Chapter 3
The rest of the day for the quartet of Free Hunters was filled with fussing over papers. Under the strict supervision of Glynda Goodwitch, candidates walked through a dozen offices, filling out paperwork and writing down instructions concerning their exam. They tried to ignore one another – the sisters still were sulking at each other, Schnee didn't look at them at all, and Blake was not very sociable to begin with.
"You're just in time for the last written aptitude test today," said the professor. "Follow..."
"But I thought..." Ruby interrupted, then quickly caught herself: "No-no, nothing."
"Speak up, Miss Rose," Goodwitch prompted her tiredly.
"I thought that exam would be like..." Ruby said unsurely. "Well, combat. Show our skills and all that."
"Oh, didn't you notice your registration for tomorrow?"
"No, no, I just..."
"We cannot accept people who is unable to put two words together as students, isn't that right?" professor asked with a hint of mockery.
"Hmm..." hang her head Ruby.
Catching the princess's smug gaze, Ruby squinted with menace. Girl quickly looked away. They followed Professor Goodwitch down the corridor. Sensing Rose's piercing gaze, Schnee glanced sideways at her again. Rose stuck her tongue out.
"Neeee!"
Weiss snorted indignantly and turned away with a jerk, causing her hair to splash in a snowy wave. Glinda's back silently emitted a wave of warning and the squabble was nipped in the bud.
They were led into a vast auditorium with an amphitheater of benches and tables. Two dozen people were already sitting there. The girls sat in empty seats taking distance from each other. Weiss defiantly took a seat in the front row, right opposite of lecturer's desk. Yang and Ruby settled where they could in the central rows. Blake sat at the very top, behind everyone.
After talking with the balding elderly professor – he was definitely some kind of academic – Professor Goodwitch left them alone with the exam. The man announced the rules – don't make noise, don't cheat, the usual things – and soon everyone received a sheet with the entrance exam of University of Vail.
The formulas of algebra and natur-physics ominously darkened the paper. Long paragraphs required a demonstration of knowledge of language and history.
"Oohh noooo..." Ruby moaned.
Her opinion wasn't shared. Many looked at the sheet with annoyance, as if they were forced to do some hose chores. Even Yang. Rose was glad that she didn't have to sit next to the white-haired boor – she probably was radiating smugness right now.
"Awww..."
Next to her was a young man with adorably blond hair. The thin pale face looked painfully concentrated. This brought Ruby confidence.
One hour swiftly flew by. Natur-physics imbued Ruby Rose with primordial terror, history with little less primordial – many of the questions were concerned the creatures of Grimm, and she answered almost all of them. Perhaps even correctly. The language turned out to be easy. She tried not to think about algebra.
After handing in the paper, Ruby noticed that Yang, who stood up a little earlier, now lingered at the door, looking in her direction. A wave of frustration made Ruby look around searching for her new acquaintance. But Blake seemed to vanish into thin air. She didn't even notice when the dark-haired beauty handed in the papers. Passing by her sister Ruby deliberately turned away with a loud "Hmpf". Yang sighed tiredly, but simply followed suit, making no attempt to talk.
Professor Goodwitch bring to their attention that examination results will only be available tomorrow.
"So we... should come back tomorrow?" asked Rose.
"Usually applicants rent a room for the night," said professor evenly. "But since all of you, as I can see, came from other havens, and with addition, of calling on the right of a Free Hunter, the university is providing you with temporary accommodation. You can stay in our dormitories for today, I will make arrangements."
Ruby subtlety took a breath. She had no idea whether she had enough money for a hotel, and... had no idea where to find one, or what to do there.
"Is this necessary?" Weiss asked. "I've already rented a room at the hotel, I just need to call a car..."
"That's your right, miss," Goodwitch replied matter-of-factly. "But with the exception of the written exam, you four will take separate trial. I advise you to move your belongings from the hotels to the on-site hostel today. Unless," she added in a completely even tone, "you don't expect to pass all the tests successfully."
