So Arkan's years at Signal Academy passed, until in his fourth year, he made an important step in his training: the forging of his very own weapon. One day, after Professor Qrow's class, as Arkan was just about to leave, Qrow pulled him aside.
"Arkan, my lad," he said, "You are acing my class. I have never seen anyone with your level of intuition when it comes to weapon crafting; except of course, my young niece Ruby."
Ruby was a year younger than Arkan. The Professor had spoken to him many times of her skill and intelligence. Arkan had seen her a couple times in the school's halls, and she didn't look like she was anything but a normal, thirteen-year-old girl. But Arkan trusted Qrow, so he didn't question it.
"So I have a proposition for you," Qrow continued. "How would you like to begin construction on your weapon?'
Arkan's brown eyes widened, and his heart skipped a beat. "But sir, I'm not supposed to actually craft a weapon until next year! I haven't completed all the requirements! I-"
"What if I were to move you up a level in my course? My fifth year students are about to begin the process. If you choose to move up now, you would be right on time." Qrow smiled, and placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. "So my boy, what do you say?"
Arkan smiled back, and answered gleefully, "I would love to! Thank you so much professor! I won't let you down!" And with that he ran out of the lecture hall, barely able to contain his joy. The next day, he reported to weapon design level five.
He spent the next several weeks feverishly tinkering and sketching, trying to find the perfect design for his "Grimmbreaker." That was what he would name it. The problem was finding out what "it" should be. He wanted to find a balance between extravagant and classic, while also being extremely functional. After many hours brainstorming, Arkan finally made a design he liked. Grimmbreaker would be "Grimmbreakers". It would be a pair of swords, which had small hand cannons built into the bottom of the hilt. If needed, the sword could also connect at the bottoms, creating a double-bladed longsword.
Arkan stood back and beheld his work, wiping sweat from his brow. "It's perfect," he whispered.
"And it suits you, Arkan." Qrow said as he walked up to him. "It just needs to be painted, dyed and tempered, and then you will be done."
"Yep, I was about to go do that." Arkan said. With that he walked off to complete his task.
When he was completed, Grimmbreakers were a sight to behold. The hilts were black, with green highlights near the handle of the hand cannons, while the blades were ever so slightly tinted green. The cross guard was also green, with a yellow circle in the center. Arkan was proud of his creation, and couldn't wait to test it out.
Once the class completed their weapons, they were assigned sparring partners in combat training. Arkan was paired with a beautiful blonde fifth year by the name of Yang Xiao Long. She was the daughter of another teacher, Taiyang Xiao Long, and she was also Ruby's sister. Yang was extremely energetic and upbeat, and she was also sympathetic to the Faunus. She wouldn't make fun of his antlers, and he was grateful for that. Yang and Arkan got along pretty well. Except when they were sparring.
On the first day of combat, several days later, Arkan and Yang walked into the sparring hall. It was a large round room, which was set up almost like a small indoor stadium. The presiding teacher, Mr. Winchester, began the lesson. Yang and Arkan were up first.
"Remember children, we don't want to harm anyone. If your opponent yields, or their Aura breaks, the match will be over," Mr. Winchester puffed. He blew a whistle, starting the match.
Arkan circled Yang warily, waiting for her to strike the first blow. Her weapon, Ember Celica, was unlike anything he had ever seen. They were a yellow pair of gauntlets, which had built-in shotguns/flare guns. Yang lunged, leading with her right hand, while Ember Celica fired a round. Arkan just barely managed to sidestep and avoid her strike. He promptly sliced at her back with his left hand, only for her to spin around and grab him by the wrist. She threw him across the arena, knocking one of his Grimmbreakers to the side. Arkan paused, remembering his training. He ran towards Yang, and fired the cannon on the sword's hilt, propelling him foreward. He sliced upwards, and Yang barely avoided her face being hit. But Arkan did slice several strands of her hair off.
Yang stared at Arkan, then at her hair slowly falling to the ground. She looked at Arkan again, but her eyes were no longer their usual lavender. They were a deep red, and her long blonde hair almost seemed to be on fire.
"YOU. DO. NOT. TOUCH. THE HAIR!" she screamed, with her face the picture of abject rage.
She came at Arkan hard and fast, blows coming from every direction. Arkan barely managed to evade her attacks, back flipping and dodging as best he could. He dove towards the ground, and grabbed the sword that he had dropped earlier. He connected the two Grimmbreakers, trying to use the double-ended nature of the combined weapons to defend himself faster. And he tried to parry her attacks, combating flying fists with spinning blades. But eventually, being a year older and considerably stronger than him, Yang broke through his defense, and an uppercut sent him flying.
The teacher blew his whistle and ended the match. Arkan was panting, exhausted. Yang seemed dazed and a little confused, her eyes slowly returning to their original color. Arkan pulled himself to his feet, and looked at her.
"Congratulations are in order, Miss Xiao Long!" the short, portly teacher announced. "I do believe you just discovered your Semblance! This is wonderful! It seems to be a form of energy absorption, triggered by rage. How fascinating! And as for you young Mister Rannos, I'm surprised you lasted as long as you did against it!"
Yang seemed to come back to herself then, and rushed over to Arkan to help him up. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry! I just got so angry, I couldn't control myself! Are you okay?"
"I think I'll be alright," Arkan said, wincing as he tried to walk, pain shooting through his left leg. "Yeah, I'll be okay. That was pretty awesome though, Yang! If that really is your Semblance, I feel almost bad for the Grimm! You'll destroy them."
"Ha-ha, thanks! Are you sure you're okay, though? You're limping a little," Yang said, looking at Arkan worriedly.
I'll be fine, Yang," Arkan assured her. "And anyway, I'm sure that once I discover my Semblance, I'll be able to kick your ass," he said wryly, smiling at her.
"Heh, you wish," Yang laughed, and helped him to the infirmary.