The final weeks of Summer passed in pleasant mundanity. Little more progress was made on the case of Arum Ceddrak. Rowan and Ichigo met a couple more times, and their investigation got to the point Ichigo felt he knew everything about their suspect- where he grew up, financial records, work history. Everything besides where he was, and where he'd kill next.
Caspian's apprehension won out over his curiosity, and he spent the days enjoying his waning freedom from training, homework, and exams in and around the home with Snow. But still- the name rattled around the back of his head relentlessly. Arum Ceddrak, Head of Organic Android Development Team. Why leave Frontline, and begin killing the very androids he helped create? And why was everyone so insistent on keeping the whole deal silent?
Caspian shivered. The Sun was on its way into the sky, but the morning had warmed little. A cold breeze wafted through Blue Square, where Caspian and Lazula lined up with their teammates, Team BLCM, Team MDLN, and a handful of faces the two had seen around school the year before. Headmaster Skye stood before them, guarded at each side by his most trusted huntsmen, Mrs. Kurayami and Mr. Verdi.
"This is a day I'm sure all of you remember well. Our academy's Final Entrance Examination." His eyes flickered to Caspian's as he paced in front of his modest audience. "And, as I'm sure you remember, a Grimm attack occurred on the same day last year. The Red Claw has since denied responsibility, but certain information has been brought to my attention recently that the group may be planning another attack soon. Therefore, I'm having a handful of my top teams help out with security, out of abundance of caution. This won't be solely your responsibility, as Griswold Baine has lent over a hundred androids, and I'm employing my entire huntsman staff as well. But should an attack happen, I ask you to fight to the fullest extent of your ability."
"Top teams?" Caspian reflected. "I barely made it into the school."
The Headmaster stopped pacing and turned square to the teams. "Are there any questions?"
"Yeah," Lazula cut in. "What about my demo match?"
"Your match with Midas will continue as scheduled, after which you will rejoin your teams."
"Good."
Lazula didn't care if it was a demo match, or that safety parameters were set to the frustratingly high margin of 50%. It was her chance to show every single incoming first-year that no matter how well they performed in the exam, she was still number one. She always would be number one. And anyone else who wanted her place at the top, they'd have to try pretty damn hard to take it.
"Welcome, to all those hopeful in joining today's generation of Huntsmen," Headmaster Skye greeted from the center of Sentinel Stadium. "But before we continue to your final test, we have an exhibition match between two of the school's star students." He held his hands out to each side, beckoning to Lazula and her opponent. "I assume they need no introduction, but please welcome Lazula Skye and Midas Baine!"
The crowd of a couple hundred cheered.
"It's my firm belief that any of you watching today can reach this level through your education at Sentinel Academy. Now, as soon as I'm out of their way, let's begin!"
"Anyone can reach my level?" Lazula sneered. "Right."
The Holoscreen above began to count down, with a measured tone each second. Lazula hadn't heard the sound all Summer. She missed it.
As soon as their match began, Midas sprung toward Lazula with a whirling slash from Resplendence's axehead. Lazula whipped Impetus around to deflect the blow, then a second and a third. His last jab met Aegis's face, and he hopped back to dodge Lazula's reply. She managed to meet her target with her next pair of slashes, but a third was blocked by Resplendence's shaft. Midas swatted Impetus away and his weapon became a swirling arc of gold as he twirled it above his head, and brought it down on Lazula. She held steady, raising her shield to the blow and preparing her semblance.
Not good.
The tip of Resplendence crashed down on the top of Aegis, and Midas twisted it in his grip so the weapon locked with the prongs atop the regal shield. She stabbed out Resplendence's glow spread to her shield and it began to vibrate, but Midas sidestepped the attack, weapon still locked.
Searing heat coursed through her veins as her arm tensed so hard she thought her muscles might split. She felt the heat approaching her chest, and could only watch as Midas ripped Resplendence away, reversed his momentum, and struck across Lazula's side with a cartwheeling blow.
