CHPT 122: Let’s Hope.

October 24th, Wednesday Afternoon. 7 days until the Full Moon.

The loud sounds of metal clashing against metal and the effortful grunts of students sparring reverberated across the cool field in a constant flow of noise.

Some students tried harder than usual, like Claude who was again facing off against his self proclaimed rival— Chase, while he had Frosty shift and lunge to the openings he created in the fight so they could be more effective fighters in two on one scenarios.

Another student who trained harder than usual was Warren. He sparred with Isaac, going completely on the offensive with his two daggers in an attempt to overwhelm the Knight with his speed— unfortunately, Isaac was the fastest Knight in the class alongside Samuel.

But, Warren's hard work was paying off and showed itself in the new scratch marks on Isaac's armor where he wasn't fast enough to defend a few of his attacks.

Other students were distracted, either consumed by fear and anxiety— or simply to deep in their heads. Which leaves Ursula.

Prof. Raizen started the class with a brief message, saying it was time for the students to steel themselves and be ready to re-enter the Tangent's regularly on Friday's. Starting this Friday.

The message immediately split the class. It became apparent which students experienced the Deviant and which hadn't. Claude, Ursula, Warren and Isaac found themselves being exiled further as the students remembered Claude's murderous promise. A tiny seed of thought sprouted in their minds as they wondered if he'd kill them all inside the Tangent.

Ursula was one of the students deep in her thoughts. Unfortunately, she wasn't allowed to properly deal with them since her partner fought in sparing like her life depended on it. In spite of this, she enjoyed her partner.

Sparring with her was a true warm up that kept her on her toes and she could tell the girl enjoyed simply being able to go all out with someone as well.

Woosh!

Clang!

Ursula blocked another one of Maris' strikes with her axes before Maris suddenly stopped attacking. She kept her guard up but didn't engage or study her opponent for any openings.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you slower?" Maris asked in her usual flat tone.

Ursula relaxed a bit and raised her eyebrows in surprise at the fact that Maris was engaging in conversation with her.

"Well— I'm just concerned about some things." Ursula replied.

Maris looked up for a moment, in thought before saying, "Can you wait until after we're done sparring to be concerned?" She asked, sounding serious.

Ursula couldn't help but laugh at her serious expression. "It's almost never that easy."

Woo!

Maris sent a significantly slower slice at Ursula's side, seeming to want at least a little movement while they talked.

"Are you not nervous about this Friday?" Ursula asked as she dodged.

"No. They feel the same fear as us and die just as easily. As long as I'm not nervous, I won't make mistakes... and their fear will make them weak." She said before attacking again.

Crck!

Ursula blocked her overhead strike, thinking about the simplicity of her words. She spoke like someone who's killed countless times, causing her to wonder about Maris' life outside the University.

"Alright! Sparring is over, everyone get to the sidelines and ready yourselves for a game of Mob!" Prof. Brennan yelled to the students.

***

The students waited on the sidelines of the field in the shade with stone faced expressions, similar to that of soldiers.

Prof. Raizen could see through it all despite this, he knew the students he chose had to be the ones most worried about Friday. If he just let them cower in fear or stay in their heads while others fought, they'd put themselves and their teammates in danger in more serious situations.

He scanned the students once more before he began to name people.

"Hmmm. I want Adrian, Zach and...Stella as Defenders. Head to the field and get ready!" He yelled as they ran off.

The students watched the three chosen jog to the field as Prof. Raizen looked to announce the Mob. He found himself looking from Claude to the twins. "They always want to fight. Not them." He said before moving on to the other students.

After passing over three more students, his eyes fell on a female who stood with her head down and axes held in a weak grip as if she was somewhere else mentally. "Perfect." He said before announcing the first member of the Mob.

"As for the Mob. First up, Ursula." He yelled, snapping her out of her own mind.

"Next.....Warren!" He yelled after meeting the students frightened gaze.

Before he could pick the next student, someone else raised their hand urgently.

"Yes?" He said.

"Pick me, please. I haven't participated in this event yet." Maris said.

Prof. Raizen though it over for a moment before agreeing with her statement and letting her in. "Fair enough. You're the last member so hurry on over!" He yelled to her.

***

Ursula stood in the field as Warren and Maris approached her. She eyed the other three students in the barrier, studying them for weaknesses and who each of them would be facing.

Adrian was their Tank. Short in height and wide in stature, he was the ideal looking Tank with his hard expression and strong brown eyes.

Zach was a short and thin Archer with a build similar to Warren's, except Warren was taller with a bit more muscle. His seedy black eyes followed Warren as he approached Ursula with a knowing look of satisfaction in them.

Most students were aware of Warren's intense fear and found him to be harmless so Zach felt an easy win was upon them.

Ursula was stopped from studying the last student as Warren reached her.

"Well would you look at that. The team is back. All we need is Claude now." He joked in reference to their first time fighting together.

"...Lets hope it doesn't turn out like last time.." he mumbled as Maris jogged over.