So, bad news again. My PC is having some startup problems. Luckily I edit my drafts on Google Docs with the help of Grammarly so I was able to upload this chapter there before I had the startup problems. So, I edited it from my phone which was a friggin pain. But I'll be taking a hiatus for next week to fix my PC. I could probably fix it a day or two and have enough time to upload it next Sunday but my broken PC fucked my motivation to write. Which is why I want to relax and take my time for the next chapter.
On a more positive note, Russel and Sky were pretty fun to write. They don't really have a personality in the show so I have free reign over them. Plus, these two aren't as polite as Gin and Jaune so I can go even wilder with these assholes, lol. By the way, I never knew Russel had a shirt underneath. I thought it was just his skin.
Also, something funny happen this early morning. I went out to practice my skateboard on the nearby road, mostly free of cars at this time. But I totally forgot today was Palm Sunday and saw people coming out with their leaves and shit. I was hella embarrassed and afraid that they might parade through my spot so I went straight back home lmao.
Chapter 8: Pass The Cigar
"No way," said Cardin. "You don't look blind at all."
Gin rolled his eyes.
"See!" Cardin pointed. "You just rolled your eyes."
"What, are you an expert on blindness or something? Obviously not, because you'd know that it's a spectrum and it isn't obvious in a lot of blind people."
"Oh," Cardin said dumbly. "… So, you some kind of blind swordsman who uses echolocation? That move you did against the Grimm was pretty impressive and martial artsy."
A sudden smile grew on Gin's face. "Heh, close. I'm a Swordsman, yes. But I can't use echolocation. Some blind people can but it's not nearly as accurate as animals. On that note, I should mention that blind people don't have inherently superior senses, we just use them more often so we're better at it than sighted people."
"Ohhh. So, it's like how artists can draw good art because they've done it more while I can barely draw a circle?"
Gin shrugged, "Yeah, something like that. Anyway, I use an Aura Technique that lets me feel my surroundings for O&M. Uh Orientation and Mobility, which is how I can navigate and move around. But using it makes it more likely for Grimm to come after me, I'll explain how later. So, if you don't want Grimm to slow us down, you'll need to guide me unless we're in a fight."
"Well, okay," Cardin shrugged. "Should I hold your sword cane?"
"No. Just let me hold onto your arm. And this is not a cane," He held Steel Seer up for emphasis. "It's a modified shirasaya but it's basically just a sword and scabbard."
And so, the new partners trekked their way through the Emerald Forest with Cardin seeming to know which way to go. Gin sensed others going in the same direction so he didn't complain. Along the way, Cardin asked Gin questions about his blindness that Gin didn't mind answering since it educated Cardin on blindness in general.
Gin even talked about how when trying to assist a blind person, absolutely never grab their cane which is the equivalent of taking away the crutch of someone with an injured leg. Don't suddenly grab them either, ask them first and offer an elbow. If they refuse and say they don't need it, don't be a bitch and get offended. Blind people aren't little toddlers that need constant supervision.
"Also, I never use my weapon like a cane," Gin continued. "Not only would it be disrespectful to her as a sword, but she sucks as a mobility cane. Though, don't tell the teachers that. I plan on saying that I need to use it like one sometimes so I get to keep my weapon with me," He smirked.
Cardin snorted, "Good idea. But you do realise that there might be sound recorders with the maybe cameras watching us, right?"
Gin's smirk dropped. "Fuck…"
Cardin laughed while Gin grumbled.
Seconds later, Gin perked up at something. "Hey, heads up. I sensed two figures on our right coming closer."
"Huh," Cardin looked right. "Really?"
"Yeah. Should we avoid them? More people means we're more likely to encounter Grimm."
"... No," said Cardin after some contemplation. "We might as well let them join us without stopping. The more the merrier."
"So we can use them as bait or something?" Gin asked.
"What?" Cardin looked at him in confusion. "Why would we do something like that?"
Gin shrugged.
"Well, it's not a bad idea," Cardin admitted. "I'll think about it."
Several moments later, they met up with two other guys. Cardin told them they could follow them if they wanted without stopping his and Gin's movements.
The other two decided to follow them because it felt like Cardin and Gin knew where they were going. And they all introduced themselves.
Russel Thrust, a blue-eyed teen of average height with a light-green mohawk wearing a green sleeveless hoodie and two bracers that have silver bird emblems on them. Underneath the hoodie, he wore a long-sleeved shirt that matched the colour of his skin along with dark pants and brown boots. He also has a brown strap that holds a spiked spaulder on his left shoulder.
