The Next Day, In the Locker Room
The hum of metal lockers fills the room, but amidst the mechanical noise, two figures stand side by side-Erik and Pyrrha. By a twist of fate, their lockers are only a few numbers apart.
Pyrrha's hands glide gracefully as she retrieves her weapons: Miló and Akoúo̱.
Miló, a masterfully crafted hybrid of rifle, sword, and spear. Akoúo̱, a shield that gleams with stoic strength.
Beside her, Erik draws his own weapon-Calibur. A sleek, black blade adorned with glowing blue patterns near its hilt. Its scabbard mirrors the color scheme, matching Erik's quiet yet imposing aura.
While the two prepare in silence, a new presence steps into their orbit.
A girl with flowing white hair, regal and poised, walks toward Pyrrha.
"Good morning, Pyrrha," she says, voice crisp and clear. "My name is Weiss Schnee. May I be your friend?"
Pyrrha smiles gently. "Of course, Weiss. I'd be honored."
"Thank you, Pyrrha. By the way... have you thought about who you want on your team?"
"I have someone in mind."
"Oh? That's quite unfortunate," Weiss laughs politely. "Would you tell me the person that you have in your mind?"
"His name is Erik Lioren. He's the first friend I met at this academy."
Weiss tilts her head slightly. "So, what makes him caught your attetion? Is it his strength or his intelligence?"
Pyrrha's smile softens into something deeper. "Weiss, I don't think it's good thing to measure how useful they can be."
Weiss blinks, taken aback. "I... I'm sorry. I guess I'm just worried he might hold you back. I mean-you're Pyrrha Nikos! You're destined for greatness."
At the mention of her fame, Pyrrha's expression dims. A flicker of weariness surfaces-but she remains composed, her smile never faltering.
Before more can be said, a loud, self-assured voice cuts through the moment.
"Speaking of greatness-allow me to introduce one more," declares a blond young man clad in knightly armor. "I'm Jaune Arc. Delighted to meet you."
Weiss frowns. "You again?"
Weiss voice brims with annoyance. Jaune, oblivious, turns his charm toward Pyrrha. But Pyrrha, ever gracious, simply says, "Nice to meet you, Jaune."
Yet, her greeting goes unheard. Jaune has already shifted his attention, aiming his clumsy flirtations at Weiss.
Erik steps beside Pyrrha, watching the scene unfold with quiet amusement.
"Are they friends of yours?" he asks.
"I just met them," Pyrrha replies softly. "So I guess... they're new friends."
"Mind telling me their names?"
"The girl is Weiss Schnee."
Erik narrows his eyes. "Schnee... That name sounds familiar."
"She's the heiress of the Schnee Dust Company. The largest Dust producer in all of Remnant."
"Ah, yes I've remember. That explains her white hair. And how about the blond knight?"
"Jaune Arc, he's a a confident person... I think."
"I can see why you put confident label on him. After all is quite rare seeing someone flirting a schnee heiress."
Suddenly professor Glynda voice blares through the intercom:
"Would all first-year students please report to Beacon Cliffside for initiation..."
As the announcement ends, Weiss huffs in frustration and walks away, leaving Jaune sulking in defeat.
Pyrrha and Erik approach him. Erik, with a half-smile, pats his shoulder.
"Tough break, buddy?"
"I don't get it," Jaune mutters. "My dad said confidence is what women want. Where did I go wrong?"
"Your dad's not wrong," Erik answers coolly. "You just picked the wrong target."
And with that, he walks away-Pyrrha trailing beside him, silent and graceful.
Behind them, Jaune sighs. "Man... that guy's lucky. Beautiful girlfriend and all. Maybe I should ask him for an advice..."
Cliffside, Near the Emerald Forest
A cold wind rushes through the cliffside as students line up on large, square stone platforms. First-years, ready for what awaits. Erik and Pyrrha stand on the far left, side by side once more.
From above, Professor Ozpin addresses them.
"For years, you've trained to become warriors. Today, your abilities will be tested in the Emerald Forest."
Glynda Goodwitch, sharp and commanding, steps forward.
"You've heard the rumors about team assignments. Let's clear the air. You'll be given teammates... today."
"These teammates will remain with you throughout your time at Beacon Academy. Choose wisely. But be warned: the first person you make eye contact with after landing... becomes your partner for the next four years."
A collective gasp ripples through the crowd.
"What?!!"
A voice cries out in despair-faint, but unmistakable. Erik hears it, and chuckles under his breath.
"It seems Professor Ozpin really enjoys messing around, eh Pyrrha?" he whispers.
Pyrrha stifles a laugh, warmth flickering in her eyes. Her understanding of Ozpin shifts, ever so slightly.
Ozpin takes a slow sip of his coffee, perfectly unfazed.
"After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You'll encounter enemies. Do not hesitate to destroy them... or you will die."
Even from a distance, Erik and Pyrrha hear Jaune's nervous laughter.
"Something's wrong with him," Erik notes.
"He does seem... tense," Pyrrha agrees.
Glynda continues:
"You will be graded throughout this initiation. But your instructors will not assist you. At the end of the path, you'll find a temple containing several relics. Choose one and return to the cliff. Your choice-and your performance-will be evaluated. Any questions?"
No time for answers. The aunch pads activate.
Erik and Pyrrha are launched into the air-one after the other.
Their eyes meet as they soar.
As she falls, Pyrrha crashes through trees before catching herself gracefully on the branches. Quickly, she draws her spear.
"Erik! Catch!"
She throws Miló with pinpoint precision.
Erik catches it mid-air.
In that instant, Pyrrha activates her Semblance-Polarity-and the spear pulls Erik toward her, reuniting them smoothly on the branch.
"Whoa... Your Semblance is Polarity? That's amazing."
"It's not much," she replies. "I believe any Semblance can be powerful in the hands of a great fighter."
"I couldn't agree more."
"So Erik... what's your Semblance?"
He takes a breath.
"It called Vast and Fast. Vast means my Aura has no limit barrier making my aura thicker by time goes on. Fast means my Aura regenerates and it compound every second as the time goes on too."
Pyrrha's expression freezes hearing Erik explanation.
"Wait, so your semblance literally is... an endless Aura?"
"Well you could put it in that way."
She stares at him for a moment and say.
"Erik... your Semblance is truly... unique."
Erik simply smiles. He's used to this kind of reaction.
"Now... should we head north like professor Ozpin said?"
"But... do you know where northern forest is?"
"Don't worry. I brought this!"
He pulls out a compass. They both glance down at it.
Oddly... the needle points straight at Pyrrha.
They blink.
Their gazes slowly lift... until their eyes meet once more.
"...I'm sorry."
To be Continued...