Weiss Schnee was dead set on being among the first to complete Initiation. Not only would that help to ensure her fellow team members elected her as group leader, but it would help to establish her notoriety as the best of the best. She had studied too hard and for too long to not be granted a top achievement. Whatever this Initiation threw her way, she would not just accomplish it. She would master it. Completely overcome it in such a way that anyone who saw her would clearly know and recognize her strength. She had her own wishful thoughts, things she knew were downright improbable even for her.
Such things like being the first to complete Initiation. Or taking down an ancient grimm which had plagued the forest for generations. Or get full marks on this Entrance Examination, meaning she had completed it without so much as a single hair out of place. She knew she was good, but she doubted she was that good. And besides, if someone as talented as her big sister Winter could not pass Initiation, Weiss would need to work extra hard just to complete it, let alone achieve her aspirations of being among the first.
In reality, this would mostly come down to her partner. Weiss was a little miffed that she could not have said 'to her choice in partner', seeing as there was no choice in that regard. The best she could hope for was finding someone good straight away, or at least acting as thought she never saw a bad candidate in the first place. Yes, that would work. She had years of practice back home in her estate of acting as though she did not hear the sleezy words of much-too-old suitors. It had been perfect practice for this day.
Weiss let out the barest hint of a smile. She guessed what the headmaster had said was true. Their near eighteen years of life had indeed been their time of study for this examination. Everything she had ever learned back home would be put to use today. From her combat training, drilled into her since she was twelve by brutal combat tutors, to her sleuthing and espionage training she had picked up from hiding when her father was angry from work. All would be important. Maybe even some skills she had not realized she had known.
But one thing was certain, she was going to work harder today than she ever had before. Because the reward come sundown was just too good to not put in the extra effort for. To prove to herself, her father and even her sister, that she was a huntress at heart. That she was strong and able enough to continue being the heiress to her grandfather's company.
Her morning started earlier than normal, but she knew she had to get to the cliffs as soon as possible. To hell with the seven-thirty start time. To her, she would be prepared and waiting by seven at the very latest. Her rapier placed on her right side in its thin scabbard, she was already walking to the cliffs by the time most people were starting to rise.
And then Professor Goodwitch had confirmed her suspicions. She had not been among the first twenty-five arrivals but was likely in the latter half of the twenties. Still, it would give her a firm lead with which to start this competition. Initiation. She heard the thrum of a launch pad activating, sending the first batch of student hopefuls into the forest below.
Weiss watched them sail forwards, weapons drawn, all with their own unique and individual expressions. Some were excited, wearing vibrant smiles with sparkling eyes. Others had curt frowns, taking this challenge with the magnitude it deserved. One looked completely neutral. Battle ready and… wait, was that Pyrrha Nikos? Weiss's eyes almost bulged out of her skull. How had she not realized Pyrrha Nikos of all people was attending this school? Well, she should have guessed. Beacon was the best huntsman school in the world. Obviously, the Invincible Girl would try her hand at attending.
Without even time to process her thoughts, she had already started to think, 'I should try to get her as a partner.'
Weiss immediately shook the thought from her head. She would have time enough to scout for the perfect pairing for her. The first issue at hand would be preparing a solid and succinct landing strategy.
"Next!" Came the call from Professor Goodwitch.
Weiss stepped forward, standing next to a raven-haired girl with a bow in her hair. Weiss held back a scowl. It was the girl who spoke negatively against her and her family. All thanks to that little kid. Weiss looked at her stance on the launch pad.
It was a shallow one, to say the least. Her legs looked like they would buckle under the pressure of the pad's movement. Clearly, she had little to not training on this piece of equipment. The way her body was tilted forward, left shoulder front and right at her waist as if preparing to go for her weapon, it was going to be near disastrous upon launch.
Tutting lightly to herself, Weiss positioned herself into her own stance. The one she had practiced for hours upon hours back home at her estate. Dominant foot back, shoulders and knees loose. A slight bend in her legs, both feet pointing in the direction she wanted to go. And most importantly, her back only slightly angled forward. It was the perfect position for her to get the height and distance required for a full view of her surroundings as well as guarantee her enough time to develop a solid landing strategy.
She glanced over to a blonde boy to her other side. His stance was even worse than the raven-haired girl's. For one, it barely even looked like a proper stance. His feet were shoulder width apart and he stood straight up, legs straight and hands rubbing his elbows. Compared to him, the raven-haired girl looked like a prodigy.
She internally wondered how such a person could have even got a letter of admission to take this Initiation.
But, her moment of wonder would not last any longer. Because with a faint triple click sound and a slight rumble underneath her, she felt her body be thrown high into the air.
And now at last, with the wind whipping through her hair and battle skirt, Initiation truly felt like it had begun.
I tried. I really did. But, I could not stretch out pre-Initiation any longer! Stay tuned for the next chapter, where I can actually move the story forward just a tad.
JackTheSpades - Since I don't plan on having this become some big Remnant-changing story, I doubt it will follow canon very closely, if at all. Hopefully it all comes together well!
Zapper Frost - That is... most likely pretty accurate.
chinaluv, merendinoemiliano and Darknight2124 - Thank you all for the support and I hope you guys enjoy what I (don't yet) have planned for Initiation!