CHAPTER II
Once again... Welcome to Beacon
Now Glynda was in a predicament. She didn't want to look like she was favoring her child by giving her the leadership. But she didn't want to break Kiera's heart either.
Kiera could tell that Glynda was in a bit of a tricky situation, and she hoped that she wouldn't make the wrong choice. She didn't want her mother to play favorites with her, but at the same time, it would hurt her feelings if she was overlooked.
She simply waited to hear what Glynda would have to say.
"You will be Team CINK (Zinc, a shade of gray) led by Miss Chryso Nikos. Congratulations"
Kiera's heart sank as she heard what Glynda had to say - it was indeed true then. She would not be the leader of team CINK. She had been overlooked. While Kiera felt sad about it all, she didn't want to show that to anyone, least of all her new teammates. So, she simply forced a smile, and nodded her head, pretending to be happy with the decision.
"Yes!" Chryso exclaimed excitedly to hear the news. Her Emerald eyes shining with emotion.
While Chryso seemed thrilled to have been made leader of their new team, Kiera did not exactly feel the same way. She was trying her best to keep it together, and pretend that she was genuinely excited for her new teammate. However, a part of her felt frustrated, and even upset at how things had turned out.
Kiera watched as the other members of her new team cheered for their chosen leader, their happiness quite clear on their faces. She felt envious; she wanted to be just as excited as them right now, but she couldn't help feeling slightly disappointed with the decisions that had been made. She simply smiled, and even clapped, trying her best to hide her true feelings.
The newly formed team began their journey together, heading back into Vale. They had a lot of work ahead of them, and it seemed as though the toughest part of this entire journey was just about to begin.
"Good morning students. Welcome to hand-to-hand Combat 101 Class 1" Said Professor Yang Xiao Long welcoming the first graders. As the students took their seats, they looked up at their professor with a mix of excitement and nervousness. After all, Yang was known for being a bit...intimidating. Yet, a lot of students also felt a sense of intrigue towards her, because of how powerful she was. They were eager to learn what she had to teach.
Yang had a Boarbatusk locked down in a cage for any student who wanted to fight the creature "Any volunteers?" Yang said.
A student immediately raised their hand, sounding eager to volunteer. "I do! I do!"
The class looked on with interest, the idea of someone actually wanting to fight a Boarbatusk seeming both crazy and courageous at the same time. But it was clear that this student wasn't afraid, and didn't mind engaging with the deadly creature.
"Oh. Miss Adel. Please come to the front" Professor Xiao Long was happy to see that Copper Adel. The adoptive daughter of her friends Coco and Velvet Scarlatina. Had the energy of her mothers.
Copper stepped forward confidently, eagerly approaching the cage that held the locked down Boarbatusk. As she did, the Boarbatusk began to let out a low, intimidating growl, its presence alone seeming somewhat intimidating. Yet, Copper did not appear to be fazed by it at all, remaining confident and unafraid as she approached.
When she reached the cage, she took up a stance, preparing herself for the fight. A stance that was very similar to that of her mother, Velvet Scarlatina, a huntress known throughout Remnant for her exceptional fighting skills. It seemed that not only did the daughter share the energy of her mother, but also her skill.
"You got this. Copper!" Her teammates from team CYAN cheered.
Copper gave a quick smile towards her teammates, and then focused her attention once again onto the Boarbatusk. As she did, she began to circle around the cage, slowly moving in a clockwise direction, studying its moves before beginning the fight.
Copper Scarlatina took her mother's Gianduja. Now hers. To attack the monster
The Boarbatusk let out an aggressive wail as the huntress-in-training approached. The moment she struck it with the Gianduja, the creature let out another loud howl of pain - showing that she had found one of its weak spots.
"Nice shot!" Professor Xiao Long complimented her new student. She was happy to see Coco's determination and Velvet's energy on her despite not being their biological daughter.
The young student smiled with pride, but she didn't allow herself to let her focus slip - not for even a moment.
