Of Mysteries and Demonstrations
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(Inuba POV)
"How?!"
"How what?" Master asked Ciel in return.
"How did you get that mahoosive score for the tourney?!"
"Because I'm good and I wreck scrubs for a living?"
Master and his siblings very much enjoy passing their time with a game on their Scrolls called Phantom Souls 3. I may not play this game, but I realized something after Master was quote unquote "invaded" for the first time.
In acts of desperation, or something along those lines, many people are going to use whatever "builds" possible simply to gain a victory. This ranges from weapons, to spells, to miracles, even hulking armor that prevents a player from being staggered by attacks easily.
This "game" seemed to be very enjoyable, but I'm not sure how well I would do if I played it… The only games I have ever played in my life was a game involving various shapes and needing to fit them together to eliminate rows of other shapes, and this "Words with Friends" game I played on occasion with Master and the twins.
"I didn't even use an overpowered build. I just kept it simple." Master replied as we continued walking down the hall to our class.
"Define simple." Leonard asked.
"I just used the Black Knight set. Black Knight armor, Black Knight shield, and the Black Knight greatsword, glaive, axe and ultra greatsword. I swapped weapons between matches now and then, but my main weapon usually was the ultra greatsword."
"You just did it for the uber poise, didn't you?" Ciel said punching her elder brother in the shoulder.
"No, I used the build because in all of the Souls games, Black Knights have been the most epic and badass NPCs ever. I cringed a little every time I saw one because they could practically brutalize me into oblivion if I made one mistake. That, and it used to be what I was before Remnant."
Ah yes, Master's old moniker, The Black Knight of Primordial. He was garbed in black and did wear portions of blackened armor, so it was a very fitting name.
"Oh yeah, when you were prancing around like a superhero or something…"
"Which is true if you think about it." Leonard stated for Ciel, "But still, eighty eight victories and only one loss… I don't think anyone in the entire event managed a score that large…"
"No one is as insane as big brother Leo."
It's...amusing to hear what people say of Master's feats, be they silly things like with this game or in real life situations. The general consensus is that he is insane in some way, shape or form.
But I assure you, he's perfectly sane. I did the evaluations myself once I learned how to do so.
And yes, it was as unbiased as possible.
"Hey, did you guys hear anything about Kitsuki lately?" Ciel asked, drawing us to her attention.
"Other than Cardin messing with her? No, not really." Master replied as we continued walking as both he and Ciel continued playing their game on their holographic screens.
"Apparently she had a partner during initiation before she got paired with that Arex girl. Some hotshot from Vacuo called Maroon Alister."
"What happened to him?" I asked.
"I heard of this too… He apparently died during initiation."
He...died..?
"H-How..?" I asked softly in response to Leo's statement.
"A pack of Beowolves. Guess he wasn't as much of a big shot as others hyped him up to be…"
"That or he was injured before the pack got to him…" Master cut in, "This Alister guy may not be Pyrrha Nikos famous or as skilled, but if he was well known, there's no way a simple pack of Beowolves can take him out, not even if they were trying to pull a sneak attack. Which leaves...only one conclusion…" he finished with a strained tone as his button pressing increased in speed.
"Which is what? He was having an off day? Got cocky?" Ciel asked.
"No… It means someone got to him before the pack of Beowolves did him in."
"You mean to say this was done intentionally..?!" I asked in a surprised yet hushed tone.
"Don't know for certain, but it is a possibility someone had malicious intent. I mean, it would be an opportune time to take advantage and kill him during that period of time, or at least weaken him so the Grimm can do it."
"But...who could have done such a thing?" I asked him.
"Maybe someone who was jealous or had a grudge or something. Don't really know."
"Man big brother, if you had a normal life or whatever you'd be a police detective or something."
"Well, that's what I was shooting for before I left Primordial. That or be a personal guard for someone important."
That's right… I had almost forgotten… Sir Blanc, who would soon become the ruler of the Central Kingdom in Primordial at the time had offered Master a position as his bodyguard… But...those last few months before we left…
"Though if I were going to be a detective they would have issued me a gun or something. And as you all know, I'm not exactly a fan of guns despite being able to use them. But then again, if I did convince them to let me use a sword… Eh, the past is the past. Nothing to do about it." Master said as we all opened the door to our next class.
