Hyro woke the next morning and nothing seemed any different still, but he was on a mission this morning and he went straight to find Enris, he woke up early for this specific purpose. When he made it to Enris’s room Enris’s door was already opened and Enris was standing by his bed finishing packing a bag for his travels. Hyro knocked on the open door to announce his presence, when Enris looked over Hyro spoke up. “I did it Enris, I made it to level five. I haven’t talked to Buck yet but I am coming with you.” Enris did not say anything he just walked over and gave Hyro a hug. “I have to leave within the hour, meet me at the front gate.” Enris mentioned as they broke off their hug and they each went their separate ways, Enris to complete packing and Hyro to speak with Buck.

  Hyro made it to Buck’s office and knocked on the closed door, from the other side Hyro heard Buck’s voice shout, “One moment!” Shortly after that the door opened and Buck was there greeting Hyro, “Ah Hyro, what can I do for you boy?” Hyro wasted no time, “I have reached level five and am ready to join Enris when he leaves today.” Buck smiled and responded cheerfully, “Wonderful news Hyro! You truly are making great progress. Allow me to just verify that you reached level five and I will take care of the paperwork letting each of your teachers know.” Hyro suddenly became nervous, Oh no, what will happen if Buck tries to view my Character sheet? I won’t be able to explain some of the changes, especially with it updating, whatever that means. Hyro was thinking, waiting to see what Buck needed to verify, Buck shortly explained. “This process is simple but have you learned how to share a portion of your character sheet with someone?”

  “No I have not.” Hyro flatly responded. Buck was quick with his response as well, “No worry it is quite easy, pull up the screen you want to share and then focus on who you want to see it and then you have to touch them, either a hand shake, hand on shoulder, anything works.” Hyro did just that. First he focused hard on just showing his name to his level on the character sheet, nothing more. Once he was satisfied with the amount of information he pulled up, Hyro extended a hand for Buck to shake. A popup asking ‘You are trying to share your screen. Confirm or deny?’ Hyro thought Confirm and waited for a response from Buck. Buck nodded and then said, “Very good Hyro, Very good indeed. You have made it to level five faster than most. I am impressed. Hurly and Enris will be leaving soon, hurry up, gather what you need and meet them at the front gate. I will have word sent to Hurly that you are joining so that they do not leave without you.” As Buck finished speaking Hyro took his leave and rushed to get ready to leave.

  Hyro packed a few clothes and other items in a bag to last for the trip, come clothing, some hygiene, basic things. Hyro assumed either Hurly would bring food or they would find and cook food while they were out. Hyro finished packing and rushed to go meet up with the others to finally leave the academy for the first time since arriving. Hyro wanted to say goodbye to one person before leaving and she should just about be done with her first class and heading to the second. Hyro went to the room for Introduction to meditation and saw that the class was already let out, so he rushed to Welcome to the System, where he found Cynthia. “Hey Cynthia, I just wanted to let you know I would be leaving for a few days, I am going on an independent study now that I am level five.” She smiled back as Hyro mentioned leveling up and to Hyro’s surprise she gave him a hug before she spoke, “That is great news Hyro, I will miss our daily lunches and we will miss you at dinner but have fun out there!” Just as Hyro was about to speak a system message popped up in his vision.

  As soon as Hyro thought to close that message another one popped up.

  Hyro was extremely confused, no class or book or anything to his knowledge talked about a system interface or the system speaking directly to someone. This was also gifted from the Wheel of Chaos, I might as well listen for now. Hyro thought to himself before speaking up, “I will miss our lunches too and our talks, save a spot for me when I return.” He then went in for another hug, this time though Cynthia was the one who looked taken by surprise, so much so that she turned her head in the same direction as Hyro, causing them to kiss each other for the first time. Hyro swore he could feel and see actual sparks even though the moment only lasted a short moment. Both of their faces were deep red and Hyro felt like he was going to pass out before he saw another System popup, and from the way Cynthia’s eyes glossed over it appeared as though she received a message as well.

  Cynthia spoke before Hyro had a chance to say anything, “Hyro what, what happened? Who or what is Sid?” Hyro stammered his response, “It’s a lot to explain, and I do not have much time right now, but it’s my system… I think. We should have a new screen for messaging now, I will explain more there later, just please don’t tell anyone about this.” Cynthia nodded in agreement as they said their goodbyes one more time and Cynthia rushed into class. Hyro headed to the main entrance and found Hurly and Enris waiting for him, Enris still looking crestfallen. Hurly noticed Hyro approaching and spoke up, “Ah! Hyro ye made it! We were getting worried. Now before we leave lads there is something ye must be made aware of Hyro. Enris, you already know this information, but a refresher never hurts.” Hurly paused for a moment as Hyro finished walking closer to the group, then he continued, “These walls do many things, but one of which is set to help you focus while you are here. They suppress some thoughts and feelings to mitigate homesickness and other distracting feelings.” Hyro could not believe what he was hearing, but when he thought back on it, it did make sense. Mom and Dad have always been there for me but I almost did not even care that I got a letter from them, and I haven’t even started to think about writing back to them. Hurly continued, “Enris, this is a big emotion and ye have left the grounds many times, so ye will most likely not notice much of a change, but Hyro, remember to take deep breaths, we be here for ya lad.” At a loss for words neither Hyro nor Enris said anything, they simply followed Hurly as he opened the gate to the academy grounds and led them out.

