Disclaimer:
I don't own hunter x hunter that belongs to Togashi Yoshihiro. Considering I'm adding a group I'm just going to borrow from sword art online Kirito's group so I don't own that either Reki Kawahara does.
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
(Authors comments)
Chapter 1: Deal X Training X Sniper
Location Ryūseigai Timeline: Two years after joining
Ages: Angela and Sinon are 6, Asuna and Lisbeth are 7, Klein is 14 and Agil is 16.
Angela was trying to enjoy the sun like it was one of her rare lazy days. Her normal day involved scavenging, pickpocketing, stealing and on rare occasions being a medic. Everyone's skills sets had been improved and worked well for the group. Sure some of them overlapped but it was a good idea better to have an extra set of hands to help instead of having no one else if something happened to that one person.
However for today everyone was just lying around in the house or like her on the roof. There was a tension in the house as it was not a happy day off. Today was the day that Asuna deal would come into effect.
Thinking back it had taken her 6 months after joining to persuade Asuna into tell her the exact content of the deal. Interestingly it wasn't as bad as she had though it could be but she had requested a meeting with the elder that Asuna made the deal with. Then got her to agree to some small changes but overall she would still get what she wanted in the end … in theory. Afterwards she had informed Asuna of the changes and told her to tell the others within the next three months. Stating it was wrong that they had no clue as to what would happen to them if they continued to live in the house. They should at least have a chance to back out.
At the end of the three months it turned out that Lisbeth had guess the roundabout agreement before hand but Klein and Agil were less impressed about it. They had survived without being scouted either by the elders or mafia members for their talents and now they were being told that by living here they would end up trained as potential mafia elite guards. At the same time their pride of being the groups' only teenagers and males at that meant they wouldn't abandon the girls. Chivalry wasn't quite dead despite their location.
They did get their own back on Asuna though. The next 15 months they called it pre-training in order to get everyone in better shape. It only involved the basics running, weights, hand to hand, picking up some type of weaponry and learning the basics of wielding it. As far as weapon picking went everyone learnt throwing knives and picks. Turned out Angela was best at using either. Since Agil and Klein already had their preferred weapon types being a two handed battle axe and a katana respectively. Asuna and Angela were clearly going for swordplay. Lisbeth was going with blunt weapons.
After a few months and various sword types Asuna had picked a rapier while Angela went with straight sword the guys were not too sure it would be a good idea for her and end up giving her extra weight training. Lisbeth ended up choosing the mace. Klein had lost some jenny to Agil and Angela for betting that she would have picked hammer due to her work in the forge. Asuna was not allowed to bet due to being Lisbeth's best friend and hence would have insider's information.
Hopefully all that hard work would pay off and that the training scheme that the elder comes up with wouldn't be too hard. Now when was the elder going to get here? It would be possible to be doing something useful like stealing from the candy store at the market. It was rumored to have fresh stock.
Outside the house
One gas masked and sandy cloaked figure stood staring at the house. It had been improved by the tenants a lot. Almost all the previous holes in the building seemed to be patched up. She heads for the door to the house and knocks.
Asuna opens the door. "Come on in everyone is waiting."
"Besides your interesting friend that came to see me a while back do the rest of them know yet?" She asks as she enters.
"I told them over a year ago." Leads the elder into the living room where almost everyone is gathered.
"They actually choose to stay?"
"Yes." Looks around and spots at Angela is missing. Lisbeth was pointing upwards so more than likely the missing member was upstairs or on the roof. "Wait here while I get the last member." She turns and exits the room.
"You lot do know why I'm here correct." The elder asked to clarify. "Asuna doesn't strike me as the type to keep others informed unless it benefits her or her goals. Especially for you two since you have avoided any previous attempt to join for mafia training." The last sentence was directed at both Klein and Agil.
"The group gets to live here. We spent the last two years defending the place. More than likely you hired or sent some people to test us between the groups that can to try and take this place. Since we have been successful in keeping this place we have proven to be strong enough to be considered for training in order to join the mafia elite someday." Agil states to the elder. "However Angela also added that we should be trained as a group and upon working for the mafia be given/sold to the same mafia clan. Her reason being that a well-trained group would probably be more worth to the mafia as addition teamwork would not be needed. For you that will hopefully mean more or better resources will be given to Ryūseigai. Oh and you would get extra prestige among your peers if it turns out well.
