Six years have now passed since Nick and Indigo began their training with Hunter. He tried to keep them updated with normal academics as well as combat training. Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, Indigo's sixtieth had arrived. Their teacher had left a few hours ago, saying he had a gift for both of them.

Nick had insisted they take the day off to relax, as they had been having a sparring marathon with Hunter for a few days. He felt they earned some rest. He sat on the couch, thinking on how went from being a ragged street rat to a skilled huntsman in training. He was wearing the new outfit he preferred to wear on huntsman business, combat boots, black jeans, a dark red T-shirt that matched the color of his aura and a brown leather jacket over that. Over a time he visited the town, he got his hair dyed a dark blue over a bet with Indigo. He kept the knife he owned for so many years in a sheath around his leg. He reflected on how much he had physically changed, he was taller, faster, and stronger than he used to be. Though Indigo sometimes teased him about being taller.

It wasn't long before he heard a door open down the hall. He turned his head and saw Indigo walking down the hall. She had grown too, she looked like a professional bodybuilder. She kept her hair cut and tidy while Nick let his grow out into a tangled mess. She radiated her powerful aura around her even without it activated.

Today, her hair was wet, she wore a pair of jeans and white tank top. Not what she usually wore when not doing huntsmen business, unlike Nick who practically lived in his outfit. "Use up all the hot water again?" Nick asked teasingly, she rolled her eyes as she continued walking into the main room.
"It's not like you can't just make more if you wanted, though I'm not sure you ever take a shower anyway." She replied. She made her way over to the chair on the other side of the table and say down in it, curling her tail into her lap. She was always protective and sensitive about it.

After she had gotten comfortable, she stared directly at Nick in the way he usually found intimidating.

"So, any idea about what he meant by having a gift for us?" She asked seriously, he shook his head.

"Not a clue," Nick responded with a shrug.

"Bull crap."

"Well, no spoilers." Nick laughed, which left her frustrated. It was a pretty good idea, but he didn't want to be wrong himself and let her have something to hold over his head.

"Nickel Veras, you better not be holding out on me." Indigo warned. Nick rolled his eyes.

"I told you not to call me that, also trust me. If i'm right, it'll be worth the surprise." He assured. She huffed in defeat and slouched back into the chair.

They continued small tall for a few hours, before they heard the door open.

"Hey kids." The gruff voice of their teacher called in, and the cool closed behind him. He walked into the main room. He aged well over the years they've known him, he looked the same though had more wrinkles. Today he was carrying a large, thick, black case. He set it down from the table, and began removing his cloak. "Go ahead and open it. I think you should be able to tell who's who." He said.

Nick didn't hesitate, he unlatched the heavy case and pulled it open, inside contained exactly what he thought. On his side, he pulled out two identical heavy swords, the hilts were wrapped in leather and a small cross guard stopped at the scabbard, which was made to hold a leaf styled blade. A small red line of crystal ran through the middle of the cross guard. He looked up from his prize to see Indigo admiring hers.

Her gift, was two long, shinning, thick metal gloves. The outsides of the fingers seemed extra thick. Nick smirked.

"So, like I thought, that crap you made us do about designing a weapon wasn't pure crap." Nick said. Hunter laughed.

"Ya caught on kid. You detailed yours down to a T, so I guess you had my thoughts figured out from the moment I handed you both a paper." Hunter responded. Indigo eyed Nick with some annoyance.

"You knew from the start didn't you?" She asked. Nick shrugged.

"Most huntsmen and huntresses design their own weapons. It helps to know your tool of trade from the heart." He said.

"That's exactly right kid. I built my weapon myself, overload. It's gotten me far in life." Hunter said. "I had to do a little extra estimations on Indigo's since they were more complex with vaguer description. Though they should work just fine." He added.

Nick pulled the blade out of its scabbard a little to examine it. The blade didn't make a smooth metal sound and instead made a grinding noise. The blade was a glassy black. He pushed the blade back into the scabbard.

"If I can ask, why'd you want those to be heavy like that? Most duel swords are light and fast." Hunter asked, Nick shrugged.

"These'll hit harder. Besides, they're not that bad. I'll just get used to it." Nick said, standing up and beginning to strap the swords to his back. Meanwhile, Indigo had also found one more thing in the container. It looked like a smooth bunch of cloth and metal.

"Figured you wanted some better but still maneuverable armor. Aura'll take you only so far kid, even with one like yours." Hunter commented to Indigo. "Go suit up, and meet me outside. There's one more thing I have for you to do." Hunter said and stepped out the door. He closed it behind him, and Nick looked up at her.

"So, what's so special about those gloves?" He asked. She smiled.

"You'll see." She responded cryptically. She carried her new weapons and armor to the hallway and disappeared into her room.

When she came out, she was wearing the new armor. It was a simple body suit, with thick metal plates over her torso, back, arms, legs and feet. Though her main joints lacked plates for seeming easier movement. A belt holding ammunition magazines wrapped around her waist. Also for comfort, her tail was left uncovered. Her new glove weapons also almost seemed to shine.

"What do ya think?" Nick asked.

"It's light like i'm not wearing anything. Though it feels tough and can take a few more hits." She commented. "Though I might cover it with something. It doesn't exactly leave as much to the imagination as I thought." Nick shrugged.

