Chapter 46 – Assembly

The floating amphitheater that connected to each of the academy towers was host to all the first-year cohorts. Excited chatter swam around the stands as each of the students speculated on why they had been summoned. There had been no announcements since the closing of the tournament and the new rankings, so some guessed that it had something to do with the inter-cohort competition.

Another popular theory was that the second-year who had caused all the commotion in the canteen was going to be expelled. The students from the canteen on that day were happy to jump onto the rumor and it spread around the assembly instantly.

None of them were correct.

Chatfield standing at the center of the stage was confirmation enough to Sal that this was the fated announcement where they’d be informed of the new curriculum.

Barry eyed Chatfield warily from his seat beside Sal. “So, this is the guy who’s going to be making all the changes at the academy? And he’s a Controller?”

Sal nodded as he looked around the seats, wishing that he could have worn his tracker to the assembly. It didn’t work without the revolver, which was turning out to be a massive limitation for him. He’d be lying to himself if he said he wasn’t worried about the Bastion recruits at the academy. Just knowing that there were potentially some among the first-years who were being swayed was enough to tie a knot in his stomach.

“You doing okay?” Barry’s voice dropped to almost a whisper.

Sal turned back to look at him in surprise, not realizing how obvious his discontent was. With a forced smile, Sal shook his head a little. “Just thinking about the Controllers thing. I can’t believe they’re trying to turn us against each other.”

Barry nudged Sal with his elbow. “Worrying about what could happen is Divinity’s role, not ours. You’ll end up working yourself into a tizzy. When they come up with a plan of action, we’ll execute it. Simple.”

Sal felt like it was anything but simple, but he gave Barry a slight nod.

With an aggravated sigh, Barry turned in his seat to look at Sal. “Do you want to become a Controller?”

The question was unexpected, but Sal didn’t even hesitate as he shook his head. “No, I’m a Support. I can add a lot of value with Crafting, and I think the role fits me well.”

Barry nodded in agreement and stared at Sal intently. “Then stop thinking like a Controller. You don’t need to come up with the strategy to get us out of this situation. You’ve done enough to help highlight the issue, and you protected Divinity and Hannah from that Wester bastard. If you’re feeling useless, or like you’ve not done enough, then channel it into your Crafting. Make something that will help, or just be there for Divinity when she needs you. She’s been frantic the last couple of weeks, and if she’s worrying about you going into hermit mode, she’ll lose her edge.”

Sal froze. “Divinity’s been frantic?”

Barry sighed as he turned away from Sal and sat back into the chair. “Yes, Sal. She’s been frantic. All her visions lately have been about you, to find out how she can stop you from falling down some stupid path of embracing Myth and discarding Sal. Apparently, there’s a high risk of you locking yourself away in the workshop and dropping out of classes. I don’t know you as well as she does, but I think it would be a waste if you didn’t see this through. Especially since you’ve promoted me to team captain and I haven’t even had a chance to boss you around on the battlefield. So, if you’re going to quit classes, at least wait until after the inter-cohort.”

Barry smiled, but the lighthearted elements didn’t do much to cover the harshness of Divinity’s fears.

Sal shook his head and sighed. “I don’t know what to tell you, man. I’ve spoken to her about this before and I’m not going to drop out or fall to the wayside. Yes, the Crafting projects are fun and they’re also really important, but I’m not skipping classes. I know I missed a few meetings, but there’s been so much going on lately. Chatfield has me working on a special project for the workshop, and it could be a huge deal in the future.” Sal turned to see Barry crossing his arms, so he pivoted.

“I’m not making excuses. It’s just been a lot in a short space of time. I’ve apologized to Divinity, and I owe you one too. After this assembly, I’ll sit down with you and we can go through the inter-cohort stuff. Whatever needs to be crafted, or whatever training we need, just let me know and I’ll make it a priority.”

Barry chuckled as he gave Sal a sideways glance. “You don’t owe me an apology, but I will take you up on the crafting offer. All we need is a solid strategy, and I’ve got most of it covered.”

Quest’s amplified voice cut him off. The chattering in the crowd died as the headmaster called for their attention. Barry twirled his finger in the air and looked down at the podium, signaling to Sal that they’d continue their chat afterward.

We’ve gathered you all here for a few important announcements. Please pay special attention as this will affect each and every one of you.

The atmosphere went from idle curiosity to somber in seconds. Rumors of the expulsion were discarded as the students tensely waited for more context.

Sal looked down to the stage to see Chatfield at the ready, waiting for his opportunity to address the students. Quest’s tone was devoid of emotion as he spoke.

As our enemies grow in strength, we need to constantly adapt to the needs of the guilds. They know better than anyone what is required out on the field, and it’s become clear to us that our pacing is off. When you graduate from Quest Academy, you should be on par with mid-rank officers or higher. This statement has been true in the past, but now, we’re no longer on track to deliver that. This has not been down to your efforts, but rather a failing of Quest Academy as an educational institution. Our second-years recently completed an excursion with Captain Chatfield here, and the results were far below expectations.

I want to emphasize that you’re not being punished for the failures of others. Rather, this is an opportunity for us to recalibrate our efforts and change the trajectory of your development. Our approach to date has been to empower our students to learn how to use their abilities and how to work together in teams. Competitions such as the cohort battles were designed to familiarize you with combat and using your abilities in high-stress environments. From this foundation, we’d then introduce you to combat against low-grade demons in a controlled environment. Our intent was to gradually build on your confidence while teaching you the basic skills for every Hero. From this day forward, that approach is changing.

I’d like to introduce Captain Chatfield, a high-ranking Controller from the Hunter Bureau.

