9 9 Person Team

" Honey the Alpucci's are here are you guys ready yet, time to go. " said Ron O'Hara, looking at the Alpucci couple standing at his door steps, Joseph was babywearing cute 3 year old Tina and the VP of the day 6 year old James was standing quietly next to his mom holding her hand.

" Ron, I can't find Trisha. Is she out there. " called out Jean.

" no she is not out here, check the bathroom. " replied Ron, giving a apologetic smile to the Alpucci's at the door steps, " please come in, I think its going to be while ".

" No worries, we still have time. " said Joseph, as the couple and the children entered the apartment.

" Ron! she is not in bathroom or the study room or ... I can't find her. Ron I can't find our baby. " shouted Jean, almost terrified unable to find her child.

" did you check in her so called secret base, under the bed, inside the closets or the pantry " suggested Ron, as he lead the Alpucci's inside.

" I am telling you I searched everywhere. I can't find her... stop suggesting and do something. " growled Jean at her husband.

" why don't you guys try calling her or tracked her kiddy watch " suggested Joseph, hearing Joseph's advise Ron's face turned cold.

" Trisha does not have a kiddy watch, someone thought that providing kiddy watch to children at such young would be a bad Idea. for godsake it is kiddy watch kids are in its name." Jean who Just entered the Hall, flared at her Husband after hearing Joseph's advise.

" you thought that it was a good mature Idea at that time" mumbled Ron.

" what did you just say?" said Jean apperantly hearing Ron's mumble. " nothing " replied Ron quikly.

" what are waiting for,.. do something our 6 year old daughter is missing " said Jean.

Ron Stood in the middle of the hall and shouted " Trisha!, Trisha! where are you honey! "

Seeing her husbands dum action, Jean felt like she choose poorly and aggrieved." my mother warned me when she saw you wearing inside out t shirt during her first visit, blame me for being blinded by your shenanigans."

" you ! you ! know that it was your moms fault for showing up unannouced and I had a bad hangover from previous night. " defended Ron.

" aren't you even ashamed to say that. " sneered Jean.

The Alpucchi couple watching from the side could not stand back anymore, Marie looked at the couple and said, " will you guys get it together, Trisha is the Priority here. big sis Jean and I will search inside the apartment, big bro Ron you and Joseph go to the build security and check if Trisha left the community and check the security cams. "

" ok, we will go right away " said Ron and rushed out of the flat followed by Joseph.

" big sis Jean lets go to the terrace, she may be there. " said Marie, Jean nodded.

Finally, James was left alone in the flat. after few seconds he walked towards the couch then went behind it, a large vent enough for a abult to crawl in was visible. removing the cover of the vent James went inside it on his all fours. inside a small kid could be seen sitting leaning on the sides of the vent. James moved towards that kid and said " Trisha, Uncle Ron and Auntie Jean are searching for you. " it was Trisha, as James moved towards her, he could hear her weeping,

Hearing Trisha weep, James got flustered and asked, " why are you crying? "

" James I am afraid " replied Trisha.

Setting next to Trisha, James said," are you afraid because of what Ava told you about the Ritual ceremony earlier. forget that she is a liar, remember what Miss Halls said there is nothing to afraid of the ritual it will be just like watching a movie. "

Trisha still continued to weep, then James consoled her saying, " why are you afraid, aren't I by your side. let's do it together. "

Then Trisha lifted her head and said " what if you are not there. "

" I will alway be here by your side, even if I am not here, I will still be by your side. Just like in that movie, no matter what i will always be with you " said James, Trisha looked into James bright eyes and asked " really " James nodded in conformation.

Not being able to find Trisha, both the couples came back to the flat only to find her sitting on the couch with James. seeing her, the devastated O'Hara couple rushed to the couch and picked up their daughter and sandwiched her in their hug.

" Honey where were you all this time " asked Jean.

" In my sceret base " said Trisha innocently, but a pruple nerve bulged on both Jean and Ron's forehead.

.....

" why don't you just stab me in the heart Instead. " shouted Trisha as tear's flowed from her eyes. this is the second time James has ever seen her cry, first time was when they were 6 year old.

Trisha was not the type to carry easily.

Ava looked at James with cold eyes.

WTF is happening, am I missing something, why do I suddenly feel like a villain.

James recalled the flash back from the Predecessors memory and slapped his forehead, did this lass take the predecessors words literally, " I will alway be here by your side, even if I not here, I will still be by your side. Just like in that movie, no matter what I will always be with you "

No wonder she would rather take graduation exam with a 4 member team than replace me in the team. understanding why Trisha was being so stubborn, James felt bad for forcing her.

