"In our minds, we seek absolute perfection, yet within the heart and soul sleeps a kind of beauty perfection can never comprehend."

A breeze runs through the white afternoon, one that can freeze a Nevermore at the first touch. The glistening snowflakes fall ever-so-slowly upon the second-best city named Mantle. Tall buildings, glaciers, and military bases surround the grounds of a primary combat school. Such a setting is appropriate for the citizens, for some are just as ice cold.

It is nearing 2:00 pm. Students will soon exit their classes for a few minutes' break. And one of these classes holds a student who, like the others, will embark on a warrior's journey.

Sitting on his desk in front of the class, a history instructor wraps up his review for an upcoming final exam.

"And finally, can anyone remind me just how Atlas became the new capital?"

Many hands shoot into the air, but there is one person who just sits, taking notes. And, like any teacher, this one points right at her. "Ms. Aubri!"

Hearing her name, a blue-haired girl flinches, glancing at the wandering eyes of her classmates. She taps her pencil on her chin, and, before long, it hits her.

"Oh! It happened after the Great War when the Cross Continental Transmit System was invented." She stops to find something to add. "Everyone adapted to the system's communication process by enhancing the campuses, research facilities, and military technology. Throughout that time, we became overshadowed, giving Atlas the title of 'new capital.'"

The instructor raises a brow, making her tense up. Then, with pursed lips, he nods. "That is correct. Excellent job, as always!" As if on cue, a loud ringing echoes throughout the hallways. All the other students pack their bags and begin to leave. "All right, everyone, take it easy, and good luck!"

Once the place clears, Aubri calms herself. She skims through her notes, unaware of a looming shadow.

"Ahem!"

She looks with another flinch. "Oh, sorry! I didn't know you were - "

"No need." Her professor puts one hand up. "I just want you to know you're doing a wonderful job here, so don't push yourself so hard."

"Right…" She mutters, packing up.

Just as she walks to the doorway, the deep voice calls out, "If I could give you a tip: don't study today. You've worked hard enough to prepare for tomorrow. Relax."

"Of course, thank you, Professor."

Entering the hallway, Aubri opens her planner. "Let's see, besides history, there's math, reading, and biology. But…" She scratches her head. "…there's something missing, I just know it." Her mind wanders as she reaches her locker and packs a few books inside. "Well, whatever it is, it's not gonna stop me from passing. I've come too far to not stay on top of my game, so I can't afford to 'take it easy.'"

She pulls out Sun and Moon, her dual semi-automatic pistols, still in their holsters. After closing the door, she secures them on her hips. The moment she turns…

BAM!

Her back slams into the lockers. Two girls beside her hold her arms back. Another head-butts her stomach. As she falls to her knees, a pair of dark-skinned legs struts toward her. Her bubblegum pink eyes trail up to meet amazon green ones.

"Well, what have we here? The know-it-all finally decided to step off her pedestal today!" says the fourth girl.

"What do you want, Sandy?" Aubri tries to pull her arms free.

"Oh, I just wanted to drop by and see you, the incomparable Aubri Talia Azure, Mantle's finest, number four in the academy, might I add." Sandy makes broad, dramatic gestures, her honeyed voice ringing in the girl's ears. "I say, it must be wonderful to have everything in the palm of your hand, a bright future, a caring family, being loved and accepted by all. It's…perfect. I mean it's what everyone calls you, but that, my dear…" She chuckles, holding up one finger. "That's where they're wrong!"

"Quit beating around the bush…" Aubri huffs. "What are you going on about now?"

"I'm merely getting at the places where you fall short. Now, let's see…" She counts her fingers. "There's your sense of direction. You have to have a good hand in strategy, and, so far, I've hardly seen any of that from you. I even heard you were temperamental. Tsk, tsk. We can't be having that now, can we? Hm, what else?" She taps her chin and paces. "I'm positive there was a third flaw, something very important for Huntsmen to have…"

One of the girls beside Aubri raises her hand and shouts with a gleam in her eyes, "Ooh, ooh, I know! Maybe it's her Semblance?"

