Chapter 2

As soon as Ruby eagerly ran out into the street, she could already feel the buzz of the big city around her. The city was calling. Even before she stepped outside and stood face to face with the monumental towers of Vale. The first building rose directly across the street. It stretched upward, past power lines covered concrete pillars and steel supports holding the upper tier of the freeway, which seemed to lie right on top of the roofs of low houses, densely packed along the lower road hidden in the shadow of a high-rise platform. The tower rose into the sky.

"Skyscraper," muttered Ruby. "Awesome!"

This day so far promised to be exactly as she had imagined it. Awesome.

Almost on the very outskirts of the city, probably in the area of the perimeter wall, lay the territory of the new buildings of University of Vail. Near the unexpectedly large for the overcrowded haven square stood a massive complex. The facade of the central building rose up for a dozen floors, reminiscent of a medieval castle, which in appearance consisted of several citadels. First was wide and decorated with gold ornaments. On top of it stood a majestic tower with many vertical ribs. Each one shone gold – bronze, actually – while the indentations were chestnut-red stone. The cornices also shone, decorated with slanting wings of a triangular design. The roof was a shiny pyramid with smooth corners, covered in a golden pattern of steel scales.

The central hall – Ruby knew that was it – was hugged by two wings slightly curved inward, in the same strict modern style. They were a little lower, six floors, with a flat roof, but the corners of the building were crowned with huge golden wings shining in the sun.

"Ooooh..."

Ruby tried to stare at the building, while also trying to mind where she was going. A wide hexagonal staircase led to the massive double doors. The doors were open, and many people were crowding the stairs. The area in front of the university was densely packed with cars, with the exception of a wide driveway right at the entrance. Ruby Rose only now realized that square was basically a parking lot marked with white lines. Cars grumbled around all the time, pulling into empty spaces and driving away along the wide entrance.

She was already rushing towards the main entrance when something little to the side caught her attention. Looking around her sharply, girl froze. Then she was squatting, hiding behind one of the cars.

"Aham..." Ruby drawled predatorily. "So here you are! Today is my lucky day apparently."

Running from car to car, ignoring the surprised glances of several passers-by, Ruby quickly crept to the edge of the parking lot, where, suspecting nothing, her target was chatting with friends carefree.

"Oh, well, you know how it is... I always wanted to be a hunter. Like our mom."

The tall girl leaned casually on a rugged-looking motorcycle, angular and having seen better days. A short suede jacket and pants slightly masked toughness of her frame. She laughed awkwardly, running fingers through her hair. The golden flow of curls would be luxurious if they weren't impressively tousled. Awkwardly combing them with fingers didn't help.

Two young guys in traveling clothes, taller one and shorter one, made uncertain grunting noses, causing the girl to frown. Another girl, a short, fragile blonde in a light coat, looked at her friend.

"You didn't say anything about this," she spoke. "About the Academy, I mean. I thought you wanted to stay with your father. I mean, he's a weapons master at our academy, you already had good prospects..."

"Liz, what are you..." tall girl hesitated. "You... you don't think I want to stay on Patch forever, do you? I mean, it such a backwater..."

"You didn't complain before," one of the guys, taller one, intervened.

The girl chuckled dismissively.

"Don't try to play patriot while you're standing in the middle of Vale planning to enroll in Beacon!"

"Yang, I thought... That is, you said," blonde spoke again, "that you... would stay at home."

"I can't fuss over dad and Ruby for the rest of my life now, can I?"

Yang Xiao Long grinned knowingly and put her hand on her hip. The guys' faces changed. They were now staring somewhere behind her.

"And it's not like I burned bridges or anything like that," she said, without noticing expressions of her companions. "I'll get my license and come back, maybe just in time for Ruby to finally...

"Yang!"

"Ghaaahhaa!"

The girl froze, clenching her hands, as if she was trying to strangle someone. Ruby stood right behind her with a flesh eating grin.

"No! This cannot be! Cannot be!"

She turned around abruptly, throwing up a wave of golden hair.

"You stayed at home! You can't be here, you're cannot be here, you are not here!"

Ruby stretched defiantly and said a little to the side:

"I'm almost sure that I'm here, but since you sooooo insistent..."

Xiao Long let out an angry noise. In response, Ruby turned to her as a matter of fact:

"No, no, I'm definitely here."

