The bell above Stellan Hall tolls while a flood of students in navy and argent pour from the doors.  At the Salte-Box next to the library, a sweating class drops their books and follows their pint-sized acridi-kin instructor on a sprint around the stables before returning to their reading.  A belch of black smoke burst from the chimney of the armory, followed by the bellow of the forgemaster inside, once again locked in battle with his own equipment in pursuit of his latest project of obsession. A flotilla of rafts chop along the sea below, weaving between stationed buoys amid the shouts and shrieks in the chilly salt water.  In town, students laugh together as they exit from one of the cafes; others sip tea as they push their way through the stack of reading due in the coming days.  All about Spearpoint, the school year is in full swing, and everyone is feeling the pace.

"Aaaaugh, no waaay!" Rion groans, gripping his head above the piles of books on the common table.  "Why's Instructor Oren giving us so much readin'?  I'll never finish it all it time!"  He peers at Iapeton, the trogg calmly reading his textbook with a steaming cup of coffee next to him.  "C'mon, buddy, help me out here - can you give me a bottom line on all this history?"

Iapeton sips his mug.  "Sure.  Bottom line, you have to read it."

Rion moans louder, then opens the top couple buttons of his uniform.  "Yer killin' me, brother. It's too cruel."

"Keep your shirt on, Rion."  Already in the few days you've been at the academy, Rion has gotten a reputation for starting a study session in uniform, and ending it bare-chested and barefoot.

"Would an outline help, Rion?"  Sapphire looks up from her careful notes across the table.  "S-sometimes, if I'm scattered, writing down larger headings helps me."

"Aw, thanks Saff," Rion says, shaking his mane.  "Maybe I'll try that."  He pounds his hand into his fist.  "Just gotta...fight this book! With my eyes!"

"That's the spirit."

The golden elf's ears wiggle.  "Has anyone picked out their club yet?"  She shuffles through some parchment.  "I-I'm not sure what to pick...and the practical exam is already coming up.  I knew this would be a challenge, but-!"

Rion grins at that.  "Hey, now that I've got figured out!  It's Field Hockey Club for me - I won't say no to more exercise, that's for sure!"

[I'm starting a eight section clock called Practical Exam at 0/8 - when it's full, we'll have reached the end of the week and the time for the Practical Exam with Instructor Oren.  The clock will progress as you spend time around campus, prep for the exam, have scenes with characters, etc.

How has class been going for the everyone so far?  What classes are you excelling in?  Where are you struggling?  Given any thought to joining a club?]