"Get up. You're a Schnee, are you not? So get up." To say this was common, wouldn't be true. But it was far from being uncommon either. Especially when spoken to in a demanding tone instead of love and care.

What should have been a simple day of playing outside and singing, came another day of training.

She hated it.

"What are you looking at? Do you dare to cause trouble?" If it wasn't for the fact that she was still small and easily frightened, then perhaps the young girl would have fought back. Rebelled. Maybe even scream out at the unfairness of it all.

"...no…father…" Instead, the small child merley submitted herself to the command. Giving a quick little bow, not even showing any signs of rebellion. Simply accepting the situation she was in. All under the eyes of a man that should have been caring, instead, only wanted what was best for him. Not her. Him.

"Hmph." With a slight scoff, the older man then said, "About time. Now stand." Doing as he said, the girl slowly stood up. She felt tired. Weak. She wanted to sleep. To read books or talk with her sister.

Instead, she was forced to lift her right arm which felt heavy as always. Which is strapped to a device that was turning back on after her previous loss. A small number showed near the top. 8000.

It seems that she was fighting again.

"Good." Jaquess Schnee grinned. Not even bothering to care that his daughter, Weiss Schnee clearly didn't want to do this. Instead, merley wanting to 'improve' her for the masses. To show that the Schnee family was strong. Always strong. Even as a child.

Many would call this cruel. Oppressive. Outright abusive.

"Now then," With a quick turn of his head, Jaquess then spoke to someone behind him. "You may resume again. Her aura is back to full."

"Alright then. May as well get this over with." In this house, the word abuse didn't even exist. Instead, it was replaced with 'upbringing' and 'progress'. So what if Weiss wasn't allowed to play or get proper rest? As long as she was strong, it was worth it all. Or says her father.

Regardless of what Weiss wanted, she was forced to do things she hated. Loathed. In the future, she would understand that this was the primary reason she saw so little of her older sister, Winter. But until then, this was her current life.

Grabbing five cards from the top of her deck, Weiss then looked at her opponent. An older man who showed no signs of regret or guilt in dueling a small child. Just another job for him, who was asked to 'train' Weiss to increase her aura and dueling skills. In the future, perhaps these skills will have purpose and serve their needs. At this moment though, Weiss just hoped the monsters the man summoned wouldn't punch her so hard.

"I'll go first." Without hesitation, the man took the first turn. Looking at the cards in his hands before smiling. "And I think I'll summon Fire Trooper." A monster was then born. Unlike with the holographic technology though, this one had a body made of aura. Meaning unlike with the former, with this body, the warrior-type monster could interact with the world. "Where I then send it to the graveyard to inflict you 1000 points of damage."

Or in this case, harm.

Instantly the fire-attribute creature burned up, self-destructing by its own effect.

But it won't do so without causing some punishment for its enemy. Because in an instant flames came out of it, made of aura. All that whiched lunged at Weiss as if it were alive, to give her the damage its effect will cause. Instead of screaming or frightfully jumping back, Weiss only shut her eyes and whimpered.

She hoped this won't hurt as much as the last time.

A roar could be heard a distance away. It was followed soon after by roars and howls, where a distance away, one could see them in sight.

Claws. Fangs. Black fur covered in snowy white flakes. Red eyes that searched for prey constantly. With a single desire to eliminate life as they know it.

"Ruagh!" Creatures of Grimm, the foremost enemy of mankind. While they come in all shapes and sizes, at the moment, the large pack running across the snowy tundra are Grimm known as Beowolves. Having a massive frame with large limbs to boot, all used to traverse the distance they're making to head for their target.

Mantle.

"Gruagh!" Countless Grimm snarled as they eyed the city. The home of humans and faunus, their eternal foes and prey. Despite the fact that the humans will fight, the Grimm did not care. It has long since been established that Grimm desired only death to their target and little else. As such, even if the humans have defenses, the Grimm, like always, would do their best to overcome them to begin their slaughter of humans.

[Target spotted: Firing!]

But once again, the Grimm would be deterred.

Massive. Destructive. Mechanical.

From seemingly nowhere, a giant tank-like machine arried. It was mainly covered blue, like the floating city above, but had a massive cannon on the left side of its body with what appeared to be a head around the top. With the sides looking reminiscent of arms themselves while the 'head' seemed to be spotting the Grimm with actual intelligence than what any robot should have. Whatever the case, the strange machine then aimed its left-mounted cannon and did one thing.

Fire.

Boom!

Instantly the Grimm running was obliterated. The first wave wiped out in an instant. No bodies had been left behind, and that was without the usual way Grimm died.

"Ruagh!" Even so, that didn't stop the Grimm from running. If anything, they ran faster towards the strange machine, prepared to engage and destroy it. While it certainly wasn't a human, Grimm also held a desire to destroy the creations of mankind. With this machine being one of them.

As such, they rushed toward the 'tank' and prepared to engage and attack.

"Now! Summon more!" Then, to even the Grimm's very own surprise, just like the 'tank', more machines came out of thin air.

Some looked like the one from before.

Others looked like mechanical generals.

Another had a massive equipped cannon coming out of its back.

There was even one that looked like a tank with countless missiles attached to it.

All machines that now gazed at the Grimm with logical eyes before doing one thing.

Beep. [Destroying all Grimm.]

In an instant, a rain of bullets, energy blasts, and metal fists made contact with the Grimm. Ripping them apart. Holes being made into them. Vaporizing their bodies. Turning them to literal smoke through their deaths.

It was soon becoming apparent that the Grimm, for all their effort, wouldn't be making it to Mantle today.

Nor the day after.

Or the day after that.

If anything, the Grimm attacking the city of Mantle, let aside Atlas which floated in the sky, would find themselves incapable of attacking any of the major cities at all. For anytime an attempt was made, these strange machines would appear from nowhere to defend Mantle and Atlas, twenty-four seven. Praise given all around towards their defenders and the very ones who summoned them.

