Spirit Taming

Chapter 132: Rough Plan

Navigation proved to be incredibly easy with the new help from the keen eyed dove. Every single time a soft patch of sand was nearby that could make their carriage stuck, they had the perfect directions to get around it.

Instead of the straightforward route that the map suggested, the group constantly found themselves turning around and moving in strange loops. But never did it fail to keep them on solid ground. Multiple other groups that had been ahead were easily past. They even started to follow every single one making Clark's group the first to reach the walls.

"I see you recruited new team members. Congratulations. It seems you made the correct choices. All six of you." Doc had some hope that such a situation would occur. He was not upset at all to see that some students like the Cain family were learning them their lessons the hard way.

"Says the person that left us a note to just catch up." Clark mocked Doc a little but just received a hearty chuckle from Doc.

"It's fine. It's fine. Just come here and meet the guards that are welcoming people. We came through the back entrance. The harder way since it is better for learning. They have special permission to allow us to enter." Doc had let this spill now making the group feel that they had been played for fools the entire time.

"Makes sense. This wasn't an easy trip. Going back will be rough." The two boys that had joined Clark's group were not at all surprised that they had been messed with by Doc like this. They had Doc as a professor for a while. They perfectly understood that Doc had unusual methods to teach students. Every professor in Nova academy seemed to have the same ideals.

"Welcome to Star City. Here are badges that show you are from outside this city. It will allow you to be here for one week. If you are found with an expired badge then you will be charged a fine. If you cause any trouble your home city will not be responsible. That is the agreement with your Nova academy.

Please enter."

The two guards had a blue tinted armor covering their bodies. This seemed to be the theme of Star city since there were blue paintings on the wall near the entrance. The little badges were stars with blue coloration as well. However, they had a clear marking that would discern what date they entered the city.

Clark and the others had a similar system in their city but they had a symbol that was half sun and half moon.

"If you require a tour you may seek our services." A woman was waiting for them just in case at the gate. But none of them could hear her. The entire group was caught by the drastic difference between this Star City and their home.

The city had larger buildings made using tough stone. The stone was helped together by strange water dwelling plants. The reason that they all knew this was the incredible fountains that were made through the entire street. Some water was even set up to run off buildings constantly to feed the plants.

"Architects realized that the natural stone and plants growing in the area were perfect for holding structures together. That is one thing that Makes our Star city unique. The plans also exist as a constant food source for the luminescent starfish that our city shows off at the night. They are harmless but beautiful." the woman spoke with high pride in her city.

"While you are here, we will provide you with access to our coliseum, auction house, and even a trip to the Star Academy where you may meet with fellow students. There are other events scheduled but we hope that you can take a bit of time to enjoy the city as it is naturally." The woman was waiting to introduce the city to the others entering and handed the tickets to the group quickly.

"We are going to find a good place to rest. We will meet up with you later to work on your plan. The auction will be perfect." The two boys that had joined the group walked off. They seemed much happier to know that their mistreatment was going to be repaired in equal if not more.

"The auction will be the most important for us. We have to get a lot of valuable materials."

"No, we need the materials I need for research. If I don't then I will fail to get any more for my theories. I will be stuck again."

Isa and Ella began to argue about materials. "How about we get there first? We should find an inn to rest at. From there we can plan out what we want to do." Maria acted like a perfect mediator for the group.

"The auction will happen in a day. That gives us time to visit the coliseum and see what the local talents have to throw at us." Clark read the ticket out loud and started building a plan. Maria felt a little annoyed since he was proceeding with plans before they had found an inn. But she didn't mind because she was excited to explore too.

"The auction might have random or hidden things too. I will keep an eye out. The academy here should be the last place we go. I want to see who we might face when we fight it out in our respective specializations. We just shouldn't start any fights yet. It could show off some of our skills.

Pretend to be weaker than we are." Clark left that thought on everyone's minds when he spotted a simple inn.

"The kelpie inn? It's named after a rare sea beast? Interesting." Ella didn't mind the odd naming of the inn but wondered why Clark chose one so small.

"It's clean, looks like it has a family ownership, and a small family will have unique gossip," Clark remembered that his family always heard the local gossip as small shop owners. People were more comfortable speaking to a small shop than a large one.

The door rang a small bell when the group entered. "Hello there. Welcome to my Kelpie inn. My kelpie and I will ensure you have the best stay you can imagine." The plump woman that greeted them had a blue hose the size of a dog next to her. Seaweed flowed off it as its hair while the teeth were colored like sun bleached seashells.

"We are looking for rooms, can you accommodate us?" Isa took the lead. This was business.

"We sure can. All four of you can have the student discount. Two rooms for one silver a night." This was ten coppers a night which was a decent deal for two rooms. It also included meals.

"Any problems?" Isa saw no issues since this was a fair price with the provided comforts. They would also be making more money while in the city so they could afford more.

"Um, who will sleep in the room with Clark?" Maria felt there was a little issue that needed to be worked out. They were girls and Clark was a boy. It might be strange to sleep in the same room.