Sky Lark, also an average-height teen who had blue eyes and he had his long dark-blue hair in a slicked-back style. He wore dark grey armour with light grey edges, as well as vambraces and boots of the same style. Underneath, he wore a black long-sleeved shirt and pants.
"So oi, what's with the arm holding?" Russel asked. "You blokes a couple or something?"
"No. Basically, I'm legally blind and right now, I can't use my usual method of movement because it will attract Grimm and slow us down," Gin explained simply.
"For real? You don't look blind."
"So I've been told, a lot."
Russel gave him a curious look. Then he lifted a hand, "Oi then, how many fingers am I holding up?"
A grin blossomed on Gin's face and he let go of Cardin so he could reverse grip his sword.
With a click of a button, Steel Seer was loose and Gin Iai Slashed at Russel's appendage.
"Whoa?!" Russel managed to react in time and leapt back from the attack.
Even the other two guys flinched and quickly stepped away from Gin.
"None," Gin replied as he leisurely sheathed his katana with a grin.
Russel stared with a surprised look on his face.
But it quickly morphed into laughter which made Gin raise a brow.
"Bloody hell, mate. You're pretty hardcore, ain't ya? What if I didn't even have my aura up?"
"If you failed to dodge something like that, then consider it tough love and proof you weren't ready for Beacon Academy."
Russel laughed again. "Cheeky lil shit, ain't ya." His dangerous grin matched the one on Gin.
"Hey, hey!" Cardin stepped in between them. "Knock it off." He looked at Gin, "The hell man, I thought you didn't want to waste time?"
Gin just shrugged his shoulders with an unapologetic smile.
"To be fair, that was on you Russel," Sky weighed in.
"Huh?" Russel replied, confused.
"I mean, why would the guy lie about something like that?" said Sky. "And besides, if it was a lie, we'd probably find out anyway later."
"Aye, that's true," Russel admitted.
"Also, what the fuck man?" Sky asked. "I only know a little about blind people after reading about it once online. But even before that, I knew it was fucking rude and retarded to just ask that question to a blind person. Or any visually impaired person really."
"Ohhh," Russel deflated and he grimaced. He eased up and turned towards Gin, although Cardin was blocking their view of each with his sheer size so Russel just poked out the side a little. "Hey, mate," He said with a wince, "Sorry about that. Thinking back, that was a bloody stupid thing to ask and do."
"… Well, you're forgiven I suppose," said Gin. "Honestly, I'm not that bothered by it. I just wanted to fuck with you. It's what I usually do when I get asked that question."
Russel looked surprised for a second before he chuckled. Cardin must have felt the mood getting light because he stepped out of the way.
"What, you straight up draw your sword on them too?" Russel asked.
"No, I just grabbed their fingers and squeezed hard. If I'm lucky, they hit back and I get to beat them up in self-defence," said Gin with a sweet smile.
Russel snorted and laughed, "I love that, mate."
Cardin released an annoyed breath, "If you knuckleheads are done, then let's get back to moving."
They complied and the group resumed their trek with Cardin guiding Gin again. Though he warned Gin not to do something like that again and Gin just gave a carefree agreement.
"Hey, did you two face any Grimm before meeting me and Sky?" Russel asked.
"Just two Ursa for me," said Cardin who was in the lead. "Gin helped me with one of them but I don't know if he dealt with any before that."
"Just the ones when I helped you," said Gin.
"Huh?" Cardin looked a little confused. "Didn't you say your Aura technique thing attracted Grimm? Did you not use it when you were alone?"
"I did." Gin shrugged, "I guess I was just lucky when I didn't encounter any Grimm."
Sky raised a brow at Gin.
"Speaking of Grimm," Cardin spoke up, "Weird how a group as big as ours isn't attracting any."
"Guess the other guys are drawing them," Gin reasoned. "There were a lot of us and I sense some of them engaging in combat. Not that I'm complaining when it'll help us finish sooner."
"Right," Russel agreed. "Anyway, me and Sky faced a pack of Beowolves before we saw you two."
"We landed close to each other so we partnered up almost immediately," Sky explained.
"Yeah. They were a pack of five and I dealt with four of them," Russel grinned at Sky.
Gin titled his head at that.
"Yeah, yeah, you're real fucking badass," said Sky sarcastically. "You want a blowjob or something?"
Russel's grin didn't waver for even a second and he put a hand on Sky's more far shoulder, "Since you offered so nicely…" He winked and opened his fly.
"Yeah, you bet I'm nice," Sky didn't flinch either. "Unlike most guys and girls, I won't even laugh at your mircropenis when you pull it out."
