"Okay! Let's go ahead and get started for the day," the tiny, raven-haired woman at the podium eagerly began. She clapped her hands together, and bounced to the balls of her feet to meet the microphone. "Welcome to your first day of Interspecies History!" she announced. A pair of dark eyes flicked to the full rows of long, rounded tables forming eight half-circles up to the back of the room. "I'm Professor Corvis-Braun, but you can call me Professor Corvis if it's easier. Or Professor Braun! Some people think my class is a little dry– understandable, since you're also learning about Creatures of Grimm and combat strategy. But! It's important. Plus, every year I've had a handful of students that really take to this class, so who knows? That might end up being you!" She took a sip from her water before continuing. "This is a special year for me, because my own daughter happens to be in this room! I won't call her out, but–"

Lilly perked up, smiling and waving to the rows behind her.

"Oh! Well then, that's her," Professor Corvis confirmed above a chorus of laughter and "aww"-s. "Anyway, though faunus have made strides in equality just over the last twenty-something years, we're still living in quite an important time right now. Can anyone tell me why this class has become so relevant again?"

After several seconds, she pointed to a hand toward the back of the room.

"The Red Claw?"

Professor Corvis-Braun pulled back a bit in surprise. "Yes! I mean, that wasn't the answer I was looking for, but that's an important issue we'll cover in depth starting next week. Any other answers? Good answer, by the way!"

In the back row, right next to the exit, Noxis raised his hand. The professor called on him.

"I wouldn't exactly count them as a species," he began, leaning back in his chair. "But are you talking about Organds?"

Professor Corvis-Braun nodded, and pointed in his direction with fingers entwined. "Exactly."

By the end of his first lecture at Sentinel, Caspian's wrist burned from writing, and his stomach was empty. The beginning of class saw a quick, broad overview of course content, which eventually shifted into all the logistic and administrative details everyone was so eager to hear for each of their six courses that semester. Professor Corvis finished with a minute to spare, just as the zipping and shuffling of all the coats and backpacks in the room began to drown her out.

Caspian clutched his stomach. "Man, I'm hungry. After Grimm Studies, you guys wanna meet at The Roots?"

"I'm down. I'll ask Ichigo," Rowan agreed.

"I suppose I'll stop by for a bit," Lilly said. "I'm meeting a new friend later this afternoon, though."

A new friend. Caspian just hoped it was a girl. He opened his Holoband, and typed out a message. An olive branch, an attempt to step past one of the wrong feet his year started out on.

"Want to come to The Roots after next class?"

He looked to the far end of the room.

Noxis flashed his Holoband's screen, and looked at it for a few seconds. He flicked it shut, slung his bag over a shoulder, and made his way out the back door.

As Cedar Hall, Sentinel's first-year dormitory building, was built into the side of the steep hill holding the academy above the bay, The Roots Cafe was below ground level on one side, but well above the street on the other. That side, luckily, was the one with a view. A wall of windows revealed the Cyrreine Mall to the North, to the SFC, sports fields and sparring courts to the South. Looming furthest away was Sentinel Stadium, in front of a backdrop of sea and skyscrapers.

A couple of days in, and Caspian knew he could get used to The Roots. Cozy brown coffee-shop aesthetic, and all the food he'd tried so far was edible at the very least. Toward the windows, comfortable booths and tables found space among gently curving half-walls and wooden pillars. At each end of the cafeteria was a near-abstract mural of huntsmen and Grimm.

The day after initiation, Rowan found a round table nestled in a half-circle alcove facing the window. He'd refused to sit anywhere else since.

"The flesh of Frontline Biomedical Technology's Organic Androids is created from human stem cells. The 'organic components,' as they are called, are mounted onto a titanium alloy and carbon-fiber frame, making Organic Androids nearly indistinguishable from humans," Caspian read. "Though they look much like us, what would be their brain is actually called a 'Brain-Core System.' The 'core,' in the android's chest, handles power and low-level internal functioning. The 'brain,' in the android's head, allows for higher-level processing. However, it should be noted both brain and core are completely incapable of thought and emotion."

