Prologue

Finally it's time, the finals to this academy, this is where I'll test my mental against the other students here to determine whether or not we can have a better chance at enrolling in Atlas' elite huntsman academy. I've been honing my skills for this event ever since it was announced months ago. I felt like I've improved much since then but by how much I'll just have to see in the matches. I know I'm not the only one to do so however as there's only one other student that takes this just as serious as me: Charles Mantle. wprt

Speak of the devil, there he is, that silver hair guy that I've hated since the start of my time here hanging around with his fellow rich folks just ahead of the hallway all in their school uniforms. He's the only student that I could never beat in this school; just as I thought I had the upper hand against him he always pulls something out of his ass and turns the tide of the battle to his favor in a heartbeat. It doesn't help that he always smirks at me after every battle rubbing the salt into the wound.

"Hey look, it's the burnt fox!" A short haired blonde kid of the group remarks as I come near. This remark is from my faunus traits of fox ears and my name: Charcoal Diamondback. Honestly that insult had lost its effect. Hell I'm starting to dig it a little but that won't stop them.

What really gets me though is the fact that I'm the only fanus in this academy and the discrimination against my kind here is bad. It's to the point where no one would even talk to me and I would get endless insults, primarily from these guys, that range from simple name calling to ganging up on me and try to beat the ever living crap out of me, though everything past the first time they got thier buts kicked. But when I do the teachers always had their back instead of mine, which is utter bullcrap. This would make my experience here a total hell if it isn't for one thing...

"Hey! Can you spoiled brats leave him alone?" That one thing is Silva Kulike, a girl who is a few inches shorter than me with jet grey hair that goes down to her shoulders. She's my only friend that I have in this school that keeps me sane who, admittedly, is pretty cute. Her small size holds a lot of attitude when she's on the defensive, and I like that.

"And here's the short stack, the animal lover."

"At least I'm not a big old spoiled pansy like you."

"Why you little…"

"Come on everyone, this exchange of words is not needed." So Charles finally speaks out.

"What? Are you taking the other side now?"

"No. It is simply that this conflict is petty and immature of you all to partake in." At least we think similarly.

"Your lucky shortstack." The spoiled pansy walks off with all but Charles following suit. The latter gives me a long, blank stare before following with others leaving the pair alone in the hallway.

"I swear the nerve of them…"

"Yea but at least they're gone, thanks for the defense"

"It's my personal duty to be your friend even against popular demand." She answered jokenly. Why she would want be my friend in this sort of environment I'll never know; but I'm grateful that that she is for me to care.

"Yea, it is, but right now we need to class." I stated as we made our way to complete our finals.

After the written exams, which were boring as hell, me and the rest of the students are going to the arena for the combat matches, which will be fun as hell. The first stage is just some target practice which is measured based on our accuracy. The second stage will be the fun part of beating these students up without getting into trouble and my chance to finally beat Charles.

Even better I can wear my usale attire of a black shirt with an orange unzipped jacket on top, slightly baggy black pants, and shin high boots. I also have my weapons: Righteous and Deliverance. These two orange and black gauntlets have been my bread and butter of my skill and really deliver their namesake well.

We are getting near to the arena with my excitement rising as well with the added fact of it being the last year in this school before I go to Atlas Academy. Yes there will be more people like these rich kids but it's a change of scenery nonetheless and it will be one step closer to exploring the world. How am I so confident, well unless this nation is full of numbskulls they would have to accept me due to my actual skill instead of wealth if they want more capable warriors out there.

Our class enters the arena with us all falling in into a single line in attention. We go in alphabetical order so this is going to take a good bit before the fun part.

After the target practice portion we moved on to the combat portion with pre-made pairs.

"Alright, we'll start with Silva Ember vs. Archduke Fernidas." The instructor announced with said students were stepping up to either side of the arena.

"I'll show you what money can do for skill shortstack." The short haired blonde known as Fernidas throws out. He was the same guy who tried insult me earlier today.

"We'll see about that." Silva retorted confidently.

Silva has a small cylinder shaped object that has a pistol grip. She holds down the trigger which makes it morph into a spear with card spade shaped blades at the ends. Her opponent just has a generic looking gun sword, I'm not impressed.

"Ready..." The instructor started, with both fighters taking fighting stances.

"...and…" They look like they tensed up with anticipation.

"Began!"

Without hesitation they both charged at each other with the Archduke trying for a first strike. But my silver haired friend easily dodges it and putting her hand on the floor. A sizable burst of electricity branches out towards her opponent stunning him long enough for her to get a few strikes in before sending him flying with a jab from her spear. This made me chuckle a little as he slams into the wall before falling back down. Before he can recover however, Silva was already going in for the kill. He got back up before she can close the distance and got enough time to block her attack and made some distance between them. That didn't stop her however as she kept up the pressure with more surgical strikes which her opponent is having trouble keeping up with. The blonde then tried to fire his gun blade but is knocked out of his hand followed by her spear being at his throat, ending the round.

