The incoming freshmen all stood at the edge of the cliff, wondering about the strange platform they were asked to stand on, each student mentally preparing him or herself for whatever the professors had in store for them.
"For years, you have all trained to become warriors," announced Ozpin, "and today, your abilities will be examined in the Emerald Forest."
"Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignments of teams," continued Glynda. "Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates… Today."
"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon, so it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well. That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."
"Bruh," said a black haired individual under his breath, earning a few laughs from the boys next to him. Annoyed at being found amusing, he shot them both a death glare, instantly shutting them up.
"After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path, or you will die." The blond boy who vomited on the airship suddenly seemed even more nervous. Haruto took note that whoever that guy was, probably didn't belong in a school designed to train killers, but he could commend him for trying. To be afraid was something everybody felt occasionally, but to let the fear control you was to be a coward. He was fighting his fear even if he did a pitiful job at hiding it.
"You will be monitored and graded for the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene. You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path containing several relics. Each pair must choose one, and return to the top of the cliff. We'll regard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?" he asked, finally finishing his explanation of the test. The nervous boy tried to speak up, but was cut off by Ozpin. "Good! Now take your positions." One by one, each student was flung off the cliff, making the boy even more nervous. Haruto braced himself, eagerly awaiting his turn. Before the boy could ask his question, he was flung off with a girly yelp. Haruto tried his best not to laugh, and remained in his position. He felt the anticipation filling him, only for the spring after him to go off, and the next.
"Yo, what the hell?" complained Haruto. "It was supposed to be my turn to go next!" Wanting to throw Ozpin a dirty look, he turned to face him, opened his mouth to speak again, but was flung backwards towards the trees below. "DAMN YOU OZZY!" he bellowed, having been caught off guard. He was quickly able to adjust his descent and looked to where he estimated he would land. In his entire three months of living at Beacon, Haruto had still refused to use his techniques, save for his shadow clones. Trying to figure out how he would do this subtly, he realized he didn't have that much time and so, he bit his lip and allowed himself to just crash land into the tops of the trees. Groaning in pain, he distantly heard a guy cry out a thanks.
Why don't I get help? he asked himself bitterly. He lifted his shirt and looked at his shoulder, which had taken the brunt of the impact, and a nasty bruise was beginning to form. "I should have just used shadow clones... ow..." he whined to himself, poking it a few times to see how bad it would hurt. Shaking his head at his own foolishness, he adjusted his shirt back, and hopped down the tree.
"Gotta find a partner, gotta find a partner," he repeated to himself. Allowing his sensory abilities reach out, he quickly found that a few people weren't happy with their teammates. Well, that doesn't help me find one, he thought to himself. He kept searching, heading north where the relics were supposed to be, when he felt like he was being watched. It almost frightened him that he couldn't sense the malicious intent that came from the beast he saw with his own eyes. "What the f—" he began, only to be struck by an Ursa. He managed to put up a quick defense before the blow landed, but the power behind it was frightening.
"How did something as big and ugly as you sneak up on ME?!" he shouted to the bear angrily. "I can still sense frickin' Glynda from up the cliff, but you're right here and nothing!" The Ursa didn't show any signs of understanding, and charged at the blond. The whiskered boy grabbed a few kunai from his pouch and threw them with deadly precision, only for them to bounce off the strange white armor that covered the beast's head. Cursing at his luck, Haruto began evasive maneuvers, ducking and weaving from the bears powerful strikes. The monster's hide was surprisingly durable, and his basic ninja weapons weren't going to put a dent in it. He took a glance at his palm, unsure if he should use his father's technique. He didn't have time to go into sage mode, and his hand to hand was going to do next to nothing against the spiky beast. Gritting his teeth, he formed his favorite cross seal, when he heard somebody shout behind him.
