For the rest of the week classes were mostly uneventful. Traveling the land did get slightly more interesting after getting to see some different plants and even some creatures in cages were brought in to show what they looked like in person and how vicious they could be. One of the first creatures brought in was something called a mimic, Hyro has read about these in the past, but to his knowledge he had never seen one. When the cage was first uncovered it appeared as though there was a simple wardrobe, but when Himel stuck it with an electrified prod it flared its teeth and started to try and attack the bars of the cage. At first Hyro felt a little sorry for the creature but he could see how they could be dangerous.
By the end of the week everyone reached level three, Cynthia and Hyro both made it to level four, Hyro almost being level five. They were told in welcome the the system that information from a classroom setting will only be helpful or noticeable until level five, after that they would need to do more sparing, exploring or completing quests to gain experience. Hyro and Cynthia had lunch together every day, dinner was spent with Enris, Dreeva, Cynthia and usually Paul, towards the end of the week Paul finally got his class, he was now a Monk, a class that focused on hand to hand combat, he even had a skill that gave him a pool of something called Ki, that allowed him to lower the cooldown on some of his spells, he did not go into too much detail over dinner but Hyro was fascinated to learn more.
As Hyro laid in his bed at the end of the week he looked over his character sheet to see the progress that he had made. He also found a way to minimize the achievements and quests, only showing the names unless they were new or he needed to look at them.
CHARACTER SHEET
Hyro had not thought about the message from the Order of Chaos much after that first night, he decided that he made a big enough spectacle this first day that he needed to get more control over all the changes in his life first. Hyro did still see James around here and there but they never spoke, and the plant snakes have not been seen since that one night, but Hyro still kept a close eye out.
Meditating now was weird if nothing else. When entering Sanctuary and having time move differently inside, he can have two hour conversation and less than a half an hour would pass in the real world. Hyro was hopeful that as it upgraded more he would increase that time even more, but since no one that he talked to has upgraded their Sanctuary in this way, nobody had any idea that time dilation was even possible, Hyro only told Buck, Enris and Cynthia about his Sanctuary plus, Enris had Sanctuary, but it was not upgraded, Cynthia still has not unlocked her Sanctuary. Buck told Hyro a little about his sanctuary and it was fascinating to see the differences.
“I have Sanctuary Plus Plus,” Buck told Hyro the evening that Hyro told him about his Sanctuary Plus. “It is very different from yours however, I get access to choose which other versions of myself to speak with from one upgrade and the other allows me to bring items in for my subconscious to examine or read, they are slower than I would be with it but I gain the information as soon as they finish.” It was interesting to see how even the same skill could change depending on how it was used or who was using it. Hyro was still warned, over and over, that even with the time difference he should not use Sanctuary in battle. Hyro understood the risks but it seemed like that was what the Order of Chaos and the System wanted him to do.
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When Hyro awoke the next morning there were 2 letters in his mail slot outside of his room, the first was his class schedule, he had the same classes listed and it was stated that he would remain in these classes for the foreseeable future. The next was a letter from his mom, he excitedly opened it:
My Dearest Hyro,
Your Father and I are filled with Joy that you have made it into Terraqua academy! We knew that you could do anything that you set your mind to. While I still wish there was a safer path for you I know that you will be the best adventurer there is. Focus on your studies there and continue to make us proud. Your Father has received a promotion when word got out that you were in the academy, while we still do not have much we wanted to send you something for you to save or use if you need something. I will write to you as often as I can, and I know you have only been gone a little over a week but I miss you more and more every day. You are our gift, our light, our hope, our future, our everything, We love you Hyro.
-Love Mom
It wasn’t a long letter, but it was meaningful, especially to Hyro who, despite everything going on, was admittedly getting home sick. It was not much of a surprise that Dad would get a promotion or something of the sort, they probably assume getting in good with my parents would gain them favor with a potential new Adventurer. I can’t say they are wrong. Hyro thought to himself. Inside the letter was 1 silver. It may not seem like much but this is more than Hyro ever had in his life.
Classes continued on like they have been for the past week, for Introduction to Meditation, Dreeva told them she was done hands on instructing and it would be self meditation instead of guided meditation, she would still be around to help and watch if needed. There seemed to be no differences in Welcome to the System, just more advice on different generic builds, quests and overall just how the system works. Traveling the land was the first class with a big difference, Himel was not the instructor any longer, instead there was a new person waiting for them in the outdoor arena when they met.
