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Guardians
Only Professor Oobleck was in the classroom when I entered, pinning some additional notes to the board in preparation for today's class. Dropping my backpack at my desk in the back row, I walked down the stairs to [Observe] it. The popup told me what book the page had been copied from, and I made a note to pick it up from the library tonight— Trying to follow Oobleck's lectures and take notes at the same time was all but impossible, so I might as well read from his primary sources.
"Jaune!"
I glanced back, and only my boosted DEX let me react fast enough to catch Ruby as she flung herself at me with a momentary burst of her Semblance. Spinning around to bleed off some of her momentum, I found myself holding my teammate at arm's length. Her cheeks were puffed, and she was kicking her feet in frustration.
"Where the heck have you been, Mister!?"
"Vacuo, mostly." Setting Ruby down, I made my way back to my seat, finding Blake had taken the spot to my left, away from the aisle. Pyrrha was two seats down by the wall, and had set Ruby's bag on the remaining desk.
"You didn't say anything about going to Vacuo when you left on Saturday." Ruby complained. "You just said you were going into town and weren't sure when you'd be back!"
"From a certain point of view–" I began, but Blake interrupted.
"Don't be a pedant, Jaune," the secret Faunus narrowed her eyes. "You missed an entire day of classes."
"Killjoy," I smirked. "I did go into Vale on Saturday. I told you not to wait up because I didn't know if I would be back that night; I didn't want to be presumptuous about how my date would go."
All three of my teammates blushed to varying degrees, Ruby most of all.
"But," I continued, "Something came up, and I had to fly to Vacuo instead."
"Something family-related?" Blake probed. "In Vacuo?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Yesss," I drawled. "Bianca called me for some help."
Blake lowered her book to look at me shrewdly. "Bianca, your sister who is the High Commander of the Vacuan Foreign Legion. The same group that just returned from a successful raid to kill a Named Grimm this weekend. That Bianca?"
"Yes, that Bianca," I agreed. "Was there a question in there?"
"Jaune, did you fight another Named this weekend?" Pyrrha asked uncertainly.
"Yeah," I answered, glancing over. "Didn't get the last hit this time, but I'm still counting it toward my tattoo tally."
Pyrrha looked politely incredulous at my casual response.
Ruby, meanwhile, appeared to be trembling. Finally, she grabbed my shoulders and tried to shake me. Given she was almost 30 centimeters shorter than me, it didn't work very well. "What the flip!?" she demanded.
I tsked. "I will get you to swear for real one of these days."
Pyrrha stifled a snort of laughter, and Ruby blew a raspberry. "Quit changing the subject!"
"I haven't! I've answered all your questions," I laughed, ruffling her hair and causing Ruby to pout again.
Blake had fallen silent, her gaze dropping to her book again. She avoided my eye, hiding her face behind the pages again as Ruby beat her fists on my shoulder and the classroom slowly filled up around us.
"Take your seats, please, children!" Oobleck vanished from behind his desk in a blur and reappeared on the stairs, chivvying Ruby to her seat. "Go on! Sit, sit; class will be starting soon!" With several more blurs, Ruby's chair was pulled out, then she was pushed into it, before he flickered back to the front of the room. "Please set your completed homework on your desks!"
I paused. "Shit, we had homework this weekend," I realized.
"Indeed you did, Mister Arc! I expect you to turn it in at your earliest convenience, and you can expect to be penalized for turning it in late!"
I sighed. "Yes, Professor."
Nodding sharply, Oobleck took a long pull from his coffee flask as the last few kids sat down. "Now then!" he broke into his lecture without so much as a greeting. "Yes! Yes, prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution — more popularly known as the Faunus War…"
My team followed me closely for the rest of the day, Ruby chattering away as usual, and occasionally calling me a 'big dumb stupid-head meanie' for still not showing her Dawn Cracker.
"You still haven't beaten me in a spar," I pointed out, grinning. "Will I see you in the gym tomorrow?"
"You're darn tootin' you will!" Ruby folded her arms. "Stupid-head!" she added grumpily. I had to resist headpatting her again.
Pyrrha, meanwhile, kept engaging me politely on the subject of Amber, inquiring how we met and how how we came to date. Setting aside both our secrets, I didn't mind talking about it. She didn't raise a stink once I mentioned Amber was only a few years older than us, mostly asking about her motivations for being a Huntress. I suggested they could discuss it sometime, and Pyrrha nodded thoughtfully.