"How?!" her sister hissed. "I told dad to lock you in your room!"

"Next time, make sure the window is closed too," Ruby said all businesslike. "Come on now, you didn't think that yours pleas and scolding would actually work, Yang?"

The sister rushed towards the little brat, planning to tear her to shreds, and Ruby dodged with a laugh, jumping back a couple of steps.

"You ran away from home!" Yang growled. "Do you even understand how dad will be..."

"Oh, I understand perfectly," Ruby replied. "That's why I didn't try the stations on Patch, and went on foot to the far out fort!"

Yang let out a groan full of agony.

"What? They would have found you on any train!"

"Exactly! And so I took a bus to the pass, and walked from there."

The group let out a shocked gasp.

"Did you walk across the Spine?" said the shorter guy. "Rose, don't talk nonsense, you would've been eaten alive!"

The dark haired girl frowned.

"Oh, look, what a great expert on wilderness."

"That's impossible," Liz intervened. "How did you get to Vale faster than us? I mean, even Yang…"

She fell silent awkwardly, glancing at her friend. Yang didn't answer, glaring at her sister.

"You. Crossed. Over. The mountains." Her voice was ice-cold. "And now the truth, Ruby!"

Ruby suddenly made an angry snort.

"This is the truth, Yang. And you know that. I am a Hunter!"

The group of Patch students let out a tired sigh.

"This again..."

"But still, she's here..."

"But it's so dangerous..."

Yang interrupted the exchange with a sharp wave of her hand, then closed her eyes in anguish.

"Okay! Okay. You are here. There's nothing we can do about it..."

Ruby smiled triumphantly, but was instantly wary when her sister reached out to her hand:

"Right, we still have time, I will manage to put you on the train and return-Ouch!.."

Xiao Long pulled back her bruised hand in shock. Ruby stood up, bending slightly like a stubborn cat.

"Are you serious with this?! Do you think I'll just let you send me home by parcel post? Fuck no!"

"Hey, watch your mouth, young miss!"

"Piss off, sheep!"

"Come here, or I really will stuff you in the box!"

Yang rushed towards her sister, planning to pack her in, but Ruby quickly jumped back and took a stance. A fighting stance.

"Oh what now, you gonna fight me?" Xiao Long said bemused. She subtlety changed her body posture, suddenly radiating a threat, and raised her hands, exposing the wide silver bracelets on her wrists.

"What, you don't think I can put you on your ass, sis?" answered the younger one angrily. "Did you think I would sit and wait while you trained at the best academy in the world? I want to be a Hunter!"

Yang made an exasperated sigh and lowered her hands slightly.

"Ruby... How many times have we talked about this," she said warily. "You... You are!.."

Ruby raised an eyebrow.

"You're still little!" the sister finished sternly. "You can't enter the guild!"

"I'm fifteen years old, Yang," Ruby said ominously. "And in case you're not aware, that means I'm already an adult."

"That's when you eighteen years old!"

"For the employment and the trading rights! I can already serve in the militia!"

"But not as a hunter!"

"As a hunter too!"

Group of students from Patch watched the sisters bickering in silence. Words were on the streets that such things was happening to these two more and more often, but they were witnessing it live for the first time.

"Can't you just wait for a couple of years?! Ruby!"

Other one made an angry snarling nose, drawing air into her chest.

"What if I maybe tired of waiting for someone all the time! Waiting for everything!"

Yang was taken aback by the pressure. Ruby took a short breath and stepped back.

"I didn't think I'd run into you right away," Ruby said with a pitiful note. "I wanted to join the academy and then find you when it was too late. So…"

She hesitated then turned away.

"...don't follow me."

The younger sister walked away, and Yang instinctive made a motion to follow.

"Ruby, wait..."

The girl quickened her pace and almost ran among the cars, heading towards the entrance to the university. Xiao Long absentmindedly ran her hand through her hair, ruffling it even more.

Already on the lower steps Ruby slowed down. Part of her wanted sister to follow. Maybe even for them to toss each other around a little bit... That wouldn't be the first time. But she was partly glad that Yang didn't chase after her. After all, she couldn't rely on others. Right? Even if she really wanted to. She had to become a huntress herself – no one except her, apparently, believes in such a possibility!