Caspian looked up to Lilly expectantly.

"I see..." she pondered. "I think you do a wonderful job of setting up the issue, and differentiating between Organds and humans. Yet I fail to see the main point of your paper. I believe it would be helpful if you transitioned into your main point from what you have now. Or, added it toward the beginning of this introductory section." She looked to him. "Do you have any ideas?"

Caspian pursed his lips. "Hmm... I guess, I'll talk about how people generally respect Frontline because of its medical advancements, but there's a lot of distrust toward Organds." He looked up from his screen. "People don't like things that look so human, but aren't."

"Why'd your mom have to go and assign a paper on the first day of class?" Rowan complained. "Always such a nice lady, but that's just cruel."

Lilly's lips drew up in a muted smile of amusement. "It's only two to three pages, and is worth a very small portion of your grade," she reminded. "This is more a measure of your starting point than anything. Have you started?"

"It's due Monday, right?"

"Yes."

"Nope. I think I'll start Saturday. Maybe Sunday," Rowan responded. He tore into his sandwich.

"I wonder how much I should delve into the distinction between the First and Second generations," Caspian pondered. "You hardly ever see First-gens anymore, so I'm not sure it's relevant."

"What about third gen Organds?" Ichigo inquired.

"They're not out yet. I might mention them, but I don't think I know enough to say much about them, either."

Rowan raised a finger, saving a spot in the conversation as he gulped down his ambitious bite. "You hear that the third gen ones are gonna be able to eat? Isn't that weird?"

"They can't digest though," Ichigo noted. "What happens to the food?"

"Damn, good question," Rowan admitted. He flicked on his Holoband and began to type in a search. Snow quietly cocked her head at the left turn their conversation had taken.

"We're eating," Lilly reminded. "Perhaps we should leave this for later?"

"Fine," Rowan allowed. "Not finding any answers, anyway."

"...So who's the new friend, Lilly?" Caspian attempted.

Lilly ran her thumb down the edge of her fork. "Her name is Aspen. She's a second-year, I believe. We happened to run into each other when I was exploring the campus libraries."

Good. A girl.

Her Holo rattled between her wrist and the table. She was visibly startled for a second before settling on a sheepish smile. "That's her now, actually." She dabbed her already-clean lips with a napkin and shuffled across the halfmoon booth until she was free of the table. "I'll see you all later."

Lilly looked down to her Holoband in surprise, and switched it on. "Oh, that's her right now!" she announced. She dabbed at her lips with a napkin, and shuffled across the half-circle booth until she was free of the table.

"Yeah, see ya," Caspian replied.

Lilly waved as she raised her Holo close to her ear, and was on her way.

"Y'know, one of these days it won't be a girl!" Rowan goaded.

Caspian balled a napkin in his fist. "I know..."

"When are you gonna make your move?" he insisted. "Sentinel's full of dudes, and let's be honest. She's hot. I'm just trying to help you out here, man! You've got that whole 'childhood friend' thing going for you, but–"

"Can we please talk about anything else?"

The first couple of days in Sentinel's dorms weren't an easy transition for Lazula. She had grown so used to her plush bed, giant bathtub in a bathroom with marble floor and golden faucets, and gourmet food served fresh, three times a day. Now in the land of shared showers, standard-issue mattresses, and long lines in The Roots, she was just as uncomfortable as anyone else.

Eventually, she fell into the new normal. Every morning, she would wake exactly at six. She had to stock up on the healthiest breakfast she could find before The Roots opened, and run the trail around Sentinel's campus. The loop was almost exactly two miles, so it only took eleven and a half minutes. Twelve if she took it easy. Then to the Student Fitness Center right as doors opened. When no one was around to gawk at her. She would be back before nine to shower and take a second breakfast, making it just in time for her first class.

