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A golden light faintly glows through a dimly lit room. Small crackles of fire echo throughout. The malevolent abode is adorned with luscious ornaments. A knight's armor. A wizard's staff. A Paladin's shield. In the middle of it all, a glass case housing a battered and bloody costume. A white and yellow suit with a sun on its chest. Complete with all its rays. Only now, it isn't shining.

Across the case was a chair. Leather, classy. Decorated in royal purple. A chair fit for a king. Someone was sitting there. A big guy. His arm rests on his side, holding a golden chalice covered in amethyst. The glass reflected his soft yellow eyes. His lips curved to a smile as he drank blood-red wine.

The door creaks open as a man in a black and white suit enters—he who controls the flow of time itself, the villainous Clockwork. He gets on one knee and bows his head.

"My Lord,"

The man places down the chalice to his side.

"Speak."

"Wager has failed us,"

"Failed you," The man corrects.

"She has failed me, my Lord. I have failed. The team I put together to steal the reactor was thwarted by Streetwi-"

Clockwork catches his mouth, but it is too late. The room begins to shake. Bits and pieces of the display come crashing down. The chalice spills wine all over the floor, staining a carpet of skin.

"Forgive my ignorance, my Lord, I m-mispoke. I swear!"

The shaking stops. Clockwork quickly fixes his blonde hair into a slick back before picking up his umbrella.

"Continue, with caution, David."

"The plan was thwarted by him, my Lord. Everyone but Wager and Revenant-"

"Revenant?"

"William's codename, my Lord."

"Who gave him that name?"

Clockwork looks around confused.

"Wager and her team, my Lord."

"I see. Revenant," the man quietly chuckles. He picks up the chalice and sips some more wine. "It suits him."

"It does, my Lord. But the rest of her team has been sent to the Catacombs, and I plan to retrieve them before they say anything."

"As you should. If they reveal that I was even involved in this operation. It will be your head, David."

Clockwork gulps and nods.

"Before you depart, be a good disciple and clean this mess you made."

"Of course my Lord, I will call the maids right aw-"

"Did I misspeak, David? I did not tell you to call for service. I told you to clean. It. Up."

With a wave of his hand, the umbrella in David's hands turns into a mop. He takes a deep breath and begins fixing the ornaments back to their rightful place. The man finishes his wine as he stares yet again at the costume.

"Fear not, Bright Boy. Your costume will not rot alone. I promise to add his costume next to yours."

1st Year's Dorm. The morning before classes. Paladin's Academy.

All good things must come to an end. And with two weeks having passed, the freshmen Paladins must return to their classes once again. But with one more morning of freedom, a certain Technophage pulls off one last rebellious act before the death of their democracy.

"J-Julia, what are you doing?"

Glimpse yawns while rubbing her eyes. Still dressed in her light blue pajamas and fuzzy slippers. In front of her is the mad scientist Techno-Knight. She commands legions of tiny robots no bigger than a grain of rice to decorate the mess hall into one big breakfast feast.

"Y-you're making too much noise! It's going to wake everyone!"

"You know you're making a lot of noise too!"

Students begin to wake up from the commotion and begin to gather in the hall. Some watch on with morbid curiosity.

"Have you ever seen her cook?" Gateway ponders, "she usually just orders the food."

"I mean no one really uses the common kitchen," Abaddon snickers.

"I use the common kitchen," Double Trouble mutters.

After a while, the dining hall transforms into one big all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. She has made everything and anything anyone hungry in the morning could ask for. No one seems to complain, after all, it is free food. Shockingly, Matter is the first one to dare taste T.K's mad creations.

"It's... not bad. Not good either but still, edible."

"Oh, she's just a picky eater." T.K laughs. "Everyone, dig in!"

Most of the class chow down on this breakfast bonanza. The common consensus is that it's surprisingly pretty good. Everyone gladly takes seconds as their first subject does require a heavy breakfast.

After a few minutes of eating, T.K. stands up and clinks her glass. Everyone's attention turns to her.

"Don't they usually do this at weddings?" Double Trouble whispers.

"Affirmative," Sure-Shot responds.

"Hear ye, Hear ye, I have an announcement to make."

"Hear ye, hear ye? What is this, Victorian England?" Smokescreen snickers.

"I think it's more renaissance," Wildlife remarks. Techno-Knight clears her throat.

"As you may all know, I have gotten into trouble with our disciplinary office due to my antics."

Murmurs erupt from the class.

"But, today marks the day for the end of my, and my fellow delinquent's sentences. Thus, I have made a feast to celebrate!"

"However, I still have a cross to bear. Due to my flagrant disregard of my secret identity, I was forced to compromise a new codename for myself moving forward. Before I reveal my new name, any guesses?"

