CBLT: Huntsmen in Training

Chapter 18: Sensitive Talks

A metallic door slides open with an audible whoosh. Jade steps inside the private office. The area is dark, but brightly lit by a trio of large holographic screens set against the far wall. An L shaped desk hides in the corner. Multiple dark oak bookcases are packed with coverless books, their names instead written solely on the spines. A large black padded single reclining chair sits in front of the three screens. The chair itself is designed in a block and rigid style. The lighting in the room vastly shifts with the playing videos. Previous rounds of the vytal tournament are playing muted on the screens. Each screen changes to a different angle of the same fight, Teagle vs. Camo.

Jade stands silently watching the video. The door behind her closes with barely a noise. Professor Slate watches the fight intently from the padded chair.

After an extended duration of silence Professor Slate speaks. "Who will you fight in the doubles round?"

Jade's eyes briefly dart to the back of Slate's head. "Turq waters displayed little. I believe he may have more in his arsenal. Emma Birch was hardly given a chance to fight. Her combat capabilities are vastly unknown."

Slate changes one of the screens to display a twin set of profile pictures of Turq and Emma. "They will be your opponents?"

Jade shifts her gaze to the left most screen. It replays the video of Lucy throwing Alice out of the arena. "No. I do not believe they are following the same strategy as me. Students from Beacon are largely reliant on their emotions and bonds. Therefore, I believe they attempt to put their strongest foot forward and send the Morse twins."

Slate changes the right most screen to profile pictures of Lucy and Garn. "Lucy and Garn Morse were Atlas born and raised. They have vastly more experience fighting together than they do with any other team member. A conclusion I reached as well." Slate leans back.

Slate shuts off the video. The screens change to what appears to a spinning screen saver of the public design of the Amity Colosseum. He stares at the screen with a blank expression while rubbing his chin. "What is written in article five of the vytal treaty?"

Jade's looks to the bookshelves that line the wall from edge to edge. "Article five is the clause detailing the demilitarization of the four kingdoms. It limited the number of potential airships and trained soldiers. War designated vehicles were given dismantlement orders. Any large dust arms were restricted for defense against grimm."

Slate stands grasping his cane. He walks over to his desk without even taking the chance to look at Jade. "And did this set of agreements go as planned?"

Jade breaks from her spot. Pulling one of the hard cover books away from its brethren. It reads 'The Prince'  in golden lettering. "No, it's believed that many within the common populace and the military rejected the treaty. Specifically, those from Atlas and Mistral. It is speculated that these people confiscated as many arms, dust, and vehicles as they could and stored them away in secret. Soldiers and generals on both sides defected from their respective militaries and began arming themselves in secret. They believed that the great war would return only after a few short years. But it never returned."

Slate sits at his desk. A small holographic screen appears before him. "Only in speculation of course. How did Atlas evolve after the great war?"

Jade shelves the first book and pulls away a second one. It reads 'Discourses on Livy'. "Atlas expanded heavily into robotic based arms. Instead of relying on standard trained soldiers that the treaty restricted, we began mass producing androids. Specifically, the Atlesian Knight model. These androids aren't limited by the treaty, so they have become the corner stone of the Atlas military."