"It seems I'm mistaken then for my previous assumption." She glances towards the entrance that Asuna and Angela then enter by. "Since you're all here now and clearly know what is happening I'll keep it simple. Be at the east training center to meet with your trainers tomorrow at 6 o'clock. Afterwards they will decide on what you're suited for and any future timetable. Any disagreement between your trainers and yourselves are none of my concern. When they deem you ready for deployment to the mafia is when we will have another talk." Turns and leaves.
"Guess that means it's our last day of free time. Does anyone want to raid the candy store? I'm sure we could make off with at least half of the good stock without anyone noticing." Angela stares out the window watching the elder leave. 'Why does everyone use the dome shaped head cover and cloak? I suppose the sun is bad but still it's not an actual requirement to wear that outfit and there are plenty of relatively good outfits in the dump site.'
"I'm up for it unless you lot have equipment you want me to check before tomorrow." Lisbeth
"I get to sell some of the product later right? At least whatever we don't want for the raid." Agil
"I'm in." Klein
"Seriously guys we're starting tomorrow and you're planning a raid." Asuna
"Asuna don't be a spoil sport. How often does the store actually get fresh candy instead of expired or trashed batches? View of it as training in stealth. Besides do you have anything better for us to do right now?"
Asuna sighs and states "Fine, let's do a raid."
Later that night the group was sound asleep. The candy store however well according to the inventory account for the day found out about three quarters of the nice stock missing. That said stock was now split in the storage room of the house. The larger portion of the stock would eventually be sold as it turned out most members didn't like it leaving the smaller portion for them to consume.
East Training Center 6 o'clock
Random trainer starts to give instructions. "Start with 25 laps around the course set your own pace today. After that depending on what state you lot are in will I decided on which of the current group levels you will be assigned."
A few hours later
After completing a bunch of tests and been told to take a break while the trainers decide on where they go from there. The test consisted of physical running, obstacle course, hand to hand, weights, push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups. Next was intelligence so puzzles and problem solving skills. Klein probably didn't do so well on that one. Lastly was weapon capability. This one they did enjoy until it got to firearms turns out most of them sucked at aiming despite being good with knives. Guess recoil was going to be a pain until they got used to it oh and they were sure that the trainers though it would be fun making them try a sniper rifle. Man the shoulder was going to be hurt for a while at least according to the bruise currently forming.
The rest of the day was spent doing whatever training or test the trainers wanted and doing test for courses we wanted to join. At the end of the day they informed us what our individual timetables and the fact that we would be trained with the other trainees.
The timetables were the following:
Klein
Physical: Mon – Sat 0630-1030
Throwing weapons: Tue & Fri 1330-1530
Firearms: Mon & Thu 1330-1530
Explosives: Sat 1330-1530
Sword: Mon & Thu 1900-2000
Manners and etiquettes: Mon, Wed & Fri 1100-1300
Education basic: Mon & Thu 1600-1730
Taking 7 courses
Sundays are up to the individual
Agil
Physical: Mon – Sat 0630-1030
Throwing weapons: Tue & Fri 1330-1530
Firearms: Mon & Thu 1330-1530
Explosives: Sat 1330-1530
Two Handed Weapons: Tue & Sat 1900-2000
Manners and etiquettes: Mon, Wed & Fri 1100-1300
Education Intermediate: Tue & Fri 1600-1730
Merchandising : Mon, Wed & Thu 1900-2100
Taking 8 courses
Sundays are up to the individual
Lisbeth
Physical: Mon – Sat 0630-1030
Throwing weapons: Tue & Fri 1330-1530
Firearms: Mon & Thu 1330-1530
Hammer and Mace: Wed & Sat 1900-2000
Manners and etiquettes: Tue, Thu & Sat 1100-1300
Education Intermediate: Tue & Fri 1600-1730
Weapons Forging: Mon & Thu 1600-2000
Armor Forging: Wed & Sat 1430-1830
Taking 8 courses
Sundays are up to the individual
Asuna
Physical: Mon – Sat 0630-1030
Throwing weapons: Tue & Fri 1330-1530
Firearms: Mon & Thu 1330-1530
Explosives: Sat 1330-1530
Sword: Mon & Thu 1900-2000
Manners and etiquettes: Tue, Thu & Sat 1100-1300
Education Intermediate/higher: Tue, Wed, Fri & Sat 1600-1730
Intel Gathering: Mon, Wed & Fri 2030-2230
Taking 8 courses
Sundays are up to the individual
Angela
Physical: Mon – Sat 0630-1030
Throwing weapons: Mon & Thu 1330-1530
Firearms: Tue & Fri 1330-1530
Explosives: Sat 1330-1530
Sword: Mon & Thu 1900-2000
Manners and etiquettes: Mon - Sat 1100-1300
Education Intermediate/higher: Tue, Wed, Fri & Sat 1600-1730
Intel Gathering: Mon, Wed & Fri 2030-2230
Stealth: Tue, Thu & Sat 2030-2230
Taking 10 courses
Sundays are up to the individual.