Do not be fooled by everyones smiles, everyone is afraid about the graduation exam, why wouldn't they be they are only 16 and have not lived enough some have not even touched woman outside of their family, but everyone has there own anchor like money, power, beauty, food, etc which they hold on to stay hopeful, passmistic and face their fears while continuing in this path. Trisha is the same and these words of the Predecessor is her anchor and until now James was trying to force her in to letting her anchor go, James felt bad knowing this.

James was wrecking his brain on how to nuterlize the current situation. then suddenly a thought crossed his mind, and he quickly acted on it.

" stop crying, you do not have to get a 5th member. " said James looking at weeping Trisha.

hearing James, Trisha's face lit up and asked " really " Ava also looked at James for conformation while whiping the tears and snort off Trisha's face.

" yes, but do not celebrate this earlier your not off the hook yet " said James, then he turned to Leon and asked, " what do you think about Trisha's team? "

Hearing James's question, Leon grew skeptical and said , " leon I know what you are thinking but I can't abandon my team. " hearing Leon, Mira and luca as if understood something they glared at James.

"relax nobody is abandoning any body, Just answer the question, Leon. " said James a little annoyed

" I thing even with 1 member short Trisha's Team can be counted as one of the strongest team in the school, no!, the entire city. " replied Leon.

" Right!, I a have proposal for you .. " before James could finish, Leon Intrupted and warned," no matter what I will not abandoned my team member, so, please choose your next words carefull. "

" Just let me finish, I am thinking what if both of our team entered the Graduation exam as a single team of 9 memebers. " said James.

Hearing James words, all people present stared at him dumbfoundedly.

seeing everyone unreasponsive and still in shock James continued, " you all know this time 27 high school are participating at our exam venue that would be nearly 10,000 students, according to previous year survey only 1 in 20 students manage to survive, leaving 500 students. there are 7 top universities appereaing this time and quota provided by each university is 5, so total top seat quota available 35, if you want to choose your own favorite of the 7 then it will be even harder. 35 quota for 500 students, if we do not try something different then it will be very hard for us to get our hands on this quota. please at least consider it."

" Are you Insane " shouted Mira, she pointed at James and said," we do not have a death wish, there is no need to consider it, tell him Leon. "

after not getting any response from Leon, Mira truned to look at Leon, " don't tell me, Leon you are actually considering his crazy idea. "

" yes, I think he maybe right Mira. since you are being so sincere James let me also be frank, I want to apply for Great Sword University, you all know it is famous for it strict requirements. similar to me you all should have your favorite to choose from the seven top colleges, but the odds are clearly against us. so, in a way I am with James. " said Leon.

" since Leon is okay with it then count me In too. " the frist preson to speak up was Luca splots, seeing Luca come forward to support him Leon thankfully nodded to Luca.

" as long its with James and Ava, I will go anywhere. " said Trisha happily, hearing Trisha agree Ava also nodded and said , " Janet and Justin now the situation has changed so you guys do not have to follow me. "

" we are also willing, this is also a good opportunity for us brother and sister. as James said if we do not try something different, then it will be very hard for us to get our hands on this quota. " said Janet and behind her Justin nodded in approval.

" with so many strong players in the team it would be foolish of me to say no. " agreed Malinda.

Feeling everyone's gaze, Mira said," I will follow my captain's arrangments, but let the records reflect that I did try to talk you guys out of it."

seeing that every one is onboard, James said, " now that we are done with the easy part. next, we have to learn how to function as a team In next 2 days. but before that before that lets discuss about the Scenario main task "

Scenario main task, is one of the main reason why school recommends 5 member team. for a 5 member team the main task usually will be to complete or achieve something within the given time, and most importantly the danger level will be something which the team can handle. but the main task for a team with more than 5 member will most likely be a survival task. which is to practically survive something like horde of monster or beasts or demon or zombies or ghosts, etc.. for

a specified amount of time. sometimes these horde may likely contain the boss monster then the chances of survival for the team will be redued to almost zero. even though the risk is high but the reward will be higher.

While every one was busy discussing their role in the team, Ava came to James and asked " what about the Scenario Coordinates to Five elemental ninga kingdom?. what about healing Trisha's arm and eye?. how are you going to explain this to Uncle Ron? You know once Trisha choose a Occupation it will be even harder to get a suitable method to heal Trisha. "

" will you let me answer, geez. " said James

Ava looked at James waiting for him to answer, " well?! '

" I do not know. all I know is that Trisha will be heart broke or even worse if I had continued to force her to get a 5th member for the team. for now all I care about is Trisha's happiness. " said James with a foolish smile.

Even though she did not recieve the answer for her questions, but she was satisfied with what James said.