(2) Exploring Remnant

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<ᴋɪʏᴏᴛᴀᴋᴀ ᴀʏᴀɴᴏᴋᴏᴜᴊɪ ᴘᴏᴠ>

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As we were walking into the city, I noticed that on the other side of the city were a few aircraft vehicles, that were nothing like the ones on earth. Thinking about it, everything about this world could be different to ours, especially the laws and physics.

Walking past people and shops, looking around, the place looks different yet similar to the campus at ANHS. I noticed we all received odd stares from everyone, possibly because of our clothing.

I ignored it as we came upon a fountain in what seemed to be the middle of the city and stopped here.

"Why don't we split up, look around the city and see if we could find any useful information. We'll all meet up back here in an hour." I said, giving my opinion of our next move.

"Hmm, I don't see a problem with that. We could cover more ground and it'd be quicker." Ryuen agreed.

"Then let's split up in two's! Me and Ayanokouji-senpai will go right, while the two of you go left." Amasawa says with a cheeky smile as she hooks her arm around mine. Seeing no resistance from, she smiles up at me, "I hope that's alright, Senpai~"

Before I could respond, Ryuen chuckled as he turned around. "Well you lovebirds have fun." He says with an amused grin before walking away with Albert following behind.

I sighed before turning the other way and walking with Amasawa.

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<ᴋᴀᴋᴇʀᴜ ʀʏᴜᴇɴ ᴘᴏᴠ>

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Me and we're walking down the street from the fountain as we left the two lovebirds. I could feel the stares of everyone we walked passed, but as I gave them a sharp look, they immediately turned their heads away, avoiding my eyes.

I chuckled, amused at how much of a wuss these lost are. As we continued walking, we noticed some club across the road that had two guards in suits and shades. Intrigued, I made a mental note of that place.

We'll check it out later and maybe get a drink. God knows the monster needs to loosen up a little. I also wonder how he'll be if he's drunk. Will he finally lose that damn straight face of his?

I snapped out of my thoughts as a man dropped down to the ground in front of me, spilling some of the liquor from his bottle on my shoes.

"Hey." I called out.

Once the drunkard looked up, I noticed on top of his head was dog ears, and a tail coming out of his ass.

Either he had one hell of a night or some guy had sex with a dog and created this shit stain in front of me.

"Hah? What the hell do you want?"

My eyes widened as he spoke in English and not Japanese. Is it just this city or do all these bastards in this world speak English? It's good that I'm somewhat fluent in the language. I just have trouble reading and writing.

"You dropped a little something on my shoes. Clean it up. Now." I ordered as I spoke in English.

He raised his eyebrows at my voice, possibly because of how much I sound like a foreigner.

"What?! Just because I'm a Faunus, you think I'm a dog that does your bidding!"

A Faunus huh?

So that's what he is, a human with animal traits that's called a Faunus.

Judging by the tone of his voice, it sounds like these Faunus have been discriminated against by humans.

"Look, I could care less what you are. Clean up my shoes, or I'll have Albert here to teach you a lesson."

Once I finished speaking, Albert stepped up to my side and cracked his knuckles.

God, just seeing the expression of fear come into these imbeciles, there's just something about it.

However that fear in the dog turned into resolve as he stood up stumbling. My smirk widened as I saw the determination in his eyes, not wanting to not be pushed around.

"You think he'll scare me! Well you have another thing coming pal!" He yells as he lungs at me, trying to get a punch.

But before he even gets close, Albert's left fist hits this guy's cheek, sending him tumbling to the ground, 10 feet away.

This whole ordeal started drawing people's attention to us and slowly bringing in a crowd .

But I could care less about these lot.

What I want to know is what the fuck that strange green light was that appeared around him as he got hit. There's no kind of bruising or swelling forming on his face from getting hit as well.

Did it protect him?

"Boss." Albert called out to me.

"I know Albert, do it again, but be careful. Stay on guard." I say warningly.

He nods as he approaches the downed man. But that guy just laughs as he looks at us.

"I'm not your ordinary civilian! Don't take me lightly!" He says as he slams his hand down onto the ground.

I was confused at first but then the ground rumbled as spikes appeared from the floor itself, making its way to Albert.

What the fuck!

"Albert!-"

I yelled to him as he could only cross his arms preparing for the incoming attack, which was approaching at high speed.

But to say I was shocked is a fucking understatement.

Albert. Turned. Into. Fucking. Metal!

Many questions and thoughts came into my head, but the answer to that is simple.

That power inside us.

The bullshit theory Ayanokouji came up with us true.

I couldn't help but have an internal maniacal laugh.

If I could unlock this power, imagine what I could do with it?!

As the earth spikes came into contact with Albert, it broke on impact. After uncrossing his arms, Albert stared at himself before he turned back into normal.

Amazing!

Just amazing!

"Albert, you okay?" I called out to him.

He turned to me and nodded his head as he stepped back a little. We both looked back at the faunas as he seemed to have shit his pants.