Instead, after striking the Boarbatusk once again, she quickly darted away from their opponent, staying on her feet and continuously moving to ensure she didn't become an easier target for her own attacks.
"Careful..." Kiera whispered. Nervous for her friend's well-being
Although she was a bit weary, Copper was far from being scared. She continued to move about expertly, landing several more powerful strikes on the Boarbatusk whilst avoiding any major injuries. It seemed like her plan was going well - at the very least, the creature was beginning to tire out. Seeing that the Boarbatusk was beginning to tire, Copper felt confident and decided to go on the offensive. She approached the creature once again, aiming straight for its head with a powerful strike from her Gianduja.
"Liked that?!" Copper grinned. Indeed, her powerful strike had landed directly on the Boarbatusk's head, and with a loud roar of pain, the creature had stumbled backwards, attempting to gain its bearings once more.
"Just a little more. Coco!" Chryso said.
Copper nodded her head, smiling with pride at the Boarbatusk's sudden stumble. She didn't want the battle to end there though, so she quickly raised her weapon again, aiming for a much more vulnerable spot - the Boarbatusk's underbelly. Her aim was true, and with one swift and powerful strike, she was able to drive her Gianduja's shots deep into the creature's underbelly - inflicting a great deal of damage. The Boarbatosk roared once more, the sound echoing throughout the entire classroom as it stumbled backward.
The young student smirked, her eyes filled with excitement, adrenaline, and satisfaction as the Boarbatusk let out another painful howl and stumbled backwards once again, clearly on its last legs.
It seemed that her attack had done a lot more damage than she'd expected - as the creature stumbled back, she was able to get a much better look at the deep injury that she'd inflicted upon it. Despite its size and power, it was now beginning to look quite vulnerable.
Copper quickly raised her Gianduja once more, taking advantage of her opponent's sudden weakness. Once again, she aimed directly for the creature's underbelly, striking it once more with a powerful and determined strike. Yet to her surprise, this time, her attack seemed to deal even MORE damage, causing the Boarbatusk to roar once again - and this time, much louder than it had all before.
"Excellent job. Miss Scarlatina. Both of your mothers will be proud..." Yang congratulated the new student. Copper's smile grew even wider as her professor praised her for her abilities. She felt a surge of confidence and pride as she realized just how well she had done, and how she had managed to deal so much damage to this powerful creature.
"Thank you, Professor." She said, her voice coming out in an excited and proud tone.
"Miss Goodwitch" Yang Xiao Long pointed at Kiera "You seem quite interested. Wanna try?"
Kiera looked up at the professor, surprised by the invite. She really hadn't been planning on participating in this activity, but when she saw all the eyes in the class on her, she also felt a surge of curiosity.
Plus, she had seen just how well her friend had done. Maybe she could have a fair shot at this too.
"Uh...sure. I can give it a try." She said with a bit of hesitation, but also excitement.
Kiera took her bow and arrow. Ready to strike a monster too. She approached the cage, taking up her bow and arrow. She kept her bow at the ready as she observed the Boarbatusk, not knowing what it was going to do. she had watched her teammate engage with the creature, and she at least knew where one of its weak spots was now.
Yet she felt a bit nervous about the idea of actually having to do this herself, but she knew she needed to try her best. So, she took a deep breath, and focused her attention on the creature.
"Strike him with all you got. Miss Goodwitch!" Yang exclaimed enthusiastically.
Kiera took another deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She had to do this. She had to give it her all, and strike the Boarbatusk.
And she would.
The huntress-in-training raised her bow, aiming towards its head. Her heart began to beat a little faster, a sign of how nervous she was feeling at this moment. She could do this though; she just needed to calm herself down.
"You got this!" Nick Schnee shouted from his desk.
Kiera heard her teammates' words of encouragement, and they helped to reassure her. If they believed in her, then she could do this too.
The huntress-in-training raised her bow again, still trying to calm her heartbeat down as she focused her attention on the Boarbatusk. She then took one, final, deep breath before firing her arrow towards its head, aiming for the place that Copper had successfully struck.