"Guess I'm not the only one who's been practicing," Lazula thought, kneeling where she landed and watching Midas draw a focused bolt of pure energy. He let fly and Lazula stood against the glowing spear, taking it into her shield and tearing Impetus across the space between the two. A tiny shockwave, about the size of her own weapon, distorted the air. It forced a grunt upon crashing into Midas's chestplate, flinging him off his feet.
Lazula ran toward her foe with Aegis raised and Impetus unsheathed. She raised her weapon upon reaching Midas, looking to end their fight with a decisive blade to the gut.
His hand found Resplendence, and barely managed to remit it to the ground by his side. He spun his weapon again and worked it between her ankles, turning in reverse. Trying to knock her off balance again.
Lazula noticed the attempt in time, bracing one ankle and lifting the other back, widening her stance and freeing her boots from his weapon. She took his strike into one ankle and guided the force up her leg, and out her blade.
With the former Vytal Tournament champion in a heap at her feet, the buzzer sounded and Lazula sheathed her sword.
"Ha, well done," Midas panted. "Glad to see you haven't lost your edge."
Lazula looked to the audience. "Of course I haven't."
Caspian envied the crowds stirring in carefree excitement. The stream of spectators making their way onto the bridge jostled each other, laughing, chattering, cheering. Had they forgotten the year before? Had they forgotten the Vytal Tournament? Lilly and Rowan even split a stick of cotton candy from the stand near where CRLN and BLCM were stationed. Yet every time Caspian peered across the bridge to the spectator stands at the entrance to the practice island, he remembered Beowolves tearing at the hard-light screens. He remembered the Bullfiend's drooling maw inching closer.
The weather was perfect. Sentinel Academy usually made a spectacle of the Entrance Exam- even more so today than in prior years. But something about it felt so wrong.
Having Team BLCM nearby helped a bit. Of course, Cattleya was there for a hug or a hand-touch. But after seeing Moka fight in the Vytal Tournament and against the Red Claw, he felt a bit safer with her around as well. Then there was Blaise. The hulk was a full head taller than Caspian, and just about twice as wide at the shoulder. His outfit showed a lot of skin- and with it, a lot of muscle. If things went awry, a bodybuilder with a flamethrower-mace would be good to have around.
Lilly looked up to a passing cloud, and her face joined the smiles of all those who had come to watch. She let her deep breath go. "I came out to my parents last night."
Moka looked at Lilly. Her tail flicked as a look of realization washed over her face, and she looked unbothered as she returned to her oversized cup of coffee.
"Oh, really?" Caspian replied. "Wh-What did they say? How did they react?"
Her smile grew. "They took it really well. I sort of knew they would, my mom's made it clear to me that she'll accept me no matter what as long as I'm happy. And she's always been close with Ichigo's parents. But... it was still stressful."
"Well, I'm glad it went well, then. I'm happy for you."
"Hm. Now just about the only one that doesn't know is Lazula..." Lilly pondered.
"I'm sure she'll take it well too," Caspian assured. "There's no way she'd-"
An abrupt flare of static forced Caspian from his moment of calm. He clutched Undertow's handle and ripped it from the sheath on his back, eyes fervently seeking the threat. That instant was all it took for his heartbeat to triple.
Above the overflow seating area, a screen displaying an aerial view of the examination had flashed alive. The crowds below it cheered in excitement.
Caspian felt a light touch at his shoulder. "Cas, are you alright?" Moka asked. She pulled her hand back with a glance at Cattleya.
"I'm... fine, yeah," Caspian responded, sheathing his weapon. "Just a little nervous."
"Honestly, I am too," Moka admitted. Her glance this time was toward Noxis. "But we've beaten the Red Claw once, right? We shouldn't have any problem beating them again if anything happens."
"Right," Caspian answered. "At least, I hope..."
"Strange the Headmaster knows when the Red Claw's planning an attack," Noxis grumbled. He knocked dust off his boot with Renegade. "Wonder who told him."
