Sneak peek at Chapter 43 (possibly a *long* 42v2) (Patreon)

This is probably coming Monday, but depends on what it ends up looking like when done. I'm not sure if this is a new scene or if we're replacing everything I didn't like about Chapter 42. I wanted to give a bit more attention to an important sub-sub-subplot, while also tying it into a mega development that's happening either this chapter or next, and idk if that means a new chapter or a major revamp of 42.

Either way, it will be a full-chapter amount of content, so look forward to that next week!

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“Obviously you all have questions about what’s going on,” Dent started before anyone could ask, not looking at Firesong as she lifted a hand towards von Bor, Wainright, and Kalus Laurent to get their attention. “Bear with us. Now that everyone's here, we can get started.”

The S-Rank joined them a minute later, and as per usual the von Bor didn’t delay, handing out assignements with matching bangs of her cane. “Arada, you’re with the sergeant and Cadet Meyer. West half of the souther Team Battle feild.” That was to be expected, and Viv waved bye before jogging off with Kalus Laurent and Dice for her usual rehab. “Catchwick! You’re with me this evening. That evolution of yours is fine and all, but we need to get you used to the modified weight of your sword.” This was less expected, and Rei thought he heard Catcher wince at his back in surprise.

“Just… Just you and me, ma’am?” the Saber asked hesitantly.

von Bor’s smirked at him. “Indeed. Problem?”

“Absolutely not, ma’am!” he squeaked out in answer.

“Thought not,” the captain said with a chuckle, turning her gold-black eyes on the rest. “Lennon, Cashe, and Grant, you’ll be with Jetwing on the east half of the south field tonight. She’s got a guantlet planned for you I’m looking forward to hearing the results of.” 

Rei glanced at each other in surprise, but Wainwright cut in before they could ask.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure at least one of you survives.” The Lancer’s grin was pure evil, her green eyes sweeping across the Lasher, Chancery, and Logan in turn. “We’ll need someone left alive to tell the tale.”

von Bor rolled her eyes, but seemed to decide it wasn’t worth commenting on becuase she turned and motioned for Catcher to follow her as she stepped towards the west side of the combat area. He did—though not without a terrified look back at them all—and then Wainright did the same for Lennon, Logan, and Chancery. They left too—their glances back more curious concern than fear—finally leaving Rei and Aria on their own with Dent, Jasper, and Forester.

“You got any idea of what’s going on?” he asked Aria as quietly as he could out of the corner of his mouth.

She didn’t answer, but the smallest shake of her head told him enough.

“Follow us, Cadets,” the Iron Bishop said, turning left and starting to move with the other two just behind her. “We get half the floor to ourselves, this evening.”

Rei and Aria only looked at each other one more time before doing as instructed, tailing the three adults right up to the silver marker that denoted the north Team Battle area. When Dent passed it without pause, only furthering Rei’s curiousity.

It didn’t help, either, when he noticed Forester keeping an eye on both him and Aria as they, too, stepped over the silver border.

They were at the edge of the smaller 30-yard Dueling field before Dent turned

“Cadets, in two weeks time, it will be time for your quarterly parameter test.”

Rei couldn’t have been more glad, in that moment, that Aria was standing beside him. She didn’t grab him—nor him her—but they both tensed at the same time, a shared startle of shoulders going rigid and fingers flinching into loose fists.

All of sudden, he understood why Jasper and Forester were there.

“I proposed pushing the testing to Dr. Ashton and Dr. Forester both,” the Iron Bishop kept on, brown eyes gentle before looking to Forester. “But…”

“But after a discussion, Ameena Ashton and I both agreed that delaying the issue would only make it harder to face when the time came.” Dr. Forester’s voice was kind, but firm, and they looked at Rei. “My understanding is you requested to be let back on a field as soon as you woke up following the attack. Is that right, Cadet?”

“It is, yes, sir,” Rei answered, hating how hoarse his voice had suddenly become. 

The conversation was already bringing back bad memories…

“That’s good. Smart.” Forester’s smile was encouraging. “It must have taken a lot of push yourself to do that, but it was the right call to find a safe environment to face that challenge again as soon as possible. It was also—” they looked to Aria “—brave of you to stand up for him when he made that request, Laurent. You should be proud of that.”

Aria blinked in surprise.

“Th-thank you, sir.”

Forester’s smile held, but they looked around at Dent and Jasper.

“Captain, if you wouldn’t mind filling Miss Ueno in on Firesong’s last couple weeks of progress, I’m going to step over here to speak to Ward and Laurent in private.” They gestured vaguely to the right.

Dent took the hint.

“Heard.” She turned, putting out a shepherding arm to encourage Jasper to follow her as she stepped towards the center of the ring. “I don’t know if you’ve heard about Catchwick’s recently development, yet, Miss Ueno, but at some point tonight you should make a point to—”

To her credit, Jasper was equally quick to read between the lines, all her attention on Dent’s words as the two of them moved out of earshot. In the end, Forester didn’t even have to move Rei and Aria further away.