Chapter 9

"Your day surrounded by mosquitoes, mud and whining girls"

A week had passed since the night of the ball. The girls went back to their classes and their everyday life. Which was quite boring compared to the madness of their first days of school. Well hopefully today would be more interesting.

Today the Winx were supposed to go on a field trip. The news of going to the swamp had not been very well taken by the class. There were some complaints here and there, even one of the girls went as far as to ask Palladium if they could go to the mall instead. He had unfortunately refused the offer.

So right now, they were packing some stuff and putting on their outfits that had been given by the school. And Stella of course did not approve their color.

While the girls were doing that, on the other side of the school two professors were discussing the fieldtrip.

"So Palladium, ready for your day surrounded by mosquitoes, mud and whining girls?"

His colleague joked while sitting at a desk and correcting copies.

"You're coming with me you know." The elf confidently stated.

"Why?!"

"I have four groups to supervise and one of them will be advancing faster because of the nature fairy. So yes Dimitri, you're coming with me."

The young dark-haired man sighed and started piling and putting back his corrected copies in one of the drawers of his desk.

"Fine, let's go get the students."

A few hours later, the group and their professors were standing in the middle of nowhere.

"Okay girls, we will be starting the exercise from this clearing. Professor Darkell and I will be monitoring your successes and failures …" But before Palladium could continue his speech, he was interrupted by a shrill voice on his left.

"Professor! A mosquito bit me!"

"That's quite normal, we are in a swamp there is bound to be a few mosquitoes." He said nervously, looking at his colleague for help.

"But Sir, look where it bit me." She whined while pointing at her thigh. All the students laughed at their blushing teacher.

"Would you like for me to put some cream on that?" Professor Darkell sarcastically offered, making all the girls stop laughing and imitate their elf teacher's red cheeks. Not wanting to hear the girl's answer he quickly changed the subject.

"Your objective is to make it to the other side of this swamp without using your magic."

"What?! How are we supposed to do that without magic nor a GPS!" Tecna asked in shock from the back of the group. Palladium was the one to reply this time. "By listening to Mother Nature of course! Now go and remember we will be watching your progress." And he disappeared in an explosion of sparks.

'Not bad Palladium' thought Darkell when he saw the impressed looks on the students' faces.

"Good luck." And he too disappeared. Leaving behind him a patch of fading of red runes on the grass.

Professor Darkell was not easily impressed, but today was an exception. He was impressed by these girls. Their courage when distracting the blue troll away from other students. He was also quite surprised by Bloom and Flora's strong intuitions and connection with the forest. Stella and Tecna had unfortunately showed their lack of patience. But they still would get a good grade.

When their little adventure was over and they climbed in the specialist's jet, Darkell joined Palladium and the other students. He reported the girls' actions. You could easily see that the elf was pleased with the girls' results.

In the end it had been quite an interesting day for everyone.