Sandy faces her victim and gasps. "That's right! You still haven't discovered it yet, have you? How are you ever going to defend yourself on the battlefield without it?"

That strikes a nerve, seeing as how Aubri breaks free for a second just before the girls pull her back. She hits the lockers once again, and her head pounds. With no other way to escape, she spits out, "So what if I don't have a Semblance right now? It's nothing a little practice can't handle!"

Taken aback, Sandy frowns. "Is that a fact? Well, I can't wait to see what you bring to the table! Only someone as incredible as you can come up with an exceptional strategy for tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"For the final exam, you know, for combat class?

Aubri's jaw drops.

"Don't tell me you forgot. Now you have to spend the rest of your day forcing that special power to show up. And there's so little time. If only someone reminded you earlier…"

"And you knew about this the whole time, didn't you?"

"Oh, that doesn't matter. If anything, you should be the first to know since you're so punctual and whatnot…" Sandy turns her back. "But wait, if you're so busy finding your Semblance, then what of your studies? All that cramming and over-analyzing you've done for the past, what, four years, will go to waste, and you must stay in tiptop shape." She smirks. "Then again, if you were to study today, there's no way you could activate your Semblance before tomorrow. And we all know how that will turn out!" She looks over her shoulder. "Looks like you're not so perfect after all!"

With a snap of Sandy's fingers, the girls release Aubri's arms. They all leave her clutching her stomach on the ground, laughing until they are out of earshot. She stands and dusts off her uniform. How could she forget the most important exam of all? Without a Semblance, she can't graduate, and she'll have to retake combat class for another semester. Looks like there's gonna be a change of plans. Studying will have to wait.

~oOo~

The snow crunches beneath Aubri's feet as she dashes her way home. Normally she takes a ride with one of her friends, but today is a bit special. Besides, she doesn't live far.

"I hope they don't mind not seeing me for the day. I'll text them and tell them I had an emergency at home," she says. "Knowing them, they'll buy it. But…gods, I sure hope I'm not pushing them away…"

Barging through the front door, she runs upstairs past a short, slender woman, yelling, "Hi, Mom! School was good!"

Her mom stumbles from the impact, but she catches the railing just in time. "Whoa, whoa! Slow down! You just got here!"

"Sorry…" Aubri stops. "I have to study a bit more. It can't wait any longer."

"Again?" Aubri's mom gapes. "You've done it since day one! You should already be prepared!"

"I know, but there's something missing. I'll stop after this, I promise."

"Okay, then." Aubri smiles, continuing onward. Shaking her head, her mom sighs. "Just like her father…"

Aubri sits her backpack down and kicks off her shoes. Standing in the middle of her room, she focuses, thinking of ideas for her Semblance. Deflection shields, ice manipulation, and even gravity bursts come to mind. The possibilities are endless. So, why not try them all to see if anything happens? Deep set eyes gleam as she chooses a chair near the window as her target.

She winds her shoulders back, plants her feet a few inches apart, and thrusts her arms toward it…nothing. She glances at her palms and tries again…still nothing. Maybe there is another way to activate it?

Aubri focuses harder on the chair and snaps her fingers much like Sandy did earlier. Like the other two times, nothing happens. Another idea comes to mind. Straining her face, she presses two fingers against her temples. Hoping to see shields or a frozen chair, she looks, but all she sees is the chair in the same place. With a small frown, she tries other methods.

After fifteen minutes, she plops onto her bed with a huff.

"What am I doing wrong? Is my Semblance gonna show up or not?" She runs a hand down her face. "Can't it happen before tomorrow? I don't wanna have to repeat a semester, not when I'm so close to the end!" Her fists clench, her temperature rises, and her head starts pounding much like when she slammed into the lockers. She, then, clutches her head and takes deep breaths. "Get it together, Aubri…" After more time and no progress, she is forced to quit and go into the kitchen.

The moment she enters, a sizzling frying pan and a white trail of smoke fill her ears and nose. She grabs a bottle of water from the refrigerator and sits at the table as her mom sets a plate full of sautéed shrimp, fries, and coleslaw in front of her.