"No... he has a semblance as well. Now I'm low on aura." He mutters, but we're able to hear it in all the silence. We approached him, looking down on him as if he was our prey, as he looked up and started stuttering his ass off. "L-look! I'm sorry! Please, do you want Lien? I-I ha—"

The way he started begging after being all confident started to piss me off, so before he could continue, I kicked him in the face, knocking him on his back.

I also noticed that the light around him shattered.

Is that the aura he was mumbling about?

And the semblance must be what they call the powers.

I wonder...

Kneeling down, I grab the fool by the hair and lift him up to eye level. I punched him over and over again, as his face slowly started to become disfigured.

So that aura protected him.

But now it's gone.

Shaking him around, he grits his teeth as he looks at me.

The mutt still has enough bark to look me in the eye.

Slamming his face onto the ground, I get up and look at Albert.

"Pick him up." I ordered as I began walking away to a nearby alleyway, where no one is, ignoring the crowd dispersing itself because 'the show is over.'

With Albert following me from behind, I go into an alley and lean against the wall as Albert comes and drops the faunus onto the ground. He slowly gets on his knees and hands, as he looks up at me.

"W-what do you want? I-I'm sorry, please let me go."

"Don't worry, I'll let you go, I just want information."

"I-information. On what. I don't know anything about the White Fang I swea—"

"Calm down. I couldn't care less about this Fang. Tell me, was that light that protected you, your aura?" He nods as I continue. "And those spikes were your Semblance." He nods once again. "Then tell me, how do you unlock your aura and semblance?"

He looks at me with a confused expression;

"I-I don't understand? D-do—" Before he could continue with his questions, he was cut off with a glare from me.

"I ask the questions, and you simply answer them."

"R-right." He responds, before getting comfortable and sitting down on the ground. "Well aura and semblance are unlocked naturally in the moment, however you can unlock your aura by having someone else say a chant. But they have to have aura as well."

I see.

So the semblance can only come naturally and aura can be forcefully unlocked.

Does that mean Albert now has aura because he unlocked his semblance?

"Albert. Do you feel anything, like that aura."

He nods as his body glows grey.

"Boss, I also feel stronger, faster and lighter."

"Yeah, that's what aura does for you. However, everyone has a limited amount depending on their willpower or life circumstances and how they train." The mutt piped in.

"Why did you have so little?" I asked.

"Because of how shit my life is currently. You saw me day drinking. And I never trained much. My semblance consumes a majority of my aura because of that."

"Well then, there's a favour I need to ask you. Unlock my aura." I stated.

Even though I won't have my semblance at the moment, I'll have aura which'll help me become even faster and stronger.

Is this what's needed to fight those Grimm?

"U-uh I can't. Not right now. I have to recuperate and wait for my aura to come back before I can." I narrowed my eyes at him as he refused, but he continued as he squirmed. "But your bodyguard can! He can because he has aura. I'll tell you the chant."

The man in front of me on the ground began to tell me the chant as I wrote it down on a piece of paper. Looking back at him, I studied his expression and movements to see if he was playing about with me or not.

Once I was done, I looked back at him as he spoke;

"We're done right? You'll let me go now?" He asks with a hopeful expression.

I grin as I answer, "Of course, you're free to go now." At my words his expression is one of happiness and relief as he gets up and starts to walk away. But I wouldn't let him get away that easily. "I wonder what the police will do if they find out an adult attacked two 16 year olds with the intent to kill?"

"W-what? You're both minors?! N-no, no, no—"

"We won't rat you out, if you give all the money you have on you."

"R-right, here take my Lien."

I raised an eyebrow at the word Lien, but didn't question it as he got out different coloured cards with numbers on them and handed it to me.

Taking it off him, it was the same as the ones in my pocket. But these are 10s, 20s, and a 50.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Albert cupping his fists as he's about to beat the man to a pulp but I stop him with the raise of my hand.

"You can go now." I said, shooing the faunas away.

Once the man was out of sight, I turned to Albert;

"These cards must be the currency in this world."

Alberts nods in understanding as I pocket them and leave the alleyway. Spotting the feds at where we were before, questioning people, we decided to walk the opposite way.

There was still a little time before we had to head back to the fountain to meet up with Ayanokouji and Amasawa.

Let's explore a little more.

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<ᴋɪʏᴏᴛᴀᴋᴀ ᴀʏᴀɴᴏᴋᴏᴜᴊɪ ᴘᴏᴠ>

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Walking away from the fountain, we passed a few people that were having a conversation. I eavesdropped on them as I went past as it couldn't be help, and came to a stop as I heard them speak in English.

Wanting to confirm this I turned to them;

"Excuse me?" I asked in English.

They turned to me in confusion as they spoke;

"Something you need, kid?"

Seems like English is the native language here.

"Nothing, sorry for disturbing you." I said before walking back to Amasawa who was waiting for me.

"What was that about, senpai?" She asks.

"Everyone here speaks English it seems."

"Ohhh~" Amasawa nods in understanding as we both continue walking.

