Kayla kicked the driver's seat back, scolding, "Delete that! Who told you to have the dashcam on?" The driver, jolted despite the intervening seat, quickly lowered his head. "Yes, Ms. Kayla."

Under Kayla's watchful gaze, he deleted the footage.

"Is it all gone?" Kayla asked.

The driver's eyes flickered, but he replied honestly, "Yes, Ms. Kayla."

"Alright then, let's go!"

Kayla settled back, affecting the air of a wealthy young lady. She closed her eyes to nap, oblivious to the driver's annoyed expression. Taking advantage of her distraction, he discreetly reset the dashcam and pocketed the memory card.

The vehicle departed for Alverton.

"Everyone, we're almost there! After we cross this mountain, we'll reach Alverton. Upon arrival, please gather your belongings and exit the bus orderly!"

After an eight-hour, bumpy ride, the bus arrived near Alverton as dusk fell. The area was picturesque, with lush mountains and clear waters. The endless mountain range created a breathtaking landscape, especially in the misty winter air; it looked like a painting. While the students admired the scenery, they groaned at the prospect of hiking.

"Goodness, why doesn't this place have proper roads?" one complained.

There was no paved road, only a rocky path riddled with holes and occasional clumps of cow dung. Fields stretched nearby, making vehicular passage impossible. They had to walk.

"Sir, how far do we have to walk? We have so much luggage! We're going to be exhausted!" another whined.

"Seriously, what's the difference between this and staying at the college? This is just exhausting!"

Amid the complaints, Felicia shrugged her backpack onto her shoulder and strode forward. Every blade of grass, every tree, every mountain, and every stream felt familiar. This was her hometown. As a child, Howell and Tabitha had abandoned her here, where she endured a harsh childhood. But she also remembered the kindness of the villagers. It had been a long time. She wondered about the village's development and whether the villagers would be surprised to see her.

After walking a short distance, she turned to the vice principal, who was trying to calm the students. "Sir, there's another path. It will lead us to the main road after about half a mile."

Besides the students' luggage, there were delivery trucks carrying donated supplies needing access to the village. Manpower alone wouldn't suffice. The vice principal, hesitant, asked, "That path is overgrown. Is it really passable? What if the trucks get stuck?"

Felicia laughed lightly. "The villagers can guide us. They know the terrain, not you."

Arnold, having just disembarked, glared at her. "You seem quite familiar with this place?"

Felicia shot him a glance. "No comment."

She shouldered her backpack and continued along the rocky path.