Just like that, weeks has passed since Hyunwoo first time in Beacon.
The air in Glynda Goodwitch's classroom always seemed sharper during dueling practice. Sunlight streamed through the high windows, catching on the polished floor where two figures clashed steel.
Jaune Arc staggered back, his shield raised just in time to block another heavy strike from Cardin Winchester. Sweat dripped down his temple, his breath ragged. Cardin, in contrast, looked like he was enjoying a casual afternoon stroll.
"Come on, Arc," Cardin laughed, batting Crocea Mors aside with a lazy swing. "This is where you lose."
Jaune gritted his teeth. "Not... yet!"
He stepped in, trying for a desperate slash, but Cardin blocked it effortlessly and drove a knee into Jaune's stomach. The breath exploded from Jaune's lungs, his grip faltering. Cardin raised his mace for the finishing blow—
"Enough." Glynda's voice cut through the air like a whip crack.
The mace froze mid-swing. Jaune stumbled back, clutching his gut.
"Mr. Arc," Glynda said, heels clicking as she approached, "your Aura is already in the red. In a tournament-style duel, this is when the match would end. It has been weeks. Pay attention to your Aura levels and adjust your strategy accordingly."
Jaune muttered something under his breath and gave a sheepish nod before stepping off the stage. Cardin smirked as he followed.
Glynda's eyes scanned the class. "Next match... Pyrrha Nikos and... Hyunwoo Kim."
Hyunwoo blinked, one eyebrow lifting. First real match of the day... and it's against Pyrrha Nikos herself.
From the benches, his team erupted.
"Go get her, Hyunwoo!" Jaemin yelled, slapping the rail.
Jiwon and Jisoo added their own cheers, their voices echoing in the hall.
"Don't disappoint us, leader!!"
Across the room, Ruby cupped her hands. "You got this, Hyunwoo!"
Yang grinned, leaning in to murmur just loud enough for Ruby to hear, "Cheering a little extra for him, huh?"
Ruby flushed, swatting her sister. "It's called supporting a classmate!"
Meanwhile, Team JNPR's cheers rang just as loud for Pyrrha.
Hyunwoo stepped onto the platform, spear in hand, locking eyes with the red-haired champion. Pyrrha's gaze drifted to his weapon.
"That spear..." she said slowly. "I think I've seen it before."
Hyunwoo tilted his head, raising the weapon slightly. "You did?"
Pyrrha nodded. "It looks... oddly similar to a certain huntsman who came to Mistral when I was little."
A small smile tugged at Hyunwoo's lips. "Well... I guess my father really liked to travel."
"...Your father?"
The moment Glynda's hand dropped, Pyrrha moved.
Her steps were swift but measured, her spear sweeping in a clean arc toward Hyunwoo's side.
Hyunwoo barely shifted his stance, letting the weapon's tip graze the haft of his own spear before sliding it away with minimal effort. He didn't retaliate—just adjusted his footing and kept his eyes locked on her every motion.
Pyrrha didn't slow. She transitioned into a series of precise thrusts, each one sharper and faster than the last. Hyunwoo parried without flourish, his movements almost... lazy. No wasted energy, no aggression—just enough to not get hit.
From the benches, Yang leaned forward. "Uh... is he even trying?"
Ruby frowned. "He's... watching her."
Indeed, Hyunwoo's gaze never left Pyrrha's weapon hand, the subtle twists of her wrist, the rhythm of her footwork. Every dodge, every block—he was learning, piece by piece.
Pyrrha noticed it too. There was no panic in his eyes, no strain in his arms. Only patience.
'He's... reading me.'
She stepped back for a brief moment, spinning her spear into a defensive guard. "You fight like someone I've heard about before," she said.
Hyunwoo tilted his head. "Is that so?"
"Yes," Pyrrha replied, her eyes softening. "Hyun Kim... . He's... my idol and I suppose that he—"
For a fraction of a second, Hyunwoo's expression shifted—not surprise, not pride, but something quieter. He nod his head "...Yeah he's my father."
Pyrrha's lips curved into a small smile. "Then this will be even more interesting."
She came at him again, this time faster, using the fluid combination of strikes she was famous for. But Hyunwoo was no longer passive.
He matched her pace—not by brute force, but by echoing her own patterns, adjusting them just enough to slip past her guard. A block became a counter-thrust. A sidestep became a sweep at her legs.
