The weekend flew by. Vincent didn't see any sign of Cole or Lloyd. He didn't see Evans either until class on Monday. He really wanted to talk about the calendar Evans gave him, but when Monday came, he got the hint that Evans had to keep his help a secret. That meant no verbal communication to avoid suspicion.

Vincent got a bit of time to show off the watch to Will and Theresa. They were both awed by the tool. Vincent was sure they were happy to have it for their disposal when they decided to go out to the forest. Vincent hoped he could use it properly if the time came.

"Alright class. What can you tell me about how an Element represents a Zodiac?" Evans asked the class. It was towards the end of the period, but Evans liked to get as much class participation as possible. One of the other students answered.

Evans nodded at their response. "It is something like that. Elements go much further than what they appear on the surface. That's what this weeks' topics will be on. Be sure to read up on the theories of elements and the deeper meanings."

The bell rang. Everyone started to gather their belongings to leave for the next class. Evans cleared his throat. "For anyone interested, I'll be doing a free lecture before dinner in this class. It'll be general astrology, but I'm always open to talk about what you guys want to hear. Even though everyone knows that no one likes extra credit, right?" The classroom laughed. Vincent was told by Will that everyone studied in the commons, or on their own. No one ever took extra lectures unless they really needed more grades. No one ever did.

"What about you, Mr. Wolfe?" Evans asked.

Vincent looked up to his teacher. "Uh, yeah I suppose I could use more assistance on my astrology."

"Excellent. I'll be here if you or anyone else wants to take part." Evans started to ready his desk for the next class. Vincent looked to Will and Theresa.

"You think we could talk to him about the forest?" he whispered to his two friends.

"I don't see why not. Perhaps we can disguise discussion as a lecture. Perhaps that's what he intends," Will replied.

Theresa frowned and shook her head. "But how can we be sure we're the only ones who come? I'm sure if anyone else saw students taking an extra lecture, they would want to see what the interest was."

"As far as I've been told and have read, no one ever takes extra credit. They're here to learn more about becoming a hunter or a scout, not a scholar. Especially not from a first year teacher like Evans," Will explained.

"Well I suppose we can try. It couldn't hurt."

Theresa split away from them as they headed to their next class. Both Vincent and Will focused on their classes with little discussion about their plan. Time went faster when Vincent didn't focus on his own thoughts.

Combat training came and went. They hurried outside before the class started. Vincent wanted to take a bit longer outside. It was going to take some time, but Vincent knew if he could memorize the constellation placements on the border, he could easily navigate them to the forest edge in the proper place. Will suggested they should enter from the closest point to the forest edge, and then move their way to the direction in which the telescope pointed.

Eventually, the last bell rang so the three met up and headed to Evans' classroom. As Will suggested, there was no one else there.

"So you guys did get the hint, huh?" Evans said with a smile.

"You've known our plan this whole time, haven't you?" Theresa asked.

Evans shook his head and shrugged. "Only that it was a thing you guys were doing. I don't have the slightest idea what you all plan to do."

"Well we can tell you now," Vincent said as they all sat in the front row of the class.

Vincent took the time to explain his thought process following the events of his first combat training and after what Evans had shown him. He knew that the Aspected had to be a big part of the something that they searched for. Vincent told Evans that they wanted to know why Apsis was covering up Celestic and the Aspected people. They seemed to be connected. He explained that's why they went to the observatory to find out what the school had on Aspected research. Vincent told him about finding his telescope and it pointing to the forest. He left out the part about being in the Celestial Space.

"I always believed that the Aspected came to the forest for a reason. I was studying points they collected to in their strange migration patterns. They move like clockwork, unless something upsets the balance like a hunter or scout. Even then, it doesn't take long for them to get back into the rhythm," Evans explained. "You said you saw a light where the telescope pointed?"

Vincent nodded. "It was like a pillar. Though I can't see it from the school grounds or from classroom windows."

"Hmm, it is interesting. Must be some sort of point they collect to. But the question is why."

The bell rang, letting everyone know they could go to the food hall for dinner. "We can talk more on Wednesday. I can't make this an every night thing, because the Heads may get suspicious."

They nodded and made their way to get food. On the way to the food hall, Vincent asked, "Do you two think it would be okay if we sit near Cole tonight?"

"What?!" Will exclaimed.

"Why would we do that?" Theresa asked.

Vincent shrugged. "Maybe we can be the ones to help him stop being full of himself. I thought that maybe because he was in the same trouble we are, he could relate to us more."

Theresa and Will looked to each other with worried looks. "I suppose we could try," Will said to Vincent.

"Not exactly saying we have to like him for it. Just maybe reach out...I guess." Vincent wasn't sure why he wanted to. He thought that maybe because of his nature of wanting friends, he thought Cole potentially as one. Of course, he had to think passed all the stuck up-ness that Cole seemed to have.

