The bells rung as Alice slashed her weapon across three of the test dummies, instantly knocking them out of their stands. In a splint second more showed up as she impaled them without hesitation, her spear launched through the next group in one blow.
"It's only been about 10 seconds," Ku said in shock.
"No way..." Tawny said "is she using her semblance? Or is this all skill?"
Wave after wave after wave, Alice took down the dummies with no problem. In the next second, Alice found herself surrounded by dummies. She twisted her spear and spun it around, the spear broke down, held together by chains, in one twirl the dummies were down. The next batch were lined up as Alice threw her spear, it impaled every dummy in one throw, she grabbed the spear and flicked it up as the impaled dummies flew off. The spear's tip opened as a sigh grew from it's end, with one shot Alice shot down the dummies as their heads blew off.
"Impressive," Cardin smiled as he stopped the timer "18 seconds..."
"18?" Alice thought "th-that was 3 seconds longer than my practice runs!" as she stomped her foot on the broken dummy stand repeatedly.
"Alice, you may take your seat" Cardin said to her, she turned around to see the rest of the students snickering and laughing at her.
"And now I've embarrassed myself!" Alice swore to herself as she grunted and grabbed a seat in the middle, the students next to her all scooted away as she climbed up. She looked down at Tawny and Ku and rolled her eyes.
"She doesn't have to be such a bitch about it..." Tawny said.
"It was still a pretty impressive performance, I'll give her that much," Ku added.
Tawny couldn't help but agree, despite Alice's cold personality, it's clear that she did practice for this moment.
"Look at you," Nero thought "throwing a temper tantrum, and for what? Because you didn't perform how you would have expected...typical of a Schnee"
"Why the meltdown?" Ku asked "fast or not fast, that was a pretty entertaining performance"
"People like her think themselves as superior," Tawny sighed "even if she had the time she desired I'm sure she would have complained about something else...you can't ever satisfy people like them"
"Even than," Ku said "that meltdown made her look even more like a dunce"
Alice's tantrum reminded Tawny when she was younger, when she constructed Surrexit Crescent she would have the urge to scream and yell because a gear busted down or her weapons transformation wouldn't work. Alice's need for perfection was immature but her frustration over getting something right seemed justified to Tawny, this was an exam after all so who knows if Cardin is expecting more from her?
"We all have our expectations," Tawny said "but we need to learn that they don't always live up to what we're expecting, they'll never be perfect"
"That sounds depressing," Ku said.
"Don't lose hope over something but look at reality at the same time," Tawny said "use that reality and accept it to further your hopes"
"Next up," Cardin said as he looked at his list "Nero Wukong"
Tawny and Ku looked up to see how Nero would respond to being called, to their surprise they found that his seat was already empty.
"How does he do that?" Ku asked as she shook her head.
"I'd tell you, but I don't like spoiling surprises" Tawny smiled as she and Ku looked back at the field to find Nero standing casually, sets of dummies were set up in two rows.
"You ready for this son?" Cardin smiled at Nero.
"Only one way to find out," he said as he clapped his hands, out of his shirt sleeves came two shurikens.
"That's it?" Ku said "and here he was saying to ""just wait until you see my weapon"" was he serious?"
"We haven't even started yet, Ku" Tawny said "just wait...he's got something up his sleeves"
"Do it," Nero nodded at Cardin, who smiled and nodded back.
"3.2.1...GO!" Cardin yelled as Nero threw two shurikens at the test dummies, in one swoop both rows of dummies heads flew off.
The next row of dummies appeared, each on different sides. Nero flew his arms as two more shurikens flew out of his sleeves and into his hands, he threw them on the dummies supports as they flew up through the air. Nero made no hesitation to jump from one dummy to the next as he threw his next batch onto the midair dummies.
Nero dropped to the ground with a safe recovery as the next batch of dummies flew out, each on separate areas of the field.
"He can't make that row in one swoop..." Ku said.
Nero smiled as he threw two shurikens on each side, both circled around the field, chopping each dummy. Before Tawny could even blink, both shurikens were back in Nero's hands.
"15 seconds...not so much of a street rat anymore now aren't you Mr. Wukong?" Cardin chuckled.
"Oh sir..." Nero smiled as he threw his knee up in sarcasm "you flatter me"
"I have to say Wukong, your weapon seems fitting for someone like you," Cardin smiled "clever, sly...and uncreative"
"Excuse me?" Nero said baffled.
