I spent the next few days helping out around the temple. In fact, it was both temples. I stuck to gardening in Death’s temple, but I did whatever was needed in the Outcast Temple. I ended up helping Davu break up a drunken brawl at one point. Alcohol and Alchemy abuse was not uncommon. People needed a way to escape their troubles, even for a few hours. There was a no alcohol or alchemy policy at the temple, and some people didn’t appreciate the rule being enforced.

I could understand the need to escape, and I was extremely fortunate to have my Tranquil Garden. I wanted to help others who were struggling, but I didn’t know how. Following Davu around, even for a few days, showed me a lot.

I didn’t know what I needed for the Academy. I had everything I needed to live comfortably on the month's trip to Vitesse stored in my Hunters Pack. I will probably need new clothes and shoes, but I could never be bothered shopping for such things. I need to find a Nia to do that for me. I liked my shirt. It is perfectly acceptable for Leonids to wear belts and shorts anyway. Some of the hairstyles I have seen on Leonids here made what my dad did look simple. People have a lot of coins here.

When it came to the first day of the academy, I decided to make the sort of first impression I could keep up, so I wore my shorts and utility belts like I did every day on the road. The only change I made was that I didn’t wear my weapons. I figured the chances of me being attacked at a school on the first day were slim, and I always had my claws if I was wrong.

First, there was an all-school meeting. I looked, and there appeared to be four to five hundred students. That was a lot. The acting principal gave a speech. I am not sure where the actual principal was or who he was. Was Rufus’ dad the principal? I wasn’t sure. I guess I will find out.

Then, we newbies were gathered together. There looked to be about fifty of us. There was a lot of excitement and anticipation in the air. There were a few who seemed to be trying to establish their own importance. I guess there always are. It seemed ridiculous to me. We were the lowest of the lowest in the school. We were not important.

Five people entered, and the noise in the room died down. I realised the lead person did that by manipulating her aura. That was a neat trick. I need to learn subtle ways of using my aura. Farrah only had time to give me the most basic training, so I was looking forward to learning more.

“Good morning, everyone. I am Professor Elena Petrov, and I am your Academic Dean. That means if you have any issues with your studies or the Academy, you come to me. I specialise in training Speedsters and Scouts, so some of you will find yourself in my class. Behind me are fourth-year students. That means they have graduated from the three-year course and are staying on for advanced training in a speciality area. I will now divide you up between us. When I read your name, go and stand to the side, and one of my assistants will take you to your accommodations. There will be a schedule for your interviews and assessments. When you are not scheduled, your time is free. I recommend you settle into your room and explore the campus so you are familiar with where everything is. Do not be late for your appointments, as there are a lot of you to get through, and you will find accumulating demerit points a hindrance to achieving your goals here. Too many demerit points will get you expelled. Now, the following people are to move to the left.”

She started reading names out, and once a group of ten were there, one of the advanced students took charge of them, and they left. The first years were reduced like that until there was only the Professor left, and I did a quick count: nine of us left.

“You lot are with me,” the professor said, “please follow me.” She led us to an area labelled First Year Accommodation. We walked along the corridor, and doors were open as those who went ahead of us were finding rooms and unpacking. I looked as we walked past the rooms, which seemed to be clusters of five with a small kitchen/lounge area and a washroom.

“These are your rooms,” the professor said. “Your names are on the doors; there are five in one and four in the other. Sort out your individual rooms among you, and you as a group are responsible for cleaning and keeping them tidy. Your times for interviews and combat assessments are on the table in the lounge area. Get to know your roommates. There are no changing clusters until after the first six-month semester.”

I saw my name on the one with only four. A large human male entered the room before me, followed by a human female. A female Celestine and I went to enter together, and she indicated I should go first. When I entered, the humans were looking at each of the five bedrooms.

They finished their inspections and approached us, “Hi, I am Josh,” the large and well-muscled human held out his hand to each of us. It looks like the three rooms on that side have an outside window, but the two on that side do not, so we are going to have to work out who gets the dud room.”

“We should draw lots,” said the human female. “I am Valery.” She was of average height and slim. She moved very gracefully.

“I don’t mind taking it,” I said. “I am Theo, by the way.” I had my garden, which I would probably spend much time in.

“Well, that was easy,” said Josh.

