The Huntsman of Red V2

Chapter 64 What It Means to be a Hero: 3

A Hero is one who strives forward when everyone else turns the other way against insurmountable odds. It's their tenacity, character, and wit that enables them to overcome even the deepest despair. It emboldens them, tempers them, and shapes them from naïve to pragmatic idealists with a knack for gathering another's hopes and guiding it to fruition.

A Hero is what Ruby Rose aspired to be. Just like the story books.

In that vein, it was no wonder that the one to answer her summon was no one else than a hero who just didn't want to see others cry.

Ruby knew it, deep down and from the dream cycles about the type of person Shirou was.

Beyond her mother, to Ruby, Shirou was her goal and idol as the Huntsman of Red.

That was why if he stayed by her side, there was nothing that couldn't be achieved.

Ruby truly believed so, and the remaining two Command Seals were all the proof she needed of their connection.

Seated in the arena waiting room with a view of the battleground and the spectator seats, Ruby pursed her lips while shifting her weight from foot to foot. Since the start of this day, she'd been paying attention to everything around her.

Various teams from numerous locations across Remnant had flown in to participate in the tournament, and that meant a high concentration of talented individuals in one place.

Based on descriptions of people made by her future self, Ruby could even pick certain people in the crowd acting as guards, enforcers, and tournament staff.

The one with the white hair and a stick up her bum like Weiss was likely Winter Schnee, the elder sister of the Ice Queen.

Then over there was Uncle Qrow, for once deathly alert and not drinking on the job.

Even Ozpin was here with a troubled look on his face in the VIP seats with James Ironwood and other kingdom representatives.

Ruby noted her mom, Summer, being antsy while out on patrol in the stands.

Then there were the instructors of the Academy Teams. Archer acted as Beacon's representative in Glynda's place, while an uptight man stood in for Atlas, a nervous spectacled woman for Haven, a smiling man from Shade, and Adam Taurus for Vermillion- wait was that Blake?

Ruby's thoughts monetarily jarred to a stop.

No one else had noticed as they were too focused on the Vytal festival rather than their surroundings, but Ruby could see Blake shamelessly sneaking towards Vermillion's camp.

Ruby's brow twitched. Now she didn't want to jump to conclusions, but if she suddenly sent an annoyed text to Yang about 'traitors!' then that wasn't her. She was the good one. The apple of the eye, not the tattle teller.

Ruby clapped her cheeks and tried to focus.

Regardless of whatever anyone else was doing, what mattered now was what would happen today.

The Vytal festival had been going on without a hitch. The first few days were running as normal and many teams either advanced to the finals or were eliminated.

Beacon was showing an exceedingly one-sided performance in this aspect, few if any underestimating them after team CRDL's initial showing and the unfortunate 'male' team they were first up against.

Jaune's help had been imperative to CRDL's success as Jaune was more than willing to help a fellow classmate out against other rival schools. He needed only to heal one or two people from CRDL in their matches, and it not only caused other teams to be wary of Beacon, but it earned Jaune CRDL's appreciation. Of course, Jaune would refuse service when it came to Beacon teams squaring off against each other.