On a Thursday afternoon, Lazula arrived at the SFC. The afternoon, of course, was to be avoided. She learned that the first time she tried working out right after class. But she'd make an exception for the day. She strode up to the front desk, nodding to the attendant as she neared.

"Where can I find the Sparring Team?"

"Oh, that would be..." the student at the front desk began. He keyed a search into the computer. "Room 202. Right up those stairs, first court on the left."

"Thanks." Raising her wrist up to the sensor, her Holoband pulsed once with vibration, and the hard-light gate allowed her through. She went to the locker room first, donning her combat attire in its entirety before continuing onto Room 202.

"...As is the case every year, let's start by talking recruitment," a masculine voice declared from behind the door. She'd heard that voice being interviewed before. It told her she was in the right place. "Cole is already working on designing flyers, and I'd like to start putting them up starting next week. I'm also planning to ask the Headmaster if–"

The door crashed shut behind Lazula, drawing everyone's eyes to her. One hand rested on Impetus's hilt as she locked eyes with the golden-haired huntsman in front of his audience, cocking her head back ever slightly.

"I challenge you to a duel."

He cracked a grin. The same impossibly white, straight-toothed smile that decorated Sentinel's promotional material, and advertisements for energy drinks, shoes, even breakfast cereals a self-respecting huntsman would never eat. His hair was styled just as neat as the pictures, a close shave on the sides and back of his head, with hair in front and top swept to the side in waves and a single unruly lock tumbling over his brow. She'd never noticed how dark his eyes were.

"And here I was, wondering how long I should wait for you to settle in before challenging you," Midas Baine, the reigning Vytal Tournament champion, welcomed. "I admire your initiative."

"I'm a twelve-time tournament champion at a new school with some of the strongest huntsmen in Vale," Lazula reminded. "It only makes sense I challenge the strongest one here, and beat him."

Midas's smile widened. "Well, then. I accept your challenge, Lazula."

Lazula drew Impetus from its sheath. She raised Aegis to standby, left boot behind right, and pointed her blade toward the floor in front of her.

"After our warm-ups, of course!"

Lazula's shoulders sunk, and she sheathed her blade.

"Sure."
After a quick jog around Sentinel Stadium and a few minutes of dynamic stretches, Lazula and the rest of the Sparring Team returned to their room in the SFC. She had been sizing up Midas from the moment she agreed to warm up. His weapon was "Resplendence," a halberd that unfolded into a bow, and channeled the electricity he produced with his semblance. He was well-built but still looked nimble, and kept up with her on the run down to the water. He was a little over half a foot taller than her, so along with his weapon he'd have a longer reach than she did.

"By default, Sparring Team matches use a safety parameter of twenty percent. Is that alright?" Midas asked.

"Seems fair."

"Good." Midas pinched the screen he projected from his Holoband and flicked it upward. It hit a metal frame suspended from the ceiling and the two Holoscreens that mounted upon it displayed their names, pictures, and aura levels.

Midas and Lazula took their places at opposing ends of the court. Her eyes narrowed at the wall of mirrors behind her opponent "It's too bad we're inside," she said. "I'll have to hold back a bit if I don't want to break something."

"I can hold back too. It's only fair."

Lazula shook her head. "That won't be necessary."

The excited buzz of the room quieted as a third-year with long, curly, black hair stepped between them. "This is an impromptu sparring match between Team Captain Midas Baine, and challenger Lazula Skye," he announced. "The first combatant to decrease their enemy's aura level to twenty percent, or the combatant with highest aura level after five minutes, will be declared winner." He turned to Midas, then Lazula. "The match will begin after a ten second countdown. Best of luck."

Impetus slid from its sheath with the familiar, comforting sound of her blade leaving its home. She swirled it in the air in front of herself, and held it ready. The clock counted down.

At the tone, Lazula tore ahead. Midas stood his ground, halberd ready in both hands. He'd probably try to lock her blade in his halberd's tip, and try to parry, she figured. But some attacks were just too strong to counter. She swung Impetus over her shoulder, and cut air.