Passing a café, I looked through the glass windows to see a few waitresses in maid outfits. Turning to Amasawa, who was staring at them as well in pure awe, I couldn't help but ask;

"Are you thinking of getting a job there?"

"Hm? A job, Senpai?" Amasawa tilts her head at me, but then grins slyly. "Are you perhaps asking because you wanna see me in a maid costume~ Who knew you could be so naughty, Senpai?~"

Sighing, I responded. "It's important for us to get jobs in this world, since we have no source of income."

"If that's what you say, Ayanokouji-senpai." She shrugs back and starts to head inside the store.

"Amasawa." I called out to her before she went in. "I'm gonna be across the street in that bookstore."

She looks over to the place called 'Tukson's Book Trade as she nods and walks inside. I watch her through the café's window as she speaks to an employee there.

Turning around, I cross the road without the worry of a car crashing into me as there seems not to be many cars passing through this area. Entering the store, I looked around as the place seemed a little gloomy, the only source of light coming from the windows.

Seeing no one at the desk, I take it upon myself to look through the shelves and see if I could find any useful books that talk about the history of this world.  As I was skimming through a book that talked about dust, I heard the door open.

Glancing, I see a man with a black top hat who makes eye contact with me and simply smiles. I simply nod back as I go back to the book in my hand.

The man that had just entered seemed to head to the front desk and ring the bell. A man came out from the back with features that consisted of a cat. Intrigued, I watched them discreetly and watched the man with the top hat pay with a few cards for a book and leave the store.

Those cards were similar to the ones I'm carrying.

"Is there anything I could help you with?" The man behind the desk called out to me.

Looking up from the book in my hands and closing it, I studied him as I asked him for help;

"If you wouldn't mind, could I get the best books you have on Remnant, Dust and whatnot."

"Sure." He said as he immediately began to take out a few books from the shelves. "You trainin' to be a Huntsman."

"...I'm thinking about it." I answered as I watched his movement.

He's wary of me.

He's been trained as well.

"Hm. Well these books should help you out." He said as he placed several books on the counter.

Remnants History.

Grimms in detail.

Aura & Semblance.

How to become a Huntsman.

What it means to be a Huntsman.

Uses of Dust.

Looking through all these books, I nod to myself as I look up at the man;

"I'll take them." I say as I take out one of the cards in my possession and place it on the table.

"It's only 50 Lien. You got anything smaller." He says to me as I shake my head no. "Alright."

Bagging the books, he puts the Lien in the cash register and hands me a couple of cards that were in two different colours.

Four 100 Lien cards & one 50 Lien card.

Pocketing them, I nod in thanks and grab the bag and walk out the store.

"Thank you, come again." He mutters as I walk away.

I think I will.

Once I came out, I saw Amasawa running across the road to me with a smile and a bag in her hand.

"Senpai! I got the job. And some munchies as well~" She says as she lifts up the bag in her hand.

"That's good, did you figure out this world's currency system?"

"Yep, wasn't that hard."

I nod before responding, "Let's go back to the fountain. I've got some useful books on Remnant."

"Kay~"

Walking back to the fountain, we spot Ryuen sitting on one of the benches with Albert standing right next to him. Approaching them, we make ourselves known.

"You guys are already here." I called out.

"Yeah, we got bored and decided to come to the meet-up spot early." Ryuen responds.

"Did you find anything useful?"

"Oh we found more than that." Ryuen grins. I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at his expression.

"Oh? What is it, what is it?~" Amasawa asks eagerly.

"Remember that hidden power we were talking about? Albert unlocked it."

I looked at Albert in mild surprise. He was able to unlock the mysterious power that I theorised about, this quickly. Ryuen then continued to tell us what happened to him and what powers people have in these worlds.

"Aura and Semblances huh. It's a good thing I bought a book on it." I state as I bring it out and pass it to Ryuen.

He opens it as he speaks. "So how about the aura thing? Should we unlock it now?"

"Let's find a place to stay first." I say as I place the the rest of the book the bench and sit down.

I look at Amasawa, who watches Albert turn his body into metal after Amasawa pestered him into showing it. Amasawa then taps Albert's chest with a Lien card, which makes a metal clanging sound.

After they were done, Amasawa handed each of us a slice of pizza she got from the café earlier.

"Complimentary gifs from da Café!" She says with her mouth full after taking a bite of the pizza and sitting down next to me.

"Do you both also have 3000 Lien?" Ryuen asks after we finish our food.

"Mhm!"

"I've got 2950 Lien left after buying the books. They were rather cheap in my opinion." I responded.

"Then all together we got a little over 12,000 Lien. Me and Albert passed by some inn earlier and the old hag in there told us it's 100 Lien a night per person." Ryuen tells us.

"400 Lien a night and if we stayed at most a week there, it'd come to 2,800. " I calculated.

"Hmmm, well it's better than nothing." Amasawa says as she gets up and stretches.

Agreeing to stay there for the time being, we head to the inn and book ourselves a place. We each had our own rooms and once entering the place, I noticed it was surprisingly clean.

I guess this is the start of our new life.