THE ACADAMEY

[localproblem]

A great day for training

The great bastion of the north blue was abuzz with activity, many low-ranked marines or members of the reserve forces were called here for one simple reason- things were somewhat peaceful in the north. Now that might sound odd, why gather a bunch of marines to a heavenly fortified station while no real conflict has arisen? Simply put they’re not the type to squander a good opportunity, those who are not in an essential position are to train.

Even if it was only for a short while, the recruits always need more training. When it wasn’t launching campaign missions or being under siege, B-1 had ample space for events like these and doubled as an academy. Tons of marines were running around today participating in mock combat or taking part in lectures in history, sea fair, resource management, or what have you, so the atmosphere today was especially lively.

---

Compared to everyone else, a certain gun fanatic was trying to take things easy. She had already practiced her marksmanship to the point where she was considering replacing her worn-down manufactured musket. And besides, without live targets, it was hardly even considered practice anymore. She was also trying to avoid anything physically demanding since the gunner was as fragile as a paper bag and the basic training she did when she first join had already kicked her ass enough. River did consider training her fellow recruits in the way of marksmanship, she was certain she was one of, if not the best shot currently on Jreum Island, but she lacked the notoriety to hold any sort of office class. Who would listen to a fresh recruit after all?

No, she held herself up in the Marines extensive library- it was a beautiful sight, wall to wall were shelves stocked with information on naval combat, strategy, logistics, government and everything you’d need to run the world. Of course, there was more than just this, behind locked doors was a classified section that a recruit like River could not access... not that she’d need to. She came here for one purpose, something she’s been putting off for some time now.

River looked at the few books she had collected:
Elementary Gunsmithing; a manual of instruction for amateurs in the Alteration and Repair of Firearms
The Evolution of Maritime Artillery, Rifles and Firearms
The Bullets Flight, a Scientific explanation of Ammunition and Advanced Trajectory

“I really have a one-track mind”, she said to herself. River wasn’t getting any better with practice, it was as if there was a bolder in front of her blocking her from any form of progress. So instead of breaking it down, she would diversify her expertise. Learning how to craft custom weaponry might be useful, and if it was too much for her then she’d at least find a nice read.

“There should be one more around here…”, looking up she had found a red book sitting on a high up shelf, she reached up for it but it was simply out of reach. River attempted jumping and grabbing at the book but this was also to no avail, also, she felt silly doing it. She spoke quietly to herself “I could climb it... but no, I think there is a three book checkout limit anyway”, she gave up on the book.

The sharp-shot wanted to find a nice cozy spot inside to sit and read but even here there were studious marines trying to fill their already busy schedules. A place outside maybe? A high-up spot that overlooked the ocean might be perfect. River would quickly checkout her things and go searching for a place where she could hear the sea's gentle breeze.

[pepsi]

-- CHAPTER 1 // A GREAT DAY FOR TRAINING

"Uff..." Lars audibly sighed. "Why do I hafta stay here?" He asked, leaning back in the wooden chair and resting his head on his hands. "I told you, man. I've got to study law for the next test."

Lars sighed again. It was always the same with Ernest; he was all about studying, and studying, and studying. He almost regretted the day he sat down next to him and they became friends - or rather, Ernest was fine, Lars just didn't have the same habits he did. "Can't believe you managed to drag me all the way to the library..." Lars continued, gently balancing on the chair's back legs. "You need to study the law, too. Everybody does. Honestly, I have no idea how you managed to score so high on your entrance examinations..." Ernest said, a little bit of envy in his voice. He didn't score as high as Lars on the physical assessment, which he was fine about, but with the guy's work ethic just didn't seem to blend well with the duties of a Seaman Recruit.

"Determination is one helluva drug, my man." People liked to speculate that Lars was just a punk, mainly because of where he came from. Back in his hometown, he was nothing more than a criminal after all. Even better, to the uninitiated he looked totally uninterested in putting in the mental and physical work necessary to become a good Marine; this couldn't be further from the truth. Lars had a strict training regime: physical training for the whole day, until you can't feel your arms, and then study all night. Lars simply didn't want to train at the gym, he simply didn't want to study at the library - he liked the calm, he liked to be alone in his room so he didn't have to explain himself if he was going to use the weights all wrong. "Yeah, whatever..."

