Chapter 38, Trust in your Teammates

The chief disciplinary of the Academy, Professor Alagar stood at the center of the auditorium. It was often said that he was the spitting image of the Gods themselves and was often described to be a giant. A tall brutish man with a large brown beard and clear ahead, swearing large platinum armor which resembled that of the Oruk, the God of War. Pyrrha had seen him on several occasions in the past, he certainly could be considered a God.

To each side stood both Auron and Cardin. Both now out of their school uniform and now wearing their own personal armor and armed with their weapons. While off to the side, Pyrrha, Blake, Hanako, Kieth and the rest of the class watched from the stands. Professor Alagar paced back and force along the outrebounds of the auditorium.

"The advent of war itself is the greatest test of a knight," Professor Alagar proclaimed to the class.

"And to ignore that fact is a matter of life and death. It will test you on every aspect. Your skills, your reflexes and most importantly, your determination."

Professor then paused, turning to face the class.

"If you are to survive, you must be willing to face that very test," Professor Alagar proclaimed to them.

"Prepare yourself for the enemies you may encounter. The Grimm will have no mercy upon any of you. Thus you must do the same in the face of adversity."

Professor Alagar then turned back Auron and Cardin. Neither one of them had taken their eyes off each other. Staring with both anger and distain. The rivalry between the two was apparent and Pyrrha could already tell it was the reason Professor Alagar had chosen them. It was also said that his methods for teaching were often ruthless in of themselves. Believing that the old ways of teaching were more effective in preparing their students for the when they would enter the war.

Pyrrha watched, worryingly. While Auron was a competent fighter and did not doubt he could hold his own, his fighting skills resembled that of a trooper then an actual Knight. Thus a competitor like Cardin would be much different compared to that of a Grimm or any of Realm's wildlife.

"The point of this demonstration is to compare you skills in combat," Professor Alagar proclaimed to them.

"You will have three minutes!"

Cardin gave a sly grin as he twirled the executional in his hands.

"That's all the time I'll need." Cardin proclaimed.

Auron held up his blast rifle, which the transformed into a sword like weapon with a plasma blade. While a small plasma shield formed over his left wrist. He held his shield before him as he held his plasma sword at the ready.

"Now Begin!" Professor Alagar proclaimed.

Auron and Cardin then charged at one another. Just as the two were to coliid, Cardin raised the Executional as he prepared to deliver a massive blow. Only for Auron to raise his shield and block the large mace. Only to be forced back by the sudden impact. All the while, Cardin continue to swing his mace and strike Auron who continued to block it with his shield.

Pyrrha and the others continued to watch from the stands. Keith stood up from his as he clinched his fists.

"Come on, Auron." He cheered his friend on.

"You got this!"

All the while, Pyrrha continued to watch, worryingly. But at the same time, couldn't help but notice something. After blocking another strike from Cardin, he then attempted to swing his plasma sword at him. Only for Cardin to leap back from his attempt and block his blade with his large mace. He then pushed Auron back as he attempted another swing of his Mace.

Only to Auron to quickly duck and roll out of the way of Auron. He then came up in a crouching formation as his blaster rifle changed back into it's original form. He turned back to Auron before firring several shots of plasma bolts at Cardin, who blocked them with his Mace. He then charged at Auron one more. One for Auron to fire two more shots in the nick of time.

Cardin was stunned as he was struck by the Plasma bolts, causing him to gasp and paused for a moment. Only to then continue forward at and with a missive swing of his Mace, knocked Auron back. Causing Pyrrha and their teammates to gasp in awe. Auron landed over his side, his blaster slid several feet from him.

He got back up quickly as he quickly rushed to his blaster just as Cardin charged toward him. He quickly recovered his blaster rifle, which then changed form into it's sword form. He then turned back to Cardin as he held up his plasma sword as he blocked Cardin's Mace. He continued to slam his mace down over Auron.

"Back under my Mace, just like last time!" Auron proclaimed.

He pushed his mace down over Auron's plasma sword, forcing him down over his knees.

