Hyro was told to go relax in his room and explore the system more while the staff discussed the next steps they would take. Hyro had a lot to think about. Should I tell the staff the truth about my background? Should I run before they find out too much? What should I do?!? Hyro sat down in a chair in his room, staring at his character sheet, trying to gain any insights to help him in his current crisis. “Crisis! That’s it!” Hyro nearly shouted as he had a realization. Hyro closed his character sheet and looked inside of himself, thinking deeply on his situation. I need to know who to trust, what I should do, show me the way… Not sure if anyone was listening or if the System itself decided what was a crisis. Hyro did not have much hope but this was his only thought while he was waiting, then it happened. First it was a small tingle then a burning sensation on his palms and as Hyro looked down he saw a line forming. It was not as long of a line as last time and did not hurt nearly as bad but it was something. The line itself formed an I and Hyro had an idea of the word of power needed but wanted to check his character sheet before doing anything.

  CHARACTER SHEET

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  Hyro’s assumption was right, he might not always be able to look at the sheet in combat but it is useful to know that he can use it to double check any spell he gets access to. “Well, here goes nothing, Notitia!” Hyro traced the line and spoke the word of power, “Is there anyone here at Terraqua I can trust with my secrets?” As Hyro finished asking the question the line disappeared like last time Hyro used magic and he felt drained like he just ran a marathon. All of a sudden a faint string started flowing out of Hyro’s palm, almost pulling him in a direction, not sure what else to do, Hyro followed. While Terraqua academy was not overly huge, it was bigger than most buildings that Hyro got to explore growing up, and Hyro has not had time to explore the grounds. Needless to say, after following the line and weaving in and out of different halls, Hyro had no idea where he was. At one point he went outside and passed the outdoor arena, but then he was led into a smaller building, then he was led out of that building and then into the building he stands in now, staring at a group of students, all of which appear to be meditating. There are only six students in the room, only one caught Hyro’s eye however, the one that string Hyro was following led right to.

  It appears as though only Hyro could see the string as no one reacted to it while he was walking through the halls, which made sense as he cast the spell for personal information. Hyro continued staring in the room, trying to not draw attention to himself but also trying to observe as much as he could about the answer to his question. The string led to an Elven looking young man, not that much older than Hyro. Who is he and why did this spell lead me here of all places? I don't even know who he is but apparently I can trust him… we will see. Hyro got lost in thought while looking through the door to where his now faded string led, he was not paying attention as the six students that were meditating now lined up trying to leave the room. “Ah sorry, I was just looking around.” Hyro stammered out, a little embarrassed. Most of the people leaving just walked on, a couple did stay back to introduce themselves. The elven boy who Hyro was led to and one other smaller student, the Elven boy walked right up to Hyro as the others walked on. “Hey, you were in the most recent group of those accepted to Terraqua right? I am Enris, I’m just finishing up my first year here! Oh, and this is Dreeva.” Enris spoke like he was in a race to get to the end of the sentence. Hyro was shaking Enris’s hand as he spoke and shifted to Dreeva as he introduced her. “Hello, My name is Hyro, yes, I did just get accepted. It is a pleasure to meet you both.” With everything going on in the last day or so Hyro only just now realized that he was shaking Enris and Dreeva’s hand, and walking around Terraqua academy and his bandages are nowhere to be seen.

  Suddenly, Hyro felt naked. He could feel his face getting warm as he started to worry about walking around without his bandages. Enris spoke up again to break the somewhat awkward silence, “Well Hyro, It is a pleasure to meet you, Dreeva and I have to get to one of Valdas encoding and deciphering classes so we have to go, but if you have no one to sit with at dinner my table is always open.” Enris said while starting to walk away with Dreeva who just gave a small wave in parting. Hyro waved and muttered in reply as they left “I will look for you there, thanks.” Hyro started walking back to his room, not sure what to do now. Who is Enris, is he just nice and welcoming to everyone? What am I going to do? As Hyro started getting close to where his room was he could see Hurly waiting in the hallway.