This older man had greasy slicked back hair, dark bags under his eyes, and he looked to be covered in dirt, which made sense when he introduced himself. “I am Calepe Ignati,” Calepe started with an exhausted sounding tone. “Unlike most of your other instructors, I am neither an Adventurer or Adventurer trainee, while I have applied in the past, I am merely the groundskeeper for the academy here.” Despite a change in instructor, the class did not change much though it did have more focus on plants, those to watch out for and how to care for plants that you can travel with for food and medicinal purposes, Cynthia started speaking up more when that subject was talked about than any other that Hyro has seen. Hyro was interested in the topic as he spent much of his time using different plants to make his alchemical concoctions, however whenever Hyro asked to speak after class or ever raised his hand in class it almost seemed like he was being ignored. Hyro just assumed maybe the man was busy or did not see him in class, but it was strange.
Lunch continued as normal with Cynthia and Hyro eating and talking together, they talked a lot over their lunches, neither seemed shy or nervous around the other anymore. Hyro told Cynthia about his upbringing, well most of it, he left out his lack of magic and the recent Order of Chaos developments but told her about his family and his hobbies, hopes and dreams and she in turn did the same. Hyro found out Cynthia was from a lesser noble Elven household in Aquarine, her parents trained her for the Adventuring lifestyle since she was born, it was tradition that the first born would always be an adventurer. Like Hyro, she was not given any other destiny, per her parents' insistence. The first day after they got their confirmed schedule she was the only one in class to have a change. Her last class was no long Magic and you, she was now going to be in What is Utility? With Hyro and Brutey.
Adventuring 101 came with a change that Hyro was excited for, Hurly started the class explaining how independent study works at Terraqua. “Aye Everyone, you all survived week one, to be fair we focus on more study, theory and background for week one.” He paused and showed an evil grin, “Let’s see if ye have what it takes to survive month one. First here on the board I wrote the experience needed and benefits from level six through ten.”
“Some of ye be close to Level five already, starting at Level five, this class and many of yer final classes becomes an Independent study. Most of your time at Terraqua will be like that, us instructors here to help and guide but each path must be forged on yer own!” Hurly pointed to Hyro, “Hyro, ye be the first to get to level five, I imagine in a day or so ye will not need to be in the classroom setting, and no more than a week after that Cynthia will most likely be joining ye in that. What is independent study? Well, we told ya that you will no longer gain experience from the classroom setting, so go explore!” Hurly paused and looked at the mix of confused, worried and excited faces in the room before continuing, “Each of ye will be paired with 1 older classmate, they will help guide you until ye can be on yer own. Ye may pick yer own assistant if they agree or we have volunteers. Two of ye in this class may explore together, but no more than that or the group will be over four, the Adventurers agreed upon maximum party.”
Gribby, never missing a chance to speak out, did just that, “No fair, I want to go exploring now!” Hurly chuckled, “There always be one, Gribby, it be important that you gain and value the experience from learning in a classroom, this be the only time it will be available to ye. The older student ye be paired with will have more information, but fer now I will just stress that ye still need to be back fer classes the next day, so without permission these woods and plains north of the woods be the only areas accessible to ye.”
The rest of the class Hurly discussed more of the importance of not letting abilities get too far, usually you did not want your lowest ability to be less than half of your highest ability. There was some wiggle room, but that was a good base line to not have any issues. Many of these classes did repeat information, presumably to make sure it was ingrained in each student as class time got more and more limited as time went on in the Adventuring academy. When class was dismissed, Hyro, Brutey and Hurly discussed what, What is Utility? Will look like for them going forward.
“Firstly, welcome Cynthia, upon evaluation in the first week, yer abilities seem to align more with this class than any other.” Now that Hurly brings it up, Cynthia and I never talked about her spells or abilities, I wonder what all she can do. Hyro thought as Hurly continued on, “While the classes be different slightly, what ye learned in Magic and you is still helpful, we just split classes this way to align ye with a teacher that is best prepared to help guide yer progression, should ye need guidance.” Hurly gave a deep sigh before continuing, “I never liked this part, I spent me whole life hiding my abilities and now I share it with students. In order for ye to know what I can offer ye much know more about me. I am a Battle Cleric, a rare class, somewhat similar to a paladin, but more focused on spells that can heal or harm, usually in area bursts. I will not list all my spells and abilities but please trust that if any of them could help you I will give you all the details I have in that area.” The three students nodded in understanding, shock washed over them as they realized this was the first adult on campus to reveal this sort of detailed information. Sure they could assume Helina was a type of healer, and Tracy an administrator, but even those were loose assumptions.
As class let out Enris was waiting outside of the classroom, “Hey Hyro! Hey Cynthia!” He greeted them both before turning towards Hyro, “Hyro, can I talk to you? In private?” He looked over towards Cynthia, “Nothing personal Cynthia, it’s about his level, and… ability.” Enris tried to not say specifics as to not give away Hyro’s secrets but he knew that Cynthia was aware of what he was mentioning. Both Hyro and Cynthia nodded as Cynthia left saying she would see them at dinner and Hyro and Enris went somewhere private to talk.