Midas spun around the side of her attack, and she felt a blade tear across her back. Before she could face him, Midas spun his weapon and sunk his weapon's tip between her shoulder blades, flinging her forward with a yelp of surprise and pain.

No one had hit her like that in a while, she recalled. Her first tournament? Or was it the second, down in Vacuo? It didn't matter now. Because it wouldn't happen again.

"No way! Look at her aura!"a voice called from the crowd.

"Ninety-three percent?! After a hit like that?"

She ducked under a slash parallel to the floor, pivoting under it and bashing Midas with Aegis. She slashed twice before he regained his balance, but he blocked her third with the shaft of his weapon. He nodded to her, grinned, and two thousand volts of electricity sprung down his arm and into Resplendence.

Lazula ripped Impetus away just as the first arc of lightning licked at its blade. She replaced it with Aegis, careful not to let it linger long enough to conduct his semblance. Midas stumbled, but managed to duck beneath two slashes and slide into place. Using the distance she created to his advantage, Undertow unfurled into a longbow. He drew as Lazula ran forward, but at the last minute lowered his shot and let a bolt of lightning fly into her boots.

Electricity crackled across the ground as Lazula leapt over the attack, and crashed down on Midas with her blade. As his weapon rose to meet hers she channeled her semblance, taking his resistance into her own swing and amplifying it. Resplendence gave way, and Lazula slashed from shoulder to hip.

Midas's recovery was impressive. By the time Lazula swung back at him, he regained focus and parried her strike. He met her two follow-ups, too. Lazula took a split second to drop back and regain her focus before lunging at the golden-haired huntsman once more. "He's faster than me," Lazula realized. No matter how quickly she attacked, Midas's spinning of body and weapon alike caught her blade and tossed it back.

Finally, Impetus swung into Resplendence's axehead. Midas twisted and locked her sword in place with another self-assured grin. He was enjoying the fight a little too much for her taste. Electricity crackled around him once more as Lazula attempted to rip her weapon free.. She felt heat on her hands, then thousands of searing pins and needles held her arm in place. She let go of Impetus, and the Sparring Team scattered as the blade twirled end-over-end toward them. Midas turned and brought the head of Resplendence down on his unarmed foe.

Aegis came to meet the attack. Channeling as much of her semblance as she deemed safe, she wrenched her arm outward, and heard Midas's armor crunch beneath the weight of her blow. He flew opposite where her sword stuck out of the rubber floor of the Sparring Court, and she ran to retrieve it.

She eyed the screen above her as she picked up her blade. She had been hit a few more times since the first, but her aura held at 87%. Midas's was just over forty after the blow.

Lazula raised Aegis to block a lightning bolt, then a second. She ran forward, keeping an eye out for more as she approached. She and Midas were locked in combat for several more seconds, before Midas ducked under one of her swings, and spun on the floor in an attempt to sweep her feet from under her.

Lazula thrusted the tip of Impetus into the ground and vaulted over Midas's attack. She took its force into her blade and channeled it into her leg, slamming his stomach with the heel of her boot. He rolled into the nearest wall, losing Resplendence. Lazula followed, and finished their fight with a final stab.

The Sparring Team broke into hoots and cheers of excitement. With one foot on the ground, Lazula stepped on Midas's chestplate, bringing Impetus's tip a few inches from his throat.

Her triumphant glare softened, and she extended a hand.

"I didn't hurt you, did I?" she asked as Midas took her hand. "That last attack might have been a bit much."

Midas met her worry with an easy smile as he walked over to grab Resplendence. "No need to worry about me, I'm durable."

Lazula huffed in amusement. "You're not bad. That was fun." She looked to the crowd that began to fill the sparring court, then back to Midas. "How do I join the team?"

Midas shook his head, and the smile widened.

"After a fight like that, you're in."