  Hyro was punched in the gut, slapped in the face and kicked in the groin all in one swift motion. At least that is how it felt to him as they stepped past the threshold. Hyro bent to the ground, bawling his eyes out. Enris started tearing up again too, but Hyro could not focus on anything but his own feelings for the time being. How could I not even respond to my Mother! Why would I do that, what is wrong with me? Hyro’s thoughts quickly kept spiraling out of control, getting more and more angry at himself and confused as to why this was happening. He was crying for nearly a minute when Hurly came and put a hand on his shoulder, “It happened to us all lad, It is not yer fault and no, yer parents will not blame ye, we have informed them of why ye may act differently while in yer first few months at the academy.” Hyro heard Hurly speak, but to him the words were nonsense and did not matter. How could they not be upset with how I have ignored them for weeks! I have to be the worst son in all of Orabis. Hyro’s thoughts continued before a popup message from Sid appeared in his vision.

  How am I supposed to relax enough to speak with those who can help me! Hyro thought, trying to reply to Sid but the message was already closed. Hyro sat on the ground, Enris seemed to be pulling himself together but they would need to wait a moment, Hyro was in no shape to continue as it was. Hyro attempted to take deep breaths, trying to calm himself. He used some of the techniques that Dreeva taught the first day of Introduction to Meditation, picturing his campfire and taking a deep breath. In two, three, four, and out two, three, four. In two, three, four, and out two, three, four. After a few rounds of breathing Hyro was still upset but able to control himself better, just as he started to think he may not need his sanctuary when it happened and he slipped into the familiar embrace of his safe space.

  As Hyro’s eyes refocused he saw the familiar flame of his campfire, and there were 2 different Hyro’s sitting around the fire, one dressed in white robes and the other was dressed like a beggar. The one dressed as a beggar spoke up first, “Do you want a snack?” That was all he said before pulling out a tray of meats and cheeses. Hyro was confused, and was not sure if the food would do anything for him but he grabbed some and started eating as the one dressed all in white started speaking, “We have all been here before, or we will all be here at some point, so know you are not alone. I know that will mean nothing to you now but it is something we always say.” He kind of chuckled as he continued, “Our lack of abilities prior to enrolling sort of dulled our feelings before the school's wards ever could. Then we gain magic, and the wards still block everything, then, we step outside and the floodgates open.” The beggar version spoke up again, “Look he doesn’t need to know all of the why this is happening, you’ll start to feel better enough to function after leaving Sanctuary, and over time you will feel better and better. After writing Mom and Dad you will take a huge step forward then when you see them you will feel almost completely healed. I would say run to them now but remember why you left. I know you are upset now but you left to be there to protect your friend, remember those feelings, honor those feelings.”

  Everything they said made so much sense. It was not that different from what Hurly said but hearing it from himself, it just clicked. Hyro nodded, grabbing another piece of meat, “I started feeling more in control before even entering the sanctuary, but I understand what you mean. Now that I remember my feelings I will not lose touch with them again. I will not let the wards block them out.” The other two both nodded and said, “Good” in response. They sat, enjoying the fire, the silence, and the really good food as they sat together. After a short while Hyro spoke up, “I think I am ready now, even with the time dilation I can not stay here too long.” They both nodded in understanding as Hyro left his sanctuary and returned to Hurly and Enris in the physical world.

  “Aye Hyro, are ye back with us?” Hyro heard Hurly ask as he came to. Hyro nodded, “Yes, sorry. I have more control now.” Hurly shook his head, “No need to be sorry lad, we all needed time the first time we left the walls, you took less time than most.” Enris walked over and added in, “I needed a full hour to get control of myself, I am jealous you could pull yourself together so quick.” Hyro felt a lot better seeing Enris speak and joke around, it felt normal. After they all recollected their things and started heading out east through the woods around Terraqua academy, opposite of Aquarine and towards the open sea. Hurly took the lead but made sure that Hyro and Enris were prepared for anything that may happen, as Hurly put it, “We are not in the safety of the academy’s walls any longer, anything can happen lads.”