Russel and Gin laughed while Cardin just looked at them weird.
"And to think you accused us of being a couple," Gin said with a snicker.
Russel laughed again as he closed his fly. "I guess we do look cute together. What do you say, partner? Why don't we make it official and start fucking tonight? I don't mind receiving but I prefer pitching." He wagged his brows at him.
"Sorry, Russel," Sky patted Russel's back with a mock-sad expression. "You make my pants moist but I'm saving the chastity of my ass for a futanari."
"The fuck's a futanari?" Russel asked with a confused expression.
"A chick with a dick," said Sky with a completely straight face.
Russel and Gin laughed again.
"Okay, that's enough," An annoyed Cardin intervened. "No more talking about weird shit. Gods, I shouldn't have let you two join. I expected gay shit from the actual gay-looking one."
"Don't tempt me, Cardin," Gin replied with a smirk.
Sky snickered, "Hey, you didn't deny looking gay."
Gin shrugged. "I may be blind but I still have some vision left so I can recognise beauty when I see it in the mirror," He said with an easy smile.
That got a laugh out of Russel and Sky while Cardin remained looking annoyed.
Gin was well aware of how feminine his face looked. After all, he took after his mother in that regard and he held no shame in it.
"Hey Cardin, you claimed to be the best partner I could ask for but these two seem better since they actually have a sense of humour," Gin sniggered.
Russel grinned, "Aye!"
Sky smirked, "Thanks."
Cardin rolled his eyes, "Fuck off."
Gin laughed, "So by the way, how many Grimm can you guys fight and kill alone? And let's use Beowolves and Ursai for measurement."
"A Beowolf pack or two Ursai," Cardin claimed with a puffed-out chest. "I was caught off guard that time you helped. Those two Ursai came running out of nowhere."
Russel looked up and thought about it, "I reckon four Beowolves or one Ursa."
"One million Grimm," Sky claimed.
"Bullshittt," Russel accused.
"I don't think there are any bulls in the Emerald Forest."
Russel punched Sky in the shoulder.
"Fine," Sky whined, "Nine hundred ninety-nine thousand and nine hundred and ninety-nine Grimm."
This time, Cardin and Russel rolled their eyes while Gin was the only one who laughed.
"What about you, Gin?" Cardin asked.
"A Beowolf pack but zero Ursa, for now at least," Gin claimed.
Sky looked at Gin with a smirk.
Cardin barked a laugh, "I guess that confirms I'm the strongest."
"Hey wait, what about me?" Sky asked.
"Now hold it right there, Cardin," Gin interjected. "Strongest in Grimm slaying? Probably. But fighting against other warriors? I think not."
"Oh, so I'm getting ignored, okay," said Sky.
"Heh," Cardin looked at Gin with a grin. "Is that a challenge?"
"Oi, if you lads are gonna have a match then I want in," A grinning Russel weighed in with a thumb pointing at himself.
"Damn, even my own partner is ignoring me…" Sky mumbled.
"Alright," Gin closed his eyes and smiled. "I'm all for using duels to settle who the strongest among us is."
"AMOGUS?!" Sky suddenly yelled with a crazed look.
Everyone else stilled and stared at him in confusion.
. . .
"Sorry, I don't know what came over me," Sky relaxed just as suddenly.
"Oi Gin, you said you want me as a partner, yeah?" Russel asked. "Cause I wanna be your partner now too."
Sky spread his arms at Russel with an offended look.
"Back off, Russel," Cardin started walking again which forced Gin to follow. "You're not dumping Sky onto me."
Sky looked even more offended, especially when they started walking off. "You make one ironic schizo joke and now everyone thinks you're actually one…" Sky shook his head and followed after them.
Eventually, the group of boys found a rotunda, or at least the broken ruins of one. It had chess pieces on top of pedestals and they assumed that these were the relics so each pair took one and began their trek back to the cliffs.
"So, uh Gin," Russel called out as they were walking.
"Yes?" Gin turned towards him.
"I'm really sorry about before," Russel rubbed his neck. "I'm a daft fucking cunt and I don't think before I do shit sometimes. Actually, that happens a lot."
Gin smiled, "It's fine. Hell, I'm a bit grateful you did it."
"Huh?"
"I've always wanted to draw my sword on someone who did it but I couldn't exactly draw steel on civilians. And as expected of a Huntsman-in-training, you dodged it so I didn't have to feel bad while still looking cool. It was as satisfying as I imagined," Gin smiled.
Russel snorted and laughed again, "Glad to be of help, mate." He put a hand around Gin's shoulder and Gin didn't seem to mind. "But hey, nobody did that in your combat school before?"
