HPMRS CH 149: First day.

The free exchange on the second day was similar to the first day, except that after the discussion in the morning, everyone visited the underground cave under the garden in the afternoon.

As soon as you enter the cave, you can feel the coolness that is completely different from AC or chilly winds you get on the surface. The structure of the cave is complex, and different caves have different functions. For example, there are small caves that were as high as 8 feet/2.5 metres were for personnel exchanges, and also for planting bacteria. The Big Caves were as large as a basketball court. There are also some moderately sized caves that were used as classrooms for teaching.

There is also a clear underground river at the bottom of the cave, which can not only provide enough water for the people in the cave but can also be used to go out along the underground river to the river ten kilometers away.

However, as the school moved to the ground after the crisis was lifted, most of this underground system was sealed up as an emergency backup for the school. Now only part of the caves near the ground is still in use, some of them are used as classrooms for some special courses, and the other part is used as part of underground farms and breeding grounds for edible or medicinal animals and plants. For example, Ryan saw a large mushroom house where many edible mushrooms were grown.

After all, here is different from Hogwarts. Castelobruxo, in the depths of the Amazon rainforest, is far away from human cities, and it is not very convenient for them to depend on other places for shopping, not due to any inability as wizards can teleport and can have impeccable logistics, but it was their tradition here that was carried forward from the making of school so that if they ever needed to go in hiding again they'll be self-sufficient.

So farming has also become a major feature of this school. For example, the mushrooms in the barbecue party last night came from a mushroom garden in this underground tunnel.

After two days of free exchange, September 1 arrived, and it was time for the new semester to start. Ryan and the others attended the opening ceremony as special guests, and Hogwarts students were placed on a long table representing freshmen. Much like Hogwarts and other wizarding schools, the students of Castelobruxo are organized into distinct, multi-grade social and living groups called houses, known here as Tribes. Each of the six tribes is a thorough mixture across all nationalities present at the school; each has its own history, animal symbol and tribe mascot, and corresponding magical element that symbolizes the tribe. Each tribe also has its own set of values and virtues that it holds dear, alluded to in its tribe motto. Members of a tribe are inducted upon their arrival to the school at the start of the school year during a special ceremony: students are selected based on tasting the Umamiri, a magical fruit that has a different flavor depending on the personality of the person who tastes it. Each tribe lives in its own set of dormitories set in treehouses surrounding the castle, accessible only by travelling one of the enchanted jungle paths kept secret from each of the other houses.

The tribes with their peculiarities are as following:

1. Papagois: If you tasted the sweet flavor, then the Papagaois Tribe is the tribe for you. They are the Tribe of Leaders, who value Wisdom and the "Power of Words," as in their motto: O Poder da Palavra. As the Tribe most associated with the magical element of Air, their mascot is the rare Blue Macaw, and their lofty and illuminated tribal residence is known as The Canopy.

2. Esmeraldas: If you taste the sour flavor, then the Esmeraldas will be your tribe. They value Empathy and are known as the Tribe of Healers, associated with the magical element of Water. Their motto is O Poder Vital, the "Vital Force." Their home is the beautiful residence known as The Vines, and their tribe is symbolized by the Emerald Tree Boa.

3. Tartarugas: The bitter flavor, the Tartarugas value Criacao e Brilho, "Creation and Brilliance." They are the Tribe of Builders, who enjoy the company of the most artistic and highly Creative students, and are associated with the magical element of Metal. The steadfast Snapping Turtle is their mascot, and their home in the mangrove forest is known as The Mangals.

4. Tamanduas: The salty flavor, the Tamanduas are the Tribe of Warriors, symbolized by the valiant Tree Anteater. They value Sensatez e Firmez, "Prudence and Strength," and value Loyalty and friendship above all. Their home is in the sheltered tree- residence called The Aborea.

5. Macacos: If you tasted the savory flavor, then the Macacos are your tribe. The smallest but most energetic house, they are the Tribe of Jesters and are the O Coracao Alegre, the "Jovial Heart" of the student body. Their virtue is Joy, symbolized by their mascot the Howler Monkey, and their cheerful and lively residence is The Treetops.

