Chapter 5
AN: Yeah, finally an update for this fic. Sorry for the long wait mates, it's been hectic recently. The story continues with a look at daily student life and a beat down, hope you enjoy it. Responds to the reviews:
SolSparda369: I'm glad you like the story. Seriously, 50 dollars, you can buy at least five good large pizzas for that money here. Yeah, I agree with you on the Dante part.
kevinlee010601: I do have a plot in mind that will cause Winter to snap and go dark a bit, more Vergil like and deal with her father, that's why she hasn't done it yet. That plot will also set up some other things.
willywonka3234: Here's the update. Got any tickets for the chocolate factory tour?
Arkanataraisa: The plot will change from canon, you will still have team RWBY and that, but Winter is going to be a bigger player and potentially the new third side to the conflict between Oz and Salem. Not to mention a lot more active and ruthless. Thanks for the review mate.
Winter and her team exited the auditorium with the rest of the senior year students, the class that just ended was Grimmology, as one could expect, it revolved around the various species of grimm that could be found not only in Atlas but also in the rest of the world. Basically, know your enemy 101. With this class done, the students had a break for lunch and the team and their fellow students were heading to the cafeteria.
"If I have to hear another lecture about manticores, I'm going to lose it," Asher said with exasperation and sighed.
"Knowing one's enemy is important," Winter said.
"It is but we already went over this before, I don't see the reason why we would need to learn something we already know," Asher added, his tone remaining the same.
"We do so because an Atlesian huntsman should set an example, wherever we are we should be able to identify the grimm we are dealing with and the best way to eliminate it," Louis explained, his tone similar to the one when a parent was talking to a child.
"Yeah, yeah, get off your high horse mister nobility, we already know most of it, I don't see the point of repeating. If I come up against a grimm I don't know I will just do what works on any grimm," Asher said, frowning at his teammate.
"And what is that?" Louis asked.
"Just unleash Valentina and hope she doesn't destroy everything within ten kilometer radius," Asher replied as he looked at the team's heavy hitter with a smirk.
Valentina flexed her arms, a large grin on her face. "Hell yeah! Just stay out of my way and let me take on the big guys, I will leave the tiny grimm to you, you can handle that."
All members of the team chuckled at their antics as they continued to walk toward the cafeteria. Once there each one of them picked up a meal, Asher took some roasted chicken, Louis took some fish and salad, Valentina took almost everything she could grab and Winter took some casserole. They continued to chat as they ate their lunch.
"So what's next on the list of boring classes?" Asher asked, his mouth full of chicken.
"At 1:30 we will have combat class followed by history, followed by dust combinations and that's it," Winter replied as she swirled her fork around her meal.
"Good, at least we are going to have some excitement," Asher said. Winter's teammates continued to talk among themselves while she focused on talking to Vergil.
"This Grimmology has picked my interest, I have seen from your mind what you know but I wish to know more, once you have some free time I urge you to visit the library so I can get a better understanding of the creatures. Also capturing one and studying it would be preferable," Vergil said.
"Studying it?" Winter asked surprised. "Why?"
"Grimm aren't normal animals or creatures that have evolved in a normal manner like other species had. They are attracted to negative emotions and only attack humans and yet rarely if ever animals, so they must have been created by something or someone, at least that is my hypothesis. If you could get near one I might be able to determine if any magic was used in their creation and if there was, what kind," Vergil explained.
Winter thought about it for a moment. "You really think that the grimm were created by magic?"
"It seems like the most logical explanation, creatures of ordinary flesh and blood don't just evaporate into ash once killed. Their behavior patterns are familiar to me, I have seen something similar with hell demons, so yes, I think that the influence of magic is a high probability," Vergil continued.
"That may be but magic does not exist anywhere on Remnant, that I know of," Winter replied.
"You people use aura, as much as you deny that it is magic, it is, one bound to the soul of the user. Not the most powerful type of magic I have seen but useful. Dust is also some kind of elemental magic, the origin of which still eludes me. Also, the fact that a broken moon has not yet crashed on the surface of the planet with its broken pieces remaining where they were instead of being pulled towards the moon by its gravitational field or away from it. Magic exists in this world, it might be weak but it's there, and I intend to get to the bottom of it."
"Why such interest?" Winter asked, genuinely intrigued by Vergils amount of curiosity dedicated to the subject.
