"Why are we in a yoga room?" Asked Marie.

"See, it's about zen. You gotta feel peaceful before we do this. Just, do whatever calms you down." Said Axel.

5 minutes later.

The Inklings actually looked pretty stressed, but had definitely calmed down a lot. Axel decided that he would be there all week waiting for them to reach true zen.

"Ok. I guess you guys can't really calm down, but we are gonna go through this now. Relax, it won't hurt." Said Axel.

"That hardly calms my nerves." Said Marie.

"Eh." Said Axel. "Ok. First, you gotta get in a comfortable position."

Everyone laid down on their back.

"Sure ok. Now, try your best to empty your mind. Do not think about anything. I know it's hard, try." Said Axel.

The Inklings tried their best to forget about the stress, and inkopolis, and the absurdities that were occuring. They really couldn't. But they were close.

"Now. Close your eyes." Said Axel.

The Inklings did as he asked.

Axel let out a very weak arcane mist.

"Now. There is something in the air here that you aren't used to. Find it, and focus on it." Said Axel.

The Inklings tried. The arcane magic eluded them at first, but very, very slowly, they began sensing it, and focusing hard on the odd sensation, before it elided them again. It took several tries, but after a good 10 minutes all four Inklings had it. Inexplicably, Axel could sense this.

"Ok. Now, don't lose focus. Try to internalize the feeling. Make it one with you, in the back of your mind." Said Axel.

Marie did it almost immediately. But the other agents took a while.

"As soon as you feel something peculiar in your head, focus on it." Said Axel.

Another 10 minutes passed.

Axel knew that Agent 3, the last one to experience the feeling, had connected.

"Now. What you are feeling is Mana, attempting to connect with your soul. Open your mind to it." Said Axel.

This part the agents could do quickly. Axel summoned a sound nullifier around each agent to avoid distraction.

Marie connected first. A faint aura of light blue energy surrounded her, and tiny snowflakes appeared.

After a moment, Agent 3 connected. A faint aura of blue energy surrounded her, and little water droplets congealed on every nearby surface.

30 seconds or so later, Agent 4 connected. A bright aura of yellow energy surrounded him, and static filled the air.

An instant later, Callie let out a screech. Faint red energy surrounded her, and sparks flew out of her hands.

"Ok. Well looks like Callie was not ready for that." Said Axel. "Feel free to open your eyes."

The agents did, and saw the messes around them. Marie was coated in snow, agent 3 was dripping wet, agent 4 had his tentacles flailing around without his control, and Callie had tiny burn marks covering her face and hands.

"Marie, your element of skill is Cold." Said Axel. "You can use icy attacks to slow down targets, of raise temporary walls to protect yourself."

Axel turned to Callie.

"Callie, your element of skill is Fire. You can scorch large crowds of enemies at once, and have very long ranged strikes." He said.

Axel turned to Agent 3

"3, your element of skill is Water. You can stall your foes and have high mobility in battle." He said.

"How can I use water if it splats me on contact?" Asked a bewildered 3.

"Well, you haven't been splatted yet, and have you looked at yourself? You are covered in water. I assume it's because that is Manacharged water. And yours. It's like ink, in some regard." Axel explained. "It's already drying to, it's not normal water."

Axel finally turned to Agent 4.

"And you 4, your element of skill is Lightning. You have powerful precision strikes that snake around cover, and can stun targets." He said.

Axel paused to let the Agents recollect themselves.

"Now, with this knowledge, I can begin teaching you the basics of your elements. Of course, I'm only one guy, but you are only 4 students. Classes of 50 are still ok, so I'll be fine." Said Axel. "But first, there are other things to do. The class you use is more important than the element for teaching. I'm gonna take you to the experimental armory, and then, I'm gonna go set up rooms for you all."

"What's that?" Asked Agent 3.

"To put it simply, it's a closet full of 6 of every basic class weapon, and a 'dojo' to get a feel for the weapon. Try out everything, and ask the bot there for tips." Said Axel.

"What are our options?" Asked Callie.

"The basic weapons are a sword, hammer, pole arm, sword and shield pair, throwing knives, handgun, bow and arrow, blasting cap launcher, and magic wand. The wand channels your Mana, and let's you use very basic attacks without being taught. Just be careful." Said Axel. "I'll let you know what each weapon corresponds to class-wise, when you find your favorite."

"Ok." Said Marie.

Axel led them to the experimental armory.

2 minutes later.