A wave of irritation returned some of Rose's hard-won independence. And she shook herself busily and turned around to...

"Uaagth!"

"Ow!"

What she wanted to see, Ruby instantly forgot. Quick reflexes allowed her to straighten up from the kick in the legs and automatically grab the thin wrist that was desperately thrown up in the air. There was a crashing sound. They froze – Ruby and a slender girl in a light bluish coat. Blue eyes widened in fear on an elegant pale face.

The wide, long case slid down on stairs, with thoughtful crunching noise.

"Ah! Let go!"

The stranger fiercely broke free from Rose's grip and hastily bent over the luggage. A thick tail of snow-white hair splashed onto her shoulder, and she swiped it away irritably.

"You're an absolute dolt! Do you have any idea how much it costs?!"

"Maybe I can cover it," Ruby muttered darkly, stepping back. "And there's no need for gratitude; by the way, I merely helped you not to fall."

Forgetting the case the snow-white girl straightened up like a spring and hung over Rose, taking advantage of the fact that she was a head taller.

"Helped?! If it weren't for you, little fool, I wouldn't even dropped it! What Grimm toss you to stand in the way like a light pole, waving your arms around?"

"I don't..." Ruby was taken aback for a moment by the onslaught. "I didn't wave arms around, I simply...

"Oh, you are "simple"? Well, of course, this explains everything if you are a simpleton without a drop of intelligence!"

Ruby finally came to her senses.

"Hey, simmer down you! Isn't it... Yeah, it was you who crashed into me! You hit me on in the leg with this..."

She aimed to kick the case, but the stranger let out an angry cry and fiercely stomped her thin heeled foot. People around them were throwing puzzled sideway glances at the growing scandal.

"Don't you dare! Stupid girl! I'll have your skin if you lay but a finger on it!"

Indignation sharpened her slightly noticeable accent, the girl slightly sharpened the 's' and muffled the 'r'. And although Ruby wasn't actually intend to kick her luggage, now she wanted to kick the case properly – and its owner for good matter.

"Oh yeah? So what are you going to do, call the police?" Ruby asked sarcastically. "Are you going to complain that your junk is too heavy? It's your fault!"

The girl's graceful face became warped with magnificent resentment.

"Mhee?! How do you... How dare you?! Do you even know who I am?!"

"I do know! Spoiled scrawny prissy princess!"

It seemed that the indignation could not possibly reach the limit. Ruby watched with pleasure as the stranger's entire appearance was filled with icy contempt. Then her face suddenly softened, but somehow in a threatening way.

"Oh, I understand." The tone became frosty like the winter wind. "You're just some kind of child. How stupid of me to argue with a juvenile like you..."

A noticeable neutral zone formed around the scandal, where no one dared to approach.

"Child?" Ruby said mockingly. "Just look at yourself!"

Maybe the girl was taller, Ruby was used to it, but her pale face looked very young. Yeah, maybe she was two or three years older, but Rose was ready to bet her focus that this white haired brat was no older than eighteen. The statement did not shake the unbearable smugness on the pale mug.

"Where are your parents, girl? I wish..."

"My parents," Ruby said sternly, "are very far from here. And you'll go farther still if you keep this up, young missy!"

The grip on the handle of the case turned white.

"Why you... little pest..." the prissy princess hissed. "I'll going to…"

"What?"

"My single word," she was now clearly making a treat, "and you will find yourself outside of the city walls!"

Ruby expected anything, but not on this level. She looked at the white-feathered harpy skeptically.

"What? Who do you think you are, Queen of Veil?"

"I am Weiss Schnee," the girl said with unexpected grace, "and my father..."

"...doesn't hold a spec of power in Veil."

The velvety voice made both of them jump nervously. They turned to the dark-haired girl who silently appeared next to them. The lot of the passers-by still kept their distance.

"Not the kind you're used to in Atlas," the stranger calmly added.

She was long-haired, tall and slender, dressed in a soft purple dress without a waist, with a loose short skirt that would have been positively scandalous if her legs had not been covered by skintight, shiny tights.

"What?" The princess, apparently of Atlas, gasped in shock. "Where did you come... Who even are you?"

"Therefore, you shouldn't try to seriously threaten people here," the girl continued calmly, not taking her dark eyes off the rude girl. "Simply will embarrass yourself."