Now that I recall, I remember hearing that Kitsuki nearly died from blood loss due to the numerous injuries on her body… She must have been able to escape from the pack, but not before suffering injuries of her own. How terrible…
"You look like you're deep in thought." Master said holding the door open for me, not taking his eyes off his game at all.
"I… I was just thinking of Kitsuki during initiation…"
"Ah, that's right. She was badly injured during initiation…"
Glancing at him, I could tell he was thinking of something. But his theory…
"Do you really think someone intentionally did such a thing to that boy?"
"Well, it's a high probability that was the case. But…"
"But..?"
"Truthfully Inuba? I think that guy was in the way."
"Then...that would mean… Kitsuki was the target..?"
"I don't honestly know, but I think it really suspicious she escaped with her life while her partner didn't, especially since they would have stuck together. If something was done to immobilize her partner, it should've been the same for her, therefore making them both perish. But Kitsuki was able to get out, and with technical minor injuries, but enough to make her nearly suffer from blood loss and possibly die. If someone was aiming to kill students, they would have targeted both Kitsuki and Maroon, therefore making them both perish in the process. Again, Kitsuki was the only one to make it out, even if it was just by the skin of her teeth."
While absorbing all this information, a chill ran down my spine, my eyes widening with shock at the sudden realization of a potential scenario.
"You don't think..?!"
She… She couldn't do something so vile..!
"Hrmmm… Hard to say really. I've only met her twice to be honest, and that was when we visited her and her team with baked goods and in the forge room a good bit ago. My first impression of her ever was that she was timid, reluctant to reach out to strangers, especially those she can't entirely trust on the spot. Truthfully…"
She couldn't have done something like that…
"I'm not entirely sure she was responsible."
My head jolted upwards at my Master's statement, a smile of relief forming on my face.
"But I can't entirely exclude her out of the equation either."
We continued walking up the steps slowly, side by side to join Leo and Ciel high above, my eyes trailing the steps a few moments longer before they fell on Master once again.
"With a situation as delicate as this, I know you wouldn't do so easily. But… I honestly don't believe she was the one who did it."
"You are more than likely correct Inuba. But the one thing you and I can't deny is that she's at center of it somehow. She may or may not have done the deed, but she herself could be the reason it was done."
"But why would she be the reason the deed was done? Could she possibly be of far greater importance than we know of currently?" I asked.
"I don't think so. Her mannerisms, general posture and overall gestures don't seem to imply of her being from a family with high social status or something similar. Then again, she could be trying to hide it. Point is…" Master said as he closed his holographic screen, "I'm going to have to get to know her better. Especially since I'm going to take on the case and figure it out myself."
There it was… That warm smile of his and his resolve to help another person… It's truly one of the many things I admire him for…
"I may have only known her basically for a good while, but I consider her and her team friends. Well, maybe not Ezdeil, but Arex and Anoel. In any case, I'm kind of excited really."
"Why's that?" I asked slightly confused by his statement.
"It's been a good while since I've taken on a complex case to solve. And it gives me something to work towards on the side. After high school, homework just doesn't cut it anymore as a means to occupy my time."
"I can see that." I said with a giggle, remembering how often master complained about the many various aspects of high school life, "But you have the forge room now, yes? Surely activities there would occupy your time."
"They would. But not always. Got to do other things too so I don't get bored so easily. Because if I do get bored, I might just find a way to conjure up Cthulhu for a nice chat."
"What?! You wouldn't! After the effort we put in to send him to his home realm?!" I asked with hushed shock.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. It's a joke. No way that I'd want to deal with Squid-face again after all that…" he said shutting off his screen at last as he shuffled himself into one of the long table-stands next to Ciel and Leonard.
Honestly, he worries me sometimes. Usually there's nothing to fear, things of this sort I can easily understand as humor on his part. Though...I have seen what he can do to relieve himself of boredom. And that alone is very likely why some people consider him insane.
"Hey there. How's the day been so far?" I heard him call out to someone behind us.