Individual requested to attend both male and female manners and etiquettes courses counts as 2.
Please note that courses can be added or removed if that trainer agrees along with the trainer that course may interfere with.
(Originally I had these in a table format but apparently that doesn't import)
Late in the evening back at their house
Klein couldn't help but stare in disbelief at Angela after looking at the other timetables. "Was it really necessary for you to pick so many courses? I mean I understand why Lisbeth has a weapon and armor making slot in the timetable. So she's not taking the explosives course with the rest of us. Even Agil merchandising makes sense since he does sell the more valuable salvage we find and normally gets a better price. Intel gathering for Asuna fits as she likes to make plans. But why are you taking male manners and etiquettes? In fact why even stealth? We already know you're the best in this group."
Angela calmly explains to Klein mostly and the rest of the group. "Simple we need more people in the group. By taking extra and different courses now we may spot some potential partners. Monitor them before asking if they are interested."
"We don't need extra people we're working fine as it is." Klein practically yells.
"That is a matter of perspective. The best group in Ryūseigai is currently a group of 7. According to rumors they are also pretty powerful both as a group and as individuals. Regardless on if they stay as a group or split when their time comes to join the mafia. We could be facing against them eventually. It's not uncommon or rare for mafia clans to pitch a fight with each other either as a show of power or just a coupe. We are currently at 5 people I want to add at least 2 more just in case that happens. There are rumors that someone in the stealth and intel class is very good at both, which is why I'm taking both. It should increase my chances of finding that person or getting his/her attention. Lisbeth can look for a suitable person to either help her with our equipment or possibly join us. I don't need to give any example for merchandising but an extra trader would be nice just in case we're all too busy. If no one is suitable or in theory trustworthy we switch around some courses so that we can have backups. Actually depending on how well we adapt to the training schedules. I would like you all to take the stealth course eventually. Being able to sneak and hide would be an advantage if we need to find things out or if the worst happens to remain undetected when things go south."
Agil then states. "Basically you want us to gain more skills or at least the basics in them. Additional members would be an advantage especially if they are specialized in categories that we currently don't have. What I don't understand is why you are in a different firearms class. I don't think your marks were that much higher than ours."
Asuna gives the answer for Angela. "According to numbers our class is going to be full. She scored slightly better than the class average for testing. So their putting her in the more advance group otherwise there won't be enough firearms for everyone to share."
Time skip to Angela's first firearm training session
Angela looked around the shooting range. Most people here were at least in their teens and it was mostly guys. The firearms used seemed to be different than the ones she was using during the testing. She wasn't too sure but the handguns seem to be of a higher caliber. 'A higher caliber gun would mean more recoil. Great I had enough trouble with the previous guns.' Continues to look around then notices that none of the trainer present seemed to be giving any instructions just advice on what the trainees were doing wrong. She goes back to looking at the variety of guns. 'What should I choose?'
While Angela is staring at the guns a girl with thin, pale blue hair and turquoise colored eyes is casually leaning against the wall that was observing her. 'So that's the newbie. I was expecting someone older considering this is supposed to be the advanced class. I guess she's around my age by the looks of thing though she has no clue on what to do though. How did she get into this class?' She continues to observe the newbie browsing through the handguns. Also notes that the older members were laughing behind their hand at said newbie and the trainer ignoring the problem. 'I might as well help her it would be nice to have someone around my age here.' She walks towards the newbie. "Need a hand?"
Angela turns around when she hears the voice. She had noticed someone walking towards her but had assumed they were just picking a weapon. She gives a quick up and down glance as the person asking her if she needs help. "Umm… yes please."
"Is this your first time?" The girl asks.
Meanwhile Angela wonders if she's the same age as her but quickly answers the question.
"Yes. Well my first time would have been during the test but yes."
"Wait you're in the advanced class despite having so little experience?" The girl asks in shock.
"Apparently I scored slightly above average and the beginner's class is full." Angela answers back.
