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Chapter 28: Entrance Exam

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The lowest age to get a driver's license in Vale is 14. About four months ago, Robin had taken his driving test and passed it with flying colors. For him, it was just like riding a bike. The controls of vehicles were pretty much the same. Advanced methods of transportation such as airships belonged mainly to the military and Huntsman academies. With an exception of a few buttons to transform the homes, all the other controls were the same.

Currently, Robin was driving their home to the Kingdom of Vale. Inside were all of his friends as well as their families. After entering the kingdom, Robin and his friends were given a map to all the places inside. In addition, their parents gave them directions to a rental shop.

“Robin, go here if you need to have something to drive inside the Kingdom. Otherwise, you can always walk around to save some money.”

Robin took the paper and placed it inside his jacket pocket.

“Also,” Christina continued, “there's no real need to worry about money. You'll be able to do missions at the Hunter's Guild on your own, plus we'll send some extra cash to help you get by. Here, take this.”

She handed him a credit card.

“On here, we'll deposit money. Right now, there's enough to help you get started. As for where you'll live, you guys can live at the dorms of the school. But..if something happens and you can't really stand living there, you can call us and we can help set up an apartment for you to stay at.”

“Thank you.” Robin said.

“Be safe son.” Joseph said.

The families waved good bye and the kids departed to go to the school. All this time, Robin's parents were keeping a smile to reassure their child everything would be all right, but in reality they were very troubled at sending him away.

“Honey, do you think he'll be ok? I know Qrow said it should be fine, but I can't help but worry if those kids there will hurt him.”

“Qrow is someone we can trust. Rather than him getting hurt physically, I'm more worried about if he can learn to trust people after being exposed face-to-face to the cruelty. Lets pray for his safety.”

The families watched their children depart. If anything, they took relief in the fact they were going in a group. If they were alone in the kingdom, the treatment might simply be too much for them, but so long as they were together, Team COBRA would stand tall in the face of any adversary. That, the parents were sure of.

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For the five of them, they came to Myriad every year for Robin's involvement in the tournament, so they knew exactly where it was. As they walked towards the entrance to the school, they found themselves in lines to let the instructors know they showed up. Waiting for their turn to step up, Robin found himself staring at a girl in front of him. Grumbling in a whisper to herself, the black-haired beauty stood there with a frown on her face.

“Stupid uncle, I can't believe I have to do this shit again..”

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After coming back from hunting Grimm, Raven had been confronted by Qrow the moment she finished cleaning up.

“Raven, you're going to school tomorrow. No excuses.”

= … =

“I don't want to uncle. Why do I need to learn in a lame environment like school when I can just learn from you?”

“I cannot always be with you, Raven. Since Summer is gone, I have to do the missions again.”

“Then I--”

“Nope, you're not going with me. Besides, even if you don't come with me, you'll still get taught the same thing. It's not like learning to fight is different according to the school. You win if you win. You lose if you lose.

It's a combat school, so you'll be doing missions at the Hunter's Guild to keep your grades up. If it's really too slow for you, just take more missions from the Guild and the school will excuse your absence.”

“But I don't need something like school, Uncle Qrow. I can learn everything I need here.”

“You can't make friends here, Raven. You need to go out and relax a little. Engrossing yourself in this line of work isn't healthy for a 14 year old.”

“I don't need something like frie—”

“Summer would have wanted that.”

“...”

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And just like that, Raven couldn't argue back. In order to respect her late step-mother's wishes for a normal life, she reluctantly packed up her stuff and left. Robin, at this moment, recognized her.

= It couldn't be.. Is that Raven? =

Identify

Raven R. Branwen (Lvl 55)HP:1245/1245Aura:1875/1875

= Oh my god it is her..And what is with that ridiculous aura pool?! I thought I trained my aura to the max and I'm still short by 200!! =

“Hey Raven is that you?”

Turning around, she didn't recognize the faunus boy at all. The kid had a bang that slightly covered his right eye. On his head, one could see a pair of wolf ears in addition to his human ones on the side of his face. After deciding to train herself to the limits, she didn't give the tournament a second thought for 10 years.

Identify

Robin S. Wolfheart (Lvl 47)HP:1065/1065Aura:1620/1620

= Robin?...isn't that the name of that one strong kid I fought so long ago? So after 10 years, he's at this level huh? =

“Yeah, it is me. What do you want?”

