The teacher looked a bit like the guy who picked Lana up but taller and not as stocky. He would have been handsome if he were not wearing a scowl on his face. "The name is Nis Rage. Not all teachers tell their students but this is class 2B. Please stay in this area, maybe talk quietly while we wait for more students." He then stood there like a statue in a Parade Rest stance, feet shoulder-width apart, hands behind his back over lapping, thumbs locked in.
There were a few groups of five already present having already completed the initial assessment. Lana looked around at those present and found some of those arrogant expressions she was expecting. So far, she noted there were a few level 5s. All of those present but one displayed a equal or lower ability level to her own. He was a level 8 and was quite short. She wondered how old he was to be in this school at that stature. He looked different than the others as well. There were huge bags under his eyes as though he didn't sleep much. Lana decided to try being friendly on her first day there. She plucked up the courage and walked up to him.
"It's been a day, hasn't it!" She extended her hand in a gesture for a shake, "I'm Lana Plantwell."
The boy looked at her hand then at her face. There was no expression on his face. "Logan Green. It's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you as well. I noticed the dark circles under your eyes. Did you not get a good sleep?" Lana said with kindness in her voice "is there anything that can be done to help you get a better sleep?"
Logan chuckles, "I'm an inventor. I often am up all hours working on various projects. I simply get hyper focused and don't stop until I drop. It's nothing to concern yourself with. I don't know why you would, honestly."
"My brother and I orphans and never knew our parents. Helping others helps us forget, if even for a short time, our own predicament. I'm sorry if I intruded on your personal affairs. My ability deals with plants and perhaps something cooked by me may help you. Let me know in the future if you're interested."
By this time, two more groups had arrived. It appeared as if they were testing that many groups at once to expedite this process. Looking at the building in front of her, Lana realized there was a reason they started this process on a Sunday morning. It probably takes the whole day to get all the students processed through, assigned to their rooms then shown around campus, uniforms assigned and all the things. They were provided 10 credits a day which got loaded to a money card linked to their watches. The money card enabled them to use their money during off-world events. The watch, while on campus, just made transactions more expedient. What they didn't tell the students but Lana was told before hand, it also made it easier for the bullies to steal credits from their victims.
As she took in the enormous size of the building she asked "how many students do they teach here?"
Logan, figuring the question was aimed at him said, "There are 10 classes of 50 students each; they will all arrive today. The A and B are meant to be rival classes to encourage competition. Is your brother a student here as well?"
Lana nodded, "We are twins. He's standing over there with his eyes glued to this mammoth of a building."
Logan nodded, "The way it's set up is the competing classes are in the same wing of this building so we will share rooms potentially and definitely floors with class 2A. Canteen time in the morning is mandatory and each wing has their own canteen to expedite food service. Homeroom will follow immediately after. We will need to choose a club to attend which we will have until Wednesday to decide. Some of the classes get so popular that it's hard to learn in them. I've heard of Elemental Ability Club having over 200 students. How anyone can learn in there is beyond me. Beast Weapons is also a popular club. The second-years have the same set-up but different classes that focus on learning about the soul weapon and a neighboring campus so we should not interact. You'll learn more about that next year." Lana shuddered at the very thought of touching beast weapons. She never wanted such an incident to ever happen again. It did not go unnoticed by Logan.
Lana nodded, "I have been thinking about what kind of club I want to be in and I hope there is enough participation that they have the club. I'm hoping for Agricultural Club. My fruit and vegetables are not always huge but they are always nutrient dense and bursting with flavor."
Logan let slip a small smile and said, "perhaps I will ask you for something after all. I dislike the canteen and prefer to eat in my room. Perhaps you can bring me some of those veggies on a sandwich someday."
Lana's smile brightened, "Of course! Do you have any preferences? I have even played with growing my own wheat to make the bread myself. I had "borrowed" everything I needed to cook with from the orphanage but I returned them when I came here. I plan to use my credits to replace my cooking gear and such. I'll bring you a sandwich as soon as I'm set back up for it!"
Logan looked mildly pleased, "that sounds good. I don't normally talk much so if you don't mind, I'd like to remain in silence for now."
"Of course!" Lana smiled and returned to her brother's side noticing the number of people appeared to be about right at this time. The teacher seemed to agree.
"Alright, listen up!" Nis's voice seemed to boom even though it didn't earlier. "For those that have just arrived, I am your teacher, Nis Rage. To start with, I will take you to the canteen where you will consume your meals. You will receive your room assignments and are to take your belongings to your room then return to the canteen where I will be waiting for you. Understood?"
There was a resounding "Yes, Sir!"
The girls were on the first floor, the boys were on the second floor and the VIP students from prominent families were on the third floor. The signs as they entered the building pointed in the direction various room numbers could be found, much like a hotel. All the students marveled at how sterile the building appeared, white walls and floors. They quickly discovered how easy it was to find the canteen and all filed in as directed.
"Remember, up to your room, drop your things, and get back here. You will eat lunch then I will give you a tour of the campus." He started calling names in alphabetical order. Being in the second half, Lana and Dobin knew it would be a bit. At the end of the room sorting, Logan was in room 2303, Dobin and the other two boys they tested with were in 2217. Lana and Kattie were in room 2120, but she noticed their room was a little different. Normally there were three students to a room but their room only had two beds. It had space between the beds for beast care. Clearly there were some rooms which accommodated for the Bree family to have their beasts even if they were not considered VIP students. Lana didn't have time to marvel at the room though. She was hungry and food was waiting. She rushed back to the canteen then she could smell it. Dinner was fish soup.