CHAPTER TWO: Weak, Never More

A flustered Weiss pelted through the hallways of her home, a piece of toast hanging from between her teeth as she struggled into her jacket. She was going to be late! It was the last thing she wanted, especially after Winter had so graciously agreed to train her further, but her scroll's alarm didn't go off as she planned. It had this problem of flipping AM to PM without reason or notice, and she'd been meaning to contact customer service…

But she couldn't, because the CCT tower in Vale was still down. She would have to go into the local ScrollStore and get it taken care of in person. The far-reaching effects of the tower's destruction were going to be felt for quite some time, until they could amass an effort to rebuild.

Finally, the younger sister burst into the training room, toast crumbs on her cheeks and looking only very slightly disheveled compared to her normal pristine appearance. Given that she had gone from asleep to ready for training in a mere twenty minutes, she thought she had done quite well.

Winter was standing at the far corner, eyes trained on her scrolls clock.

"You're late," she said matter-of-factly. She looked her sister up and down and raised a brow. "You look like you just fought twenty grim. Next time I want you presentable, or there will be consequences. Now, fix your hair, and let's begin."

Winter had no time for Weiss to be playing around with her. She was on a strict schedule and it was lucky she could make time for Weiss at all.

"When last I left you, I told you to work on your summoning's movement and application to battle. Let's see how far you got."

Pulling her sword, Winter summoned a nevermore. A total change from the beowolves she had called last time. Nevermores were eight times more dangerous, but she needed to really test her sister.

As she had expected, Weiss's eyes shot wider, still in the middle of pulling her side-ponytail tighter. But she quickly finished that up and fell to position, drawing Myrtenaster in a flash.

"Yes, master! Ready to begin!"

Winter was silent for just a moment before she spoke two very clear, very dark words.

"Kill her."

Her intention wasn't really to kill her younger sister, but more to scare Weiss into being more efficient with her summons. To draw out that hidden talent Winter knew she had. Under the hardest, scariest situations, Weiss had always been able to pull this ability from within herself to accomplish things she didn't know she could do - and it's for this reason Winter had chosen to use that. Once Weiss had seen what she was able to do, it would be less likely for her to throw a tantrum and quit.

The first thing Weiss did was to squeak, "WHAT?!" Following that, of course, she went straight into a battle mindset. Even though she was sometimes a brat in general, that was one way she had earned a wealth of respect: she always knew how to get serious when a fight was at hand.

Raising Myrtenaster, she first sent a freezing blast at the nevermore. If she began summoning now, she would never have enough time to complete the procedure before a beak was closing around her body. The winter white grim was forced to deviate from its straight shot towards Weiss, turning around to circle instead for a second shot - giving Weiss the time she needed.

The elder sibling watched carefully, taking note of Weiss's actions, her reaction speed, her ability to make split second choices and their effectiveness. She had chosen to buy herself some time instead of overestimating her summoning speed. A wise and well-planned action in the older sister's book.

One thing people often mistook Winter for was believing her sister was weak. That wasn't true at all. Winter knew very well the kind of talent and raw skill Weiss possessed, and it was because of that the older woman pushed her so hard. She had no patience for her sister's whining because to her it was a waste of time, and unwarranted by the younger who could do it, if she'd shut up and really try.

And Weiss was doing exactly that. Feet planted wide apart, her other hand was clutching the foil-blade of her sword, using it as a grounding method, concentrating. The summoning portal was already open overhead, which was an improvement in speed...

But nothing came. Sweat was breaking out across her forehead from the effort of trying to channel her aura into the action, but still no summoning. Why wasn't it happening today?

The nevermore was back on track, headed right for the younger girl with blazing speed. All four eyes fixated on its target as its razor sharp beak aimed for her chest.

Of course this meant little to Winter, either Weiss summoned to save herself or she took a hit that would require she see the family doctor, but either way Weiss would learn something.

At the last second, Weiss executed a roll to the side, abandoning the summoning process. This unfortunately meant a complete loss of the aura she had been channeling into the action, but it did at least save her from injury-

Almost entirely. The beak of the nevermore did manage to clip her calf, and she winced at the hot feeling of blood along it as she came to her feet, turning and immediately resuming her summoning stance.

Subtle disappointment ebbed in Winter's mind to see the girl abandon her summons for a dodge. Not that it wasn't the best option, it was more her inability to summon altogether that brought on the displeased air about her.

"You've done this twice now Weiss, stop playing like a child and summon your defense or see your injuries become much worse." She gave no signs of slowing the nevermore down, she would show her sister no weakness, there would be no going easy on her.

"Y-yes, master!" she managed to growl distractedly. Again, the portal overhead pulsed with life, but nothing emerged. What was wrong with her?

But as the nevermore circled back for a renewed attack, she felt the arm emerge the way it had before. Grasping onto that thread of a connection, feeding it, she brought the giant sword up to slash down at the ghostly bird.

The sword caught the astral corvid by the wing, severing it completely and causing the Nevermore to crash land against the cold unforgiving ground. It let out a loud cry just before it began to disappear into the air.

"Had there been more than one you would be dead, Weiss."