"At least you get armor. I don't at all. I add anything and I lose movement speed. Which is pretty important, so stop complaining when you get the best of both." He said. She rolled her eyes.

"He says as he gets heavy duel swords," she shoots back.

"Normal ones are crap for landing good hits. Anyway, let's go see what he wanted." With that, the two turned the door Hunter went through and proceeded outside.

Hunter left his cloak by the door, revealing his normal clothes and holding his staff.

"Alright, you two look like pros. Come here." He said, a evil smirk on his face. As they approached, he began explaining. "Today's lesson is simple. Kill more Grimm then me." He said. Both students gave him a grouchy look. He continued before they could say anything. "Yes, I'm aware it may seem unfair, so I'll have a handicap." He took his staff, walked behind them and drew a line behind them. "I'm only going to be killing what gets past this line. So ya might not want any to get past you." He said, with that. He walked halfway toward the house and turned around, twirling his staff lightly in his hand. "Here they come."

Shortly after he had finished speaking, the howls of Grimm filled the forest. It wasn't the first time they've fought Grimm anymore. Hunter sometimes brought one or two into the forest with his semblance to assist him in teaching something before having us dispose of it. Though when the sounds of them approaching down the path became more apparent, it still sent a rush through Nick. He reached behind him and felt the handles of his swords. He grabbed onto the handles, swiftly drawing then for the first time. The unique grinding sound gave him a smile. He twirled them in his hands as he got into his fighting stance. He heard metal sliding against metal. He looked over to see Indigo had taken her fighting stance, her fist balled, and three claw-like blades stuck out of the top of her knuckles.

The first Grimm began to emerge from the forest. Just as the first Beowolves began to emerge, rapid shots rang out. Indigo's gloves had a tube emerge from them, and one of the magazines pushed into the back of the glove parallel with her arm. She had switched her stance and was unleashing fire on the Grimm as their heads popped out of the clearing. Most of them fell from the rain of fire before even leaving the tree line. Determined not to be outdone, he pointed the end of his sword at one of the approaching Grimm and focused. The blade began to glow orange from the inside-out. He had activated his semblance and willed a controlled burst of condensed flame out the end of the sword.

For once, the output of power was exactly what he wanted. Not too much, not too little. The jet of flame blasted into the Grimm. It was knocked back, melting into a pool of darkness. Nick smirked, his idea worked. Red crystals were the key to accurately controlling his semblance. He pointed the other sword at Grimm and willed another burst of flame. Together, the two's ranged attacks held the Grimm back for a little. Though they began to advance out of the trees into the clearing.

"I'm almost out." Indigo warns. Nick felt his aura starting to drop as well.

"Launch me." Nick says. She nodded and stopped firing, the blades retracted into her gloves. Nick jumped into the air as she ducked under him. She grabbed his feet and launched him toward the enemy as he simultaneously jumped off her. He felt her aura force him toward the Grimm that were now coming through the trees in fewer numbers.

Nick spins himself forward as the first Grimm gets close. Using the momentum from spinning himself, he brings down both blades on its head. They cut through like butter. The Grimm dissolved as he landed behind where it was originally standing. Without any breathing time, he launched himself to the left where the next Grimm was. He slashed both swords up, which cut its head clean off. He looked toward his right, where a third Grimm was charging him. Before it could get any closer, in the blink of an eye, Indigo launched herself and punched it. Her aura attack caused a shockwave that sent the Grimm flying back and dissolving into darkness. Dozens of dark puddles that were once Grimm lay scattered through the small battlefield.

"That's good." They hear their teacher call out. "That's two packs total, not bad, given both you both spent most of that at range. Though fair's fair." Hunter said, walking toward them. "Congratulations kids. You've passed the last test I have to give." Hunter said.

"Wait what?" Indigo asked. Hinter huffs.

"Basically now, you go to Vale." He said.

He lead the two inside and had them sit down on the couch before he began to explain more.

"I've taught you all you need to know on fighting, though that doesn't make you huntsmen on it's own. You have to go to one of the main schools for it. Nearest one is Beacon Academy. The headmaster there's a nice guy." Hunter explained. "So here's your final test from me. Travel to Beacon, pass the entrance exams which should be easy for two heavy hitters such as yourself. Then survive the next four years. Do all that, and you're huntsmen." The two sat for a moment and let that sink in.

"Well, you're coming with us right?" Nick asked. Their teacher shook his head.

"Wouldn't be much of a test if I was constantly covering for you." Hunter replied. "Unless you'd rather not be huntsmen and waste seven years of our time. Of course i'll come visit my favorite students once they've settled in, but you gotta make the trip yourself."

He let that sink in for a minute, before Nick stood up.

"I'm going." He said emotionlessly and walked down the hallway without another word.

They didn't have much to pack. Mostly just essentials. Hunter and Nick both seemed rather depressed about the situation. Finally, the sun began to set. Nick had his bag over his blades. He looked back at the house they lived in for seven years. Hunter stood at the door.

"I'm proud of you kids. You've come a long way." He said. He gave them a thumbs up. "This definitely isn't a goodbye, but good luck out there." Nick looked down at the ground.

"Thank you, for everything." He responded. With that, he turned and began the walk toward the forest. Indigo trailed behind him, having said her goodbye after he walked away. They made their way to the main road and began the long walk south, towards a new horizon in their lives.