Because behind those deadly walking arsenals of death, were countless people of all sorts. While they looked different from one another, they all had something that made one realize who they are. All one had to do was look at the Huntsmen and Huntresses with a strange attachment to their right arm alongside their glowing auras. But more importantly, if one zoomed in just a little closer, you'd also see something else.

Cards.

The scene then went dark, followed by a click.

"And that was a video from the early days when the summoning of construct aura was formed." The lights then turned on, where from there, everyone inside the classroom spoke to one another in whispers. Talking about what they just saw. While a bit distracting, the teacher continued to speak to get back attention to the history these fine young men and women should be learning now.

With Weiss Schnee being one of many students, attentively paying attention as their teacher then continued to talk about their kingdom's history.

"As you can see, the early stages of the Duel Disk we use were a bit old. But it got the job done regardless." Standing behind her desk, the teacher then smiled. "Through tedious study and control over our aura's, Atlas, and the other kingdoms, have learned to call upon the power of these machines through the Duel Disk."

Ah, yes. The duel disk. Weiss then thought about her duel disk, which was at home, sitting on her desk. It was the latest model, an advantage she had thanks to having the necessary funds to get them.

Before Weiss could go into further thought, she then saw a hand quickly raise itself, something the teacher noticed. Giving a nod, the teacher asked, "Yes?"

"Um," The student, a young male, said, "Isn't the term monster, not machine?" Before the teacher could answer, a sudden wave of giggles and even laughter then came about. Granted, while Weiss didn't join in on the juvenile joke, keeping her usual stoic face, she pondered why the boy would even ask such a question. The student themself already shrinking back in their seat, knowing that they were the target of laughter.

"Silence." With a calm, but sturdy voice, all the students stopped laughing.

Sighing, the teacher then spoke. "Jeric, was it?" The student nodded. "Yes, that. Monsters you said. Well, truthfully, you aren't exactly wrong. By a technicality." Raising her finger to emphasize, the teacher then said, "However, it is well known that many of the 'monsters', as you call it, are for the most part, machines."

A few students including Weiss nodded in understanding. Though another student raised their hand, which the teacher gave another nod to see what they wanted to ask.

"Right, um," The girl spoke loud enough for others to hear. "It's true machines are the ones Atlas and Mantle call upon. But…I heard the other kingdoms can use their aura to construct more than just machines." A murmur of agreement.

Vale. Mistral. Vacuo.

All three kingdoms and even the other minor cities across Remnant were well known to be capable of using their aura to construct beings beyond mere machines than what Atlas and Mantle usually had. If anything, it was very rare for anybody in the kingdom of Atlas to summon something that wasn't a machine. Especially since history has reported that before the Great War, before the rise of the floating city of Atlas, people could use their aura to create non-machine constructs to fight the Grimm for them.

'Though that doesn't mean there aren't…exceptions.' Weiss then thought about Winter, her elder sister. A few more individuals then came to mind like her grandfather, one of the Ace-Ops, a group of Huntresses in Mantle, rumors of some students in Atlas Academy, with even her own little brother Whitley as well. Weiss's eyes then settled down onto her belt, which held a deck box like every other student. One where her deck consisted of cards that weren't machines.

"Ah, yes. How very true." The teacher gave a firm acknowledgement to the girl's statement. Knowing that what she said was no lie, as the other kingdoms can indeed use their aura to construct other creatures when compared to the fine Kingdom of Atlas. "Well, you see-" Though before the teacher could say anything, the sound of the school bell is heard.

Weiss checked the clock and saw that the time is four-thirty, meaning class has ended. Though, before any of the students like Weiss could think of walking out of class, quickly the teacher gave out their assignment before they had the chance to run.

"Be sure to study for next week's quiz, where we will then later on go over how Atlas has managed to discover a way to utilize Dust to create duplicate cards of the aura constructs, we made. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am." Like so, many of the students then began to leave. Wanting to get some food, talk to friends, or even just go into the combat school's duel arena to practice their dueling skills.

Though for Weiss Schnee, she simply desired to only head home to deal with him. Getting up, Weiss then prepared to go when she then heard someone call her name.

"Ms. Schnee. A word." It was her teacher. Sighing, Weiss then walked towards her, ignoring the giggles her classmates gave out, as if she had been caught doing something troublesome. As if a Schnee would ever do something like breaking the rules.

Top grades. Excellent penmanship. Weiss always paid attention in class to boot, where most of her fellow classmates usually peeked at their phones if they had a chance. As such, Weiss didn't believe herself in trouble.

Once she made her way to the teacher's desk, Weiss asked, "Is there something you need?"

"I do, actually. Don't worry, you're not in trouble." As expected. "I just wish to talk to you about your transfer."

"Oh." Okay, not as expected. Weiss knew exactly what her teacher was talking about. More so when she saw the teacher grab a tablet and showed Weiss some familiar paperwork she'd done a few months back.

"I have to ask; do you truly desire to transfer to Beacon?" Paperwork that showed Weiss's desire to leave the Kingdom of Atlas and head over to Vale, Beacon Academy itself.

"I do, professor." Weiss answered back, not really wanting to talk about this with just anybody. Let aside wanting anybody to overhear by accident.

"Are you certain?" asked the teacher. "Because you are aware that you may lose opportunities that you may only gain by going to Atlas, correct?"

"I'm certain." There was no doubt in Weiss's voice. She had made her decision long ago. Something even her teacher noticed who could only sigh.

"Well, if you are certain. A shame though, you would have done well in Atlas Academy. And with your scores, perhaps even be capable of using the Machina deck to its fullest. Even gain your own deck later on if you prove yourself exceptional." Weiss had to prevent herself from rolling her eyes at her professor's comments. Machina's? Ugh. Like she would ever use the same deck that every student was mandated to have. Sure, they were…efficient, but not her style.

'And I already have my own deck, thank you very much.' Weiss added silently in her mind. "Is that all, professor?"

"No. I have nothing else to say." Her teacher admitted. "You may go. While regretful, this is your decision along with your family."

