Written, 7/12/2018

Edited, 7/25/2018

I in no way own RWBY nor am I affiliated with RoosterTeeth. This is a work of fanfiction written purely for the fun of it, and which I derive no monetary gains from.

Beta read by my good friend, Myst Eternally.


Volume 00, Chapter 03.

Forgoing Pride


"Students!" A semblance-enhanced shout called out into the cafeteria, causing all chatter and clinking of silverware to cease. All attention in the cafeteria turned to the tall, bronze-skinned and muscular teacher female teacher who had called out. Wearing grey workout pants, a black tank top and with a grey jersey over her shoulders like a cape, Professor Gorgo was like the very embodiment of the mean-spirited, female PE teacher. She and several other wildly eccentric-looking educators stood at one end of the cafeteria.

"Listen up! The physical exam is beginning in just ten minutes, so wrap up quickly! If you aren't around when you are called up you will face immediate disqualification! It's your responsibility to show up!" All the huntsman trainees immediately started giving each other looks, murmuring starting to pick back up. The teacher turning around to the exit with a much quieter, "Carry on."

With that, the cafeteria became a whirl of motion as students stood up to leave. They chattered busily about the physical exam, bragging how well they would do or fretting over each other. Nearly forty students in all were rejoined by their missing numbers who had been off campus and moved as almost one cohesive mass.

Gage, Iris and Blake all followed along but hung back from the crowd. More than a few times Gage shot glances Blake's way, but this time she seemed content to ignore him, only once glancing back to show that she knew his attention was on her. He wasn't entirely keen on apologizing to her, but he had made his promise and what good was an apology that wasn't heartfelt? It would have to be the best he could manage, otherwise he'd remain indebted to her, given what Iris had likely promised her.

He supposed that was the danger of shooting first and leaving before any questions could be asked. It wasn't like he even knew her, so attempting to block her off early seemed a convenient way of sparing them both the trouble. But that had only made more trouble for him. Guess I should just get over it. Treat it as one of the many hazards involved with not living in total isolation. Although, living in a box would probably be, ahem... suffocating.


As soon as the torrent of students entered through the doorway to the large combat room they immediately dispersed throughout and into the bleachers. The room was shaped like an amphitheater, with all the seating looking down upon the central area.

The space was large but like much of the school it was far from ornate. Plain, high-slung windows lined white walls behind the bleachers. What color there was in the room came almost solely from the various banners displaying the symbol of Vale down their length, and on the center of the far wall was a banner for each kingdom.

In the middle were three raised platforms that all extended to the back wall. Against the far wall were a number of Atlesian Knights lined up on each platform, with a number more standing in several doorway-like recesses in the wall. They waited for the trial, unaware that they were to be sacrificed to the altar of education.

Blake heard, rather than felt, as Gage's presence came her way. Iris wasn't with him, as evidenced by the fact that she had already entered the combat room. She kept her eyes directed away, waiting for him to make the first move. A tap at her shoulder was all it took to get her attention.

"Yes?" She asked nonchalantly, leveling a faint glower at him so he would know she was upset. Blake wasn't about to ask for the apology she was naturally owed.

He took a deep breath and faced her with what resolution he could muster. "I came to apologize, and to offer to team up with you for the physical exam, if you would like." He gestured to a spot down the hallway and took a step backwards towards it. She nodded and they both walked down the hall in silence, the only sound other than their quiet footfalls coming from the combat rooms open doors as students waited for the first leg of the physical exam to begin.

Once they were away from any potential listeners, Blake folded her arms under her chest and brushed her hair back with one of her hands, her glare intensifying as she waited a few moments for him. "Well? You had something to say?"

"Right..." With a wince, his expression strained and head tilted to one side as he gripped the hair that hung down from the motion. He stopped and straightened his posture quickly, seemingly becoming aware of his behavior, he almost mumbled a small sorry but stopped himself mid-way, having the good sense to stop apologizing for not apologizing.

Blake continued to bore her eyes into his silently, growing impatient with his foibling.

"Okay, so... How I behaved was reprehensible. Even though I had a reason for doing it, that doesn't make it a good one. I was... caught up, thinking too far ahead. That you wanted to befriend me or something. I'm guessing Iris told you already, but uh..." He paused for a moment to orient himself, swallowing nervously. "I'm not really good with making friends?"

Blake felt her left eye twitch. Now she was angry. "Who ever said anything about being friends?" She practically hissed."You're going to have to do better than that," She shook her head, her expression flat but her eyes were sharp. "All you did was explain what you've done wrong. I came with you expecting an apology, not an excuse."


Gage winced and lowered his head at her words. She's right... He had been making excuses. Again.

Rationalizing, explaining, but never quite committing himself. Those were his go-to tools in most social situations. They'd never worked though when he had to apologize. Whether it was his family, his cousin, or the friends he had abandoned. Each and every one he had disappointed at some point or another by making excuses for why he did something, but never apologizing and making up for it.

