Most of the students had passed the first exam created by Professor Wilkins either by their efforts or managing to break down the code. Those that failed the exam either cheated or simply did not put any effort beyond that of initial first tries. However, most of the students were rather pleased with the results. And as Professor Wilkins had given his first exam a few weeks before the rest of the professors, this gave the students plenty of time to study for the rest of their class subjects.

The students of the Academy were excited despite the remaining exams as after the first round of exams, the annual Harvest Ball would be held. Which meant, plenty of students were getting ready to ask prospective dates or find worth partners to ask. But most of the student bodies eyes were focused in gossip to see just who the hottest eligible bachelors and bachelorettes would ask. Even the coolest of faces were interested to find out just who they would ask to attend with them or if they wouldn’t ask at all. Because if they didn’t, the better for everyone, that meant there was still an opportunity at Harvest Ball to ask them for a dance. And one could daydream that if such an event were to happen, just maybe that prince or princess would fall for them.

But as for the Academy staff swiftly prepared for the upcoming event. A cheerful Professor Wilkins and an unenthusiastic Miss Starr had been one of the teachers to volunteer to chaperone the Harvest Ball to the surprise of many of the teachers and Academy’s staff. Usually, new teachers were forcibly conscripted into chaperoning an event, it was a rare event when a new teacher volunteered to participate out of their own accord. Following their example, more teachers were easily conscripted to the task. Surprised and happy, the school’s staff retreated with their captured war prisoner list and ensured none of the teachers would be able to wriggle out of the event without an army of lawyers and a squad of Black Op members.

*

Class Z had already become used to the weekly presence of Albert Cross and the two additional class supervisors, Professor Wilkins and Miss Starr. Well, most of the class was, there was one individual who was still reluctant about their addition. That person in question, as usual, was prettily glaring at a certain gray-haired woman. #017, as usual, ignored the female student in question pointed glares, all the while as Mr. Wilkins snickered quietly to himself.

Professor James Stark either truly did not notice or simply did not care. Either way, he did not say anything about the obvious glaring. Clearing his throat, Professor Stark says, “Now, I know many of you are excited about the upcoming Harvest Ball, but I need your full attention in class.” Most of the student’s glance away guilty unable to meet his eyes at the truth of the statement.

However, Diane was not deterred by Professor’s barbed comment. Diane as of late and to the misery grief of her younger brother, Hunter, Diane was quite unhappy. Despite turned down multiple invitations and strongly hinted to Gareth her intentions, Gareth Lockhart had not YET invited her to the Harvest Ball. Worried about, Gareth’s lack of actions, Diane shook Hunter down for information. Pale and trembling, Hunter stated, that Gareth had no intention of asking any of the female students to the Harvest Ball. Which was only a tiny bit of consolation to Diane, but not enough to appease her soul.

“Now, our own exam won’t be until after the Harvest Ball as it will a group exercise in the active field,” Professor Stark continued. Most of the students brighten up and glance at each other eagerly at the prospective chance. “Today, all of you will be performing one on one training scenarios with me.” The student’s gazes are filled with dismay and horror at Professor Stark’s words and only grows as they listen. “This will help all of you gauge your current strengths and weaknesses in the field. Please keep those thoughts in mind for the day of the exam. Good, now then, first up, Diane, if you would.”

Diane perks up as an evil idea comes into mind. Hunter, her younger brother shivers at seeing that familiar glint in his older sister’s eyes. Glancing pointedly away, Hunter prays for the poor wretched soul who earned his sister’s wrath. And though he suspected, he wasn’t about to voice his suspicions. His sister was infamous for bearing a grudge and he had often experienced and been on that receiving end. He was wiser and older and knew better than to attract her current wrath at the moment.

Diane trudges forward and says, “Professor Stark. Would it be at all possible to spar with Miss Starr in your stead? I have been told Miss Starr has had some practice in the field. And as I’ve mostly ever fought against male opponents, I would like to try to see how a female fighter differs from a male.”

