"Repelling the Fulminare Invasion is the one goal that's brought humanity together," Alexander said, sitting down across on the sofa, taking up twice as much space with his massive frame. "I'd wager right now, we're coming up on a real counterattack–humanity is going to take the momentum soon, bet on it."
"Tech is improving by the day. Once Proto-Reapers are able to be mass-produced, we'll definitely be able to contend," Shin logically deduced, taking a sip from the water bottle he held.
Alexander looked straight across the countertop at the new member of the dorms, holding an intensity in his gaze, "Is it true what the Director said, Seven? You killed a Fulminare?"
The topic brought all eyes on him as if the truth needed to be heard from the source, bringing him to nod his head in confirmation.
"I barely pulled through, but I managed…somehow," Seven explained, recalling the moment his own fist tore through the invader.
"How did you do it? How–please tell me how!" Lily excitedly asked, leaning on the table.
"I'm sure we'd all like to hear that," Shin interjected.
Not wanting to disappoint, he recalled the event, the feeling that spurred within his body, down to his bones breaking and his muscles evolving.
"This body of mine–whenever I'm attacked or "pushed", it adapts to it," he explained, opening his hand as he looked at his pale palm. "If I try lifting too heavy a weight, my muscles gain strength in response. If I get shot, my skin hardens–you get the point."
"Oh! Oh! Like when the Proto-Reaper set you on fire?" Lily raised her hand while asking her question.
"Just like that," he answered. "My body evolved to resist and store fire. I can expel the fire I store."
"Like a Charizard…" Shin mumbled.
"What?" May glanced at the dark-haired student.
"Nothing," Shin ignored the question.
It seemed curiosity couldn't simply be restricted to one's mind as the natural-born giant leaned across the table, placing his elbow against it with his hand raised. There was no mistaking what the position signaled as Alexander smiled at the new member.
"How's about a test of strength? I'm just curious where I stand in comparison," Alexander issued the friendly challenge, though the deep voice did well to hide the kind nature of the young man.
Though it was hardly supposed to be a real contest, the others certainly seemed all too excited at the idea, as Lily practically jumped up and down, while Shin and May opted to make bets.
"I think Alexander can get a win. I've never seen him lose a contest of strength, even against Fulminare Squadrons," Shin said. "A hundred bucks."
"I'll match that! Seven's got this, easy," May accepted.
While the idea of money being reliant on the outcome was hardly reassuring, Seven set his elbow down, bringing his hand to meet with Alexander's own. It was still hard to accept just how large the blonde figure's fist was, like that of a bear's paw.
"Ready?" Alexander asked.
"Sure—"
Right as they were ready to clash their strength against one another, the blank table suddenly lit up as the screen popped on.
"//I see you're all getting along well.//"
Projecting from the table was a hologram of the Director himself, who stood with a formal presence even while not physically present.
"Director?" Seven muttered in surprise.
Alexander pulled his hand away with a laugh, "Oh, yeah! I like the new guy."
"//That's good to hear. I am contacting you five about a mission that will require the Bastian Elite,//" The digital presence of the Director relayed.
"Another mission?" Lily groaned, sticking out her bottom lip.
While the sentiment around the table was certainly disappointment at the notice, there wasn't outright rejection. Just from a glance at the faces of his peers, he could tell they were determined and loyal to the cause of humanity.
The Director adjusted his glasses even in hologram form, "//I understand you all have had quite the busy lives lately. This is just a heads up. The mission won't be for a three days—so rest up and prepare how you see fit.//"
With the brief message, the digital presence flickered off, leaving the students with the information properly relayed.
May sank into the sofa with a sigh, "Another mission so soon? They're real slave drivers."
While the weapons expert protested, Shin spoke reasonably, "The U.N.E.D are spread out thin as it is. They need our strength out there."
"Shin is right. As things stand, the U.N.E.D has its hands full just defending the cities from Fulminare forces. We're needed on the offense," Alexander reasoned. "Besides, we have quite the comrade with us now."
"I'm not entirely sure how this power even works yet, if I'm being honest. I don't know what the limits are of my adaptions–" Seven tried to excuse the expectations placed on him.
"Don't think too hard about it!"
The sudden encouragement came from Lily, who didn't seem to think too greatly about anything with a mind as optimistic and bubbly as her own.
"Isn't that a bad idea?" He questioned.
Shin sighed, "I think what she means is that you shouldn't doubt yourself. It's wise to keep your limits in mind, but also strive for the win nonetheless. Don't forget–we're operating as a team here."
"Yeah, you're not going to be going on the mission alone–whatever it is. I doubt the Director will be sending us into something we can't handle. He's a bit stiff at times, but he's smart," May concluded.
"I guess you're right," Seven accepted.
Alexander rose from the sofa, clapping his hands together, "Alright! It's settled then! Today was a day off–well, not much for you, Seven. We've got class in the morning, so it's best to use today to rest up!"
"Class? What class is it?" Seven repeated.
"Foreign Species Dissection," Shin answered. "You'll like it."
The following day led to a classroom in a private sector of the pristine academy. To his surprise, there were only five desks, with the four others that he shared the Platinum Dorms with attending the class.
Of sleek, marble flooring, he walked across the room, looking towards the last open seat that was right between May and Shin. He sat himself down, adjusting the collar of his perfect-fitting, white blazer.
Behind him, the giant presence of Alexander sat, alongside him Lily was busy blowing bubbles with the gum in her mouth.
"You were almost late," May teased, lightly tapping her elbow against his arm.
"It's hard navigating this place–there's way too many halls," he mumbled.
"Don't worry about it. I'm late half the time," Shin said, leaning back in his seat. "I usually just pretend I was invisible the entire time–"
As the door to the classroom opened, the gloomy-eyed peer suddenly set his chair straight, giving complete respect to the person that entered. A man with shaggy, red hair that draped over his round-rimmed glasses walked with a tired yawn, approaching the front desk as he set down the bundle of messy papers he carried under his arm.
"Good morning to you all–oh," the man spoke with a distinct European accent, stopping himself, noticing the new figure seated at the desks. "You're the new one, eh?"
A slight nudge from both peers signaled Seven to stand as he introduced himself, "Seven, I'm from Sector Six."
As he gave his name, the messy-haired man looked through the papers on his desk, withdrawing one. The tired-looking figure studied the document, glancing between it and the newcomer before setting it down.
"You really are a mystery, aren't you? No last name, no relatives…Fascinating," the shaggy-haired man said, adjusting his beige coat that lay over a black vest and dress pants. "I'm Professor Fuchs. I'll be helping you understand the creatures that have welcomed themselves to our world. You may sit."
Seven only nodded his head before quietly returning to his seat, unsure if he gave a good impression or not, as it was difficult to tell through the monotone demeanor of the Professor.
As the classroom was positioned on the second floor, the roof was layered in hexagonal glass, allowing the sunlight to bleed through with a soft glow.
"I see Haoyu is absent once again," Professor Fuchs noted with a sigh, writing something down on his desk. "Not surprising. I heard he pulled an all-nighter in R&D. That aside–the topic of discussion for today."
In the Professor's hand, a remote control was pressed, prompting the sleek, white flooring in the middle of the room to open. Rising from beneath was a sealed container platformed by mechanical limbs. Seven squinted, seeing through the clear front of the isolated chamber to the inhuman creature that was kept within it.
"A Regenerator," Professor Fuchs informed, standing beside the elevated container.