She ate quickly then asked the tree if it could make another room. The tree felt a little stretched in its current configuration so she took a mental note of that. Build the rooms as the tree is growing so it doesn't need to reform. She decided to grow an oak and shape that one into a room under her bedroom. This new room was twice as big so all her prep stuff and things she needed such as wrappings could all be stored in one place. Then she could send someone here to get them if they were needed during a market event. Kattie helped her move everything out of her room.
Instead of training, they went to the library and bought more baking trays, packing material, and yes, she bought 5 bedrolls, blankets and pillows that each team member could roll up and attach to their bags for ease of carrying. Her bedroll was big enough for two and she bought herself a two-man tent as well. These things could be tied to the bottom of her bag. She intended to stay out as long as possible when the portal event happened. A person cannot make money sitting in a shelter! Combined with everything, she spent 100 credits. They carried all the packages back to the tree and locked everything up in the storage room. The boys would get their things tomorrow at dinner. Kattie and Lana took their things back with them once Lana was satisfied she had done enough for the evening. As far as she knew, there would still be a market event the coming weekend.
The next morning, it was announced the next portal event would be in two weeks. Lana smiled. While the boys studied their ability books, Kattie decided to help Lana with prep for the weekend so they could both get in some study time. Kattie had managed to gain another level through her training with her family trainer. Lana's watch still said 5 but Kattie had a question on that. She saw Lana form a tree into a room. There was no way this was a level 5 skill in her mind. Still, she did not ask. She knew Lana would volunteer the information when she was ready. Kattie made loaves of bread in advance. Though there would be many more made on the day of, the demand for these sandwiches was quite high. Lana's job was to grow the food. Kattie was learning to cook and they became an excellent team by Friday evening. They high-fived and headed back to their room by 8:30 ready to do some studying before they crashed out to get some rest for their busy day tomorrow. The next week went much the same way. By this time, the team was a well-oiled machine with running the stall. Unlike other stalls, they did not haggle. They knew the value of the products being sold. And Lana would kill them if profits were decreased. She was firm on getting more books.
By the time Monday rolled back around, they had made just under 8,000 credits between the two weekends and after taxes. Current balance: 18,503.
All the first-years gathered in the training hall where the portals were stored. The students were advised to register their crystals each day but Lana had no intention of wasting such time. They would be registered once they returned and the others agreed it would be more efficient. They were told this planet was called Caladi and had a 72 day-night cycle. They were already 24 hours into the day.
They were organized by class. Vorden's class went through first. Lana's went through next. Lana noted Logan was here for this and even had a high powered team. He was using some form of machine chair thing so he didn't have to walk or carry his things. They were all gathered in their groups and went through as those groups. They had to go through in a line, holding onto the person in front of them so they would all land in the same place on the other side.
The shelter was a military base, primarily with civilians selling their wares right near the portal drop areas so travelers would encounter merchants as soon as they landed. The first thing they did when they got on planet was purchase the maps and the book of beasts. The shopkeeper was giving a discount if both were purchased so it cost 150 credits. Lana thought they were overpriced but they were needed.
They stood off to the side to look over the materials and decide on the best course. Taking stock of skill levels:
Dobin - Level 4 Earth
Alto – Level 3 Water
Almin – Level 4 Metal
Kattie – Level 4 Beast Tamer
Lana – Level 5 Plants
This planet didn't have much greenery on it. The map looked desolate. Around the outside of the shelter, the map claimed one could find something called a teethworm. This was a basic tier beast. They burrowed under ground in an obvious path making it easy for them to see and kill. The two intermediate beasts here were called the winged lizard and the burning snake. Out the front gate, of one travelled past the circle that had teethworms, off to the left was the zone for the winged lizards. Off to the right were the burning snakes. The book said the winged lizard's weakness was its stomach. After discussing this as a group, they seemed more complicated because a beast could cover the stomach area with its wings. Fire lizards it was, making sure to kill these teethworms enroute.
On the way out of the shelter, there were mechs stationed on each side of the gate. They looked pretty impressive as none other than Kattie had seen them before. They were only able to handle basic and intermediate beasts, however. The team stepped out of the shelter and were filled with excitement. Almin had taken his axe off his back. Sven sat on Kattie's shoulder. The order chosen was Almin in the lead, Lana behind him, Dobin, then Alto and Kattie was last in case anything came from behind. She had her twin daggers ready.
Time to go kills some beasties!