Location: Evergreen Academy, ATC Grounds
Time: 4:30 PM, January 16th 2108
My feelings on the formation of the Augmentation Training Course at Evergreen Academy are mixed. Unfortunately, as much as I’d like them to be, things are rarely ever black and white. On one hand, the idea of gathering up augmented students at a young age and training them to tactically develop their abilities will drastically improve Velstand’s combat strength. With the old system, augmented children were mostly educated by their families, so an augmented from a normal family would be in a rough position. Eventually most augmented would go to the defense academy after high school, but for most cadets the lessons are very general.
Unless you already had training from a prestigious family, or you were particularly skilled, the instructors wouldn’t push you to develop your abilities further. This new system in which students of all ages are actively being taught how to effectively use their augmentations will lead to a significant increase in the amount of competent augmenteds in Velstand. Given the precarious position this city is currently in, I can’t completely condemn any method that will make us more formidable.
That being said, increasing the amount of augmenteds who know how to effectively use their power isn’t necessarily a good thing. Augmentations are dangerous. As much as I may despise the ARA, I understand why it is necessary. There was a reason only a select few augmenteds received proper training. Turning everyone who just so happened to win the genetic lottery into a weapon of mass destruction is beyond dangerous.
Granted, for now the ATC is still rather small, but should it continue to expand eventually it will produce a danger to the city. Even now, it has a student like Cynthia Cypress. Actually, that might be a bad example. Her family may be criminals, but I suppose they have the wealth required to properly train her one way or another. Training her in a controlled environment like this might be the safest way to handle things.
Hmm. Now I’m even less sure how to feel about this.
Either way, it isn’t something for me to decide. I’m a weapon, a knight, the sword of Velstand. I shouldn’t be concerned with policy. This is the decision made by Prime Minister Oldridge, and supported by MID; even if they had that monstrous princess whispering in their ears.
Perhaps the bigger problem is the person they put in charge. I can’t believe I’m the only person who realizes how ridiculous it was to place Karen Kaldsen in charge of something that is already in such a precarious position, especially considering she is already serving a temporary suspension from her normal position as ARA director.
The fact that all of the instructors are her staff members from the ARA is even worse. Their combat experience is higher than most other options, but none of them are actually qualified to teach anyone. I can only imagine the damage they’ll cause to some of the younger students' futures.
“Alright, I’m ready to go. Let’s get this over with quickly. I’ve got a shift starting in thirty minutes.”
My opponent, Henry Henderson, was standing shirtless in front of me. As much as I’d like to kill him for real, he was only my opponent in a sparring match. For today's practical lesson we were randomly paired with someone else to have a mock battle with. Most of my classmates would be happy with getting paired with Henry. After all, he is the only person you don’t have to hold back against. Even using killing blows is fair game against him.
For someone like me who can’t reduce the killing power of my attacks that should be an incredible boon, but I still can’t convince myself that I was lucky. Frankly put, I just didn’t like him. His personality was bad enough, but I hated everything about him. This city has no need for aberrations like him. While their presence might not be outlawed, there’s no reason for them to be happily parading around like equal citizens. And even worse than being a normal aberration, Henry was obviously a spy working for the vampire princess.
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“Why did you take off your shirt?”
Unable to voice my larger complaints, I started with the smaller one.
“These uniforms, they look expensive, don’t you think? I don’t think I could afford it if it got damaged.”
He wasn’t referring to our regular school uniforms. Actually, as a student of the University branch of Evergreen Academy he didn’t have a school uniform. He was referring to the combat uniform each member of the ATC was given to wear during training. They were incredibly practical, resistant to more than the thin cloth would lead you to believe. The only person who didn’t wear it was Hana, but she always wore the same black and white outfit anyway.
“These uniforms were provided for free. If we wear them for training, it’s only natural that they will be damaged. You won’t be billed for their replacement.”
“Maybe, but I won’t risk it. In six months I can see her handing me a bill in order to make me her slave through debt. I’d rather just take my shirt off. But I’m keeping the pants on, so make sure you only try to hit my upper body.”
“I will strike the most effective position.”
“Fair enough. I’ll just make sure my upper body is exposed.”
A chime rang out, signaling the start of the fight. All of the other duels were happening simultaneously. I would have liked to observe some of them, but I had to focus on the enemy in front of me.
Henry immediately started running toward me. He was fast, but not fast enough that I couldn’t follow him with my eyes. I decided to swing my sword out in a wide arc. With his reflexes, he’d no doubt be able to dodge it, but I needed to slow his momentum. After he pivoted I would push forward to break into sword range on my terms. Since the sun was shining bright in the sky I should have a chance at close range.
At least, that’s what I had planned. Instead, he kept pushing forward at the same speed and was cut in half by my initial swing. The cut was so clean that there was surprisingly little blood, and it didn’t take long for his top and bottom half to reconnect completely.
“Ah, oh no. I was struck with a killing blow. I guess I lose this round.”
“Huh?”
I mean, technically speaking he was right. Going by normal rules I definitely won that exercise, but that isn’t right.
“Your sword was just too fast for a foolish vampire like myself.”
“No, that can’t be right. You could have dodged it.”
“If only, but I’m far too inexperienced for that. Well, having concluded our training, I shall make my disgraceful departure.”
As Henry picked up his shirt and checked his phone, I could see him mouth the words, ‘I should still be able to make it on time.’
“Hold it. I won’t accept this. I demand that you duel me seriously.”
I pointed my sword toward Henry.
“No, getting involved with you seems like it would be a lot of trouble. Besides, I really don’t have the time for this.”
Without waiting for a response, Henry turned around and started running away. I don’t think I’ve ever been so disrespected in my life, by a foreign aberration no less.
I pushed forward and swung my sword down on his exposed back, far faster than my previous swing had been. I wouldn’t have done something like that to anyone else, but I knew Henry could survive it no matter what. I just wanted to force him to actually take me seriously.
At the last second Henry pivoted, causing my strike to only make contact with his left shoulder and arm. The blood spray blocked my vision for long enough to allow him to completely escape my range. I didn’t bother chasing him. If he was that intent on running there was no way I’d ever catch him.
“Haha, wow. He’s like a lizard. He sacrificed his arm to create enough space to make a getaway. As an instructor it’s a little annoying that he won’t listen to me, but as long as he keeps doing fun stuff like that I’ll let it slide.” Karen was happily commenting on the result of the training exercise; completely unconcerned with Henry running away, or even with me striking at his back after the duel ended. “You know, I think the lesson here is that you should have aimed at his legs. He’d actually have dodged that. Sure they’d grow back, but he wouldn’t risk his pants getting damaged.”