Blake shadowed me constantly; the only time she wasn't hovering in my periphery was when I went to the bathroom. That part didn't bother me — given her history, it didn't feel odd that she would want to keep an eye on me — but the way she went back to being curt when I tried to include her in conversations did.
Still, I didn't have much time to think about it, as I was using each class to hurriedly do the homework for the next class. Absently giving the correct answer when Professor Peach called on me, I kept scribbling a summary of the chapter Port had assigned, just shy of 180 INT with [Fox's Cunning] letting me keep up with the two different subjects with only a little effort.
My passive MP regen was long since high enough to let me keep up one of my animal buffs indefinitely, usually [Eagle's Splendor] since my CHA needed the help more than my other stats in school, but I could run two at a time for well over four hours if I wasn't doing anything else, thanks to Amphivena's Aspect pushing my MP pool over 4000. Since classes were only 90 minutes, I could spend most of it running two buffs and then meditate for a couple minutes to top up before doing it again.
Doing that got me to lunch, where I got ahead of my next class before bolting some food under my teammates' watchful eyes. The last class of the day was Combat, so I spent the preceding lesson knocking out Oobleck's makeup work. Happening to spot him in the hall on my way to Goodwitch's classroom, I flagged him down and handed it over.
"Hm." He flipped through it, head blurring back and forth as he read. "Acceptable work, Mister Arc. Not up to your usual standard, but acceptable." He fixed me with a look that let his shrewd eyes show through his glasses. "Do be more diligent in the future, young man."
"Yes, Professor," I agreed.
Soon enough, classes were over, and my teammates were still hovering all the way back to our room. Time to see what Ozpin's willing to tell me. I wonder if he'll try to buy me off with just talking about Salem, or will he go all the way and explain the Relics too? And how much do I tell him in return?
I tossed my bag onto my bed, and the other three dropped into chairs or in Ruby's case her own bed, but when I turned to leave again there was an indignant "Hey!"
Turning back around, I found all three of them watching me. Ruby, who had spoken, was glaring. "Where do you think you're going, Mister?"
I frowned slightly. "I bumped into the Headmaster this morning, and he asked me to see him after class." When Ruby jumped to her feet again, I held up a quelling hand. "I can find my way there, thanks."
"If you think we're gonna let you wander off on your own again, you've got another think coming!"
My frown deepened. "Ruby. This is no longer adorable." She jerked back at my sharp tone, but I kept going. "I understand you were all worried and frustrated with me. Since I didn't explicitly say it earlier: I apologize for leaving you all with no word. It was wrong of me to disappear like that. I'm sorry, and I won't do it again. That being said, you don't have any say over where I go or when. If I didn't let my mother confine me to my room last night, I'm not going to let you."
Ruby's eyes widened, but she didn't speak, so I glanced at Pyrrha and Blake. Pyrrha broke eye contact with an awkward expression, and Blake hid behind her book again.
"We can talk about this later," I offered. "But I do need to get going." I left, shutting the door behind me with a snap, only to find Yang leaning against the wall on the other side of the hall with her arms folded, tapping her fingers against the scales of the sinuous Animan dragon tattooed on her arm. "Have you been helped?"
Her eyes were closed, and she seemed deep in thought, but she answered me readily. "Ruby was really worried about you, y'know?"
"I surmised," I sighed. "And I'm sorry I had to snap at her, but I'm not going to be a doormat either."
One of Yang's eyes peeked up at me, mostly lilac but with a reddish tint in the iris. "Don't let yelling at her become a habit."
"I don't intend to," I said coolly, and she nodded.
"Glad we understand each other." Pushing off the wall, she gave an easy grin and slugged me in the arm. "Don't keep the Prof waiting, then, Ladykiller."
She entered her dorm through the door across from mine, leaving me frowning at the wood for a moment before making my way to the main building and hitting the button for Ozpin's elevator. The doors slid closed behind me, and it immediately began rising.
I guess I'll just have to make a judgment call on how much to say based on how much he tells me. Reward trust with trust.
"Pardon my lateness, Headmaster," I said as the elevator opened again. "Some of my classmates were eager to express their concern about me disappearing this weekend."
"Quite understandable, wouldn't you say?" he mused easily. Professor Goodwitch was standing beside his desk, arms folded and frowning at me.