Lars probably never got more than two consecutive hours of sleep, which normally would be detrimental to his cognitive abilities; he typically recovered by napping around 20 minutes every couple hours throughout the day, which made him look even more like a disinterested punk.
But Lars didn't care. He knew he was the hardest working Marine in his whole division, he was sure of it. Determination was one hell of a drug indeed.

So Lars needed to escape; if he started studying during the day, his schedule would've been pretty messed up. And providentially came a very fine excuse to dump Ernest and go training some.

He caught a glimpse of a girl attempting to grab a book off a high shelf; she attempted a couple times, before giving up and pacing towards the checkout. That was his ticket!

"Ernie... You saw that?" He asked his peer; "Yeah." "Alright, screw the library. See you later!" Ernest seemed ticked off by Lars' attempt to dodge his duties. "Really? You're going after girls now? Lars?"
"Catcha later, Ernie!"

The girl was just about to leave the place, when she'd hear a boy's voice from behind her. "Hey!" Lars called, unsure how to address the girl; she didn't have any particular feature he could cook up a name from on the spot. Unlike Lars, of course, who always wore his trusty cap.

The boy produced a book and handed it to the girl. "I believe you were looking for this?"

"Name's Lars, by the way. You goin' outside?"

-- NAME // Lars Van der Vennen

-- CLASS // E

-- TECHS USED // None.

[localproblem]

Rivers normally emotionless face lit up, briefly, as Lars handed her the book. If he looked at the title of the book it would read "Hannibal’s Campaign Massacre of the West Seas", it was a rather gruesome sounding book for a girl to get giddy about but these were just the sort of things she enjoyed.

She saw the man was almost a full foot taller than she was, which was probably a more normal height since it wasn't rare to see half giants walking around in uniform. "Ah, thank you for getting this for me, I am River. It seems they did not build this place with people like me in mind." River was one of the shortest marines here, even among the other women. Once, she was mistaken for as a cabin girl, until the other marine noticed the gun which she had always carried. So naturally, Lars would be able to reach that shelf with ease.

She asked the old librarian to check out the extra book, luckily she hadn't reached the limit, then turned back to Lars, "Truthfully I only wanted to read this of a passing interest. Hopefully i can finish them all before re-deployment." River said that solemnly, she deeply valued times of peace and wasn't the type to waste it by lazing about.

Lars ask if she was heading out, "I am" she said flatly, not realizing he was asking to come along. It took her a moment of silent staring to really grasp his words, "Ah, there is a spot outside I often go to... you can come if you'd like." With that she had left for her usual spot.

On the upper level of B1 there was nice small bench which overlooked much of the facility, from where you could even see a courtyard that hoards of men were currently training at intensely, and others were practicing there aim by firing at rocks that jutted out of the ocean. The view its self was breathtaking as always here at B1, an endless blue expance of sea and sky. The sound of yelling and conversation mixed together with the crashing of the sea to make some delightful ambiance; like a busy coastal marketplace.

River attention was naturally focused on what she was clutching in her arms. She brought up her book on Elementary Gunsmithing, and almost began reading it before she remembered she had company around. Though she didn't really have anything to say-

[pepsi]

Lars chuckled. "Yeah, I'm sure they don't build bases with pretty girls with a curious taste for books in mind." The man wasn't really trying to flirt; he was mostly trying his best to put the girl at ease. It wouldn't be the first time he creeped someone out simply by standing tall and wide as he was.

The blond nodded at River's offer. "I think I know whatcha mean. There's a spot right next to a tree that is just perfect for pull-ups." In fact, not far from River's favourite place there was a relatively big sequoia tree; it offered some shadow during the day and shelter during the rain, but it was hardly popular among the other Marines. "See that branch?" Lars said, pointing at the tree; there was a little branch poking out of the tree's silhouette, almost perfectly horizontal. "Perfect to hang from."
The boy chuckled once more. "You could use some of that, River. Look atcha, arms like little noodles." It was rather easy, coming from a guy with Longarm genes in his blood... He didn't have the extra joint, but his arms were multiple times stronger than most.

Lars' attention was pulled towards the book. Rather, it was the fact that River preferred the book over listening to what he had to say; "You're a day reader, huh..." he said. Lars only read during the night, mostly under candlelight, because it was the only moment of the day he could both rest from physical exercises and accumulate some hours of study.