"Call it a professional disposition," Vergil answered, not really much of an answer but it was as much as Winter was going to get. She was about to inquire more about Vergil's plan when she felt someone shaking her shoulder. Winter had to cut her conversation with Vergil short and turned her head to look at who was shaking her. It was Valentina.
"What? Why are you shaking me?" Winter asked.
"Seriously?" Valentina asked with a hint of worry in her tone. "Winter, you went unresponsive."
"Yeah, we asked you a question and you ignored us. We tried getting your attention but nothing worked," Asher said.
"Are you alright?" asked Louis, all three of them sported concerned looks on their faces.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine," Winter said nonchalantly.
"You sure? You looked pretty out of it there," Valentina said, one eyebrow raised.
"Yes, I'm fine, just got lost I thought, that's all," Winter continued.
"You know you can tell us if something is the wrong girl, we are on your side," Valentina added.
Winter offered a calming smile. "I know, thank you guys for that. I'm alright, just got some things on my mind, that's all," Winter said. More like someone in my mind. "There is no need for you to worry yourselves over it."
The three of them looked at each other before their expressions softened. Winter didn't like lying to her friends but she had to, there was no other way. She didn't want to be labeled as crazy, although that would be a good way to get disinherited and out of her father's grip now that she thought about it.
"Fine, we won't pry any further but if you need anything..." Louis said.
"I know and I'm grateful for it, thanks, to all of you," Winter said. The team let go of the matter and returned to eating and chatting,
"So, what was your question again?" Winter asked as she took a bite from her meal.
"Oh, yeah, I asked if you had any bets on who is going to fight who this time around," Asher said. "I would like a rematch with Tortuga and Harriet, last time wasn't fair."
"Keep telling yourself that," Louis said. "Harriet spun you around like a rag doll."
"That's why it wasn't fair, my head was spinning like crazy, how can I fight when everything is going in circles," Asher complained.
"You will get her next time," Valentina said. "I want to fight Tortuga, to have another chance at breaking his shell," Valentina punched her right palm with her left fist.
"All in good time my compatriots, all in good time," Louis said.
"The sooner the better, I want to humble that stuck-up asshole. She thinks just because she is fast that she is among the best. She needs to learn that speed isn't everything."
"She is among the best," Winter pointed out.
"Hey! On whose side are you on?" Asher flabbergasted.
"No one, it's just a fact," Winter said. Her teammates were eager but Winter knew that it would take more than eagerness to win. Harriet's team was on the same ranking as hers, on the very top and that made the competition all the more severe. Harriet was a capable close-quarters fighter, relying on her speed to overwhelm her opponents, and what she lacked in strength she made up with her weapon of choice, even Winter could not keep up with her. The best way to counteract Harriot's speed advantage was a combination of her glyphs but not even that was a guarantee.
"With my power, you will be more than a match for some rabbit," Vergil said.
"I sure hope so. Harriet has been one of my top competitors for years and I agree with Asher it would be good to humble her a bit," Harriet displays great confidence in her skills, bordering on arrogance, looking down on those who challenge her, although she and Winter always had some amount of respect for each other.
"By all means," Vergils said and Winter could have sworn that there was amusement in his voice.
The students were gathered in the arena where the combat class was being held. The combat instructor colonel James Bradly was overseeing the class as usual. The colonel was a man in his mid-forties, clean-shaven, dressed in an Atlassian army uniform, dark of hair and eyes. He had a reputation for strictness and no-nonsense. The combatants were chosen at random by the computer and once chosen would walk to the platform before beginning the fight. So far there have been six matches, mostly other fourth year students and one where Louis fought and won. Winter watched the screen as the images of students were shuffled until the image of the first combatant came to a stop and the computer announced Harriet Bree. Harriet got up from her seat and walked towards the platform. A moment later the image of the second combatant stopped and the computer announced Winter Schnee. Winter likewise got up from her seat and started walking toward her opponent.
"Let's see if all the effort I put into your training was worth it or if it was a waste of my time," Vergil said in a cold tone. Winter climbed onto the platform and stared at her opponent. She put her hand around the hilt of her saber, grabbing it and pulling it out of its scabbard. She was going to prove that she was not a wasted effort, she has had many tutors and mentors but they were all puppets of her father, there because he wanted it, Virgil was the first one she herself chose, as strange as their agreement was. He had shown her new methods and powers and was still doing so, Winter wanted to prove to both him and herself that she had what it takes to get stronger, that the power she is getting was not a mistake on Vergil's part, that she has earned it. She has worked hard her entire life for the petty whims and wishes of others, now she was doing it for herself. Harriet got into a fight stance and activated her weapon, the Fast Knuckles, an exoskeleton suit whose main function seems to be its ability to greatly enhance the wearer's upper body strength.