It seemed so laughably simple now. It was all clicking into place for him now that Blake had challenged him. Was he really so incapable of understanding his own failures without having them spelled out for him? At least he finally had an inkling of what he should do to make amends.

He was conflicted though. Right now, what he really wanted was to just throw the entire thing back in her face, with no regard for his prior intentions. She had been expecting an apology from him, as though it was a given that he owed her as much. The notion grated on his nerves. Gage had never liked bothering others with his problems or expectations. It was frustrating to have someone else push their expectations onto him when all he wanted was to be left alone.

Isn't that just an unspoken expectation you're pushing on her now? His mind fired back. She had the grace to at least tell you what she expected, unlike you. Nor is it an unreasonable demand either.

Sighing at his own hypocrisy he glanced up, expecting to see Blake already gone but finding her still waiting there. One foot tapped at the floor while she quirked a brow when she noticed his glance. "Well?"

In truth, he couldn't continue as he had been. Resisting would only end with him destroying himself and the chance to become a hunter that he'd been working so hard for. That thought was encouraging, having already come so far to become a hunter, what more was making another compromise and letting go of the anger he barely understood?

From now on he would face many more expectations than something as trivial as being asked for an apology... His future team at Beacon. The teachers. Mission requests from people of all walks of life. The scorn of civilians when he invariably failed to be perfect.

Regardless of how gratifying it would be to scorn her here and now, it really would be nothing but banal self-indulgence. He wanted to be better than that. To stop repeating the same mistakes over and over again. There was only one thing to do now. It was still laughable that the answer really was so simple though.

Gage bowed, arms tight at his side. "I'm sorry, Blake," He said in a tired tone, but a hint of relief was contained in it. "It was wrong of me to do that, especially after you went out of your way to help me. Please, forgive me, and so I can make it up to you... I'd like to team up with you for the physical exam."

He couldn't see her expression from where he was, but Gage could tell the mood around Blake had changed. No longer was she tapping her foot and her stance had relaxed a little. Glad as he was, there was more he would have to tell her.

"I can't promise I won't make a mistake again..." He murmured those words bitterly. It was true, after all. He couldn't expect to change so quickly just because he wanted to. "But I'll apologize every time."

He was met with silence from her for half a minute before she finally spoke with weariness. "You... don't have to bow." Gradually, he raised his head until he was standing up straight. Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes were no longer narrowed with anger. Blake drew a slow breath before looking away. "I'll forgive you. You don't owe me anything, but don't think that means you're off the hook either. I still expect you to team up with me." Amber eyes turned to lock with green again, her gaze clear. "But you had better learn from this. You aren't the only one who's afraid to meet people."

Gage felt a weight lifting from his shoulders, for once in a very long time. "Yes." He murmured, wondering if she was referring to herself or someone she knew. He didn't know, because he still didn't know her. He would have to change that if he was going to make this temporary partnership work. "Thank you, Blake. Um, although, do you think we'll work well together?" He laughed nervously.

Blake chuckled, smiling with faint amusement as she considered her response. "No. I don't." Gage gawked, blinking rapidly and unable to speak after having his own words thrown back at him. Blake's smile only grew as she watched him flap his lips uselessly. She turned and sashayed away in a much better mood.

He, on the other hand, was still gawking. "Wow. Uh, I guess she got the last laugh." I really hope the sashaying isn't intentional on her part...


Blake Belladonna was finally at peace. She had all she could ask for in this moment. Specifically, companionable silence and the comfort of a book in hand. Notably, it wasn't the one she had brought with her. While a... not insignificant amount of the lien she brought with her when she came to Vale was spent on books, many of these were used. Even then she had already worked her way through them all. All she had left were books to reread.

Fortunately, her temporary partner carried several with him at all times. 'Can never know when you'll need a good book,' he had said like they were survival equipment or rations. All it had taken was a small query to find out if she could borrow one of them and Blake had something new to read.

Her choices were two history novels- one about the history of Vale's natural barriers and walls of all things- and the third was a romance novel. The choice had been obvious. While it lacked the maturity and depth that were characteristic of her favorite books, it was by no means a poor companion. It had been slightly amusing that he'd brought a romance novel with him, but given her own taste in literature Blake decided it wisest to refrain from saying more than a sarcastic quip.

Blake had already finished the combat trial with little difficulty, even while not trying her hardest. No reason to do so when it would draw her unwanted attention, although the cousins were certainly impressed. No, all she had to do now was wait and watch. Curious as she was about her temporary partners weapon and fighting style, she withheld her questions for the time being. It would be more efficient to observe him in a fight.

It was merely a byproduct that she got extra time for reading as a result, of course.

"Lee Enfield, down to stage two!" A semblance-enhanced shout called out. Blake glanced up, since the last name was the same as Gage's. She did not however expect for him to be the one standing up.

"Well, that's me. Guess I'll go show up Cardin now." Surprised, Blake looked over her new book curiously to her 'partner', but he was busy preparing. Instead she turned her glance to his cousin, who was already looking her way with her near-constant smile.