"I don't..." prissy princess breathed out, tightening grip on the case in a nervous gesture, "I don't know who you think you are, but I'm not!"

She paused. Then spited briefly:

"I don't have to listen to nonsensical rubbish from commoners like you!"

And with that, she quickly ran up to the doors, fiercely sweeping aside several to slow to get away visitors.

"Prissy..."

Ruby fallowed her with a menacing gaze, and noticed that the stranger was dragging her case with noticeable effort. It looked a little heavy for her thin white hands.

"I knew it, it's her own fault," Ruby muttered. "She pushed me in the leg first, because this thing is too heavy for her! Brat..."

She looked at the other girl. Her face did not express anything specific, only her almond-shaped amber eyes looked mindfully.

"You... don't believe me, do you?" Ruby grumbled.

"Why wouldn't I?" the stranger answered evenly.

And with no segue, she went to the doors of the university, where the white-headed brat had just disappeared. Ruby noticed that the stranger was wearing a luxurious hair band, which was holding a chic wave of shiny black hair.

The darkness behind the doors parted, and Ruby Rose met the interior of the central hall in University of Vail. The inside of the building looked no less majestic than the outside. Panels with stylized bas-reliefs covered the walls, and stained glass windows cast colorful lights on the intricate mosaics on the floor.

Ruby looked around. Visitors, mostly young people who perfectly fit the description of students, hurried around her from one corridor to another, mostly crossing the hall on the way between the wings of the building. On opposite side of the entrance, a two-flight staircase ascended to the second floor. The wall above the stairs was occupied by a steel bas-relief, a map of all of Remnant with the emblems of all four kingdoms.

With a loud "ding" doors opened in one of the wide columns, which Ruby mistook for decorative panels, so much they were covered with rays. Five people came out from there. It was an elevator, and judging by the columns, there were two of them in the central building of the University.

Looking carefully looking around for a sight of Yang's presence, Ruby hurriedly crossed the hall. Her target was found just to the right of the doors, a wide counter with "Reception" written on it.

"Hello!"

Joyful greetings rise up the face of an unremarkable middle-aged woman in a formal office suit. She looked at Rose doubtfully.

"I want to be a Hunter!"

The girl beamed a happiest smile at the secretary. Woman didn't change her face.

"I assume you have a plan for how to do it?"

"Certainly!" Ruby said readily. "I just wanted to know your reaction."

"In the future, try not to waste other people's time, miss," the woman declared coldly. "Your papers."

She extended her hand, but Ruby shook her head.

"No, no, I don't have recommendations from the combat school. I... It doesn't matter. I want to join the Free Hunters program."

This finally surprised the woman.

"Is that so," she said, puzzled. "Miss, if you know about the program, then you should understand that..."

"I want to pass the trial and join as a Free Hunter," Ruby answered stubbornly. "I know everything!"

And she produced a brochure. Such leaflets were distributed at Patch's combat school, in accordance with an exchange program with other havens. There were invitations from different places, from Haven Academy, and even Atlas. But Yang, one of the best in her group, to her own misfortune brought this brochure home, and in it Ruby read that anyone can join the Beacon Hunter Academy in Vale. If they turn out to be capable, of course.

Having received instructions where she needed to go, Ruby happily turned around and...

"Oh!"

…almost ran into a dark-haired stranger in a purple dress. The girl raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"Perhaps it was your fault."

"Oh no, not you too," Ruby whined. Then jumped up happily: "Hey, you're enrolling too, right?"

"Right."

Without any interest in the conversation, the girl silently stepped towards the counter.

"Tell me please where I can apply for admission in to the Free Hunters program."

Ruby suppressed the urge for exited jump. Having received the same instructions, the girl moved through the hall towards the building diagram. Ruby followed with a dumb smile.

"Hey, I also want to become Freeone," she said. "How did you find out about the program? Are you local? Do you already have hunting experience? I read that they..."

"Do you always pester strangers?" The girl glanced sideways at her as they walked.

"Oh, quite often," Ruby admitted. "Well, I try not to bother people, I'm just... Very friendly! You could say. Yes."

The girl made slight snort and said nothing.