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

"Nanite?" Fortune asks.

"Mainframe?" Meraxes ponders.

"Steve Blowjobs?" White Mask chuckles.

"Nice try jackasses. It was a trick question. It's actually an acronym now. Judicial Unmanned Legislative Integrated Apparatus,"

"Erm, isn't that just your name as a forced acronym?" Magnetic Monopole mentions

"I think it's cute," Snooze softly claps her hands.

Gateway stands up, "Well, whatever codename you go by, Class Sword will always recognize you as one of our own."

"Hear hear," the class says in unison with their glasses raised. Julia raises her glass as everyone finishes their meal.

One hour later. Paladin's Gymnasium.

The first class, and technically second, of the day, is basic combat training and team building. Handled by Sparkplug and Streetwise respectively. Prior to the meeting, an announcement was made to meet at the gymnasium and to change into their hero costumes. Currently, they all linger on the bleachers, for none of the instructors are present.

The gymnasium features everything needed for a hero in training. Including variable weights and treadmills. It also features a state-of-the-art simulation room, complete with every power level imaginable. And of course, there is an open area for miscellaneous training.

Speaking of the instructors, the doors of the gymnasium bust wide open as Sparkplug races onto the scene. Her flowing blonde hair was tied neatly behind her head. However, her attire has subtly changed. She still sports her scarlet red jacket and a black muscle shirt, but this time, her pants are now black with red highlights, while on her wrists are yellow bands, and her shoes are now black martial arts slippers.

Some students notice the new look, but none of them comment aloud.

"Hi! Sorry I'm late, just came from a meeting. I told Streetwise that you guys should warm up..."

She looks around, then sighs.

"... but I guess he isn't here."

Sparkplug takes out her phone and quickly types something.

"Before we start the class, I have a few announcements for you guys regarding your finals. As discussed by Ms. Win-"

A loud crash can be heard at the gymnasium's entrance, followed by a "YEOOOOOUCH!"

Someone whispers from the outside, "Are you alright?"

"I'm good, I've been hit harder."

"That's not reassuring."

The doors burst from their hinges, as a powerful silhouette steps forward. His suit has changed yet again, this time the base color was a gentleman's grey, with aqua-blue stripes segmented and running across the sides of the suit. On his chest, he sports a blue varsity jacket with white sleeves, complete with his trademark "SW", and now the Paladin's Academy emblem. He still sports a full mask, with colors similar to the current suit, and still features the same big friendly fog white lenses.

As the seasons change, so too do Streetwise and his outfits. It's like he cannot make up his mind.

"Sorry for the wait!" He smiles and laughs, "but I just couldn't start this class if we weren't complete."

Complete? What does he mean, after all, everyone is here and accounted for.

A giant man ducks under the door frame. Standing roughly 6'3, and looking to weigh around 250 pounds (or 113 kg). He possesses a muscular build with a thin waist. He sports a simple black T-shirt and jeans. His black hair is cut short, a crew cut to be specific. His brown eyes look away from the crowd, as the class wonders who this guy is.

"Do we have a new classmate?"

"He's kinda cute."

"He's kinda JACKED, GOD DAMN."

"What did he eat, the whole farm?"

"He looks bigger than Atlas Supreme."

"Hell, he looks like he can eat Streetwise for breakfast."

"Did they enroll Johnny Bravo?"

The big guy (for them) timidly waves his hand.

"Hi guys, it has been a while. Sorry for making you all worry."

Wait, a while? Could it be?

No way. White Mask thinks to himself. He was 5'9, built like a toothpick, and had greasy long black hair.

"Dreadnought?" Snooze shakily asks. The collective class tries to piece together the resemblance.

"Yeah, it's me" Dreadnought steps forward and hugs Snooze, "I've missed you."

The class erupts into pure confusion. Lots of "HUH?", "WHAT?", and "NO WAY?!" get tossed around as they all surround Dreadnought's dramatic glow up.

In one corner, Streetwise greets Sparkplug as they talk.

"How did he get so big?" Sparkplug wonders.

"No clue, I checked his room, and he hasn't been juicing."

"So that's all-natural? It's impressive."

"He really is," Streetwise smirks.

After a while commenting about Dreadnought's appearance, the class eventually settles down, as Sparkplug and Streetwise begin today's session.

"As I was saying before I was interrupted, today, Streetwise and I will be discussing your final for our subjects."

"Since we are conducting this class together, we thought, and proposed to Ms. Winter, to combine both finals into one. Upside is, pass one, pass both. Downside? Fail one, fail both."

"To make it easier on all of you, Streetwise and I agreed that your finals will be at the Festival of Paladins. Just to lessen your overall load for the semester."