#017’s eyes glimmer with annoyance as Mr. Wilkins covers his mouth to keep from laughing. Most of the class gaze is filled with pity for Miss Starr as pray for her immortal soul in solemn silence. The students of Class Z at this point knew fully well the temperament of Diane. Surprisingly the only members not worried by the loud proclamation was Professor Stark and Gareth. The two remain undisturbed by the statement. Though Gareth Lockhart seemed to be annoyed by Diane’s abrupt request, it would appear he would have preferred to have been the one to spar against Miss Starr.

Professor Stark with mirth glances at the gray-haired woman who seemed a trifled annoyed. Hiding a smile of glee, Professor Stark replies, “I don’t see why that would be an issue. Are you fine in participating this time around, Miss Starr?”

#017 clicks her tongue against her teeth, before grudgingly replying, “Very well, but I must warn you, it’s been some time since I was active on the field. If it’s all right with you, Professor Stark, I would prefer this be my only hands-on student exercise for the day.”

Professor Stark smiles and says, “Of course, Miss Starr, that shan’t be a problem. Now then, shall we commence?”

Diane eagerly bounces on the toes of her feet as #017 unhappily places Mr. Wilkins on the ground and crosses the field. Albert Cross eyes Mr. Wilkins and whispers, “Will she be fine?”

Mr. Wilkins snorts and says, “Define Fine.”

Albert Cross eyes are filled with worry for a mere second until he remembers the gray-haired woman was his watcher. If she had been assigned to him, she was anything but weak. Now worried, Albert, was concerned that her position would be revealed. Biting his lips, Albert can only watch anxiously on.

Coming to a halt a few feet away from her opponent, #017 turns her head towards Professor Stark. “What is the current scenario?” #017 asked.

“Miss Starr is a member of a fanatic organization. Diane and her team have infiltrated the compound in search of hostages,” Professor Stark replied.

Diane edges forward, but #017 asks, “Do I have any weapons?”

Professor Stark stares and says, “A knife of sorts.” #017 opens her mouth to speak again, but Professor Stark guesses her train of thought. “Reinforcements from your organization are nearby and swiftly on their way.”

#017 nods for a moment before asking to the groan of the students. “What are my beliefs and my cause?”

Diane glares now at the gray-haired woman foolishly stalling their match. She was going to wipe the floor with this annoying woman and show her who was the boss. But more importantly, reveal to everyone that this woman was nothing but an arrogant charlatan.

Professor Stark is silent for a moment in thought. “You cause is righteous in your eyes, proving that Esper’s or Changeling should not exist and should be annihilated,” Professor Stark coldly stated. At his response, many of the students become still and thoughtful. This was a common sentiment in the radical groups of humanity aka Homo-Sapiens. Most of their field missions in the future would be dealing with this specific issue and the related sub-groups.

The class groans loudly as #017 asks for further details, “My age, race, gender, Homo-Sapien status, marital status, offspring status, physical build, level of fitness and intelligence.”

Professor Stark narrows his eye with irritation. “Assume you are the same age, a human female of your same build, fitness average, and intellect higher than average. You are not married nor have children, fully devoted to the cause. Are there any other questions?” Professor Stark crisply asked.

“No, that is all. But may I have a minute to assume my role?” #017 firmly declared.

Professor Stark nods as #017 lowers her eyes in thought in understanding her role. Diane impatiently taps her foot against the ground until #017 raises her head. Professor Stark takes a step back as Diane bounces on her toes. #017’s eyes are glowing with an eerie sheen, causing Diane to glance away from those lifeless eyes and concentrate on that women’s nose and lips.

Diane darts forward at full speed as #017 reaches into her pocket and leans to side without taking a step forward. Diane slams into Miss Starr and pushes her forcefully to the floor. With ease, Diane eagerly wraps her hands around that wretched woman’s neck. Before she can declare here triumphant win with ease, the cold sheathed tip of a blade is at her throat.

Diane freezes as the class stares at the scene unable to understand the situation. Miss Starr calmly states the obvious, “I believe it is my win, Professor Stark.”

Professor Stark sighs at his failure to see the obvious trap and drily replies, “Yes, it is. Diane, you have failed your mission. Please get off of Miss Starr and return to your place in line.”