"...right. Family." As if. Aside from Winter, Weiss knew how the rest of her family truly felt about her decision to leave. One didn't notice (care), the other simply snide at her, with the last actually being outraged by her decision. Threatening to even cancel her decision unless she fulfilled a few 'conditions'.

Grades. Good behavior. Full attendance to the charities being held. Singing. All done and passed, even if rather stressful due to how such demands cluttered her schedule. But Weiss had done it. Each and every condition passed that her father had forced onto her if she wished to 'prove herself' to him.

All but one anyway.

With a colder gaze, her hand resting on her deck box, Weiss then left the classroom to head where the last condition needed to be fulfilled.

Footsteps are heard, high heels touching the clean immaculate ground that had been mopped and wiped almost every day. Windows that showed a bright sunny day, with little to no clouds in sight, if at all. One would think that this was the perfect day, here in the floating city of Atlas.

With a stop, Weiss, after finally arriving home from school, looked out one of the windows. There, she then saw a reflection of her face, which looked quite dour in spite of the weather. One that only grew more when she then noticed someone outside.

Instead of being in the training hall, sitting out in the lavish maintained garden on a couch with healthy green trees surrounding it, an older woman grabbed something from the small table nearby. A simple drink, which she then sipped for the umpteenth time.

…She wasn't going to be leaving that area anytime soon.

"Miss Schnee." A man in a professional outfit with a polite attitude came, giving a simple bow to Weiss. "The arrangements are ready. Everyone," The man then briefly paused, spotting the older woman outside. "...who wishes to see you, are in the room."

".." Looking down at her right arm, where Weiss had equipped her blue duel disk with the Schnee family symbol at the top, Weiss then sighed before speaking. "May you please accompany me, Klein?"

"Of course." Another courteous bow, Klein agreed.

Like so, the two then left. And while Weiss' eyes lingered on the woman, her mother, for just a bit, she soon turned away. Klein followed behind silently. The two walked down the hallway, passing by windows, doors, even pictures. One of which features a family of five, where at first glance one would think is a happy family, considering the status the five had. Yet a closer look revealed that nobody was truly smiling, with Weiss not even bothering to take a glance of the picture.

Instead, she was focused on the trial ahead of her. A mixture of nervousness, confidence, and hesitation could be featured on her normally stoic expression. Having felt this way since leaving the classroom. Honestly, she felt anxious about what was ahead of her.

"Are you ready, dear sister?" That all then went away, followed by annoyance, when Weiss saw who was up ahead.

"Whitley." Weiss called her brother's name out, who then smirked at her while brushing his snowy white hair, the same color as her own.

"Weiss." Whitley said, while smiling.

Narrowing her eyes, Weiss said, "I assume you're here to watch? Because I doubt you'll be the one to challenge me."

"Of course not. Do I look like a duelist to you?" With an exaggerated shrug, Whitley continued to smile. "I just wish to watch how you do. After all, we both know that this could get heated very fast. Don't you agree?"

"As if." Considering what she's been through in her early childhood, Weiss wasn't the least bit intimidated by Whitley's words. And now, even the trial up ahead. "Just watch me, and maybe you'll learn a thing or two." With that, Weiss then walked past her brother, who merely watched her from behind.

It won't be just him either.

Because as Weiss entered the training hall, with Klein opening the doors politely for her, Weiss saw him inside. Jacquess Schnee, CEO of the Schnee Dueling Company that monopolized the duel monster cards and technology made for the game itself. Her father now watching over her on the stands above with an emotionless gaze. Behind that look though, was one of anger. With Weiss knowing the cause behind it. After all, she went against one of Remnant's most richest and influential people in Atlas. It was no wonder he was upset.

"Father." Weiss then bowed her head, even if knowing Jacques didn't deserve such refined manners. "I see you've come. Does this mean you will truly honor our agreement, from all those months ago?"

"Of course." Jacques answered. "What kind of father would I be if I didn't?"

A poor one. Or, at the very least, worse than what he already is currently. Not that it changed things, with Weiss fully aware all those conditions he gave her, if she wished to transfer, were made to likely see if she failed and ensure she stayed here under his thumb. Not if she had anything to do about it.

"In any case, I can at least acknowledge you have fulfilled all the other conditions I gave you. Well done." Came the hollow praise. "But now," With a slight smile and a devious glint in Jacques's eyes, Weiss prepared herself. "It's time for the real test."

Weiss activated her duel disk Myrtenaster. It has a rectangular model with an angular blade, the main body looking very much like a tablet, even functioning as one and capable of communication, internet, and had a touch screen as well. Near the wrist is where Weiss's deck is placed. Once turned on, a holographic mass made of hard light then appeared where Weiss can place her cards in. Her duel disk is blue and white, with the edges of the energy blades being colored white while the rest is black.

"Good." Jacques smirked. "Now, as for your opponent," The man trailed off, where the doors across from Weiss opened up. Where the person who would face Weiss stepped out and into the light to show themselves.

"!" Weiss nearly gasped. Not that it stopped her from feeling any less surprised from who she saw, with her mouth opening and uttering the name, "W-Winter."

"Weiss." Tall, prim, proper. Aside from a few differences, the woman that stood before Weiss may as well be a grown-up version of Weiss herself, only wearing a military uniform while having a constant frown. One directed at Jacques as Winter turned back and nearly growled out the name, "Father."

"Hello dear." Jacques chuckled. "Glad you could make it on time." Entering the room where Jacques is, Whitley came. While he had a smile, he stayed silent while giving a small glimpse at his elder sisters below. Watching.

As for Winter, she just sighed before turning to face Weiss. "I will be your challenger. You win, you may go to Beacon as father agreed to. Lose however, well…" The answer was already known to them both.

"Well then, get on with the show." Klein scowled at Jacques's words with Weiss gripping the side of her dress while Winter felt irritation at her father's words. Making their duel into some spectacle. Father of the year.