"Son, throughout my years teaching here I've learned a few thing or two" Cardin spoke "and it's that people seem to have lost creativity for their weapon design"
"So my weapon is similar to others?" Nero said "big whoop, there's always someone who'll have something similar"
"Yes Mr. Wukong you're correct about that," Cardin nodded "but from your display of your weapons, I seem to find your style and design bland. Compare your weapon to Schnee's for example, now young Alice's weapon could stretch out for greater distance, this would make any incoming lackeys vulnerable."
Alice smirked at Cardin's comment "not even a street rat like him could outsmart my design in weapons.."
Nero clenched his fist as in a split second he threw a shuriken in Alice's direction. She gasped and covered herself for protection as it landed right in between the legs of the student sitting behind her.
"No way..." Ku said.
"He's not getting in with an act like that..." Tawny said.
Cardin smiled as he shook his head "those were impressive reflexes there though," he said "so I'll add that to your points".
"S-sir..." Alice stuttered as she raised her hand, she couldn't believe what she was hearing. How could he get extra credit for a stunt like that?
"Yes Ms. Schnee?" Cardin asked.
"Nero just attempted assault on me! If anything he could have badly injured me or worse!" Alice said "he shouldn't be given those points! He should be expelled and removed from school grounds immediately!"
Cardin chuckled and smiled "yes Ms. Schnee you're absolutely correct," he said "but...you should have not said that insult because if you didn't, he would have failed".
"WHAT?" Alice screamed, her eyes completely wide open in shock.
"Thanks for the free pass in ice queen" Nero snickered.
"I can't tell if he had this planned or not..." Tawny said to Ku.
"Didn't he say that once we see his weapon it'll make our look like kiddie toys or something?" Ku asked.
"I think so...either he was lying or he meant something else by that" Tawny replied.
"You cannot be serious about this!" Alice said "mother...please tell me you didn't have this planned from the beginning..."
"Mr. Wukong, you may sit," Cardin nodded.
Nero sat next to Alice as he grabbed the shuriken behind them "I'll be taking this," Nero smiled As he flicked the palm of his hand, the shuriken disappeared. He looked next to Alice, giving her a wink and a smile.
Alice smacked him hard against the face as she climbed up the seats, pushing the students along the way. "You're such a hard hitter..." Nero thought to himself, rubbing his red cheek "next time you insult someone like that, you better pray that you're prepared to dodge another one"
Neo sat in her chair, the warehouse hardly had any lighting so polishing her nails was sort of a pain. But she's been thought worse, she's sure somewhere in this dusty old abandoned warehouse there would be a restroom with lighting. Or perhaps she could go into town and steal a flashlight, that would bring back some old memories of her time with Roman.
"Not today," she whispered to herself, she had other presses to get to. "The others should be here in any minute," Neo said to herself "I can worry about looks later," she was a fashionable girl after all. Today she was going with her classic gothic lolita attire, it was always one of her favorites. "Perhaps tomorrow I could go with the glasses look," she said "and maybe steal more subjects...unless Wolf finds it unnecessary"
A thought passed through her mind as she rolled her eyes "Wolf...I swear you've been acting like leader ever since we've agreed to go with your plan first," she laughed "but I do have to say...you've got a very bright idea in front of you"
She finished one of her nails and took out her pocket watch from her pocket, she opened it to show a picture of her and a tall man with orange hair. She sighed, trying to hold back her tears she clenched the watch and pressed it against her chest.
The door slammed open as Neo looked to see a figure approach her. She wore a dark red cloak with the hood up, the lighting made it hard to see her face but the color shined through the darkness, "Sapphire..." Neo said.
"M'am," she nodded and replied.
"Where's Wolf? I'm surprised you're here first," Neo said.
"He's probably with those lackey's of his," Sapphire said shaking her head.
"That Iij Porcos group? Are they praying to him again or something?" Neo laughed.
"Nah," Sapphire said, laughing along with Neo "he's probably gotta talk with ""the chosen ones"" to make sure the virus is ready"
"Ah, all of these delays," Neo shook her head "the school year is almost upon us and we're still in the beta stage?"
"I would say nearing the end of the beta stage," a voice echoed through the room.
"Right on cue..." Sapphire shook her head.
Neo and Sapphire looked over to see a boy sitting in the middle of a stack of wooden crates. His long brown coat hung from the crates, underneath he wore nothing but his black khaki, his bare chest was completely exposed. In the middle of his chest was a tattoo of a black wolf with thorns around it, his long silver hair stood out in the dark, making him even more noticeable.
"Wolf..." Neo said "what took you so long?"
"I was blocked off by the three little quarter pounders from seeing the rest of the gang," he said "so I did what I always do best"
"Threats and tantrums?" Sapphire asked.
