"Explain yourself, Schwartz," He made his demand all too calmly. Watchet Amin held his sword inches from the neck of his former partner and ally, Schwartz der Hund. With their brutal battle against Max Wisteria finished, they could get right back to business. Now the Huntsman in training could get all the answers he desired to discern his next course of action.

If Schwartz failed to provide an acceptable response to his apprehensible actions, then Watchet would show no hesitancy in striking the criminal down.

"Alright, alright, I got it," Schwartz sheathed his swords and slowly raised his hands to display his surrender. With his aura down and exhaustion kicking in, he wouldn't last long in another fight. He'd have to bullshit his way out of the situation until his aura returned. "Some of what that woman told you was the truth. I attacked her caravan and killed her partner a few months back. But she didn't tell you the full story."

"And what is the full story?" Watchet narrowed his eyes, not bothering to hide his suspicions of Schwartz's claims. All it would take was one false move from Schwartz for Watchet to strike.

"That woman and her team were corrupt Huntsmen," Schwartz adamantly proclaimed. It was complete nonsense, but he'd try and spin the yarn as much as possible. If there's one thing Schwartz learned about Watchet throughout as tenure as a team, it's the young man's adherent reverence for Huntsmen. He'd never shut up about his ideal images of how the heroic defenders of humanity should act.

"Corrupt?" Watchet slightly lowered his blade.

That subtle action alone helped Schwartz push through with his bald-faced lie. "Those Huntsmen helped criminals like politicians and merchants smuggle illegal items throughout the continent. My tribe was dubbed as bandits because we stole from the wealthy. Everything we stole, we either disposed of it or gave it to those in need."

"Then, why are you here?" Watchet continued his interrogation, finding holes in the bandit's story.

"Huntsmen were closing in on us, so the leader of my group ordered us to disband and lead bountiful lives. So, I decided to become a Huntsman. And hopefully, take down the corrupt the right way," Schwartz answered. "I don't enjoy what I've done, partaking in criminal actions for the right reason, but I was dealt with those cards. The Gods didn't bless me with a normal childhood or proper upbringing. But despite all that, I'm here, trying to better myself and become a Huntsman the future generations can be proud of."

Watchet brought his hand up to his chin, processing the information that flooded his mind. It appeared that Schwartz's words worked like a charm. He just had to push forward a bit more.

"Think about it, a man born into crime, deciding to defy his fate and become a Huntsman? Imagine how many people could inspire to better themselves? A few horrible actions shouldn't define who someone is forever," Schwartz continued to press forward in convincing his partner.

That's where he got him. Watchet immediately thought back to his travels across the continent. He encountered several Huntsman that strayed too far from the righteous paths humanity desired. No matter how much he tried to help them see the light, the fallen warriors proved too far gone and thus worthless in his eyes. Useless Huntsmen held no place in the world of Remnant.

Therefore, Watchet showed no compassion in killing the failures. With each life he took, he swore to make himself better than those who strayed from their path. So, imagine his surprise when he learned of Schwartz's desire to better himself. Someone considered a low-life, climbing up to the image of a hero.

Truly poetic.

It nearly brought a tear to Watchet's eye as he envisioned the team's graduation day from Haven. He thought about all the good in the world the group would bring, the generations of Huntsmen and Huntresses they would inspire.

"I understand if you don't believe me," Schwartz nervously rubbed his arm, continuing to sell his bit. "If you think it's necessary, you can use your Semblance on me."

It was that suggestion that sunk the realization. Watchet sheathed his sword and hugged Schwartz. All his doubts about his partner washed away. Sure, Schwartz wasn't the perfect partner in the world, but perfection didn't exist. Regardless of his imperfections, Watchet would help mold Schwartz into a mighty Huntsman.

"There is no need. I believe you, Schwartz." Watchet smiled.

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Schwartz awkwardly raised his hands and wrapped his arms around his partner. He'd deeply scrub his clothes and body down later. "Thanks, Watchet. I was anxious there for a minute."

"I understand why you decided to keep this a secret. Others would not be as understanding as me," Watchet released Schwartz from the hug and began to pace back and forth in front of him. "This is a precarious situation, so we should ensure that no one else learns of your identity or past."

"The only people that know my identity are you and that sniper woman," said Schwartz as he looked in the direction Wisteria fled. "That secret may die with her. I doubt she could survive without her hands for long."

"Had I known she was a corrupt Huntress, I would have killed her on the spot," Watchet nonchalantly mentioned, shocking Schwartz in the process. "Well, we should return to Haven. The others will worry if we are not back in time."

