Chapter 2: Fortress of Peter
Reshan woke up to sunlight streaming through the windows. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, he stretched, yawning as he looked around the room he had fallen asleep in.
It was a rather sparse room, all things considered. It was painted white, with a small nightstand next to the bed. A dresser stood opposite the doorway which was adjacent to the bed. There was a window at the head of the bed, illuminating the covers with the rays of the dawn.
Reshan looked down and saw the pack that Dr. Oobleck had given him before rushing off. As he got out of bed, he went over and opened it. Inside were three pairs of identical clothing: a pair of dark trousers, a checkered red button down shirt, and a pair of socks, along with undergarments. He smiled as he pulled out a pair of black boots, thinking back to the long walk to the Bullhead.
"Oum knows I could use these," he thought. As Reshan changed from his ragged outfit, his mind wandered to the events of last night.
Clearly, Dr. Oobleck was his greatest ally as of now. He had not only given him a great deal of information on the world he found himself in, but had gone out of his way to gather supplies for him. Reshan silently vowed to try and repay the doctor. Upon thinking about it, he winced.
"How can I repay him if I don't have a coin to my name? I can't even afford the clothes on my back, let alone anything else." Troubled, he frowned as he pulled on his pants. His knee injury would likely keep him from active combat for a good week or so. Thankfully, it wasn't severe; the nurse had told him he would recover without any scarring.
When he had finished changing, he looked over his previous outfit, trying to see if there was anything worth taking. His eyes fell upon the piece of rubble he had used as a makeshift dagger yesterday. In the light, he could pretend to see a fang in his hands instead of a chunk of rock.
"This is the first thing I've ever owned. My first possession." Reshan decided to put it in the rucksack. He would speak to Sir- er, Professor Port about discarding his previous outfit. Until then, it would be stored along with his other possessions.
Dressed in his new outfit, he plopped onto the bed. As the springs squeaked, the door opened, revealing a fully dressed Professor Port. The man was dressed as only a true knight would, in a double-breasted burgundy suit and boots that shone with the dawn's light.
"A good morning to you, young Reshan. Care to join me for breakfast?" He even spoke like a knight! Properly, with grace and poise.
"Yes sire, I would very much like to." Reshan rose, picking up his rucksack. Upon doing so, he realized something. "Sire, is there somewhere I can relieve myself?"
"The bathroom is on the door to your left." The professor turned to point at said door. Reshan nodded, then thanked the man. Stepping into the 'bathroom', as his host had called it, Reshan was greeted with an unusual sight.
Instead of simply a bucket as he had expected, there was a white bowl full of water sitting squat on the ground. A lid was affixed to the mouth of the bowl.
"Is everything here going to be strange?" Reshan went to sit on the bowl. After finishing, he stood, noticing a small lever on the side.
"And a lever on a bowl. Doctor Oobleck has quite some explaining to do." Reshan pulled on the lever, curious as to what it's function was. He leapt back in shock as a loud sound erupted from the lever, and the contents of the bowl were cycled out in a whirlpool, to be replaced by clean water.
"BY OUM'S HAIRY KNICKERS!" What was with this place? Still shaking slightly, Reshan stepped out, where the professor waited.
"Excellent. I trust you slept well?" Reshan nodded hesitantly.
"Indeed, sire. Is there anything I can help you with?" Professor Port chuckled as they went to the kitchen at the end of the hallway. A delicious scent filled the air, one that Reshan didn't recognize.
"Nonsense, my boy. You are my guest, which means the only thing you have to worry about is getting a stomach ache from too much food. Tell me, do you drink coffee?"
Reshan cocked his head. "Coffee? What is that?" He remembered that Professor Ozpin had mentioned something about it last night. Professor Port's mustache twitched in amusement. "Watch and learn, my boy. Watch and learn." Turning, he called "Holly!"
An elderly woman stepped out of the kitchen. She wore a tan apron over a blue blouse and a dark grey skirt. Reshan could have sworn her smile glowed slightly in the light, along with her silver hair and blue eyes.
"Hello! How are you, darling?" The woman spoke with such an air of kindness, Reshan could not help but smile. "I'm Holly, Peter's wife. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
"The pleasure is mine, milady." Reshan made to shake her hand, when he was pulled into an embrace from the woman.