Auron glanced up at him, glaring. Only to be met with the sly smirk of Cardin.

"That's enough!" Professor Alagar proclaimed.

Cardin paused, shifting his glanced back at Alagar, who glared to him. Having noticed that he was enjoying this way too much. Reluctantly, Cardin stood up as he backed away from Auron, allowing him to get back up. Alagar turned his attention back toward the other students.

"As you can see, these two have displayed formidable combat skills." Professor Alagar proclaimed to them.

"But it was Mr. Winchester, who was the victor in this battle. Regardless of his outlook. "

Cardin shifted his eyes back at Auron, giving him a sly smirk. Only to earn a scowl from Auron.

From the stands Keith groaned as he slammed his fist over the counter. All while both Blake and Hanako gave stern glanced down at Cardin and his smug expression. Though despite her dismay, Pyrrha stood up from his seat, squinting her eyes, curiously. It was just as she had thought. Auron was not so formal when it comes to close combat. His skills were more suited for that of a special forces trooper.

While they were good at close combat, they're sills could not compare to that of a Knight. He must have received more training from his father then his mother.

"You all could learn a thing or two from this demonstration." He proclaimed to them.

He then glanced back at Auron.

"Especially you, Mr. Tarith." he said.

Auron narrowed his head as he sighed. Pyrrha frowned down at him. She then shifted her glance to Cardin, who continued to give a smug grin at Auron. Pyrrha scowled, disgusted at the way he looked down at Auron. Pyrrha had always been taught to show mercy to your opponent. Especially when they are your fellow comrade.

And she wasn't about to let this stand.

"Now, who else wishes to take the stand?" Professor Alagar asked.

Pyrrha then stood up from her seat as Blake, Hanko and Keith glanced up to her.

"I will!" she proclaimed.

Auron gazed up at Pyrrha with the same worried gaze as she had shown him. All while, Cardin glanced up at her with the same sly smirk. The opportunity to get back at her for what she did, now laid out before him.

Professor Alagar grinned in anticipation. Having seen her training in the past, she could be considered to be close to a fully trained knight. Thus she knew this would present to the class an example to learn from.

"Very well." He said, grinning.

"This shall be an interesting."


After having donned her armor and armed with Milo and Akouo, Pyrrha walked up over the center stage of the auditorium. She turned to face Cardin, drawing her weapons from her back with her semblance. Taking a battle stance, she held her shield in front of her with Milo, currently in it's sword form from the side.

"You both will have three minutes." Professor Alagar proclaimed to them.

Cardin smirked, draping his large mace over his shoulders. Much like he did with Auron, he would make short work of her as well. Pyrrha squinted her eyes as she stared sternly back at Cardin, holding her weapons at the ready. All the while, Auron and the others watched from high in the stands.

"Oh, this is going to be good." Keith proclaimed.

Auron, Blake and Hanako gaze never left the stage below. Though they each knew exactly what was to come. Having seen Pyrrha pass the highest level of the stadium's training session, this would indeed be a short session. Though not like Cardin might think.

"Begin!" Professor Alagar exclaimed.

With that, Cardin charged forward with a great swing of his Large Mace. Only for Pyrrha to leap back as it struck the stage itself. She then lunged forward as she delivered several slashes of her sword. Cardin had little time to even react as he was forced back from the blows against his armor. Pyrrha then spun around as she delivered a kick to Cardin's stomach, forcing the breath out of him.

He fell back over the floor of the stage, where he then glanced up at her. He then growled as he got back up quickly. He charged her again as he tried to swing his mace at her again. Only for Pyrrha to block it with her shield, he knees narrowing just a bit from the impact. Though not enough to cause her to kneel like Auron did.

Cardin swung his mace from the side once more from the side. Reacting quickly to his attack, Pyrrha turned and blocked it with her shield which caused her to slide back across the stage. She then glanced up to him before charged forward as Milo changed form into it's javelin form. She then thrusted it forward, sending him sliding back over the stage. Ceasing her chance, Pyrrha lunged forward, leaping up into the air. She then threw her shield down at Cardin before he could get his footing. Struck by the edge of his shield, he was sent flying back as he landed over his back at the edge of the stage.