"Yes, master... I know." Her head dipped in shame. She wanted to protest, to ask for more validation that she had pulled off a summoning at all, to insist that she had done well... and she would have, if it had been anyone else. But Winter commanded her respect, and she couldn't do anything but agree.

Especially since she was right. Even though she had made significant progress, it wasn't enough. It would never be enough until she managed to summon at least a simple creature fully, instead of one single piece of a more complex one.

"You're still putting too much energy into it." Winter summoned four beowolves effortlessly at the drop of a hat, and stared her sister down.

"Your semblance is part of you. It flows through your veins, it drives your muscles, it fuels your body. Stop trying to summon and just do it. You are not without skill, you are just lazy and don't want to try. Stop focusing so hard on all the reasons why you can't and simply make it happen. There is no reason I shouldn't be able to sic all four of them at you and know you won't get a scratch. The only one holding you back is you."

Tears sprang to Weiss's eyes at the dressing down, but all she said was, "Yes, master." Because Winter was right, and crying would not benefit anyone. Stepping back to her stance and trying not to acknowledge the feeling of blood running down into her boot, she said, "I'll try again."

"No. You won't 'try' again. You will do it." Her tone was very flat, and her expression very stern. Without warning, two of the beos darted from her side right for the younger girl. Teeth bared and razor sharp claws ready for attack.

Attempting to put Winter's advice into practice, she brought up the glyph overhead and tried to just let the armour come forth on its own - making her aura available rather than forcing it through the connection. It seemed ridiculous, like something that could never work... but then again, she had done the initial work of paving its way. Perhaps it would.

And it did. Even though she got no more than the usual arm, at least it came forth with ease. Narrowing her eyes, she sent the sword sweeping down at the two beasts.

The first summoned beo was caught right in the face, taking no time to scatter into the air, while the other managed to dodge. It lunged at the younger girl only to be caught dead center by the blade, and skewered straight through the chest. The elder of the two said nothing, she just sent the next two.

Her aura was flagging; she had never stretched it to these limits before. Weiss found herself going down on one knee, but she was still able to send the sword sweeping sideways at both of the other two creatures.

A clean cut right through both. Winter watched as the two creatures disolved.

"Better summoning. Much better. Good use of it for your battle. However, you need to be working that more often. Remember I told you, it's like a muscle. The more you work it, the stronger it gets. I want you practicing on your own as well. Not just in my presence."

However, as she struggled to her feet, shaking all over, Weiss couldn't suppress a smile of pure elation. "Yes, master!" she bleated, completely overjoyed that she had not failed her sister, at least this once.

Weiss had so much talent and Winter knew that very well. It wouldn't be too long before she was one of the greatest huntresses' this world had ever seen. She'd be the hero of her story, and when the time came, she'd save them all. Of this, Winter had no doubt. It was just getting her there. Getting her to work, and then work harder. To push past her limits, to redefine what she thought she knew about semblance, about herself.

Winter was pushing her, but she was pushing her because she wanted Weiss to be better than she was. To be the agile, perfectly formed fighter she knew her sister was. She'd always known Weiss was going to be the true legacy of the family. It's why Winter had taken to the military to please her father. If one daughter was at least working for the family, maybe the other would get a more lenient parent. It had worked, and Weiss had argued her way into Beacon.

Beacon... Weiss had barely shown any signs of depression since Winter had come to talk to her. Perhaps it was that her words got through to her sister. Or maybe that Winter just wasn't around to see. Either way, the elder was proud to see her trying so hard to improve, so that next time she fought her foe… she'd end it.

"You did well today, Weiss. I want you to join me for dinner tonight."

"What? I m-mean, yes, master!" Then she allowed herself to truly think through the invitation. "Is... today's training over, master?" She didn't want to assume that just because the topic had changed to something else, that she was finished for the day.

"Do you have a pressing matter to attend to?" Winter asked, plain and simple.

The colour drained from Weiss's face. "No, master! I just wanted to know if I should still be addressing you formally."

"You may address me informally, but unless you have something better to do, there is no reason you shouldn't walk down to the infirmary, get patched up, and then continue your training. As I stated, I should not have to be present for you to train."

"Right, I... ooh..." Weiss sighed, drooping slightly. Now that the adrenaline was waning, she felt faint. Clearing her throat, she said, "I'll get a bandage on it and some juice and come back here. What..." Her voice became quite a bit more nervous. "What time should I join you for dinner?"

"Six." She replied. "There will be no need to bring your weapon; this will be a casual dinner. Have your order in no later than four for the cooks. And Weiss."

Winter addressed her while stopping at the door. "You did really well today. Just remember to do it, don't try. You overthink and make it harder for yourself. Relax. It's there. Just let it out."

"I will," she said with a satisfied smile, standing at attention until her sister left.

Then she staggered to one side and slumped against the nearest wall, closing her eyes while she caught her breath. That had taken a lot more out of her than she let on. Winter was right; she needed to summon more often, or she would never be able to utilise it properly in battle. A few minutes later, when she had caught her breath, she began to drag herself toward the infirmary.

~To Be Continued