"Come on... We still have to take the test together," Ruby goaded her. "You don't know what the test will be? The brochure mentioned a written exam. Oh man, I hope this is not some overdesigned way of screening out the unworthy, I will never mange some mix bag of geometry and natur-physics...

"I don't know," the girl stated dispassionately. "I also only read the brochure."

At the map of the premises, they raised their heads at the same time and scanned it for the right place.

"Room thirty-three," Ruby said. "It's in the north wing. Go right!"

"Sure."

Girl then just walked in the direction.

"I ran away from home to join the academy here, you know. It will be so humiliating if I fail."

The lack of contact was only pumping her up. Ruby continued to stare at the girl. Her hair was terribly well-groomed, hugging her head like a silk scarf, and she was clearly curling the tresses framing her face. The wide hoop was decorated with lush black lacing; it seemed even larger than it was.

"Do you have a focus?" remembered Ruby.

"Do you always share your personal information with strangers?" girl asked in response. "And yes, obviously."

"No, only with those who, I hope, will be together with me in my class," said the young huntress. "And my name is Ruby, since you're so interested. Ruby Rose!"

The girl glanced sideways at her again. To her surprise, Rose noticed hint of a smile appearing on the stranger's face.

"Blake."

"Blake? And that's it?"

"For now. We'll see if you'll be together with me in my class."

"Aww, you're mean!"

There were people hurrying along the corridors at all time. Young people stood here and there holding piles of papers and folders, but room thirty-three turned out to be unpopular. In the spacious room stood a table littered with papers. A man in a business suit with subtle curiosity issued the girls forms to fill out and specified what and where to write.

"Ummm..." Ruby hold the sheet up: "In the event of my death... This is... how to put it..."

"You said 'Free Hunters', right?"

"Well, yes, but..."

"Then fill it up, miss."

"Do you want your guardian to be invited?" Blake intervened. "If you're happened to be underage..."

"I am of age!"

Ruby irritably waved her passport, which was also requested from her. Blake wordlessly returned to her papers. Ruby, with dour grumbling, did as well. Having finished with the papers and receiving new instructions, the girls returned back to the main hall.

"Find a vice-director," Ruby mused. "Well, where should we look for her? Should we ask at the reception?"

"I suppose," Blake agreed.

At the reception they were directed to go to the upper floors. The third floor, to be specific. The elevators were busy and the girls headed up the stairs. But as soon as they approached, their plans were interrupted by a demanding cry from the side.

"Finally I found you!"

Ruby turned around with an irritated hiss – sister was rushing towards her, and with look most determined.

"Go away, Yang! I haven't enrolled yet!"

"And you won't!" sister said fiercely. "You know what? We gonna fight! Right now, unless you're immediately..."

She cut herself off, then pointed her finger at the piece of paper in Ruby's hands.

"What did you do?"

Ruby pointed at Blake with deliberation:

"I found a friend."

The dark-haired girl raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"Don't you drag me into this."

"Awww..." Ruby hanged her head.

"That's not what I'm talking about. What's this paper?" Yang's face dawned with the light of understanding. "Oh no... You want to be a Freeone, don't you? This is an application for the Free Hunters program, isn't it?!"

Ruby raised an eyebrow skeptically, now looking surprisingly similar to Blake.

"Took you a long enough to catch on, sis. Of course, this is the only way."

"No way! "Yang sharply waved her arms crosswise. "Nocando, not on my watch! I won't let you kill yourself so then dad can kill us both!"

She rushed forward, aiming to snatch the paper, but Ruby jumped back instantly.

"Hey, get off me, you sheep!"

"Stop playing around, haven't you read the brochure? Trials are dangerous for the applicant!"

With amazing skill they swapped places in a rush of movement.

"Get away! I know that!"

More and more faces were turning in their direction. Blake backed away a little, clearly deciding for herself whether to stay and enjoy the show or just go about her business. Someone suddenly pushed her roughly to the side.

"You again!"

A sharp and melodious cry, like the sound of braking crystal, interrupted the sisters' squabble. Weiss Schnee stood between them, radiating indignation.

"How am I unable to get rid myself of your presence, you little boor?!"

Ruby snorted tiredly, hiding the paper in her bag. Weiss turned to Yang.

"Are you a relative of this brat?" she arrogantly demanded. "A sister probably, you are too young to be a mother..."

