"We should get uniforms." Rin suggested, poking her bowl of porridge.
"What for?"
They were strangers in this world. They had to blend in to survive. But blending in was hard. They stood out too easily from the crowd of younger, uniformed students. Their borrowed wardrobe was limited and short of counterfeiting money with magecraft, Shirou and Rin practically had no resources. Shirou knew where Rin was going with her suggestion.
He glanced at her. She smiled at him playfully. He watched her in silence as she placed a spoonful of porridge into her mouth, before taking it out ever so slowly.
"Alright, let's do it. Did you already ask Ozpin?" he said, memories of her in her old high school uniform, memories of her absolute territory flashing in his thoughts.
"They're not even being subtle about it, aren't they?" Yang remarked, three seats away, lilac eyes watching in amusement. "Blake?"
Her partner watched in silence, her breathing deep and ragged, her cheeks flushing pink.
"Blake are you even listening?"
No response. A certain set of thoughts raced through the black-haired student's head. Lewd thoughts.
"Blaaaake~?"
Chapter 3
Spearwomen and Archers
"It's a bit embarrassing," Rin remarked. "That we're taking so much advantage of your hospitality, headmaster. All while offering nothing in return. If it's possible, I'd like to change that." she leaned forward and intertwined her fingers, resting her chin atop her hand. "We magi are naturally secretive in nature. Our morals are not exactly similar to yours. It's not unheard of for our kind to sacrifice a dozen people just so we can maintain our secrets.
"But since I've long since realized that we are no longer in our own world, I'm willing to bend our rules a little."
"What exactly do you have in mind, Miss Tohsaka?" the grey-haired huntsman asked, sipping his coffee.
He was attentive, gauging the truth of Rin's words through the subtleties of her gestures.
"I'm a naturally inquisitive person. Auras and Semblances, are well, things that more or less have counterparts back in our world. The rules governing these concepts may be different, but their applications are oddly similar. Aura, to my understanding is a resource that allows you people to perform incredible feats. This makes Aura similar to what we magi call Od."
For the sake of simplicity, she decided to skip the more technical explanations involving the other types of magical resources.
"I wish to… study the similarity of your Aura and our Od. I'm not even sure if they are the same, but I'm curious enough to want to find out. I'm also curious about the application and use of Dust, as well as what exactly causes Semblances to manifest."
Ozpin quietly listened to her, occasionally nodding in appreciation.
"While I can study these things through literature that your library provides, I feel that it would be much more productive if I learned from an expert."
"You're suggesting that you enroll as a student in my school?" Ozpin asked. "As much as I'd like to facilitate this request, Beacon is equivalent to what you explained yesterday as college-level studies. The things taught here are far from basic."
"It's fine, sir." Rin smiled confidently. "I can handle it."
Ozpin considered for a few moments, the sound of gears moving in clockwork the only noise in the room.
"You said you wanted to return my gesture of kindness. But it sounds like your request only benefits you and your companion, Miss Tohsaka."
Rin leaned forward.
"Sir, if my theory is correct— that Od and Aura are similar in nature— I could, as remuneration for your kindness, help with your own… hm, research. Seeing that you're in a war with some kind of malevolent, world-encompassing evil, I assume that you need all the help you can get. I'll still hold back with some of my opinions, mind you. We magi still subscribe to a strict set of laws, most of them regarding what we should and should not share to our fellow magi. But from my understanding, this world, despite its age and advanced level of technology, still has a somewhat limited understanding of Aura and Semblances."
"So, you essentially want me to hire you as a researcher? I thought you said magi were extremely secretive and not exactly… morally sound?" Ozpin asked with an amused smile.
"We are both those things. Families keep to themselves. Especially powerful magi are hunted down by the association that governs us. All magi work toward the same goal of advancing magic, to reach what we call the root. For a time… that was all that mattered to me."
Rin looked away, suddenly finding the giant moving gears under the floor to be an interesting sight.
"But now, well, let's just say that an experience a few years ago changed my opinion. The Grimm are a blight— a darkness that I want to help push back." a determined set of blue eyes raised to meet Ozpin's own. "I won't share you mysteries, the very fundamentals of magecraft and magic. But I can help you learn more about the powers that the people of this world possess."
