Setting: Shade Academy

Compared to the other kingdoms, the kingdom of vacuo was the least glamorous of the four. The people focused more on survival and practicality before anything else. In order to survive in Vacuo, strength was necessary and that was the reason Shade Academy stood as the pinnacle and sole source of order in Vacuo. While not up to the same standards as the other academies, Shade was known for its intense training to prepare Huntsmen for the harsh territory around them.

Training took place in massive rooms known as the Training Grounds. It helped teachers instruct a large number of students and allowed the students to be a little less restraint with their abilities. Today, the Training Grounds was being exclusively used for Theodore's honored guests; Team VRSZ.

Remus stood in the middle of the massive room, brandishing Delta and scanning his surroundings. Nothing else was going on, but the concentrated appearance said otherwise. His eyes shifted from right to left then they widened a bit. Remus swung his sword to his left and it stopped mid-swing with sparks flying and the sound of metal clashing. He held his sword with resistance as a flurry of tulip petals appeared before him with Violet undoing Invisibility.

She failed and clicked her teeth in response. It's been two days and she hasn't made any progress in improving her semblance.

Two Days Ago

"Mr. Theodore, what method did you use for Team CLSH? Specifically, Cerise's semblance has developed at an astonishing rate," Violet asked the headmaster after he told them they were going to use Training Grounds number 2 however they like.

"I take it that's what you want to improve? We do have a method to help our students further evolve their abilities with their semblances. It's the tree and branch method," he informed her.

She had never heard of the 'Tree and Branch' method, glancing to Remus by her side, he seemed just as perplexed as she was. She was glad she wasn't alone. This was new territory for both of them. Their confusion was not missed by Theodore he chuckled to himself before explaining.

"We have our students think of their semblance as a tree. The tree represents the core ability of their semblance. The branches represent the different applications one could use their semblance for. A good example would be with your semblances. Remus, your semblance base ability allows you to teleport. A branch or an extension of that is your ability to teleport yourself with another person or how you increase the smoke your semblance makes to work as a smokescreen. The same goes for you, Violet, and your ability to make others invisible or how you make things invisible for a certain duration even if you're not in physical contact."

His explanation was impressive. Remus had a better understanding of the method while Violet acknowledged Theodore's knowledge of them. It was more thorough than she gave him and made her wonder if the kingdom had great intel or was the information provided to them by Ebony. Either way, it was going to benefit them.

"Oh! It's like a skill tree! I get it now," Remus exclaimed with confidence. Violet had an inkling of an idea of what he was talking about. It was a method of powering up in some of the games they played. If anything, Remus helped her understand it better. Theodore chuckled to himself because it was the same principle.

"So, you two need to use your semblance at its base then try something new. Form a new branch. Be imaginative. See if you can find a new way to use your semblance," Theodore told them in an uplifting, instructional manner, much like a professor. He turned to leave. "If there is any equipment you need or anything else, let me know." And with that, Violet and Remus were left to train to their liking.

Present Day

"I still can't do it. What am I doing wrong?" Violet cursed herself for not achieving results after two days of training. The tree and branch method was more difficult than she thought.

"It's not easy. This is…unexpected. Maybe we should ask for help? Theodore?" Remus asked as he sat on the ground. His progress was a little different compared to Violet's. He was still trying to figure out what new application to Checkpoint while Violet knew what she wanted.

Invisibility had two levels to it. The first level or base ability simply made her invisible. By applying more aura, the second level not only made her invisible but undetectable through any other means, including the other senses and machinery like radars and scanners, however, she could only move around without being noticed. She couldn't strike someone using the second level. If she did, it would revert back to the base level and give away her position.

Before working on the branches, Violet wanted to make the tree of Invisibility stronger by combining both levels so she could attack while remaining completely undetectable. That was her primary goal, to be an unseen force that struck enemies down before they knew what got them. The only problem was she had no idea how to combine the two.

Remus halted his training to help Violet. She appreciated it, but also felt guilty for stunting his growth with her own shortcomings. Her face was downcast when she looked at him, not doing anything to improve himself until she did. It was moments like these that made her think-

"I'm not good enough to lead anymore."

"Huh?" Remus said as he heard her whispered statement. Violet gawked at him in surprise. She thought she said that part in her head. Even her own lips were betraying her. "What are you talking about? Getting stuck on this doesn't mean you're a bad leader," Remus reassured her as he knelt beside her.

Saying, 'Don't worry about it' didn't seem enough to drop the topic. This was something she never wanted to talk about with anyone and take it to her grave, though the concern in Remus's eyes told her he wasn't going to let it go.

She sighed then said, "It's not about this. When I… Compared to you, and Zelts, and Silver, I feel like I'm not up to par with any of you."

Disgust wasn't the right word for the look on Remus' face. Repulsed was the best description. "How could you say that?! You're the best one on the team!"

"You're just saying that… Zelts has been strong ever since we met him. I rely on him to cover me a lot. Silver's gotten better at fighting up close and he's been learning to fly with his semblance. And you… Remus, you're unbelievable. Out of everyone, you're… I call the shots, but as time went by and I watched all of you grow, I don't think I can measure up to you guys anymore."