Yang, forgetting for a moment about the squabble with her sister, sternly crossed her arms on the chest.

"And who are you?"

"I'm Weiss..." She suddenly cut herself off, but still finished: "Schnee, and I hoped that University of Vail is a respectable institution and not some kindergarten for simpletons! This girl!.."

She sternly flicked her hand at Ruby, who made a sour face, but Yang abruptly cut her off:

"This girl here is my sister. So don't your wave you're paws at her like a windmill, yeah?"

Schnee got dumbstruck for a moment.

"And our conversation doesn't concern you," Xiao Long continued. "So why don't you just disappear to whatever you came from, prissy princess."

It was few seconds before the white-haired girl got her power of speech back.

"By the Light..." she breathed, turning pink with anger. "I... definitely see a family resemblance! And what, if I may ask, is this child," the word dripped with sarcasm, "doing at the University of Sciences? Having a little tour?»

Yang opened her mouth, but Ruby interrupted her:

"I gonna join the Free Hunters."

Princesses expression changed from puzzled to a malicious one.

"You? A Hunter? Do you have any idea what it takes, girl?"

Ruby emphatically looked at Weiss's case. Then at her face.

"I can imagine much better than you, prissy," she answered ominously. "And why are you lounging here? Can it be that you want to be a hunter?"

"I don't see how this is concern of yours," Weiss hissed, "but that's exactly what I want."

"And you think that a spoiled mean girl like you can handle a hunt for Grimm?"

The case crashed to the floor. Weiss threw out her right hand, and an ice blade grew in her fingers – aimed directly at Ruby. Alarmed shouts rise all around them.

"Don't you dare!.."

She didn't manage to finish. A hand clad in a silver plate armor glove closed on an ice blade.

"Don't you even think about," Yang said in low tone, "pointing your fucking icicle at my sister!"

Fire puffed out from under her fingers, there were an audible crunch, and Weiss recoiled with a short cry, releasing her strange weapon. Pieces of ice fell to the floor under the accompaniment of alarmed murmuring. A broad-shouldered girl with short orange hair leaned forward, with clear desire to intervene, but her tall, dark-haired companion held her back.

"Oooh," Ruby said with unironic curiosity. "I really didn't think that you would have a semblance."

"Of course, I have a semblance!" Weiss recovered from the physical threat faster than from the insult. "And I hope you're prepared for the consequences! You're both ready for...!"

"ENOUGH!"

A wave of pressure swept across the hall from the top of the stairs, roughly pushing people around and causing many startled cries. The main force of the blow fell on the trio of scandalists, forcing them to nervously stagger and throw their hands up defensively.

A woman was slowly descending the stairs. A dark business suit made of an elegant jacket and a tight skirt fit her like a second skin, emphasizing her enviable curves. Bright golden hair was curled into a tight bun, pinned in the old-fashioned way with a wide comb, and a white chain with a black pendant hugged her neck. A fierce expression lay on the exquisite face. Piercing green eyes sharply pinned down the offenders.

In deathly silence the woman came downstairs, emitting such an aura of authority that even those who stood at the other end of the hall felt a need to stand at attention. The trio at the center of the scandal independently of each other had a filing that this lady could break them in half with a single finger.

"I hope you have a suitable excuse for such shameful behavior," the woman said.

The tone, however, promised severe punishment in any case, excuses or no excuses.

"She started it."

The sisters simultaneously pointed their fingers out. Yang, who pointed at Weiss, quickly caught herself and smacked the finger Rose pointed at her.

"How dare you! Your own sister!"

Schnee stood up with all the dignity she had left after the scene and said:

"I suppose you can see what I have to deal with."

"Don't worry, miss," the woman answered dryly. "I perfectly saw your reaction as well. Using a semblance in a public space? Against a person? You, young ladies, are exactly the reason why semblance users are required to register!"

Yang and Weiss opened their mouths...

"Silence!"

The order was not negotiable.

"I hope you understand that such a flagrant violation of discipline even before you deigned to receive a permission to attend this university will not go unpunished."

An expression of despair appeared on the faces of all three, then replaced by stubborn looks. All remained silent however. Perhaps this satisfied the fierce lady, because she continued in a more business-like tone.

