Raiden awoke with a sudden jerk. The last thing he remembered was one of Velvet's long legs wrapping around his head before sudden black, he could only assume he had been kicked unconscious.
Looking around, he saw he was still in the arena area with Lukas and Niel next to him, the former still out cold, the latter speaking to the giant of a student standing before them. Yatsuhashi looked down at Raiden, a small smile on his face from his chat with Niel as he handed down a bottle of water.
"Drink, you must be tired. The professor Is currently reporting to the headmaster. He has left you in our care."
Raiden slowly took in his surroundings once more. The sun had barely changed since he lost consciousness, little time had passed. Fox was sitting against a wall as he watched his two female teammates at a distance talking and Yastuhashi watched over them.
"Coco!" plead Velvet, her hands shaking in a huff. The plea drew the boy's eyes as Coco waved away her teammate's pouting face.
"There they go" muttered Fox. Yatsuhashi sighed in agreement.
With a hand on her hip, Coco laughed with a dismissive hand. "You're exaggerating Vel, I'm just curious."
"You're always curious" whined her faunus friend.
Coco lowered her glasses and pressed a finger against Velvet's nose. "That's one of my charming points." With a wink Coco began strutting away, leaving a frustrated Velvet who returned to her other teammates.
Seeing the confused Niel and Raiden, she gave a quick apology. "Sorry for that, Coco can be a handful at times."
"I guess all leaders are like that" laughed Niel.
Velvet gave a small chuckle as she scratched her head. "Coco will give you notice and then outdo your worst expectations. It's just who she is." Yatsuhashi and Fox nodded in agreement with her statement.
"Were you two fighting?" asked Raiden.
"No, well, not exactly. I was trying to prevent her from bothering your team."
Niel and Raiden shared confused looks as Velvet explained. "You two were out of the fight when it happened but your leader, Caelum was it? He put up an admirable fight."
"It was impressive for a first year to have such tenacity" concurred Yatsuhashi. Fox gave a grunt of confirmation with them. Raiden ran a thumb over the drink in his hand, there was no doubt in his mind that the same partner of his that tore through Grimm at initiation had more to give in a scrimmage than he let on in class.
Amid his thoughts, Velvet continued her explanation. "He still lost but it took Professor Port to talk him down. You should've seen the look in his eyes."
"He has the heart of a warrior" agreed Yatsuhashi.
"And quick wit to back it up" added Fox.
Velvet sighed "And that seems to have caught Coco's interest," she said with an apologetic look. Seeing the two boys' confusion she crossed her arms behind her back as if breaking unfortunate news. "The Professor has asked us to help mentor you. Initially, Coco accepted for a single match in exchange for exemption from exams but now it seems we may be seeing a lot more of each other."
"I-is that so," asked Raiden taking a drink.
Bolstered by an underclassman shyer than herself, Velvet felt compelled to speak more. Squatting down with her hands on her knees she shook her head as if there was nothing anyone could do. "Once Coco's fixated on something she tends to intervene, well interfere, until her curiosity's satiated."
Raiden looked to Yatsuhashi and Fox, resigned nods coincided with their teammate's testimony.
Idle chatter was exchanged until Lukas awoke, jumping to his feet. Once news of the fight was broken to him, he shot a dirty look at Fox and immediately departed. Raiden and Niel went after him, apologizing on the way. Team CFVY paid no mind, understanding the difficulties of first years, and sent a video of their fight for review to their scrolls.
Graciously accepted, Raiden and Niel pursued their comrade to no avail. The two boys hardly spoke as they barely made it to dinner. Then returning to their dorm they silently went about their day. The two's only interaction was watching the replay of their fight against team CFVY.
It was hard to watch for all. Lukas had been disposed of rather easily by Fox, all the better he wasn't here to see it knowing his distaste for embarrassment. Niel had been overpowered, his strength, something he took great pride in left him with a sullen look. Raiden himself was surprised he lasted as long as he had even if it had been by the grace of Velvet.
Seeing how bad it was, he didn't blame Caelum for using him as an improvised pulse grenade, if anything he thought it was a unique use of his semblance if a little rude. Regarding his leader, it was a sight to behold for him and Niel as they watched him fight.