Pyrrha landed over the stage, drawing her shield back to her as she one again took a battle stance.

"That is Time!" Professor Alagar announced.

Pyrrha then stood up, lowering both her weapons. From above the stands, the rest of the class erupted with cheers. Pyrrha glanced up at her teammates. Auron smirked as he nodded his head. Though Pyrrha could tell that it was forced. He was disappointed that he had lost his fight and that Pyrrha had displayed the skills which he lacked. Though he was at least happy to see Cardin get what was coming to him.

"Well done, Miss Nikos." Professor Alagar said as he came up to her.

"Very formidable skills. You all could learn a thing or two from this."

Pyrrha glanced up at him before nodding her head to him.

"Thank you, professor." She said.

Cardin got back up as he groaned.

"Yeah, whatever." He said before storming off the stage.

He then paused for a moment, glancing back at Pyrrha.

"Don't think this is over." He warned her.

Pyrrha gave him a stern glance before he turned and walked off the platform.


Later that day, Pyrrha and Blake attended study session in the Academy library. Pyrrha walked over to the table where Blake was sitting, reading her book. She pulled up the chair next to her, where she sat down, setting down the book she had taken. She then narrowed her eyes, frowning.

"Do you think he's alright?" She asked, glancing to Blake.

Blake glanced up from the book she was reading. She glanced to the side.

"I'm sure that he's doing fine." She insisted to her.

"Honestly, I've never seen someone take a mace to themselves like he did."

Pyrrha turned to her. She narrowed her eyes, glancing to the side.

"That's not what I meant." She proclaimed to her.

Blake glanced to her curiously.

"Do you think I embarrassed him back there?" Pyrrha insisted to her.

"What are you...?" Blake asked, curiously.

"I wasn't trying to prove that I was better. I just couldn't let what happen stand." Pyrrha insisted to her.

"My father used to tell me that your teammates are like your family. You always stand up for each other no matter what and you can always trust in one another."

Pyrrha's words brought a feeling of guilt upon Blake, who glanced to the side, frowning.

"I just wanted to do the same for him." She insisted to her.

Blake reached up her hand as she placed her hand over Pyrrha's shoulder.

"I'm sure he knows that, Pyrrha." Blake said to her.

"It was a nice thing that you did for him."

Pyrrha glanced to the side. She hoped that he knew that and that there was no hard feeling for what she did. She didn't wish to do anything for the sake of fame. Let alone getting back at Cardin for what he did. It was more or less to right the wrong of one without any honor.

Glancing back at Blake, she smiled, at least appreciating that she tried to cheer her up.

"Thanks, Blake." She said with a nod of her head.

Pyrrha shifted his eyes back to Blake, who had turned back to the book she was reading.

"What are you reading?" Pyrrha asked, curiously.

Blake glanced back up to her. She then glanced down at the book she was reading.

"Oh, it's just a book I've been reading for a while." Blake insisted to her.

"It's called the Sais of Passion. It's about a Prince with Beastly desires, unable to reach the object of his affection."

"That sounds very interesting," Pyrrha proclaimed to him.

"I love books."

Blake sudden surprised glance once again shifted up at the prodigy.

"You... do?" she asked, curiously.

Pyrrha nodded her head to her.

"Yes, I used to read all the time back home." she insisted to her.

"My favorite one was the Fables of the Knights. I used to read that book all the time when I was little."

"I know that book." Blake insisted.

"The one that's all about the adventures of all the Knight's who wielded Martanus's power."

"I grew up hearing about all the adventures of Akara and the Knights." Pyrrha insisted to her.

"We wanted to be just like them. Go on adventures, fight against the Grimm."

Hearing her say we had certainly caused Blake to squint her. And she had an idea of who she was referring to.

"You mean... you and Jaune?" Blake asked, squinting her eyes.

Pyrrha widened her eyes as she glanced to her, curiously. Blake smiled.