Gin's smile stiffened a little, "No. Fortunately not."
Sky's brows slightly furrowed.
"Ight. So then hey, if I ever say or do something stupid like that again, you can hit me." Russel grinned, "I'll still try to dodge but I won't hit back."
Gin chuckled, "Sure. Although, if you want to ask me anything regarding my blindness, go ahead. I'll educate you."
"Anything?" Russel asked for confirmation.
Gin smirked at him, "Are you wondering how I wipe my ass?"
"… How did you know?"
"It's a surprisingly common question despite how insanely stupid it is," Gin shook his head. "Heh, I guess you could say I SAW it coming a mile away."
Russel looked surprised for a second before he started laughing despite how lame that was.
Gin had an extremely satisfied look on his face.
Thus, the group continued their return journey and chatted along the way. The topics were mostly about Gin's blindness and things related to it. Soon enough, they made it back to the cliffs without encountering a single Grimm and every one of them thought it was weird but they decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth. They also finally experienced Gin's Aura Realm and they commented on how weird it felt. Then they stood before the Headmaster and Glynda Goodwitch.
"Well done," Ozpin said with a smile. "Your group is the first one to pass."
The boys had their own varying ways of celebrating that. Russel started punching the air, Sky ran a hand through his slicked-back hair with a smile that was trying too hard, Gin just smiled and put his haori back on while Cardin crossed his arms with a smug expression which basically implied that he expected it.
After that, Glynda Goodwitch told them to head towards the amphitheatre room where they were to wait for the others. Gin activated his Aura Realm again and his group shivered another time as they made their way to where they were instructed to, chatting along the way.
"By the way, Gin," Russel said. "Goodwitch was giving you the stink eye."
Gin's eyes widened, "Huh? Really?"
"Aye," Russel replied with a laugh.
"Well, it was more of a displeased stare than anything," Sky reassured.
"… Fuck," Gin grimaced.
Cardin laughed, "Guess they saw your stunt back there with Russel. You shouldn't have done that."
Oh right, Gin just remembered that there was that too. But he was more worried about the time he used his Semblance to make Cardin bait. He had no idea if they saw that or not since they didn't say anything about it. At least, not yet.
There was also the fact that his Semblance wasn't registered on his Beacon application form because Roman told them to omit it just to be safe…
/-/
In the Amphitheatre room.
Cardin, Gin and Russel were watching holographic monitors with other people who passed. Sky was off somewhere playing games on his Scroll.
By the courtesy of a moustached Professor who would later get reprimanded, the monitors were displaying a group of eight people - Ruby, Yang and Jaune were a part of them - fighting against a giant Nevermore and a giant Deathstalker in a large abandoned temple that was similar to the broken ruins of the rotunda.
"Bloody hell," Russel exhaled. "The lot of them are fucking amazing."
The group had managed to split into two teams of four and each team was wordlessly assigned one of the giant Grimm.
Ruby's team on the giant raven-like flying Grimm.
Jaune's team on the giant scorpion-like Grimm which looked incredibly durable with its exoskeleton.
Everyone in the amphitheatre was amazed at their abilities. Even Gin, who was watching the monitor with the help of Aura on his red eyes, recognised how good they were.
"Jaune, you piece of shit…" Gin looked annoyed at Jaune who was acting as a tank along with a redhead girl who also had a shield but it was round and smaller. The two were blocking the Deathstalker claws and keeping them apart which allowed another member, a boy with dual pistols to grab onto its attacking yellow stinger and keep shooting at the joint connecting it to the tail.
"Oi, who you cussing at?" Russel asked.
"The ugly blond guy. My best friend who I'm currently pissed at for getting to be a part of that exciting battle. Seriously, how lucky can one guy be?"
Russel laughed, "Yeah, it does look exciting."
"So, that's the guy who you were trying to partner up with?" Cardin asked.
"Yeah," Gin replied.
Cardin hummed, "Guess he's good. Not me good, but at least he's not letting Pyrrha Nikos do all the work."
"Aye," Russel agreed. "Hell, I think the bloke's even more solid than her. Only in defence. though."
Gin wondered who Pyrrha Nikos was before remembering that she was the famous athlete that Jaune was talking about. The three watched Jaune's team finish off the Deathstalker.
"Holy cow!" exclaimed someone in the crowd. "Those girls are awesome!"
Ruby's team of girls consisted of her sister Yang, Weiss Schnee and a girl in black that Gin didn't recognize. Their battle was undoubtedly the more impressive one. They had managed to manoeuvre around the falling debris after the Nevermore crashed into the stones, each member had their own unique and incredible aerial mobility techniques. After some time, Ruby decapitated its giant head with the help of her teammates who creatively used and combined their weapons and semblances.