Only a few people clapped, high-ranking students who clearly didn’t feel any challenge from the current curriculum. To say they were a vast minority would have been an understatement.

Sal could see the resigned faces of the Support classes no matter which direction he looked. A change in tempo was likely going to spell disaster for them, and Sal couldn’t help but feel sorry for them. If they knew how to craft, then there was a silver lining for them, but it wasn’t going to console the majority of students.

Quest stepped off to one side and gestured for Chatfield to take the podium.

Chatfield didn’t waste any time as he gripped the stand with both hands. Leaning forward, he slowly looked around at the assembled students, watching for their reactions. It was an awkward silence, but it had the desired effect. The students who had been downcast eventually looked up to see why he wasn’t speaking.

How many of you have seen a real demon? I’m not talking about Sinclair hopping around the training area. A real demon. Hands up, come on. Okay, now keep the hands up and look around the amphitheater. I want you to understand just how privileged you are. This isn’t me attacking your character or upbringing, but to see that less than a quarter of you have seen a demon before? That’s a problem. Being a Hero requires you to be out on the battlefield, fighting demons. Quest Academy is designed to train you on how to kill them, but only one in four of you has even seen one.

When I was your age, I had already completed military training. There were no exemptions or homeschooling mandates. If you had a power, you were trained to harness it. I killed my first demon when I was twelve years old, before I could even control my ability. I spent six years training with other kids, raiding dungeons and climbing towers. We didn’t have an academy like this to learn the theory behind everything. We used instinct and knowledge passed down from veterans. We prevailed, but with casualties. And that’s the key word. Casualties.

Quest Academy was created to reduce our casualties and train Heroes to be the best possible versions of themselves. The second-year group that I led on that excursion? Pitiful. I’d even go so far as to say that I’d rather have my comrades from when I first started at the military academy—twelve-year-olds. Why are those kids from my past better than Trainee Heroes?

Because they didn’t rely on their powers. They didn’t care about rank numbers or surnames. They didn’t give a shit about roles or classes. A failing grade for them meant death.

“Not the rousing speech I was expecting…” Barry muttered.

Sal didn’t answer. He stared at Chatfield and wondered how barbaric his upbringing was to get to this point.

Quest stood off to one side, his hands behind his back. His face was aimed toward the stage, as though he didn’t want to see the reactions on the students’ faces.

I’m not standing on this stage to make you feel bad about things outside of your control. Some of you have been training diligently for years, but the exception is not the rule. We need to create a system that will allow you all to thrive and reach your potential. After a drawn-out consultation period, I’ve gained the approval of the Hunter Bureau and United Guilds Association to change your curriculum in the ways I see fit. I’ve worked with Quest and members of the faculty at Quest Academy to design a robust regimen that will forcibly put you on track. Thankfully, you’ve only been here a couple of months, so the damage won’t be nearly as severe as for the later years. They’re going to have a much harsher time than you, if it’s any consolation.

Sal frowned as he thought about Sakura. He couldn’t for the life of him imagine how she could be improved in terms of combat proficiency. Barry, on the other hand, chuckled to himself.

Barry grinned. “Just thinking about all those assholes from the canteen. I can’t imagine they’re in for a good time.”

Sal couldn’t resist a smile of his own. With a slight shake of the head, Sal tried to focus back on Chatfield, muttering back to Barry, “You really are the worst.”

So, what is changing specifically? Combat, Field, and Survival classes will be rolled into one. There will no longer be an elective element, and they will become a core module for everyone. Combat training so far has been basic formations and student-versus-student battles. We will be advancing this class to incorporate weapon selection and individual training to give those of you without combat-related abilities an opportunity to shine. It will greatly enhance your combat proficiency if you start training early.

Demonic Behavior and Analysis classes will be packaged too, freeing up spaces for more necessary ones. Resilience will be added as a mandatory module, which will help you greatly in the trials to come. Facing portals, towers, and dungeons will be emotionally draining, and your resolve will be tested frequently. Resilience will give you methods to find your limits and exceed them. It will sharpen your senses and make you combat ready. All other electives will be available for enrollment, but will have a decreased value in your final grades if they do not further your capabilities.

Half the amphitheater shouted their discontent. Every Support class felt the final nail in the coffin, as their route to graduation was suddenly halted. Questions for clarification and demands for reconsideration were thrown at him from every angle. A few choice curses were shouted too, but Chatfield ignored everything and continued his speech.

Crafting will be given an increased value for final grades if students elect to enroll in a special program. One of the greatest flaws in our current system is that we cannot equip our students with reliable gear for combat. We’re going to provide materials and blueprints for equipment, as well as targets. Those who exceed those targets will be granted higher grades. I want you to all understand that your time at Quest Academy isn’t about ticking boxes or doing the bare minimum. You need to add value and excel to be worthy of the Hero title.

The inter-cohort battles will be pushed toward the end of the first semester as it only benefits the higher-ranking students who performed well in the tournament. My plan, along with the faculty, is to increase the capability of every student listening right now. To that end, we will be bringing forward the final test for first-years. Each of you are going to challenge the floor of a tower. It will start in five weeks’ time. You will create your own five-person team, with the simple caveat that no two people from the same cohort can be on the same team, and no three people can have the same role. Recruitment will be up to yourselves.

Sal couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He knew there was going to be a change to the curriculum, but this…was insane. They were going to take on the floor of a tower, in just over a month? Not only that, but they had to create teams with people they didn’t even know? When Sal looked at Barry, he was shocked to see him laughing. Had the pressure finally gotten to his head? Sal was about to ask if he was okay, but Barry just turned around in his seat and wiped a tear from his eye.

“Guess those towers and dungeons aren’t that far into my future.”