"So, I will assume that you all are applicants. Please let me know your choice of faculties so that I can warn your potential curators about your... feats."

"Hunters," Xiao Long said gloomily.

"Hunters," Weiss answered evenly.

The woman looked at Ruby.

"I'm submitting an application to the Free Hunter program," Ruby rattled off.

Without looking at her sister, Yang let out a low grunt. The woman raised an eyebrow.

"Free hunter," she said deliberately. "Please forgive me, but you don't look nearly..."

Ruby gloomily presented her passport.

"Well then... Your focus?"

Ruby showed the cross.

"And do you have hunting experience?"

"Of course," Rose answered defiantly.

"And you can prove it?"

The girl was taken aback for a moment. She had an idea of what they wanted from her – just like she had an idea of what this professor was trying to do. Prove it, prove it...

"She can say it." Ruby pointed a finger at Yang. "This is my sister, she knows that I had killed Grimm before."

Yang flashed an angry look at her sister.

"You know that I don't want to see you in the program! You might get killed!"

"I'll get there one way or another, so just do something useful, Yang!" Ruby made puppy eyes at her: "Oh pleeease..."

Sister, stung right in the heart, wavered and turned away. Then she shook it off:

"I don't have to answer, right? I'll refuse."

"Traitor!"

Yang ignored her. The unamused woman moved her eye from sister to sister.

"So it's true, and she has experience?"

"I don't want to answer." Xiao Long pouted, becoming strikingly similar to Ruby.

The woman unintentionally let out a tired sigh.

"In that case, it's only matter of time..."

Yang raised her hands in shock:

"Unbelievable! And you just let her?! She's still a child!"

"I'm so tired of this..." Rose muttered, pointedly waving her passport.

"If she meets the selection criteria, then no matter how much I would like to, I cannot prohibit her from participating in the tests."

"Ye-ass!"

Ruby made a short victory dance, spinning around herself for a moment. Weiss wrinkled her nose, like from an unpleasant smell.

"I, however, have the right to be extremely biased in judging your behavior," the woman finished in the same businesslike tone. "As your curator, young miss."

Ruby drooped.

"Oh. Should I start apologizing?"

"It's a little late."

"I'm sorry…"

Blake suddenly came to life, taking a step forward:

"Are you Glynda Goodwitch? We were told to deliver our applications to you personally."

Before the professor could answer, Weiss couldn't hold an angry gasp.

"And you too?! I guess anyone can be a hunter these days..."

"Protecting humanity is not the privilege of a select few," Professor Goodwitch said coldly. "You should take notice of this if you desire to get the license, Miss Schnee."

The white-haired girl was taken aback.

"How are y... Wait, do you know me?"

"I accepted your letter of recommendation from the Atlas Academy."

"There is the privilege..." Ruby muttered.

"My letter is not a privilege!" Weiss flared up. "I earned it at the Academy! With honors!"

Professor Goodwitch opened her mouth, but Ruby was faster.

"Some people become hunters for real. Through trials."

"Any fool can pass the trials!"

"Prove it! You don't have enough guts to become a Free Hunter!"

Before Weiss could respond, a strange force nearly crushed them both into the ground. Shocked girls just dropped to their knees. There was lively whispering around them, and somewhere sounded muffled laugh.

"I assure you, miss," Glinda Goodwitch said in an icy tone, "that even brilliant success in all trials does not guarantee you a place in our academy! Nor does a letter of recommendation."

The latter was addressed to Weiss. She threw a hate-filled look at Ruby and rose to her feet in a rush.

"I would like to withdraw my letter, Miss Goodwitch! I want to join the Free Hunter program."

A tired expression appeared on the professor's face.

"There's no need to act childish, Miss Schnee..."

"I am not acting childish," the girl answered unexpectedly sternly. "I want to be a Hunter! Letter or not!"

Yang suddenly perked up.

"Is that possible? I haven't submitted papers for the screening yet. I mean, I just now came in to the University..."

"If you possess a letter, I advise you to do everything the traditional way," Goodwitch said irritably.

"Oh, do you want to be a hunter too, Yang?" Ruby grinned. "I bet you will pass the exam if there is no natur-physics in it."

"Yes, Ruby," Yang answered exaggeratedly sweet. "You will also pass the exam if there is no natur-physics in it."