"The events you will be participating in for our subjects will be Braveon Rescue and Liberation."

"Braveon Rescue is basically a more intense version of Save the Citizen, the one you guys played during our first day. Instead of one dummy for each team, each member gets one dummy, and once an enemy dummy has been seized, it cannot be retaken. Whoever saves the most wins!"

"Now liberation is a little different, and personally, one of my favorites," Streetwise snickers, "So both teams will be placed in a simulated place roaming with grunts, thugs, and Gooners. The goal of the game is to liberate the city, meaning the team with the most knockouts wins! You can also face other combatants so be careful."

"These games will really test your combat capabilities, as well as your teamwork, so starting today, Streetwise will explain how the next few weeks will go."

"Ms. Winter told me about an idea she had, how one instructor will be handling one team per section. Since we made four teams across two sections, each team will now receive a mentor. Think of it like an adviser, not necessarily the team leader, but someone who will guide you. I've adjusted our schedule so you guys can meet with your advisers."

"With that said, neither of us will be your advisers. Ms. Winter brought up that we already knew your strengths and weaknesses, and thus we have brought in teachers from other subjects to help out. Will you introduce our advisers Streetwise?"

"I sure can! First off, separate into teams, you guys. It's free game, pick anyone you like."

A couple of students begin to drift towards one another as the groups start to form.

"Since we did so well last time, why not team together again?" Gateway asks his friends. They all agree and have now formed the same team yet again. The same happens to the others.

"Well," Streetwise sighs, "I did not expect the same groups to form again, but oh well. Team leaders step forward."

For the first team, Gateway proudly steps forward.

For the second team, Sure-Shot pushes White Mask in front. He puts too much of his back into it, causing White Mask to fall and break his nose. Streetwise quickly helps him up, but White Mask just pushes him aside.

"Anyways," Streetwise stifles a laugh, "I have here in my hand a list of team names based on swords and their respective advisers. White Mask, may fate guide your choice."

White Mask ruffles around Streetwise's cupped hand. He shifts and turns until he pulls one of the crumpled pieces of paper. He slowly reads the content,

"Arondight, with Adviser Expel."

"Wait, you got Expel to agree to this?" Sparkplug whispers.

"I didn't," Streetwise snickers.

Gateway approaches and takes one without hesitation. He announces,

"Caliburn, with Adviser Ms. Winter."

The room goes silent. Sparkplug gives a worried expression, while Streetwise tries to hold in his laughter with all his might.

"THEY GOT WHO?!" Sure-Shot shouts, "THAT'S BULLSHIT!!!"

"Well, you got the Dean of Superheroics, congrats," Streetwise holds his breath, "We'll be giving you guys the morning to meet with your advisers, and after lunch, we'll reconvene here for a small team-building exercise. Don't worry, we checked and all your advisers are currently on campus. You will find Ms. Winter at the dean's office, and Expel at..."

"At the..." Sparkplug mutters.

"You know what, I'll help you guys find him," Streetwise smiles, "As for team Caliburn you guys can go on ahead."

Half the class leaves as Sparkplug and Streetwise stay with the newly formed team Arondight, consisting of White Mask, Dreadnought, Sure-Shot, Double Trouble, J.U.L.I.A., Glimpse, Matter, and Meraxes.

"Alright Arondight, first order of business, let's find Expel! I think we last saw him in the open green area no?"

"I think I saw him around the floating garden," Sparkplug reflects.

As the two teachers converse, Dreadnought breathes a sigh of relief. Even if it has only been a couple of weeks, it seems that nothing has changed at all.

"Hey," Double Trouble whispered to him, "how did you get so jacked?"

"I meditated?"

"Bullshit," Sure-Shot whispers, "you must've been juicing, it's the only way."

"All I drank was water, I didn't consume any carbonated beverages."

J.U.L.I.A. pats him on the back, "don't listen to them, I am digging your new physique." She says while tracing her fingers around his enormous pecs.

"She's right," Meraxes looks him up and down, "it's like a 2nd puberty."

"J-Julia please stop that," Glimpse pulls her aside, but subtly sneaks a glance at Dreadnought's new body.

While everyone continues asking, Dreadnought notices that two people have not even attempted to greet him, White Mask, and Matter. The latter of which really stuns him.

"Alright, listen up Arondight, Sparkplug and I have narrowed it down to two places, the floating gardens, and the Catacombs. While students are not allowed in the Catacombs, I believe this constitutes an emergency visit. Besides, with two of the strongest heroes there, you guys will be fine!"

Streetwise marches forward as the team ventures into new territory. With their finals now set, they must hone their bodies and minds to even greater heights. All with the help of their new mystery adviser, Expel.