"Oh, none of that nonsense! Come, come. I'm sure you must be starving!" As if to prove her point, Reshan's belly rumbled. "When was the last time I ate?" He hadn't really had anything to eat yesterday. Holly ushered him into the kitchen.
The kitchen was covered in an orange floral wall paint, with a small chandelier in the center.
"Wait a second- those aren't candles."
The chandelier was lit not by wax, as he expected, but rather what appeared to be miniature suns. Reshan put the questions that arose in the back of his mind, continuing with his examination. There was a round oakwood table in the corner, where a large breakfast was already prepared.
On the adjacent wall, a counter ran from one wall to the next, with a break at the end. A large metal box sat in the break, with two cabinets built into it, judging by the two handles. Wooden cabinets sat above and below the counter, holding the essentials of daily living.
Peter chuckled as he saw the meal sitting on the table. "Well, then. Barty should be along in about ten minutes. As much as I would like to speak with our esteemed guest, I'm afraid I have to prepare for class." He marched out of the kitchen. "Toodeloo!"
Holly chuckled as he walked out. "Oh, Petey…." Turning, she saw Reshan staring at the sink.
"What could this be?" A metal spout sat atop a hollow clamshell, with two metal pieces on the side. For some reason that Reshan couldn't understand, the one on the right had a strip of blue on top of it. The one on the left had a red strip in the same location. What could they possibly mean?
Reshan leaned in closer, trying to see if there was anything written on the handles. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything written. He did, however, see a metal grate on the bottom of the shell.
"Reshan, dear." At the sound of his hostess, Reshan turned around.
Holly sat at the table. "If you want to wash up, go right ahead. Don't take too long, though. I didn't fry those eggs for them to go cold, you know!" She gave a smirk before turning to her food.
"Washing?" Reshan cautiously reached out to the handles. Turning the one on the left, he was shocked when water came out. "What in blazes?"
He tentatively put out a hand, and was surprised once more. "It's hot!"
The water was lukewarm, as if it had come from an underground spring. "Another question for the doctor, I suppose." He proceeded to scrub his hands clean under the stream, eager for his first ever meal.
Reshan found he couldn't calm down.
Beacon was truly a magical place. It contained wonders he had never thought possible. A metal box that could keep anything inside it cool? A spout that poured endless water with the turn of a lever? A glass shell which burned as bright as a sun, controlled by a simple switch?
Incredible. Absolutely incredible. And that didn't even cover the miracle of coffee.
He was walking around the grounds of the castle with Doctor Oobleck before classes began, the professor explaining how his day would proceed as well as showing him around the campus.
"Beginning at 8:00, Professor Goodwitch will be evaluating you to determine which classes you will be assigned to," Doctor Oobleck explained. "She will assess your knowledge of Grimm, combat, strategy and tactics, as well as various outlying topics. Afterwards, Professor Ozpin will meet with you to discuss your results, as well as assign you your room." The spectacled man said all of this in one breath, a grin on his face due to the thermos in his hand. He slurped the contents as he finished. "Any questions?"
"Doctor, how does the sun in the rooms work?" Reshan had his mind elsewhere. As fascinating as he was with the idea of entering the academy, he simply couldn't think of anything else. How did all of these marvels work?
Dr. Oobleck sputtered his drink. "Excuseme?"
"While I was eating breakfast with Professor Port's wife, I noticed that the room we ate in was lit by a shell of glass," Reshan explained. "Within the glass was a sun. How is this possible? Has mankind truly found a way to capture the sun?"
"Ahh," Dr. Oobleck said, understanding. "Young man, what you saw is called a lightbulb. It works by running a current of electricity through a small filament of metal. The heat generated by the electricity causes the filament to glow, producing light." He gestured to the sun with his thermos, the sunrise glancing off his glasses. "Though now that you mention it, they do share a striking similarity. Fascinating. The two function differently, yet produce near identical results." He shook his head. "Something to investigate later. I should note that you do seem to have a grasp of certain concepts."
"Doctor?" Reshan asked, puzzled.
"Indeed. While you lack knowledge of many things, namely technology, you display an ability to evaluate yourself in combat, something I observed upon first meeting you," Dr. Oobleck said.
Reshan mused on this. "So I know the art of war. Why didn't I know about this 'lightbulb'?"
