Chapter 7: Training for...

Age 13

One thing they teach you in Sanctum is that if you have a problem with someone you have two options. One you either work it out together and move on. Or two you settle it in the training grounds, however, the winner also has to deal with the teacher in a fight. So not many fights occur in school.

But once that bell rings and students made their way out of the school grounds.

You eighter fight like your life depends on it, or you fall to the ground like it was your life goal.

"Come on Pyrrha! We going to miss the fight!"

What you thought I was fighting?

No sir.

On days like these. They are my vacation days.

I train enough with my mom, that it got me to appreciate these breaks.

"Why are you so interested when others fight Seth?"

"Two reasons Pyrrha. One, I get to see how the person fights. And dos, I finally get to see how it looks on the other side. Cause you know, almost all of my fourth-grade experience was fighting everyone."

"Yes, I was there for most of them. But more importantly, have you decided on the type of weapon you are going to make?"

"Huh... Oh, yea I already got something in mind. but it's a secret for now. You?"

"Secret." She just smiles.

Cute.

To be fair it was really simple, just a sword. Not a katana, nor a Rapier, or a Claymore. A simple long sword. I still need to figure out how I can implement dust in it but it's still a work in progress. I'll also need a gun, so this will take time for me.

As we are walking out of school. Pyrrha looked at me and said. "Oh, have you heard?"

"Heard what?"

"The Vytal Festival is happening in Mistral this year! This is the 38th anniversary. You know it only happens every two years right? Are you going to watch it?"

'Vytal Festival?'

I close my eyes and see Pyrrha with a group rushing another group, about to fight.

Man, I have gotten so much better at this. I don't get headaches anymore, I still get those flashes that appeared out of nowhere but I haven't had new people appear now. It's only been a year since my first day in Sanctum. Ever since I saw that woman.

I open my eyes again and look at her "Yea it will be nice to see something good on tv."


I throw a left punch at my mother's side.

but she grabs it and swings her body, throwing me to the ground.

OOF

"Not bad, but remember if your opponent grabs your hand or arm you always-"

"Break it."

"Well in some cases yes. But in a practice fight you either go for his throat or his legs."

For some reason, I picture the girl with orange hair and a hammer just smiling.

"Right." I get back up

"How about we take a break we have been at this for a good two hours. Once we are done we can spar with some weapons I brought"

Man, two hours of training. How time flies.

"Yea, we should! My back is killing me right now."

"Don't worry once you get your Aura, then that pain will go away fast."

"When do I get it again?"

"Next year! Remember, your First year of Sanctum is all about Hunstman knowledge and Grimm studies. Your second year is Dust and Medic training. Next year is Aura training and combat training. And so on."

One more year that's good and with the way things are going, I should be able to learn more about Aura and weapons.

I walk to a rock and sit on it and start to think to myself.

'Weapon? A sword is good but I'm going to need range, A sniper? Nah too far for me, I feel like I'm more of a one-on-one fighter. Smg? No, the ammo would be a pain. LMG? nah too heavy, also it could jam. An AR or a Shotgun one of those two could work. But where can I implement it to my sword?"

"I know that look. You must be thinking about your Weapon right?"

She knows me too well. It's really scary.

"Yea, I'm just thinking what it could be."

"I just hope you know that weapons are not toys?"

"Yes, Mom I know." I just roll my eyes. Always worried.

Wait I never asked?

"Hey, Mom what's your weapon?"

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She blinks

"Ohh well...I use my semblance and my hands."

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"You fight with your hands?"

"Yes and my semblance."

"You Fight. With. Your. Hands?"

"Yes. Is it too hard to believe?"

No, it makes perfect sense now that I think about it. But...

"You fight Grimm with your hands?" I'm really hoping she says 'no'.

"No, I use my Semblance on them."

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Umm what?

"Umm, what is your semblance Mom?"

"Here I'll show you."

She gets up and walks to a tree a good distance away from us.

"You see that tree?" she points at a tree in front of her.

I nod my head.

"Watch."

She gets into a fighting stance, ready to strike. But suddenly the wind begins to pick up around her. From what I could see her hands are forming little tornadoes, and when she throws a punch the tornado turns into a fast slash that went through the tree.

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Nothing happened.

"Did... Did you miss?"

"Give it a second."

I looked at the tree and nothing

I turn to my mom to say something, but she points at the tree.

I turn to it and to my surprise, it starts to fall apart.

CRASH!

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What the hell!

She turns to me "So what do you think?"

"Mom, what is your semblance?"

"I just show you. But if you want to know it."

" I call it." she strikes a pose like some hero in a cartoon.

"Air Punch!"

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"Air Punch! cool right?" she asked.

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"Mom. You know I love you. But that is a horrible name."

"WHAT!? No, it's a cool name my team said it was."

They were probably trying to be nice to you.

"Yea, they might have lied to you."

"Oh, really well mister 'I know a better name' Why don't you tell me what you will call it? Hmmm."

"Wind Blade or Air Slash?" I have many more but those are some favorites of mine.

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My mom blinks and turns around

"Shit that's good." she whispers to herself.

Happy to know.

"Well for your information my Semblance is Wind Manipulation. I can control the wind around me and use it to my advantage. For example, I can lift people without any trouble, hover for a short period, and I can move really fast. With other things."