The small crowd in the amphitheatre cheered.
They're incredible, no doubt about it, Gin thought. Still, I can beat them in a fight, all at once too with my Semblance.
Cardin scoffed, "Yeah, big deal. It's not that impressive, I could probably do the same if I was there."
Russel snickered, "Sure buddy."
/-/
Some time later, the group of eight who fought in that large Grimm battle came into the room.
Jaune was looking around the room in search of something when he finally found it. "Hey guys, I found my friend. I'll be back after talking to him for a bit," He spoke to the others who fought the Deathstalker with him and they gave him a parting wave.
Jaune walked towards Gin who was leaning back on a wall along with two other people who were chatting.
Gin noticed him approaching and pushed off the wall to greet him. When they got close Gin brought a hand up, "Hey."
"Yo," said Jaune as the two did a bro handshake.
Then Gin suddenly pulled him in and tried to knee him in the gut but Jaune blocked with his other arm.
Jaune pushed him away but Gin easily righted himself. "The fuck was that for, asshole?"
"Jealousy," Gin replied without shame. He pointed at Jaune, "Not only did you partner up with a beautiful girl, but you got to participate in an epic battle against giant monsters you son of a bitch. I should fucking decapitate you as compensation."
Jaune had this disgusted and annoyed look on his face that made it seem like he was facing a goblin.
Russel - who came closer because it looked interesting - laughed, "That's some of the most unreasonable shit I've ever heard, Gin." He grinned at Jaune, "Guess you got it rough, don't ya mate?"
"Tell me about it," Jaune sighed. "This midget's not as funny as he thinks he is."
"Bitch, I'm hilarious," Gin retorted.
Russel laughed again at their banter. This made Gin direct a smug smirk at Jaune who rolled his eyes.
"Well anyway. Jaune, this is Russel Thrush. We grouped up together in the forest. Also, he's got a nice accent."
Russel made a peace sign with his hand, "Thanks, mate. Nice to meet you, mate."
Jaune nodded with a friendly smile, "I'm Jaune Arc. Are you two partners?"
"Nah," Russel shook his head, "My partner's sitting on one of those high benches playing video games." He grinned, "Kids these days, amirite?"
Jaune chuckled, "Yeah."
"My partner's that big guy over there," Gin pointed at Cardin who was standing casually with his arms crossed.
"Oi Cardin, get over here! You're not as cool as you think you are standing there by yourself," Russel called out.
Cardin glared at him but he complied and came over.
Gin grinned, "Tall bastard, meet even taller bastard."
Jaune snorted. "Hi, I'm Jaune Arc."
"Cardin Winchester," He crossed his arms. "So, your partner's Pyrrha Nikos, huh? You must feel real lucky."
"Yeah. She's really nice," Jaune replied with a sincere smile.
"We saw your battle back there," Russel cut in. "You were pretty good, mate."
"Russel's just being nice," Gin claimed. "You sucked shit and was dead weight for everyone else."
"Go fuck yourself," Jaune replied.
"I would if I could," Gin retorted.
"Same," said Russel.
"Huh? You mean fucking yourself or me?"
"Yes."
The three laughed while Cardin sighed exasperatedly, "You guys are so damn weird..."
/-/
Less than an hour later.
All those who passed finally arrived and it was now time to assign teams. They were all made to stand before the platform by the teachers. Then Headmaster Ozpin called 4 of them onto the stage and assign them their teams and names.
After some other teams were made, it was Gin's turn. He and Cardin were called onto the stage. Along with Russel and Sky, apparently.
The four of them went onto the stage and stood in front of Ozpin. Pictures of their faces were displayed on the monitors, along with their names on top of the pictures.
"Cardin Winchester, Gin Suzume, Russel Thrush and Sky Lark," Ozpin listed. "The four of you retrieved the black bishop pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as… Team Cigar, led by Cardin Winchester." On the monitors, their names disappeared with only the initials remaining. Together, the initials formed CLGR.
The newly formed Team Cigar got off the stage. Russel punched Cardin's arm with a grin, "Nice Cardin. I knew you had the makings of a leader in ya. Gonna start calling you boss from now on."
Cardin had a pleased smile on his face, "Heh, thanks. But just to be clear, everyone's fine with me being the leader, right?"
"Aye."
"Less work for me," said Sky.
"I don't have the qualities of a leader," Gin smiled. "And I don't mind following the orders of someone if they're good enough to lead."