"Gage is his middle name," Iris explained as soon as eye contact was made. Blake blinked before frowning. He preferred to be addressed by middle name? Actually, she had met very few people with middle names to start with. Another unusual trait.

Gage stood up from his bag with his back to Blake, evidently fitting something over his right arm and with a book under the other arm. "You know." "I don't know," Iris chimed in before Gage continued. "I never did understand why middle names aren't more prevalent. Name kids by color code, and huntsman team names are based on the first letter in a name. It would be sensible to throw a middle name in there, I'd say." He sighed and shook his head as he pulled the gauntlet on tight and made to step away.

"Good luck, Lee!" Iris beamed at him while he just looked back at her with a deadpan expression as he went down the steps to the combat arena, with... nothing more than a gauntlet and the oversized, metallic book in the other hand. Okay, now I don't know what to expect...

"Iris." The girl in question turned back to look at Blake with faint surprise. "Are those his weapons? They're unusual."

"Oh, right... You've never seen Gage fight before." Laughing nervously, Iris looked away blushing slightly. 'What a strange thing to forget about.' Blake shook her head slightly, once again bewildered at how quickly Iris's mysteriousness disappeared.

"No, I haven't. How exactly does he fight, though?" Blake lowered her book into her lap as she asked, focusing on the conversation. "Is he strong?"

With a quizzical expression and several tilts of her head back-and-forth, the purple cat faunus finally answered. "Depends on what your definition of strong is. Gage is a really strong Dust mage, but that's about it. Everything else he does is supplemented by Dust."

Now Blake was confused. There weren't many Dust mages in the White Fang so she had limited knowledge regarding them, and they were already rare to begin with. But what would that even mean? Perhaps his semblance worked well with Dust? Not that she often did so, but Blake was well aware of how effective it was using Dust in tandem with her own semblance.

"What does he do with it then? Combine it with his semblance?"

Iris gave that mysterious smile again. "He converts ground Dust straight into attacks of an equivalent element."

Blake just deadpanned at Iris. "That's something anyone with aura can do."

The grin on Iris's face only grew. "Yes."

"Very helpful." The sarcasm only made Iris giggle. Staring for a few seconds longer, Blake realized it would be more productive to pay attention to the arena. Not getting any easy answers there. At least there was still the fight to observe.

With her attention now on Gage's back as he made his way to his designated training area, Blake noticed there were others watching him. She could hear the sound of chatter, and even some laughter, while others pointed him out for their companions. At least half of the student bodies attention was on him now. With the noise they were making it was impossible for trainees only here for the exam to not notice the attention.

So much for keeping a low profile, Blake thought ruefully.

One particularly large student in elaborate armor with a bird insignia on the front plate jeered at Gage, causing some of the students centered around him to laugh briefly while others throughout the room just glared at the big one. The green-clad boy just shrugged it off, even walking with a bit more pep.

"Is he not aware of the attention he's getting?" Blake questioned, narrowing her eyes in disapproval like others were.

"Oh, no, he definitely noticed it, and he hates it. But Gage has barely used any Dust all year." Iris shrugged. "So he hasn't won a single sparring match."

Blake furrowed her brow. "So much for maybe being strong," she remarked bitterly. It was difficult to control her annoyance now, finding out that her partner wasn't altogether competent.

Smiling, Iris leaned close and patted Blake's shoulder, earning her a small glare. "Don't worry, I'm sure he'll blow you away with his performance." She gasped and stood up. "Speaking of which! I should take pictures of the reactions!" Just like that, Iris took off with scroll in hand, leaving Blake behind to observe.


Making last minute preparations for the fight he was about to get into, Gage glanced over both his weapons. Over his right arm was his Dust gauntlet, Grasp. He knew his supply of Dust for it was fine, but he prodded the weapons internal mechanisms with his aura and found that they responded properly. All good there.

Hefting the Dust caster he held in his left hand, he poked the internal Dust cylinders in it the same way and nodded in satisfaction. The weapon, shaped like a magic tome of all things, had a series of piano key-like triggers that could be pressed while gripping the 'book' by the spine. Operating the triggers would rotate the internal Dust cylinder to select a Dust type or release a measured quantity of the Dust into the 'firing chamber' of the weapon. He was proud of his unusual weapon, and the amount of Dust it could carry easily quadrupled the standard Dust caster.

It was also irrationally dangerous, but that's the entire reason the weapon was all-metal and locked tight. Destroying it with external blows would be a ridiculous feat, and misfires did not occur because of how mechanically reliable it was.

Despite his last minute checks, it proved hard to refrain from tapping his right foot impatiently as Gage waited for the call to start the fight. Keep it together, o' great wizard. You have your plan. This phase of the exam was straight-forward. Upwards of twenty outdated Atlesian Knights would be sent piece-meal to fight the entrant on a timer, with improved performance being rewarded with more of the Knights entering the fray. Your goal? Eliminate as many of the robots as quickly as you can while sustaining minimal injuries.

