin of the petrifying sound, but only found Yong, who had closed his notebook forcibly with a satisfied expression, indifferently oblivious to his surroundings while organizing his books.
This instantly drew some distasteful stares from nearby students, who were quick to withdraw their gazes when he removed his earpieces and silently rearranged his hair bangs.
However, just as Yong began to settle, he felt a growing cold shiver along his skin, which made him turn his head instinctively.
Oredell looked at him coldly and eventually let out an annoyed sigh.
"Please... Don't close your book like that ever again. Thank you."
Yong glanced at his notebook in confusion and quickly coughed when the realization hit him. He turned his gaze away and rubbed his right cheek with a weak smile.
"My apologies... That was very immature and insensitive of me."
"Yeah, yeah..."
Oredell closed his eyes and drifted his mind into drowsiness. Even so, Yong recovered his casual attitude and curiously pointed at Oredell's phone.
"By the way, may I ask what you were reading a moment ago?" he politely asked.
Oredell opened his eyes with questioning fatigue and glared back in his direction.
"Sorry?"
"What were you reading?" Yong asked nonchalantly.
With a dramatic sigh, Oredell straightened his back and presented his phone screen sharply.
"Reading an old, unpopular web novel called Rose of Overnight... A brilliant piece I dug out back in my time in the UK. It was spotted in the Potential Starlet section two years ago, and I just gave it a try.Though I bet you wouldn't be interested in such a novel," Oredell paused for a moment due to a change in Yong's expression.
He could observe Yong's eyes glistening with nostalgia and familiarity with every mention, causing him to change his tone awkwardly and smile back interrogatively.
"...It seems you are a fellow reader of web novels just like myself and even a potential fan of the Rose of Overnight? Am I wrong?" Oredell asked inquisitively.
"Yeah, what a coincidence. I also started reading web novels back in 2020, at least five years ago, and it's surprising that web novels have reached such high popularity in the West, other than in my homeland," Yong clarified with a slight smile.
"...And the reason why I am a bit speechless is that you brought up a rare gem from my junior days with that novel."
Oredell lit up in astonishment and alarm.
"Let's back up a minute... You are actually telling me you read a hidden gem like Rose of Overnight and read genuine web novels? I really didn't expect that."
Oredell rubbed his chin with a strange new understanding of Yong Yi.
Yong nodded his head firmly and replied warmly, "Well, I did dig up that particular story purely because of its cover and interesting title three years ago... And long story short, I got invested in the hundredth chapter or so."
Suddenly, he sighed dejectedly and shifted his tone as if avoiding a painful memory.
"...Sometime later, I got carried away with troublesome responsibilities and didn't have time to finish it, much like my other favorite novels. Priorities started to cloud my radar."
He looked up and inquired.
"In any case, how is it nowadays?"
Oredell looked at him for a moment and scrolled down to the main homepage of the web novel.
"...The story so far has progressed at a very high pace, and most of the well-written chapters are usually there when the author is done with his break, and its overall quality in its first debut has been consistent to some extent, but I heard that the most recent chapters have found their past origin essence like its world-building and romance..." Oredell rumbled earnestly at his window.
"Interesting... like a turning point?" Yong deduced with flourishing reinterest.
"Currently, what chapter are you on now?" Oredell raised his brows a bit proudly and demonstrated his phone screen with dramatic flair.
"...Eight Hundred. A solid eight hundred chapters without a single rush on my part."
Yong blinked his eyes to properly process this achievement and spoke up in amazement.
"...Eight Hundred chapters back to back since its Potential Starlet? Wasn't the author's update schedule usually random? And it's still reaching that amount in two years?"
"Yup... I read every chapter fresh on its release and waited diligently for the next."
"...You never took a break for a different novel?"
"Precisely."
"I am genuinely impressed, Oredell... Even at my reading peak, I was only able to read up to five hundred chapters at most before switching to a different novel due to the slow releases at varying time zones of some of my favorites."
"However, it's great that Rose of Overnight is still doing well for itself since I consider it my favorite web novel to date," Yong added with a proud nod.
Oredell nodded in agreement but whispered secretly, "Well... The word 'great' can be considered a bit of an exaggeration since its popularity is still as low as dirt since it first released, and its publishing rate is still below the normal average... But in general, it's amazing overall."
Yong shook his head with amusement and argued, "If the author can maintain such a small fan base despite its shortcomings and issues, then the novel is clearly a great piece of work for those who can appreciate and support it until the end."
Oredell momentarily froze and chuckled shyly, "That's good to know..."
Before the two could discuss another word, the buses sharply turned into a newly constructed main road that was perfectly aligned in every aspect of its destination, with beautiful towering lamp posts that decorated its streets and roadsides.
Moreover, huge advertising street boards of various companies, like travel and construction, were centralized between each of the two road lanes.
Most importantly, a majestic clearing in the distance and their final destination after four hours of travel had finally come into view; that was the Proto-Undergrounds Field Site.
The entire area surrounding the field site was visibly densely populated with forest patches and wild vegetation, but on that horizon, various facilities of white towered over them like a castle in a Victorian story, and a singular mountain solemnly dwarfed them absurdly in the far distance of the human eye.
The students who were awake and alive marveled at their windows at the modern facilities and buildings, mapping out every architectural design and construction form in their minds with astonishment.
Out of the blue, the numerous buses seemed to slow down, allowing everyone to properly admire the unreal visage of long-reaching flagpoles of all nations of the world blowing their vibrant welcome to everyone who passed into the main gate.
Oredell and even the stoic Yong looked in complete awe and fascination, taking everything in until they reached the internal parking section of the most invested archaeological site in human history.
