Kassandra is a former student of Wellston Private High School, where she reigned as the number one ranked student. She currently works as an investigator for the Authorities under Valerie, while acting as Arlo’s mentor.
Appearance
Kassandra is a tall woman with watermelon-pink hair. She also has light brown eyes. In the past, she wore her hair at shoulder-length and was seen wearing the typical girls Wellston uniform. In the present day, she wears a formal black suit and keeps her hair in a ponytail.
Personality
Kassandra is a benevolent and optimistic woman who looks up to the Authorities as well as students and other people with potential, like Rei and Arlo. She has good intentions, though doesn’t seem aware of the wrongdoing of her superiors. As with the other Authorities, she doesn't like the way Wellston has been run lately. She dislikes how Vaughn is running the school, due to the school having three vigilantes. She is cool-headed, and manages to keep calm even in uphill battles.
History
Side Story - Rei
Kassandra was the highest-ranked student at Wellston. On behalf of the headmistress, she met up with Kuyo in order to help the freshman acquaint himself with the Royals. Once Kuyo introduced himself to Kassandra, she took interest in Rei as well. Due to the fact that the two students were roommates, Kassandra knew that both Rei and Kuyo were of similar ranking. She complimented that Rei was "not bad" for a first year and encouraged him that if he kept working at it, he too could become a royal.[1]
Headmistress Sylvia summoned Kassandra into her office to ask the progress of the freshmen. Kassandra replied they have great potential, despite oftentimes involved in skirmishes. Sylvia later delivered Authorities' offer of part-time job to her, should she interested in working for them post-graduation. Kassandra accepted the invitation, musing about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of becoming an Authority on her way to the cafeteria. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Rei and Kuyo brawling on the floor. She promptly dragged the duo outside.
Once they were away from the crowd, Kassandra scolded them for clashing on the school ground, to Kuyo's embarrassment. The freshmen played the blame game on who started the fight. She told them to cut it out and cooperate if they wished to become Royals someday. She also suggested the two to talk their problems out with each other.
The day after, Kassandra heard that Reggie, a third-year student, had attacked Rei and Kuyo. She paid the two a visit at the infirmary, and informed them she already cleared the misunderstanding with their senior. After warning them to be careful around their upperclassmen, Reggie's insight on Rei and Kuyo's prowess led her to agree mentoring them starting next week.[2]
Interim
Kassandra saw much of Kuyo and Rei following their first meeting. Their constant clashes were a frequent source of trouble for her. Rei left a lasting impression on her with his magnetic personality, though she still expected him to ultimately act as Kuyo's second.
But Rei’s tenacity propelled him further than Kassandra could have imagined.[3] by the time her graduation rolled around, Rei had more than enough strength to lead the school after her departure.[4]
Kassandra’s next step in life was starting a career in Wellston's Bureau of Authority. She joined and eventually became head of the Department of Anti-Corruption & Transparency.
Plot
Square One
Kassandra paid a visit to Valerie. She thanked Valerie for recommending her for a recent assignment she was given and discussed her opinion of Vaughn. She had no kind words for his capacity as headmaster of her old school, which seemed to produce vigilantes in recent times. When asked who she was told to monitor, Kassandra showed some student files on Remi and Blyke, who were suspected of acting as "X-Ray" and "Nobody", respectively. Their involvement in the recent events in Branish and Grasshill were briefly recounted. Valerie told her that there were always leads that briefings alone wouldn't cover, and gave her files on another dubious student by the name of Isen. Kassandra agreed with Valerie, though she couldn't help but question why she was so motivated by this case. Valerie replied that her nephew attended Wellston, and hoped that he would follow her path rather than the one chosen by his misguided peers.[5]
Escalation
Kassandra went to Wellston to confront headmaster Vaughn about his questionable handling of vigilantism and school violence. Upon arrival, she was escorted to the headmaster's office by Keene. On the way, they bumped into an imposing student. The security chief introduced him as Arlo, who Kassandra recognized as Valerie's nephew. She gave him friendly salutations before continuing on her way.[6]
When Kassandra arrived at Vaughn's office, she wasted little time in getting down to business. She first asked Vaughn what he had to say about the dismal approval rating the school has gotten under his guidance. Vaughn argued that the reputation it had for producing the most influential members of society still held strong. Kassandra recognized his manner of downplaying his failures with technicalities, and stressed the importance of teaching how an orderly society is supposed to function. She then asked Vaughn whether he truly enforced a policy that forbade staff from getting involved with student matters. The headmaster confirmed her conjecture, expressing his belief that the students learn better without outside influence. Kassandra told him that his ways sorely needed limits, as things looked as though they were spiraling out of control without a few guiding hands. Vaughn disagreed, and informed Kassandra that the best and brightest students were able to learn from their own mistakes and construct a system that works for them. Kassandra asked where the school would be if that wasn't the case, but Vaughn paid no mind to hypotheticals, as he was wont to do in the face of unwelcome criticism.