In that regard, he was like a sword that chooses and decides a worthy wielder. The thought oddly pleased the blind boy.
The last two teams were comprised of some familiar faces.
Jaune was made the leader of Nora Valkyrie, Lie Ren and Pyrrha Nikos. Their initials formed JNPR and they were named Team Juniper.
Ruby - despite being the youngest - was made the leader of Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna and Yang Xiao Long. Their initials formed RWBY and they were named Team Ruby.
/-/
Somewhere outside, Cardin stood some distance away from Gin who tied his haori to his waist again and it was accompanied by Steel Seer.
Cardin got into his stance with The Executioner. Gin cracked his shoulder and also got into an Iai stance.
Then the large male charged with his mace up for a one-handed overhead strike.
Aura Realm
With his eyes closed Gin ran in towards Cardin's attack. Drawing his sword, he connected it with the lower shaft of the mace and he let it slide down his blade.
After the unconventional parry, Gin swung for Cardin's eye but the guy brought his other arm up in time to block the blade which bounced off the Aura-enhanced armour.
Cardin threw a clumsy swing of his mace meant to ward Gin back.
Gin dodged it, though not by moving back but instead by ducking. The wide height gap probably made it even easier. Turning off his Aura Realm and reverse-gripping his sword, Gin moved in closer and landed two cuts on both sides of Cardin's waist.
Cardin threw a straight punch with his offhand that Gin managed to block with his left arm but was pushed back by Cardin's sheer strength.
Gin was able to right himself and prepared for Cardin's next attack which was a side swing of his mace. Gin managed to divert it upwards by the shaft, though this time Steel Seer landed closer to the head so the parry was imperfect due to its weight.
Aura Realm
The Executioner returned in a diagonal swing but Gin stepped into close quarters and blocked the attack by connecting his sword with Cardin's un-armoured elbow which made him wince and almost drop his mace.
Turning off his Aura Realm again, Gin started an onslaught of attacks.
Their sizes made it awkward for Cardin since they were in close quarters while Gin had an easier time in it. Not to mention the fact that Gin's reverse grip is practically meant for close-range attacks.
Even when Cardin tried to step back, Gin didn't let him leave that range and continued attacking while Cardin had to leave defence on his mace which didn't work very well. Even when he resorted to attacking with his off-hand, elbows and knees, Gin dodged or parried them and counter-attacked.
With a frustrated snarl, Cardin threw a heavy sidekick at the little shit.
But said person ducked under the kick and slashed Cardin's other leg at the back of the knee.
Cardin grunted in pain and fell to his side but his forearm managed to prevent a full fall.
It was the perfect chance for Gin.
Aura Realm
He got up and switched his grip into a regular two-handed grip. Then Gin attacked with an overheard strike right at Cardin's neck.
Finally, leading to an Aura Break.
Cardin dropped on his back and cradled his neck while groaning.
"Are you alright?" Gin asked while breathing heavily. His red eyes were open now and he stood before his fallen opponent.
Cardin glared at him. "Your short ass is fucking hard to hit," He croaked.
Gin laughed and held out a hand. Cardin took it and let himself get pulled up.
"Good match!" Russel called out. He and Sky came over from where they were spectating the match.
Since there was time before dinner and they still had a lot of energy, Team CLGR decided to have the matches that they talked about having in the Emerald Forest.
"Now, Cardin. Hand it over," A smiling Gin made a gesture with his hand at Cardin.
"Tch," Cardin looked annoyed but he took out some Lien and gave the money to Gin.
Gin checked for the braille on the bill - which was a standard issue on most currency - and he pocketed the Lien after confirming that it was the right amount. He could use Aura on his eyes to double check but he trusted Cardin. Plus, it wasn't really about the money anyway.
"Oi, Gin, how long until you recover all your Aura? I wanna have a go at ya!" Russel said with an excited grin.
"Hmm, 10 minutes or so since I barely got hit," Gin said with an easy smile.
"Fuck you," Cardin replied while still rubbing his neck. "Gods, you're like a slippery eel. How did you manage to avoid my attacks?"
"Aura Sensing," Gin replied while gracefully sheathing his sword. "Basically, when Aura users are about attack, they instinctively focus Aura on the part they'll attack with. I can sense that surge and predict incoming attacks."
"So, there's a delay between Aura surging and attacking?" Cardin asked.
"Indeed. And the length of that delay determines whether I can actually react or not. Because some are so fast that the Aura surge and the attack have no lag in between."
"I don't get it but it sounds rad," said Russel.
"You really are a Zen martial artist type. Way to enforce that stereotype," Sky accused.