Still, if Weiss wanted to leave for Beacon Academy, she needed to beat Winter.

'But how!?' Yet despite Weiss's confidence in her dueling skills, it all seemed to go away when facing her older sister. Knowing that Winter was a powerful duelist. One who managed to actually win the Vytal Tournament and being an accomplished Huntress against the Grimm and the kingdom's enemies. Being one of the few people who also had a deck that wasn't just based on machinery as well. Not to mention…Weiss didn't want to fight her sister.

"I'll go first." Winter must not have felt the same. As she instantly made her move which made Weiss snap out of her trance and grimace. Her duel disk up and active while up above, Jacques grinned as he prepared to see his eldest daughter make her move. "And I'll start by summoning," Weiss prepared herself. "Machina Gearframe!"

"Eh?" Weiss blinked.

"What!?" Jacquees shouted.

On Winter's field, an orange monster with an orange 'helmet' with a single eye came onto Winter's field. (ATK: 1800/ DEF: 0)

"Winter! What do you think you're doing?" Jaquess then shouted, much to Winter's own amusement. With Weiss actually seeing her elder sister actually smile.

"I'm dueling, father." Came Winter's response.

"That's not what I mean." Jacques hissed. His hands gripping the rails tightly. "I'm asking why you aren't using your deck. Not James' idiotic mandate deck."

"Why father, I don't know what you mean." With an underlying mocking tone, Winter then said, "You asked me to duel Weiss to prove herself, did you not? Not once you mentioned what deck I had to use." It took a bit for Weiss to not crack a smile, as she watched her father turn beat red in anger at what he viewed as defiance.

Still, that didn't mean this would go Weiss's way entirely. "But anyway," turning back to face Weiss, Winter said, "While I may not be using my deck, I am well-versed with the Machina's. As such, I won't go easy."

That;s right. While Weiss no longer had to fear facing Winter's personal deck, which was more powerful, Weiss had to remember that Winter used the Machina deck for a long time. As such, she knew how to use it well, meaning Weiss couldn't underestimate her.

As for Jacques, while he grumbled, he seemed to accept the situation. Reluctantly. "Fine. Very well." Waving his hand, he decided to have them resume. "Get to it."

"Of course." While still displeased with the man, Winter decided to continue. "For now, I'll continue on by first using the effect of Machina Gearframe."

"You can add a Machina monster from the deck to your hand." After seeing people use the Machina deck time and again, Weiss knew how it worked.

"Indeed." Taking a card from her deck, Winter then said, "And I add Machine Unclaspare. And when he's added to my hand, I can special summon him onto my field immediately at the cost of being unable to special summon anymore monsters aside from machine-types." Now entering the field alongside Gearframe is a tall black and gray colored robot with glowing red eyes, a strange aura coming out of it, and a large weapon attached to where its right arm should be.

"And with him summoned," Winter continued. "I can send one Machina monster to the graveyard from my deck." With Winter doing so. "I end."

Weiss gulped, but continued on regardless. If she wanted to prove herself, she wouldn't do so while acting like some frightened child. No. She needed to fight, starting now. "Draw!" Grabbing a card from her deck, Weiss then looked at the six cards in her hand. She then looked at Winter's field.

Two monsters, no set cards. So did she draw only monsters? Most likely. Meaning she had an advantage. An advantage she had to use now.

"I activate the spell card, Medallion of the Ice Barrier." On the field, the spell card appeared which showed a gold medallion with red beads. "This allows me to add an Ice Barrier monster to my hand." Weiss then grabbed a certain monster from her deck, then shouted, "Now! I summon the Samurai of the Ice Barrier!"

On Weiss's field, a man in light blue armor appeared with a sword and a mask that hid his face. (ATK: 1800/ DEF: 1500)

Weiss then smiled. "Now I play another spell card, MagicTriangle of the Ice Barrier!" A spell card featuring three Ice Barriers showed itself. One with a deadly effect. "I first reveal three Ice Barrier monsters in my hand to you with different names," Weiss then showed three cards. Blizzard Warrior. Medium of the Ice Barrier, and the recently added Caravan of the Ice Barrier. "Now I can destroy one of your monsters, and if I do, I can special summon one of my Ice Barriers from my hand. And the one I destroy is…Machina Gearframe."

Best to destroy the union monster. Blue energy shot out of Weiss's spell card which engulfed the emotionless machine, destroying it. And since there was no resistance, Weiss can now utilize her spell's next effect. From her hand, Weiss then summoned out Medium of the Ice Barrier.

A woman with long hair and a dress, who looked as if she worshiped something. (ATK: 2200/ DEF: 1600)

Weiss smiled. "And now I attack. Go Medium of the Ice Barrier." Obeying, Weiss's level seven monster struck with the power of 2200 attack points. Destroying Machine Unclaspare, who futilely tried to fire back. Medium of the Ice Barrier simply avoided his shots before slicing through his torso, killing it and damaging Winter.

Winter Schnee Life Points: 8000 - 7600

Klein cheered while Whitley snorted.

"But it's not over yet. Samurai!" Weiss's samurai obeyed. Leaping into the air, he struck Winter (lightly on Weiss's command), reducing Winter's Life Points further down.

7600 - 5800

Weiss gave a mental cheer. She did it. She actually did it. It's been a while since she dueled Winter, due to her busy schedule, but Weiss managed to damage Winter. 'And with two monsters, along with Medium's ability to restrict Winter's spells and traps to just one, I can actually do this.'

At first glance, one would think that Weiss truly did have the advantage.

"Hmph." She never did. If anything, Winter's smile unnerved Weiss as her elder sister then chuckled. "Well done Weiss, you've truly grown." Then, just as quickly, Winter's expression fell into a cold one. "But it won't save you either. Draw."

With five cards in her hand, Winter now had the chance to change the tides. Which she did without hesitation. "I discard one card from my hand, Machina Defender," Winter sent one monster into the graveyard. "And in turn, I special summon Machine Irradiator!"