"So whatcha readin'? Can you give me a little... Summary of that? Is this the stuff you read usually?"

-- NAME // Lars Van der Vennen

-- CLASS // E

-- TECHS USED // None.

[localproblem]

Lars had pointed out a tree nearby, and while she wasn’t too interested in doing any sort of physical activity she does feel a sort of comfort from nature. So of course she’d agree to go there, though she didn’t take his comment about working out too seriously, instead of taking his suggestion River quickly bounded up the tree and sat on the branch he had pointed out, “I’m fine up here” she said with a faint smile. While physically weak she was always good at climbing trees, after all, they were the perfect place to snipe from. Lars could do pull-ups here while she sat and read.

A day reader? “Not really…”, she read on occasion but this was more out of necessity. “These are books about gunsmithing, I’m a hunter by trade you see.” Conversation wasn't her strong suit, but she was happy to chat about her interests, “But now that I’m a Marine my targets have changed… so I need to adapt.” Beasts were nothing compared to humans, which was not something River was expecting, the prodigy sharpe-shot had met people resistant to her brand of combat, and that’s without considering the power of devil fruit.

She put her book down and pulled out her musket, handling it gently "These are interesting weapons but… it’s not enough" the standard musket is a mass-produced item that River had already pushed to the limit of what it is capable of. If here targets are a massive pirate horde it would be too slow, it cannot penetrate thick armor and isn’t nearly versatile enough. “I need to change my methods if I’m to hunt magic people" She said plainly, she had only just learned about devil fruit and simply calls it magic, which to be fair it might as well be in her mind.

Maybe River was having some doubts about her own abilities, but she put those thoughts aside. The only way to go was forwards.

River looked back at Lars, “What do you hunt.” she asked in the same monotone voice she said with everything. It might have been a confusing question, but hunting was more than just shooting animals in the forest. It was going after what you wanted. Everyone had something they desired and that they would chase. Whether that be money, fame, power, or more simple concepts like a quiet life. To River chasing a dream was no different than stalking and killing your prey.

[pepsi]

Lars' eyes opened wide as he witnessed the girl climb up the tree like the most natural of squirrels. "Well wouldya look at that. Can pull yourself up just fine" he said, hands on his hips. "Not sure if I'll join ya, up there. Whole branch might snap."
Lars continued to stay under the tree's shade listening to the girl. Apparently, she was a hunter by trade - though she didn't hunt monsters no more, as she entered the Marines so that her skills would serve a greater cause. "Well yeah, you're a sniper aren't you? Saw that kinda rifle in a couple books myself. That ain't gonna do much." Lars' hand reached for something on his back pocket; he pulled out a pair of reinforced gloves, which he then put on.

Those gloves... When he finally made it into the Marines, he bought the highest quality gloves he could find and had them reinforced with sturdy iron. Beyond the standard equipment given to Seamen of his rank, those were his weapons, only his. On those gloves he swore to bring justice to every island, and defeat every foe.

Lars smiled, looking up at the girl. "I grew up on the street. Y'know, the kind of stuff that makes you tougher." Clenching and unclenching his fists, Lars made sure that the gloves were properly fitting on his hands.
"Buncha criminals in my life. I was a criminal too. Then it clicked, that I could just be... better." His entire life was a testament to how living in a certain condition will leave you wanting the exact opposite; he was raised by criminals and lived like one until he decided that it was simply not what he wanted from his life. "Made my body into a weapon. Better, a tool - a tool of justice."

"So what do I hunt?..." Lars adjusted his hat, still smiling. "Well, I'll hunt down every criminal on this world. Pirates, Underworld brokers, Revolutionaries, robbers, murderers. I won't have peace until every one of them is behind bars."

Lars' physical training commenced right after. He began by throwing a mixed series of air punches. "What about you, River? What brings you here?"

-- NAME // Lars Van der Vennen

-- CLASS // E

-- TECHS USED // None.

[localproblem]

River mused while Lars was recounting his past, he did seem like a good person. Many of the people she had met recently gave her a similar feeling, especially from the division she had just been assigned to. Even though there were certainly a lot of people trying to take advantage of the system, there seemed to be more united for a just cause.

