Professor Relic stepped onto the stage and silence gradually fell over the students. Gasps emitted from the audience as the tall blonde was tossed onto the ground carelessly. Diem squinted, but her eyes went wide as she recognized Freya. She looked over to Maxim, who was tense and rigid, bristling with aggression and hostility. His jaw was tight and his fists were clenched into balls so tight that she thought his nails were going to draw blood. Without a word, he rose to his feet, not having to push past the people in his row since they parted when they saw his wide frame moving down the aisle. He descended the long stretch of steps that led down to the field where the stage had been erected. The attention of the students was divided as they watched the warrior approach his fallen sister, and listened to the cold instructor as he explained the reasoning for his behavior as well as the true nature of his trainings. Maxim stopped the healers, scooped Freya up and into his capable arms like she was the most precious, fragile thing in the world. He left the arena through one of the exits, and while Diem was eager to know where he was going and how Freya was, she remained seated along with Sera.<br/><br/>It seemed, to Diem at least, that the new instructors were broad-stroking the entire academy. It fit their narrative to believe that all the students were prideful, egotistical snobs with an inflated sense of self-worth and ability. It wasn't what she saw when she looked around. There were a variety of different individuals, whose stories they could never know by outward appearance and demeanor alone. She would bet any amount of money to wager that the students of Lancaster knew loss, even if it didn't come by the hands of hunters. Still, she couldn't deny that he had a point. Hunters were a force to be reckoned with and they all needed to train hard to be prepared. Diem had every intention of doing that.<br/><br/>"This isn't the military." Sera muttered.<br/><br/>"Seems like it's turning into one." Diem responded, surprised that for once they agreed and were on the same page in deducing the direction of the school. The headmaster just sat there, nodding along to everything being said.<br/><br/>The Angel was the next to speak and Sera leaned in a bit, interested in what she had to say. She was just now learning how detrimental it was to her development to constantly be praised and never think there was room to improve. Being around people outside her race was helping her become aware of her strengths, but mainly her weaknesses. She was trying to do better, little by little and day by day.<br/><br/>Diem was trying to keep an open mind. The professor had helped her, and apparently he had helped others, but when he helped her it wasn't out any genuine desire to see her do well. In fact, he said he was bored and was sure to dismiss her gratitude when she offered it. But, it was help nonetheless. She wouldn't have been able to get as far as she had without the book he loaned her... Which she needed to give back at some point.<br/><br/>"A military and a prison," Sera said softly, folding her arms across her chest. The outraged whispers started as the professor opened the floor. She doubted anyone would leave with all the money they dumped into tuition and books, after all the time they'd invested. The fact that they weren't free to do so when or if they wanted to was unprecedented. Still, no one said a word, too afraid to challenge the new group taking over the school. After being punished, Diem wasn't about to speak up either. No one wanted to end up like Freya, who had been dragged on stage and humiliated like she was some traitorous viper. With no one left to speak, the assembly was adjourned and she filed out with the masses. Diem left to find Maxim, hoping he didn't do anything rash.<br/><br/>After searching the medical wing, and asking around the Excellero dormitory, she found herself at Power House. Maxim was sitting outside his room, quiet as the moment he rose from his seat not long ago. He didn't even acknowledge her when she arrived. Diem poked her head in to see Freya laying in his bed, sleeping soundly while her body worked on recovering on it's own. Once she confirmed that she was alright, Diem took a seat next to Maxim on the floor, content to be silent so long as he wanted to be. She just wanted him to know she was there if he needed her.<br/><br/>Eventually he broke his silence hours later when she started to doze off. He thanked her, assured her he was fine and sent her on her way. Diem returned to Anima, ready to turn in for the night when she spotted the book. She grabbed it and found professor Relic's office number on the directory. She planned on dropping it off at his door, not wanting to disturb him since she imagined that he was busy.