"W-W-What? You encountered Another possible new chaos mutated animal and didn't tell me? Arthur, you dirty dog." Sterling recoiled in shock.
"Well…I never got the chance to tell you, sir. I was busy with other stuff…" Arthur replied.
"Doesn't matter, get the buffalo here." Sterling urged
"My team is out of commission so…"
"Aw, shucks. Then, who can you send. I don't trust the enforcers from the UEOC to do this."
Arthur stroked his chin. "Well, maybe…we can send some of the new enforcers we have."
"Really? Are they any good?" Sterling crossed his arms.
"…Better than expected but still newbies. This will provide them with some experience so, lets send them." Arthur shrugged.
"Very well then, Send them."
"I think you're forgetting something." Arthur raised a finger.
"Huh? I'm forgetting something..." Sterling adjusted his glasses, then face-palmed. "Aw, shucks. I need to tell this to the higher ups, don't I?"
"Precisely." Arthur snapped his fingers.
Sterling grumbled. "Fine, prepare the new team while I tell those people."
"Yes, sir."
Sterling left heading towards the main tent to inform the higher ups about the buffalo while Arthur went to find Maple and her recruits.
***
Maple was training the new enforcers outside the camp. They relentless attacked Maple with extreme precision and teamwork. Maple ducked a blow from Saul, then Major jumped over him and tried to cut her. Maple rolled away and stood up. With no time to rest, she was attacked by Jasper head on. She gripped her blade, blocking the strike. In that instant, Frank snuck up behind her and pushed her. Jasper moved, letting their instructor fall.
Maple anticipated an attack and it came. Elke rushed forward, thrusting his katana. Maple bent backwards, barely dodging and used her hilt to hit Elke's stomach. Major came after and stepped forward. Maple held her blade but he didn't attack. Maple frowned and turned around. Saul, Frank and Jasper attacked her from all directions with Major.
Her lips couldn't help but curl up into a smile as she saw how good they were doing.
'They're getting better…'
Getting serious, she gripped her katana tightly. She knocked Major's and Frank's sword out of their hands. with force. She pushed Saul's and Jasper's to the ground, poking them on the head with her hilt.
"I win – Again."
"Aw, dammit!" They said in unison.
All of them fell, hitting the grass. They panted heavily, sweat covering their body.
"I will say...Your team work is getting better. Especially, Major. What he did was pretty clever." Maple sat down.
"That…feint? What about it did you like?" Major asked, sitting straight.
"You took advantage of my vigilance and used a feint. Unfortunately, that did not work but that was a good try." Maple crossed her arms.
"What areas do you think we need improvement in?" Frank inquired, catching his breath.
"Frank and Major, you need to have better grip strength. The chaos beast's strength will be twice as much as mine. If you can't do so much as hold a sword, then you'll be dead."
The team listened carefully, leaning in closer.
"Saul, Jasper and Elke. You are good, keep on practicing but Jasper, you should've tripped me to make easier for Elke to attack. That was a pretty big blunder."
"Damn…Okay, I'll try my best." Jasper squeezed his fist.
Maple nodded and just then, someone grabbed her by the shoulders. Caught off-guard, she jumped and stepped forward. She turned around and saw Arthur standing with his hands raised.
"What's with the jump scare?!" Maple shouted.
"Oi – Oi, calm down. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm just here for these fellas." Arthur locked eyes with Major.
"Us?" Major pointed at himself.
"Well…our team is kinda out of commission and I thought why not send you? It'll be good experience." Arthur shrugged.
"Um, Okay?" Major replied.
"What do we have to do?" Frank asked.
"So, we encountered a buffalo during our chase for the cheetah. The professor needs you to catch that."
"A buffalo?" Frank blurted.
"Those buffalo's?" Maple asked, approaching her captain.
"Yeah, he wants to see if it's another chaos mutation." Arthur nodded.
"Do your best, guys. I want to see top-notch performance from you when we go on this mission." Maple gave a thumbs up.
"No – No, you're not going." Arthur pulled her back.
Maple's heart skipped a beat. "W-What? Why not?"
Arthur sighed, trying to release the tension in his chest. "I need a neutral third party to judge them. I'll send Harvey."
"Aw…" Maple slouched.
"Straighten your back. You're an enforcer." Arthur slapped her.
Maple instantly straightened her back. "Fine…I'll get them ready."
Arthur then, left. Maple trialed him with her eyes until he was out of her sight. She rotated and faced her students.
"Get some rest and then, Prepare."
Major, Saul, Jasper, Frank and Elke stood and saluted her. They, then rushed over to their tent, preparing for their first exam.
***
Arthur glanced around the camp, searching for Harvey. In the corner of his eye, he saw the man's bulky figure and approached. Harvey, crossing his arms was shouting commands at the five enforcers that he had left. Six of the eleven he was training had been sent to explore the western turf of the forest. So, he had been left to train five enforcers.
"Harvey!" Arthur shouted.
Harvey paused, swiveled his head and raised a brow.
"Captain? What brings you here?"
"Dismiss your enforcers for me." Arthur halted.
Harvey complied and dismissed the enforcers from training. They dragged themselves to their tent, sweat rolling over their body. Harvey, once again, turned towards Arthur and asked.
"So…what do you need?"
"I need you to take an exam for the promising rookies we have." Arthur replied.
"Maple's bunch?"
"Yes, Only help them if they are in danger. Other than that, watch from afar and rate them based on your own criteria."
"And If they pass?" Harvey asked.
"…If they can survive against chaos beasts, then…I'll tell them my attribute."