  “Ay Hyro, I was just about to call for ye. Buck had other matters to attend to, but I think we have a plan to start yer training.” Hurly went on to explain that they were going to start his training as a support and utility. Not a perfect fit and the staff will continue to come up with other options as research is done and as Hyro’s abilities show themselves more. “Don’t ye worry lad, we have dealt with curve balls before, maybe not to this extreme, but we never give up on a hopeful and talented young one like yerself. Tomorrow ye will start with some basic courses, Introduction to Meditation, Welcome to The System, Traveling the land and my personal favorite, Adventuring 101. We will start focusing mostly on basic courses while we finalize a plan for ye but we will start with What is Utility? A map of campus with yer classes for the day will arrive tomorrow morning, you will have the same for at least a week. Any questions lad?” Hyro shook his head in reply, “No questions for now, Thank you Hurly I was not sure what to expect after seeing you all discuss how the system changed me, thank you for not giving up.” Hyro teared up a bit at having the staff here seemingly work so hard to keep him included when most of his life he was taught to do the opposite and exclude himself to not be found out. Hurly put a hand on his shoulder, “Aye lad, we will sort out this mess together and make a great adventurer out of ye yet. Take any time ye need in yer room but the dining hall should be open in about an hour if ye be hungry.” And with that Hurly walked off to his next task, leaving Hyro alone again with his thoughts.

  Hyro actually knew where the dining hall was, when he was following his spell earlier it led him past a set of double doors labeled as such. After about an hour of trying to mess with his System more and finally reapplying his hand wrappings, Hyro decided to go and see what food options he would have here. Hyro walked to the dining hall and most everyone was there already. Hyro looked around and saw all of the staff and he was pretty sure all of the students both from his group and from those that welcomed them. There were also a few people that Hyro did not recognize but they were easily identified as kitchen staff from their aprons. After walking through the double doors and looking around for where to go Hyro heard someone shouting over the dull roar of the crowd talking and eating. “Hyro! Hyro! Over here!” It was Enris who was sitting at table with three others and one spot open at the table. Sitting with Enris was Dreeva, another person that Hyro has not met yet that appeared to be a Human with caramel colored skin and Cynthia was sitting with them too. Hyro walked over to the table Enris spoke again as he got close, “Have a seat, you already met Dreeva, and I believe you know Cynthia who just started with you.” Enris motioned to each of the girls as he mentioned them, “This is Paul, he started at the same time as me, Dreeva is actually almost done with her time at Terraqua, she’s been here longer than most.” Hyro waved at everyone about to speak when Buck spoke over everyone, silencing the room.

  “Good evening everyone, the meal is prepared and the staff will bring it out momentarily. Enjoy the feast that was prepared for the first dinner with the newest enrollees. Welcome again and please enjoy.” As Buck finished speaking a few of the cooking staff walked out with giant plates that took up most of the center of each circle table, as the Cloche was removed Hyro looked over at the most delicious looking and abundant amount of food that he has ever seen. Multiple different parts of different animals, different fruits, nuts, vegetables, some that Hyro has never seen let alone tried. For the rest of the evening Hyro ate until he could not move. There was some conversation at their table, Enris led most of the conversation but Hyro got to know a bit more about everyone at the table. Enris had just gotten his class as a simple but effective Rogue class, but he seemed excited about it. Enris also explained that he was a half-Elf, Half-Human and was born just a short travel to the east at a town called Faras. Dreeva is a Rogue as well, and that is how she ended up getting close to Enris. Dreeva mentioned that she was a mixed race but mostly Halfling which explained her smaller frame. Paul was a Human as he appeared and was from a small island to the South. He has not gotten his class yet but should any day now. Cynthia did not speak much but did mention that she was an Elf from Aquarine. Hyro did spark up some conversation with her about the town they were both from. With Hyro not seeking much attention and Aquarine being such a big port town, it was not surprising that they haven’t run into each other before. Overall it was one of the most fun nights that Hyro could remember having in a long time, but starting tomorrow Classes would begin.