Gin rolled his eyes with a smile. "Aren't you two going to have a match with each other?"
"Nah, we went to the same combat school and we've fought before," Russel revealed. "I never beat Sky cause he fights like a pussy and keeps me away with his halberd."
"Cope and seethe," Sky replied, smugly.
After around 10 minutes had passed, the match between Russel and Gin was about to begin.
They stood some distance apart from each other.
Cracking his shoulder, Gin got into an Iai stance again while Russel was already wielding his twin daggers named Shortwings. They were dark-curved daggers that had a revolving chamber that contained Dust. Their pommels had a sharp end and there were engravings on the blade.
Russel was the first to move. He charged in with a wild grin.
Gin thought he was ready for an attack. But he wasn't ready for Russel to jump and start spinning in the air as he came hurtling towards him.
Despite his eyes being closed, Gin looked shocked as he drew his sword and braced the blade with his off-hand to block Russel's drop kick. But the full weight of Russel's body made Gin stagger back.
Russel landed and quickly scored two hits on Gin as soon as he righted himself. With a scowl, Gin reverse-gripped his sword and landed a single hit as revenge.
Russel didn't let it faze him and he started attacking. Gin had a harder time defending against Russel who was faster with his short daggers.
When Russel came in even closer, Gin realised that he was doing what he did to Cardin earlier. And this range was the domain of daggers and knives so a reverse-gripped sword would ironically fall short in comparison. Plus, Russel had two daggers while Gin only had one sword.
He was caught up in Russel's pace and losing. The attacks he managed to land came at the cost of tanking hits and his Aura wouldn't last in an exchange of hits against the quantity of the grinning punk.
Gritting his teeth, Gin tried taking back control by shoulder bashing Russel away who balanced himself with a back handspring.
Gin then switched to a normal two-handed grip and pointed it at Russel.
Russel didn't seem to care as he recklessly charged back in with the same grin.
Gin swung diagonally and Russel side-stepped it with his back to the blade.
Gin followed up with a side swing but Russel jumped over it as if he was doing a pole vault.
Russel even spun mid-air and his daggers got in one hit each. This cost him as he fell on his back. Gin thought he had an opening and attempted a powerful overhead strike but Russel bent his lower half and used both legs to kick Gin's gut which caused him to stumble back and land only a weak strike on Russel's ass.
Then Russel used the returning motion of his legs to hop into a crouch while pushing off the ground with his hands at the same time.
Russel turned around and rushed in again with slashes and stabs that put Gin on the defensive again.
However, with a snarl, Gin switched into a reverse grip and just started engaging in a pure slugfest without defending himself. He was even using his left fist for his attacks.
Russel didn't relent and was instead more than happy to participate from the look on his face.
But as expected, Gin's Aura eventually broke first and he fell on his back while groaning.
Russel stood atop him while grinning and breathing heavily.
"Y-You fight like a monkey," Gin rasped.
Russel laughed and held out a hand, "Good match, mate."
"Yeah, sure," Gin grumbled while letting himself get pulled up. The defeated boy thought that Russel was lucky since he couldn't use Blackout.
"Here," said Gin who handed Russel the same Lien he won from Cardin.
"Heh, thank mate."
"Great job Russel," said Cardin with a grin and a thumbs up. Gin simply gave the middle finger in return.
"Anyway guys, we'll continue this tomorrow," Cardin announced. "Our Aura won't fully recover before dinner so we might as well go now."
Sky swept his hand across his hair with a smirk, "Guess you guys won't be seeing the strength of a chad Gamer like me for today."
They all gave him flat stares.
/-/
It was late at night by the time Team CLGR had finally finished arranging their belongings and settling in their new room. They could have done the arrangements tomorrow but Cardin wanted it done by the night.
They were all in their casual clothes and mostly just idling about now.
"Oi, you lot wanna smoke in honour of our team's name and shit?" Russel grinned from where he lay sideways on his bed, his head supported by an arm.
"Smoke near me if you're prepared to die," Gin was doing sword maintenance on his desk and chair.
"Ah right. I reckon that it's more uncomfortable for you than most," Russel sympathised. "Nothing wrong with that. But oi, what about alcohol?"
"Hmm, I don't mind. But don't expect me to drink with you. It's too annoying to get intoxicated for me."
"Aww. But I really wanted to go clubbing and shit with all of you," Russel deflated.
Gin chuckled, "Well, I suppose I can drink a little on special occasions."
"Hell yeah!" Russel brightened up again. "You two will come too, yeah?" He addressed their other members.
