Chapter 16: Study Groups

"Okay guys. It's 8:50am and I need your attention." Kappei spoke to the class with Emma standing beside him.

"Oi mates! Listen to our class rep! He's got something to say!" Davis called out and all stopped what they are doing and paid attention.

"Good. It's the month of November and our exams are near. How's everyone doing in their studies?" Kappei asked.

"I sort of have difficulties in chemistry." Dedrick spoke out.

"I struggle in some math topics like the probability and trigonometry." Nichelle spoke out.

"Biology is literally scrambling my brains like scrambled eggs with fried onions." Bull spoke out.

"Isn't that our breakfast today at the boy's dorm?" Marcel asked.

"I do remember how tasty it is." said Declan.

"On the other hand, we had cereal and peanut butter waffles for breakfast on the girls' side." said Colette.

"Creamy and milky." Maeve described.

"Uh hello! We're talking about the upcoming exams not today's breakfast!" Emma called out.

"Atten-see! Atten-see!" Gumchi called out waving his tiny arms up and down. Noticing his action, all looked straight with focus.

"Thanks Gumchi. Okay, Emma and I need to see which subjects you guys are terrible at or struggling and we'll arrange new study groups based on the subject." Kappei told the class.

"So far, Jeong, Chantelle and Maeve appeared to excel very well in the academics." Emma added and these mentioned students nodded at her.

"I can tutor those who are weak in Math." Jeong volunteered.

"English is the subject I'm good at so I'll assist those with the difficulty." Chantelle volunteered.

"I'll help those who struggle in Geography." Maeve volunteered.

"Excellent. Now I need 3 more students to help tutor those who struggle in the 3 science subjects." Kappei spoke to the class.

"Ah fine. I'll take the physics and give them a hand mate." Davis volunteered.

"Shane and I can teach biology to those that struggle in it. After all, we're experts in this subject." Nichelle volunteered and he nodded agreeing with her.

"Well Kappei, I guess you and I can tutor those that are weak in chemistry." Emma told him elbowing him lightly.

"Y-Yeah. Sure we can do that." He replied as Gumchi nodded and jumped up and down happily.

"So it seems we have settled the study groups. Anything else?" Jeong asked.

"Nothing else. Besides the study groups, everyone also has to focus on their other subjects." Kappei reminded the whole class and it's right on time as Sensei Tatsu entered the classroom. "Did I interrupt anything?" He asked.

"No-pee! No-pee!" Gumchi replied.

"What? You will not take a piss?" He asked as the whole class laughed out loud. "It'll take me a long time to understand his speech pattern..." He thought as he began today's lesson.

Timeskip to after school hours...

This, is the school library. One can find all sorts of reading materials varying on various topics to improve on the knowledge and intelligence. There are tables and chairs for students to sit around to do their homework, revision and engage in some important discussions. There's also a few rooms for private discussions, remedial classes and project group works.

On one of the tables, Kappei, Emma, Avitus, Dedrick and Slick are studying together. "Ugh...this is so hard!" Slick complained.

"Which part of chemistry is hard?" Emma asked.

"Almost everything. My grades tends to be on the mediocre level." He replied. "I wasn't a bright student in elementary school. My grades are average and I can't score higher marks no matter how hard I study. On the other hand, I excel at the ninja training during my time in the academy."

"Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. As long as we help each other overcome our weaknesses and improve our strengths, we can aim high and turn the weakness into our own strength." Kappei encouraged Slick. "I know for sure, our class will pass the exams and we'll ensure no one fails."

"If there's anything you need to ask us, don't hesitate to do so." Emma added.

"Thanks guys. We're gonna need all the help we can get." said Dedrick.

"Then let's continue on with our revision." said Avitus as Emma took the initiative to lead the group.

A while later, "I'm gonna check on the other groups. Emma, can you handle them while I go around?"

"No problem." She replied as Kappei left to look for the other groups. They aren't far from them as Kappei check on Jeong who's tutoring those who are weak in math. Beside him, Chantelle is leading on the English subject as she explained and guided her peers. 2 tables away from her on the south, Maeve is working and teaching hard to those weak in Geography.