The sisters clashed with angry glances. Weiss sneered angrily and turned away. Blake, who had previously been beholding the scene with stunning indifference, turned to Professor Goodwitch:

"So what should we do with the papers, miss?"

Woman hold her head in frustration.

"I would prefer to burn them..."

Good-natured laughter sounded close by. The authoritative figure of a tall man with a cane moved through the ring of visitors still surrounding the scene.

"Come now, Glinda, we're not going to turn away such enthusiastic applicants, are we?"

Tapping his cane steadily, the Academy director approached the future hunters. A tall man in a dark green suit smiled pleasantly. Brown eyes were hidden behind small dark reading glasses. His hair was silver and looked gray beyond his years.

"No harm done, as I understand it?"

Professor Goodwitch responded with an annoyed expression.

"Not at all, director," she commented. "Just a striking violation of discipline."

"And we will deal with it with the full possible strictness," the man assured.

Catching Ruby's gaze, he smiled politely.

"Is something wrong, miss?"

She stared at the man as if he were a painting.

"You are the Hunter. You're Director Ozpin!"

He nodded sharply.

"At your service. So, I understand that you wish to pass the tests and join the Beacon Academy?"

He addressed Weiss and Yang in turn:

"I will agree with the professor, you seriously should use the letter of recommendation from your previous schools."

"I can't leave her alone," Yang stated bluntly. "I will do what she does."

"I'm almost got kicked because of you," Ruby grumbled.

Xiao Long was about to snap back, but Ozpin interrupted them by raising his hand with the cane.

"If your sister wants to take the test, I can't stop her, just as I cannot kick out you, Miss Rose."

The girls jerked up nervously.

"You... How come?" Ruby said confusedly.

"I know your father."

"What?!" Yang was amazed. "No, he never..." She stopped short. "Actually, he said that he worked with you when he was younger...

"We... grew apart over time," Ozpin explained. "I will admit I'm still disappointed that he choose to stay permanently in Patch and refused to accept a professorship at my institution. We could use a master of his caliber, aren't we, Professor Goodwitch?"

The woman made stubborn snort.

"This is merely your opinion, director."

"I, of course, expected to see you at the Academy," he continued. "Although not so soon."

Ruby sniffed in displeasure. Ozpin turned to Weiss.

"Miss Schnee?"

She had already regained her former arrogance, although compared to Ozpin she looked rather unimpressive.

"I want to join as a Free Hunter."

"Are you sure?" Ruby couldn't resist.

Prissy princess immediately flushed red.

"Will you be silent?! At least I'm not afraid of natur-physics!"

Now Ruby was blushing too. Professor Goodwitch's lips tinned sternly.

"Excuse me, professor..."

A tall girl appeared from the ring of people. She wore a simple coat, but the brown fabric set off the hot sunset hue of her almost fiery hair, neatly tied into a high ponytail.

"If it is possible to join as a Free Hunter, then I... That is, I mean..."

"Oh no," Glinda said with annoyance. "Miss Nikos, not you too! Your papers have already been approved, you de-facto already been accepted as student. Please don't let..."

Ozpin interrupted her with a short laugh and raised his hand in placating gesture.

"As I said, I prefer that applicants with recommendations use them specifically. I've spent great many years building collaboration between academies around the world, I would like to see my effort not falling in vain!"

"Oh yes, of course..."

Disappointment was clearly visible on the girl's face, her bright green eyes flared with annoyance for a moment. But she chose to not insist, and agreeably stepped away.

"In that case, everything is decided," director summed up, and then turned around: "It is time for all of us to go about our business, there is still a lot of work to be done."

The circle of spectators had already thinned out, but now the scene was officially over with.

"Professor." He nodded to Goodwitch, then to the girls: "Ladies. Miss Nikos, I believe you can manage on your own from here..."

Headmaster Ozpin walked measuredly up the stairs. The audience quickly dispersed, although many cast interested glances at the group. Ruby thoughtfully followed the director with her eyes when she was attracted by an emphasized "khm-hm".

"I believe I have already mentioned that it is I who bear the... responsibility of supervising applicants as a Free Hunter," Goodwitch said evenly, looking sternly at the girls.

She was greeted by an atmosphere of tense wariness.

"That's better," she stated. "So ladies, let's start from the beginning..."