Well. Large-scale destruction just so happened to be his specialty! Really, it'd be easier for him if they would just go ahead and toss all the Knights at him at once. Alas, even if he asked the teachers to, they would not. Protocol and all. Although, the professors did have good reason not to beyond that. In order to make it into Torch in the first place he'd used his semblance to show that, regardless of his lackluster physical abilities, he still had potential and had harnessed it too.

None of the teachers ever doubted him from then on, but the students who had not seen his semblance in action all seemed content to write him off. Really now, how daft could you be? Judging the strength of an opponent only on what they hadn't done seemed a poor means of measurement. Aside from some wiser students who withheld judgment and those here specifically for the exam his peers seemed to have decided that he was weak, and that was that. Daft.

Speaking of daft though. Cardin Winchester! Ahh yes, that metaphorical ape of a man. Gage was still hoping someone would take a picture of his reaction. He would love to set that as a randomized scroll background. Maybe Iris will?


At the very top of the arena's bleachers stood the observing professors who weren't involved in coordinating the physical exams. Chief among them were two headmasters. Ozpin of Beacon Academy and Denslow of Torch Academy. The two men spoke with the familiarity of long-time business partners as they discussed the students fighting down below to demonstrate their prowess.

"The young man who just stepped up is young Mr. Enfield, correct?" Ozpin queried without glancing his fellow headmasters way, his eyes focused on the boy below. His first impression of the boy was that he was unusual. But he would need more than just a first impression or even an after-report of his performance to assess the boy, based on what he'd read from the dossier.

He would give him some credit for the green he wore though. Him and the magenta-eyed boy too.

"That's right, Ozpin. Has he caught your attention? He's most unusual." Denslow chuckled slightly, reminiscing for a moment. Lee Enfield had once applied to Torch when he met minimum required age, but he was woefully inadequate. Armed with no more than a short sword with three Dust cylinders, once he had ran out of Dust his first Qualification Exam run had basically been over. It wasn't unusual to see students like him give up on becoming a huntsman altogether.

Instead, he had apparently spent several years training by himself. Despite being of age to apply to Beacon he had applied to Torch once more, though on a much stronger note. Curious as to his decision, Denslow had inquired him why come to Torch at his age. The boy had then proceeded to explain his reasoning in-depth, leaving the headmaster bemused. But his explanation was best summed up with his first words, "Slow and steady."

"Hm," Ozpin finally murmured in response. "Mr. Enfield seems interesting for a number of reasons. Despite being an exceptional Dust mage for his circumstances, he is making an effort to avoid overrelying on that. He doesn't come across as emotionally resilient, yet displays uncharacteristic determination to try again. And..." Ozpin shifted his head the slightest bit, focusing on the black-haired faunus he had become acquainted with. "I don't quite know what to make of his acquaintance Ms. Belladonna, but it is an interesting development."

Nodding his head, Denslow murmured yes a few times, a verbal tick he displayed while thinking. "Well, let's just see how he performs. It's been a while since I've seen him use his semblance after all."


"Ready?" A short, white lab coat-clad man known as Professor Yertle called out at Gage once all the knights had finally lined up. The man Gage gave a nod to the teacher. "Then, begin!"

Cycle earth Dust, load three doses. Cycle fire Dust, load two doses. Mix for fireball effect. Admixture one dose wind Dust to direct scatter of earth fragments. Manifest.

The green clad boy remained standing still, staring down the approaching Atlesian Knights while his fingers danced over the buttons on his Dust tome, operating the mechanisms to select the Dust he wanted to load one by one and create the Dust spell he planned to use. The method was less time-efficient than mixing Dust in advance, but the incredible versatility it brought with it was well worth the price for him.

To most of the onlookers though it looked as though Gage had gotten cold feet, nervously tapping his fingers over the "weapon" he always carried into battle. Most quickly lost interest; there were actual fights going on to pay attention to and they assumed this would be little more than a thrashing for the bookworm.

When the robots had covered half the distance of the stage Gage pressed one last button and his Dust tome glowed with the tell-tale signature of primed Dust. He flared his aura, slowly shifting between green and white like a foggy haze. The light glow was drained away from his Dust-caster and traveled into and through his aura. The energy snaked its way to his right hand and within a moment Gage was gripping a lightly-burning, condensed sphere of earth.

With a cocky grin, Gage took a poor-man's imitation of a pitchers stance and threw the sphere forward. It traveled forward towards the tightly-packed group of knights, who slowed their advance and parted in the middle, an attempt leave an opening for the orb to pass through. Contrary to the expectations of the AI, the orb exploded into flaming shards directed at the mass of them. The shards perforated their armor, rocking them with small detonations and tearing the robots apart. Within an instant, each robot was thrown on the ground by the force of the detonation. Several of them were no more than scrap metal.