Their leader had no reservations about fighting their seniors, he treated them the same as the Grimm at initiation, giving his all with a wild look in his eyes just as their seniors said. He wasn't agile like some of the other fighters in their year but his combat was fluid and mobile, a nonstop assault and defense. It sent a chill in both their spines, one of excitement in Niel and one of intimidation in Raiden. How could he hope to measure up to his partner if there was such a gap this early on? Again his pessimistic thoughts plagued him as night set on.
Just before curfew, Caelum returned. He had been gone since the match ended, not having returned or spoken to the team since. Raiden opened a single eye as the door clicked open. Judging by his heavy breathing, jacket in hand, and underlayer of clothing that clung to his frame, he had been training by himself.
At least he returned that night. Lukas wasn't seen until lunch the next day. As the three ate in silence, a nervous-looking Niel gave a relieved sigh as Lukas stumbled into the cafeteria. Sunglasses on his face and his usually pristine clothing, slightly disheveled, he grumbled as he sank into his seat.
As the same smell assaulted their noses, a consensus was drawn. He had taken to drinking out in Vale after the loss. When Niel asked if he'd be okay, his partner griped that he'd at least live. His head against the cool wooden table, Lukas complained that his father already 'chewed his ass for being late' He said he'd rather listen to Oobleck's rants than his father and especially his teammates.
With that, team CRLN was back together and just as disjointed with a fresh loss under their belt. Each boy had a less than pleased expression when Port had called them up again amid Professor Goodwitche's class.
This time in an empty classroom the four boys sat in the front row of the lecture seats as Port paced in front of the chalkboard. As irritated as ever, Lukas felt the need to prop his feet and stare off into space.
"Gentleman," Port emphasized the solitary word, insisting on the importance of this talk. "Do you know why I had you face such an opponent as Team CFVY?"
Unsure glances were exchanged recollections of Caelum's suggestion at Hazing and humbling prodded their minds. Caelum voiced his opinion first. "You mean against a team of top-scoring upperclassmen? Team CFVY who is top of their year?"
Port gave a single nod at the statement. Lukas stood abruptly, his chair clattering into the desk behind him. "What?! And you thought that was a fair fight?!"
Port's eyes remained locked with a fuming Lukas when Caelum interrupted. "Sit down."
"Shut it asshole! Or do you not remember you lost as well?"
"Keep your ego in place." Caelum coldly demanded. "It was combat, it is hardly ever fair."
Unable to refute the claim, Lukas stood silent yet defiant. Port nodded in agreement slowly speaking to assist in defusing his student. "Well said, young man. Now please allow me to finish Mr. Coil."
Maintaining searing eye contact with Caelum, Lukas sat once more. "Wonderful. Now I'll have you know I also trained team CFVY myself alongside Ms. Goodwitch. The results of their success are clear to two factors." he resumed his pacing while throwing a fist in the air and raising a single finger.
"First! My instruction of course! Haha!" without waiting for any exasperation, He explained the next raising another finger. "Second! Their own will to become something greater!"
With his claim, he slammed his foot down and clicked his heels together, striking a pose with a puffed-out chest. As if a general addressing his troops in wars of old he placed a hand in his blazer and looked over the four boys.
"Now, what this means for you gents is that until you improve or quit you will repeatedly face team CFVY. They have already consented to this program so now all that is required is your willingness to comply."
Raiden and Niel looked at each other and nodded, uneasy and anticipative expressions worn respectively. Caelum needed no deliberation as he accepted.
Lukas outright refused. "You must be deaf with all that hair in your ears. Never again. We lost once, we'll lose again."
All eyes turned onto the bitter sender of such a remark. "Ports eyebrows ruffled at the insult. "Charming" he muttered. Before he could rebuke the boy, Again Caelum was quicker to act.
With a harsh tone, he gave a disgusted look at his teammate. "Are you that scared to lose? To show how worthless you are?"
"Don't act all high and mighty! You didn't win either and yet you try to talk to me like I'm below you! Who do you think you are jackass!?"
"I'm the one who wasn't taken out first by a single opponent." Again silence followed Caelum's scathing remark. "I'm not afraid to fail. But I am worried about what my failures may bring if I don't correct myself now."
Lukas grit his teeth in frustration as Port took a tone of caution. "You're leader shows wisdom for his age gentleman. An opportunity to improve should not be shunned or squandered because of a single failure or circumstance. Now, Mr. Coil, I understand your frustrations but I am afraid you have less say in the matter. Your father has intervened."
Lukas's eyes widened as he turned to the Professor. After your escapade into Vale last night, he contacted the school staff and informed us of your situation. It was vague and barebones information but he said so long as your team complies, you will attend this extracurricular. His words exact."