Weiss turned pink in her cheeks, but remained silent.
After all this, Ruby, left on her own, followed the directions to the Beacon Academy's dormitory. The building was located slightly deeper into university's grounds. Moving past a couple of tall buildings Ruby walked in front of the dorm. A square box decorated with ribbed walls in the form of triangular petals with bronze insertions. Ten stories tall, the building itself looked like a hotel from a poster. To a degree that it seemed to be built to look good on trendy modern posters about new age technology. The building resembled a huge radio box.
Ruby pushed open one of the double doors, half expecting to be surrounded by huge wires and vacuum tubes. There were lamps, but they were located under the ceiling in a wide corridor; the walls were covered with panels of glass and plastic. Everything was done in rich shades of natural colors: chestnut, wood and sand.
At the small window at the entrance, Ruby addressed an elderly faunus in a cap:
"Sorry, I was told to give you this...
The flowing and elegant, but quite readable signature received from Glinda Goodwitch animated the man.
"Oh, you're one of... Yes, yes, yes, that's right.
Ruby was escorted through the third floor, where they get by softly humming elevator, to a room at the end of the corridor. The man briefly explained where the restrooms were and the bathrooms were – "If Miss is in need, oh of course you are, you're a young girl!" – and explained that she would have to pay for food at the university cafe until she received a student card.
Ruby just nodded with a clever face put on. Everything that had happened in the morning began to catch on with her, and she felt that strength was running out. After receiving the key and saying "thank you", the girl entered the room.
"Oh, yeah..."
Ruby's morning began with a chaotic attempt to figure out what to wear to the exam. She had spent the previous evening sulking in her room, bemoaning how empty-headed she was because she had forgotten all her stuff when she was jumping out of the window…
Yang took a look around the university grounds by herself, and visited a moderate building on the way to the academy's dormitories. The cafe was a large covered pavilion that could accommodate at least a hundred people at a time. The majority of students were producing some kind of cards for record, then got whatever they wanted, though some had to pay. After picking up some sweets, she returned and went to her sister to make sure girl is okay. Already planning to go to bed, Yang ran into a white-haired princess in the corridor. They separated, glaring at each other with spite.
She was awakened by a banging on the door and a rattling that their exam was starting soon, a physical test, you need to show up in sportswear, and my backpack, everything was in the backpack, but all you can do is mock, and now I have nothing even, why didn't you remind me, your things here, you got to have...
Yang grabbed Ruby by the face without looking, smothering her angry babbling.
"Enough. That's right, your clothes..."
Searching did bear no fruits. Tall and curvy Yang wore clothes that hung on her skinny, short sister like a sack. Watching Ruby straightening her T-shirt with a gloomy expression, older girl couldn't resist and smirked into her fist. The T-shirt flopped on the floor.
"Grrr! Grimm tear you! I'll just go in my own clothes."
"Ok stop..."
Yang caught her sister's hand and pulled her back into the room.
"Sit tight, I have an idea."
Soon Xiao Long returned with their new friend. Nora brought in a bunch of spare sports clothing.
"Ooh, do you like flowers? Look, I have one with roses! Actually no, these are poppies..."
Dressed in fresh clothes, Ruby adjusted her T-shirt again. Nora examined her critically.
"Hmm... Sorry, I'm a little broad in the shoulders."
She turned around thoughtfully and felt herself up, just in case.
"A lot broad."
"No, no," said Ruby. "Maybe it's better that it's a little buggy. Especially in the chest..."
She ruffled her T-shirt sourly, causing Yang to laugh again. Ruby glared at here.
It turned out that not only Freeones, but all other students also was doing a physical test. The gym was located in one of the buildings further away. The vast building had several floors, but they found themselves in a gymnasium that looked like an indoor soccer field. It was occupied by massive steel structures – ladders, hanging ropes, climbing walls.