"Hang on!" shouted a feminine voice, as several small red wisps flew at the beast. Upon impact, they detonated with enough power to rival several explosive tags. Haruto jumped back, and watched as a girl with long pitch black hair and red streaks take lead and swung her strange wavy sword at the stunned Ursa. In a single swipe, it was beheaded, and the girl relaxed and calmed her breath. Haruto then realized he hadn't seen this girl before. He recognized nearly everybody from the pillow fight, so that must mean she was one of the few who didn't partake.
"Thanks for the assist," said Haruto sheepishly. The girl turned to him, with an irritable expression.
"What the goddamned hell were you thinking?!" she shouted. "You can't fist fight an Ursa! Where is your weapon?"
"I threw them at it," he answered with a laugh. "Sorry, I had that under control."
"Like hell you did," she muttered. She took a deep breath before exhaling tiredly. Her expression softened a bit. "Look, you have to be careful out here, OK? You heard the headmaster, right?"
"I really was about to take that thing out," Haruto grumbled. "But again, thanks."
"Don't worry about it," she brushed off. "Well, it looks like we're partners," she said unenthusiastically.
"Whoa, don't get too excited," he said, offended. "You just happened to team up with the most powerful fighter in all of Beacon!"
"I just saved you from an Ursa, not even a big one," she deadpanned. "And from the looks of your attire, you didn't have a graceful landing either; you've still got twigs and leaves in your hair."
"Whatever," he grumbled again. "Well I'm Haruto Uzumaki," he said offering a hand.
"I'm Elena Magdalena," she said, shaking his hand. "And please don't die before we form teams. I'd rather not get kicked out of here too."
"I won't," he immediately replied. "But why would you get kicked out? You heard Ozpin, students might actually die in here."
"Given my reputation, I wouldn't put it past him to use my teammate's death as an excuse to get rid of me."
"Where is this all coming from?" He asked, confused. "Ozpin is a great guy; I can personally vouch for him. You don't have to worry about expulsion." Seeing that she wasn't convinced, he jumped on top of a felled tree and struck a pose. "Well Elena, it just so happens that I never go back on my word, it's my ninja way. So I'm telling you right now, Ozpin won't try to expel you for some dumb reason outside of your control."
"You're really weird," she said with a dry laugh. "But you're alright. Say, aren't you going to pick up your weapon? Whatever it is, I want to see it."
"Oh. Those weren't anything too special, I have tons," he explained, reaching into his pouch and taking out three kunai. She laughed a little, but when Haruto didn't motion to take out anything more extravagant, she gave him another deadpanned look.
"You're serious? You use these butter knives to fight Grimm?"
"Well, I've never actually seen a Grimm before today, much less fought one," he admitted. "Didn't think they'd be so durable."
"How can you have never seen a Grimm? They're everywhere! Are you telling me that you've spent your entire life safe inside the kingdom's walls?"
"What? No!" He answered. "I've only been in Vale for a little more than three months!"
"Where were you before that?" She questioned, as she halted suddenly. Haruto mentally berated himself for slipping so easily.
"It's a long story," he said with a sigh. "If we're going to be partners for four years... I'd rather we not talk about it now... Maybe some other time."
"Fair enough," she said with a shrug. "You should have said that from the beginning."
"Would that have worked?" He asked with a dry look.
"Yea man, your business is yours alone. I don't plan on telling you everything about me right off the bat. You'd have to be an overly trusting fool to do that."
"What will you tell me?" he asked, as the two continued to walk through the forest.
"I told you my name already, isn't that enough?" she asked sarcastically, turning to her blond partner. Realization then hit her. "You really don't know a thing about me, do you?"
"Should I?" He asked.
"Well, I have something of a reputation, but I guess it's a bit arrogant of me to think it'd follow me all the way here from Haven..."
"Well whatever people thought about you then doesn't matter now does it?" shrugged Haruto. "New place, new start right?"
"You're a bit too optimistic, Haruto, but I guess you're right," she relented. "We should probably hurry and find that relic before we run into any more trouble." Haruto gave her a firm nod, and the two picked up the pace.