The Huntsman of Red V2

Chapter 52 The Shining Beacon (Arc 6 End)

After Ruby's defeat and Team PRWN's withdrawal, Shirou had to admit that most of his attention was no longer fully on the ensuing competition. His Master was awake and rolling in agony, barely able to twitch her toes let alone get up onto her feet. She wasn't physically yelling because that would contract her diaphragm and nettle a phantom organ, but she was certainly active. If her garbled mental accusations were anything to go by, she was less than pleased with him, and despaired when he informed her that she wouldn't be free from a man's pain until CRD designated a new 'Reflection' target in their next match.

If Shirou was somewhat smug when he informed Ruby of this, then it was true.

That ominous feeling Ruby had had during the match. That was him sending a mental warning.

He'd actually sent her this warning to act before CRDL could pull off their maneuver, but peer pressure killed her. She sought confirmation from her team not to be ousted as a tyrant of a leader and ultimately let her entire team's complacency lose them the match.

In some ways it wasn't all that bad, and if anything, it was humbling, but that was just him.

The higher pitch of Ruby's mental tones and periods of abrupt silence made it seem as if he was interacting with kid Ruby again. Ah, the quieter days.

"T-Traitor!" She kept accusing him.

'I warned you.' He repeated flatly.

"Mean!"

'Now you're just being childish.'

"M-Make it stop!"

'Archer Traced the Baton, look for him.'

"N-Neo looks like she's ready to kill someone! Weiss is mumbling to herself! And Pyrrha's expressionless!"

'...'

"M-More importantly, Yang came and is making fun of me!"

And that was probably the real reason, but sisters do that all the time.

Shirou shook his head and left Ruby to her suffering. Lasting lessons were best learned through consequence. He no longer responded to Ruby's mental wailing and returned half of his attention back to the proceeding matches.

CFVY and SEVR were both interesting teams. Both were strong, and both were given Mystic Codes that would bolster at least one member of their team. CFVY for example was given an enhancer type that multiplied the reserves of Aura for those in contact with it. Given the proficiency of team CFVY as a second-year team, there was no telling the extent of damage they could achieve with larger reserves.

In SEVR's case, their Mystic Code centered on the concept of 'Equalizing.' A banner held in Ector's hands was engraved with a Celtic Rune derived from Tiwaz, for honour and fair victory. When erected over the ground, it would create an area where energy reserves equalized. It was practically a direct counter to what CFVY had, but it was still going to be a first-year team vs a second-year team. The gap in skill and experience was something that had to be overcome...well, normally.

"Now if both teams are ready, please step forward into the ring," Glynda adjusted her glasses and beckoned for the teams to take their places.

"You got it teach." Coco, leader of CFVY smirked as her sun glasses slid down closer to her nose. Her eyes sparkled in amusement, peering roguishly at SEVR before readjusting her sunglasses. "This will be over quick."

Vernal growled, while Emerald appeared disinterested. Ector readied his shield and lance, and Ren looked somewhat exasperated at Nora's excessive cheering in the background.