"It looks like these are all students of the Academy," Yang said as they entered the hall. "I recognize the lot of them, saw them at the table with recommendations."
Ruby spotted Blake a little to the side, today in a sports shirt and shorts, but still with a stunning headband in her hair, which she pulled back into a ponytail. They stood at opposite ends of the small crowd, Ruby restrained herself to catching her eye and waving with a smile. It seemed to her that girl would simply turn away, but then Blake briefly waved back at her. Ruby also saw Pyrrha, but she was quickly hidden behind all other students.
Rose chose not to notice the easily noticeable white figure in an expensive-looking tracksuit. Schnee responded in kind.
They were soon joined by a broad-shouldered man with gray hair and a mustache and small eyes. Short, plump and dressed in an old-fashioned jacket, he did not look like a hunter. But he behaved quite authoritatively.
"Professor Peter Port," he introduced himself. "You can just call me "coach". That will do."
Then followed a short lecture about the importance of physical health and how the university is proud of its physical education programs.
"This is especially true for you," added Professor Port. "You are applicants for a place at Beacon Academy. Of course, I know that not all of you want to fight the Grimm face to face. However, such are the rules of our courses. I assume everyone here received their basic training in combat schools?"
There was an affirmative murmuring. Almost all havens in the world still had a policy of preparing residents from an early age for the possibility of Grimm attacks.
"We are not in the army, and not even outriders, but a confident 'Yes, sir' would be ideal."
An almost confident "Yes, sir" sounded over the group of students. Professor Port nodded.
"That's better. Here's your task..."
The labyrinth of structures was designed to test the endurance of the applicants. Start on command, three at a time. Don't interfere, don't push, don't fool around... When the coach walked along the students' rank, the sisters quickly noticed that they had clearly been taken note of. Presumably the other two as well...
Close by a hand hesitantly rise up.
"So, how many times do you need?"
Ruby recognized the guy who sat next to her during exam.
"Until you fall. Whoever remains standing after an hour passes automatically."
A disgruntled muttering flow over the student ranks. The man walked in the other direction unfazed.
"Technically, you only need to complete one lap. Like I said, I know that not everyone here wants to be a hunter. When you finished – you may fall."
He looked around the line, and Ruby again noticed how his eyes lingered on some of the students. Including her.
"The rest... Let's just say, I expect excellent results."
The first three approached the first ladder. Whistle ring out and the students scramble forward to climb.
"First mistake," Professor Port announced loudly. "There is no need to rush in head first, this is not a speed test. But also no dillydallying. I'll be speeding you up. Concentrate on the obstacles."
Students concentrated, gradually filling the entire set of obstacles. The sisters fell into line. Between the structures, Ruby noticed Blake climbing the rope.
"Ooh..."
The dark-haired girl was flexible and grippy, like a cat on a branch. It was their turn now, the coach was taking notes on his paper tablet. The whistle blew.
The obstacle course took Rose and Yang maybe three minutes. Accustomed to the forest around Patch and training with the weapons master of the local combat school, the girls were ready for much more grave challenges. Ruby have a though that even an ordinary veilian could handle this, with stairs most definitely, considering how much you need to climb to get to the monorail, and there is still an upper tiers. Even though there were no ropes on the streets. And you probably didn't need to climb the side of a building either...
On the n-th circle, Ruby noticed that her companions had changed. Yang got stuck a little behind – an attempt to dashingly jump up while on the rope almost sent her flying to the floor. A white spot loomed ahead on one of the shaky stairs, Rose sniffed indignantly...
"Prissy..."
That one moved quite confidently, although she looked skinny...
A strangled scream was heard nearby, and Ruby turned around to see the blond guy awkwardly falling to all fours. Another student nonchalantly walked around the fallen man, Ruby paused, letting to pass ahead.
"Hey, are you okay?"
She bent over the guy. He turned around with effort, lifting himself up a bit.
"I dunno. I'm not sure I can feel my legs..."