The silence that followed the explosion was broken by a shout from the audience. "That was AWESOME!" a girly voice squealed out. With the spell of silence over, murmuring broke out throughout the amphitheater. Apparently his peers were impressed. Well, good! Fear me!

Standing up straight, he Dusted his hands off with a satisfied smile. That smile quickly turned into a frown when two of the remaining Atlas robots rose back up, programming urging them onward. Sighing, Gage ambled over to the remaining bots to finish them off. One he disposed of with an aura-laden backhand, but the other grabbed his arm before he could do the same for it, throwing him off balance. In a panic, he expended a charge of electrical Dust from his gauntlet, causing the robot to seize up. Pulling it closer by the grip it had on his arm, he raised his tome overhead before smashing the bots head with it.

Sighing with the lingering disappointment of not quite destroying all eight bots with one blow, he turned his attention back to the new group that was approaching his way. All twelve remaining bots. Good, that makes it easy to get a perfect grade. He thought with a hint of glee, cycling to his electrical Dust. 'Now how should I go about zapping all of them at once without wasting too much lien? It was a bit unfair to the other students that this test would be so easy for Gage, so perhaps he ought to refrain from utterly destroying the bots with Dust alone. Not that it would make him look any good when he inevitably gets clobbered for holding back on the Dust, but if that was the price to prove he wasn't some one-trick pony, so be it!


He fights like a brute, Blake groaned internally as Gage literally crushed the head of another of the robots he had damaged or incapacitated with a bolt of lightning. He was good at that apparently; but still got hit every other time one of the remaining bots made to attack him despite how sluggish they were. The performance he put on was interesting, but he possessed little skill. There was no finesse in his motions, and he was practically pedestrian in the pace he moved at, never going above a fast walk.

None of it was consequential though. With two attacks he'd halved the number of opponents against him. The rest he'd finished off with punches and his book, all to show that he wasn't useless without his semblance. Blake could commend him for trying at least.

Finishing off the last bot, Gage punted its head away needlessly while leaving the arena in a chipper mood. Blake shook her head in wry amusement and watched his cousin run up to him and start showing off the pictures she had taken, prompting his laughter.

That's one test down, Blake mused as she watched them climb the steps up towards her. He wasn't strong, he had too many weaknesses for that. But he was well-prepared. Even if Blake didn't need a strong ally to pass the physical exams, it was still comforting to have someone she knew, even just a bit, for an ally.

Gracelessly, Gage flopped onto one of the bleachers nearby, theatrically sighing. "Who would have thought that tearing off the heads of Atlesian robots was tiring work?" He asked the universe at large. Blake didn't deign his rhetorical question with any more response than a shake of her head.

Iris sat down beside him but contented herself with watching the exams continue on.

"That was your semblance?" Blake went ahead and asked directly, holding up the book she'd been reading to hide her expression of curiosity.

"Oh, right... Guess the cat's out of the bag." Blake winced at his pun, but he was looking at Iris instead, who deadpanned at him and stuck her tongue out disapprovingly. Realizing what he'd said, he paused a moment. "Huh. That. Was not intentional."

Scared me for a second there... Blake sighed mentally. Looking between the jostful cousins, she felt a little envious of their relationship. These two really get along well...

Gage sat up straight while straightening his jacket and glasses. Blake had seen him do this twice already and had dubbed it lecture mode. "Anyways, I call my semblance Casting. Every so often, a member of the Enfield family is born with it, kind of like a certain famous family of Dust monopolists." Gage rolled his eyes, earning a snort from her. She was familiar with the Schnee families semblance, they were too famous not to know it even if only the two daughters of the family possessed it.

"What Casting lets me do is use my aura to convert Dust into attacks and other effects that I can manipulate the shape or function of before directing it. I know, it doesn't exactly sound like a big improvement over just using Dust straight up, and the way I do it takes up time thinking. But I think the results speak for themselves."

"You mean that staring wasn't you trying to intimidate the robots?" Blake asked sarcastically, tilting her book down for effect.

"No, I was just trying to blow them up with my mind. Which I did succeed at accomplishing I will add." Gage put his hands out to his side with a satisfied expression, as though waiting for compliments. Blake carefully kept her expression neutral, not wanting to gratify the boys sense of humor too easily.

"Continuing then," he sighed. "My semblance is also extremely efficient at converting Dust. Even expert Dust mages leave behind a small residue of unspent, drained Dust. My semblance is so efficient it uses all the Dust in whatever container I use. Makes cleaning my weapon a lot easier," He grinned shamelessly.

"That's interesting. What about its weaknesses?" She narrowed her eyes the slightest bit, the only tell for her curiosity. Even with the book hiding her expression from him though he still managed to catch on to her intent.

"Tsk tsk, Blake. You're supposed to let your ally reveal their weaknesses of their own volition, that way they never suspect you." He chided her, waggling his index finger at her.

She narrowed her eyes in annoyance as her eyes focused on the offending digit. What? Was he joking or being serious? That was actually good advice, too. "I was doing no such thing," she feigned while swatting his hand away.