Axel dropped the Inklings off. There weren't many other people in the armory at the time, and he went to set up rooms for them.

Agents Focus.

"I think I like this weapon!" Said Callie. She was holding the basic hammer. "It reminds me of my roller."

Unsurprisingly, Marie went with the handgun. "I like this weapon. It reminds me of my charger." She said.

"Heh. What about you, 4?" Asked Agent 3.

"I don't know. But I think I am liking the wand." Agent 4 said. "The magic attacks are cool. But I also like the sword... It's so hard to pick!"

"Why not both?" Asked Agent 3.

"I'll needc to ask later..." Mumbled Agent 4. "What about you?"

"Easy!" Said Agent 3. "The blasting caps are super cool! And I like em!"

A few minutes later, Axel came back.

"Hey guys. I hope you all found favorites." He said.

"Handgun." Said Marie.

"HAMMER!" Exclaimed Callie.

"Blasting caps." Said Agent 3. "For attack."

"Uh... Both the sword and wand..." Stuttered Agent 4. "What do I do?"

"Well, multiclasses are hard, but those two make the class spellsword. You're fine dude." Said Axel.

"Oh... Thank squid. I was worried that would be an issue." Said Agent 4.

"Technically, I use all classes. Some students use up to 4, you are perfectly normal." Said Axel. "Well, before I get to magic training, you need to sign out classroom weapons, and spend a little bit of time practicing with your classes, in actual classes. So, let's see... Good!"

"What?" Asked Callie.

"There are open classes for all of you. Jacopo has space left in beginner sword fighting, Dan has space in beginners explosives, Maya has open space in basic brawling, and I happen to have a slot for beginners shooting." Said Axel.

"But I'm a sniper." Said Marie.

"But with an ink weapon. Our guns have a different velocity, kickback, aim system, and they don't have charging periods." Said Axel. Just take a couple days of classes, and I'll put you into classes of people closer to... At least agents 3 and 4's ages."

"What... Who are we classed with?" Asked Marie.

"...5 year olds." Said Axel.

"Set aside why we are put with 5 year olds, why are you giving toddlers weapons?" Exclaimed Marie.

"Well... See, combative power is everything here. So we get them ready early. I know all of you are comptant, that's why I said just a couple classes. To get a feel for a real weapon. Those training weapons have like 1/5 the weight and optimize their performance despite what you are doing." Said Axel.

"Ok. I'll forgive you. In a few days." Said Marie.

"Well, classes are tomorrow, so I'll take you to your rooms and get you situated. And I'll call in the class weapons. Wait no I won't. I have them here." Said Axel. He extended his right arm, and a menu of sorts popped up. He scrolled through some tabs, before causing the weapons of each agents class to appear.

"How did..." Said Agent 4.

"I'll explain later. I have technology." Said Axel. "Now, your rooms await!"

Everyone left.

5 minutes later.

The Inklings had been brought to their rooms, and given the standard release headset, and a pocket storage unit.

"That watch looking thing holds your stuff. Feel free to put your ink weapons and the class weapons in there. The headset let's you use the watch, and also shows your schedule, and let's you talk to friends. I took the liberty of giving you all each others chat codes so you can chat once you make a profile. The schedules will be uploaded as soon as the registration is done, because I can just use the system combined with special magic to know who's profile is who's. Good night everyone. Also yes, I painted the rooms in your colors. If you don't like it, you can change it. Wallpapers, picture frames, paint, and carpets are in the storage unit already. I hope you enjoy your time here." Said Axel.

"Night... I guess." Said Marie.

"Thanks Mr. Axel!" Said Callie.

"Gnight." Said Agent 4.

Agent 3 was already in her room.

Axel left to do the other hundred things on his task list. He got to the office, where his best friend met him.

???:Hey Axel. I took care of everything, except those diplomatic things in the corner."

"Thanks Jacopo." Said Axel. "I was inducting new arrivals."

"I saw." Said Jacopo. "They are kinda cute honestly. New species?"

"Different universe." Said Axel. "Well, I have diplomatic BS to read. I think I know what most of em say already. 'oh please don't attack us send some NOICE weapons and crap pls.'"

"The accuracy of that statement hurts." Said Jacopo. "Well, see you around."

"One sec. One of the arrivals is in your beginner class for a few days. Try not to scare them." Said Axel.

"They saw your face, and they haven't even died of a panic attack. I think I'll be ok." Said Jacopo.

"Ouch bro..." Said Axel, as Jacopo left the room.