Ruby smirked and offered up her hand, suggesting to rise.
"Hey, at the bridge!"
They turned at Professor Port's shouting.
"Everything's okay?"
The guy suddenly jumped to his feet, doing a strainly relaxed pose, and casually waved his hand.
"Everything is clear, coach! Business as schedule!"
"I don't think he believed it," Ruby commented when the professor turned away. "Are you sure you don't want to take a break?"
"No," the guy muttered. "No, I... I have to move on. I mean, it's just a little jog, nothing complicated."
"Whatever you say..." Ruby doubted. "Do you want me to lead the way? Just stick with me."
"Yes, that's an idea. Thank you…"
Ruby was sure that blondie will just plummet right off the rope, but he managed it. When they returned to the starting line, sweat was raining down off the guy.
"I'm not sure it's worth it..."
She turned around at the muffled muttering. The guy caught her eyes and put on an innocent face. She didn't push the matter.
"I thought that with a letter you were simply accepted," Ruby noted instead of the question.
"Me too," nodded the guy. "It turns out that things are much more difficult than I imagined..."
"Do you want to be a hunter?"
He twitched nervously. Then he quickly wiped his face.
"Of... of course! What can be cooler?"
Ruby grinned and patted him on the shoulder.
"You know it! Oh, whoa..."
She hastily grabbed his hand when guy started leaning sideways.
"I'm Ruby." She decided to change the subject. "Ruby Rose."
He steadied himself.
"Jaune..." he said with stutter."Jaune Arc. Hey, are you..."
"What?"
He lowered his voice conspicuously:
"Aren't you passing the test? As a Free Hunter."
"Yes." Ruby also lowered her voice. "Why are you whispering?"
Guy came to his senses.
"No, I just..."
Someone shoved Jaune in the shoulder, almost sending him to the ground.
"Don't stand in the way like jackasses."
A couple of tough looking guys with faces of assholes rushed by them.
"Hey, it's an obstacle course!" Ruby shouted in their backs. "Go around!"
"I said no messing around," sternly reminded Professor Port. He scribbled something on his tablet and blow sharp whistle. "Half an hour!"
"I think you'd better keep running," Jaune said. "I'll... just take a break... for a minute."
Ruby completed the hour-long run without difficulty. With mean satisfaction she noticed how among many students who gave up after a couple of laps there was white-haired brat. Also Jaune Arc was there, sitting on the floor with an exhausted face.
In the end, there were only a handful of people left, including Ruby and Yang and Blake, and also Nora and her companion, and a couple more guys and one girl. Tall Pyrrha completed her final lap. She looked almost fresh.
"Miss Nikos," noted Professor Port, writing something in the papers. "The rumors were true, an impressive result..."
"Professor, please…" The winner's voice sounded irritated.
After raising students off the floor, the coach said that results would be ready tomorrow, however they will mean little to the students.
"As I said, it was just a test..." The professor paused and finished with emphasis: "For those of you who do not plan to receive the Guild license upon graduation."
He called a dozen names. Including four Freeones and sisters acquaintances.
"The rest are done for today. Follow your schedules and good day to you."
When the last of the dismissed students left the gym, the professor continued:
"For you awaits the following – you go to your rooms, have some rest, grab a snack, I do advise you. At one o'clock in the afternoon I am awaiting you in this same place. Dress code – anything, focus – compulsory."
Excitement spread throughout the group.
"That's right," the coach chuckled slightly. "Your first test as hunters. Dismissed."
Yang was forced to buy her candy three times – it was the only way to keep Ruby quiet for at least a moment. They changed into everyday clothes and now waited for the time to come on the benches near the cafeteria. Younger one was overwhelmed by a surge of emotions.
"What if they holding living Grimm somewhere?"
"I don't think it's possible, Ruby..."
The girl couldn't decide whether she was alarmed or in exited.
"What if there are rules? If the weapon is not up to standard."