"I won't enjoy it, but I'll be there for you," Theresa said.

Vincent nodded. They all got into lines for the food hall. After a few minutes, they entered the main dining area. Cole was at his usual table, with several other students still fawning over him. Vincent led the way while Will and Theresa followed with not much eagerness.

Vincent pulled a chair out and sat down directly in front of Cole. The table grew silent. Will and Theresa quickly sat down next to him.

"Can I help you three?" Cole asked.

"You don't mind if we eat here with you, do you?" Vincent asked.

Cole scowled. Vincent could tell he wasn't sure what to say or do. "I suppose I don't mind."

"Sweet," Vincent replied and then started eating. Not a whole lot was said, but it was a start.

Wednesday came with anticipation. Their preparation became more and more evolved as they discussed their thoughts with Evans. Evans confirmed that Apsis was doing something to cover up his research as well as hide Aspected from the rest of the Signed.

Stolen novel; please report.

"It's been tough being a teacher here. I excel to gather information and share it with the world. The Heads censor the things that they deem to unsatisfactory to release. It makes being a scholar tough," Evans explained.

"Do we know which heads it is that do this? Obviously some of them have to be in your favor."

Evans nodded. "I know of two Heads that agree with me. The other ten won't budge. I get nothing from them. They could easily agree with me, but feel pressure from one of the others."

"Lloyd?" Vincent asked.

Evans shrugged. "Lloyd is hard to read. Until recently, he was the most reserved Head. But ever since your arrival, he has been more vocal about his opposition. I can't tell if that is for his agreement with the others or if he doesn't like you being the spotlight."

"But Vincent isn't even in the spotlight," Theresa said.

"That combat training display surely changed his mind about that," Evans replied.

Theresa frowned and nodded. They all knew that the class really enjoyed seeing Vincent do whatever it was he did. Evans took the rest of their time talking about how if they planned on journeying into the forest, they needed to be prepared. He said they needed a device to get them back safely as well as a device that can call for hunters and scouts if need be. Evans told the three that the calendar could contact the Hunters reserve of the school. He explained that if he went with them, the likelihood of them getting caught would increase.

"Your goal should be to reach the destination, and simply observe what is going on there. If I can get any evidence that it should be looked into further, we can proceed and perhaps crack the reason as to why the Aspected are lied about," Evans explained. "You three shouldn't be out there any longer than you have to be. It's dangerous. So we need to see what it is, and then that is it. You guys got that?"

They all nodded. Vincent didn't think it was going to be anything that required them to be out there any longer than they needed. They all decided they could take pictures with their cell phones and use it as evidence that Evans needed.

A few more weeks went by. Vincent continued to try and befriend Cole, with no luck. The three were able to meet with Evans twice a week and learn more about the forest and Aspected. Vincent learned that the closest point to the forest edge was towards the south, near the path that he and Evans had entered from before. The direction that the light came from was towards the west. The constellation in that section of the forest was Sagittarius.

The ban the heads gave them was lifted so they were able to explore the grounds more. The heads lifted it when plans for a fall festival began and they wanted Vincent, Will, Theresa, and Cole to be able to enjoy that. The festival was in a few weeks.

The three began to use some of their free time that wasn't occupied by studies to wander the grounds. The air was starting to get colder as time went on. Several other groups of students relaxed outside and wandered the edge as well.

"What kind of Aspected do you think are out there?" Theresa asked while they walked the forest edge.

Vincent was eyeing the barrier. With his hand covered in stardust, he could reach out and touch the constellations. "As far as our classes tell us, and from what I've seen, Aspected tend to occupy a creature or animal that represents them in some way," he told the other two.

Theresa shuddered. "So scorpions for Scorpio?"

"That was the second Aspected I ran into."

"Gross. They're horrifying already. Would not want to see a large one up close."

"Well if we tread carefully, perhaps we can get to the destination without alerting any of them," Will said cheerfully.

Vincent felt that his power attracted Aspected. The celestial being said the energy he used did, but even before he knew he had the power, they seemed to be following him. He could sense them lurking in the forest just beyond the edge and the barrier. They were watching him carefully, whether it be in their Aspected form or not.

"That would be nice. But that's why we have this," Vincent tapped his watch. "Plus our powers should be able to fend them off."

Will playfully flexed. "They do say I'm pretty awesome."

Theresa pushed him slightly and they all laughed together.

A week before the fall festival came. The three sat in Evans classroom once more.

"So I managed to get an extra sextant for you three," Evans explained. He pulled it out of his bag and handed it to them.

"Sweet!" they all announced as they examined the mystic device.