"I heard you moan that in your sleep." Blake said.

"Is he a friend of yours?"

Pyrrha glanced to the side, frowning.

"He... he was...a long time ago." Pyrrha said.

Although she had held out hope for the longest time that she would see Jaune again, it wasn't wise to get her hopes up. It was so long ago since what had happened and what if he didn't...

Pyrrha shook her head at the thought.

She then glanced up, where she saw Auron, Hanako and Keith coming up to where they were sitting. Auron was hunched over a bit, leaning against Keith as he helped him along.

"Hey, sorry we're late." Auron said, still sounding very sore from his confrontation.

Pyrrha stood up from her seat as she came up around the table.

"Are you alright?" she asked, curiously.

Auron nodded his head.

"Yeah... Yeah... I'm fine." He said, nodding his head.

Pulling up one of the chairs, he then set down at the table. A painfilled groan escaped from his lips as his body ached from the massive strike from Cardin's Mace.

"It's not the first time he's knocked me down." Auron proclaimed.

Blake raised an eye brow to him.

"You sure about that?" Blake asked, curiously.

Pyrrha placed her hand over her mouth as she chuckled. Glancing to Auron who glanced sternly to her. Pyrrha quickly caught herself.

"Sorry." she said, glancing to the side.

Auron shook his head.

"It's alright." He said, turning forward.

Seeing Auron appear so downcast as he was back in the auditorium when he was beaten by Cardin, Pyrrha shifted her eyes to the side. She came back around the table, where she glanced up across at him.

"Auron, I wanted to apologies for before." She said.

Auron cocked his head to her. He then shook

"Sorry for what?" He asked, curiously.

"I was just trying to stand up for you." Pyrrha insisted.

"I wasn't trying to..."

Auron shook his head to her.

"No, no, Pyrrha, I'm not mad about that." He claimed to her.

"Your not?" she asked, curiously.

Auron shook his head.

"No, I'm just... disappointed in myself." Aurom insisted to her.

"I haven't really been trained in close combat as much as I should. I've only ever received training from my dad."

Pyrrha narrowed her head. She knew it. Everything she had suspected from Auron's fight with Cardin had all proven to be so. With his combat skills being similar to that of a trooper then an actual knight, it only made sense why he was beaten so easily. Despite his best effort.

"I can handle Cardin in a fist fight, but I've never really bested him in the auditorium." Auron insisted to him.

"Yeah, Cardin doesn't exactly hold back when he's got his mace." Keith insisted.

"Honestly, all three of us know what it's like to get knocked down by it."

"You're mother never taught you any fighting skills?" Pyrrha asked.

Auron shook his head.

"She... wasn't around as much." Auron insisted to her.

"The captain of the King's Guard is one of the highest honors." Hanako insisted to them.

The Highest honors was certainly something Pyrrha understood the most. Having a father who was the General of the Beacon army, she understood what it was like to not having a parent around. Just as she went to say something, when suddenly she heard Akara's voice.

"Pyrrha."

Pyrrha paused, cocking her head to the side.

"Akara." She whispered.

Pyrrha then heard her scroll go off in the pocket of her uniform. She glanced down, pulling out her scroll as she went to see what message Qrow had sent her. She then opened her screen.

Qrow- The Lamp is glowing. Meet at the stadium.

She glanced up at Auron and the others.

"I need to go." she said as she stood up.

Blake glanced to her curiously.

"What's wrong?" she asked, curiously.

"It's nothing, my uncle just needs some help with something." She insisted to them.

"I'll see you guys later."


Qrow was sanding at the center of the Academy's colosseum where he usually stood. Holding the Lamp by the golden ring on top, the artifact once more pulsed with it's bright blue essence. Which could only mean that the essence of Akara which resided inside wished to further Pyrrha's training. It was a good thing that no one else was around to see it. Usually during their training sessions, they were normally do whenever classes were in session. As to avoid the attention of the other students.