"I don't think that's a problem..."
"But could this be..."
Yang shoved her half eaten cream bagel into sister's mouth.
"By the Light, Ruby, shush! No wonder Blake didn't come to sit with us."
Ruby tried to grab a hold of her dark-haired friend, but girl politely refused to share a breakfast, artfully evaded the grab. Xiao Long couldn't shake the feeling that moody pretty girl was hiding something. It's like, for a second she looked like she wanted to go, but then decided otherwise...
"I bet it's because of you," Ruby declared.
"And why is that?"
"I dunno. I just wanted to spite you."
"You're such a sweetheart, you know that?"
Yang tried to flick her sister on the nose, but she dodged, almost dropping the bagel.
After free time was at end, the girls went back to the hall. In some unknown way, the heavy-looking structures had already been pushed towards the gym. The center was now occupied by one single stuffed dummy, vaguely shaped as a large dog, about the height of a man's chest. The assembled students, all wearing their everyday clothing, were partly divided into groups, and partly surrounded the tattered dummy. Nora, in a loose short dress, were talking with her companion, absentmindedly patting dummy on the forehead.
"Oh, someone's popular."
Pyrrha was surrounded by a large group of mostly guys. She smiled politely, but looked very official even in her simple plain dress, reminiscent of something medieval. Ruby didn't immediately realize that she's seeing classic tunic for the first time. Schnee stood in this group, saying something to Pyrrha lively. Other one nodded politely, without changing her expression.
"This is Boo. He will help you with the demonstration. Be gentle, this is the Academy's mascot."
They started by each presenting their focus. Ruby gazed hungrily at the sparkling silver items. Wands and crosses were the most popular. When Jaune walked away from the professor writing down the features, Ruby took him by the shoulder, causing him to startle.
"Oh, it's you," the student breathed out with relief.
"I noticed that you use one too."
Ruby spun her cross, the guy watched her movement with bewilderment.
"Not so skillfully, but..." he caught himself. "Yeah, oh yeah. This is... my family focus. You know? Very rare vintage stuff."
"Oh, really? I also got mine from my mom," she said. "What's in it..."
"...here we need to undergo such interrogations?"
An irritated voice echoed around with unexpected loudness. The guy standing in front of Professor Port crossed his arms with a self-important look on his face.
"This is not an interrogation, sir," the man said dryly. "These are the rules of conduct on the territory of the University. And I assume that you, gentlemen, acquainted with rules of carrying weapons within the walls of this haven."
Under the professor's gaze, he quickly simmered down, losing the drive to make a fuss.
"And if you believe that, for any reason," Port emphasized the words in a harsh tone, "the laws of the kingdom do not apply to you, then you are free to leave the university at your own discretion."
He addressed the crowd:
"The liberty to carry an Argentum weapon is your right, but it is also a privilege. It is believed that any hunter picked up a weapon in order to protect people from darkness, not for their own personal satisfaction."
The man looked at the students with unexpectedly stern eyes.
"The scientific approach to the alchemy of silver and dust crystals changed the world. Modern technology can even mass produce foci, not to mention simple weapons for militias and armies. But it was only a matter of time before such things would become strictly regulated. No person with a small arsenal in their pocket would be considered non-dangerous. In the modern world, your reputation is everything. "As you, mister," he told the guy, "I'll assume very well know."
The guy, noticeably taken aback, stepped backward.
"I just... meant that... it's a very valuable item and..."
"I know very well the price of hunters' weapon," the professor interrupted dryly. "Now then. Next…"
The guy walked off back, and started indignant chattering with a group of equally arrogant-looking students. Ruby noticed with interest that Schnee who were standing next to them was looking off into space, with conflict on her face.
Soon all foci were recorded. The sisters presented their cross and bracelets respectively. Blake, whom were nearby, presented a thin black chain, which she pulled out from behind her wide belt.
"Not now," she cut off Ruby, who had already opened her mouth for a great many questions.