Lukas' face reddened in frustration. With no alternative, no way to refuse, and no choice, he stormed out of the lecture room. Watching him leave, Port turned to the remaining members. "Well, I believe that will be enough for today. Gentlemen, have a good day."
Since then team CFVY had become a near-daily occurrence for the boys of team CRLN. Classes, then a private bout with their seniors. Each ending the same as the last, with defeat. The only differences were Caelum's last stands were being focused down by their seniors while Niel and Raiden's stand-offs were lasting longer.
Most notable of all was outside of this extracurricular activity Lukas had begun skimming classes wherever he could. His grades began dropping steadily, just barely out of failing status. He spent less time with his team to the point where they only met at night in the dorm, at lunch, and during the inevitable fights against CFVY in which he seemed to be the only one not improving. Once defeated he would sit idly by before being dismissed and then disappearing.
Despite all this, Caelum as team leader said nothing so long as Lukas fulfilled his obligations. Though it could be chalked up to both boys' personalities, Raiden wished to at least know what his partner was thinking.
It was during private practice that he got his opportunity. Team CFVY had other obligations and so Port had allowed them to train on their own. Naturally, Lukas was absent. At the moment, Niel was idly watching as Caelum instructed Raiden on how to reinforce his aura.
"Most people, in a state of panic, innately shift the majority of their aura to cushion a blow, therefore weakening other areas and leaving them open to crippling attacks. Others combat this by reinforcing their entire body but in doing so require a large aura pool and tire themselves out quickly. Professionals trained in aura manipulation can reinforce key areas at points of impact and eventually, do it instinctually."
Or so the explanation was given. Niel who had trained in such practices in his tribe gave a flashy show of his aura while Caelum fired separate rounds from a sidearm he pulled from his coat to show the effects on Niel's aura. Sure enough, there was a large difference between being shot passively, being aware then preparing for the incoming shot, and instinctually reacting.
Though a bit rude, Caleum fired the first round without warning. Niel took it and his aura reacted, taking a small sliver off the scroll's screen in Caelum's other hand. With a few obscenities given at the unexpected shot, they prepared for another. The following two Niel lowered his aura equally and took a blow. Nearly five times as much damage was received. Then he purposely focused his aura, it received the blow depleting the damage but still drained slightly more than when it was instinctually.
Raiden was surprised by the results and became excited to begin. The meditating caught him off guard as Caelum watched him intently. Raiden always had something in his hands, the buzzing of his rifle or electronic, a tool, a pen, or even dumbbells from Caelum's forced workouts. He found himself jittery from time to time, unable to focus on his aura. The moment he'd feel a slight spark, an electrical current in his veins from his aura, he'd begin to tap his foot or twitch an eyelid. Then Caelum would pop him on the head with a fist and the sole instruction to "Focus."
Despite this, he allowed him to speak so long as he kept his aura flow stable and constantly moving. Even if this was to his detriment as he received a handful of blows, the reprieve was welcome to Raiden.
"That first battle with team CFVY, how did you have ammo for Niel's revolver?"
"I must say, I am curious as well." pitched in Niel.
"I carry spare ammo for all of our weapons."
"Even mine?" asked Raiden in surprise. The lapse in concentration earned him a smack to his head.
"Even yours. Though I borrowed a few rounds to analyze and keep on hand. Tungsten is hard to make but I've made a few copies"
"Awfully prepared aren't you?" asked Niel chuckling at Raiden recovering from the strike.
"Safety and preparation in combat. The evidence is there in that battle. I had it, used it, and it provided opportunity."
With his aura circulating again, Raiden dared to speak once more. "I thought I lost those rounds… Wait but you wouldn't be able to fire my railgun because-"
"It needs your semblance to charge it. Right?" Raiden's concentration snapped as he turned with wide eyes, earning him a kick to his rib. Learning his lesson, he tried to focus again as he wheezed for air. Niel watched sympathetically but listened to their leader curiously.
"However, so long as it has a charge it should fire regardless." Bewildered, Raiden instinctually tried to respond but wavered. Tensing as he shut his mouth. It was a good thing as Niel watched Caelum raise a fist prepared to strike. As he calmed himself Raiden began conversing without losing focus.
"I've never tried keeping a charge stored for prolonged periods."
"Then it's a good thing you intend on improving your design. You did say this was only your first prototype right?"