Though ever since Pyrrha had started attending the Academy, many of the students were already starting to catch on. Though they were far from learning the actual truth. If any of them were to find out that she was the prodigy, let alone that they know they were from another Kingdom, spies for the Grimm would be the least of their worries. They would face the wrath of the King himself if he and council found out that someone from another Kingdom applied to the Academy.

"I'm here!"

Qrow turned to the entrance to the changing room, where he saw Pyrrha, now wearing her armor, coming up to him.

"Bout time, what took you?" Qrow asked, curiously.

"Sorry, I just came from study class." Pyrrha said.

"Come on, looks you got more training with Akara." Qrow insisted to her.

Pyrrha nodded her head.

"I know." She said.

"She told me."

Qrow squinted her is eyes to her, curiously.

"What?" he asked.

Pyrrha shook her head to him, smiling.

"It doesn't matter." She said.

Taking hold of the lamp's handle, she then walked over to the very center of the Colosseum. She paused for a moment, peering up at the stands that surrounded her from all around. Imagining the day when they would be filled with crowds of people, who had come to watch the team trials. It was intimidating to imagine. But at the same time, there was a part of her that was excited. Not at the prospect of fame. Rather the thrill of becoming a true knight before the people that she would protect and fight for against the Grimm.

She then turned back to the Lamp, which continued to pulse. She then placed her hand atop the relic, closing her eyes as she entered.


Pyrrha opened her eyes to find that she was back in the Lamp. She shifted her gaze from side to side, gaining her bearings, finding herself standing at the very center of the Plaza.

"Akara?" she asked, curiously.

"Your here."

Pyrrha turned to find her mentor standing behind her. She turned to faced Akara, taking a knee before her. She then bowed her head, placing her hand over her heart in respect.

"Forgive me, Akara." She said.

"I didn't mean to keep you waiting."

Akara only smiled at her prodigy. She then reached down her hand, offering it to her prodigy.

"Stand up, Pyrrha." She said.

"There is nothing to be sorry for."

Pyrrha lifted her gaze to her mentor. She then stood up as she faced her mentor.

"There is something that troubles you." Akara insisted to her.

Pyrrha glanced to Akara, curiously.

"H-how did you know?" Pyrrha asked, curiously.

Akara shifted her gaze back at her prodigy with a sly smirk.

"I may be gone, but I can see all that goes on in the realms." Akara insisted to her.

"It is your teammates, you fear they are not ready for what is to come."

Pyrrha narrowed her eyes. She was right, she did worry for Auron and the others. Though they were formidable in fighting in their own right, they lacked many of the skills of a knight. Having witnessed Auron's confrontation with Cardin, it was clear they stood no chance against a formidable opponent.

She nodded her head to her.

"I am, I'm very worried." She insisted to Akara.

"Auron hasn't been trained to fight like a knight. Today he was meant to fight against another and he..."

Pyrrha then paused for a moment. Though no further words were needed as Akara nodded her head at her Prodigy. Seemingly understanding her plight.

"So I fought in the next round." Pyrrha insisted to her.

"To try and right the wrong of the other. But... I fear I might have started something and undermined Auron. I just wanted help him"

"Well perhaps there is a better way that you may." Akara insisted to her.

Pyrrha turned to her teacher, curiously.

"What do you mean?" She asked, curiously.

"You are fully trained in the ways of basic combat," Akara insisted to her.

"A true Knight always looks out for the ones who follows them into battle. Just as they do for the people they protect."

"You mean, teach him?" Pyrrha asked, curiously.

Akara nodded her head to her. Pyrrha then shifted her eyes to the sides as she pondered. It was true that she was fully trained in the ways of basic combat. But as she ready to teach the same way as she and Qrow?

"Am I... really ready for this?" Pyrrha asked, curiously.

Akara came up to her, placing her hand atop her shoulder. She then gestured a nod of her head.

"You must show that you team can trust in you." Akara insisted to her.

"Only then will they follow you on the journey ahead."

Pyrrha narrowed her eyes for a moment. Only to glance up at Akara with a more determined glance before nodding her head. She was right. This was the only way to help Auron and her team. To show them that they can trust in her.