"Now we'll check their integrity," said the professor. "This is exactly the moment that we all – me as well, I assure you – have been waiting for. You will demonstrate your basic training on this dummy."
They moved steadily through the list. Swords, spears, halberds, a war hammer larger than herself...
"I don't know, coach," Nora doubted. "I don't wanna kill Boo!"
"He tougher than he looks."
Hesitantly, the girl raised her weapon. The hammer looked too heavy to lift and crashed into the dummy with a dull "toomb."
"Very good."
With a smile, Nora easily twirled the weapon in one hand.
"I bet she's stronger than you," Ruby taunted, nudging her sister in the side.
"We'll see bough that!" sister answered with feigned indignation. "I heard the gymnasium for students here is great, we'll see how she does with the irons."
Soon the sisters were called up. Ruby happily twirled the cross in her hand, turning it into a scythe. The sweeping, diagonal blow ricocheted off the head with a ringing sound, tearing off the fabric. The girl reflexively spun around herself and hit the dummy with outer side of the blade in the nose area.
"Whoa, easy there, miss!" Port intervened.
"Sorry," got flustered Ruby. "It was automatic."
"I thought so."
Yang took a stance, and the bracelets covered the girl's hands, turning into steel armor. Boo jumped slightly from the powerful blow to his nose.
Jaune came out with confidence, which was betrayed completely by the slight scare on his face. His cross turned into a long sword. A sweeping blow slipped almost past Boo's head, summoning couple of short laughs.
"Can... Can I do it again?"
"No need," the professor answered distantly. "We're checking the effectiveness of transmutation. Your focus is obviously functional... since it didn't melt into a puddle." The professor clearly couldn't suppress the remark.
The guy trudged back into line. Ruby patted him on the shoulder encouragingly.
"Do cheered up, Jaune. I personally think that your weapon is cool."
"Thanks," the guy livened up. "Yours is great too. Both of you," he corrected himself.
"Make a move on my sister, and I'll smear you over the pavement as a bloody paste," Yang smiled nicely.
Upon seeing his face, she wisen up and quickly raised her hand:
"Relax you, I was joking..."
"Ah... yeah..." Jaune noticeably took a breath and with a nervous laugh changed the subject: "I thought the Hunter's Scythe was just a rumor," he remarked. "Isn't this..."
"Your focus's style looks familiar," Yang interrupted. "Where are you from?"
"Albia," he answered in steady tone. "I'm from... from some fort. Near the haven."
"Oh, we're almost neighbours," Ruby noted. "We're from Patch."
"Oh, really? It's funny, it turns out that most of the people here are from other havens."
"Except for them," unimpressed Xiao Long nodded at the group of snobs. "I'm more than sure that they are the local Bright Young Things. Brand clothes, fresh foci."
"The attitude of a school bully..." the guy said sourly.
Ruby patted him on the shoulder.
"I bet you could smear him over the floor."
"Yeah... Yeah, probably."
"Or that one." Yang nodded towards the next student.
Weiss Schnee approached the dummy. Today she didn't have the case with her, and Ruby realized with displeasure – the sight of the princess caused displeasure simply by default – that now they know what was it so important inside. The pale girl had a scabbard decorated with flying lengthwise lines hanging from her belt. Approaching the victim, prissy princess with a graceful movement unsheathed her sword – a long silver blade covered with intricate inlays and patterns.
"Whoa," breathed out Ruby. "This is definitely some kind of family treasure."
"This is a new model. Actually."
Everybody turned to Blake. No one would admit it, but they all kinda sorta forgot that she was still near them.
"I don't think it's older than a couple of months," she added.
In response at surprised glances, Blake raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Oh, right..." Ruby caught on. "That's right, you do know who she is."
"Right."