Lars ask for Rivers the same question, "Ah well, I guess it's the same for most marines. We all want to destroy the threat of pirates and make peace." Though that answer might not be too satisfying, the blonde was open about his past so River figured she should be as well. She looked away from her book for a moment as she picked her words carefully, “I have… brothers that I want to keep safe. This is the most efficient option.”

While the two chatted the marines in the courtyard seemed to be getting rowdier. Regular training regiments had come to a close but the men did not have enough. They seemed to have set up some kind of square arena with ropes around it.

"Ahh, they did stuff like that on my island. My brother's always wanted to watch... what was it called again... 'pride-fighting' or something?"

Lars would know better than River, the name was 'prizefighting'. It was similar to boxing in every way except that there was no weight class and far fewer regulations. Though the marines probably weren’t doing much betting and were in it for the experience.

The marines set up a sort of on the spot tournament. Pairs would take turns fighting each other while a crowd would cheer them on. The fighters participating were mostly the largest of the marines but the occasional skinny fellow would enter- unfortunately even the fastest of that bunch couldn't really compete with the heavier hitters, there was only so much that they could do when going up against someone several times your weight class. But it was all good-natured, well it was... until…

Another individual showed up, a very large marine almost 8 feet in height. People called him Kilts. He was clearly strong, his muscles were easily noticeable through his uniform and seemed to be stacked on top of each other, his body is shaped like a sturdy triangle and was quite menacing to those watching. "Oooh, someone should'a told me- I love a good brawl~ fuwah ah haaah!" He seemed almost giddy, then with one arm he lifted a fighter out of the arena and replaced him... "I'm tagging in, ok?" It seemed that everyone was too afraid to say anything or were too interested in fighting him, and just like that the game had completely changed, defeat this man.

The fighter on the otherside gulped after the bell rang. The giant threw a quick but powerful jab, breaking the poor marines guard completely, then he sent a straight, down into the man's face, knocking him out immediately, it was a textbook 1-2 punch. "Ahh, well that wasn't enough. Hey make sure you guys wear headgear OK? fuwah ah haaah!" One after another brave marines faced off against Kilts at a chance to topple him, and one by one they fell. Some even managed to get a couple of good hits in or lasted a few rounds but they were ultimately throwing themselves against a brick wall.

“Ahh damn it, someone at least knock him down already!”
“Is he even getting tired?”
“Hahaha, maybe if we all ganged up on him!”
“Nope, I’m not getting in that ring with him.”

River was only semi-paying attention to the noise from below but understood what was going on, she glanced down at from her book at Lars, “Are you interested?"

[pepsi]

Lars became convinced River was a good person at heart the moment she mentioned her family. There was nothing as strong as family in the world, after all. "Ya really like your stone-cold reasonings and logic, don'tcha..." he said, while hopping from side to side. On his face, a satisfied smirk from that little exchange.

A smirk that would disappear soon after.
River pointed out the makeshift ring people were putting up a little ways away, and Lars stopped his warmup to observe the scene unfold. "Prizefighting, yeah. I guess you can find rowdy fellas everywhere. Even here."
And then, he witnessed an all-too-familiar fighter enter the ring. "Aw man. Of course Kiltz would be here." Kiltz was a physically gifted individual. Even to someone like Lars, the idea of having to measure up against him on physical tests was rather intimidating.
Lars watched as the man simply floored a poor soul with a classic 1-2. The boy shook his head: despite his innate strength, the man was not as gifted in the head. Those two punches were powerful, but there was no technique behind them and they had terrible form. Not that it would matter, of course, because all you have to do in a prize-fight is win the fight and claim the prize.
It didn't help that Kiltz had a bad reputation among his friends too. It wasn't rare to hear Ernest whine about how he'd purposefully block his path before going to the library just for kicks. "I'd lofta show him a real fight, yeah" he said back to River, "but it seems they're doing tag teams. They won't let me in. Besides, if the Ensigns catch them, they can get suspended for this."

Lars sighed, and started calmly walking towards the ring. "I'll be back in a few."

The boy had to dig his way through the little crowd that formed around the ring. "Oi!" he screamed at the referee in the middle of the arena, "ya better stoppit, y'hear? If the Ensigns catch wind a this, they gonna whoop y'all's asses for real!"

-- NAME // Lars Van der Vennen

-- CLASS // E

-- TECHS USED // None.