In the following weeks, the days were quiet as autumn arrived. Nothing unusual transpired, no games just simple silence. #017 was greatly bothered by the lack of movement on #32’s part, but she could do nothing about it without a firm assurance of his current identity.

On the other hand, 56 was anything but quiet or much less still. #017 and Wilkins had been forced to run daily interference missions to decrease contact between the target and 56. For all the effort, they were only partially successful as their target was a teenager. And Albert Cross for all his genius was a teenage boy who enjoyed being praised and pursued by girls. What teenage boy wouldn’t enjoy such feats?

The only silver lining to 56 were her weekly reports. Thanks to those reports, #017 and Wilkins were gaining a rough understanding of the group they were dealing with. But more importantly, being ready for any signs of movement on their end. So far, other than 56’s pursuit of the target, nothing else was obvious on the radar. Which only served to make #017 warier of the situation. Because #017 knew better than anyone else, much like a tsunami, the louder the silence before the wave, the bigger the wave.

The first exam of the semester was coming up and the students were studying in a frenzy. George was one of the most promising students in the classroom and was rapidly growing. Occasionally, #017 would find her eyes on the younger boy, causing the young teenage boy to flush in embarrassment. At which point, #017 would remove her eyes and stare into space. Unconsciously, her hand touches her stomach remembering an old phantom wound.

Mechanically #017 brows furrow with eyes flickering towards the seated figure of Albert Cross. Albert Cross since the library incident had completed his detention and become somewhat cooler in temperament. Perhaps, it was the embarrassment of the situation, but he had obediently remained within sight of this shadow at all times.

Albert Cross raises his sight to meet that of #017, who turns away. Albert frowns, but does not react returning his gaze to Professor Wilkins. Professor Wilkins says, “Now I know many of you are worried about my exam, but it is merely a test of your already accumulated skills. I will have you hack a simple program I will install on your VEX watches. The download and automatic installation of the virus will begin at 6 a.m. tomorrow for your class. There will be no classes held by me tomorrow until the next day at which point the test is over at the start of class, 8 a.m. sharp.

Now don’t worry, should you fail to unlock the code, the system will record the amount of work you put in or if you copied information from another. Therefore, cheating is out of the question. Remember I am not testing you on whether you crack the code in time, but rather I wish to see your thoughts on how to do so. Be creative, use your mind. Now, then are there any questions?” Mr. Wilkins asked.

The class remained silent in understanding with mixed feelings. Some of the students were confident and others were worried. Failing to see any more questions, Mr. Wilkins says, “Well, let’s end class early until tomorrow.”

The classroom bustles with movement and noise as the students gather their things. The students swiftly file out as #017 climbs to her feet. Mr. Wilkins trots over to her and comments, “So lunch as usual with Matron Tilly and Professor Ibis?”

“Yes, but if you want, you can go down to the student cafeteria to be adored by your most loyal and fanatical fans,” #017 wryly replied. Mr. Wilkins lets out a snicker as #017 leads the way out. After all, who knew that lunch could be such a blessing in disguise.

*

The final class period ends, but unlike for the rest of the school, Class Z’s day was not yet over. Professor Stark had added a new curriculum this week, practice bouts with other team members of the class. Today would be the first day of training bouts.

The students of Class Z, swiftly trail onto the field and line up in single file. Diane perks up as she lines up in-between Gareth and her younger brother, Hunter. Hunter’s partner, Veronica stiffly stands as far apart as she can from him, casting the occasional glare his way. Hunter numbly smiles, counting down the minutes left until today’s exercise was over.

The breeze carries a slight chill as the leaves rustle in the wind, carrying the scent of Autumn. Most students on campus are making their way to their dorms to study or to the labs, including the newly furbished computer lab. However, a couple of groups from the military or athletic department can be seen heading towards the gyms to exercise and to train.

