The students had all arrived, the only one left to arrive was Able. I continually watched the clock on the wall, each tick of the second hand made me more nervous than the last....waiting....how I loathed it.
My night hadn't exactly been the most pleasant one either...after finding Makoto outside the human girls dorms, I delivered the message to him about the meeting, made sure he returned to his room....and then made my way back to my office. Due to the fact that my room had yet to be repaired from the vandalism, I felt this the best place for me to stay for the night. Needless to say...my night was pretty much well...a sleepless one. After trying and failing several times to sleep on the couch...I decided to spend my night out on the roof, merely waiting for the sun to rise and for life to return to the area. At least I managed to keep a watchful eye on things around the school, at the moment, things seemed very well off.
Once more I gazed up at the clock. Only a couple minutes had passed. This wasn't boding well...I wondered if I should go and check up on Able...perhaps his illness....
"Sir Sinclair." Grim's voice suddenly cut in. "You should begin the meeting. Here." Handing me a notebook, it carried the topics of discussions and main points of the assignment within.
Looking straight into Grim's eyes I understood. "Very well..." Apparently my initial hunch was correct. Able wasn't feeling well enough to attend. He didn't want the students to see him in his state. He trusted me to cover things, after all, it was what I was here for. To back him up no matter what. I just hoped he was alright. "Attention students. I will now explain why you've all been called together this afternoon."
"Bout Damn time!" Makoto exclaimed.
My eyes narrowed as I glared at him...and he avoided my gaze, falling silent. "Now then," I began, Grim made a hasty exit. "This Academy is a very special institute. Not only are our students of varying races, as you well know, but for generations this Institute has been entrusted with tasks of the utmost importance. Tasks regarding the supernatural...most of them with hundreds of lives depending on the outcome. This instance is NO exception."
"What kind of 'supernatural' tasks?" Neo asked quietly.
"We deal with the ruffians and villains of the races in which humans cannot handle. Demons, Vampires, Werewolves, Apparitions, Rampant Fallen Angels....it matters not. If they prove a threat to society, we are enlisted to eliminate them. Do you understand now?" A slight smirk crossed my lips. "Seeing as you are all here, you've been chosen as the lucky few to take on the mission of this time. Your skills were obviously reported as being sufficient for such a task."
"I'm sorry sir, but why have WE been chosen for such things. After all, we are students...shouldn't things like this be left to the proprietors of this institute? I don't see what we get out of it..." Jezabelle asked, bringing up a very good point. Though she hadn't allowed me to get that far just yet.
"Very well, I'll skip to what you need to know." I affirmed. "Yes, you are STUDENTS. Therefore you are to learn not only academics...but physical abilities as well as magical abilities. To those in which it pertains. And so to answer your question, Miss Oread, this is to be viewed as a TRAINING excursion." A sadistic smile crossed my lips. Little did they know we were sending them out merely to test their abilities. This mission was but the first of much more difficult ones to come...it would be nothing compared to the worst they'd be subjected to. "It is very true. I alone could easily defeat the menace...yet what benefit would that bring? Nothing. Oh no, here at Hano we make sure our students learn through Real Life Scenarios. It also stands...that you could very well DIE on this excursion. Any who wish to back out, do so now..."
They all quietly pondered the situation. None made a move.
"Very good. Now for the details." I turned to the projector that had been set up. Flipping the switch, the photo image of a huge demon appeared. "This is your main target. However, he is not alone in his rampage." I flipped the scene to smaller demons. "His minions have flooded a nearby village, holding the townspeople in cells like animals, as fodder. They have spread out and set defenses around the entire village, therefore you will all be separating into small groups, splitting up to defeat all in your path. You should be able to defeat the minions around the outer-edges of the village, to MY knowledge, the Leader is in the center....you will regroup there and defeat him by providing a united front. They may not look formidable, but they are STILL Demons....tricky beasts..." I snarled. Then clearing my throat continued. "Two guardians will be present and on site...but we will not aid you in ANY way! We are merely going to observe you on the field. You will be tested for teamwork abilities, magical skill, as well as how you work under pressure and in real life combat situations."
"Teamwork? I can take out that horde myself..." Makoto objected. "Here you had me going with that DEATH comment too..."
"They do seem pretty simple...pointless..." Shori chimed in.
"I agree, this is lame! Those dudes are pathetic, I could beat em with my eyes closed." James cooed. "I don't see any reason for me to go...pfft."
"Enough!" I objected slamming a heavy book on the table. "You will do what' s asked of you. If you don't wish to go...that is fine...however this is a Large part of your grade, so consider that. Also, any who remain behind on such trifling matters can only be viewed as cowards. Something as 'simple' as this....an easy grade...wouldn't you agree?"
Silence once more.
"We depart for the village early evening. All those present are excused from the day's classes in order to prepare. You must pack for two days worth of travel. It will take the night to reach the village. And then your true test shall begin." I finished, all but concluding the meeting. "Oh and one more thing students..." I stated before exiting. "You will not be guided to the village...you will be given it's location and expected to appear there by your own means. Any deviancy of the course or lateness, will also be penalized. That is all, I will see you all later to give you your final instructions."
With that I left the room, and the students to their chatter or whatever they saw fit.
Going directly to Able's quarters I found him resting in bed. He seemed slightly worn out. I glared at Grim who was in the corner, I often felt he overworked Able. "Have you been to see Sindri?"
"Yes, he says that I need rest...though I think I should be up and..." He started attempting to get out of bed.
I pushed him back down. "If Sindri says you need rest, then you should do that." I ordered him in a fierce tone. "There's no need to worry Able, have you forgotten? I swore to help you make this school a success, and thus I shall. The meeting is over now, all that remains are preparation and departure."
"Yes, about that." Able stated, defiantly sitting up. "Hana is to accompany you and Brenin. She can provide extra support, and her size is helpful as well, don't you think?"
"I suppose so...that's fine." I accepted.
"Also...the mission is not to DESTROY him...please Raphael, you mustn't kill the demon...just capture him and take him back to Hell's gate." Able pleaded. He hated the very thought of murdering any of the races...no matter what the circumstances.
"No need to worry Able..." I consoled him, though I had no intention of making him a promise I wouldn't keep. I would attempt the capture...perhaps...but if that proved too dangerous, then he WOULD be eliminated. Able looked at me, then layed back down. He seemed to be falling asleep slowly. "You take care Able until my return. Don't worry, I'll make sure the students are kept safe. Sleep well my friend, Farewell."
With that I departed to make my own preparations.
Raphael
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TA DAH!! Everyone going on the mission are to prepare and meet at the school gates at SUNSET!!!! UNDERSTOOD?!
X3 Hope you all enjoyed the meeting. hehe.