"Ready for this princess?" Harriet asked smugly.
"You have no idea," Winter replied, a small smirk dancing on her lips. Winter was not going to rely on her normal tactics against Harriet for she knew them well. Winter had a plan and that plan involved using some of the new skills she had acquired.
The colonel looked at both students before he shouted "Begin."
As always Harriet was the first one to go on the offensive, using her speed to reach Winter in a matter of a second while leaving a yellow lightning trail behind her. Winter managed to block the incoming punch with her saber and then sidestepped to avoid the next one. Harriet kept on her attack with a combination of high and low punches and kicks while Winter used her skill glyphs to block or avoid the attacks. To put some distance between them Winter summoned a wall made of ice between her and Harriet and then used another glyph to increase her speed. She flew over the ice wall flipping mid-air and saw her opponent at the base of the wall, looking back at her. Winter then used another one of her glyphs to launch herself directly towards Harriet, the saber pointed directly at the other student. Harriet managed to move away but that did not stop Winter's attack, the heiress to the largest dust company in the world immediately continued her offensive, she has now started to use the demonic power to increase her strength, speed, and reflexes. She slashed at the opponent with her saber, Harriet blocking her strikes but she was feeling how each strike was sapping away her aura. Harriet managed to grab Winter by the wrist of her sword arm using her speed.
"Someone has been practicing but it won't be enough princess, you will lose, just like the last time," Harriet said with a smirk. Winter did not reply nor did she show any emotion on her face. With her wrist being trapped, Winter pressed the hilt of her saber and a smaller one erupted from it, landing right into her other hand. This action is quickly followed by an attempt to stab Harriet which the other student avoided by quickly moving away and trying to get behind Winter. Winter saw and jumped back, away from her opponent. The two of them stared at each other for a moment before Harriet started circling Winter at high speeds. Winter kept her eyes on the lightning trail as it surrounded her. Using more demonic power she managed to see Harriet as she was running around her. Winter quickly sent a time deletion glyph which would slow Harriet down but the speedster jumped over the glyph. At that moment, Winter smiled.
The Schnee summoned a flock of nevermore and directed them towards Harriet just as she was in the middle of her jump. The attack caught the other student by surprise and sent her flying back. Harriet tumbled back several times before coming to a stop and lifting herself up.
"Nit little trick, but it won't save you," Harriet said.
"Stop wasting time, end this," Vergil told Winter. Winter did not appreciate the tone her mentor used but he was right, she needed to end this quickly. Using more power she launched herself at her opponent throwing a fury of strikes with both blades, each one faster and stronger than the last. Harriet was using all of her skill and speed to block and avoid the blows. Something wasn't right here, the heiress was good but not this good and definitely not fast enough to match her. To those watching the match, the only thing noticeable was two blurs, their moves too fast to be clearly made out. Just as Harriet thought she had an opening to strike back, Winter smirked, and Harriet noticed a strange glow coming from left, right, behind, and above her. She glanced quickly above her to see a blue blade made out of light positioned there.
"Where did that come from?" she thought shocked and panicked but before she could do anything the blade began descending towards her, the other blades doing the same. She hastily looked around, there was no way out, the blades were on all sides, and Winter was in front of her, she didn't have room to maneuver. In a desperate attempt to get out of her predicament, Harriet rushed at Winter in hopes of getting through her. Then out of nowhere another blue blade manifested in front of Winter and flew toward Harriet. The student could do nothing but helplessly watch wide-eyed as blades of light flew toward her from all sides. "This is going to hurt."
Harriet closed her eyes as the blades slammed into her, the impact causing an explosion on the spot where she stood. Once the smoke evaporated and the dust settled, everyone in the room could see Harriet laying on the floor, unconscious with the screen above showing that her aura was in the red. The room was filled with stunned silence as the students and instructor looked from one combatant to the other. Many had expected the fight to drag on and even for Winter to lose but that did not happen.
The colonel hummed. "It seems that our winner is Winter Schnee. Well done cadet," he said.