"Done already? Must've been easy!" her mom says.

"Nah, just needed a break." Aubri smiles. She grabs a fork and picks up a couple of fries. But before she can even start eating, a question clouds her mind. "Hey, Mom…"

"Hmm?"

"How…" She hesitates. "How did you discover your Semblance?"

Her mom takes a few sips of water. "Well, it took some time, but it happened after I met your father in the army. I saved him from a life-threatening condition during one of our missions. He would've taken his last breath had I not felt some sort of energy burst from my hand into his body. No one believed me until a second incident happened, and that's pretty much how quick recovery became my special ability."

Aubri's brows knit. What if she has to wait for years for her Semblance to activate for the first time? And how could someone survive without it for so long?

"I know what you're thinking…" Her mom interrupts. "Just because it took me long doesn't mean it will take you long. Everyone's different." She lays a hand on her daughter's and smiles. "It'll happen at the right moment, I'm sure of it."

Swallowing the fries, Aubri stares at her plate. Her mom takes the perfect opportunity to change the subject as she lets go. "So, have you decided what school you want to attend after all this?"

She just knew this question would come up sooner or later. "I-uh…well…"

"If not, there's always Atlas Academy. You won't have to worry about the cost of the dorm room. I can help pay for it, or you can just stay here and commute if you'd like."

"While I appreciate the help, Mom, I…I think I want to go somewhere else."

Aubri's mom stares. "Really? Where to?"

"I was thinking…" Aubri fiddles with her fork. "Um…Beacon?" She, then, recoils into her seat.

But, instead of the expected reaction, she hears, "Go for it!"

One eye opens. "Huh?"

"You heard me! Don't let anyone stop you!" The younger woman looks onward as the other leans closer. "You listen to me, Aubri. In life, there's only one person who can determine how your journey goes from here. You're that one person, not your teachers, not your classmates, and not your family. You want to go there, then go there!"

She relaxes. "Oh, okay then."

Aubri's mom leans back and rests her head on her hand. "My girl's going to Beacon Academy, isn't that something? I remember when you hated seeing blood, and here you are getting ready to slay monsters! This reminds me of the time I gave you flax flowers and briar roses on your sixteenth birthday!" She smiles at the girl's face palming.

"Oh, no, not this story again!"

"I tried to warn you about the thorns, but you got so excited that you grabbed them and pricked your fingers. And then you fainted the moment you looked at 'em!" She chuckles. "All I could do was laugh! You should've seen the look on your face!"

"That was then. I'm seventeen now, things have changed."

"I can see that. I trust my daughter enough to have her succeed on her own. Heck, I've seen you do it when you started this school. If you've worked hard enough to rank fourth, imagine what you'll do next! There's a big world out there for you to explore, so take that advantage and run as far as you can. Just try not to become overwhelmed by all the new things. I don't want anyone calling me saying you blacked out all of a sudden!"

"Mom!" Aubri yells as her mom lets out a hearty laugh.

"But, all jokes aside, you're gonna do great! Like I've said before, you're prepared!"

When they finish, Aubri follows both her mother's and instructor's advice. Hoping what they said will follow through, she reads some of her favorite novels until she knocks out.

~oOo~

Hours pass, and the day of the finals arrives. In the hallway of her school, Aubri fastens Sun and Moon on her hips and takes a look at her new outfit. Checking her white corset, azure jacket, black gloves, capris, and combat boots, she gives herself the OK and walks to combat class. Anxious faces and conversations fill the room as she sits near the front. The bell rings minutes after and the instructor calls out,

"Okay, settle down, class! This is it, your final exam." She smiles. "It's gonna be just like every other time you took my courses, only this time, you'll have a full-fledged battle against a random opponent. Also, I want to see you implement your Semblance, at least, once." She grabs a bowl off the desk behind her. "Here in this bowl are everyone's names. And whoever's name I draw with your own, that's who you'll go against today. The winner will receive bonus points on his or her exam. Good luck!"