Raiden nodded, a slight feeling of reassurance at the encouragement of his work. "But doesn't carrying all that extra ammo weigh you down?"
"As a matter of fact," Caleum responded. "It's of no concern and even if it were. It's a small price to pay."
"Then on to the next question. Why a scythe? You preach practicality but then you use such a questionable weapon."
Though a blunt question, Raiden's tone treaded with caution. Caelum was unphased as it was a genuine question. "Sentimentality I suppose. There's a lot of history in this weapon and its parental designs. Along with that, it's tied to my family. I've known about its significance since I was young and how to use it just as long. Personally, if that was real combat with CFVY, not a scrimmage… I'm confident I would have won. At the least, forced them to retreat."
"And if it was real combat what about us?" asked Niel interrupting the talk.
With a serious face and frighteningly honest tone, Caelum answered. "I don't know you well enough. But any sacrifice on my end would be repaid in kind and then some."
"Niel gave a nervous chuckle and shake of the head at the response, dismissing it as an overly serious competitive spirit. Raiden remained quiet with a cold sweat on his back. This was the first Caelum had ever spoken of himself or alluded to his family. Personally, Raiden thought he may not have had one with how he acted. It was also the first show of emotion they'd seen from him, he was not satisfied with the match and its concurring results either.
Raiden gulped, His conscience telling him to remain quiet yet his inner curiosity burst. "I don't get you. The way you act that is. In combat you're different. You fight so intensely. At initiation, you were covered in blood and slaying Grimm left and right. It was something I'd never heard of, let alone seen. Yet outside of it, you're so melancholic"
Niel nodded in agreement as his peer spoke. Caelum looked up at the bright arena lights and shrugged. The story was nothing to hide in his opinion. "My father was not very present in my life. When I turned twelve or perhaps it was eleven… In certain terms, I was left to fend for myself."
Niel averted his eyes, familiar with similar stories in his tribe and still without the knowledge of how to respond to such heavy topics. Raiden instinctually apologized. "I-I'm sorry. I guess someone like myself wouldn't understand. I'm sorry if-"
Once again he received a blow to his back from Caelum. With a heavy breath, he fell forward onto the ground. Now in a relaxed posture, he realized just how tired he was from simple aura manipulation.
"Don't be upset for me." Raiden struggled to lift his head only to see an indifferent Caelum as usual. "We don't decide the cards we are dealt in life let alone others. Only how we use them. We are all here despite our different births. Look to improving and surviving. This path you two chose is not an easy one."
Again his wording perked both his teammate's ears, the unusual phrasing drew some confusion. They could only let it go as pressing him would seem inappropriate after he divulged such information.
"W-where's Lukas?" asked Raiden with strain.
Caelum looked up to Niel who dismally shook his head. "He hardly attends class and rarely speaks to me."
Caelum revealed an unexpected answer. "He's off in Vale partying. Undoubtedly without his father's knowledge or consent."
"How do you-"
"I saw a private bullhead pick him up in the mornings and nights. I keep tabs on my responsibilities. That includes you two."
With that ominous information, Caelum switched topics. "Now that discipline training is done, it's time for physical."
"What?! But what about you and Niel? I'm the only one tired!"
"Weakness is not an excuse for a lighter workload" chastised Caelum. "Besides, we were both circulating our aura the entire time you were.
Raiden was baffled but checked their aura on the scroll. Sure enough, it was no lie. As if to punish him for not believing, Caelum forced them to wear additional weights and weighted packs for the entirety of the exercise. What was routine for Caelum and fun for Niel was a heart attack in Raiden's opinion.
No matter what, it was clear that Niel was the fastest and strongest. Caelum harped on the fact that as a sniper and a fragile one as he put it, it was detrimental that he couldn't evade and relocate quickly.
The fact that Niel admitted to his semblance enhancing both those abilities fell on deaf ears for Caelum. To him, this was a baseline that he would not budge on.
"To be faster than me, especially with my semblance? A mighty tall order don't you think?" asked Niel as Raiden sluggishly placed the weights on himself.
"It's the bare minimum if he wants to survive. I've seen lots of soldiers better than you or I die."
"You mean huntsman?"
"Whatever you call 'em, they're dead now."
Offput by the foreboding claim, Niel fell silent and prepared as well. Without a further word, the three members of team Cerulean began their demanding training once again, one person short.
-Chapter End-