Jacquees smirked while Weiss flinched. From Winter's hand, coming into defense position, is a large green mechanical monster with a large blaster standing at the top of it, glowing green and ready to fire. Be it Grimm, or even Weiss's Ice Barriers in this case. (DEF: 2400/ ATK: 1700)

'S-Still, it can't beat me.'Not only was it in defense position, but it also held no capability to truly attack since Weiss's monsters were too strong. As such, she could still win.

"And now," But Winter's turn wasn't over. "I normal summon, Machine Possesstorage!" A gasp escaped Weiss's lips, as she knew that monster. A soldier-like monster with black armor and claws with a sword for a right hand, came out with a menacing aura. Had it not been for the fact that this duel was using holographic tech only, Weiss was certain she would mistake its aura as actual aura from Winter. (ATK: 1600/ DEF: 1500)

And while it had low attack, it's special ability isn't anything to scoff at.

"Now," Winter began to declare. "I will activate Machina Possesstorage's ability. To bring back one of my Machina's from the graveyard."

"She has Defender, Gearframe, and Unclaspare.' So while troublesome, Weiss should still be-Wait! Didn't Winter…send a card to the graveyard earlier?

"That's right Weiss." As if reading her mind, Winter responded to Weiss's surprise. "I sent a monster earlier thanks to Unclaspare. And now I'll summon it. So come! I special summon Machine Fortress!"

At that name, Weiss, Klein, and even Whitley gasped while Jacquess felt only joy. Knowing that his daughter Winter was putting quite the pressure out.

As for Machina Possesstorage, he gave a robotic howl and raised his sword-hand before plunging it onto the ground. The ground then burst, revealing none other than Machine Fortress in all its glory. One of Atlas's most iconic monsters. With Weiss having seen the machine earlier in class today. (ATK: 2500/ DEF: 1600)

A level seven monster that showed little mercy, especially with its massive cannon. Though it seems things were about to get worse for Weiss as Winter continued her turn.

"Now I activate Irradiator's ability." Irradiator glowed, its cannon aiming at Possesstorage. "I target my Possesstorage with Irradiator's ability to destroy him in order to special summon another monster so long as it's a level four or lower with a different name." irradiator destroyed its comrade with a single blast. But from Possesstorage's corpse, out burst Machina Gearframe from its dead body.

"I then have Gearframe equip itself to Fortress!" Which gives Machina Fortress the ability to survive a destructive battle or card effect by using Gearframe as a sacrifice. The orange bot attaching itself to Fortress to fortify its defenses.

"Finally, I activate the continuous spell card Machine Defense Perimeter." A card revealing the Irradiator showed itself. Which then appeared and seemed to be on guard. "So long as I possess a level seven or higher machine monster, you cannot target level 6 or lower monsters with attacks or card effects. Of course, it does nothing for now, but…"

'It's a useful card regardless.'

"And now," Weiss readied herself, knowing what was about to come. "I attack Medium of the Ice Barrier with Fortress. Go! Plasma attack!" Machina Fortress obeyed. Its cannon aimed at Medium of the Ice Barrier and fired. The poor spellcaster screamed as she was annihilated, while also damaging Weiss's life points.

Weiss Schnee's Life Points: 7700

While not as much as what Weiss had done, it was clear Weiss was on the backfoot now. More so with such a powerful monster and a strong defensive one. Winter, seeing all this, then placed one card face-down. "Your move Weiss."

"..." Weiss obeyed, drawing a single card. The Trap Card, White Howling. 'That…could be useful.' But at the moment, no. Winter had no spells in her graveyard, meaning she couldn't use the traps' secondary effect to negate Winter's Machina Defense Perimeter. Setting it face down on the field, Weiss then looked at Samurai of the Ice Barrier.

His ability, to destroy itself to draw one card when put in defense mode, can be useful right now. 'However,' One look at Winter's field showed that this would be a bad idea. She'd be near defenseless. So, with regret, Weiss then set one monster face down in defense mode. "Your move."

"Gladly." Winter drew. "I set one card face down, then activate the quick-play spell Unauthorized Reacuvation." A familiar face showed itself, along with the power it brought forth. Machine Possesstorage walked out of the spell card with Winter explaining its effect.

"I can target one machine monster and have it been equipped by a machine union monster from my hand or deck." Winter no longer had any cards in her hand. Which left the deck. Taking out a card, Winter shouted, "I equip my Fortress with Peacekeeper!"

A small little red machine appeared with three 'limbs' that ended with wheels, whirring as it then drove towards Fortress and like Gearframe, attached itself to it. "I then unequip Gearframe, while moving Irradiator in attack mode."

Machine Irradiator switched to offense. (ATK: 1700/ DEF: 2400)

With Machine Gearframe detaching itself from Machina Fortress and returning to attack position. (ATK: 1800/ DEF: 0)

"And now, I attack. Go, Irradiator! Destroy her face-down monster." With a grimace, Weiss watched as Machina Irradiator aimed, targeted, and fired at her set monster. It flipped face up to reveal Blizzard Warrior. (DEF: 400/ ATK: 1400)

Needless to say, it was destroyed in a single shot.

"Machine Fortress," With Samurai next. "Plasma cannon." Samurai of the Ice Barrier raised his sword, not wishing to die without dignity. Swinging his sword at the plasma cannon Machine Fortress shot at him. Like Medium of the Ice Barrier, he was vaporized.

"Ugh."

Weiss Schnee Life Points: 7700 - 7000

"Gearframe." A final attack. With his robotic fist, Gearframe smacked Weiss in the gut. Again, had the duel used their aura to summon the monsters, Weiss was certain she would have been sent flying.

7000 - 5200

Not that it made her feel any good, watching her life points going down further. Now, the tide itself has turned in favor of Winter. With three monsters now standing tall, taller in Weiss's eyes, as they each could do devastating damage in the next turn, making the heiress of the SDC Company feel so small.

"It's over." Whitley sighed. "Weiss lost."