"I don't have a good answer for that. The only feasible answer I have at this time is that your amnesia is not like most. You retained procedural memory, as well as semantic. Your episodic memory has been erased, however." Reshan blinked, not understanding a word. Dr. Oobleck waved a hand. "Not important. Miss Goodwitch will explain. Come! I believe you will enjoy this!" With that, he walked toward a particularly imposing building. Recalling what he had said before, Reshan knew that it was the arena.
"I hope so…" he thought nervously. He already had one injury. That was one more than he needed.
If Reshan had been nervous before, he was absolutely terrified now.
He was in the middle of a large circular arena, surrounded by what seemed to be every single cadet in the academy. He was panting, tiredly holding up his shield in a futile attempt to protect himself from the unholy demon that faced him. His sword lay on the ground, the hilt shattered beyond any sense of utility.
Said demon was busy lecturing the academy. She had blond hair and piercing green eyes, wearing a button down shirt and black skirt. A ragged cape fluttered down her back, waving with the motions she made with her weapon as she gestured. She was speaking about the match, giving insights into what Reshan could have done better. He wasn't exactly paying attention. Having one's mind scream in panic didn't exactly do wonders for concentration.
"NO WONDER HER LAST NAME IS GOODWITCH! I AM SO SO SO SOSO D-E-D-DEAD!"
It had all started off well….
Dr. Oobleck, after concluding his tour of the castle grounds, had handed him off to Professor Goodwitch. After a brief period of confusion (How was a woman with a riding crop, of all things, a combat instructor?), he had been led to a white room filled with metal containers, and left alone with strict orders to not touch anything. There was a faint rumble in the background, which he guessed had something to do with this 'technology' that Dr. Oobleck had mentioned. He paced for a few minutes, before coming to a stop on a bench. Professor Goodwitch came in shortly afterward, looking sternly at the new student.
"Reshan, in a few moments we will begin your combat assessment," she stated. "Before, I would like to ask: do you know what Aura is?"
Reshan cocked his head at that. "How could I not know? That's like asking a child if he has two hands." Outwardly, he said "Yes, milady." A thought popped up in his mind; if Aura could heal injuries, as he now thought, could it help to heal his memories?
Reshan pushed it down. There would be time enough to discuss it with Dr. Oobleck at a later time.
Professor Goodwitch gave him an amused look. "While I appreciate the gesture, while you are a student you will address me as 'Professor', or 'ma'am.' Now then , would you please activate your Aura so we can get a reading on it?"
Reshan reached into himself, noting the inky blackness covering his memory. He took a deep breath, summoning his soul. An azure blue barrier covered his body. He stared at himself, smiling. He had an Aura, an actual manifestation of one's soul. Or was it? A soul as a concept was incredibly vague. What was it? Did Aura actually correspond to-
"Hmmm…. Young man, you have an unusually weak Aura." The calm voice stirred Reshan out of his thoughts. He looked up from his body, to where the professor stood with an oddly coloured piece of glass.
"What do you mean, mila- er, ma'am?"
"Your Aura levels are currently at 100%. However, one sufficiently large hit will put you at critical levels. I would recommend that you take this into account when developing your strategy for the assessment."
"No, how do you know my Aura level?" Reshan's question was met with a pause.
"I measured it with my Scroll." Now it was Glynda's turn to be puzzled when Reshan displayed a confused expression. What scroll was she talking about?
"What do you mean, your Scroll? I see no parchment, milady." Professor Goodwitch scowled.
"Young man, do not mock me. This," she said, shaking the piece of glass lightly, "is a Scroll. It affords the people of Remnant many abilities, one of them being Aura scanning."
Reshan's jaw dropped slightly as he took this in. "Anyone can scan Aura? All with a piece of glass? This world is so strange." He smiled apologetically. "Apologies, ma'am. I did not mean to offend. I'm new to a lot of this."
Professor Goodwitch's scowl lessened. "Your apology is accepted. Now then, your Aura should have healed your injury from yesterday. Have you decided what weapon you will be using for your initiation?"
With a shock, Reshan realized that the faint sting in his knee had faded. He shook his leg experimentally, finding that he had his full range of motion once again. He grinned, then paused. "What weapon?" He hadn't really thought of that; he had assumed it would be a verbal exam, given his injury. "The best one, and the only one I have. My wits."