"Hmph, guess all the money can't buy skill." Silva remarked with a cocky smirk which was rewarded with an annoyed grunt.

"Nice job Silva." I compliment her along with a high five before she sat down.

"Now next up: Charcoal Diamondback vs. Adam Hardook." We got up to the arena without saying a word with each other.

"Ready..." The instructor started again, with us taking our fighting stances.

"...and…" I readied my weapons in their blade form while Adam just pulls out two duel swords.

"Began!" My opponent immediately rushes me while I stay on the defensive, bracing for the attack.

I block the attack and then pushing him back to get some space. I make the next move with a rush of my own which he parrys. With the final strike I pin him in a blocking position leaving him open. I sweep his legs with a wide kick following it up with a kick in the gut sending him a good few feet. I pressed on the assault while seeing that my opponent is getting exhausted, did I really kick him that hard? I didn't answer that as I concentrated on tiring him out now. The first chance he got though he backflips to gain some distance between us. But I unveiled my weapons special feature: a blade whip with a blade-now-turned-hook at the end. It wrapped around his leg and I pulled him right on back to me. I raised my fist up for its victim as he was forcefully heading towards me. I readied my semblance of increased power for the inevitable impact. Right when he's in range, I propelled my fist down with all I got slamming the poor guy into the ground, ending the round.

I lend out a hand to help him up which he reluctantly accepts before walking off back to his spot. I head back to mine; being greeted by Silva with her hand up which I high fived before sitting down. Now time to see who makes it out alive and is pitted against me and Charles.

After a good number of spawls with me in some of them, we are here at the finale of our test. Silva didn't do so well when she was pitted up against Charles though, kind of expected it since he is the best out of us, until now.

"The last ones up are Charles and Charcoal." Upon the instructor's announcement we both stepped up with a small crowd cheering for the former to kick my ass.

"Today's the day where I will beat you." I remarked with confidence.

"I hope that is the case." He remarked calmly. Wait, why would he said that? Whatever, that won't change my resolve.

We part ways to our starting positions and readied our weapons with his being a spear with a diamond shaped blade. We listened for the instructor's words as we stared each other down, trying to read each other's potential tactics as if we can read it on each other's faces.

"Ready..." Here.

"...set.." We.

"...go!" Go!

We charged at each other with our weapons clashing and with us backing off to continue the fight. We unleashed a series of slashes and blows against each other while I try to find a opening in his attacks. No luck so far as he kept a constant guard up whenever I tried attacking. We exchange another series of blows which took down a little more of our aura away. I then tried something different, I charged in pretending to go in with another flurry of attacks. He guards, expecting such an action, I think. I sidestep him and unleashed one of my hook and chains which loops around his troso a couple of times and looks in. I activated my semblance throwing him across the stadium. But before he made it to the wall he recovered and leaped off the wall back to me which I saw and swung the chain, diverting his attack to another wall. As long as I have this on him I have total control over his direction. But again he leaps off the wall and closes in for another attack. I swung again but this time be dug his weapon into the ground preventing the momentum to take him. I decided to charge in for a strike with my other arm. I expected him to delatch his weapon to guard but he kept it in place as I closed in. As I went in for the kill he swung around his spear dodging the attack easily. Next thing I knew I felt a boot hit my cheek and being sent me flying a couple of meters. When I landed I looked around and saw my chain was still attached to him. I decided to pull him towards me with my other weapon at ready to strike. He was in ranged in seconds however, as if he read my mind, he grabs hold of my arm and redirects away. He regained his footing and started running circle around me, using my own chain to tie me up. Before I knew it the battle was over with me tied up like a damn Christmas present.

The same crowd from earlier started cheering their heads out as he freed himself from my chain. As I saw him walk away though, he gave that same insulting grin like all the other times before, pissing me off beyond belief. I was too busy staring at him to notice the grip of my chain loosening up before I toppled over to my knees, being caught by a pair of arms. I looked up to see Silva with a sympathetic but sadden look.

"Hey, at least you did your best." She said.

Damn it, I loss again just like last time. Whatever, there will be another time for me to defeat him. All I need to do is to train harder to become even better than now. Just you wait Charles, I'll defeat you no matter how long it takes, and that's a promise.

Sorry for the late update for those who read it on my other story "Of Divine Birth" but it's out now. I decided to update whenever I can since a week feels a lot too soon for me since I'm a slow worker but the stories will be updated in the same order as before.

But enough of that, I hope that you enjoy the story and you all have a good day, or night wherever and whoever you may be.