Remus paused when he looked at her crescent-fallen face. She truly felt that way. She doesn't feel strong enough to lead VRSZ. He could not comprehend her thinking. Violet being incapable of leading Team VRSZ was illogical to him.

"NO!" His outburst was something completely unexpected. Violet had wide eyes and a slightly open mouth though she said nothing. She didn't know what to say. That was the loudest and angriest she has ever heard Remus be. This was an unknown side to him.

"There is no way YOU don't measure up to us?! How can you even think that makes sense?! YOU… YOU'RE the STRONGEST! THE BEST! Silver and Zelts would say the same thing!" Remus was beginning to calm down. "VRSZ can only function with you as the leader. No one else can do what you do and what makes you the best member out of all of us."

His words did a number on Violet. She was speechless again. His passion and belief in her was nothing short of inspiring and it opened her eyes. Was this sentiment shared with the others? According to Remus, they did. A warmth grew in her chest and spread through her body.

She was happy. Genuinely, unbelievably happy. He assuaged the doubts she had with his big proclamation. Violet couldn't be more grateful to have Remus and the others by her side, especially Remus being by her side at this moment.

Remus watched Violet kneel down until she was on the floor beside him then she inched herself closer and closer until her lips met his. Stunned but delighted, Remus felt his whole body burn starting from his face down to his toes which curled from the kiss. His surprise was brief as he let instinct take over and kissed her back. It felt exhilarating for both of two shared pecks on the forehead and cheeks, but this was the first time they legitimately kissed each other. Violet felt the urge to kiss and was glad to follow through with it. This was Violet and Remus's first time kissing anyone.

The moment lingered for a while before Violet pulled away. Remus didn't seem to want to break anytime soon so she had to end it. She pressed her hand against his chest to keep him at bay. She found his silent pleading adorable. Suddenly, Violet and Remus heard their scrolls chime. Remus pulled his scroll out first to see what he got. His face reacted with an unusual expression. It was her turn to look at her device and she found a video sent to her as a text message. It was a video of the two of them kissing.

"How the-" Violet wondered aloud until she saw the sender. Sapphire.

"That was some sensual lip-locking," a voice called out, alerting Violet and Remus they weren't alone in the Training Grounds.

Violet turned her head to find all four members of Team CLSH watching them. She felt her body burn from embarrassment. Having her display of affection seen by her former juniors was mortifying. She felt like she lost the image of calm and collected with them.

"Can we do that again?" Remus asked with wistful eyes. Violet slammed her hand onto his face to shut him up. He only added fuel to an inferno.

Sapphire was laughing to herself, loving the reaction Violet made when she realized they were there. This was the best part of her day and was glad to share this with Violet, Remus, and everyone in her contacts. She was sure the couple would appreciate it later on. The only one with an astonished look was Hazel, mostly because she wasn't expecting to see a kiss from people who were supposedly training. She tried to hide her blush by covering her face with her hands, but it made it even more obvious. The person who seemed unimpressed was Loden, but she kind of aware of the attraction between the two of them before they even realized it. She watched with an ambivalent face. Cerise simply smiled. That was her expression on the outside, but she was screaming on the inside. The fangirl in her was gushing with excitement. After becoming a student of Shade and taking on more responsibilities, she didn't have time for her fanfictions like she used to, but now, she was going to create more just from this moment.

"W-why are you all here?" Violet asked with her voice cracking at first but bringing it back to its usual tone. She didn't want to lose face in front of Team CLSH any further.

Sapphire was still laughing but she answered, "Professor Theodore asked us to see how you guys are doing and see if you needed any help."

Her answer was not what Violet was expecting. "Theodore? He is trying to make amends with us…"

"How has the training been?" Loden asked. "Is there anything you need us to help you with?"

"All you have to do is ask," Cerise said before smiling at them.

The last time VRSZ was in the kingdom, they battled with CLSH to avoid capture and learned of Ebony's semblance. The incident helped both teams repair their fractured relationship which was caused by Ebony's manipulation. That was the explanation Violet fabricated for herself, but she had yet to meet them since the incident and chatted with Cerise through text messages. She was wondering how well things really were between them, but she got her confirmation. They were friends again.

About a half-hour passed after Violet asked CLSH for help with the Tree and Branch method. They have all mastered the process and were able to give her and Remus a helpful hint to get started. With the new information, Violet requested some time to herself so she could get this method mastered. This was fine for everyone else because Remus asked Team CLSH to help him train by attacking him relentlessly. What he wanted to achieve required a great deal of pressure.

Violet sat on the ground and closed her eyes to concentrate. The others were on the other side of the room, battling in a one-on-four fight to help Remus. They were loud and distracting with Loden creating stone pillars and rumbling the earth, and Cerise setting off her Runaways, but Violet cast them aside to focus on what Cerise told her.

"Theodore told you to think about the base of your semblance and he was right, but you have to look more in-depth to how your semblance works. What does your aura do to activate your semblance? Vi, how does your semblance work? Think about it and you'll find your answer."