Beads of sweat trickle down everyone's faces as the instructor swirls the papers around "The first match is…" She draws two papers and unfolds them. "…Flynt Coal versus Drisella Damson!" All the other students sigh in relief, turning to the first two contestants.

"Ugh, fine!" a damson-haired girl groans. Unsheathing her double-headed spear, she slumps down the steps to the circular platform of a stage in front of the class. Aubri can't help but smirk at her. She knows she doesn't have a chance. Plus, seeing one of her enemies get a taste of her own medicine is probably one of the best things about today.

Suddenly, a cool breeze passes by. From the corner of her eye, a young, dark-skinned man in a snazzy suit makes his way to the opposite side. He takes out his weapon, a trumpet that sends high frequency sound waves, and twirls it, tipping his hat to the girl. A clear barrier conjures around them.

"Ready…begin!" yells the instructor.

Aubri is right to judge Drisella's skills. All it takes is four blows from Flynt's trumpet and a full-scale Semblance. Not once does she activate hers or damage her opponent. Landing on her back with a thud, her Aura depletes, causing the fight to be over in less than one minute.

"Stop!" the instructor calls. "The winner is Flynt Coal!"

Everyone else cheers and laughs as Drisella storms back to her seat, her hair frizzy and her clothes torn. Aubri giggles.

"Hey…" says a low, smooth voice.

She turns her head and gawks. Standing beside her with a smile on his face is Flynt himself.

"Good luck out there!" He pulls his shades down and winks before sauntering back to his seat, a hint of swagger in every step. Her dark cheeks warm up the moment he's out of sight.

Many more battles pass by, each one better than the last. Even half of Sandy's crew passes with no trouble at all. Of course, the one match everyone anticipates is that of their fourth-ranked student. With her exceptional intelligence and skill, it's a sure-fire win for her. Aubri can overhear the conversations concerning how they wonder what she will bring to the competition. She tenses at first, but then, she takes deep breaths, believing the worst that can happen is her repeating a semester…although, to her, this sounds as bad as dying.

It is now the fourth to last match. The instructor stands in front of the class, once again, smiling.

"I must say, I'm quite impressed with how you all performed. If you keep this up, you will become wonderful Huntsmen and Huntresses! Even if you do repeat, there's still time left for you to get there! Next up is…" She draws the next two names. "Sandra Skaar versus Aubri Azure!"

"What?" Aubri yells, she whips her head to the back of the room. The girl in sandy brown and black leather passes by with a wave, her Neko Te equipped on her hands. Sneering, Aubri makes her way to the stage. Clenching her pistols, she gets into a fighting stance. Sandy smirks and flips her long, wavy hair.

"Ready…begin!" yells the instructor.

Aubri wastes no time, sending bullets flying past Sandy's ear.

The black-haired girl yelps, flinches, and launches her clawshot at Aubri's feet with a glare. Her opponent sidesteps.

They circle each other, a curtain of bullets and claw shots spread everywhere.

Sweat pours down the blue-haired girl's face, and her forehead scrunches. Every now and then, she searches for an opening, but the claws retract far too fast for her to react.

Sandy is no different. Her arms grow tired from thrusting her weapons. "Drat! She's more fierce than usual," she thinks to herself. "I guess it's time I bring out the big guns." And with that, she leaps. A glow of light brown shrouds her as her form changes. A tall, man-shaped figure appears, landing in front of Aubri.

It calls out, "Hey, if you're gonna hit me, then hit me! No fourth-ranked student would take this long, anyway!"

Aubri freezes at the modulated and way-too-familiar voice.

Taking the opportunity, the figure charges in a zigzag pattern. The bullets follow. They clash, exchanging a flurry of blows. Without missing a beat, it manages to throw another taunt at her.

Aubri yells for it to shut up, swinging the grip of her gun.

The figure ducks. Catching her off guard, it uppercuts her chin. It sends one blow, then another, making her fall back.

Its opponent parries too late, and her body is pelted with another series of blows and a final kick. Sun and Moon fly out of her hands as she crashes to the ground with a grunt. The crowd gasps.