Turning my head, I saw hims speaking with Kitsuki. If what he said was true about Kitsuki being the reason behind the death of another student, or at the very least the center of it, then getting to know her better would be the most logical way to determine her position in the matter. That, and it would hopefully clear her of any potential wrongdoings.
I honestly believe she wasn't involved in the slightest. But as Master said, there could be a chance she herself was the cause.
From what I saw, Kitsuki simply gave him a tired shrug. She looked as though she'd rather be sleeping right now more than anything. Which is fine, of course. We could all do with more sleep in our lives to be well rested.
If only Master would take that into consideration now and then...
"Still a bit tired I see. That's alright."
Looking around, I saw the classroom filling up quickly with students, meaning the class would be starting soon. I haven't heard much of this class other than the professor is supposed to be new and that he's very skilled in his area of expertise.
From what I did see, I found ms. Arex and Anoel sitting next to Kitsuki, ms. Arex seemingly working on something in her notebook. Further below us by a row, I could hear and feel the blatant sarcasm that personified Ray Chroma. As per usual, he was complaining about being annoyed, or something of the sort.
Just thinking his name reminded me of the embarrassment I suffered at his hands when he tore the front of my kimono. While the black nylon-spandex undershirt I wore was still intact and unscathed, it was rather embarrassing to have "them" pop out slightly given that the size of my bust is rather large
Honestly… My families' genetics are bothersome sometimes… Though, I don't mind it all too much. After all… I'm very certain Master is in some way drawn to those with larger busts… I know now and then in certain situations he takes notice given how quickly he looks away. That has to be a sign...yes?
My fox ears flicked suddenly after picking up footsteps approaching our classroom, the door opening as whom I assumed to be our professor stepped inside. The rest of the students continued their chatter, even after he walked in.
He was tall, very likely around 6'2, and wore a dark blue collared dress shirt, the lapels of the collar longer than what one would normally see from a dress shirt. Black trousers fitted his legs along with black dress shoes just beneath them. a white belt holding everything up. A glint of light silently glimpsed over his silver buckle as my eyes wandered up to see he was wearing a black leather cowboy hat with a white band encasing the crown that seemed to be very aged and worn.
Encased by his hat was slightly curly, shoulder length black hair just beneath. He had a pale complexion and dark blue eyes situated behind black, rectangular-shaped glasses. He also had facial hair of sorts, where he had a cleanly cut mustache that sat nicely away from a thin, neatly trimmed beard running along his jawline.
"Good morning everyone." he spoke in a collected, even voice with a mild reverberation, "My name is professor Dravus Gladian, and I will be your professor for Advanced Aura Integration."
The chatter of the class finally died down once he started speaking, his voice difficult not to pay attention to.
"Here in this class, I'll be teaching you how to directly combat other Aura-using combatants that make use of advanced Aura and other magic-related abilities, as well as furthering the abilities you yourself possess in your personal arsenal."
The noise I heard next was subtle, but it sounded like something hit one of the long table desks. And I'm fairly certain I heard a faint groan.
"You won't only learn about what exactly is out there and what people might use against you, but how to deal with them. And to this effect, we'll also be performing direct demonstrations of how to combat against these varying different abilities. Out in the field."
I see… So this class would be held in tandem with ms. Goodwitch's class… In a way, this class is similar where it focuses on how to combat those with Aura and various abilities effectively and efficiently, whereas ms. Goodwitch focuses on our individual strengths and weaknesses.
It's very likely that we would have to fight in this class too, only, the usage of our Aura specific abilities would be what we would use more rather than our weapons.
"Unfortunately, you may not always be able to rely on just your weapon or weapons. Hence why it is important to harness and improve your Aura-related capabilities and understand what it is you're up against when facing another combatant. After all…it isn't JUST the Grimm we have to be worried about out in the world."
He was right. There were all sorts of rogues out in the wilderness. Master, his siblings, and I have encountered few now and then. Some even possessed Semblances as well. While easy to defeat, they were annoying to deal with...
"Sounds like bullshit if you ask me. You've been here five minutes and I've already lost all interest."