She waited before adding, "But only if I can confirm my theory, that Aura can function as a substitute for Od."
Ozpin watched the girl. Despite her youth, the girl spoke with a certainty that only a woman of experience could pull off. What molded this girl into this level of confidence and determination? She was secretive and intelligent, but she was also willing to help protect his world. Ozpin noted, with a resigned sigh, that this was an offer he could not refuse.
"You know close to nothing about our world, Miss Tohsaka. You're an alien, a stranger from a faraway place. Yet…" the grey-haired huntsman smiled contently. "I have long since learned never to ignore a second opinion."
[—
"Whoa. You can make swords." Ruby said, standing by the doorway of JNPR's room.
Shirou gathered his things and met her by the door. He glanced back at the display of blades he left lying on the floor.
"They're less impressive than the weapons that you guys use." he noted, shutting the door behind him.
He fell into pace beside the younger girl as the two of them walked through the hallway. Ruby forgot something in their room and rushed to return, and on her exit happened to catch Shirou walk in to JNPR's room. Curiosity overcame shyness and she peered inside. It took all her energy to keep herself from pouncing on the array of shiny blades.
"That's a really cool power you have. Can you make any weapon, and if soooo canyoumakescythes?"
"Yes and yes. But technically speaking, I'm not actually creating swords."
A stolen ideal.
"Just… replicating them."
"So. You're basically a Xerox machine?"
Shirou blinked twice. He didn't know they had those here.
"You could say that." he conceded.
The two weapon-nuts conversed as they made their way to Ruby's class. Shirou shared aspectsabout Tracing, but chose to withhold most of its secrets. He did not mention how modern weapons cost more energy to produce than their older counterparts, nor did he mention his ability to replicate the original wielder's mastery through Tracing.
Ruby in return spoke more about her aspirations than her powers. She wanted to be a huntress to help people. She wanted to help protect the world. She shared ideals not too different from Shirou's own. She had lost her mother, and that loss was a driving force that changed Ruby to who she was today.
Their arrival into Professor Goodwitch's lecture hall was met with an exaggerated gasp from Rin. "Sh—Shirou? Wha—What is the meaning of this?"
He stared at her blankly in response.
"What took you two so long to return? Shirou don't tell me… don't tell me that you're making moves on Ruby? She's fifteen, Shirou— fifteen—"
Yang snickered loudly beside her. The few other students who have already taken their seats grinned at the older girl's antics.
Shirou simply stared at Rin while his shorter companion huffed and puffed her cheeks.
"Rin." he said softly, taking a step forward and stopping an inch from her face. "You know you're the only person I love."
A silence hung in the room. Reeled back, hands up in defense, her face as red as a tomato, her ladylike demeanor shattered in an instant. Blake, Yang, and Weiss' eyes widened at the sight of Shirou's boldness. Nora gasped a loud, 'Oooh', and Pyrrha covered her mouth in mock surprise. Jaune watched in silence, taking mental notes, a glint appearing in his eye.
Rin was always a tease.
But she was easily flustered.
Shirou confidently strode forward, passing her still-frozen form.
"Miss Goodwitch is here. You should take your seat, Rin."
He did not bother glancing back at Rin as he quietly took his place beside his adopted team.
The spectacled professor took her place at the podium, experienced eyes taking in each and every one of her students. She gave a brief introduction of the day's lessons, turning to the digital whiteboard to scribble some notes. At the end of her explanation, she stood forward with her back straight, her wand at her side.
"But before all that, let's start with a spar." the blonde teacher, despite her professional academic exterior, was surprisingly fond of watching her students fight each other. "Do we have any volunteers?"
The visitor waited a few moments, mostly out of courtesy, before he raised his hand.
"Mister Emiya, do you have a question?"
"Yes, ma'am." the orange-haired visitor stood up. "I want to ask permission to spar with one of your students."
His words earned a few confused gasps from the students in the room.
"This is actually something I've always wanted to do."
