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Your banter gets interrupted by a loud booming noise coming from the center of the courtyard.
You see everyone around you reach for their weapon, but you, alongside the Vacuo group, know exactly what that is.
“GOOD MORNING ASPIRING HUNTSMEN AND HUNTRESSES!!!” Roared the powerful voice of the headmaster of Shade academy, Theodore.
While all the students from around Remnant watch baffled, the ones from Vacuo explode into cheers and applause at the sight of him, including you. Theodore rides the energy like a champion, holding his arms up high.
The authorities are incompetent, the council is non-existent, but headmaster Theodore holds Vacuo together on his lonesome. When there is a problem in the city, the people rest easy knowing there is a man out there looking out, untethered by bureaucratic tape or malicious intent.
Headmaster Theodore is the spirit of Vacuo personified. Rough, unfiltered and always dealing with issues in the most straightforward way possible. But above all, he embodies the main Vacuan principle, always protect your people.
His people are every man, woman and child in his kingdom.
Theodore began circling the space the crowd had made for him, shadow-boxing with his bright red gauntlets and daring anyone to go fight him. You were tempted to do so, luckily his assistant came to remind him about initiation before you can make such a foolish choice.
He stood tall in the middle and raised his voice to a more sensible level. “As those who know me are already aware, words are not my strong suit, so I’ll make this brief.”
“Welcome everyone to what I hope is the first day of the rest of your lives. A life of heroism, of chivalry, of justice here at Shade academy!” Some cheers can be heard. “But before that, you must prove your worth! You will all be separated in groups of eight and flown different directions 250 kilometers into the desert, where you must make your way back on foot. I am assuming you all brought water, if you didn’t, you better walk out of here before you walk out there!” You pat your hip where a bottle is safely secured around your belt, you see Isaac and Coco also brought theirs. Isaac even has a backpack, how Atlesian of him.
“But water won’t help you against every other danger, sandstorms, sinkholes and deadly Grimm! With those you will have to rely on your wits, your hits and your group if you wanna make it home for dinnertime!”
He drops the hyper attitude for a second. “There is no shame in walking away right now. It’s your last chance.” He looks almost disappointed no one reconsidered.
“Once you reach within a 100 meters of the wall, and only once then, will you pass and become an official student.”
Faculty members begin separating the crowd into groups. Coco, Isaac and you end up together thanks to being next to each other.