Before their arguing could go any further, an orange-haired girl ran up the steps despite dragging along a black-haired boy with a single magenta streak. Both of them were completely at odds with each other; Where the girl was energetic and cutesy, the boy was listless and emotionally reserved.

Their clothing styles were also at odds. The girls manner of dress could best be described as colorful. White, black, some blue and red, and possibly the pinkest skirt Blake's ever witnessed. The boy on the other hand wore an elaborate but subdued green tailcoat with black and brass trimming.

The girl of the two stared with intensity at Gage, while her friend Dusted himself and stood up with exhaustion. Iris and Blake gave each other a look, both wondering what was about to happen.

"Was. That. Your. Semblance?" She asked seriously, her eyes only growing more intense.

"Er, sort of?" Gage leaned back, unsure if he should flee or not.

Her reaction was not one any of them expected, spare one. Crestfallen, she spun around on the spot dramatically before falling back against her friend who caught her expectantly and patted her head. "Rennyyyyy! It was his semblance! That means he can't teach me how to throw fireballs and shoot lightning!" She sobbed out.

"Uh..." Gage mumbled uselessly, unable to make heads or tails of the situation.

"Hello, and you are?" Iris spoke, taking charge of the situation with a smile.

"Lie Ren." The green-and-magenta boy spoke. "And this is my friend..."

"Nora Valkyrie!" She suddenly sprung back to life, practically knocking her friend down in her enthusiasm. "Oh! I'm so excited to meet a wizard finally! You know, I've always wanted my own castle! And a pony. Oh, and to meet a wizard who rides a pony!"

Gage just sat there, utterly confounded at what was happening. "Um. What? I'm not a wizard, not that that wouldn't be cool, and uh, I don't have a pony either..." Despite his feeble efforts to interject and say something, the girl continued.

Blake decided that now would be an appropriate time to slowly scoot away and keep reading her new book. If Lie Ren was any evidence, getting caught up with Nora would be detrimental to her reading time.


Was she oblivious, or was this her secret means of making friends? D... Dastardly. This girl is definitely dangerous, if her listless friend and his occasional corrections to her ranting was any sign. I am not ready for this.

He only hoped that if she asked to be friends, she wouldn't get hurt when he turned her down. Gage was ready to try and be friendlier with people now, but the concept of saying you're friends and then instantly being friends was absurd to him. Friendships were strong bonds, forged from longevity, a desire to support one another despite inherent differences, and a willingness to apologize for ones own mistakes. Gage could only tick off number two with most people, and that was more a quirk of his personality. One which had eroded quite a bit in the last few years.

Perhaps he was getting ahead of himself again though. He would... address it if it came up, and try to explain himself. Maybe apologize and say he isn't ready? Odd how the loquacious one is actually the one who's harder to read. I honestly don't know if I'd hurt her feelings. Ren over there seems fairly predictable in his behavior, subtle as he is. I'm pretty sure he'd be the unhappier of the two if I turned away Nora's friendship. They really were an interesting duo, and both of them were highly dependent on each other even. If anyone he's ever seen deserved to be called friends, it was these two... Gage couldn't tell if he was envious or relieved he didn't have something like this.

Unfortunately for him, both Iris and Blake were enjoying listening to him try and keep up with the bombastic, colorful girl. Blake with a cross between horror and relief, probably at not being the target, and Iris occasionally asking her own questions to egg Nora on further.

Soon enough, the first leg of the physical exams were complete. Nora had already gone up before any of them, but each of them remembered her performance because it was so explosive. Ren on the other hand almost went unnoticed by the class despite his skill.

Between these two and Blake, Gage was fairly sure he wouldn't stand a chance against any of them in a drawn out battle in a flat arena. Maybe with some terrain he could use it to his advantage. But without it, Blake and Ren were so agile and used two weapons in battle, and every hit from Nora hurt. Not being overwhelmed by any one of them would prove difficult. When would be the appropriate time for him to attack, even? With what? Those would be issues he would have to deal with eventually, having put them off for the last year to shore up his ability to hold off lesser foes without using Dust.

It was scary how outclassed he was, but thankfully they seemed to be among the strongest students taking the exam. Being outclassed by the best students, each of whom individually likely had easily four times the experience in actual fights as he did? Yeah, there was little shame in that. If anything, it gave Gage a concrete goal.

"Alright, students!" A semblance-enhanced voice called out once again; it was the 'PE teacher' Professor Gorgo again. "Back into the hallway, we'll be needing the entire floor space and will be setting up a pair of mazes! No students are allowed inside the room until it is their turn. You'll be getting no freebies for how to get through the maze by watching others. Everything has to be your own hard work! While you're in the hall, I suggest talking with your peers! There are an even number of students here now, and I expect that each of you will have found a partner by the time this part of the physical exam is complete. Alright; move, move! Into the hall!"