Taking a graceful stance, Schnee made several diagonal strikes. She was frail, even slightly skinny, but she still looked impressive. The movements were swift and graceful, almost like a dance, and caused a slight murmuring among the students. The force of her blows, however, didn't impress neither dummy nor sisters. The sisters unintentionally snorted with disdain.
"I take it you don't use focus?" Professor Port enquired.
"No, this device helps me use my semblance," Weiss said businesslike. "I suppose I'll have a chance to demonstrate this later?"
"That's right..."
"So what, she just uses one sword?" Ruby wondered. "Isn't this go against the doctrine?"
"The doctrine is not universal," Yang noted. "It just the recommendations from the Guild."
"I guess we'll see..." said Ruby. "What do you think, Jaune?"
But the guy didn't hear her. He greedily consumed Schnee with his eyes while she were gracefully putting the blade back, and then, tapping the heels of her stylish shoes, gracefully walked away from Boo.
"She's so beautiful."
The sisters looked at each other. Then they looked at Blake. They were pleased to see the skeptical expression on her face.
"Beautiful," agreed Ruby, "as much as she's mean."
The guy absentmindedly turned away from the object of adoration.
"What? Do you know her?"
"Unfortunately... But, actually, no, Blake knows her."
Under the gaze of six eyes, girl sighed.
"She's from Atlas. Her father is the owner of the 'Schnee Dust Company'."
Blake said this with a strange pronunciation reminiscent of a Schnee accent. Others looked at one another with puzzlement, but the dark-haired girl didn't take note.
"Jacques Schnee, founder of SDC and their CEO."
"Ahh, SDC..." Xiao Long said understandingly. "That explains her attitude. Even Patch sells their batteries and radios."
"Of course," Blake commented with a gloomy note. "SDC is a trading concern, interhaven. Their products are distributed throughout Remnant."
"But you said it," Ruby questioned, "like as if this sword was their product. They just, like, making batteries."
"They've been making... a lot of things lately," Blake replied flatly. "Contracts for the extraction and processing of dust crystals are only their parent production. Purchasing territories, settling forts, developing new technologies, even..."
Blake fell silent, although it seemed like she wanted to add something else. She glanced sideways at Jaune. Then she turned her head towards him.
"I wouldn't recommend making a move. Zero chances."
He let his shoulders drop.
"Yes, you're right, its way over my head."
They were attracted by an excited whisper. Copper-haired Pyrrha came out to Boo with a vaguely tired expression on her face. The short matte-yellow rod turned in the girl's hands into a long spear. In a movement as natural as breathing, she moved into a standing position and delivered a wave of three to five blows in one go. Boo answered with a thin ringing sound. Polite clapping rose over the students.
"That's enough everyone," the professor said restrainingly. "This is not a circus performance, and we are not the audience. I remind those who haven't been paying attention, you have yet to fully describe your weapons. But this will be done in the armory."
He swapped several sheets of paper on the tablet.
"Now the most important thing – the semblance."
Contrary to Rose's expectations, the excitement was not as strong. Many frowned wearily. Some, however, seemed quite pleased. And a moment before the professor could start the survey, a well-trained male voice resounded loudly through the room:
"And this is where my brilliant entrance occurs!"
OK, so now is the time to come clean I'm afraid. What you just red, all 3 chapters of it, – is not actually a fanfiction. It is my original story, obviously inspired by RWBY, but still, it is a separate thing. I know, I know, it was nasty little prank that I pull, and I apologize.
Now, if you absolutely only read fanfiction – I don't understand that at all, but I accept your chose. However, keep in mind that I literally just change all the names (characters, places, etc.) and if you liked this 3 chapters, any of it, you will definitely like the rest of my little book. It's called Resonance: On Shadows and Lights.
It's available on FictionPress and on RoyalRoad, whichever you like more. I don't think I should post links here, but you can easily find it by name. Please don't report my here, or on reddit, or elsewhere, and ruin this little stunt, I doing my best to get some eyes on the work in any way I can!
So, sorry for the ruse and I hope to see you later.
