CBLT: Huntsmen in Training

Chapter 6: Night of Bonding

Returning from their trial by fire, the airships land on the academy's adjacent landing platforms. The roaring jets die away coming to a stop. The many steel doors slide open as the freshmen mass steps out. With Cobalt reflecting at the final moment of the manticore. Pouring over the details of the fight bit by bit trying to understand what allowed it to survive being pierced straight through. This loomed over the back of his mind despite the calming change of scenery. Recollecting in the auditorium, many students return to their baggage left behind. Several bags left alone leave an unnerving aura behind. The students disarm themselves and collect their things. The headmaster, Ironwood, takes the stage moments later.

Ironwood coughs, gathering everyone's attention "Students." He pauses briefly, "Huntsmen. You have all displayed very clearly to me why you deserve to attend this academy. Every single one of you fought to the edge of your ability. As huntsmen it is our responsibility, no, our duty to fight the grimm. Without break, without pause. Some of you may consider what you just experienced to be cruel and unfair. That is your new life as a Huntsmen. We fight so our loved ones don't have to. We fight at every moment, pause, and breath so the ones we care about do not suffer at the hands of creatures of Grimm. However, do not think that your efforts have gone unnoticed. Throughout the mines were cameras, implanted to review your progress. The staff here spent their evenings watching your fights. Studying who would stand out, and who would fall short."

He continues, "Some of you may notice that some of your peers are no longer present. Please do not worry, we have several students being treated by medical staff at this very moment. Today you have fought harder than any man, women or child in Atlas. For that I thank you. You will save lives and protect the weak. You will slay countless grimm, catch numerous criminals. You will become huntsmen at my academy. This is Atlas Academy, and I welcome you, future huntsmen." Ironwood steps away from the podium.

Operative Moranda takes his place. "Students make your way to the entrance hall. We have prepared bedding for you all for the night. Tomorrow you will be assigned your teams. You will find lockers and changing rooms on the west side. Your scrolls should now have automatically connected to our system. Lights out in five hours. You are free to explore the academy until then. You are dismissed." The staff step down and leave.

Students flood into the next room. Hundreds of futons lay next to one another in column after column.

Cobalt silently claims one of the corners. Pulling out a book to read in isolation. Only a few minutes later, Bianca walks over claiming the bed next to him. Pausing, Cobalt locks eyes with her.

"What?" She asks.

"We might not be on the same team." He responds.

"No, but your kind of the only person I know." She responds sheepishly.

"Socialize." He responds.

"I'm not good at socializing." She admits.

Cobalt stares blankly at her. Awkward silence fills the void.

"I hate small talk! I never have anything to say! I like laws, history, military strategy. But every time I talk to someone about it, they just stand there awkwardly and nod their head slowly!" She snaps.

Cobalt begins to slowly nod his head awkwardly in a mocking gesture. Bianca snaps a glare towards him. An intense desire to hurt him overwhelming her thoughts.

However, suddenly an electronic female voice ring over them. "Making friends is always hard." Turning their heads to the source, they find Lapis standing next to them. She gives them a gentle smile. With her scroll held in her left hand, a text-to-speech program clearly visible on the handheld device. She skillfully types into the device with one hand. "We did not get a chance to greet before. I am Lapis. Happy to meet you." She tosses her bags onto the bed in front of Cobalt's.