"Mistress." Klein said sadly.

"Heh." With only one man taking joy in all of this. "Observing how Weiss has been cornered. It hasn't even been that many turns, yet already Winter had the firepower to annihilate much of Weiss's Life Points. Where if things went well, all of them in just a bit.

"I end my turn." Now, it was Weiss's turn, who could only flinch. Her hand then went near her deck, only to hesitate.

One face down with two cards in her hands. None that will really help her at this moment. White Howling might be useful in negating Machina Defense Perimeter's secondary effect, but it didn't help against any of Winter's three monsters, one of whom could avoid destruction by battle or effect thanks to the attacked Peacekeeper. There was even that face-down card Weiss had to worry about.

'And I can only draw once.' For a moment, Weiss thought if she should forfeit. She was already about to lose in the first place. Not to mention that it wasn't as if her being stuck in Atlas will be a completely bad thing. It'd take time, but she could find her own path that didn't involve her father if she made the right choices, like Winter.

"But is that what you really want?" It was then Weiss heard a voice. Maybe it was her imagination. Maybe it was herself. All Weiss knew was that she felt a chill, but a sense of insistence that she shouldn't just give up. If she forfeited here, then isn't that just saying her father won? That he was right about her? Just thinking that made her mad. Mad at her father, his decisions for her, his outrageous expectations, and at herself for having even thought of giving up.

'No. I won't. I won't give up!' Winter wouldn't give up, so why would she. If anything, Weiss needed to keep going no matter what.

"P&5f#t." Another strange voice. One that seemed to have come from…her deck? Where for just a moment, Weiss swore she thought she saw it glow.

…Just her imagination. They were just cards used to duel and to fight against Grimm, no more than that. It wasn't as if they were actually alive. Atlas always tells its students that the cards were just that, cards. No more no less.

So, with that all said and done, Weiss then grabbed the top card of her deck and said, "Draw!"

A smile then came onto her lips.

"Oh." Across from her, Winter saw it. 'And here I worried you would forfeit.' Thankfully, it seems her little sister wouldn't be doing so. It would have been disappointing if she did, but now it seems Weiss had forgone any hesitation from earlier and would continue on. 'Still though,' Winter thought as she observed her field. 'How will you turn this around, Weiss?'

If she was being honest, Winter wanted her dear sister to win. But she couldn't go easy on her either. While Winter may have used her Machina deck instead of her personal one, she had made some powerful moves that can handle whatever Weiss had, who has no monsters. But if her sister could somehow find a way through all this…well, wouldn't that be exciting.

"I'll now start." With Weiss already starting, as she then placed a card into her disk. Instantly a spell card is shown. "And I start by activating the spell card, Freezing Chains of the Ice Barrier!" A card depicting a creature surrounded by a yellow barrier is seen.

"This card allows me to target one Level 4 or lower Ice Barrier monster in my graveyard and special summon it when activated. So now, return to me, Samurai of the Ice Barrier!" Snow then swirled on Weiss's field, where from there, the armored samurai from before came with a trumpet return.

"Hm. Pretty good." Up on the stands, Whitley nodded. "She has a monster now. And while she can't aim for Gearframe because of Winter's spell, she could destroy the weaker Irradiator." That monster, while big looking, only had a measly 1700 attack strength despite its high-level. "Still though, it won't be enough."

Down below and standing behind Weiss, even Klein had to reluctantly agree. While glad his mistress had a monster that could fight, it could only target one card. Leaving the powerful Fortress to contend with Gearframe as a contender. "Oh. What will you do?"

As for Winter, she stood patiently. Knowing her sister, she had more up her sleeve.

"And now," Which Weiss will now unveil, as she slammed a card onto her disk. "I summon, Caravan of the Ice Barrier!" A strange man riding a sea-like creature that could walk on land appeared, looking like a merchant riding a horse only more fantasy-like. (ATK: 500/ DEF: 200)

"Pitiful." Jacques mocked. Not seeing any threat at all.

But Caravan didn't need to be a threat. He was just there to help Weiss out who then shouted, "I now activate the spell card, Winds Over the Ice Barrier." A spell depicting two youngsters watching some creature in the sky is then shown. Winter narrowed her eyes, having not seen that card before. Thankfully, Weiss was eager to explain.

"This card allows me to tribute my Ice Barrier monsters, where I can then special summon from my deck Level 4 or lower monsters up to the number of monsters I tributed." Samurai and Caravan of the Ice Barrier then vanished away. Where from Weiss's deck to take their place came two monsters.

The first was a giant caterpillar monster covered in frost with a green underbelly.

The second, a mysterious girl holding a mirror to hide her face while dressed in various shades of blue.

Numbing Grum in the Ice Barrier. (ATK: 1300/ DEF: 1800)

Geomancer of the Ice Barrier. (ATK: 800/ DEF: 1200)

For a moment, Jacques was about to scoff once again. Trading in two monsters for even more weaker ones. Pathetic. He then paused when he realized something. Geomancer…she was…

"A tuner." Winter finished his thoughts where Weiss smiled at her words.

"It is. And now, I Synchro Summon!"

Synchro Summoning. The ability to use lower-level monsters to summon a higher level one. It wasn't exactly tributing, and in truth on the field of battle against the Grimm, Synchro Summoning wasn't an easy-to-use technique.

Utilizing a lot of aura which caused many people to fail in summoning them were they to use their aura alone. Added on the fact that Synchro Summoning was usually only learned during one's second or third year in a Huntsman Academy like Atlas, showed just how much Weiss trained to attain the aura to utilize this power despite not even being a second-year in the academy.

Granted, they were using holograms, so the Synchro Summoning for this duel made the fight here much easier. Still though, the fact that Weiss has a Synchro monster showed how hard she trained to attain it, since most people had to buy the cards while Weiss earned it.

"Guh." As for Weiss, she prepared to tune Geomancer and Grub to summon out a Level 7 Synchro monster. Yet once again, she felt something that was akin to a stinging pain in her body, despite the fact this duel was using only holograms.