While shuffling out into the hallway with Blake following him, Gage mentally noted that it was never specified students weren't allowed to ask others who had finished the maze for advice. Wonder why. So they don't get wise and try the idea because it was forbidden? Because it's actually allowed? It might even be so students are cautious about it. Anyone with ill intentions could easily pass on unreliable info, although that would be about as petty as stealing a small bag of potato chips and calling it revenge.

"Nora Valkyrie, Lie Ren, you're up!" Huh. Gage glanced over at Blake, who had once more tilted his book down in order to take note of what was happening.

"I have a hunch they'll pick students who seem to have obviously teamed up first." He said while making brief eye contact with her.

"Hm. Plausible." She responded and returned to his book, as though his answer had totally satisfied her curiosity. Gage chuckled a bit. His fellow bookworm was much easier to get along with than he had expected. He really was regretting wronging her so quickly, given how easy it was to be in her company.

Heck, maybe he'd even get a chance to spend more time with her and- Stop. Cease. Desist. Halt, in the name of all that is good and Blake... Yes, that one's a joke. Now that you're paying attention, me. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Again.

Gage opted to distract himself by pulling out one of the history novels he'd been reading lately and lean against the wall beside Blake. "A History of Vale's Barriers, Natural and Man-made." Gush. Now this he could safely get ahead of himself with! Ohohoho.

I really should break this habit of being weird to avoid embarrassment. It's embarrassing, which undercuts the entire point.

Snickering came from beside him, per his dear cousin Iris who had prior been searching the Cross Continental Network out of boredom. She glanced at Blake a moment before looking back his way and waggling her eyebrows knowingly. With no way to stop her, he just scoffed and occupied himself with his reading.

I can't tell if they're getting along or not. Iris contemplated with amusement. She was happy to see her long-lost cousin finally making something that could vaguely be considered a friend. Blake's serious, yet considerate demeanor was ideal in her view. Hopefully they can become actual friends.


Blake had only managed to get through another six pages of her new book before she and Gage were called to the amphitheater. Guess his hunch was right. When they stepped inside, they found the bleachers had receded into the ground somehow and in the middle of the room were two very tall, blocky white structures with a single entrance on the front of each. Are these the mazes? They certainly are... distinct.

She had been told about this part by Gage. Apparently, they were being tested to see them use talents other than their combat abilities. Analyzing how agile they were, their creativity and problem-solving skills... Any advice the professors would give were bound to be spoiled for Blake. That was an advantage she didn't begrudge however.

One of said professors stepped forward. Blake recognized him, the short lab coat wearing professor who had observed Gage's fight. "Welcome," He said in a nasally voice. "You are to proceed through these mazes to the opposite side as quickly as you can manage. Try to keep aware of where you are and not get confused by the barren walls. You are not allowed to go over the walls to advance forward, however you may destroy them if you so choose, though you will attract attention to yourself that may slow you down. You also have the choice to sneak your way through. There are several doors inside the maze that can be operated with your aura, if your control is high enough and you have the time. You will be rewarded for your performance based on your speed, and effectiveness with your chosen methods. Good luck, students." The short professor nodded and stepped back, taking out a stop watch alongside another professor. "Go!"


Hm... Another silent robot caught Blake's attention as she snuck through the maze undetected. She was nearly to the end, but had so far managed to avoid detection by checking past every corner and very quietly moving past each robot that waited down the hall and taking advantage of the doors as shortcuts forward, but only when they didn't lead into the arms of a robot. The test made sense as a way to figure out a students ability to maneuver through a complex environment, but it still felt strangely clinical. Nevertheless, with the exit door in sight, Blake hastened her steps slightly and departed the maze.

"Time! Hmm... Yes, you made good time Ms. Belladonna, just about ten seconds slower than Mr. Enfield." Blake was surprised by that and turned to look at him, fiddling with his Dust tome. "And you did so without being detected at all. Very impressive. Mr. Enfield woke up each and every drone. If not for immediately having an attack ready for each and maintaining awareness of the direction to the exit, you would have been slowed down dramatically. Good job remaining aware of your goal, Mr. Enfield. Alright, both of you are dismissed."

Though slightly miffed she had been beaten in time by Gage, Blake decided to let it roll. If his harsh breathing was anything to go by, he'd chosen the more difficult option still. "That was... interesting..."

"It was very clinical." She remarked, having been thinking as much already.

"Sure that wasn't just... the white walls?" He asked sarcastically and shifted his head up to look at her while she quirked her head in serious consideration.

"No. It was designed to be easy, more a test than a challenge. Sneaking through wasn't hard."

"Sneak...? That's gotta take a lot of talent." He said, standing up with his hands on his hips and no longer panting.

"Hm. I suppose." Blake decided not to correct him on the matter; while she did have a few inherent advantages for sneaking around, stealth was something one learned to do rather than simply being born with. Aptitude or not. "Did you plow your way through?" She asked with a hint of amusement.

"Heh. Heh. Heh. When your only real advantage is that you're a walking artillery emporium, every problem starts to look like an exercise in demolition." He grinned broadly and waggled his finger, though she could tell there was a hint of self-deprecation in his words. Blake didn't know if she wanted to pursue asking about that though...