Professor Goodwitch smiled at this. "We are aware of your predicament, Reshan. Beacon has an armory, which we will be visiting. You may select your weapon there." She strode out of the door he had come in, beckoning him to follow. A few turns later through what he figured to be underneath the actual arena, they came to a mahogany door with a golden sign saying "FORT PORT" on the mantle of the doorway.
"Bloody hell, what is this place?" Out loud, he asked "Pardon, ma'am, but what is this place?"
Professor Goodwitch groaned softly. "This is the armory."
"Why does it-"
"Professor Port has a very particular method of displaying his authority. It is better not to ask." She clipped off her statement, cutting off any response. She pressed a few buttons on a metal grid at the side, and the door opened on its own. Inside was a sight that made Reshan stop.
The room was magnificent, with an ebony wood floor and oak paneling for the walls. Wooden pillars decorated the walls, carved with the visage of Professor Port. What made Reshan pause, however, was the large steel panel opposite the door that he and the professor had entered through.
It was covered in every weapon he could have ever dreamed of, and even more that he couldn't begin to comprehend.
"This, young man, is the armory. While you are a student at Beacon, we expect you to be at least competent with all forms of weaponry. As such, you will be tested in them throughout your time here." Professor Goodwitch stepped up to the weapon rack. "Until you acquire a weapon of your own, we will lend you from our own stock. If you have the capability, I would recommend you forge your own." With this, the spectacled professor stepped forward and nodded to the collection of weapons.
Reshan walked up to the display, silently marveling over the sight. "The academy has everything. Swords, axes, daggers, glaives… hmmm? What is this?" He stopped at an oddly shaped piece of metal. It comprised of a long thin metal barrel, with handles on the bottom. One end was open, the other having a wedge attached to it. Reshan couldn't guess what it could be, so he decided to ask. Picking up the weapon, he turned to Professor Goodwitch. "Professor, what is this?"
"That, young man, is a submachine gun."
Reshan thought hard on his next question. He knew that it might be the difference between life and death to know what he might be facing on the battlefield, but he had already accidentally embarrassed himself in front of the professor by revealing his lack of knowledge.
"Ah, well. Might as well ask. Can't get any worse, could it?" He chuckled inwardly at this. "Professor, what is a submachine gun?"
If Professor Goodwitch was surprised by the question, she hid it well. "A gun fires small bits of metal, called bullets, via a contained explosion of Dust. This particular model fires around 600 bullets per minute."
Reshan's mind stopped. "600? That's absurd!" His eyes widened. "Apologies, but that seems a little exaggerated," he said tentatively. "How is that even possible? If that is the case, how could anyone wield this weapon and lose?"
"While it can fire extremely fast, the weapon is hard to aim. The Dust rounds shake the weapon, making it difficult to reliably hit targets outside of close range." She pushed her glasses up before continuing. "Apologies, Reshan, but our time is short. I would recommend you pick a weapon you are already familiar with."
Reshan agreed with her, and reshelved the weapon. "So I'm likely going up against something like this. If this world has such power," he thought while looking at more familiar weapons, "I would have to be a bloody fool not to use something like that, and likely most cadets will think the same. So that means I'll need a defensive option." His eyes fell on a kite shield with a hand and a half sword sheathed behind it. Reaching, Reshan pulled the pair off the wall. The shield was well balanced, which would help him in evasive maneuvers. Unfortunately, experimentally swinging the sword revealed it to have a balance akin to a staggering drunkard. It felt as though a lump of iron was attached to the top, dragging the blade down.
After looking over the rest of his options, he decided on the pair. His low Aura would likely mean that he wouldn't be able to take many hits. The shield would likely help to compensate for that, but it would only take one lucky hit to put him down. "Guess this will be a short fight." Aloud, he said "I'm ready, ma'am."
"Excellent," she replied. "Come. The class has likely grown impatient." Reshan, having sheathed his weapons on his back, paused. "What does a class have to do with my exam?"
Professor Goodwitch gave a smile that belonged to a demon. "We will be turning your initiation into a lesson. You will be facing off against a second year student, and afterwards, me."
Reshan gulped audibly. He did not want to face anyone with that kind of smile.
"Hello class, and welcome back to Beacon. While you may have been able to relax over summer break, we will not be so lenient. Those who were thinking of an 'easing into' the new year are sorely mistaken. A reminder that…."
