Episode 1: Starting Line

"How much longer, big brother?"

The morning sun was only just breaking the horizon on this day, coating the sky in a golden light while the forest had yet to receive it. And yeah, already a young voice of a short eleven year old boy could be heard, walking through this very forest as the group was heading towards the city coming into view in front of them.

In front of the boy, who was dressed in blue boots, black shorts, a white T shirt, and a blue windbreaker jacket, was an older figure of six years, though due to the boy's short height the age difference looked older. The older boy was dressed in a dark black cloak, and normal standard traveling clothes that would not stand out. At his side appeared to be a sheathed sword.

"Stay calm Aoi. We will be there soon. I am just getting some last minute work in. You made sure to pack everything in your backpack right?"

Aoi patted the backpack on his hand, making a small clanking sound in the process.

"Yep!"

"You know, you are really excited now for someone who was shy and timid about meeting new people".

At those words from his brother, Aoi's face went red and he looked down in embarrassment. Although Aoi was excited, he was nervous about meeting and interacting with new people. His brother couldn't help but chuckle about how cute and adorable he looked like that, and the humor of it all. Aoi was heading towards one of the great academies to become a Huntsman. Even though he was only eleven, he was accepted a special transfer student after his father and brother asked. They had high expectations of Aoi, his whole family did.

Uwaaa….I am really excited that everyone has so much faith in me, but...I am nowhere near as good as father and mother and my big brother and everyone else...and...all those new people...what am I going to do?!

That was the turmoil inside Aoi's head. Although he could get quite energetic and active, he was not used to interacting with new people. At least, not yet.

"Anyways, the sun is almost up. I guess we should get go..."

"...brother..."

"Yeah...looks like it finally showed up".

Sensing something off, the two of them both took up guard and went back to back. They both could clearly understand there was something off right now, and had entered high alert as a result. A presence was moving around them.

At first, it just kept moving around, staying hidden and using the shadows. But then, as the sun began to coat the forest in golden light, it finally charged out and went for Aoi.

"Too slow!"

And yet, Aoi's brother had already moved around behind it and kicked it with a leg charged with aura. The Grimm went flying back into a tree, while the brother took out his sword and fired several spikes from the blade. The spikes impacted themselves into the Grimm and kept it pinned, allowing the two brothers to run up and examine it.

"So, the rumors was true. A new type of Grimm, previously never seen before. Looks like it has tentacles like that reported Tentacle Grimm".

"They really need to come up with a better name for...brother, the spikes on the tentacles!"

Responding to Aoi's words, he looked over and saw that the spikes on the tentacles were starting to corrode and dissolve.

"Acidic tentacles?"

"That's just weird...and potentially embarrassing..."

Aoi immediately thought of something embarrassing, but his brother shook his head.

"No, ignoring all those silly tendencies of fiction, this could be very serious. If they have some sort of acidic property, that means it can damage the armor and weapon of huntsman. Rather then embarrassing, it could put people at a serious disadvantage. When we get there, we should make sure they bring in some more dust weavers and prepare properly".

As he said that, he took his sword and stabbed it into the creature. Once it died, it dissipated into a black mist and faded away.

"Now Aoi, with that done, lets get moving. Also, I know you are weaker then us, and admire us, but you should have been ready to defend yourself back there. Please make sure to properly guard in the future. And...try and make friends, okay?"

"Y-yes!"

And with those words, the pair of brothers headed towards the academy in front of them...and their futures.

Amarillo "Rill" Al'asfar walked towards the academy holding his head high, and an energetic smile on his face. He had worked very hard to get this far, skipping as many grades as he could, just to get onto these grounds as soon as he could. The grounds of Beacon, where he would finally become a Huntsman. The grounds where his legend would begin.

"Hey, shortie, don't you think you are a bit lost?"

Of course, he was quite visibly shorter then everyone else, lacking height in general. But thankfully, unlike a certain amusement park he considered his enemy for many years, height was not required to be a Huntsman.

What he would need though is a good team, and good friends. Obviously, those people were not people he planned to contact. However, if he had no choice, he would have to endure. He had no option, for his own personal reasons, he had to become a Huntsman as soon as possible.

That was why he had gotten excited, when he heard he had been accepted as a Special Transfer Student.

"Hey, kid. Are you lost? This is no place for someone like you to be".

That was when another voice called out to him. Based on appearances, he appeared to be a first year as well, but was already showing compassion for another instead of getting overwhelmed. To Rill, who was short for his age, he seemed like a tower, but he was actually just normal height. However, he did have some good looks to add to that, and also a good balanced build.

"Nope!"

However, Rill was not intimidated at all.

"I happen to be a special transfer student who skipped a few grades! Name is Amarillo Al'asfar, but you can call me Rill!"

"Oh, I see. I heard we had a few of those. Didn't we get enough for a whole team at least?"

"Really? I had no idea there were others!"

"Yeah...anyways, it was a pleasure to meet you. Make sure to do your best! We should probably get to the auditorium soon though, they will be holding the entrance speech soon".

Meanwhile, off in the distance watching them, there were another two who had just arrived.

"Sounds like the headmaster is up to something. I want you to take care not to get into trouble from any of your new teammates, Lilac. And if any of them do give you trouble, let me know so I can beat them up. No one messes with the Luster Household, after all".

A pair of girls, similar in appearance that they had to be sisters. Violet Luster, a third year student at the academy and the leader of team Luster, and her sister who was just joining, Lilac Luster. Between their clothes, their looks, and the atmosphere around them, they seemed upper class for sure.

It almost sounded like they were looking down on people, but also...something about them seemed different from that, almost as if they were raised in a totally abnormal setting.

At least, that was what Crimson thought. "Seriously. Lighten up a bit..."

"Crim...its just...shouldn't we get going too?"

"Oh relax Ollie, we can relax a bit more right?"

"But, its just..."

"Oh, fine fine".

At those words, two boys jumped down from a tree they had climbed. They looked to be around the same age, but also had a strange aura around them. As for their weapons, Crimson had his folded in so no one could tell what it was right now, while Ollie, which was short for Oliver, had his folded up as well.

"I wonder if we can find Orchid...she should have gotten here before us...well, we can find her later..."

At those words, a crow cackled from a nearby statue, followed by it taking flight and leaving.

"That was...a bad omen, right?"

"...probably a coincidence. Come on Ollie, lets move on!"

And so, unknown as to the future would hold for them, everyone began to make their way for the events of the day.

Unaware of the darkness that crept around them...

Author's Note: Heyo everyone, I hope you liked chapter 1 for a good intro! More to come soon, so leave some reviews and stay tuned!