The Huntsman of Red V2

Chapter 50 The Shining Beacon (7)

Shirou absently hummed to himself while donning Archer's guise. He was doing his copy of himself a favour while Archer followed through with his own arrangements. All that was asked of Shirou was to keep everyone's attention on one place, and it was going easier than he or Archer could have expected.

Glynda's combat hall was too packed to hold the actual competition within, and with Ozpin's permission, the course was transferred over to a larger training facility. Even then, it was still rather tight. Most that came were spectators rather than participants. Many had wanted to join Archer's elective course, but the number of seats was limited. It didn't help that the elective was available for higher years, meaning that the application pool was even larger.

Those that weren't able to join the elective course were now present to see if they could learn anything or lament over what they'd lost out on.

Shirou could say without doubt that students in Beacon preferred combat classes far more than theoretical and basic classes as a whole. The level of enthusiasm, teenage competition, and glory seeking were all here at once.

Shirou shirked responsibility at this point. He was posing as Archer, and normally would have had to deal with all the rowdiness, but this was a shared co-venture.

As Glynda had more authority, he gladly passed the task over to her, watching her brows twitch incessantly.

In the end, Glynda could only sigh as Shirou had retreated from her by half-a-step, giving the impression that she would be taking the lead. Not that he was wrong.

She was just that kind of woman, or at least she'd become that way after Ozpin's antics. As her own boss skirted around responsibility, she'd had no choice but to fill in the roll ever since. Her strict attire and demeanor were all part of the act to increase her authoritative sway.

"Quiet." Glynda's stern voice sounded, riding crop echoing as she rapt it over an open palm paired with an iron fist that pierced through the clamor.

She'd levitate any and all who spoke now directly out of the room. Just try it.

Her gaze was something fierce.

The noise soon began to abate before Ozpin leisurely walked in as a spectator along with a couple other professors who weren't jointly running classes in the same time frame.

Late.

Glynda clicked her tongue, but didn't comment as it would lower the respect students had among teachers.

Ozpin and the others sat away from the students at a higher elevated seating.

Glynda grimaced, cleared her throat, and moved on by addressing both the participants and spectators.

"I'm sure that many of you know, but my name is Glynda Goodwitch, and I will be acting as a proctor of this combat class. Today is rather special as I've agreed to co-teach this period with Archer from his elective course."

Shirou tried to take a step back all of a sudden, but a film of purple Aura covered his legs and firmly held him there. If he thought Glynda was just going to let him stand there like a statue, it was clear that she had other ideas.

Nodding to herself, Glynda continued. "Teams will be asked to compete against each other with rules remaining as they are in regular combat class. If you are forced out of the ring, you're disqualified, and it's the same if your Aura meter falls into the red. This is a spar, and not a fight to the death. All must abide by the rules. Am I clear?"

She waited to no response as typical of students and their peer pressure. None would start speaking until the first started speaking, but it mattered little as Glynda shot her gaze over everyone present.