When Lenny left the porta cabin, the red sash girl was still practicing. It seemed like she was having some personal tutoring with Master Berg who had taken her under his wing. As he left, he seemed to be taking her through something to try and awaken her dormant spirit essence. This was supposed to be a difficult process, especially as one got older, but there was no doubt in Lenny's mind that, if it was a matter of consistency and determination, she stood a very good chance of unlocking some kind of an ability.
"But what ability?" Lenny thought. Was Master Berg teaching her his own? What even was his ability? For most teachers, it was not obvious. Their stats could be significantly enhanced by their spirit armour, so they all appeared to be somewhat superhuman, especially to those not from a faction previously, like himself.
Lenny considered how much had changed in the few months since he had gained an ability. The more he thought about it, though, the more he thought the circumstances of unlocking his own was strange. He'd tried to ask the system more about it a few times but always got the same answer: "Outstanding conditions must be met."
He was mulling this over in his mind as he walked into the canteen. The Sanctuary group had agreed to meet there after classes, an open plan building with a large seating area and a limited selection of food. Although there wasn't too much variation, there was lots of it, and the food was free, something Lenny still hadn't quite gotten used to yet. He was surprised by how much his appetite had grown with the training sessions that had taken place.
Thinking about it, he hadn't eaten nutrient paste in almost a week now, and felt like his tastebuds were only just adapting to variety of flavours available. With no credits required for food, really, the only need for them was to buy equipment. But this was something they would have to earn a few cores to do. And that wasn't possible until they went on their first expedition in a few weeks' time.
Harry had spotted him first, sitting in a corner of the room. He had indicated for him to come over with his tray. He was smiling, and seemed to have more energy left than either him or Rose, who yawned between mouthfuls of fish broth.
"In my Elemental Abilities class today, I saw an indigo sash with a lightning ability. It was amazing. He absolutely destroyed a water user from the Drowned." Harry seemed especially pleased about this fact, feeling some schadenfreude at the expense of his peer.
"I didn't think we were supposed to be sparring again till tomorrow?" asked Rose.
"It wasn't really sparring," said Harry. "Just a practice session that got a little out of hand. How was your training?"
"Good," said Rose. "I like the glaive the best. It's still not as smooth as my staff, but I feel like I would pick that up quickly."
Lenny made a mental note of that. He would like to use his ability someday to make weapons for his friends, but at present, what he could make would probably be considered a downgrade.
"What about you Lenny? How's hand-to-hand? You get to pummel anyone with your fists?"
Lenny paused for a moment before responding. "Actually, it's not like you think. It's very technical. I feel like I've taken to it more smoothly than the weapons class even. Right now, if I had to pick between the two, I think I'd stick with that."
Harry was unprepared for that answer. He'd asked in quite in joking manner, so was surprised when Lenny had been so sincere. In fact, he wondered if he didn't have an elemental ability, would that description have won him over?
"You're not dropping out of Melee Arms, are you Lenny?"
"No," he replied, before taking a large bite of fish and rice. It had a little soy sauce on top, but he hadn't spotted a piece of chilli he'd taken down with it. He began to cough uncontrollably at the heat and reached out for his drink.
"Spicy?" Harry smiled.
Rose gave him a strange look.
He was just downing some water when someone approached them from the side. Lenny was surprised to spot Ivy had come to speak with them again.
"Have you changed your mind?" she asked Rose.
"Have you?"
Lenny looked at the small stand-off between the two women. She was persistent, you had to give her that.
"We don't need your help," said Harry. "Go back to your own."
Completely ignoring him, Ivy said: "Look, there's a Group Warfare class on Saturday. I'd like you to come along."
"Why?" asked Rose.
"For one, you have a support ability, that means it's the ideal class for your affinity. This whole battle healer things cool, but only if you can add something to the strength of your team. And for two, I think it'll make you change your mind."
"I think if you were to see Lenny fight, you might change yours."
Ivy smiled: "Fine, prove it then. Be at the Jade Garden at 5pm on Saturday. It's building next the Prizm with the glass dome roof. It's after all the other sparring sessions, so you should have time to get some food and recover. You can join my team of four for the day. We'll meet you at the entrance. And if you've got spirit weapons, you'd better bring them."
"I already have two sparring sessions that day," said Lenny.
"It's not sparring," said Ivy. "Didn't you know? We hunt spirit beasts." With that, she turned and left.
"What kind of spirit beasts?" asked Harry. "Why wouldn't she say?"
"I don't know," said Lenny. He turned to Rose. "Are you gonna go?"
"I'm not sure—I think so, yes."
"Then I am too," said Lenny.
Harry pushed his food around his plate with a plastic fork.
"Wait, what do they do with the cores?" Lenny pondered for a few moments. Could he sign up to three classes? No, that would be ridiculous, surely?