Silver Rose

Chapter III - Meat for the Grinder

"Good morning," Headmaster Oscar Pine greeted the first-year students as they gathered at the top of a cliff before sunrise. Assistant Headmaster Glynda Goodwitch was with him. "Today marks your first day as students of Beacon Academy. This initiation will determine who has what it takes to be a protector of the light and who does not. There are a hundred of you standing here right now. Statistically speaking, half of you will not make it through this first phase. You all remember the waivers you and your parents filled out? Well, that was so that the Academy cannot be held liable should you die during your stay here."

Some of the murmurs were nervous. Others were excited.

"Needless to say, I wouldn't want any of you dying out there. Do make it out alive. If you find yourself in a situation where your opponent is too great to challenge, do not rush in blindly. Assess and strategize, and do not be afraid to retreat and get help if needed. You will be scored not only on your combat abilities, but also in your judgment and tactical thinking."

"Your objective today," Glynda began, "is to secure the artifacts located throughout the Emerald Forest ruins. You are expected to work as a team."

Leon raised his hand. "Who exactly are our teammates?"

"All of you are one team," Oscar said. "However, the first person you make eye contact with upon landing is your training partner for the remainder of your courses here at Beacon. I hope you all got to know each other well last night. Your partnership will last all four years."

"You mentioned landing?" Xanthus said, pushing up his glasses. "How do you expect us to do so?"

Oscar smiled. "Use your creativity."

"Oh, hell yeah," Leon said.

Everyone readied themselves for the springboards to launch them. Lilly wasn't the only nervous one, but she figured she was the most nervous. She had no idea what in the world she was going to do. Landing? After flying? She would have packed a parachute if she knew this was going to be the first exam!

"Try not to die, little brother," Athena said.

"Try not to break a nail, sis," Leon said.

"Are you gonna be okay?" Ingrid said to Lilly, who was visibly shaking.

"Y-Yeah," she said. "I'm g-good."

"Hey. I believe in you."

Lilly looked over at her friend. Beyond her, students were already being launched one by one. Athena was next, followed by Leon. Ingrid would launch seconds later. The last one remaining was Lilly.

"Miss Schnee," Oscar said.

She turned to him.

"I believe in you as well."

She managed a small smile before turning back to the front. The force of the springboard launching her into the sky made her dizzy. Everyone else now in flight seemed to be enjoying themselves, but not her. She had never flown before, at least not with the power of her own body, which was not exactly correct because it wasn't her body at all that gave her flight. How she would control her movements, let alone the landing, was a complete mystery to her.

Crap, crap, crap, crap, she thought. What do I do?

She reached for Myrtenaster without a clue as to what to even do with it. Her mother never showed her how to use it. She just handed it to her the day she left Atlas and off she went. She glanced around. Other students were using whatever they had at their disposal to slow their descent, some even redirecting their movements in midair using the recoil of their weapons.