"HELL YEAH!" Valentina shouted as she jumped from her seat. "SCORE ONE FOR TEAM WALV?"
"Cadet, behave yourself," the colonel commanded in a strict tone.
"Yes sir, sorry sir," replied Valentina and sat down but not before giving a cheerful smile and a wink to Winter.
"That was something new," Louis said, he had never seen Winter use those blue blades before and neither did the rest of his team, he was sure of that.
"Yeah, Ice queen has been holding out on us it seems," Asher said, a cheshire grin on his face.
"That was the last fight of the day, you are dismissed!" shouted the colonel and with that, they were granted their leave. Their team went over to Winter, while Harriet's went over to pick her up and take her away. The four friends were in the locker room leaving their weapons in their rocket lockers, the three of them still stunned at what Winter had pulled.
"Seriously since when can you summon swords, that was awesome!" shouted Valentina, the warrior giddy with excitement.
"And since when can you move as fast as Harriet?" Asher asked.
"Yeah, don't take this the wrong way Winter, but have you been holding out on us?" Louis asked.
Winter shook her head. "No this is a recent thing, I only found out I can summon Mirage blades several weeks ago," it was not a lie what Winter told her team.
"Mirage blades?" Asher asked intrigued.
"That's what I call them, they are made out of light and I can control them like any other of my summons. And the speed is a variation of my glyphs."
"Variation of glyphs you say?" Louis said, he found it a bit odd.
"Another summon, like you already didn't have enough powers as it is," Asher said with a grin.
"I didn't and still don't," Winter said, it felt slightly odd to say it but it was true. Vergil had told her that Mirage blades are spectral swords created by demonic power. They can be fired one at a time or multiple at once, so far she had at most summon half a dozen ones of medium size but by expending his Devil Trigger, Vergil was able to summon many more swords that he can arrange in various formations such as a shield that rotates around him or to float behind him until he decides to launch them all rapid-fire. Winter was still far away from that stage.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Louis asked raising an eyebrow.
Winter shook her head. "Nothing, just a random thought."
Valentina, Louis, and Asher gave Winter an odd look but decided not to pry further, they knew their teammate and that she liked to keep private things to herself, especially things concerning her family.
The rest of the day went about normally, Winter and her team attended the remaining classes before returning to their dorm room. The team took some time to rest, mostly just lounging around, Asher was listening to music, Valentina and Louis were talking while showing each other something on their scrolls and Winter was reading poetry. Several hours passed like that and Asher and Valentina went to grab a bite to eat while Louis went to take a shower. Winter was left alone in the room, well not entirely alone.
"Your performance today was acceptable, although I can name a few things that could be improved," Vergil said.
"Hey, this was the first time I actually used any of your powers against a real opponent, my plan was to make her believe that it was business as usual before springing the trap," Winter replied.
"A smart course of action," Vergil said. "How did it feel using my power, your control over it?"
"Controlling it is much easier now than it used to be, as for the feeling….strange... yet good. I felt powerful. It was good to even up the score with Harriet," Winter said proudly.
"The feeling you get after defeating your rival is one of the best an individual can experience," Vergil said with a hint of amusement, his thought turning to his roguish brother for a moment. Winter noticed the way he said that. "As for the power, might controls everything and without strength, you cannot fight anyone or protect anything; let alone yourself. The more power you acquire the stronger you will become and then no one will be able to stand in your way. But you also must have the will to use that power, never forget that."
Winter nodded at that. "We will be having a mission in the wildness soon, you will have your chance to study the grimm."
"Good, I have waited long enough. Sometimes I wish I had my old body," Vergil said with some annoyance, and Winter could not help but chuckle at that, She did feel for Vergil, being a soul stuck in a body of a twenty-one-year-old woman, not able to do much but watch and talk only to her, but there was also some humor is that situation.
"Amused are we?" Vergil asked in a cold tone and Winter stopped chuckling.
"A bit, yes," Winter replied, a smile still on her lips.
"I wish you to visit the library and do more research on the magic of this world, an academy like this certainly has plenty of information on many topics, even those considered mythical," Vergil said, not bothering to indulge Winter's antics further.
"I don't know how much we will find, Atlas is rather future oriented and things like myths and magic are looked down upon here, Vale or Mistral would be a better shot."
"And yet try you will, if nothing is found then we will find other sources, knowledge is another way to acquire power."
"I will, but first I want to drink some tea,