Diane snorts in derision at the students as Professor Stark appears from peripheral view. Immediately the students of Class Z straighten in line as Professor Stark halts before him. Professor Stark turns his head to the right as do the students. A male student with dark hair, fair features and gray beryl eyes marches onto the field. Behind him is a stoic gray-haired female cradling a teddy bear in her arms in a matching outfit.

Diane frowns, but does not make a comment at the obvious intruders. Professor Stark, would surely berate them within a moment. Diane failed to notice the look of interest appear on Gareth’s face as he studies the two figures approaching them. To her and all her classmates surprise, the two figures halt next to Professor Stark.

Professor Stark’s following actions cause most of the students to openly gape in surprise. Professor Stark greets them with a cool smile and says, “Thank you for joining us, Mr. Cross. And it is a pleasure to meet you, Professor Wilkins and Miss Starr.”

Several of the students visibly choke as the teddy bear replies, “Why thank you, Professor Stark.” The better-informed student’s eyes flicker with recognition of the rumored teddy bear professor, Professor Wilkins.

Seeing confusion on the student’s faces, Professor Stark declares, “This is Professor Wilkins and his creator, Miss Starr. They will be joining us twice per week as supervisors and will be officially accompanying Mr. Cross. I expect for you to treat them with the same level of respect, you would if it were me.” The students mutely nod their heads in agreement as Professor Stark continues, “We will test partners against each other. First pairs up, Diane and Garth versus Silvio and Elberton.”

Diane smiles and trots forward as does a blue haired young man with murky eyes, Silvio. Silvio was a changeling as well, but an aquatic one. He never quite felt as dynamic on land as in the sea. The class steps back as Professor Stark says, “Abilities can only be used thrice including Esper abilities and physical boosts for Changelings and Sanguniem Vorpals.” A soft pattering of groans can be heard from the students.

Diane on the other hand smiles confidently at her opponent. Her opponent, Silvio can only gloomily look forward to the bout. Professor Stark presses his lips tighter and lets out a loud whistle. Diane darts forward and leaps into the air with her legs forward. Silvia freezes for a moment, before throwing himself to the side as Diane lands in a crouch position causing the earth to shake beneath her. Diane easily pounces onto Silvio who was scrambling to his feet. With ease, Diane sits on the weak struggling figure and pins Silvio’s face first against the ground.

Professor Stark nose flares in displeasure and strictly says, “Diane, the point of the match is to test yourself, not pin down your opponent.”

Diane shrugs and batts her eyes prettily in apology. “Sorry, Professor Stark,” Diane replied unapologetically as she climbs off the struggling figure of Silvio. Silvio glares mutely at her as he climbs to his feet and wipes the dust off his clothes. Diane ruefully tosses her hair over her shoulders as Silvio stiffly marches back towards his more sympathetic classmates. Diane with a skip in her step returns back to her brother and Gareth. Glancing shyly up at Gareth, Diane asks, “So, how did I do?”

Hunter mutters under his breath, “Suck up,” as Diane glares at up hatefully, before turning her shy gaze back towards Gareth. Gareth remains tactfully silent and merely smiles at her. Butterflies flutter in her stomach as Diane happily watches Gareth confidently march onto the field. Bouncing on her feet, Diane eagerly waits to cheer the loudest for her man.

Gareth confidently stops in the middle of the field as a young man with curly hair sighs. His red eyes flicker with resignation as his pale skin grows taut on his slim cheekbones. Tall and lanky, Theo, a Sanguniem Vorpal, slowly trots out onto the field.

Professor Stark narrows his eyes as the voice behind him says, “May I have a word with the student Theo prior to his bout?” Professor Stark is silent in contemplation before briskly saying, “Mr. Theacropolis, Miss Starr would like to have a word with you.”

Theo's eyes grow wide in amazement as the rest of the students do the same. Theo fidgets for a moment, before approaching the gray-haired woman, Miss Starr. Theo comes to a halt before her and flinches as she leans closer and whispers something in his ear. Theo's eyes widen with surprise and disbelief at the suggestion. Theo opens his mouth to ask for clarification, but a steely look replies otherwise.