Of course, Ray Chroma has next to no useful input to add. I'm still fairly miffed that I wasn't able to sear his lips shut permanently...
"It might sound like 'bullshit' to you, Mr. Chroma, but I'd venture a guess that you would think differently if someone shrunk you down to the size of a water bottle. Or perhaps rearrange the composition of your entire bone structure to make it as brittle as cookies. Who knows? Maybe even a toad for the simple fun of it."
Professor Gladian responded with an unwavering smile and sharp stare.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought this was a Huntsmen/Huntress training academy, not a fairytale castle."
"It's often the fairy tales and legends you should be most wary of. Out there in the world of Huntsmen and Huntresses are many unknowns and all sorts of complicated variables involved. Wouldn't you rather know how to deal with them offhand rather than scramble around for an answer?"
The professor makes a sound point. The world is full of mysteries. And though we understand quite a lot, there is still much to learn. Magic is real and exists despite the common knowledge we assume people of this world posses. After all, Magic is how we are present in this World currently. I'm sure people know Magic does exist in this world, but what I'm even more certain of is that the people of this World haven't begun to comprehend what exists in secret here, and what exists outside.
If only they knew of the terrors and kinds of beings that actually exist...
"There are very few things that cannot be explained using science and logic, so until you show me real evidence of magic, I'll take everything you say with a pinch of salt. Starting…now."
Perhaps I can demonstrate for you mr. Chroma. Though I'm sure it is something that can be accomplished painlessly.
"I'll hold off a direct demonstration for now, Mr. Chroma. But still, I suggest you keep a keen eye and pay attention. You might learn a thing or two that can save your life." the professor said, smile growing.
Ray raised his eyebrows once, "Whatever."
The professor set his bag down to the side of the desk at the center of the room and stood in front of it, hands placed on its wooden edge as he leaned forward and glanced around.
I had the impression he was taking a few moments to study those within our class, assessing them as best he could now before directly interacting with us. After all, a good educator does take the time to understand their student, or students, in order to mold the course of the class directly around them to teach effectively.
"The world outside of the walls of the Kingdoms is filled with uncertainty. Not everything is clear cut to see in the light of day. And so, one of the goals of this class is to make those unknowns and uncertainties as clear as can be when you're out there. That way you can be home for Sunday dinner just in time." he jokingly added, earning a few chuckles from the students.
But...the tension left from mr. Chroma's unnecessary outburst still lingered, which made me think a few members within of our class might have had a shared view.
If only they knew how true Professor Gladian's words were...
"So…before we dive into it today, two things you should be aware of. What you learn here in this class will in part be applied in Professor Goodwitch's combat classes. That, and every so often we will be holding joint classes together. Secondly, I will be having a Teacher Assistant, or TA for short. If I am not available before or after classes, she will be here for your convenience to ask questions or receive advice and the like."
A Teacher Assistant? Professor Gladian must be a very busy person if he requires one…
"That being said, Elisia, you can come in now and introduce yourself."
As soon as he said the name, I heard Master shifting quickly, looking over to see his head jolt upwards in shock, his face clearly amiss with surprise.
Did he know this Elisia somehow?
The back door to the class slid open, and in stepped what I assumed to be the TA, dressed in the standard female Beacon Academy uniform. She was surprisingly about 5'3, two inches shorter than my own height, and was between a petite and endowed figure, almost matching Ciel in some regards. But looking closely, this Elisia seemed to be just a bit more mature and curvier.
Along with her fair skin, the other two features that caught my eye were her ice blue irises and chin length, light blue hair with only a few strands hanging in between her eyes. That, and the two light blue rabbit ears atop her head, identifying her as Faunus.
She strode down the steps from the top, passing by the desks as everyone's eyes were on her with silent chatter off to the side, although, she paid them no mind, as if none of them held any interest to her. However, once she approached our table desk I saw her turn her head toward Master, as if just noticing he was there, and giggled slightly, waving at him subtly as she passed by.
W-Wait, why did she giggle at him?! Are the two of them acquainted as I originally thought?! How do they know each other?!
All Master did was chuckle nervously and wave back awkwardly.
