This was it.
As Po looked over the forest they would all soon find themselves flying towards, he clenched his axes in his hands, when they werenât twirling the weapons like batons with a surprising amount of fluidity. He very obviously wasnât paying attention to what he was doing with them, his face a mixture of deep thought and unknown confusion as he attempted to make some sort of plan for his next step towards becoming a hunter. Alright, this is nothing, just have to remain calm and level, keep things on a swivel and make sure to get out alive while completing whatever tests they want us to do...no biggie. Po thought to himself, so distracted within his own head that he actually jumped when the headmaster started speaking. Already, he could tell that he would need to calm down and not rattle his own nerves. This was just another test, something he was well prepared for and something he could pass for sure. He just needed to have some level of confidence in himself. Right, he had done this before, what was so different? Oh, that's right, only the next barrier of entry towards his dream that should he fail will most likely set him down a path of disappointment.
Man, I need to chill.
When the Professor mentioned that some of them might die performing this task, that seemed to instill Po both with a sense of dread and purpose, although more leaning towards dread. Good, just what I needed, another reminder of death being around the corner. Po took a moment to breath, his axes returned to a resting position in his hands as he managed to bring himself to a more level headed position. He would need his wits about him for this, after all, he wouldnât be the only one racing for these relics, so he would need to make sure to get there fast. Speed wouldnât be an issue, at least not for him, but the Grimm and whoever his partner ended up being might slow him down.
Not a good idea to start thinking like that now Po, it will only set a precedent. Believe in the best and the best will happen. Po thought, reprimanding himself for his own downward spiral.
Then came the eye contact, so that was how partners would be chosen. Partners for the entirety of their stay here at Beacon. Looking between the other applicants currently waiting to enter the forest, he couldnât tell who would be the best fit for him. For the most part, they all seemed to be ready and willing to perform the challenge ahead, so ambition and courage were not absent from this group. It was more a matter of personality, something he couldnât read from a glance alone. A final note that there were only a limited number of relics available, meaning it was possible to succeed and fail at the same time, made Po tense up once more. He had to win, he had to succeed on both fronts. He did not want to have a conversation with his parents, more specifically his mother, as to why he was walking home with his head hung low.
She would most likely âtrainâ him some more, and he just wasnât sure if he would survive it.
Questions were asked but Po was already too focused on his landing spot to pay attention. He needed to make sure he stuck the landing and was on the move the moment he landed. Soon, the pads beneath their feet starting shooting people into the sky, and shortly Po was airborne.
Po spread out his limbs, slowing his descent as he looked over the trees of the forest, his body glowing a soft gold as he appeared to move up and down in the air, utilizing his gravity ability for a limited version of flight. His eyes darted from spot to spot, each one having their own problem; a couple grim here, too much obstructions there. Finally, he selected one he liked and angled himself downwards. Within moments, he reached a tree near his chosen landing zone, digging in his axes to grind down the bark of the tree, slowing his landing to tolerable levels as he spiraled around the trunk of the plant, landing harder than he would have liked and ending in a roll that left him in a crouching position. Taking a quick glance to make sure nothing was overly hurt or broken, he took off at a sprint, his body glowing slightly once more as his body became lighter and allowed him to move faster as he darted through the forest.
He wouldnât fail. He couldnât fail.