Well, not always. He mentally noted. This is mostly Rin's idea.
"But I did not know how to go about it. I am a guest in this school, above all else. I wouldn't want to impose on your hospitality by accidentally getting myself hurt or by accidentally hurting one of your students."
The blonde teacher considered his request for a moment. She crossed her arms and nodded.
"I will allow it. But from my understanding, you and Miss Tohsaka lack Auras. We use bladed weapons and live ammunition in our spars. You risk serious injury without an Aura to protect you."
Her words caused a few students to exchange confused looks. This was new information. Not even RWBY and JNPR knew about this fact. They knew that Shirou and Rin were from a different world, and that they possessed powers completely different from their own. But they never guessed that Shirou and Rin lacked the protective barrier that was common all throughout Remnant.
"It's fine, ma'am." Shirou smiled. "That just means that I'll just have to avoid getting hit."
His confidence was enough to sway the huntress' opinion. With an accepting nod, she gestured toward the rest of the class.
"Very well, Mister Emiya. Volunteers are given the choice of choosing their opponent. Who do you wish to spar with?"
Shirou's gaze instantly floated over to his fellow redhead. Pyrrha responded with a look of confusion that slowly gave way to realization.
"I want to challenge Miss Nikos."
To say that there was a great disturbance in the classroom's silence would have been an understatement. Students exchanged whispers, Rin smiled knowingly, and Glynda raised a curious eyebrow.
"An interesting choice. I assume you're aware of Miss Nikos' reputation?"
"I am, ma'am. That's why I chose her." Shirou's words revealed confidence but not arrogance.
"Well Miss Nikos, what do you say?"
The Mistralian tournament champion stood up and faced her teacher. "I would be honored to accept his challenge."
"Alright. Nikos, get your weapons and equipment and return in five minutes. Mister Emiya, seeing that you have neither weapons nor armor, please wait for Miss Nikos to return."
Glynda walked up the steps of the lecture hall and gestured for the combatants to take her place on the platform. Pyrrha retreated to the lockers while Shirou made his way to the center of the floor. He stretched and flexed his fingers, his eyes briefly meeting with Rin's.
Pyrrha returned not a moment later, dressed in the familiar gold and red of her combat armor. Shirou watched her movements as she took her place across from him, her shield Akoúo̱on one hand and her transforming spear Miló on the other.
"Spars normally end when a combatant's Aura levels are lowered to a dangerous level." Glynda explained. "But, seeing that you lack an Aura, it seems that we'll need to make changes to our rules for this bout. Do you have any suggestions, Mister Emiya?"
Shirou briefly recalled the image of Rin and Luvia battling at Clock Tower before answering.
"Why don't I just call out when I can no longer fight?" he paused before adding. "I am perfectly fine with bleeding or injury. Rin and I have access to magecraft that can heal my wounds."
"Very well then. I confer judgment to you, Mister Emiya. Notify us when you no longer wish to continue. I may also call off the bout if I see that you've sustained too many injuries. But for Miss Nikos, we will maintain our standard rules. If your Aura falls to dangerous levels, then you have effectively lost." Glynda waited a few seconds as Pyrrha raised her Aura. "You may begin."
The room darkened and protective barriers materialized around the combat floor. Pyrrha lowered herself into a defensive stance, her shield forward and her spear resting atop it. Shirou wordlessly materialized his own weapons, his stance much more loose.
Shirou watched Pyrrha and considered his options, taking particular notice of her choice of armaments. Heavier weapons hit harder, but were slower. Spear-wielders had reach and flexibility, but get in close enough and their range became nullified.
For most warriors, judging the capabilities of your opponent's weapons was an important step to take before delivering the first strike. For Shirou Emiya, things were different. The first time he laid eyes on her weapons, one week ago, he immediately learned everything he needed to know about them. Weight class, material composition, internal mechanisms, ammunition type, and Miló's transformation speed. He memorized all of these facts from a single glance.
He leaned forward and reinforced his legs, jolting forward in a sudden burst of speed. Reinforcement allowed him and Rin to traverse one-hundred meters in under six seconds. To everyone else in the room, he became nothing more but a blur.