Theo's body stiffens and he swiftly retreats towards the middle of the field. The students glance curiously at the figure of Miss Starr and Professor Wilkins. Just what did she say, they wondered. Soon enough, their gazes return to the main characters as Professor Starks fails to conceal his satisfaction. Putting the whistle to his lips, Professor Stark blows the whistle.

Theo closes his eyes as the world slows before him and everything moves in a matter of milliseconds. To his right the figure of Gareth disappears as his body is unable to react, the words whispered into his mind resound loudly in his mind. As if remembering itself, Theo forces his body to forward into a tumble. In slow motion, his body tumbles forward as an arm appears first through the air reaching.

]The arm is slowly followed by a body and suddenly, time speeds back up. Gareth furrows his brows in surprise at failing to grasp the body of Theo. Theo had rolled forward and was back on his feet swiftly retreating. Gareth instantly disappears and appears behind Theo.

] Theo unexpectedly once more tumbles to his side and leaps back to his feet. Unhappy at the repeat and left with one more jump, Gareth teleports himself in front of Theo leaving him no room to dodge.

]And as if in slow motions, Theo body leans forward as his hand grasping for thin air. Between his fingers an upper arm is felt as a body slowly appears, Theo digs his fingers into the flesh and pushes down with all his might. To the shock of the entire student body, in the blink of an eye, Theo was pinning Gareth face first into the ground, the exact same way his partner Silivo had been.

]The field is silent as the entire classroom is stunned. Gareth Lockhart had been tackled by one of the weakest members of Class Z, Theo Theacropolis. Professor Stark grins broadly and says, “Most excellent, Mr. Theacroplois. Now if you wouldn’t mind letting go of Mr. Lockhart and helping to his feet, that would be of great help.”

]Theo stares with disbelief at the figure pinned down, but his body mechanically reacts, while his mind is still flabbergasted at the unbelievable events that transpired. Gareth Lockhart reacts the same way, he numbly takes the hand offered to him, unable to believe the events. How on earth had a Sanguniem Vorpal managed to defeat him?

]While the two students return to their stunned classmates in line, Professor Stark says, “Now then, Mr. Theacropolis did exactly what I was hoping for. He dodged his much stronger opponent and waited until an opening arrived. Most of you are fighting like Changelings with power upfront, but most of you are not Changelings, you are Sanguniem Vorpals and Espers. To win you, must use your minds and what was naturally given to you as your advantage.”

]Some of the students look rebellious or seem unable to accept the reply. Professor Stark’s eyes glint wolfishly as he adds, “In this instance, most of you will complain and say, that Mr. Theacropolis received outer help. But in the real world, all of you will have people who will support you from the background, the same way Mr. Theacropolis was. Despite the great myth, that most battles are fought as lone wolf battles, the truth is that most of the time battles are fought in groups. And you are not just fighting against your opponent, but your teammates opponent as well.

]The situation given is very real in a live battlefield, which may seem impossible to many of you. Mr. Lockhart, could have very easily only had three jumps left in him, due to overuse of his ability or having been gravely wounded. To most of you, it may seem an incredulous situation, but such a situation is more common than naught in the field.

Use your brains children. These are practical exercises designed to make you think outside of the box and test your reaction skills. That is the entire point of the academy, to prepare you for the real world. Because the world will not wait for you to act, it will take you by the neck and destroy you.”

The class slowly digests Professor Starks words as a slow, rueful smile appears on Theo’s face. His friends and his partner, Silvio, grins just as happily back. After all, it wasn’t every day, one defeated the top of the class, Gareth Lockhart.

Professor Stark hides his smile and says, “Excellent, next up Hunter and Veronica Delavega vs Augustin and Benjamin Fjord.” The new light enters the student’s eyes as they move towards the field. Professor Stark blows the whistle as a new battle begins to unfold before their very eyes.