"Bitchin'," Sky was on his bed playing games on his Scroll again.
"Of course," Cardin was checking on the arrangement of their rooms and making some slight touches to various things. "And since I'm the leader, I'll be nice and pay for everything."
They cheered.
"That's our boss!" Russel even threw a hand up in the air.
Cardin snorted, "But I want everyone to keep our room nice and tidy. No slacking off on that."
They all gave their agreements.
"I never expected you to be the cleanliness type, Cardin," Gin remarked.
"Yeah, you got OCD or something?" Russel asked.
"No," Cardin rolled his eyes. "I'm just into decorations a little."
"No shit," said Russel because their room had more of Cardin's things than anyone else. He'd replaced the standard bedsheets and pillows with his own expensive-looking ones. Various flags hanging on the wall, one had his emblem and he said that he'll get flags with everyone else's emblems so they would match, especially since they all had bird theme emblems. And though Cardin used Beacon's armour stands, he made them all put their combat outfits on them and place them on the side of the beds - which were all next to the four corners of the room - so they would all match. Everyone else didn't really have anything to decorate things with.
Gin chuckled, "Barely the first day and already this much. I worry for the coming days."
Cardin scoffed, "Don't worry. I'm not going to go overboard. Hell, this is basically bare-bones shit."
The other three seriously doubted that statement.
"By the way," Cardin began. "You guys wonder why our team was named Cigar? Kinda weird that a place like Beacon would name a team something like that."
"They must have ran out of ideas," Russel offered. "Tradition for Huntsmen team names to be associated with some colour, yeah? That's gotta like narrow a lot of things."
"Yeah, if it wasn't for that, we could have been named Team Callagher instead," said Sky. "I don't know what it means but it sounds cooler."
"I disagree. Cigar is much cooler," Gin stated.
"What colours does Cigar even associate with? Oh, brown." Cardin asked and answered.
"Or dull colours," Sky pointed out. "None of us really have any bright colours. Except maybe Gin, if shades of black and white count."
Gin thought about that, then he shrugged and didn't deny it.
"Then Cougar would have fit too, sorta," Cardin pointed out.
"I guess. But then they're also associated with milfs too so—," Sky paused. "Actually wait, that wouldn't be too bad…" He muttered.
"Well, I like it, the dull colours thing," Russel said. "Bright colours are for faggots anyway."
The three of them gave Russel odd looks.
"What?" He asked, confused.
Sky and Cardin hesitated. Gin didn't. "I thought you were gay," He said bluntly.
"For real? All of you?" Russel looked incredulous. "What, you fuckers never make gay jokes with your mates?"
"Hell no," said Cardin.
"Not really," Gin shrugged.
"Well, of course," said Sky. "But I usually don't make them to dudes I haven't gotten close to yet."
"You motherfucker. We're friends, aren't we? We even went to the same combat school."
"Yeah, but we didn't really hang out with each other. We were basically just classmates."
"Huh. What the fuck's the difference," Russel was genuinely confused.
Gin laughed as he resumed his maintenance, "Seems Russel is just friendly to a fault. Not a bad quality to have."
"Aye. Thanks, mate."
"So then hey, you're homophobic Russel?" Sky asked.
"Nah. I was just making a joke."
"Damn," said Sky. "On one hand, it would have been a perfect ironic joke if you were actually gay. But, it would have also been a based joke if you were actually homophobic. But it was neither and now I feel fucking robbed."
"Based joke?" Gin looked confused. "Based on what?"
. . .
Sky put his Scroll down and sat up straight. Then he gave Gin an intense look.
Gin must have noticed his intensity too because he faced Sky with a curious look.
Cardin and Russel must have felt the strange atmosphere too because they stayed silent and watched.
Gin and Sky stared at each other for what felt like an eternity.
Until, finally.
Sky opened his mouth, and uttered the words
"Based on deez nuts."
End of Chapter
The giant Grimm fight was so annoying. I didn't want to write the whole thing since it's basically the same as canon with the only difference being that Jaune is more capable in the fight. But I'm also writing for a fandom-blind audience so I decided to just skim it which probably made it feel clumsy. So, sorry about that.
In other news, the first episode of Hell's Paradise Anime came out and I'm overjoyed. I fucking loved the manga and Gabimaru is one of my favourite MCs. I also love Yuji Kaku's artstyle, the grin on this fic's cover art was actually modelled after the ones in his art. A shame that Ayashimon got cancelled, admittedly the story was somewhat lacklustre in the middle but I still felt that it ended too soon. I hope the author bounces back from it because I would love to see more of his work.
Anyway, until next time. Bye bye.