Stunned into immobility, Minx leaned against the tree, looking for reassurance Tucker was gone. She asked the tree and those nearby to replay what just happened as she steadied her nerves. The boy blinked out of existence in one place and appeared in another. He had a teleport ability and his watch had a brightly glowing 7.
With an idea of what he looked like, she quickly dashed to her destination. Her tree. The immediate goal was to get the kitchen set up and grow the food before the others arrived.
She put the tree on alert for the person who attacked her so she could be better prepared next time. She was sure it wasn't over.
Minx had her nerves mostly under control by the time her friends and Dobin arrived. Her hands still had a slight tremble and the shakiness in her voice was barely perceptible.
Midas noticed something off and immediately offered to help. She reached around him to grab some vegetables she didn't need to get close to his ear, "Tucker. He's apparently a second year with a teleporting ability. I never even saw him. He attacked me and shoved me against a tree…"
Her throat started to develop a lump of emotions, and no further words could escape. She finished vegetable preparation and got them on the stove to cook. Then she looked at the steaks.
She thought happy thoughts to conjure a smile then turned to her friends, "how do you like your steaks?"
They gave their desired doneness levels then sat at the table while Raven stood at the side ready to plate the steaks as they finished cooking.
Once everyone was eating, and Minx did her best to relax and focus on her friends. She wanted to forget what happened earlier. She was getting to know the people around her and was comforted that not everyone wanted to hurt others. As much as she loved Midas, he wasn't a conversationist. She was also willing to accept their praises about her budding culinary capabilities.
Midas has eaten everything in sight for years causing her to question his insight into her ability to tantalizing the taste buds.
"Oh, how much did you need from Aqua and Midas to reimburse you for the meat?" Minx asked.
Raven responded, "Just 2 credits each is fine. It's great what you're doing to protect them."
Minx smiled and did as asked, then updated the accounting sheets so she would not forget.
Minx's energy level was quickly diminishing. In short, she was tired. Raven suggested they clean up as a group then head back to their room for some much-needed rest before classes in the morning. They would be experiencing their first day of combat classes so the rest would be appreciated.
Leftover food was split between the two rooms and this would be the rule going forward for each time they ate together. Since they all contributed in some way, it was only fair to share. Plus, this was a school. They were all guilty of late-night study-sessions and extra food in the room never hurt for such occasions.
Back in her rooms, Minx did her evening meditation then crawled into bed. This time, she took measures to ensure her nightly screams were not heard.
The next morning, Raven impressed Minx at how well she was mastering the morning meditation. It went faster enabling them to shower and be ready for the day with enough time to talk.
Raven turned to Minx, "why were you so upset yesterday? I could see you restraining yourself."
Minx instantly looked scared. She shared the brief encounter she had. Neither knew Tucker or the other name he mentioned, Mono.
Raven nodded and soon heard a knock at their door.
When Minx opened the door to see their daily escort, she noticed something different. There was now a number "2" displayed on Midas's watch. She excitedly embraced him in a big hug that only his twin would dare attempt. Low-level or not, he was unaccustomed to physical affection from anyone else.
"Now, how do we get our hands on the next ability book for you?" she asked no one in particular while rubbing her hands together.
The morning passed uneventful. Lunch was the remnants of the dinner consumed in Midas' room. From there, they split for the afternoon to attend their first combat class. Raven and Revlis gaped at the size of the dojo-like building.
Leo instructed them to choose a weapon they considered best suited them. Revlis had a laid-back personality, so Raven was surprised when he chose a battle ax. Raven never held a weapon making this a hard choice. She liked the hilt of a sword but hated the weight. Swinging it threw her off balance and it just felt wrong to her.
After testing every weapon in class, she was still conflicted. She settled on wielding dual daggers. Ultimately, Knight was a melee range fighter. Throwing daggers and having some as backup couldn't be a bad thing.
In Elemental class had everyone sparring with their abilities after some brief instructions. Aqua and Midas fared okay as level 2's against those of equal level. When Midas was paired with a level 4 earth ability user, he struggled.
When class finally ended, Midas asked the teacher if he could have a level 2 ability book. The teacher explained all earth books were handed out by General Duke. He needed a special invitation to meet with the General to get on.
