Peter walked across the well-laid grass. A privilege provided only to the honour students. It was lunch break and he was focused on reaching the cafeteria before the rush. Considering the increase in the number of students, it would be extremely difficult to get a seat.

'Isn't that the charity case? Let's see. Looks like she made friends.' He slowed down checking the party out. 'Not bad. Maybe she might pull through the year.' Watching the timid behaviour of Justin, Peter smiled. 'Haha. Not bad indeed.'

The lunch break started. Everyone rushed out to get something to eat. The cafeteria was on the ground floor. Sam and his party walked out dragging the unyielding Justin with them. There were a few boys staring at Justin with disgust. Sadly, enough no one had the guts to make a scene in public.

"I should have just stayed in. I might attract trouble for you." Justin whispered sticking right behind Maya, with a scaredy-cat look.

"Bring trouble for us?" Dona started laughing maniacally looking at the innocent girl. The three reciprocated making the hallway freeze for a few seconds. "You think these bunch of wussies can get us in trouble?" Said Maya twisting her hands around a creepy smile adorning her sleepy face.

"What's with your creepy smile? Cut it out. Can't you see she's more scared of you now?" Jim got in Maya's face returning her to reality.

"Don't worry about putting us in trouble," Sam said with a plain reassuring face slightly loosening Justin's stiffness.

Maya put a hand over Justin's shoulder grabbing her to a tight hug while the five walked towards the stairs.

"I wonder if the food here is better than Milo's. I heard the cafeteria used Venison from the high-level dungeons." Dona was in a rush to get herself stuffed. The high metabolism of a warrior was something that everyone dreamt of.

"Can you get me a sandwich? Beef meat if possible." Sam asked Jim. "Sure, you taking her to meet Astra? I'll grab something for her too. Just come to the class when you are done." Jim turned to Justin and asked, "Is there anything you like?" "I don't mind food. I'm ok as long as it doesn't taste bad." She said, a lot more relaxed than when they left the class.

Reaching the ground floor Sam asked Justin to follow her to meet a friend. Only after an encouraging nudge from Dona did she agree. The two split apart from the others walking towards the artificer's classroom.

"Where are we going?" Asked Justin. Even though she trusted her new party and it's members, there was still a little worry in her eyes. "Don't worry. This area doesn't have any junior gamers. Most of the classes on the ground floor are for the crafters and researchers. Something about their equipment too heavy. To tell you the truth, I think they just wanted to avoid the stairs."

With every person passing, Justin moved a bit closer to Sam. They walked for a full two minutes and soon reached the junior artificers' classroom.

"One sec," Sam stretched his neck inside calling a young girl, a shortage under five foot, over.

"Justin, meet Astra. This is the final member of our party. Astra, Justin. She was allotted to our party by the trainers." Sam introduced the two.

"You guys found out your jobs? Tell me. No, wait. Let me guess, You should be a mage. With your brains, I don't think anything else suits you. Well let's see, Dona definitely is a warrior. Maya, A curse witch? Am I close?"

"Aren't you forgetting someone?"

"Oh, Jim. He should be a damage dealer. With how he swings around probably something to the shitty side."

"You're right about me and Dona. Maya is a healer. I know. It's stupid but she is good when she is focused on something. Jim… He is now an archer."

"Haha, an archer! I knew it. He must be fuming with rage to kill the three of you know." Aster started laughing.

"No kidding. A shitty job and constant shaming from Maya and Dona. I bet he's going to be on a short fuse for some time."

"Sorry, Justin. You look good. Let me try you then. Hmm, strong muscles, worn-out shoes, no, can't smell anything. Interesting. You must be a country girl. Ooh ooh, I'm right. It's all on your face. There's no way someone like you could enter this academy with everyone trying to block your way unless… Oh God yes. You must be a legacy rare race. A mutant. Sam, looks like we got lucky. Haha."

"Don't look so nervous. Did Sam not tell you? I'm a village girl too. My dad used to be a stable hand. At least Sam and his friends were nice enough to help me.

"You were the one helping us. Stop being too modest. Right." Sam immediately became serious.

"Astra, we need some help. Can you make a restoration ring for Justin? Just to be on the safe side." Astra's eyes became a bit cold. Even the innocent Justin could feel that chilly aura. "What happened?" And so Sam had to describe what happened during the break.

"A restoration ring isn't easy to make. It will take me some time to get it done. Are you staying in the dorms?" Astra turned towards Justin quickly.

"Yes. I'm required to stay in the academy. It's part of my scholarship." A smile appeared on Astra's face. "So, it wasn't just the ring then." She looked at Sam with her scrutinizing eyes.

"Thanks for your help again, Astra." Sam thanked Astra and took Justin back to their class.