At the store, they purchased enough meat to fill their fridge. Everything else could be grown fresh. Ian got their contact information and they parted ways as they approached their separate dorm buildings.
In their room, "Ian was a nice guy." Mandy stated as she got into something more comfortable and settled down to study. They didn't know how much they didn't know so they were there in earnest. They wanted to be prepared for whatever may come as the future of the Plantwell family. With Lana only finishing the first year, they were hoping to bring back further knowledge to help her.
Unlike during Lana's time, on the first day of class, the students needed to pick their club. However, what remained was the ability to switch between classes for the first month as they determined which would suit them most. Both girls went to the beast weapons class. In this school, each House had their own teachers for each subject. Since Quinn was there as a teacher, he not only took a homeroom class but also the Beast Weapons class. However, because of the size of each House, he had around 150 students.
Upon entering the class, both girls realized learning anything there would be difficult. At the same time, anything they could glean from their leader, they wanted to.
That evening, Fiza was looking through the list of classes. She knew back home, they had Steven to learn weapons from. She wasn't sure what level of martial arts they would get because the first day, they got to handle weapons. Fiza wanted an expansion in the martial arts area. If she couldn't get the training she was interested in, the thought now was to do what Lana did. Attend another class and work with Mandy to learn what she missed.
After a quick discussion with Mandy, she made her decision. "Tomorrow, I'll go learn about art. I think it will help in finding new ways to use our ability."
Mandy smiled at her and returned to her desk to study. Fiza pulled out her tablet and did the same.
In class the next day, the girls both realized they knew a lot about beasts thanks to their time hunting and the faction members. The lessons on the dalki were far more interesting but far less reassuring. After sitting through this class, both girls thought the race of humans were doomed to extinction. They were told that ability users were the secret to success but only strong ability users. They never defined what a "strong" ability user was.
They knew that, at one time, the watch displayed the ability strength. Neither of them ever had a number higher than one while in school. However, just because one had a high number didn't mean it was a strong ability. A level 8 healer couldn't use their ability to kill a dalki, not even one-spike.
Soon, the time had come to go to the club class. Interestingly, they were not called clubs in this new school setup but they heard Lana's stories so they were stuck on the term in their minds.
As Mandy went off to learn from Quinn, Fiza entered a room filled with girls who were there the previous day. They seemed to be fawning all over a handsome man with slicked-back, black hair with pale skin similar to that of Shalt and a single dangling earring. The teacher looked over and noticed the new student.
He put on a winning smile, "welcome to my class. My name is Fex. What's yours? And can you tell us a bit about yourself?"
Fiza smiled softly, "my name is Fiza," she shrugged because this was the first time introducing herself this way, "Plantwell. My ability is Plant Master."
"Do you know Lana Plantwell, then?"
Fiza nodded as all eyes turned toward her. The students realized there was some familiarity based on the words exchanged. "She is my Family Leader. I'm one of her apprentices. I was actually directly under the Cursed when Lana found me. It was the day she got the hydroponic systems started on the Cursed Ship."
Suddenly, the room was filled with murmurings. "Well, I hope she is well. She helped save my life once."
Fiza looked confused. "You said your name is Fex? I don't recall her ever mentioning you…"
"Lana has always been extremely busy. Will she be coming to visit you?"
Fiza nodded, "She said when she was here, the Bree came once a month to teach their ability. She plans to do the same with Mandy and I."
Fex nodded, "I'd like her to stop by when she does if you can arrange it. I'd at least like to catch up."
Fiza looked at him for a moment, "may I ask, when was the last time you saw her?"
Fex thought for a moment, "I think it was before the babies were born…"
Fiza chuckled, "you're in for a surprise then. I'll save it to allow her to share."
Fex smiled, "I'd like that, please take a seat."
Fiza did as he said and the lesson began.
Today's lesson was about how to construct a puppet which was an art Fiza never thought of before but she found it fascinating. They spent the day with wood and chisel. This was the project for the week. Fex walked between the students. So many were asking for personal instruction. Fiza could tell this was more of them being attracted to him than actually needing his help. She wasn't weak to his charm but this was an interesting activity so she put her all into it.
The class concluded and the girls all swarmed him asking personal questions.
"Teacher Fex," he looked up to see Fiza standing behind those fawning over him but a bit further back. She clearly wanted to distance herself from those looking for a husband or something less… formal or permanent.
"Yes, Fiza?"
"I received a message from my Leader. Could you accompany me somewhere?"
"Of course." Fex winked at some of the prettier girls and left the room with Fiza.