The Huntsman of Red V2

Chapter 49 Lecture: Legends of Remnant Part 2

"...a curse is a type of magic that isn't simply grounded in one's own ability, but something that draws from a different sort of source known as a concept. They can come in all shapes and forms, weak and small, or concentrated and vicious."

The sound of pencils and pens writing and scribbling over crowded lecture notes echoed in one of Beacon Academy's lecture halls. The entire auditorium space was as occupied as it had been in the prior classes if not more so.

Archer was aware that some students and even professors present were skipping out on their scheduled classes just to spectate, and he had no qualms with that. Honestly, it seemed to be more of an issue for the headmaster to fuss over, but it meant little when Ozpin himself was sitting inside the crowd. Only Glynda looked annoyed, but if anything, she was helpless in what she could do. She might as well pursue her own doubts and curiosities.

This was Archer's third lecture in the transition period where normalcy was beginning to set in for Beacon's students. They had learned more about what Champions of Light and Dark were, and the 'history' left buried in the past, but today's lesson focused on other aspects rather than affiliation and stories.

Within Archer's view, a hand was raised belonging to some meeker looking student with long bunny ears. Judging from her seating on the opposite side of the first years, it was simple to conclude that the girl was part of the upper year students that took this course as an elective.

"A question?" He took the time to ask.

For a second, the girl fidgeted, her bunny ears drooping at the attention that focused on her, but she still asked the question in her mind anyway. "Curses are actually real?"

It was rather simple to tell that the girl and many others were thinking about those horror movie curses derived from superstitions. The answer to that is simple then.

"Yes," he said, eliciting a wary reaction.

"Can we do them too?" Blake coughed and asked proactively. As a fan of literature, this was something she was genuinely curious about. That, and she wondered if any of the petty curses she and Illya had leveled towards Faunus rights abusers had had any merit in them.

"It would take certain catalysts, but that can indeed be the case."

A glint twinkled in Blake's eyes. "Then you know how?"

"..." Archer didn't answer. The silence was acknowledgement itself, but this was going off tangent.

Fortunately, Glynda sighed and tried to get things back on track. "Why are we learning about curses? Doesn't it seem outside the intended curriculum?" She asked, allowing Archer to continue back to the matter at hand.

"Because often, they are branded into a Champion's artifacts either through taint of blood, or directly engraving them." Archer began pacing, making sure that everyone was listening by using movement to draw their eyes. "The antithesis of a curse is known as a blessing or a sacrament, and they too can be imbued in a weapon. What matters now is that you are made aware of them before you fall susceptible. A curse or sacrament are the embodiments of a particular revolving concept that enables their use. They are the equivalent of facing an opponent with an unknown Semblance, some more overpowered than others."

"How overpowered are you speaking of?" Pyrrha raised a hand and asked when pointed to. "Is it on the level of regulated Semblances in Arena fights?"

Ector too found himself curious while jotting down notes by this point.

"Much worse." Was all Archer said.

Expectedly, the answer wasn't up to the standard of the studious students whose perception was grounded in belief.