"It is really easy to use. I have it preset to take you back to the school. When you guys are ready to use it, you just point it at the sky, regardless if you're in a forest with no sky present. Look through it and it'll take you and whoever your arm linked to, to where you need to go."

"Thanks Evans," Vincent said with a smile.

"No problem. You three needed an easy get away without having to walk all the way back to the school."

Will put the sextant into his satchel. "I'll take care of this until we need it."

Evans nodded. "Speaking of, have you decided when you will make the journey?"

They all looked to each other and then back to Evans. "We figured we would go during the festival. It would have lots of cover from students exploring everywhere. It would be easy to slip into the forest," Will explained.

Evans shook his head. Vincent and the other two tilted theirs in confusion. "You can't. The fall festival is calling for parents of the students to come visit as well. That means your parents will be here and they'll know if you go missing."

The three sighed in sadness. The date for the adventure was set for a while now. All three of them were eager to see their parents, but now that they had to choose another day. It would be harder to leave the school and get into the forest with the festival.

"Sorry to disappoint. I just know that all your parents will want to see you three," Evans explained as he leaned against his desk.

"I'm glad you told us," Will said, "It would be rather awful to be in the middle of danger if our parents were looking for us."

They all chuckled a bit and agreed. "So how about we do it the night before?" Theresa asked.

"Any advantages to it?" Will asked.

Vincent looked up in thought. "Well if they do the same thing that they did with the new school year celebration, they set up some of the stuff a few days before."

The four of them took a few seconds to think about it. Evans nodded and said, "A few tents and stages here and there could get you three to the forest edge with some cover."

"Yeah, and I do believe they like to set up some of the bigger ones directly outside the entrance. That's in the path we are going, right?" Theresa asked.

"It is," Will answered. "I suppose then we will head out the night before the festival."

Evans stood up straight and smiled. "Benefic! It's settled! You three are doing me a great service by getting this evidence."

The three smiled and nodded to the teacher. "You've been all too nice to us," Vincent said. "it's the least we can do. If we can make an impact on the school, then I'm glad we have the opportunity." Will and Theresa agreed with him.

"Together we can change what it is to be Signed," Evans told them.

Vincent liked the thought. He wanted to be a positive change to this new life he found. The four of them could save people and animals from Aspected.

The day before the festival soon arrived. Vincent had been talking to his parents about their visit. They were excited to see him again, as was he to see them. Even being just a handful of weeks, it felt like another life time that he was going to a normal middle school and living a normal life. Now he had powers, friends, and several great teachers.

"Are your parents coming?" Vincent asked Theresa as they sat on the school steps. They watched as staff were putting up tents and putting together stages for entertainment.

"Yeah they are. They're excited to see how my studies are going. I don't really know how to tell them about my powers though."

"Still no other Libra Signed able to do what you can do?" Vincent asked.

Theresa shook her head. "None that I have seen or read about. My parents tend to be traditional when it comes to Signed powers, so telling them I discovered something new might be off putting. we'll have to see."

Vincent nodded. He wondered if his parents would be curious about his own powers. They have asked a little bit about what he has learned to do, but he wondered if they would want to see it in person.

A few minutes passed and Will joined them. "Sorry I'm late. How goes the festival set up?"

"Looks like it's going well," Vincent replied and looked around to see if anyone else was within earshot. "We should have a good amount of cover from here to the forest."

"Benefic," Will barely said without laughing. They all laughed at his attempt to sound like Evans. "So what were you both talking about?"

"About our parents coming to visit," Theresa said with a smile. "Are yours coming to see you?"

Will nodded. "Should be my dad. My mom probably won't. She's usually too busy. She never visited my older siblings when they went here."

"You have siblings?" both Vincent and Theresa asked.

Will blinked a few times. "Hmm, thought I had mentioned that before. They are all graduated. Youngest in my family."

"How is it having siblings?" Vincent asked.

"When they're as old as they are, it's intimidating to try and match what they've done. They're all successful hunters now."

"That does sound like a lot to deal with on your shoulders," Vincent replied. "Do you have siblings, Theresa?"

She nodded. "Younger. Not old enough to come here yet. I hope I don't give them that same intimidation though. I want them to feel like they can do whatever they want when the grow up and decide if they should come here or not."

Will smiled. "That's kind of you to think about them like that. My siblings were already set in their ways by the time I was even a thought. I'm sure they would have been the same way if they were younger when I was born."

Vincent enjoyed hearing about their families. He was eager to meet their parents as well as have Will and Theresa meet his own.

"We should probably get ready. Won't be too much longer before it's time," Will said. The other two nodded and stood up. Vincent looked to the forest. In just a few hours he was going to be in the thick trees surrounded by extremely dangerous beings. He began to wonder if any of the Aspected people would be in their path. Vincent knew it wouldn't be long before he found out.