Her monsters, Grum and Geomancer, looked at her, shaking visibly. Almost as if…they didn't want to synchro summon. Which was strange since Weiss has Synchro summoned before. But to note, Weiss always felt a brief stinging pain whenever she was trying to Synchro summon one of her dragons, where with other Synchro monsters nothing occurred.

'Whatever.' Weiss thought as she tuned Geomancer and Grub. "With these two monsters, I synchro summon for Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier!"

Reluctantly, Geomancer flew up alongside Grum, the former turning into three rings of light with Grum entering them. Their bodies vanished and were used as a type of sacrifice to summon out one of Weiss's strongest monsters from the extra deck.

With a body that appeared to be made of ice itself glowing red, a dragon appeared with a large roar. Mouth glowing brightly with wings lifting itself. The great dragon finally made its appearance. (ATK: 2500/ DEF: 1700)

Gungnir hissed as it landed on the ground. Then turning to Weiss and growling menacingly. Yet it felt as if it wasn't so much at her…but her deck?

"Interesting. So you summoned him." As for Winter, she stood by, impressed. "Your creature has quite the attack points. I assume you'll attack me with it?"

"Of course, sister." Weiss nodded. "So Gungnir, attack Machina Irradiator!" The Ice Barrier Dragon still seemed angry, but obeyed, nonetheless. It turned to the oversized weapon and lifted its neck and shot out a beam of devastating red light. Irradiator exploded into broken parts from the attack.

Winter Schnee Life Points: 5800 - 5000

Now Weiss was higher, even if by only a bit. Making the Schnee heiress feel proud of herself. "I end my turn."

"Very well then. I draw." It was Winter's turn now, and she drew to see what card she grabbed. "I activate Machina Armored Unit." From her hand, a new spell card activated which showed a machine blowing up. "This card allows me to special summon one machine monster from my deck once per turn, but only if a machine monster I have is destroyed by battle and sent to the graveyard. With the additional condition that the machine has the same attribute and less attack."

Now comes the next part. One which made Weiss worry, as she saw Fortress with its 2500 attack and Gearframe with 1800. Already Weiss saw the possibility of what Winter could do. Have Fortress attack her Gungnir, but instead of both dying due to equal attack, Peacekeeper would protect Fortress and leave Gearframe to do a follow attack.

'And worse, there's no saying I'll draw the right card.' Meaning if Winter struck now, she could finish Wiess off in a few turns to attain vict-

"I end my turn."

Weiss nearly stumbled back with Whitley and Klein blinking in surprise.

"Winter!" Jacques wasn't nearly as subtle. Outright wrathful as he glared at his eldest daughter in fury. "Are you daring to go easy? You had an opportunity then and there?" While grateful, even Weiss was wondering just what inter had been thinking.

Winter merely looked back at her father and said, "You do realize Weiss has a card face-down, no?" On Weiss's duel disk is indeed a set card, her White Howling. "I have no idea what it is. It could weaken my monsters, maybe destroy them, who knows. As such, it is better to be cautious."

Jacques snarled but said no more, continuing to watch as it was Weiss's turn who drew a card. At the moment, even the heiress was confused by her sister's actions. While what Winter said was true, with her not knowing what Weiss could have set, the latter couldn't help but think that perhaps Winter is giving her a chance to fight back.

'But even then, I'm in trouble.' Even with this chance, Winter still held the advantage.

A monster that could tank Gungnir's blows without dying. Gearframe protected by her Machina Defense Perimeter spell. Not to mention the mystery card set that could change everything.

All while Weiss had one monster and a spell card that did nothing. So, this was definitely her last chance. With that knowledge settling in, Weiss then looked at the card she drew.

"!" And saw the card that will put her to be on top. Without hesitating, Weiss then called out, "Summoning, Dewdark of the Ice Barrier!"

A man in ninja-like clothing appeared with green hair and weapons on his hands came onto the field. (ATK: 1200/ DEF: 800)

"Grrrrrrr." Where once again, Gungnir reacted. Showing outright hostility towards Dewdark who seemed to show both fear and anger.

"?" Winter noticed this as well. She wasn't sure why, but she knew that for some reason Weiss's monsters always acted off whenever her Ice Barrier Dragon came out alongside the rest of the Ice Barrier monsters. But ignoring that, Winter now knew what Weiss's plan was.

"Summoning that monster."

"I am." Weiss then raised her hand, ignoring Dewdark's look like Weiss said, "I tune using Dewdark and Gungnir for another Synchro summon." Dark transformed into two rings, Gungnir then entered it and roared as it and the rings glew brightly.

Weiss felt another, greater sting of pain on her right arm, but continued on as she summoned the most powerful card in her extra deck. "Come, beast of ice and frozen snow, who freezes all in his path with contemplating fury." Weiss didn't know why she changed these words, but they always felt right for some reason. "Bring forth an unending age of ice, Synchro Summon, Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier!"

Coming out onto the field then came the strongest Synchro monster Weiss wielded in her deck.

"RUAGH!" Three massive heads, snowy wings with a long tail and glowing red eyes. All three heads shrieked in what sounded like fury and reverence at their summoning. (ATK: 2700/ DEF: 2000)

Like their 'relative' Gugnir, the three heads glared at Weiss's deck before turning back, showing nothing but rage against the Machinas who actually seemed to react towards it with caution.

They'd be right to, as Weiss then revealed Trishula's special ability. "Activate!" The three heads all aimed themselves into position. One at Winter's field, another at her empty hand, the last at the duel disk's graveyard itself. "When synchro summoned, Trishula can banish one card each from your hand, field, and graveyard. Granted, your hand is empty so that won't work, but for the rest…" Weiss let that sink in as Winter prepared herself.

Trishula shrieked as the first head sent an icy beam at Winter's deck. Weiss immediately chose what she wanted gone. "I banish Machina Possesstorage from your graveyard." Possesstorage came out, its normally black painted armor turning blue before it shattered apart into ice bits.