Reshan didn't pay attention to the professor. His mind was racing, trying to think of anything that could help in the fight against the demon. All he could recall in his fight against the Beowolf was panic. He hadn't had a good strategy then. All he had done was act on instinct! How could he-
"Today, we will start off with fighting against an unknown opponent. While you may be able to fight competently, you also will need the ability to evaluate on the fly. Today we will begin with a demonstration. Miss Adel, would you be so kind as to come down here?"
Reshan was snapped out of his reverie, looking at the young woman who would be his opponent. She was dressed in a beret, with a beige top and brown combat boots. A pair of glasses sat on her nose, coloured black. She was carrying a handbag. As she walked down the stairs, a chorus of cheers rose from the crowd.
"Go get 'em, tiger!"
"WOOHOOO!"
"Ten Lien he doesn't last a minute!"
As the cheers faded, the two combatants faced each other in the arena. Professor Goodwitch stepped out of the arena to give the two ample space for their duel. Reshan gave the woman a smile. "Hello milady. I trust you fare well?"
The brunette scowled back. "Save the chatter for after I've kicked your ass, fancypants." The crowd erupted with jeering and catcalls.
"OOH, BURNED!"
"SOMEONE GET THIS MAN SOME SUNSCREEN!"
"I HAVE A DOOR!"
While Reshan was trying to figure out what the phrases meant ("Why would I have a burn?"), Professor Goodwitch proceeded to restore order. "Ahem." With that one word, the crowd fell silent. "Today, we have Reshan, a freshman. While some of you may believe that makes him easy prey, you will have your work cut out for you. For those in the crowd, your job is to analyse his fighting style in a two-page report, due by the end of the period." The crowd groaned. "Now, then. 3, 2, 1… Begin!"
Reshan noticed his opponent wasn't in any hurry, so he decided to try a diplomatic approach. "Pardon me, ma'am. I didn't catch your name before. My name is Reshan. What's yours?"
The brunette looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "You really don't recognize me, fancypants?" Reshan shrugged.
"Not in the slightest."
"Coco Adel. Now then, let's get to the fun part." She started walking towards him. Reshan was starting to get confused. "Apologies, milady, but where is your weapon?" Realizing she was still carrying her purse, he asked "Do you truly intend to fight me with your handbag?" Coco deadpanned. "Yes." She broke out into a dash, raising her handbag. Reshan drew his weapons hesitantly, still not quite comprehending exactly what her intent was. "She is clearly jesting. There is no way a knight would fight with a purse." He chuckled at this. There was no threat here.
He let his guard drop. "Apologies, milady, but-"
Turns out that handbags are quite deadly. Coco slammed her heel down on Reshan's left foot, pinning him while slamming the purse into his side. He flew into the side of the arena, crashing in a heap. The crowd cheered, and Professor Goodwitch frowned.
"LETS GO COCO!"
"THE COCONUT IS IN THE HOUSE!"
"I'M NOT GIVING UP MY DOOR!"
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL!" In a single hit, she had nullified two thirds of his Aura! Reshan got back up carefully, positioning his shield to protect him from any more demented teenagers with purses of mass destruction. "Milady, my apologies. It appears I have underestimated you."
"That wasn't particularly chivalrous," Reshan noted. She'd struck him while pinning his foot, which was both an underhanded tactic as well as a good way to break ankles. What was with this place?
"Indeed," Professor Goodwitch said. "Reshan, you must be cautious. Letting your guard down like that could cost you your life one day. When you are on the battlefield, treat everything as a possible threat."
Reshan growled, but he saw the truth in what the witch said. He raised his shield defensively and advanced on Coco.
Coco grinned. "Looks like fancypants can take a hit. Care for another?" She pressed the transformation switch on her handbag, transforming it into its minigun state. Reshan was shocked. "What the blazes is going on here!" He didn't show it, however. His face was controlled. He recalled what Professor Goodwitch had said earlier, realizing that he was looking at yet another one of these 'guns'. "Good thing I picked a shield."
Reshan knew he couldn't afford an extended engagement. The more this dragged out, the more likely it was that Coco would get in a lucky hit, knocking his Aura out entirely. He had to get in fast, and end this quickly.
He dashed forward, holding his shield in front of him to protect him from the hail of bullets that came from Coco. They slammed against the gray shield with the force of crossbow bolts, slowing him down. He pushed through, grinning as he reached Coco, who changed her minigun back into the ridiculous handbag. "Guess that explains why it hits like a bull," he thought.