"Ah. Well considering your experience I guess we should start with the handgun." She looks down at the selection to find a specific one. "Since you just starting I'd suggest a gun with accuracy over power. I'd recommend this. An FN Five-Seven."
"Five-Seven?"
"It's the caliber. This gun uses 5.7mm bullets. They're smaller than the average 9mm Parabellum. But since their shape is similar to rifle rounds they have greater accuracy and penetrative power." She then notices that she seems to have lost her student during the explanation. "Are you listening?"
"Y-yes…I'll try this then." Angela then follows the girl to a firing lane. She notices that the trainer previously standing there just take a look at the girl besides her before moving to an empty lane.
"Do you know how to fire it?" The girl asks.
"I think so." Angela replied before aiming with one hand. Closes her left eye and looks though the sight. "It's surprisingly light."
"It's made of reinforced plastic." An amused reply from the side says. "The recoil isn't bad, either. But it's best to start firing with both hands. Oh and keep your left eye open, too. "
Angela looks towards her. "Okay." Takes the advice and looks down the sight. "What's the best way to raise accuracy?"
"The easiest way is to get closer."
"What else?"
"Stay calm. If your pulse raised or you get agitated it becomes easier to throw off your aim."
Stand with feet slightly further apart before looking down the sight again. Then takes a breath before firing her arms get thrown up by the gun's recoil. The target paper is brought forward. "Huh. It didn't hit."
"It isn't that easy to hit."
"I did hit the target during testing."
"Those targets are actually closer so that should be one of the reasons."
A trainer walks past stops and informs the girl next to Angela. "You're in charge of the newbie." He then continues down the line.
The girl glances at the trainer. "Huh. Ah great I guess we'll need introduction then. I'm Sinon, age 6. As far as this course is concerned I'm in the upper percentile rank for most firearms regardless of being the youngest here. " She holds out her hand for a handshake.
Angela takes the hand a shakes it while grinning. "I'm Angela, also 6. I'm guessing currently your trainee for this course. Please take care of me."
Overview for the last few months
Sinon and Angela had been meeting on Sundays in order to get Angela caught up on the firearm course. Normally it consisted of Sinon explaining each of the different models available to test. Possible modification for each weapon and what the effects and side effect were. She also gave lessons or advice in the firing of different guns. For Angela that meant a lot of listening, trying to remember contents and certain terminology flying over her head. For practical training Angela was more suited to handguns, submachine guns and rifles. As for the shotgun it was doubtful that she would get the hang of that any time soon.
Beyond the extra lessons they had developed a steady friendship despite Sinon having a cold personality towards Angela. After a period of time this icy exterior seems to melt and gives a friendly and even lighthearted. Angela even introduced her to the other members of her group. After getting to know Sinon they all agree that she would make a good addition since they all preferred close quarter combat compared to distance. Also having a calm and collected disposition meant she wouldn't be the one to start a fight in the group. That was mostly Klein and on the occasions Asuna in regards to everyone health and eating habits.
Eventually Angela asked if Sinon would like to move in and be a member with them. Unsurprisingly she had agreed. She got a welcome gift which turned out to be a brand new basic sniper rifle, case holder and some ammo. While it wasn't as good as the ones in the practice range it was her very first own gun and so she thanked everyone guessing that the money used was probably around the max of what they could all chip in and afford. Seeing as all their weapons were melee and made by Lisbeth.
On the upside everyone's training courses were progressing at a steady pace and in some cases they had already advanced from the beginners' courses. As for the manners and etiquettes according to the trainers a few more months for most of them would have them graduated and they would only have to take refreshers courses in order to ensure that they had remembered what they had learnt.
Downside for the last few months was that Angela still hadn't found any clues as for the person that she was looking for from the stealth and information gathering courses. She had however felt that she was being watched both in classes and during her own free time. It didn't seem to be anything hostile more like curiosity. So there was possible that she had got the person's attention. More than likely she would have to wait until they approached her instead of her approaching them. Still getting one addition to the group was better than none.
Author note: Does anyone know how old Franklin, Kortopi, Pakunoda and Phinxs are supposed to be in the Yorknew City arc because I can't seem to find anything.
Please check the start of the prologue for what has been assigned and what is up to suggestions for the SAO groups' Nen abilities. I'm fixing them in the next chapter. Next chapter should be out in a month or something like that.
Next Chapter title: Rat X Nen X Hatsu