Cards of Remnant

Chapter 20: Exams - Take A Chance - Part 1

Ruby's grin turned outright beaming. "As you know, the only reason I am a Slifer Red is because of a certain non-dueling test that will not be named. Thus, since I am sure to pass this version of that so-called assessment, perhaps I can duel for a place in Obelisk Blue to make Team RWBY an all-blue team."

"Ms. Rose, I admire your tenacity," Ironwood frowned. "But these regulations exist for a reason–"

"Ahem," Ozpin coughed.

James winced and bowed his head in apology. "Sorry. Instinct. Your school, your call."

"Thank you," Ozpin said, turning back to Ruby. "You understand that if I were to grant this request, you would have to duel an Obelisk Blue for your assessment test, correct?"

"Not just any Obelisk Blue."

"Oh?"

Ruby smacked her fist into her palm. "A special duel means I should duel a special opponent to prove I got what it takes, right? I should always be trying to be at my best and improving what that best is. So I should take on the best."

"Ms. Nikos, I take it," Ozpin deduced, only a small smirk to flicker across his face as his pupil quoted his advice from their last conversation back at him to support her proposal. "However, Ms. Nikos has declined to participate as an examination duelist."

Ruby blinked in surprise. "She what–"

"So, we will just have to find you an equally suitable opponent."

"We'll… really?! Awesome!" Ruby beamed, while James raised a surprised eyebrow. "Thank you, professor!"

"Do not thank me for this," Ozpin warned. "I am glad to see you working to improve yourself as a leader for your team, but there is always risk in seeking challenges beyond what you know yourself to be capable of. If you choose to take on that risk, you must be prepared for the realities of your choice."

Ruby immediately paled. "I'm… not gonna get expelled if I lose, right?"

Ozpin had to suppress an amused cackle at her reaction. "No, you will not be expelled if you lose. This is not Grimm Reaper Academia GX."

"Grimm Reaper what?" Ruby queried before shrugging and looking at her headmaster with a serious expression. "I won't let you down, sir."

The first year Slifer Red marched back to the elevator and exited the office, leaving the two hunting duelist teachers alone once again.

"Grimm Reaper Academia GX?" Ironwood asked.

"An old TV Show. Entirely fictitious, The Grimm Reaper never attended one of the academies," Ozpin answered. "Though I must say, I do feel old if even you've never heard of it. Qrow loved it when I showed him the recordings when he was a student here."

"So sorry to disappoint," the general said, though he could not hide how his gaze drifted to the office door. "More the point though, are you sure about this? I know it's your academy, your call, but still."

"If she wins, she wins," Ozpin shrugged. "But if she loses, well… better she tests her limits within these walls than without them."

And better if he saw exactly how her Signer Mark and Silver Eyes interacted. Just because Summer's did not make her a suitable piece for The Queen's plans during her life did not mean her daughter's powers would formulate the same.