“As there are only four of us,” Valery said, “there is a spare room. Theo should probably have the first option on that, then.”

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I ignored that, turned to the last member, and held out my hand. “Hi, I’m Theo.”

“Akemi,” was the quiet reply. Akemi was a slim, small celestine with very dark blue hair and matching eyes.

“Do you have any input to the room allocation?” I asked.

She shook her head, “Anything is fine.”

I turned back to the others, “I don’t have any need for a lot of space, so I’m good.”

“Great,” said Josh, “I have a lot of stuff, so I can use it.”

“Absolutely not,” Valery said. “You keep your stuff to yourself. We should make it an additional common room.”

“Do you two know each other?” I asked.

“Yes, we grew up in the same circles. He is a Caliburn, and I am a Kristos,” Valery said as if that explained everything. Akemi seemed to know what that meant.

I turned to Akemi, “I assume that is meant to mean something to me?”

She let out a small giggle as the other two looked a little affronted that I didn’t know who their families were. “They are important noble families here in Vitesse,” she explained.

“Right, so not really relevant here,” I said.

Josh started to say, “I’ll have you know my family…”

Valery punched him, “Shut up, Josh. We are here to be adventurers, eventually get away from our families, and see the world. At least I am.”

“But we can’t do that here. Look at this. We are assigned the same accommodation cluster,” Josh said.

Valery looked at Akemi and I, “Sorry about this. Our families are trying to push us together. Often, these first clusters end up as permanent teams.”

Josh added, “I am a heavy warrior, Sword, Iron, and Might essences. Val is a fast swordswoman and damage dealer. I assume you, Akami, are magic-focussed, leaving you, Theo, as either healer, scout, or support in some way. How close am I?”

Akemi said, “I am magic. I have the Hydromancer confluence.”

“I have a few scouting abilities, but I am not sure where I will focus,” I said.

“See? Called it,” said Josh.

“We should sort the rooms and check the schedule,” Valery said.

I went and picked up the paper. The others chose their rooms. All four of us were scheduled together at the Mirage Chambers for the combat assessment just before lunch. I had my interview with Professor Petrov just after lunch.

“Which room do you want, Theo?” Valery asked, looking at the two still vacant.

“It doesn’t matter,” I said.

“I will set up the one closest to the lounge as our spare common area, then. You can have the other.”

I nodded. I was looking at the small kitchen area. It was adequate. I was used to a campfire, so I was unfamiliar with how these enchanted things worked. I would figure it out.

“Do you cook?” Valery asked, coming up behind me.

“A little,” I said.

“I never had time,” she said, “plus we always had people to do that for us.” She turned to face me full-on, “Why doesn’t it matter which room you have? This is your home for at least the next six months.”

I shrugged, “It is only a place to sleep. My home is elsewhere.” I sometimes slept in my garden when I had a safe place for my Arch. Ardisia would often merge herself with the vines of the archway and guard the gate for me.

Valery looked at me carefully. “OK, then, but don’t let Josh push you around. He can get quite bossy at times.”

I nodded, “OK.”

“Both Josh and I will be having furniture and personal items moved in later today.”

“OK.”

“You are not very talkative, are you?”

“No.”

“Both Josh and I will be hosting people at various times. Will that be a problem?”

“Shouldn’t be. I can just be in my room.”

“You can join in. This is your space, too. If you need us to go out to the common lounges, you just say.”

“OK.”

She looked at the schedule, “Josh! Your interview is now!”

There was a crash, “Bloody heidel shit!” and he rushed out the door.

Valery smiled. “The interview is just a formality for us. We know our skills and know what we want to study. You can just call me Val, by the way.”

“OK.”

At that point, she gave up trying to talk and went into her room.

I decided I had better find out where everything was, so I headed for the door when Akemi came out of her room.

“Are you going to look around?” she asked.

I nodded.

“Can I come with you? I have only visited here once before.”

I nodded, “OK.”

Once we were away from the accommodation area, she said, “Those two will take a lot of getting used to for me.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “I can tell them to shut up or go away if you need peace,” I offered. I figured she was hesitant due to the families they come from, but it didn’t matter to me.

“Thanks, but it should be fine,” she said.

Akemi was OK to walk around with as she didn’t feel the need to be talking the whole time. I wonder if she likes shopping.