Her arrow hit - and hit hard! A piercing shriek came from the Boarbatusk, having been struck again by something right where the creature was vulnerable. It stumbled back once again, its breathing becoming shallow and erratic, as though it was barely managing to stay standing.
"Great job!" Kiera gave a proud laugh as she watched the Boarbatusk stumble back once again, clearly in a great deal of pain. She had hit it right where it counted - and even managed to go beyond the spot that Copper had wounded.
"Thanks."She said to her teammates and the professor, her grin growing even wider.
"Nice handling of your weapon. Miss Goodwitch!" Yang said as she took a sip of her coffee mug.
"I appreciate your words. Professor Xiao Long" Kiera said with a smile, feeling pride and confidence in her abilities as she did so.
She had successfully landed a hit on this powerful creature, after all. She took one more glance at the Boarbatusk as she did, noting that it seemed to be growing increasingly damaged and tired. This was her chance - and she was ready to end this thing. Kiera stepped towards the cage, taking another step towards her opponent - now determined to win this fight, and finish off the beast. As she did, the Boarbatusk took notice of her, letting out a low, aggressive growl in retaliation, but she did not back away - maintaining her confident, yet careful stance. She knew that it was best to stay focused on the battle, and she wasn't going to let herself become intimidated by the beast's warning.
The young huntress-in-training kept her focus intact, ignoring the beast's growling as she instead took a few more steps forward. Now just a few meters away from the Boarbatusk itself, she raised her bow once more, aiming it at the creature.
"Let's do it together!" Kiera said as she invited Copper Scarlatina to attack the creature too with Gianduja. As the beast let out another aggressive and loud roar, Copper quickly came to her side - raising her own Gianduja in preparation for another strike on the creature. Together, the two girls would attack the beast. With their strength combined, it seemed all but certain that they could defeat this powerful foe. The huntress-in-training was looking forward to seeing the Boarbatusk fall by their hands.
The two girls took position, ready for their next attack. They were ready to work as a team, and use their collective strength to take the beast down. As the Boarbatusk let out another aggressive roar, they got to their spots - one in front of the beast, and one behind. Then, they swung their weapons - aiming for the same target. An attack at once from both sides.
Their attack coordinated, the two girls swung their weapons, aiming to strike the Boarbatusk from both sides. Copper's sword came from the left, whilst Kiera's bow shot from the right.
They made contact with the beast as their strikes aligned perfectly, sending a much stronger blow in comparison to the ones previously made. The Boarbatusk roared once more, this time much louder and much angrier, as it stumbled back considerably.
Now, the beast was clearly feeling the full force of their attack. Not only was it staggering backwards, it was starting to wobble on its own feet and look much more shaky all around. The two girls had really done a number on it, leaving it significantly weaker than before.
The Boarbatusk was beginning to stagger more and more with each strike, and with both of its sides being assaulted, it was really starting to feel the effects of the girl's efforts. It was getting weaker and weaker as the girls continued, eventually beginning to slip and wobble in its movement, as though on the brink of falling.
"It's done, girls, great job!" Chryso said.
Chryso was correct in her assumption, as the Boarbatusk now seemed to have reached its limit. It stumbled and swayed once more, then stumbled a bit more, before eventually falling completely, dropping to the ground with a thud. The entire class, along with all of the other students, watched as the mighty beast fell, the fight seemingly officially over.
"I'm proud of you guys" Yang smiled in satisfaction "Remnant's new generation is ready to send these things into oblivion forever"
Both Kiera and Copper offered a proud smile and a nod in return, both of them having proven themselves and shown their skills in front of the rest of their peers. As they stood, they exchanged a high five between them, having teamed up and succeeded once more.
The rest of the class, meanwhile, also smiled at the success. They felt proud of the two girls, watching as this once mighty beast was now laid out, defeated - the new generation of Huntresses and Huntsmen truly proving themselves.