Everyone cheered. 

Squiddy raced over to his mom and collected his backpack. "Thank you, Momma for keeping this safe." he patted it. 

"Squiddy! YOU WERE AWESOME! YOU ROCKED OUT THERE!" Rainbow crushed him in a huge hug. "I hope that when you graduate, you can be the best out there!"

"Yes, Momma! I'll try my best!"

Then the Octos went inside the school. The school was vast, and the marble floor glittered like diamonds in the sunlight. The Octos Oohed and Ahhed and made their way to the Theatre, where performances and announcements were made.

Squiddy sat down next to Echo, and immediately a bunch of other Octos tried to shove their way to the seats near them. As soon they were all seated, the principal went on stage: Wilddragon. 

"Thank you, all Animalcolms who decided to choose the Octo School!" she exclaimed. Even though she wasn't speaking into a microphone, her voice still boomed, loud and clear. "We, The Elements Council, are delighted to see students coming!" she smiled. Then her face darkened. "But The 3 Ancient Birds are super cruel and want power. So, Octos, don't try to look at the Ancient Birds with admiration! Thank you, Squiddy and Echo, for fending them off and protecting the school on its first day!" 

There was big thunderous applause, and lots of Octos whooped loudly. All faces turned to the two awkward Octos huddling at the back of the Theatre.

"Also, since that, they have been perfect working with pairs with one another, they get to go to the same class all the time because they are in the same grade!" another thunderous applause sounded. 

"Really?" Squiddy gasped, looking at Echo.

"Yay!" she cheered softly. "I'm looking forward to that!"

"So, now, we have to talk about the school expectations..." she rambled on and on, and the Octos took out their notebooks and pens to write down the information. When she dismissed the students, thanking Squiddy and Echo again, Squiddy had a long list of things that he needed to be doing during class. He remembered his schedule. His first class was... Battling Techniques, led by Wilddragon. He took his water bottle, and he and Echo walked towards the Battling Gym.