He did know her… He did know her!
I didn't quite realize it within the heat of the moment until after, but my grip on the table desk was enough to take a huge chunk of it.
I kept my eyes on her, seeing what other subtle motions she would make, but she did nothing. Regardless, I will watch her to be sure.
When she reached the front of the class, she took a glance over all of us in the room before speaking.
"Hello everyone. My name is Elisia Fey. As you all heard, I'm professor Gladian's TA and will be here to help you when he's not around. Treat me nicely, okay?" she said with a bright smile, garnishing the attention of many of the students.
She wasn't that amazing. But her smile was enough to make a few of the students of the male persuasion pay special attention.
Master, however, attempted to avoid eye contact with her entirely.
What happened between the two of you to merit such a reaction?!
"This class is so bad, it requires two teachers. What a surprise…"
Does he not know by now no one wishes to listen to any words that come out of his mouth?
"Sorry, but when you actually have something worthwhile to say, I'll maybe take it under advisement, Mr. Chroma." the TA replied, still keeping her smile about her.
…
I think might warm up to this TA… Eventually…
"So, are we all caught up?" she asked the professor as she brushed mr. Chroma off as if he never even existed.
"Quite so now that you're here. Now then… Why don't we start today's class with a short demonstration of some of the activities in this class? Elisia, choose whomever you wish to participate."
"Oh? I get to pick?" She said with excitement in her tone, "Alright…"
Her head scanned the room full of students, all of whom assumed she simply did that for show since the cranky complainer that goes by the name of Ray Chroma would very likely be the chosen candidate for today's "demonstration". It'd be strange otherwise if she didn't pick him. Frankly, I was completely for ms. Elisia picking mr. Chroma and putting him in his place.
"Let's see… How about…you."
Her finger fell upon our section, but we weren't exactly sure who she picked. Looking behind me, I could see how shocked Kitsuki was, seemingly under the impression that she was the one selected to partake of the demonstration. Though, looking closely, she wasn't pointing at Kitsuki. In fact, it was to the person just below her.
Master.
He looked between us all, meeting the gazes of numerous people in the room as he looked back at them until his gaze fell upon our TA. As if resigned to his fate, Master shook his head slightly and let out a sigh, raising himself up from his desk and stumbling forward with his first step. After refocusing himself, all he did was walk down the aisle, trying to act as calm as could while approaching the center stage.
Now that I think about it, his nervousness from before didn't seem as though it was...well...what I prayed to all the gods in the heavens that it wouldn't be. It looked as though it was legitimate intimidation of a sort.
Master eventually made it down to ms. Elisia's side, the two standing just a short distance away from each other as Master attempted to keep calm and collected, a strong contrast from the beaming joy the TA had, staring back at him with a calm smile before letting out another soft giggle the most, save for few like me, would not have heard.
As pure and innocent as her giggle seemed, it still unsettled me on various levels.
"Hmmm… Now that you are both here, allow me to go over the rules of this combat engagement briefly. If you have any weapons on your persons, you aren't allowed to use them whatsoever. You will be restricted to hand to hand combat only. The only thing outside of hand to hand combat you will be able to use is your Aura related abilities, or abilities that are quote unquote magic based if you posses any. With that in mind, are the both of you ready?" Professor Gladian asked.
"As ready as can be…" Master replied softly.
"Anytime. Just give us the go." ms. Elisia said cheerily, holding her hands behind her back while playfully bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet.
She seemed excited by this. Why was she excited by this?
Master...who is this person?
(Dante POV)
I can't believe I'm here right now. I cannot believe she specifically went out of her way to choose me.
Why me?
Looking towards Elisia, all she did was just look at me with that cutesy smile of hers, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet. I just stood where I was, not moving in the slightest bit. Something about her made me really uneasy, like how you clench tighter than a clam fish during a tie game with 5 seconds left on the clock and both sides have a chance to score easily.
The serious clenching was part of the reason as to why I wasn't moving at the moment.
Seeing her destroy White Suit's future generations with her foot was probably the most intimidating thing I've ever seen. More intimidating than all the nasty and horrifying creatures I've seen in my career, and trust me, they were the really scary kinds.