Kappei then walked around some more and caught sight of Davis testing his peers on some pop quiz he created himself while on his left, Nichelle and Shane coordinated their study group together. Smiling at the progress everyone's making, Kappei returned to his group as the study session proceeded on as usual.

That night...

"I think this is the first time I'm in your dorm Emma." Kappei exclaimed while looking around.

"Roo-mie! Roo-mie!" said Gumchi.

"Well we've studied in your room so now, you'll get the chance to see what my room looks like." Emma replied.

"And you organized it well. You have a lot more space. Enough for you to practice some of your dance moves." said Kappei.

"Thanks. Now get your books out, we got geography to study together." said Emma as they sat together and revised the subject together while Gumchi happily jumps on Emma's bed. "Sof-tee! Sof-tee!"

An hour later, "Okay let's call it a night." said Emma as she closed her textbook.

"Agreed. We still have time and we'll check on the other study groups. Let's aim for our class to pass." said Kappei as he kept his stuff.

Before leaving, "Um Kappei?"

"Anything Emma?"

"Once the exams are over and winter break is on, you got any plans?" Emma asked shyly.

"Well...I don't have any. Maybe I'll visit my grampa in Eagle City for Christmas." Kappei decided.

"Perfect! Maybe we can celebrate Christmas together! I'm also planning to visit the orphanage and see the little ones and the caretakers." Emma decided too.

"Those kids...how old are they?" Kappei asked.

"They were 6 to 8 years old around the time when I was scouted and enrolled into the WNA Academy. Now they're around 9 to 11 years old. They grow up so fast while I'm away." Emma replied.

"Christ-mee! Christ-mee!" Gumchi cheered.

"Interesting. Maybe I can tag along with you and see the orphanage for the first time." said Kappei.

"Sure! And also, Ms Warren sent me a Christmas gift list yesterday." Emma searched under her drawer below her table and found it. "The kids gave her their requests and she sent it to me via email. She often checks on the orphanage and see how the kids are doing."

"So we're gonna do some Christmas shopping first before we fly back to Eagle City for the holidays." said Kappei.

"Exactly! Just like before, we can get the gifts wrapped and delivered to her. I'll also plan our holiday schedule and book the tickets for Eagle City and back to California."

"And we must make sure we inform our teacher about our plans so that he can give us the approval. Kappei added. "And I better head back to my dorm. C'mon Gumchi!"

He hopped to him as they said their goodnights. There's still time to prepare for the exams one can say.

Exam period...

Thanks to the study groups and everyone's determination, diligence and hardwork, the exams were smooth.

The exam schedule begins with the English Exam on Monday followed by Math on Tuesday, Physics and Chemistry Wednesday, Biology on Thursday and Geography on Friday. A scene shows the students of Class 1-A all in the midst of their exam as random teacher supervises them as they worked through the questions and answers.

And on 1st December, the results are out and one can say we've pulled out a miracle.

The final scene shows the exam results revealed via projection from the projector. Every student scored above 70 with zero failures.

What a relief! Takes me back to the days when I struggle in exams. Sometimes, I'm on the top and sometimes, I'm at the average level. I was only taught one thing. Do your very best. And that is enough for me to survive secondary school and further my studies a bit more until I'm old enough to get a job.

Character of the Chapter

Name: Slick

Profile

A student in Class 1-A, Slick struggles in studying but is decent in the ninja training. He also practices drumming on his drum kit and takes very long naps when the weekend is around.

He tends to doubt his academics but some encouragement from Kappei is enough to boost his resolve and gain some improvement in his studies.

Awakened Power: Heat Seeker

Slick's awakened power enables him to generate a yellow energy orb and launch it in the air with his hands. The orb will hover around and when near a moving or stationary target, it'll shoot itself down and deal some explosive damage knocking the target away or destroying it if it's an object. He can also create many orbs for some heat-seeking pursuits.

However, the orbs can get shot by other range projectiles and using it many times can tire his arms.