"I doubt that, but sure," Schwartz shrugged his shoulders and allowed his partner to lead the way back to Haven. It was a troublesome and yet exciting day. If attending Haven brought him fun days like these, he'd enjoy every day until he became a full-fledged Huntsman.

----------------------------------------

Meanwhile, Max Wisteia hysterically traversed through the forest. She couldn't believe nor understand how she had lost to a couple of students. She was a professional Huntress, leagues above the likes of Schwartz and Watchet. And yet, she found herself retreating into the godforsaken forest. She was without her weapon or hands. Thankfully, some of her aura returned and closed the wound to stop her from bleeding out.

Despite her humiliating defeat, she at least fled, knowing she was correct. A bandit infiltrated the school. She wasn't sure how, and she didn't care. All that mattered was that she was right about everything.

After she returned to civilization and healed up, she'd message the council and Headmaster Lionheart about Schwartz's identity. They'd have him captured and strung up within the hour. Her revenge would be realized.

That sadistic thought alone was the only thing that kept her going.

"He's done! That idiot's done for! Pewter, I'll avenge you!" Wisteria desperately proclaimed. She skidded to a stop once a figure dropped from the trees before her, blocking her escape route. The Huntress took a stance but stopped once she realized the person's identity. "Oh, it's you, Lilith."

Lilith Hale straightened her posture and brushed off the leaves from her clothes. "You've certainly looked better, Max."

"Lilith! You've got to listen to me! I was right all along! That student of yours is the bandit that attacked and killed my partner! He attacked me and took my hands!" Wisteria approached her fellow Huntress and displayed her nubs. "His partner helped him! If we head back, we can capture them together! Come on! They're this way!"

Wisteria turned and headed in the opposite direction, only stopping once she noticed Lilith did not attempt to leave her spot.

"Max, do you remember what I said about messing with my student?" Lilith suddenly asked. Her relaxed yet threatening tone shocked the wounded Huntress.

"We don't have time for this, Lilith! If we don't hurry, the students will--"

Lilith rushed Wisteria and pinned the defenseless Huntress against the nearest tree with her hand around the woman's neck. Ragged breaths escaped from the grappled woman's throat as she desperately tried to escape. But it was useless.

"I told you that I would punish you severely," Lilith reminded as she increased her grip strength. Wisteria's face slowly turned pale. "If you left everything alone, perhaps you would've lived much longer. That's always been a problem of yours, Max. You never listen. Don't blame me for this."

Wisteria stared into the cold, emotionless eyes of the Huntress, strangling her to death. She saw her terrified expression reflecting in the eyes of her former mentor and friend. It didn't make any sense. Why was everything horrible happening to her?

What did she do to deserve such a cruel fate?

She'd never get the answers to those questions as Lilith increased her grip strength and crushed the woman's throat. Wisteria's dead body fell limp to the ground once Lilith dropped her.

Lilith heaved a heavy sigh and stared at the carcass of her former comrade and student. It pained her to kill the woman, as she had a bright future. But the woman refused to learn and thus met her unfortunate end.

How many Huntsmen did this make now?

"God damn it," Lilith opened her scroll and made a call. A Beowolf Grimm mask appeared on the screen. The person behind the mask smiled. It was Bruna.

"Hello?" The Wolf Faunus answered.

"Status report," Lilith began. "Your little mutt nearly got found out. So, I tied up the loose end."

"I've done the same on my side as well," Bruna revealed. "Thanks so much for this, Lilith. I owe you one."

"You owe me more than one! Why is it that every time I help you out, it involves killing fellow Huntsmen? I can't keep doing this for you!" Lilith angrily exclaimed.

"It's good that you're not doing this just for me. But for the family," Bruna dismissed her sister's validated anger. "Family is everything. It's the most important thing in the world--"

"--Protect it at all costs," Lilith hesitantly finished the creed of the tribe.

"You made the right choice to help your adorable little sister and her protege instead of your fellow Huntsmen and Huntresses," Bruna stated, proud that her sister remembered the creed.

"Forced would be more like it," Lilith gritted her teeth, not wanting the bandit to misunderstand the situation. "I won't look after him forever."

"You won't have to," assured Bruna. "Schwartz is a clever boy. He'll grow from this experience and become an unstoppable Huntsman once he graduates. Once he's done with training, I'll let you off the hook, my dear sister."

"Go to hell, Bruna." Lilith hung up the scroll and scowled at seeing the dead body next to her feet. It was always one thing after another with her sister. The Huntress picked up the carcass and carried it deeper into the forest.