Spirit Taming

The inner area of the academy was exactly as the group expected. Many student moving around, the odd professor here or there, and a guard or two along the way. But there were also very large stone buildings. Some of them even went as high as the cave ceilings to latch on to them. It was clearly connections to side caves.

This was a very good thing for the students of Terra academy. They would be able to safely explore the natural caves connected to some of the student buildings along with any dungeons attacked. There were also the benefits of being able to gain knowledge of how to survive in the wilderness without actually going in to the wilderness.

The other amazing thing were the fields. There were multiple grassy fields all surrounded by posts with light elemental energy crystals on them. Their radiated light elemental energy to help the grasses grow. This could be for the fact that students coil allow their beasts in to them or for the students to generally relax. A great addition in Clarks’ opinion.

Standing out even more was the gated entrance to another section of the Terra academy grounds. "Mushroom and herb gardens. So it’s a place with a ton of medicinal and material herbs and mushrooms?" Reese saw the large red spotted mushroom that was taller than the fence. He felt that it was somewhat alien compared to the smaller ones he had seen.

"I think that will be the best place to explore later. I might be able to find a few students learning about healing and potion making." Maria saw a different view from Reese who was just amazed with the size of the mushrooms he could see. She saw the place as an ideal hunting ground for knowledge on what she wanted to learn; alchemy.

"That might be a good idea, we could also just ask if there are any alchemy lectures happening. They probably have an herb growing class that uses that garden specifically. Or a club." Isa also wanted to get inside and see the herbs. The more she could learn the better. She would be able to discern for herself what was and was not valuable when she went to the markets later.

"So the gardens are on the to do list." Clark was sure that he would enjoy the experience too since he could use the analysis skill a lot. "Brad, let’s wait to go to that training area." Clark barely caught Brad as he began to wander toward an interesting area.

"They have many sets of weights, weighted vests, and even some beasts that look to be training with people because they belong to the instructors. Normally, there aren’t sword or shield instructors around Nova. those need to be paid since they are specific to one weapons group." Brad had already spotted exactly what he wanted to do. Not that it surprised anyone as to what he had picked.

"I can see that they have them. And they are teaching classes. This must be because they focus on their bodies more. Our academy focuses too much on the best students and not everyone. But they have large classes that seem to rotate to different guides." Reese analyzed things from where they stood. It didn’t take long for him, Brad, and Jerold to fall right in to a debate about what they wished Nova academy had too that Terra academy had.

"It can be fixed. If we continue on our current path and with our current goals, we can adjust the flow of class schedule at Nova academy as well." Ella had started yet another new notebook. But instead of beasts, this one were things she was learning about the other cities and what made them successful.

The reason that Ella had done this started simply because she was so impressed by the unity of the guards in Nebula. They had a lot of political struggles until recently, but one thing had lasted throughout all those inner battles. The guards still prioritized life and safety over all. They were well trained and reacted instantly.

At Nova city, the guards moved according to the people they had been paid to protect. Very few at the lower levels were able to act in the best interest of everyone because of the corrupt families that paid them. This had grown over the years and just to have loyal guards, almost every large family had to pay them something. The academy was somewhat able to avoid this by hand picking guards, yet Nova academy still had to provide very good conditions for their guards to grow in. It cost them a lot of gold coins.

Now there would be an additional line that said, education for all with specific and talented tutors for those subjects and weapons. The fact that Terra academy had a clear set of people that taught all strengths the same thing meant a lot. It meant that terra academy would have more diverse students overall. Even the weakest person had a chance to show off their hidden talents.

"We should probably start moving again. If we sit and stare at the training grounds, we might end up there instead." Grace was getting a little impatient. It wasn’t that she wanted to get her training schedule moved up, but the fact that a decent few Terra academy students looked like they wanted to challenge them.

"If anyone wants to bother us, I will handle them. I need to get some extra fights in." It had been a little longer since Ralph had spent time with his axes. He wanted to be able to forge new ones for himself while in Terra city, but that would come after he trained more to deserve them. It was odd that he had this feeling, but now that he had forged weapons, he had gained more respect for them.

While it was written, Ralph had seen a few blacksmiths that looked as if they were with something more valuable than family when they forged them. Yes it was still a heavy and somewhat violent process to shape metal, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t care in it. To be able to handle a weapon with that much focus and determination in the process, had changed Ralph’s mind to the very same of any blacksmith. It was also why he wanted to focus on armor over weapons in the future.

While Ralph’s thoughts were on their own, Clark led the way toward the large administrative building of Terra academy. This was one thing that every academy had in common. The offices and basic facilities that got packed in to one building. This was just what needed to be done for students, parents, and any visitors to easily have everything done. It was also very good just for general efficiency. That was why all of them felt a little more comfortable when they saw the familiar layout of the building.

"And you must be the students Professor Wright mentioned in her letter. While you were invited by the academy and our top first year student, we believed it would be some time before we saw visitors from your academy. Not every year group comes to visit when invitations are extended." The man that greeted them seemed to be fairly powerful. He was wearing formal attire but he had a very strong frame hiding under it.

"Let me introduce myself by title. I am the vice headmaster of this academy. You can call me Gold, most of the students do. It’s a nickname my beast and I can never escape since the golden armor it can change in to is fairly flashy." The vice headmaster laughed a bit while extending his hand to shake everyone in the group’s hands. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"I am Clark. A bit of the leader here today. We came because Purple invited us, but also to learn a bit. We are spending a full year traveling to other academies or unique places. We already had time with the white robed healers to learn healing and some medicine. Now we are here to strengthen our bodies and understand how Terra city works. We might be able to make our homes better by learning from you."

The last part that Clark added was to show one thing, change. Many of the other cities had their deals with the large families in cities. Teraa was the same. But Terra was not interested in violent and corrupt ways to manage things. They had naturally fallen in line with the Mane, Green, and Rolly families. But that didn’t mean that they went to help. Just that they had respect. Clark had just shown that he would make the change by bringing different cultures in to their home.

"Then welcome to the academy. We have plenty of unique training methods here to help you meld your energy and body. But for now, why don’t we see what you all want to see. Training area for sure, but what else are you interested in? I have some free time and I would really like to get out of this office." Vice headmaster Gold seemed like the kind of person that was hiding away from his paperwork but also just wanted to be friendly. Clark also noticed the slightly brighter attitude now that he understood the first years had larger goals than just getting stronger and wanting to fight more.

"Actually, we also saw the mushroom gardens outside, and I am sure you have some good advice on who to talk to about potions and alchemy related beasts or practices. Then we have the library, forge, beast growth process planning, and...well that should be more or less it. I think my group will split up a little bit here. But we are all very interested to learn a lot and also share what we know with your students. I’m sure you know more about us than you are letting on." Clark knew he was going to be busy today. He just underestimated how busy he would be.

"Then let’s see about taking care of all that. I have some first year students that would like to talk to champions. You might have some challenges. But it will be in good fun." there was a slight glint that proved the vice headmaster was more about fighting than other things. He just seemed a little more excited about battle challenges.