The clash of steel rang louder now. Pyrrha's eyes widened slightly each time he deflected her—moves she'd perfected over years, reflected back at her with uncanny accuracy.
From the stands, Jaemin shot up from his seat. "He's... copying her."
Jisoo's grin was sharp. "No. He's rewriting her moves for himself."
Pyrrha's spear spun into a final overhead strike—but Hyunwoo's weapon was already there, catching it mid-swing. With a subtle twist, he disarmed her momentum, forcing her to take a step back.
They locked eyes again, neither smiling now.
So... this is Hyun Kim's son, Pyrrha thought, tightening her grip. Then I can't hold back.
The clash intensified.
Pyrrha brought up her bronze shield just in time to block a swift strike aimed at her side. The impact reverberated through the training hall, but she didn't falter—her counter was instantaneous, a forceful shove that sent Hyunwoo skidding back a few steps.
Her spear twirled into a reverse grip as she lifted her free hand slightly. Metal hummed in the air. Hyunwoo felt the pull on his weapon—her Polarity was active.
The spear in his hands strained toward her, its weight shifting unnaturally. Any ordinary fighter would've been thrown off-balance. But Hyunwoo's stance remained grounded. Instead of fighting the pull, he stepped into it, letting her own semblance bring him closer.
Pyrrha's eyes widened at the unexpected move—just as his spear shaft crashed against her shield with a force that sent her staggering.
"Clever," she muttered.
He didn't reply. His attacks came faster now, precise and relentless. Each one was adapted from her earlier patterns, but sharper, heavier, and aimed at the few blind spots her shield couldn't cover.
The crowd's murmurs grew louder. Ruby gripped the railing, eyes shining. Yang just smirked, elbows resting on her knees. "Not bad, Hyunwoo."
Pyrrha tried to regain momentum, using her shield to bash him back before lunging with her spear. But Hyunwoo was already moving, catching the thrust and rolling along the haft before striking her wrist. The spear slipped, clattering to the floor.
In one smooth motion, he hooked his own weapon against the rim of her shield, twisting hard. The shield tore free from her arm, hitting the ground beside her spear.
Silence fell for a heartbeat.
Then Glynda's voice cut through. "Match—over."
Pyrrha stood frozen for a moment, chest rising and falling. Then, slowly, she smiled—not in disbelief, but in something close to relief.
"It's the first time I've lost... in a long time," she admitted, her voice carrying through the hall. She looked at him with a strange mix of admiration and curiosity. "You're stronger than I expected."
Hyunwoo rested his spear against his shoulder. "You weren't easy to read."
"You never used Dust during the fight," she continued, tilting her head. "Why?"
He blinked, a faint crease forming between his brows. "Dust?"
She nodded toward his weapon. "Yeah—aren't those dust containers on the spear for that?"
Hyunwoo glanced at the small embedded cartridges along the shaft as if noticing them for the first time. "Really? Oh... it's for that?"
A laugh escaped her before she could stop it, soft but genuine. "You... didn't know?"
He scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Guess I never thought about it."
From the stands, Jaemin's voice broke the moment. "That's our leader!"
Jisoo followed with a low whistle. "And here I thought he was holding back on purpose."
Pyrrha shook her head, still smiling as she stepped off the stage. "Hyun Kim's son, indeed..."
Hyunwoo just stood there for a beat longer, eyes flicking to the cartridges again—half curious, half wondering how many other "features" his weapon had been hiding from him.
Glynda's heels clicked sharply against the floor as she stepped to the center of the training hall, clipboard in hand. The chatter among the students died instantly under her gaze.
"Before we conclude for today," she began, her voice crisp, "I have an announcement." She let the moment hang just long enough for anticipation to build. "This year, Beacon Academy will once again participate in the Vytal Festival. As you all know, rival schools from across the kingdoms will gather to compete in the combat tournament."
A murmur spread through the class—excitement, nervousness, and, in some cases, barely concealed dread.
"For many of you, this will be your first time witnessing or participating in such an event," Glynda continued. "Consider this your opportunity to represent Beacon with skill, dignity... and restraint." Her eyes swept briefly over the room, pausing on certain faces longer than others—Hyunwoo thought he saw her glance his way for a fraction too long.
"Dismissed."