Now came the field.

"As for your monster, I choose Machina Fortress." The second head aimed at the mobile tank. Peacekeeper, seeing the head about to fire, detached itself in an attempt to save Fortress.

"It won't work." Weiss explained. "Trishula is banishing, not destroying in battle or card effect." As such, when Trishula fired a blue beam of ice, the attack tore through Peacekeeper and then slammed into Machina Fortress, who like Machina Possesstorage, turned blue before shattering, banished from the field. As for Machina Peacekeeper, he was sent to the graveyard which now left only one card on the field. Machina Gearframe.

Winter braced herself as Weiss then called her attack. "Go Trishula, annihilate Gearframe." Trishula obeyed, all three heads firing at once with Machina Gearfram's lens widening before it was wiped out.

Winter Schnee Life Points: 5000 - 4100

"I end my turn." Weiss declared as Winter then drew her last card. She took a look at it before chuckling.

"I end my turn." She made no move at all. She didn't set any cards or summoned any monsters. A bad draw in this case.

As Whitley whistled with his father fuming, Klein alongside Weiss only saw one thing.

Victory.

"Draw!" A monster card. "I summon Dance Princess of the Ice Barrier!"

A young girl with silverish hair and weapons appeared, who upon coming out gave a glare at Trishula who did the same. (ATK: 1700/ DEF: 900)

This was it. With Trishula having 2700 attack points and Dance Princess having 1700, Winter would be wiped out in this final turn. And while Winter still had a set card, Weiss would risk it. "Go, attack you two."

With those words said, Dance Princess and Trishula struck at Winter together. Their total attack power equaled 4400 in total. Winter's spell cards would do nothing while she didn't bother activating her trap. In that moment, the two monster attacks collided.

Winter Schnee Life Points: 4100 - 0

Weiss had won.

Jacques hissed at this while Klein clapped in joy whilst Winter merely smiled, turning her duel disk off. Though before she did, she took one look at her trap card, Machina Overdrive, before shrugging. She then faced her father and said, "I believe this means the deal between you two is done."

Up above, Jacques gave a glare as if he wanted to hurt someone. Whitley took a step back. For a moment, there was only silence.

"Father." Weiss then spoke. Not looking scared at all. "I won."

"..." Then, a moment later Jacques turned and walked away. But not before saying, "Do not shame this family name." Soon after, Whitley followed him. As for Weiss, she sighed.

"Weiss." Then straightened herself up as Winter walked towards her. "Congratulations, you won."

"...I…did…" Weiss did feel proud for that, definitely. Though she then looked down. "But I was lucky." Had she not drawn the right cards, with Winter herself giving Weiss the chance needed, Weiss knew she wouldn't have won. Especially if Winter had used her real deck instead of Machinas.

"...perhaps." Winter said, which made Weiss flinch. "But even duelists need luck at times. Don't forsake that or the skill used to turn the battle around."

"U-um, y-yes sister." With that said, Winter began to leave. Klein giving a polite bow as he then quickly opened the door to let Winter leave. Leaving Weiss to think a bit over Winter's words. Admittingly, she still felt a bit insecure about her victory, but Weiss supposed she wouldn't let that stop her from doing her best to further refine her skills.

'Like maybe add some new traps and spells.' Most of the spell and trap cards she used belonged to the Ice Barrier archetype. So perhaps it'd be best to switch that up a bit. She could also attempt to train her aura again, since whenever she dueled with aura as the source of summoning, the sting she got whenever she summoned her Ice Barrier dragons got worse to outright pain. Though that was also another reason for her going to Beacon.

Both to get away from her father and to learn if Beacon had any techniques when using aura in a battle. Last thing she needed was to fight a Grimm only to seize up at the wrong moment and get killed while she's distracted. There was a reason that even with so many people capable of summoning monsters through aura, the Grimm remained humanities greatest enemy.

"But having a partner should help with that." Ah, a partner. It's a common fact that anybody who takes the life as a Huntress usually has a team. Sure, there were those who were loners or duos, but for the most part, Huntsmen and Huntresses are usually a group of four.

Once Weiss got to Beacon, she'll undoubtedly be joining with three others as she spent the next few years training in Beacon. Training together and working together to face the Creatures of Grimm with the monsters they had with them. All while in the meantime, Weiss could make a name for herself and change the company her father has corrupted into the awful imaging it has now.

"Just as long as I get the right teammates." Weiss whispered as Klein closed the doors behind her and followed her so she could pack her bags for the trip to Vale.

Where already Weiss imagined just who she would meet at Beacon. With luck, she'll attain a perfect team who are dedicated, resourceful, intelligent, and capable of taking matters seriously. With a smile, Weiss can only imagine the type of people at Beacon with the perfect partner she'll meet.

"Shit! Shit! Shit! Get us out of here already!" Roman Torchwick shouted in anger and panic while ripping out thorns from his clothes, looking like a mess. The pilot glaring in contempt at him before pulling the Bullhead up, avoiding any more attacks from the famed Glynda Goodwitch and her monster Witchcrafter Madame Verre.

The Bullhead making its way forward while any attacks the spellcaster monster shot blocked by the pilot's own monster, which was quite firey yet hidden just enough in the shadows to escape identification.

Glynda scowled, having wished she captured them while her Witchcrafter simply yawned.

"Woah! Amazing!" All while the girl who, who was well intending but reckless, oohing at Witchcrafter Madame Verre and Glynda. Not even noticing the latter was now glaring at her in anger for her actions and instead took out a sheet of paper.

Holding it up, the girl then asked, "Can I get an autograph!"

"..." While Glynda stayed cold and silent, it was undermined by her monster who merely laughed. The girl then saw Glynda's scowl and slowly began realizing she was in trouble, shrinking back.

"...so…no autograph?" This was going to be a long night.

Weiss Schnee: Ice Barrier Deck

Winter Schnee: Machina (Mandate) Deck