Diane dumbly climbs off as told, but the students stare in equal confusion at the statement. Miss Starr climbs to her feet and hides the blade back in her pocket. Diane stubbornly remains in place. “I don’t see how I failed, Professor Stark. I already had Miss Starr pinned to the floor and would have broken her neck with ease in the next second. So, what if her blade cut into my neck, I would have easily healed afterward. I fail to understand just how I lost and Miss Starr won?” Diane obstinately demanded to know. Many of the students nod their heads in agreement failing to understand as well.

Professor Stark glances pointedly at Miss Starr to respond. “Diane, you failed to fully understand your opponent and the situation,” #017 stoically replied.

“I am sorry, Miss Starr, but you are not explaining yourself very well, please be more specific,” Diane sarcastically said, causing some of the students to snicker loudly at the sarcastic comment.

“Very well. First, you failed to notice the specific group you are dealing with and did not take that vital detail into account when preparing to attack. That first detail should have told you all you needed to know about my fighting style as an active member of a fanatical group. You have yet to learn this as you are young, but any fanatical member to any cause would rather die than betray their beliefs. Therefore, when in combat with such a person, you must consider how to deploy yourself and team properly. It is ill-advised to fight with such a person at short range as long-range quarters are always preferable. The simple reason being is that one can never predict how a zealot organization member will react.

Depending on the organization in dealing it may be very common for an active organization member to carry items of self-destruction. It is not uncommon for such means to include poison tooth’s or capsules, but explosive mechanisms as well. The other means of immediate death that may be used as well include poisonous gases and such devices. However, the most common extra feature that all agents must be on the guard for are blades coated in highly toxic poison or venom. Diane, what would have killed you wouldn’t have been my blade’s stab wound, but rather the poison coated on the blade,” Miss Starr plainly stated as Diane stiffens in embarrassment, all the while the students of the class let out soft gasps of surprise having failed to think of that vital unexpected detail.

Miss Starr stoically continues, “Now, let’s assume that was not the case, you would have still failed your mission. Your priority was to rescue the hostages, yet I posed a low-level threat, avoiding me should have been easy. Not only did you waste time, but you were wounded. By this point in time, reinforcements from the fanatical group will have arrived and you will either be killed, be further wounded, or even be forced to flee and ultimately failing to rescue the hostages.

Break the situation down further and we can see the consequences of your actions that were not well thought out. Had you been killed Diane, given your status and your frontal position on the team, your team would have likely been left in dire straits. They could have been easily trapped, killed or more than likely be left without the needed manpower to complete their mission. But you have yet to fully realize the worst of consequences, you or your team members could have been captured alive. I don’t believe I need to explain the results of being captured alive.

The point of the exercise is not to showcase your prowess in combat, we are all fully aware of the powerful extent of your abilities. But rather what is being tested is your ability to make vital and rational decisions under pressure that will decide the outcome of a mission, that will not only affect yourself but that of your team,” #017 bluntly stated.

Diane was rather quiet as she swallowed the hard answer. Lips pressed together, Diane nods at Miss Starr in stiff thanks, before returning to her place in line. Her classmates are also silent as Hunter reaches over to pat his sister’s back upon her return. Gareth Lockhart smiles kindly towards her instantly brightening Diane’s face and making her mishap worthwhile.

Albert was full of relief but quiet at the harsh statement made. Though harsh, the truth of the statement was not any less. With serious eyes, he watches the gray-haired woman return as well to his side and pick up the smirking figure of Mr. Wilkins.

Professor Stark solemnly studies Miss Starr, before addressing his class, “Excellent, it seems you are all now fully aware of the actual point of this exercise. Veronica Delavega, please come up.”

The students sigh in relief as they watch the next victim go up. They were all just glad that it wasn’t their turn yet. Because Miss Starr when in comparison to Professor Stark was a saint. Professor’s Starks biting remarks had a way of crushing one’s soul and haunting one’s dreams. It was a common occurrence for the students of Class Z to wake up from a deep sleep, having had a nightmare of Professor Stark ruthlessly training and berating the student in question over every little fault and mistake.