RWBY: Grimm Walker

Chapter 15: Hard Hits

  "Alright class," Ms.Goodwitch said, "settle down." The class took their seats and fell silent as she continued. "Today we will be adding a new system to combat class." She tapped her Scroll and a list of all the students appeared on the display above the stage, each name with a rank assigned to it. "This is your current standing based on your performance in combat training. The ranks will change as you duel, so if you are not satisfied with you're standing you will have to work for it to improve. Each rank is determinant by win/loss ratio, so the more you duel the more often you change. For some, this will act as some much needed motivation, while others may see it as competition. Either way, this should help you all push yourselves a little harder in order to be the best you can be."

  The students talked excitedly in hushed tones in either approval or disdain at their new rankings, some obviously more upset than others. Nix could see the names of his friends scattered around the list. Pyrrha was rank 1, with Yang and Weiss coming in at 2 and 3. The others were only a few places below them, all sitting within the top 10. All except Jaune, who was located near the bottom of the list, with Nix only one spot above him. Jaune turned from the seat next to him and nudged him on the arm.

"Don't take it personally, the bottoms not that bad." Nix knew his friend meant well, but the truth was he didn't really mind his standing. He had only fought a few duels and won about half of them, so his rank made sense. Ms. Goodwitch stepped aside and opened the stage. "Is their anyone who would like to issue a challenge?" One boy shot his hand up quickly. "I challenge Nix Spherule!" Nix could hear students mutter around him as he sighed. "Already? Not cool, man."

  "Well Mr. Spheule?" Asked the professor, her tone impatient. Nix leaned his head back in annoyance. "Can I decline? Now's not the best time." He telling the truth, his body still sore from all the training he had been doing. Even though he was eager to test himself, he still needed rest. The duels could wait.

  "Whats the matter newbie, scared?" The class laughed and Nix shook his head. "Please, fighting you isn't worth my time. How bout you earn a rank then we'll talk." The class oohd and ahhed again, enjoying the show. Nix was almost in the clear when another male voice called out from the seats. "Look at that, farm boy here's to afraid to fight." Nix eyes shot open and looked for the source of the insult. He could hear his friends gasp around him, knowing whoever had said that struck a nerve. Nix stood slowly, his face stone cold.

"Who. Said. That."

  He looked over to see Cardin, the redhead from his first day laughing with his team members. He had a reputation as the school bully but had never bothered Nix to much. Not until now. Cardin smirked at him. "Ooo, did I make the farm boy angry? Gona run back home to Forever Fall now?" His friends laughed again and Nix could feel his anger rising. His hands tightened into fists as he struggled to keep his cool. "What did you say?"

  "That's right, I know all about you farm boy. Its amazing the things you can overhear these days." His evil grin widened. "You should really pick a better spot to have your little "letting go" talks."

  Ruby looked at Nix in shock. "Nix, I had no idea..."

  Nix looked at her with surprisingly gentle eyes, his anger not directed at her. "Its OK Little Red, its not your fault." He turned back to Cardin, his anger boiling over. "Alright," his voice a growl, "you're dead."

  Ms.Goodwitch intervened then. "Mr. Spherule, you already have a challenger. Whatever your business with Cardin may be, it will have to wait."

  "Yeah!" The first boy said. "Come on farm boy, don't be a wimp!" The crowd shouted for a fight to happen, heckling comments being thrown at Nix. He felt like he was going to explode, and his friends could see it. Yang reached over and put a hand on his shoulder. "Nix..." He faced her soft eyes, her face deep with concern. He smiled as best he could. "It's OK, I'll handle it." He put his hand on hers for a moment and looked to the first challenger, his voice menacing again. "Alright, lets go."