Ether Testing Laboratory

In the journey to find the items on the map, Orion and Peach realized that they had already trawled the vast majority of the campus grounds.

As they moved from one location to another with deep determination, they kept the constant reminder in their hearts to look out for the rainbow clover in the lush green fields they passed.

"A needle in a hay stack," commented Orion in a slightly defeated spirit.

"Don't lose heart!" said Peach as she tried to cheer Oricon on.

"Shall we buy some paint from the bookshop and paint a clover instead?" exclaimed Peach brilliantly while sitting on the floor as her clothes soaked in a river of sweat.

As sweat droplets dropped profusely down her neck, she shoved down half a litre of water in an attempt to replenish the water in her exhausted body.

"Hey, you better slow down that drinking pace or you'll later be wasting time in the toilet," warned Orion in a cautious tone.

"Water is precious! "It should be drunk while you're resting, or else it'll be pointless," he continued, "because at this rate, all the water you just drank will be flushed out of your system!"

Peach gazed over at Orion with an inquisitive look as she tried to dip into his thoughts. "This man looks pretty ordinary. I wonder how he processes his thoughts," whispered Peach to herself,

"I think he's the most scientifically knowledgeable person of our age that I've encountered so far." she thought.

"Hmm, I'm pretty sure painting an ordinary clover isn't their purpose," deduced Orion.

"Shall we buy a bucket of paint instead?" proposed Orion.

"Isn't this game a combination test of our communication, teamwork, intelligence, and physical capabilities?" Peach piqued as she twiddled her bottle which was by now empty, "I mean… What else could they be testing us?"

"They could be testing our ether sync capability!" beamed Orion with bright eyes.

Suddenly, both Orion and Peach looked at each other with sparkly and awakened eyes as they felt a strong sense of enlightenment growing within. "TO THE ETHER TESTING LABORATORY!!!" they exclaimed in unison.

The pair rose swiftly to their feet and started sprinting towards the Ether Testing Lab with the help of their campus map. They reached the lab trying to catch their breath and were met by a shy receptionist who was busy typing in her seat.

"How may I help you both?" She said as she slowly shifted her eyes from the screen of her laptop to the duo and adjusted her thick heavy gold-framed glasses.

"Oh dear, have you both came from a long way? You look like you need the cool air from the air condition to cool you down badly!" She said startled, "Hurry in here!"

Orion sniggered. He appreciated her direct sense of humour, which was a blend of wit and keen observation skills.

"We are here for the rainbow clover!" Orion said confidently, walking forward to receive it from the receptionist. She glanced at them, frowned, and paused for a while before examining them analytically.

"Oh, my dear darlings," the woman began with a sassy tone, "there are no rainbow clovers here in the laboratory. All we have are these quirky scientists and their out-of-this-world contraptions. "

Upon hearing the receptionist's response, Peach and Orion turned stone white and looked at each other in disbelief. Orion took a step forward, leaned against the counter, and peered with his hands supporting his exhausted body.

"We are freshmen here on a treasure hunt and are looking for a rainbow clover," he panted. "Do you have any clue where we might be able to find it?"

With a puzzled look on her face, the receptionist continued to type on her computer as she replied in a sceptical voice, "Well... We do have openings for students who are willing to help us with the ether research."

Orion and Peach turned to look at each other in disappointment.

From a distance, a growing loud voice could be heard, echoing through the hallway, "What is the matter?" The duo turned their heads, only to be greeted by a highly educated lady, clothed in a bright yellow oversized Hawaiian shirt, topped with a wide-brimmed hat woven out of straw.

With knitted eyebrows, she continued in annoyance, "All these chatters are interrupting my work!"

"Oh Madam Rox! I am very sorry for the noise," replied the receptionist in a slightly shaky voice, "these young people are requesting a rainbow clover."

Upon hearing this, the lady with a peculiar fashion sense touched her chin and went into a few seconds of deep thought. "Well... I doubt we have a rainbow clover here, but I'm currently in desperate need of some help…"

The lady drifted off before looking up at Orion and Peach with a piercing stare and a grin, "I know!" She continued slowly with a snigger, "Why not, the both of you come help me with something I'm working on." Quickening her words, "It's a win-win situation; you get to learn a thing or two anyway…"

"A professor!" The thought suddenly flashed across Orion's mind, making a gleam appear over his exhausted face. "All my unanswered questions from high school till now can now be finally answered by a full-fledged professor in the Academy!"

However, as he turned to face his exhausted teammate, who was drenched in sweat all over her worried face, it then occurred to him that time was running out.

"OH GOSH! We do not have much time left before the game ends! "gasp Orion, "Peach! Why don't you go ahead first to find the clover?"

Orion paused for a second before continuing, "I'll stay back to help the professor. I'm very sorry I can't accompany you to complete the treasure hunt."