She sat down against the wall while Gage looked around before fishing out his scroll and nodding. "Iris messaged me, she's left for the day, apparently she has some things she has to do while there's still daylight. She left a message for you, too." He turned the scroll for her to see. 'Thank you for spending the day with me and my cousin. I'm glad you two are working well together, and I know you'll do great at Beacon when you get there! P.S. If you want my scroll number, ask Gage.'

Blake thought it over for a moment and shrugged, figuring there was no harm in getting closer with a fellow cat faunus and huntress-in-training, especially since she would not be seeing her in Beacon for a year. As she added Iris's number to her scroll, Gage saw at the pristine and empty contact list by accident.

"New scroll?" Blake glanced at him warily for a moment, but decided there was no harm in going with that logic. In truth, she didn't buy it to get a newer model, but because she would need a new scroll for her new life. Giving him a nod, he nodded likewise before sitting down against the hallway wall himself, leaving an obvious space between them.

They sat and read in silence again, though this time was different. No longer was Iris there adding her own snark and teasing remarks, and their new acquaintances Ren and Nora seemed to be busy making friends elsewhere.

A few students came to ask one or the other of them if they had a partner, apparently having performed well enough in the combat trial that they got interest. Each time they would just apologize, say they already have a partner and return to reading.

Despite the continued din of students still trying to find a good partner for the last leg of the physical exam, they spent their time in pleasant silence. Having gone so early for this leg of the exam and already having partners, they had little else to do but read.

Eventually though, Gage broke the silence between them. "You can keep borrowing that until Beacon if you like," He said with a glance at his book she was engrossed with reading. "Contrary to you finding it funny I had that novel, it seems you're enjoying yourself."

Blake smiled internally; he didn't know the half of it, not that she needed to inform him of that. "I'll take you up on that. Be sure to pass so you can retrieve it."

"Puh-lease." Gage waved his hand at her dismissively. "Beacon knows they need this wannabe wizard."

She paused her reading and glanced at him because of his remark, deciding to at least inquire about this negative self-remark. "Why exactly that theme anyways?" It was surprising that his first reaction was to jump slightly, eyes open wide like he'd said something wrong.

"Uhh, well. I just think the image of a wizard is pretty cool. Plus with my semblance, the theming was too good to pass up... Y'know?" Laughing nervously, he looked away from her. His explanation was not particularly enlightening, but it did show that he was nervous for some strange reason. Blake scrutinized him for a few moments but once more decided to let it go, though not without giving her opinion.

"It does fit you. But you could do to be a bit more confident." She said honestly, though her gaze returned to her book.

"Uh, thanks..." Blake could almost could see the cartoon sweat drop roll down his forehead.


A/B: This chapter would have been up earlier if not for a spot I stopped dead in it for two days. This felt like a good spot to end this chapter, even though I said it would be the last one for this introduction volume. I'll have to figure out how to make the last chapter still feel fresh for as long as this has run on for.

These exams were meant to be more extensive than this originally but after putting some of it into theory, I decided against that and made them sensible. The kind of thing teachers could watch and see the students performance. This chapter is 8,000 words, but was originally meant to run to around 12,000- but that's easily double the length of the other two chapters I've written, and as much as I love really big updates to stories I read, having each chapter be a bit contained is sensible in its own right too.

I'm really starting to notice how much of an issue I have with purple prose. Whenever I try to avoid it though I feel like I'm leaving certain other details unnoted. Guess that's what it means to learn first-hand how to write stories, huh?

Fun fact: Gage's fighting style was actually the seed that motivated me to write this story. He has an incredibly elaborate one, but I won't detail it today, that will be for the last chapter of our introduction.

So, now Ren, Nora and even Cardin have been mentioned and got some air time. The former two obviously qualified into Beacon through one of these Alternative Qualification Exam. I think Ren and Nora will have an interesting dynamic with Gage. It's hard for a character like him not to be envious of the relationship they share, but also feel wary of someone as friendly as Nora. Ren, while someone he feels a bit of kinship with, is so strongly connected to Nora that it leaves Gage wary of hurting Nora's feelings. Won't say more than that, but... it will likely come up again at some point.

Given how I described the category of 'lucky' and wealthy students, I thought that Cardin was a shoe-in for that type. He won't be completely one-dimensional, but I thought it would be interesting to mention his belligerence early. He does stand out, as ordinary as he is compared to the main cast.

So are Blake and Gage friends now? The answer is a no. Amiable would be the best way to put their relationship now. In a way, this is one step forward, after having taken twenty steps back. He's running a deficit still.

Iris was not a one-off character, but she will be doing her own things in the background. She's a helpful gal, sure... and that may feel a bit like she exists only as a tool, but I can say that there are actual reasons for her behavior.

Well, that's enough of that now. I will see you next time folks, thank you for reading.

-YearsLate