He got in the first strike, slashing at her legs. She jumped, backflipping while kicking out at his head. Reshan moved to the left, then stabbed at Coco's back, which was left exposed from the backflip. She blocked the thrust with her handbag, landing elegantly, then swung hard with the handbag of doom. Reshan got up his shield to block, but the brunette had counted on this. Quickly dropping to her hands, she kicked up and out, catching Reshan at an angle he didn't expect. The shaggy teen jumped to the left to avoid her strike, thinking quickly.
"I have to pin her down. She's too fast!" As he came down, Coco swiped upward. Reshan leaned backwards, then cut at her feet. Luckily, he had caught her off guard. Coco fell down facefirst, puffing. Fearing he had injured her, Reshan rushed over, when she turned over with a look that had contempt written all over it.
She smiled. "Looks like you've got some moves, fancypants."
"My name isn't fancypants," Reshan snarled.
Coco looked him up and down before responding smugly, "Prove it."
No one would take away the gift he had received from Dr. Oobleck- it was all he had. The fact that she would attempt to term him by his manners? To insult him for his politeness?
Coco would learn just what a mistake that was.
As Reshan glowered at Coco, he heard the crowd.
"HE'S GONNA GET OWNED!"
"WILL YOU GO OUT WITH ME COCO!"
"GET WRECKED, FISH!"
As the cadets booed him, Reshan backed off to give his opponent time to recover. Coco decided to repay him by bringing out her massive cannon and firing. He crouched behind his shield, but the spray of the weapon meant that he got hit where he wasn't covered.
Reshan couldn't take it anymore. This land was full of things he didn't understand. One of them was a clear lack of honor from these cadets. As the jeering intensified, Reshan let out a wild scream. His frustration boiled over, and all he could see was red.
"ENOUGH!"
Glynda paused. Was Reshan signaling an end to the match? Coco had let up her relentless assault as well, peering at her opponent.
Her extremely pissed off opponent.
After taking the initial strike from Coco, Reshan's Aura level, as indicated by the monitor above the arena, had been reduced to around a fifth of his starting Aura. Now the monitor showed it as being entirely empty. What on Remnant?
Reshan puffed heavily, glaring at his opponent. He gripped his sword tightly, scowling. Crimson red eyes glared-
Glynda narrowed her eyebrows. Reshan had brown eyes. What-
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of breaking steel. Reshan had gripped his weapon so tightly that the handle had shattered. The crowd went utterly silent, the sound cutting through like the blade that now lay on the floor. Coco's eyes widened, and she backed up a step.
"I'LL NOT BE MOCKED BY CHILDREN!" Reshan erupted with a voice unlike his normal one. It sounded as if two people were yelling the same thing, with another voice overlapping his own. A gravelly voice that promised nothing but death. Curiously enough, his accent became more pronounced. Glynda prepared to intervene if things went too far, watching carefully. Reshan stalked forward, casting aside his shield. Coco brought down her minigun and pulled the trigger, activating her Semblance for good measure.
Nothing happened.
Coco shook the minigun, then pulled the trigger, for the same result. She gave up, pressing the transformation switch.
Nothing happened.
With a smirk, Reshan roared to the ceiling. Glynda could almost feel the roar shaking the foundation. When he finished, Coco said, "Okay, point taken. Definitely not a fancypants."
Reshan turned his gaze toward Coco, snarling. "Where's yer honor?All I've seen is cheap tricks from yeh. Yeh'r WEAK! Yeh fight fer nothin' but yer own bloody pride. Now face me with nothing but STRENGTH!" With this, he blitzed forward, arm poised to strike. Coco, while quite quick compared to the rest of the class, could not match the sheer speed of the onslaught. Before Coco could blink, Reshan hurled her by her neck at the hardlight barrier. Glynda's jaw dropped when Coco broke right through it. How had Reshan done that? The barrier was rated for strikes from an Ursa!
She only barely caught the upperclassman with her telekinesis before she slammed into the audience. Reshan let out a booming laugh, crossing his arms. "Care to try again, lass?"
Before he could continue, Glynda intervened. Leaping into the ring, she announced , "Reshan, the match is over. You are the victor by ring out."
