After lunch it was elemental ability training. The day was only split into two lessons so that the recruits could invest as much time as possible into what they were learning. The next day would be spent on monster studies and armament training. The instructors found that this sort of regimen worked best for the recruits and allowed them to grow and progress faster than cramming all four lessons into one day.

Wren had been placed in class four for elemental ability training, he’d done pretty well in the testing the previous day and he’d been one of the eight in his class who were able to use their abilities from the get-go.

“Right, I better be off, you know magical abilities to train.” Wren said to his two roommates, getting up from the grass of the cafeteria’s outdoor area.

“You know we all do right? We may as well all go together.” Liam said, being the voice of reason.

Wren looked down at the schedule he’d been given at the start of the day. It contained the timings of the two lessons and the locations they would both take place in. He would be heading back to the martial arts halls on the east side of the island as that was where the next class was being held.

“I mean if you guys want to follow me, you’re more than welcome.” Wren said.

The three boys deposited their lunch trays by the bin and entered the path back towards main campus and the martial arts halls.

“Do you think there are any animals living on the island?” Carlos said, eyeing up the forest with suspicious eyes as they walked.

“Nothing dangerous, I’d say, maybe a few squirrels or something.” Liam replied.

“Alien squirrels you mean.” Wren said.

“Well if you want to be technical about it, aren’t we actually the aliens, I mean they were here first.” Liam said.

“Hmm I hadn’t thought of that.” Said Wren, placing a hand on his chin going into a thinking pose. “I like the sound of that. Wren Spectre, alien elemental, exploring vast new worlds and looking damn good while doing it.”

“You are so strange.” Carlos said.

“Thank you Carly, I knew you loved me.” Wren said, holding a hand over his heart and fluttering his eyelashes.

“My name is not Carly, nor do I love you, I am simply putting up with you because at this current moment in time I believe it would make my life a lot easier if I got on well with my roommates.”

“Aww way to break a man’s heart.”

Liam was looking over at the two in amusement, desperately trying to hold back his laughter.

By this point the trio had exited the forest path and were making their way across the main courtyard of the central campus. More and more recruits were joining the path as they had about ten minutes until the next lesson began. The main campus had the traditional school feel; two story buildings full of classrooms and offices, cobbled ground and worn benches, street lamps that would glow a warm orange colour in the evening. Wren was once again struggling to believe that this school was on another planet; he could close his eyes and just see himself back on Earth, running late to classes, giving poor excuses for uncompleted homework, just living his life.

He looked down at his arm and studied the glowing green band, it reminded him of where he was and what he was there to do. He needed to train and get stronger, to survive against the monsters that roamed the planet. He had no doubt that if it had just been him and that Dusk Vulture, and there was no protective barrier, he would have been lunch, no matter how weak Anastasia claimed it was.

He looked down at his schedule once more, noticing Anastasia’s name next to his class scheduling. She would be his teacher for the next lesson.

“Who have you guys got for instructors?” He asked Carlos and Liam.

Liam sighed, his big shoulders lifting up and down dramatically.

“My dad, unfortunately.”

Carlos perked up at the mention of the instructor.

“Really, but isn’t he a grade A adventurer?” He asked Liam.

“He is.” Liam replied.

“I’d love to have him teach me, it’d be amazing to get all his expertise knowing he’s been out there in real combat against monsters.”

“Well I’d love to switch, but I don’t think they’d let us.” Liam said.

“Why would you want to switch? He’s your father isn’t he? I’d love to see mine rig—”

Wren elbowed Carlos in the side, stopping him from finishing his sentence.

“Oww! What was that for?” Carlos complained.

“Just drop it.” Wren whispered to the boy who was rubbing his ribs.

“No, it’s okay.” Liam said noticing what was going on with the two boys. “I just don’t really get along with my dad very much, he basically abandoned me and my mum to go off adventuring, I’ve only seen him a handful of times in the past ten years, and even then he’s working.”

“Is this not a great opportunity for the two of you to bond then?” Carlos said.

“Hmm, maybe I guess. But I think that ship might have sailed.” Liam said.

“Take this from someone who didn’t have a dad at all growing up.” Said Wren, placing a hand on Liam’s shoulder, he had to get on his tiptoes to do it and regretted it instantly. “While he’s here, it’s never too late.”

The three boys had finally reached the martial arts halls and had stopped in the path to finish their conversation. Liam had a hand raised to his chin, mirroring Wren’s mock thinking pose from earlier.

“Thanks guys, I’ll think about it.” He said.

“You do that pal. Anyway, have fun, I’ll see you later.” Wren said.

With that, the three boys split off. Wren headed towards the building labelled with a four, Liam to the one labelled five, and Carlos to building one.