The figure looms over her.

Transforming back, Sandy crouches and hisses at her. "How does it feel to know you were never perfect in the first place?" She slams her in the torso, the pain throbs to no end as she cries out. "This is all you'll ever be, nothing more." She rolls her onto her back and buries her heel in her chest. "It's time everyone saw just how worthless you truly are, and I am ecstatic to show them!" She straddles her, and her knuckles whale at her face and stomach.

The sound of cheering from Sandy's group and Aubri's vision start to fade. The only thing on her mind now is this is how things will end.

For four years, she was tortured by these fools without a good sense of how to avoid it. Now she has fallen once again and will be publicly humiliated. She will repeat a semester. She will lose her reputation all because of a stupid rivalry. The thought of this makes something burn deep inside. Every blow makes her head pound and her temperature rise until…

"That's enough!" she yells. Out of nowhere, a huge burst of energy rises from within. The force is strong enough to push Sandy back. Everyone stares in shock, especially her.

Staggering a bit, Aubri rises and dashes for her weapons. Clawshots almost grab her legs, but she dodges with a flip. She snatches her weapons and twirls them. Their barrels bend, quickly transforming into wakizashi blades. She charges.

Sandy changes back into the figure and weapons meet.

Another barrage of taunts fills Aubri's ears, yet, somehow, it doesn't bother her as much as before. This prompts it to push even more. To their surprise, the sandy-brown figure's legs are sliding back. Neither can tell if one had grown stronger or if the other had grown weaker.

Using the misstep as an opening, Aubri breaks the clash and swings. Her opponent recovers just in time. They exchange blows for the umpteenth time, swinging at every angle. The sound of steel is all the class can hear until…

SWOOSH!

One of the blades stings the figure's face. It cries out and gets knocked back. Landing on its feet, it transforms back. Both girls huff and wheeze as Sandy dabs at the wound and looks at her hand…blood. Fortunately, she is still able to see as she was only sliced over her eye.

Her jaws clench. "You little brat!" She growls and launches her weapon. A blade blocks the attack just in time, making the metal claws wrap around it. Sandy laughs. "That's your defense? I thought you were smarter than - "

She trails off, gasping at a familiar glow on the hilt of the sword…a lightning bolt-shaped symbol. Aubri smirks and pulls the trigger. A surge of electricity travels and gives Sandy a nasty shock. She screams as a strong force yanks her across the stage.

A foot digs into her ribcage. The moment she lands on her back, a light brown sheen flashes all over her. Her Aura finally diminishes. Aubri transforms her swords back into guns and holsters them, huffing and sighing.

"Stop!" yells the instructor. "The winner is Aubri Azure!"

"What?" Sandy shouts, rising to her knees. "She won? But how?"

The instructor sneers. "If you remembered what I said before we started, the fighter who uses their Semblance and defeats their opponent is the victor."

"Yeah, but she doesn't have a Semblance!"

"Then what was that burst of energy we saw earlier? The one that knocked you back?"

"I don't know!" The black-haired girl shrugs. "It was like some sort of violent disturbance, a shockwave."

Aubri looks at her hands, which emit a blue glow. "Shockwave, huh?"

"Looks like you discovered it just in the nick of time!" says the instructor. "Well done!"

"All right, Aubri!" Flynt shouts.

One by one, the students chant her name. She looks over each and every one of them as the classroom gradually fills with overwhelming praise. It's hard for her not to beam at the sight.

"No…" Everyone stops and turns to Sandy shaking her head and staggering onto her feet. "No…this is wrong!" Her voice rises to a shout. "It wasn't supposed to happen this way! Everything's ruined!" She, then, dashes out of the classroom with the little strength she has left.

The moment she's gone, the whole class jumps up cheering, save for the rest of the bullies. Aubri takes another deep breath and savors the moment.

You were right, Mom, she thinks. It came at the right moment! Everything worked out just fine! Now, I'm gonna work even harder for you and Dad! Then she smiles as five words fill her mind…Beacon Academy, here I come!