The entire vicinity was littered with various constructions of scientific and commercial use commendations, an intended purpose to gain tourist attraction and attention; its resemblance inspired that of Nigeria's National University but modernized for exclusive archaeology and international cooperation.
They eventually found their way through the large parking lot. The color-flagged buses slowly parked in their individual columns and rows. Now at a comfortable stop, a teacher with a German flag stood in front of the students and clapped his hands for attention.
"Everyone, may I have your attention, please?" The students removed their curious gazes from their windows and looked up in attention.
"As you've already derived, we have finally reached the Proto-Undergrounds Field Site safely and accordingly." He strolled down the bus with numerous cards in hand and handed them out individually.
"This entire facility is one of the most important and thought-provoking ancient settlements in recent history... You are few out of thousands to historically set foot and study these facilities before the global public. Therefore, I expect nothing less than the most exemplary behavior from all of you here," he said firmly and knocked one student awake with a card.
"Moreover, students are allowed to move in a maximum group of four people, and these groups are highly discouraged from being sorted by their originating international school. So, I do hope most of you were able to socialize with your liberal peers and mix together. After all, we, as the teachers, ultimately want all of you to be able to build beneficial connections and friendships that could help you in the future." With grace, he motioned his fingers to his glasses and personal card, "...I am sure this is now common knowledge among you, but remember, even in your free time and explorations, we constantly watch and evaluate your performance until the end of this entire international trip in Nigeria."
Most of the students simply nodded in complete understanding of the hidden evaluation system while some of the loner types clicked their tongues at the aspect of socializing with students whom they considered strangers.
"...Regardless of any outcome in this adventure, I do hope all of you enjoy your time here and cherish your youthful liveliness on such an important occasion. You may leave one by one in an orderly manner."
The students synchronously stood up and respectfully bowed in their cultural uniqueness. The German professor nodded in acknowledgment and quietly moved out of the bus.
Now free to their own devices, the students began to collect their bags and items, slowly moving out of the bus individually.
Oredell quickly organized his items and prepared to leave the bus, but Yong swiftly blocked his path respectfully.
"Logically speaking, since we are now familiarized with each other to some extent, it would be more efficient and beneficial if we grouped together..." Yong negotiated gentlemanly. Oredell tilted his head and looked at him with lowered eyebrows.
"You are just saying that because you are one of the called-out loners, aren't you?" he mused thoughtfully.
Rubbing his chin, Oredell seriously assessed Yong's overall characteristics as a new potential companion and mentally visualized Yong's ability to interact with his other missing companions in a social welfare situation.
"...At the very least, he doesn't seem like the type to be overly arrogant around his peers and is quite reserved if there is no need to share his own input... So, even in the event of letting him join our group, the resulting flames won't be any more devastating and will largely stay the same."
Yong examined Oredell's hesitation and threw up his hands dramatically with an amused expression, "Be honest... Do you really still consider me that problematic even as a welcoming and beneficial company?"
Oredell silently chuckled and lowered his hands in defeat.
"It depends on your likely behavior. But don't worry, my judgment wasn't as harsh as you may think it is... Anyway, can we leave already? Or is there more you want to bargain about your role in the group?"
Yong immediately zipped his lips and hummed a dramatic low sound in the distance as one could see relief shining in his eyes. Awkwardly, he gave way for Oredell to exit and prepared to follow his lead.
Silently, Oredell stood up in a similar manner and strolled his way.
Maybe he was already missing his comfortable seat... and dejectedly made his way to the exit of the bus.
Stepping out, abrupt sunlight hit his face, and the clouds loosely separated into a peculiar motion that was similar to the eye of a dying storm on the peak of the nearby mountain.
Unforgivably, a frost-like chill breezed through his skin and greatly caused tension in his already stiff muscles.
"...Of course, my first impression has to be the surrounding environment breathing down on my body like an underground midnight subway. And that's coming from a person who's never even visited one before. Cursed be it if I tried something like that one day..." he mused in low spirits, but at least managed to enjoy the rare view.
Straightening his posture, Oredell slowly inhaled the clean air, and his lungs suddenly burned with newfound vitality.
"...What? Is this real?" He took a moment to truly savor it.
"No exaggeration... But this may be the most natural feeling I have ever breathed into my lungs, and that's coming from someone who's been in the rural side for most of his life. Perhaps it's genuinely a privilege to be here after all..." Oredell closed his eyes with emotional reflection.
Sighing softly, Oredell arranged his bag properly over his shoulder and firmly drew his bearings at the board sign centered within the parking space. Yong closely followed him by his side and observed most of the students already making their way inside the site in a fairly coordinated manner of fours.
Yong rested his hands in his pockets and asked curiously, "Shouldn't we find two other individuals to join our group?"
Oredell glanced at him in acknowledgment but responded calmly, "I already have two individuals in the crowd who should also be waiting for us... Generally, we just need to find them before they decide to separate and link up with them into a proper group."
Oredell glanced at him in acknowledgement but responded calmly, "I already have two individuals in the crowd who should also be waiting for us... Generally, we just need to find them before they decide to separate and link up with them into a proper group."
Yong nodded and scanned down at his given card, which luckily stored various icons filled with information: a complete mini-map of the entire compound.
Turning his attention back to the board sign, Oredell tilted his head with veiled annoyance and clicked his tongue at himself with hidden envy.
'Of course, Yong had to be one inch taller than me and have a handsome face to boost his smug features... This guy is just here to put a curtain over my self-esteem.'
Oredell shook his head and casually stationed himself on the steps leading into the field site.
'...Life sure loves the prospect of destroying my humble pride these days, so it seems.'