So that's how she picks people up. And explains why the wind always picks up when she gets mad at someone.

My mom is not a tall person maybe a good 5ft7in. Still taller than me. But I have seen this woman pick up guys who are way bigger than her.

Damn, Mom.

"Wait have you used your semblance on me before?"

"Well.."

That's a yes

"Only when we spar."

"You have been cheating this whole time? Is that why I could never land a hit on you because you moving fast with your semblance?!"

"Look at the bright side! Your reaction time is way better than most of the students in Sanctum."

Well, that's true I can block and dodge really well. Thanks to her training rules.

"But remember all is fair in a fight Seth. Never forget that."

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Yea, she is right.

"Now how about we continue with training." Mom gets up and heads to the bag she made me carry here.

"Remember lesson one."

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Oh boy

"Dodge!"

SHIT!


Party at my house!

Well, it's not a party more like a watch-along for the Vytal festival and not many are here it was only my mom, Pyrrha and I. I would have invited Marrow but the last time we talked his parents were going back to Mantle. Something about missing his home. But I get it. I sometimes miss Mantle as well.

Maybe someday I'll visit.

"Thank you so much for Inviting me Miss Sapphire to your home." Pyrrha asked nicely.

"Of course dear. I would never deny inviting a friend of my sweet heart. I'm happy you could make it."

"Mom please." already embarrassed she started to bring out the photo book.

"What? I couldn't go with you to pick her up with you so I'm making the most of it." she ask with a pout

It was a good thing too.

The moment I got there. Pyrrha's mother was wearing battle armor. Next to her, I saw Pyrrha with an embarrassed face at her mother's actions. I could tell she was ready to bring the whole city down.

We both looked at each other and shake our heads in disagreement

"Hey look it's starting."

We all turn to the tv "Welcome to the 38th annual Vytal Festival! This year Festival is Hosted in the Kingdom of Mistral! Now before we begin we have an important update to give to the people of Mistral."

That got our attention

"Next year will be the return of the Mistral Regional Tournament to anyone in the area who wishes to enter. Come on down and sign up. The tournament will be hosted at Haven academy. So prepare!"

Pyrrha and I looked at each other and both nodded in agreement.

'A year from now huh? Well, at least I got something to prepare for.'

"Hey, mom you think I can-"

"No, you still need training."

"What but this could help on my training?"

"Still the answer is no."

"But-"

I feel a hand on my shoulder and I turn to Pyrrha and she just winks

"You know it's actually a good thing. My 'Mother' was already planning on entering me for a tournament."

CRACK!

We both turn to my mom and see her hand covered in glass.

"If you excuse me." with that she leaves the room.

"Why did you antagonize her like that."

"Oh well, you see. At this point, it's a game. If she gives in then my mother wins, and she knows that. But don't worry I'll apologize to her later." with that she smiles.

'Damn Pyrrha how scary are you?'

Well, whatever the case is we have a year to train. And I can't wait.


Omake: How Seth and Pyrrha became friends.

Age 6

'Stupid pain, stupid school, stupid kids, stupid red-'

"Excuse me!"

I turn around and see Pyrrha in front of me.

"Um.. Hi can I help-"

"IM SORRY!"

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"What?"

"I'm sorry that I made you cry, I didn't mean to, I had no idea what I did wrong but I'm sorry! I know it's hard for you to see, but I had no idea they like to pick on you."

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Was she for real?

'Your sorry but you have no idea why.'

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"Hahaha!"

"Wah, I'm sorry?"

"No.. ha... it's fine it's just, I have no idea you were sorry for that. It's fine, no worries."

"Are you sure?"

"Yea, it's nothing I just had something in my eyes, and I just choose the wrong time to look up."

"Are your eyes ok? Um, where is your walking stick? Do you need help finding your mom?"

"HAHAHAHA!"

"What?"

Oh man, this is funny.

"No, it's fine. By the way, I like your 'Green eyes'."

"oh um thank you?"

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let us see 1...2...3...4

"Wait you can see?!"

Always have been but thank you for noticing.

"Yes."

"How?"

"My eyes are special. But don't worry it's fine."

"oh thank you."

I wave it off, water under the bridge at least now my head doesn't hurt.

"Pyrrha there you are."

I turn and see a woman with red hair.

'Her mom?'

"Hi, mom." She waves at her.

"How was your first day did you make a new friend?"

"Um well.."

Oh, this person will be fun to laugh at.

"Yes!" I say

"That's wonderful. Tell me what is your name?"

"Oh, my name is Seth Sapphire. Nice to meet you."

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Why do I hear boss music?

"Did you say 'Sapphire?'"

"Um yes?"

"Mom is everything ok?" Pyrrha is now worried

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Why is the boss music speaking Latin?!

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"NIKOS!"

Thats my mom

"SAPPHIRE!"

Pyrrha's mom turns around

They lock eyes.

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Then rush at each other.

By the looks of it, they must be old friends. I hope

"You are so dead now Nikos!"

"I'll die after you Sapphire!"

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Ok they are not Friends!

I turn to Pyrrha

"So... Friends so we don't turn out like that?" I point at our moms

"Yes. Nice to meet you." She extends her hand to shake, and I do the same.

And we shake.

BOOOOOM!

And that's how we became friends.

Also, that was the day our school almost burned down. For the first time.