Ironic that a small and lithe rabbit Faunus somehow managed to be worse.
"You look nervous." She said grabbing my attention as professor Gladian ran the rules down for us, something neither of us really needed.
Yes, I'm nervous. I've fought a menace in a dragon mask, a serial killer, and now you. I may be immortal and may be insensitive to pain, but there's no way doing something similar to me wouldn't mentally scar me. Well, not scar me, but make me feel really uncomfortable.
"Relax. I'll fight you legitimately and won't crush 'them' like with that other guy."
Could I take her word for it?
"You didn't tell me you were a TA for a Beacon Academy Professor…"
"Didn't seem too relevant at the time. Plus-"
"Second date…" I said with a role of my eyes.
"Aw, you remembered! I'm actually a lot happier now."
What's with this girl..?
"How about we get lunch together after this, and I'll tell you a bit more about myself? Two birds with one stone if I do say so myself."
"I'd have to ask my team."
"You're the leader aren't you? Can't decide for yourself?"
"I can, but it just be weird to bring a stranger out of the blue."
"But I'm not a stranger to you, we've already met."
That we have…
"Are the both of you ready?" Asked professor Gladian.
"Give us the go." Elisia replied to him before refocusing her attention on me.
The professor looked between us with a smile, raising his hand up in the air as all in the stands next to us watched in anticipation.
"Begin."
I didn't understand how at first, but as soon as the professor lowered his hand, Elisia was already in front of me, first ready to crash into my abdomen. I quickly spun out of the way and put distance between us as she retook a stance, eyeing me as she kept her smile.
She was testing me. But now it was time to test her.
I faked being off balance so that she'd move in to take advantage, which she did, so I could see how exactly she closed the gap between us so easily. I couldn't quite understand it, but it looked as though she used her Aura as a stepping stone of sorts to accelerate herself forwards at the speed that she moved.
It was almost like how Inuba and myself dash...
Her speed was impressive as she kept a nice tempo between us when exchanging blows, and the precision behind them was superb… She was targeting any vital point or pressure point that she could aim for, possibly to disable me quickly to end the fight.
But I was proving to be more of a challenge than she expected.
Even so, she kept her smile about her as we blocked and parried each other's fists and kicks, almost as if we were dancing with one another. She was taking the time to study my movements, just as I was taking the time to study her, no movement wasted at all.
Though, I was pretty sure she was doing high kicks to "distract" me since she was wearing a skirt.
Light blue...
Stop stop stop.
Moving backwards, I reminded myself this was to demonstrate Aura techniques.
Time to demonstrate then.
I lashed my right hand out to the side and quickly formed an Aura Longsword, dashing forwards towards Elisia at great speed as she gave me a look of surprise, dodging backwards from my slash.
I had the upper hand now, little rabbit.
She dodged as best she could, but my strikes were incredibly fast. I was actually impressed she was even able to move as fast, which meant her focus was more on speed. But I still didn't take her lightly, even with my advantage now.
Who knows what other tricks she might have up her sleeve..?
But was she allowing me the advantage? Intentionally backing herself in the corner to lower my guard?
Answer to the survey said "yes" when she smiled at me again.
As soon as I closed in for a swing, Elisa quickly raised her hand up from below her waist and into the air, and right beneath my feet, jagged ice spikes crowding together to form a large, pointed structure of numerous jagged edges that reached up into the sky, all within the span of a second.
That sharp, glacial column of ice came close to taking a part of my nose off had I not dodged back, my feet skidding to a halt.
I thought I emerged unscathed, which I did, but at the same time, somewhat not.
The entire front of my grey cotton zip up hoodie opened up entirely, the entire section meant to cover my torso now cut open to reveal my bare chest underneath.
She didn't notice it, but the small cut she made had already vanished as a strong chill took the room with massive ice pillar now stood in the room.
I heard girlish squealing in the stands from numerous parts, and even the shutter snaps of a few cameras. Turning my head, I could see the majority of the girls in class with their Scrolls out, taking as many photos as they could.
Though I swear I just saw some dude taking a lot of photos of me...