"Invisibility uses my aura to conceal my body and the more I use, the more undetectable I become. It takes a greater degree of aura to do this and keeping that up is the reason why I couldn't fight. Any action besides moving used to break my concentration when I first learned I could do this. It was hard to fight while maintaining that level of…" Violet thought about this and realized something.

"The second level… I've been thinking about it all wrong this whole... Okay, let's try this again," Violet activated her semblance.

Remus was racing around the Training Grounds with four of Hazel's drones in hot pursuit. Even as fast as he was moving they were doing a good job keeping up. They fired an unending barrage of laser blast at Remus who was able to outrun them, but his luck was running out as Loden pierced the ground with World Splitter and swung at Remus, creating a wall of stone that was heading his way. It blocked his path and he swiftly turned to change course and make Loden his target. His path was once again obscured but it was a force field that got in his way. Cerise watched as the Blue Flicker crashed into her wall and tumbled to the ground before getting pushing himself off with his hands and landed on the ground. His fast recovery amounted to nothing as he felt cables wrap around his torso.

"Ah man," he thought.

In an instant, he felt his body getting pulled as he was lifted into the air and swung around. Sapphire yanked him around the air and swung him into the stone wall Loden created. He broke through and fell to the ground with stones luckily fall around him and not on him. This was what he needed. This hopeless situation was necessary to unlock his true potential just like his battle with Monochrome. Loden and Hazel's drones were coming to take him out and he was grateful they were. He needed the push and he felt his blood boil. Remus may have asked for this, but he still didn't want to lose.

The drones had their stingers charged with energy and Loden pursued Remus with a strong grip on her naginata with Remus who felt himself reach the level he needed to be. Cerise was ready to use her semblance to disrupt his flow, but no one saw what came next, not even Remus.

One of Hazel's drones was aimed at Remus but for some reason, it turned to Loden and fired on her, blasting her in the back, halting her attack as she turned toward Hazel looking betrayed and confused. This didn't last long as she felt something punch her gut. It wasn't strong but it did make her look down to see nothing. She didn't hear or sense anything either.

The confusion was shared by everyone. Remus was at a loss at first but he figured out what happened. Appearing in a gust of tulip petals in front of Loden was Violet with a huge smile and bright eyes. She had her fist against Loden's chest when she deactivated her semblance. She backed away a beamed in her triumph.

"I did it!" she shouted in victory.

Loden looked down at the excited young girl and didn't know what she was talking about. Was Violet getting in the fight? What as Violet going on about? Cerise understood why Violet intervened. It was staring at them right in the face.

"That was faster than expected," Cerise told Violet with a smirk. A part of her wasn't surprised Violet figured it out so quickly. She always thought her senior was amazing. That feeling didn't change even when they were on opposite sides.

Remus watched Violet with the same intensity he had when he battled Monochrome. The level of focus he was experiencing was tremendous. His body felt lighter and everything around felt different. Remus felt like he could do anything. Project: New World's goal and Dr. Lupa's desires.

He achieved them. Remus was the Delta.

He obtained the level he needed and planned to train in order to maintain it permanently, but for now, he wanted Violet to have her moment. "She doesn't stop leveling up… And she thought she was the weakest one,"

"Everyone has their own way of figuring out the Tree and Branch method. How'd you figure it out?' Loden asked Violet as everyone gathered around them.

"My semblance let's be invisible and virtually undetectable. I thought the second part was the branch, but looking back at how Invisibility works, I realized it's not. It's still the tree. It's the base form of my semblance just to a higher degree. The more aura I put into using it, the less likely I can be noticed by anyone. All I had to do was change my understanding of it and recognize it as regular use of my semblance. Now I can fight and remain undetectable at the same time. I guess you can say the tree of my semblance got a little stronger," Violet explained proudly.

The smugness of her voice and her attitude was not lost by anyone. She was able to solve the Tree and Branch method thanks to her friends and she was proud of that. The swagger Violet displayed slowly vanished as she got over her success and realized she had quite a ways to go. This was only the first step in her desire to get stronger. She wasn't going to stop here.

"This was only our second day. Just two more to go,"

The video text Sapphire sent was seen by Silver, Zelts, and everyone they knew in Nexus. Once the day was over, Violet and Remus looked through their scrolls to see a bunch of texts from their friends. Violet was mortified and Remus didn't care. He wanted to kiss Violet again.

The Tree and Branch Method has worked for Sapphire and her Masquerade. Not only can she use her semblance to take on the appearance of anyone she's seen, but she can also mix and match different parts of different people to look like someone else entirely. For example, she can take Zelts's face, Silver's nose, Ghost's ears, Onyx's eyes, and Blood's mouth to look like a different person.

If you were to ask Blood what he does as a hobby, he'd tell you he does gardening. Being in the desert, he has several potted cacti in his apartment. He likes how they bring some liveliness to his living quarters.

Sports Team VRSZ would play: Violet's would most likely be gymnastics, Remus's is definitely soccer, Silver's is basketball, and Zelts's would be either boxing or rugby.