“Oh..I was just saying hi. Well, why did you not go to the tournament after that year? It was a bit boring without you there.”

At this comment, she frowned.

“I don't have time for stupid things like that. Sorry, but can you not talk to me? I don't really wanna talk to anyone right now.”

Turning away, she walked up to the desk where the teachers called for the next one in line. Boring? So sorry she couldn't have the luxury of being a source of entertainment. She had far too much on her mind for useless things like that. From atoning for her murder, avenging Summer's death, and eventually putting the secret organization behind bars or in their graves, she didn't exactly have the time for playing the role of a kid.

= I'm already sick of this game of 'friendship' and 'school'. I don't need a repeat of my past life. I feel sorry for Robin, but I don't have the slightest intention of becoming 'friends' with anyone. =

As he watched her walk away, Robin couldn't help but think--

= What a bitch. I thought she was a good person. Who knew she was like this? Looks like time does change people. =

After the group told the teachers their names, they were given a number and was instructed to report to certain rooms where physical tests would be done. Inside the gigantic room was an obstacle course, weights, as well as an entire lane that was separated from the rest. Upon entering, the students in their group adjusted their attention to the instructor in front of them.

“We will now begin testing to see if you are fit enough to register in our academy. I have the power to deem that you are unfit after any single one of these tests, so I suggest you try your hardest on all of them. The moment you pass the test, you are to report to the front desk and turn in your payment for the school. Are there any questions?”

Robin raised his hands.

“What do you want, dog?”

A vein bulged on his forehead, but he kept his anger hidden.

“I hear there's a way to bypass the test and be admitted free of charge. Is that true?”

For Robin and the rest of them, they came from a nomad village outside the kingdom. Though they weren't poor, they weren't rich either. The facilities were too much for their parents to pay for. Otherwise, they would be sending all of their kids to take a test their. Qrow's crazy idea to Joseph was to get Robin to passed the special test. If Robin was a genius like Joseph said he was, dealing with the test would be no problem.

“Pfft. Alright, then kid. Lets see if you can be so arrogant when you see this.”

The man walked over to the lane that was separated form the rest of the room. He yanked the cover that was covering something up to reveal ten humanoid robots.

“This is the AK-130. The newest security model for Remnant thanks to the innovators of Atlas. Although they have been purposefully toned down a bit in power, they possess shape-shifting body parts and integrated weapons. These babies have machine guns that dish out 1000 rounds per minute. If you can take out three of these robots, you get free admission, and I'll even bow down to you. Think you're up for it?”

The man had a sneer on his face. In general, 14 year olds never got past level 30 and had little to no actual fighting experience. Even if the robots were weaker than normal, students would be faced with actual gunfire and weapons for the first time. There was no way for them to actually defeat these level 40 robots.

But Robin and his friends were not ordinary kids. They had talent that stood out among their peers even at the age of four. Furthermore, they trained more than normal and participated in Grimm extermination with their families. Dangerous combat was something they were very familiar with. Outside the kingdom, there was a simple rule; if you can't fight, you can't survive.

“I'll do it.”

Stepping up to the end of the lane, Robin put his hand on the hilt of Pantomath. The man just scoffed and went to turn on the robots. As they powered on, their bodies glowed blue along their body. Once they came to life, they started to move fluidly and their arms started transforming. Two robots formed guns while the others transformed their arms into sharp short-swords.

“Fine. You start from that side of the room, and the match begins the moment I blow the whistle. You must demonstrate prowess by approaching to take down the robots. All injuries are your responsibility. Ready?”

Robin bent his knees and waited for the signal.

“Begin!”

The robots sprang to life, the machines started to fire immediately.

Enhance

His body glowed silver, and his eyes watched the bullets fly in slow motion. As his body dashed forward, he drew Pantomath and started deflecting the bullets. The moment he got close, the melee robots started to move. With a burst of movement, Robin cut off the arms of the robots with guns and proceeded to slice the other robots in half. The explanation of the test lasted longer than the test itself.

With shocked faces filling the room except for Team COBRA, Robin walked up to the teacher who stood a whole head taller than him.

“Kneel.”

Ha! Asshole teacher is an asshole. Anyway, that's all for tonight. I'll give another one tomorrow, unless something happens. Rate, comment, enjoy! Thanks for reading!