"It's not fair!" someone protested from the back of the crowd. "Why should we all lose half a day because of the fungus?"
"Yeah, let him stay behind if he can't handle it!"
Jin's smile turned malicious, his tiger markings rippling with cruel delight. "Or better yet, let him come and we'll see how long he really lasts with that useless beast."
"Silence," Zhao's voice didn't rise, but the owl in his eyes gleamed with unmistakable authority. "This decision is not open for debate. I prefer a shorter excursion to risking any student's health."
The protests transformed into resentful murmurs.
Several students shot accusing glares at Ren, as if he had personally stolen those precious hours of exploration from them. The tension in the air was almost palpable.