Pyrrha reacted by instinct and raised her shield. Kanshou's black blade clashed with the shield, sending sparks in every direction. In an instant, Pyrrha thrust her spear forward, aiming for Shirou's chest. Surprised by her speed, Shirou took a step back and parried the blade with Bakuya.
He spun in his place as Pyrrha pushed forward with a series of deft strikes, Miló transforming into its sword form before spinning and stabbing into him with ferocious intent. Shirou deflected each blow, alternating between either blade as the Spartan-themed student maintained her assault.
While Shirou knew the capabilities of her weapons, he knew little of Pyrrha herself. The girl moved with skill and dexterity that would have made Lancer proud. The swiftness of her movements were precise, and the force of each blow was enough to tremble his bones.
In a sudden display of speed, Pyrrha swung at Shirou's head. The redheaded magus ducked out of the way, but Pyrrha quickly reversed the motion of her swing, sending the tip of her sword howling toward Shirou's legs. Magic circuits flared as Shirou kicked the ground, catapulting him ten meters away from Pyrrha. With her face frozen in concentration, the girl spun once and threw her shield at Shirou.
He blocked the shield as it came but failed to notice the gold-armored redhead behind it. Miló's extended length met with Bakuya from Shirou's desperate attempt to deflect it. The champion did not let up. As Shirou struggled to keep his footing, Pyrrha slammed into him with a flurry of swift blows, pirouetting and spinning in a precise but unpredictable manner.
"Wow, your boyfriend's pretty good." Yang remarked, glancing at Rin.
Rin was too busy focusing on the fight to respond.
"But not good enough." Rin said, more to herself than anyone else.
Despite the experience and power that Kanshou and Bakuya provided, Pyrrha's shield-and-spear combination provided her with an advantage in reach and raw defense. Shirou realized this. As Pyrrha spun to strike at his neck, he avoided it by rolling away and kicking the ground, throwing himself to the opposite corner of their arena. In a heartbeat's length he leapt into the air and materialized a black bow in his hand.
Surprise flashed for but a moment in the Mistralian's eyes. Six arrows shot forward like bullets, buffeting against her shield with enough force to push her back. Miló transformed into its rifle form and she fired back. A bullet made its way into Shirou's shoulder. As he landed on the ground in a crouch, he felt pain jolt from his shoulder to his arm.
Pyrrha wasted no time closing the considerable distance between them. While she could not traverse the ten-meters in an instant, she was still fast enough to catch Shirou mid-projection. Bakuya's half-protected blade caught the flurry of her next blows, but eventually the magus was overwhelmed. In a quick, practiced motion, she struck his rubs with the butt of her spear, knocking out the air from his lungs and throwing him back.
He stumbled in his place before another projection-powered leap allowed him to once again build distance from Pyrrha.
Shirou was beyond impressed. Despite her friendly façade and kind-hearted nature, when the girl wanted to fight, she wanted to fight. She showed no interest in friendly banter, her face stone from concentration.
Pyrrha stood in place, no doubt out of consideration for Shirou's condition. She knew how that last hit broke a few of his ribs. She was fighting an unfamiliar opponent with unfamiliar techniques. He had no Aura, but he was faster and stronger. A miss-timed thrust or slash could cut flesh and spray blood. And while she was confident in Shirou's claim of possessing magic that allowed him to regenerate wounds, she still did not want to risk hurting him too much.
Shirou waited for her to move, but when she did not he began to consider his options. On one side he was very badly losing, on the other side, he was holding back. He and Rin still had too many secrets to keep.
No Remnant in this room was aware of his ability to project any weapon and replicate the experience of the original wielder. No Remnant in this room knew of the special abilities of the weapons he possessed. He already revealed his ability to use a bow, but not his ability to project and bombard his opponents with a barrage of swords. No one in this room even knew that he and Rin shared magical energy.
He did not want to lose, but he did not want to reveal too much.
He inhaled deeply, ignoring the pain of his broken ribs.
"—Trace on."