His head swiveled to face the assistant headmistress. Green eyes locked with red, and the crowd sucked in a breath. Were they about to see Reshan attack the teacher? That would have been a first.
Glynda was relieved to see the crimson in Reshan's eyes fade back to his regular brown. He blinked, then turned cautiously, taking in the scene.
The crowd had gone absolutely silent. They had never seen Coco get eliminated this quickly. After a silent ten seconds, the assembled upperclassmen let their feelings on the subject be known with a massive cheer. Reshan smiled at the display, and bowed toward the audience. He waved toward Coco, who grinned right back as she was walking back to the stage. He shook her hand as she arrived. "Coco, you are quite the opponent. It was an honor to duel you." She smiled, then said, "Likewise. Gotta say, pretty neat. That your Semblance?"
"I honestly don't know. After you started firing, I lost control of my temper. Next thing you know, I'm waking up to Professor Goodwitch announcing me the victor."
Coco lowered her glasses in disbelief. "You don't remember?"
"No, ma'am. Did I do something to you? Are you alright?" He looked her up and down, noting a few scuffs in the fabric. For the most part, she looked alright. Coco chuckled. "Sorry fancypants, but it's gonna take a lot more than that to take me down." At this, Reshan scowled. "I believe I made my point on the nickname more than clear. Why do you insist on annoying me?"
Coco responded, "Because it's who you are." When his gaze darkened, she laughed. "Oh, don't take it like that. It's a compliment- I don't think anyone has ever been that polite to me before. Well, not without knowing who I am anyways."
Reshan's glower lightened. "In that case, I will bear the badge of fancypants with pride. Thank you for your gift, Coco Adel." With that, he knelt down before standing up with her minigun held by the barrel. "I believe this is yours."
Coco took it, frowning. Glynda frowned as well. Coco wasn't someone to skip on maintenance, so the seeming malfunction on the stage likely had something to do with Reshan. She'd have to talk to him about it later.
Coco tried the transformation switch again, with no success. She walked off the stage, planning on heading to the forge later so she could take a look at the damage. Reshan smiled, then flinched when he heard a whip crack. Turning, he saw Glynda with a small smile holding her whip. "A splendid performance, Reshan. Are you prepared for your second match?"
"Apologies, milady?"
BOOOOOMMM!
"SHITESHITESHITESHITE!"
Reshan had given up on offensive strategy. Currently, all he was focused on was surviving the explosions caused by the unholy demon before him.
So far, the 'duel', if it deserved that term, had consisted of Reshan evading various objects being flung at him. So far, he'd dodged walls of wind, a storm of stone tiles from the floor, and the occasional textbook. Seriously, why was this place, and it's inhabitants, so strange?
As he leapt over yet another lightning bolt, he faintly heard the professor lecturing.
"This is the correct strategy for when outclassed by a superior opponent," Professor Goodwitch stated. "In this case, Reshan has no way to attack, given that he crushed his sword in the last bout. All he can do is focus on defense."
Reshan's mind raced. "Well, I have no ranged weaponry. Whenever I get close, she whips me like a puppy. Whenever I run, she brings EXPLOSIONS out of HELL!"
"NO WONDER HER LAST NAME IS GOODWITCH!" his mind screamed. "I AM SO SO SO SOSO D-E-D-DEAD!"
As a last ditch effort, Reshan charged with his shield raised in an attempt to bash Professor Goodwitch. She calmly stepped out of the way, smirking while shoving him with her Semblance. He stumbled before coming to a stop, shield held up. His arm shook, though whether from fright or exhaustion, none could tell.
"Class, this is a prime example of what not to do in a fight," the witch said. As the crowd chuckled at the sight of the teen cowering in fright, Professor Goodwitch announced, "Class dismissed. Please put your analysis in the dropbox on your way out."
She lowered her whip, walking over to the slightly traumatized boy. "Reshan? The fight is over." Reshan came out of his crouch warily, putting his borrowed shield on his back. Professor Goodwitch walked him up the stairs out of the arena. As they did, Reshan gave an involuntary shudder.
"Ma'am?"
"Yes, Reshan?"
"Is combat training always like this? Because if it is, my life will be far shorter than expected. I can only dodge for so long."
A/n: Writing the crowd may have been my favorite part so far.
Thanks for all the positive reviews! It really helps to see people appreciate my story.
Next chapter: February 6