"May I ask, does he have any requirements to get a book?"
The teacher nodded, "the price is too high for some."
Midas drooped his head as he left the classroom with Aqua. They returned back to their to see what minx had to say about their evening agenda. Midas hoped his sister was planning a decent meal. He could use one.
In Agricultural club, the teacher expected all the students to be level 1 or 2 at most. He got the students who had no ability or took the earth book and refused Duke's deal. He was shocked when he saw Minx's watch.
"Why aren't you in a combat class?"
"I'm not a combat person," she replied but she wasn't looking in a different direction.
Minx wanted to get an idea of what would be taught in this class, so she was examining her surroundings. There was a bookshelf wall, as she described it. The wall was covered with books about plants that currently or formerly existed. There was also an adjacent greenhouse and a row of hydroponic pods. She was a bit worried. Instead of giving a detailed explanation, she approached a plant that looked close to death, placed a hand near its roots and healed it.
"Why are you torturing these poor plants?" she said, trying very hard to control her agitation. This was a teaching environment after all.
The teacher, whose name was Tarrey Redle according to the blackboard, grinned. "You have a plant ability. Now I understand! How can I help? I'm sure you feel there are certain areas you need to grow in. Is there a specific direction you want to go in?"
Minx grinned from ear to ear, "I need to know everything about plants, their physical description, optimal growing requirements, and any culinary and medicinal properties they are known to have."
He waved his hand at the wall of books. She squealed and jumped up and down, "Can I just put a bed right here?" as she pointed to a spot right under a window on that same wall, her eyes lit up in excitement.
He laughed. "As for the condition in which you found the plants, there is a future assignment to treat a plant of my choosing, returning it to full health. This class is normally filled with those who have no ability so you will be a bit bored."
She nodded, "also, I'm interested in experimenting on the medical and culinary uses of plants. Is it possible for me to do experiments during the boring stuff? Can I have a designated space for that purpose?"
"See me after class."
A teacher was never more right. Minx was so bored, she almost fell asleep. Her head actually bounced off the desk once. The material being covered, she learned in fourth grade science class such as plant basics and plant reproduction. The other students were seven level-1 and two level-2 ability.
Once class ended and the other students left, she approached her teacher. "You're right, that was excruciating," she chuckled.
"The best way to help you is to understand what you can gain from my class."
"My ability works through visualization and emotion." She walked with him to the greenhouse and filled an empty pot with dirt, filling her own as well.
"Now, if I want to grow something like," she said as she placed a hand over the pot, "Peas…" her voice drifted off as a sprout rose from the pot. It grew quickly, her other hand guided the vines. Soon pods developed and they slowly swelled. Once they were ready to be picked, she took her hand off. She intentionally kept the plant small, not wanting to show too much in her demonstration.
Filling another pot, "knowing which specific species I want to grow, its traits and growing patterns," she placed the second pot next to the first one. Once again, she placed a hand on top and said "Pisum sativum" and a slightly different pea plant sprang from the soil in the same manner.
"For me, cooking is a love language. I ensure my twin and I have proper nutrition, but it's how I express how much I care about my family. It's vital I do this right. I need to understand nutrient profiles to ensure we are getting everything we need to be healthy. In that same vein, medicinal uses are also a necessity. If my brother realizes his dream of becoming a traveler, my skills will become vital to support him."
Minx turned from the two pots, putting her own away.
"If you will allow me, I would like find space in this area to grow a willow tree. I can use the space to learn, not only growing these plants but to experiment with them. I need to determine the best way to use them in combat and situations. The healing ability is not common enough. I need to be able to support Midas by keeping him healthy."
Tarrey nodded. "Your original ability seems to be a major asset. Any space within our fenced-off area should be okay for you to use. I'm blessed with the biggest portion of the whole campus. Agriculture takes up a lot of room as you well know. I need a list of supplies you need as well as what knowledge you need to conduct your experiments. I'll guide you where I can."
Minx smiled with a small giggle, "thank you!"
Bouncing with excitement, she sent a message to Midas.
[Eat in the canteen. I'm going to be busy for a few hours. My teacher is awesome!]
Minx skipped from her classroom, backpack bouncing on her back, humming a tune that only she knew. She was off to create her new sanctuary.