Magic circuits flared. He opened his palm, stretched his fingers, and aimed his hand at Pyrrha. Sword after sword appeared in the air above and behind him. Generic blades of simple design, long swords and short swords, rapiers and sabers, gladii and spathae became real. Sixteen weapons appeared in total, a paltry amount to what Shirou was truly capable of.
Shirou did not want to reveal the special properties of his weapons. But this technique could easily be attributed as simply an advanced form of his Projection.
Looks of awe, admiration, and surprise reflected on the faces of their audience. Ruby's eyes wandered to each blade, noting how each weapon was different from the one beside it. Behind her, Ren contemplated whether or not this was some form of ultimate technique. Yang simply whistled at the impressive display.
And Glynda narrowed her eyes to observe.
Pyrrha was in no way intimidated by the wall of blades before her. She had clue behind the power of each blade once they inevitably flew toward her, but if the arrows Shirou shot were any clue, she would have trouble getting to him should he choose to bombard her.
This is the only way.
By limiting himself on his use of Projections, Shirou had no choice but to 'Gilgamesh' his way to victory. An odd, ironic phrase that Rin came up with.
The first blade vibrated above him, a generic English long sword, and shot forward.
Pyrrha deflected it with her shield as she charged forward. The sword spun in the air as the other blades followed. The redhead hid behind Akoúo̱ as she met the shower of swords head-on. The swords that struck her shield shook her to her very core, but her charge did not slow. The blades came faster and faster. The first sword that she failed to block riveted against her aura, dropping it by twenty-percent in an instant.
She was seven meters away from Shirou when she deflected her first sword with Miló. Surprised at how possible it was, she continued the practice on the next two blades that followed. She pirouetted, her shield blocking a long sword that aimed for her shoulder, and her spear, blocking a gladius that was aimed for her chest.
She was four meters away when Shirou realized just how fast she truly was. She dominated him out of technique instead of speed whenever their blades would clash. But now, he realized that not even a shower of blades was enough to overwhelm her skills.
Two meters.
The whites of her eyes met with the whites of his. Blades floated in the air, falling toward Pyrrha in slow motion as she flew toward Shirou.
—Gram.
—Merodach.
—Caliburn.
—Caladbolg.
—Hrunting.
Countless weapons, countless swords, none that have truly belonged to him. He could draw on their power; summon them from the pits of his memories.
But even now, he realized that he could not rely on those borrowed weapons forever.
Pyrrha's blade stopped a centimeter from his throat. Swords floated in the air, as still as sleeping water. One by one they disappeared, their forms dissipating like snow.
"—and that's the match."
Glynda announced to the silence of the room.
Pyrrha lowered her weapon and breathed a sigh of relief.
Shirou took a step backward, smiled, and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Good match." he said.
"Thank you." the Mistralian replied, returning the gesture. "You were impressive yourself."
The lights turned back on and the protective barrier dispersed. They made their way back to their seats, the room as quiet as ever. Rin not-so-subtly shuffled herself over to Shirou's side.
"Well that didn't end the way I thought it wound end." she remarked idly.
"You and me both." Shirou leaned back in his seat. Though far from exhausted, the bout still tired him. He glanced at Pyrrha, who was smiling at Nora's animated, excited antics. "She doesn't even look tired."
"Well, I guess that speaks volumes of their stamina." Rin commented.
Glynda Goodwitch did not return to the podium, and instead drew out her scroll.
"That was an impressive performance from both our combatants. Mister Emiya demonstrated quick thinking and versatility." she explained. "He quickly realized that his twin swords were outmatched by Miss Nikos' speed and defense, provided by her shield and spear. Because of this, he opted to rely on building distance and relying on ranged attacks. Unfortunately for him, Miss Nikos continued to perform as impressively as always and his efforts were not enough."
Rin glanced at Pyrrha, noting the lack of pride that reflected in her posture.
"Now," Glynda added, glancing at her students. "We have time for another spar. Do I have any volunteers?"
A certain boy raised his hand.
"Ah, Mister Winchester, who do you have in mind?"
A/N: Glad that people are enjoying this. Follow and favorite and all that.