Moka's tail lashed hard enough to brush Caspian's side.
"Red Claw, that android killer..." Caspian muttered. "This school year's gonna be something."
Caspian noticed a screen projecting from the side of Sentinel Stadium, cycling through aerial views of the huntsman hopefuls. He at first watched only to occupy his mind, but soon found it pretty entertaining. As they clashed with the incredibly lifelike animatronics, Caspian found himself rooting for people he had never seen before. There was the ashen-haired fire-archer who teamed up early with what looked to be a ninja that controlled plants. They were both strong in their own right, but between their entirely contradictory personalities and the fact flame and plants do not mix, the two lacked anything resembling teamwork.
The test passed surprisingly fast, leaving Caspian to guess that it felt longer when he was the one in a simulated fight for his life. Then an actual fight for his life. In the hours between the end of the test and the beginning of the welcoming procession, Caspian discovered he missed very little in the hours he spent unconscious after the previous year's Grimm attack. After a couple hours of standing around and making sure there were no threats among the lingering crowds, he and his teammates were called into the stadium.
It was emptier than the last time he had been inside. In June it was full to the top row with spectators from around the world, but now about half the lowest tier was filled, presumably with the families of those who passed their exam.
"Hey! LSLI's here!" Rowan announced, looking down to the team that made their way up the stadium's stairs. Even at her own school, Lazula's presence drew eyes. Rowan rubbed the back of the seat next to him. "Laurel, saved a spot for you!"
"Ichi, he saved a spot for you."
"You got it."
"Hey- no! This is for-"
Lazula stepped on the edge of the seat, and stared daggers down at Rowan. "It's Ichigo, or me."
"...Alright."
The procession dragged on for what seemed even longer than the prior year, but at last the chairs at stage front held just one more group of four. The two girls who probably had no business being on a team began to walk up with a couple of boys Caspian remembered watching take down a troupe of Ursa. "Ashe Lorcan, Noriko Hanada, Hala Matahari, and Shyamal Dishnuh. You four were... entertaining to watch. I don't doubt you already have quite a few fans. But in a world of Grimm especially, entertainment can only go so far. My hope for you is that you grow together during your time at Sentinel as Team ASHN, led by Ashe Lorcan."
The grey-haired girl bounced up and down with a grin as she shook the Headmaster's hand. "Thank you! Thank you!"
She and the Headmaster both flicked uncertain looks to stage left as a lone android joined them. Caspian's eyes narrowed, and the crowd quieted some.
"Attention students and families of Sentinel Academy, and anyone else who may be watching this broadcast," the android spoke. "This is an announcement from the killer of four."
Caspian's blood ran cold. A confused hush fell over the audience, and the Headmaster began calling offstage to someone Caspian couldn't see. Team ASHN looked uncertain as to whether they should leave stage or stay.
"I have not been killing humans. I've been killing Organic Androids. There are over twice more victims than reported, though I and my acts have been silenced by-"
Three men in suits had the Organd by the neck, and it went limp before being carried out of view. A second stood at the far side of the stage, continuing the speech without a second of pause. "-Frontline Biomedical Technologies. These Organic Androids have infiltrated the City of Port Cyrreine on their makers' bidding, not of their own."
Another suited man blocked the view of a news camera in front of the stage, shaking his head with steely eyes and slashing at his own throat with a flat hand. With his other, he covered the camera's lens.
"What the hell is going on..." Caspian muttered.
"Arum! He's probably forcing them to relay his message!" Ichigo commented.
Snow looked on from Caspian's other side, eyes wide in silent horror.
A third android left its seat. "Over the last several years, four Organic Androids have infiltrated the student body of Sentinel Academy. These androids are un-uniformed, and likely unknown even to their classmates. Frontline's Organic Androids are not the boon you may think they are. This is why I will take it upon myself to purge all four before the end of this month. Before Frontline reveals its Third Generation of androids. Only then you will find out their purpose."