A shiver colder than the ice pillar in front of me ran down my spine at the thought as I looked towards Elisia, who hid her very wide smile behind her hand. She was even giggling a bit while trying to contain herself.
Alright, now I'm a bit annoyed. This was my favorite piece of clothing after all.
A thin layer of white and black Aura formed around my body, covering up my torso like a makeshift shirt as I heard many disappointed groans.
She did that on purpose.
I have a feeling she wanted to see more than just "my skills".
"Wow~! It's amazing to see just what dumb luck can do for a person!" Elisia coyly stated.
"You're sorely wrong to think that was luck…"
"Oh? Prove it to me."
With pleasure.
Without giving her a second more to think, I straight tossed my Aura Longsword directly at Elisia, and to partial surprise, she formed a Longsword made of ice herself and easily redirected my blade behind her.
Just like I wanted.
My body vanished in a stream of white and black Aura, reappearing in place of the Aura Sword behind Elisia as I formed another in my hand, ready to swing at her.
Outside of my expectations, she reacted accordingly, but not without a hint of stress in her expression as she spun around and met my blade with a clash. Instead of pressing the attack with her sword, she formed an ice dagger of sorts in her free hand and rushed it forward into my side.
At least, it would have entered my side had my hand not gotten in the ice dagger's path.
My hand kept the dagger in place, but our other hands that held our swords were still free and ready to strike down.
"And stop."
Both of us immediately came to a halt at the command of Professor Gladian, neither of us moving a single inch as we stared deep into each other's eyes. Elisia had long since dropped her smile, and grew a bit more serious with me.
I think I accomplished my goal a bit.
"Looks like it's your loss, handsome." She said taking up a smile again.
My gaze lowered to my hand that kept the dagger away from my side, where I could see the blade had extended itself so that the point was a few inches beneath my chin.
I only smiled as I met her gaze again.
"Not quite Elsia." Professor Gladian spoke up as he approached us, "Mr. Dante, care to show your hand as well?"
Elisia's surprised gazed turned from the professor to me, wondering what exactly he was talking about. From anyone else's perspective, yes, it did indeed look as though she had me at a disadvantage. But clearly, not everyone could see what the professor and potentially few select others could see, or rather, sense.
My Aura Longsword vanished from my right hand as I slowly moved it off to the side, snapping my fingers as my trap had been revealed. Dozens of white and black Aura Swords pointed in Elisia's direction from only a few centimeters away phased into existence, trapping her from numerous angles to make escape impossible.
The rabbit Faunus examined her surroundings around herself, realizing what the professor meant before she glared back at me and sighed, removing her "ice shank" from my hand so that the both of us could take a few steps back.
If anything, I'd say this "demonstration" ended in a draw.
What? You didn't think Elisia was a sort of one off character? Did you? Please say no.
Jokes aside, she's now here. At Beacon. And will add more excitement to the story as time goes on.
I don't really have much to say right now; it's my birthday this weekend, I got a 90% on one of my final papers (two finals left now basically, and I say two since one of the last two is another paper and the other an online quiz) and I'm still working hard on my other school related stuff. So keeping busy. But, if any of you feel like asking questions at any given time (that aren't spoilerish, sorry.) do ask them and I'll do my best to answer.
So with that...
I highly recommend you all go check out the freaking amazing collab Xera Stark and I are currently working on concerning his story XSRA's Flame. His story overall is absolutely fantastic and is a must read, so I suggest you read from the very start. I've said it once and will say it again, you won't want to miss out on this story.
Not only that, but check out his other awesome and highly entertaining story Rogue Huntsmen. It's just pure awesomeness bundled into one story. Trust me, you'll love it. And hey! Go check out HydraFLow's story Lost in Binary! It's equally as awesome and entertaining, definitely worth spending the time reading and enjoying.
Questions? Ask them anytime. I will try to answer without spoiling.
Please remember to review, follow and favorite this story if you really enjoyed it and want to continue seeing more of it. And hey, even tell others about this story! Remember that your support is what helps make this story grow even larger and what helps improve it. With that, I bid you all an excellent week/weekend!
Bye-bye now!