6. Oncas: Finally, those who taste the spicy flavor become members of the Oncas, the Tribe of Explorers and adventurers. They value Coragem e Previsao, "Bravery and Foresight," and are known as the most Brave and selfless of the student body. Their elusive residence is The Broadleaf, and their mascot is the Stalking Jaguar. So there are Seven long tables in the school's Great hall, representing freshmen and Six houses. Ryan and other students sat at the freshmen table as they didn't belong to any of the tribes.

After the headmaster's simple opening speech, the banquet began. The opening banquets of each school are the same. The banquets of the Castelobruxo institute displayed a large number of local delicacies, such as Peruvian roast beef and large skewers of Brazilian barbecue. There are also jungle specialties such as deep-fried various insects and grilled something spiky.

In addition, to welcome the guests from afar. A lot of British-style food was added to the school banquet, but Ryan felt that whether it was fish and potato chips compared with the delicacies on the table, it was difficult to be called a delicacy.

When the staple food on the table turned into dessert, the atmosphere in the Great hall slowly became warm. During the exchange, Ryan learned that there is also a special ceremony for freshmen to enroll here, just like how they first went to Hogwarts

The little wizards will ride a giant canoe pulled by a dragonfish from the wharf of the wizard town a few kilometers downstream of the river next to the school, and finally, climb hundreds of steps to the high ground where the school is located. Follow the path in front of the school gate and enter the Great hall.

Finally, when almost everyone ate the dessert, the school banquet was over. Everyone hurriedly returned to the dormitory to take a good rest and prepare for the first class after school starts tomorrow.

...

The next morning, Ryan got up early. The exchange students have to follow the curriculum of the same year of Castelobruxo's, and there is a third-year course on the first morning of the school day.

Castelobruxo's course is divided into public and elective courses, except for the first year, each tribe/house has its unique courses. Ryan and the others, as exchange students, are allowed to choose the elective courses they want to study in, without being restricted by the house. Similarly, the two professors led by Hogwarts will also offer an elective course for the students of Castelobruxo during this time.

Since we are completely unclear about the teaching situation here, we discussed last night that everyone in each year should choose the same course. In this way, if you have any questions, you can discuss them with each other to avoid being unfamiliar and failing to keep up with the progress of the class.

Because of this, Ryan went to the classroom on the second floor with Hermione and Daphne Greengrass of Slytherin at the entrance of the Great hall after breakfast. Along the way, they met a lot of palm-sized hairy humanoid creatures, which are unique to the Amazon forest.

When Ryan and the others passed through the corridor, a group of Caiporas tried to smash a huge mushroom on their heads. Fortunately, Ryan used the Disarming Curse to knock down the mushroom ahead of time.

The big mushroom fell on the ground and exploded, and the green mucus inside splashed around.

"Oh, it's them again. Don't they have anything better to do other than throwing stinky mushrooms at people?"

"'Confinamient', our luck is good now. If it is April, the smoke fruit they throw would've been troublesome."

With the sound of a spell that had never been heard, a Latino girl waved her magic wand to gather the slime in the hallway and threw it into the trash can. Ryan realized that a group of people was walking up the stairs in the corridor, and suddenly a greeting came from among them.

"Good morning, Ryan. What class are you here for?"

Hearing this greeting, Ryan realized that the leader of the group opposite was David, who had been in a group with them two days ago, and replied:

"Good morning! We going towards the Oncas house today for the combat class."

After talking for a while, Ryan discovered that David's school uniform had a symbol composed of a jaguar. So he asked curiously: "Are you a student of the Oncas house."

David was about to answer, and the girl who had just chanted the curse first replied: "Of course, David is not only a student of the Oncas house but also the third-year prefect of the Oncas house and two consecutive wizarding duels champion of the last two years."

"Cousin, the championship is the glory that has already passed, there is no need to talk about it often." David said helplessly to the girl.

After that, David looked back at Ryan and said: "I think it's the first time for you to come to the classroom. It may not be easy to find. It just so happens that we can go there together."

Ryan was very happy that the search for the first class went so smoothly, it is probably a good sign.