Kassandra had no intention of allowing her case to be treated so nonchalantly, and began questioning whether Vaughn approved curriculum focused on defying their leaders. She confronted him with how Rei choosing to be a superhero directly led to his death. Vaughn said that he never advocated rebellion, and that Rei's pursuits had little to do with the school's methods. Kassandra followed up with the circulation of the banned book Unordinary, which was read by top students Seraphina and John. Seeing as how one of her colleagues had already looked into that particular matter, Vaughn saw fit to dismiss this inquiry as well. Kassandra was confident that the headmaster's indifference to such serious matters was proof that he thought the Authorities were beneath him. On a final note, she produced Remi and Blyke's files alongside photos of their alter-egos. With a smile, Vaughn pointed out that anybody could wear such elaborate disguises.
Now serious, Kassandra warned Vaughn that all these mavericks could be traced back to whatever he was doing as head of the school. Vaughn wasn't pleased with the insinuation, but Kassandra decided that it was worth upsetting him to make her point. Without solid proof, she said she wouldn't continue to push him any further than the Authorities already have. But she made it clear that she would conduct a full investigation in due time. And after all was said and done, a sensible headmaster would be in charge of Wellston once again. With that, Kassandra took her leave.[7]
Few days later, Kassandra encountered Arlo again, this time at the Bureau. She greeted him in a manner akin to old friends. He told her that he expected to exit the building as an intern. Kassandra then wished him good luck before going back to her business.[8]
Division
Kassandra became one of the first people to congratulate Arlo on his hiring. Despite her hello being ignored by the blonde, who was mentally too occupied from recent headaches involving a friend of his, she bounced back from the minor setback. She took it as him having a stage fright, being his first day at work and all. Arlo was surprised to learn he was sharing the same department as her. Kassandra introduced herself as his mentor and training partner, before telling him to fire away any questions should he had any. She then played the guide for his mini office tour.[9]
Hardline
Rebellion
Uprising
Relationships
Rei
Rei was one of Kassandra's underclassman at Wellston, alongside Kuyo. She had more expectation towards the latter, although Rei's tenacity eventually won her over. His everlasting bouts with Kuyo would force Kassandra to drag the troublesome duo to the Headmistress' office. She blamed his death on the succeeding Headmaster, and his more than questionable method in leading the school.
Kuyo
Like Rei, Kuyo was Kassandra's junior during her high school days. She bet on him being the school's strongest student over his roommate. The two of them would saw her off at her graduation, with Rei eventually being the King instead of Kuyo.
Valerie
Valerie is Kassandra's immediate superior, who delegates the investigation on Vaughn to her. Despite her satisfactory findings, the woman chided Kassandra in taking her sweet time of it, to the chagrin of the investigator. Kassandra was caught off guard by the revelation of her boss being one of Rei's killers and members of the secret division within Authorities.
Arlo
Kassandra serves as Arlo's mentor at the Bureau, as well as sparring partner and colleague. They shared a common fondness in Rei, the blonde's senior at Wellston. He would question her why she insisted on pinning her junior's death on Vaughn, despite agreeing with her that the headmaster is far from innocent. Together, they investigated Spectre's hideout, tipped by Arlo's anonymous informant. Some time later, both of them would discover the link between Authorities and EMBER.
Powers & Abilities
Kassandra was the most powerful student during her attendance of Wellston Private High School, an institution famous for enrolling elite-tiers and higher.
Particles: Kassandra is able create and fully control swarms of energy particles. She can use the bits to form weapons and hands to attack her opponents.
Influence
As the number one student, she had influence over much of the school. She also has influence as a member of the Authorities.
Notes & Trivia
- Kassandra (Κασσανδρα) is an Ancient Greek name derived from possibly κέκασμαι (kekasmai) "to excel, to shine" and ἀνήρ (anḗr) "man", altogether meaning "shining upon men".
References
- ↑ Side Story - Rei (1)
- ↑ Side Story - Rei (3)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chapter 308
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chapter 332
- ↑ Chapter 234
- ↑ Chapter 265
- ↑ Chapter 266
- ↑ Chapter 277
- ↑ Chapter 281
- ↑ Chapter 282
- ↑ Chapter 294
- ↑ Chapter 295
- ↑ Chapter 296
- ↑ Chapter 297
- ↑ Chapter 311
- ↑ Chapter 312
- ↑ Chapter 313
- ↑ Chapter 314
- ↑ Chapter 315
- ↑ Chapter 316
- ↑ Chapter 317
- ↑ Chapter 335
- ↑ Chapter 337