"I prefer the word ""convince"" thank you very much" he grunted.
"How are the proceedings for the virus coming along?" Neo asked.
"Well on it's way," Wolf smiled.
"You're deadline for it was before the school year and I hate to burst your bubble," Sapphire said "but we're about 7 days before the beginning of the school year and you haven't even finished it? What on earth have you been doing?"
"Finding, locating, testing and I hate to burst YOUR bubble but who was the one who lost the last sample from our good old Aryan friend?" Wolf asked "oh right...you"
Sapphire clenched her fist, resisting herself from bringing out her weapon.
"Now now..." Neo smiled at her "after all these years, has the family's anger management issue fallen upon you too?"
"Shut up..." Sapphire said "...m'am"
"Besides..." Wolf added "I never agreed to your deadline"
"We all agreed that this would be a democracy," Sapphire said "and frankly, I'm starting to regret my choice in us going with your plan"
"Oh Sapphire..." Neo said "have a little fate in Wolf here"
"My faith in him is slowly disappearing each time I'm left in the dark," Sapphire said "don't tell me that you've been updated more than I have Neo"
"I haven't..." Neo lied "I did just ask him the progress after all," in all truth she had been updated on what Wolf had in mind. They both knew that if Sapphire had been updated about everything she would immediately drop out.
"Besides," Wolf said "I'd love to make good first impressions for my new friends"
Sapphire stayed silent as she glanced at Wolf "...do whatever you need" she finally spoke.
"That's a good girl," Wolf said "now than, the virus is almost complete, but it seems I'm going to need some of the girl's blood, I hope that those transcripts worked Neo"
Neo giggled "oh don't worry, either way with Schnee knowing it was me or not, young Tawny would have been accepted regardless"
"Than I should be getting ready, my uniform should be arriving soon" Wolf said.
"So you're really going to sneak into Beacon?" Sapphire said "you do realize that Schnee will recognize you on the spot right?"
"Relax, I've got it covered," Wolf said "the best part of being praised by a cult is that you get some curious kids to join as well"
"Wait...you got actual Beacon students to give you their transcripts?" Sapphire asked.
"Signal students to be exact, which is even better," Wolf said "now I look like an actual student, much better than your transcript plan with Tawny, Neo"
"And best of all? I even got Orin, Lilith and Firion into the school as well!" Wolf laughed.
"You can't actually be thinking of trusting them right?" Sapphire said "even after all I've told you what they've done?"
"Um hello, basically the god of a cult here? ""The saviors chosen one, the bringer of the next life, Remnant's salvation"" Wolf mocked "If anything I could make the ""saviors"" look like traitors in any second I feel they've stepped out of line"
Sapphire took a step forward as she felt a tug on her arm, she looked back to see Neo shaking her head.
"uhg..." she moaned.
"Ah, I can't wait to see the look on little those girl's little faces when phase 3 starts!" Wolf said excitingly, his eyes lighting up in anticipation.
Sapphire almost pitied Tawny, she had a gut feeling she knew where Wolf was going with this plan.
"Now than, if you'll all excuse me," Wolf said "I've got to cut down my hair, I don't think this style is the typical schoolboy hair, do you?"
"Hm, not at all" Neo smiled "good day to you Wolf"
Wolf jumped up as jumped out of the open window of the warehouse, leaving just Neo and Sapphire alone once again.
"You can't be serious..." Sapphire said "you cannot be serious about...trusting him can you?"
"Sapphire," Neo said "Wolf is selfish and self-centered, but he's intelligent and plans ahead. We've both put a lot of faith in him-"
"Faith that I'm still losing," Sapphire said.
"Don't lie," Neo said "even if you can predict what Wolf's plan is you have to keep that faith, but Sapphire trust me when I say this: if all else fails, if Wolf's plan is a failure, know that it's failure will be your time to rise...your time will come"
Sapphire looked down in sadness as she looked back at Neo. "What are you going to do?" she asked.
"Me? Why I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the show," Neo smiled "how about you? Will you be joining Wolf's little party? Or would you rather have this extra seat and watch with me?"
Sapphire felt almost disgusted and insulted by Neo's remark, but as she gave it some thought she understood what she meant.
"First I need to run a few errands...when I'm done...I expect that seat to be available" Sapphire said as she walked out and slammed the warehouse door.
Neo continued looking and polishing her nails, she giggled the entire time while doing so "yes Tawny, I did promise you I would tell you who I was...let's just hope you survive Wolf's little show, I'm sure he's to have mercy on at least you"