"Understandable, if a little frustrating," I agreed. "But the blunder was mine, so I'll apologize as many times as needed."
"I think I chose well in making you the leader of team ABRN," he decided.
"Is that a compliment to me, or you?" I quipped. "Besides, how else would you make a color out of that combination of letters?"
"Rubine — RBJN," he said easily.
"That's weak." I narrowed my eyes, pretending offense, but he just smiled benignly and gestured for me to sit.
I did so, nodding politely to Goodwitch, who continued to frown. I rolled my eyes.
Ozpin simply held up a hand, asking for patience, as he manipulated the computer built into his desk, calling up a teleconference rig between us. Four screens appeared, three of them connecting quickly.
My Semblance didn't provide their names, since they weren't actually in front of me, but I recognized two of them. On my left was Professor Lionheart of Haven Academy. Beside him was a lantern-jawed man with some grey in his black hair and a strip of metal above his right eyebrow, who had to be General Ironwood of Atlas. Next was a swarthy man with a dark undercut just barely showing flecks of grey, and a thin, neat moustache and goatee; by elimination, I assumed this was the Headmaster of Shade Academy.
From the way none of them mentioned me, I presumed the outgoing camera was only facing Ozpin.
The fourth screen displayed 'connecting' for a while longer, before displaying [Audio Only, accompanied by a loud belch. "What is it, Oz? I told you not to call me; I'll call you," a voice rasped.
"Qrow, you can't just go dark in the field," Ironwood chided. "What if you'd been compromised?"
"Up yours, Jimmy," Qrow retorted immediately. "You wouldn't know stealth if it shanked you in the kidney, so pardon me if I'm not interested in your advice."
"Before I begin," Ozpin cut in calmly. "Qrow, do you have any updates you can share?"
There was a gusty sigh that came through as a rush of static. "Nothing solid. I'm pretty sure she has multiple people working for her now, but I haven't been able to pin down any details."
I watched Lionheart's feed closely, but he didn't look nervous at all. So is he not compromised yet? Mental note, I need to ask Vi or Grandma about the death rate over there.
[Mental note added!]
"And given what happened to Autumn‒" Qrow was saying.
"I actually have some news on that front," Ozpin cut in again. "Amber is, while not back to full strength, up and active once more."
The three men I could see looked shocked. Ironwood spoke up. "Ozpin, does that mean that Pietro's Transmigration machine‒"
Ozpin shook his head. "No, James, that remains untested. Which I still believe is for the best. Rather, I located a young man with a remarkable healing Semblance who was able to restore her to consciousness. She has agreed to remain in Vale for the time being, and is even assisting with the occasional Hunt."
The Headmaster from Shade snorted. "Nice dancing around the fact she was just here in Vacuo helping the Legion kill Amphivena this weekend. Or did you expect me not to recognize her?"
"Not at all, Theodore," Ozpin replied, over noises of shock from Ironwood and Lionheart. "I was simply leading to the point that in light of Amber's recovery, I am bringing the young healer into our confidence."
"How young?" Lionheart asked sharply. Guess he still has some standards, hmm?
"Ask him yourself," Ozpin said, tapping his desk again and causing a second camera to rise up, pointed at me.
Oh, sure, put me on the spot! Making sure [Eagle's Splendor] was active, I nodded to the camera with a confident half-smile.
"Eighteen, for the record," I said. "Jaune Arc, sworn Paladin and Trainee Huntsman; personal slayer of Krios, Samiri, and half of Amphivena. Assisted Amber and my sister Bianca with the other half." I inclined my head toward 'Theodore'.
There was a ringing silence, before Qrow snorted. "You're bringing a student in on this? Glynda must be spitting mad."
"Quite," Glynda put in from off camera, and I refrained from rolling my eyes again with difficulty.
Ironwood grimaced. "Ozpin, are you certain‒?" he began, but Ozpin interrupted without raising his voice.
"Mister Arc is here at my request, after he confided in me this morning that he is confident in the existence of an individual controlling the Grimm," Ozpin said softly, and everyone froze. "His reasoning was sound, and I believe it to be his own. Rather than risk him drawing the wrong attention by seeking more information on his own, I deemed it safer to give him an overview."
"'Jaune' is fine," I offered. "And if it makes you feel better, I think Amber would have filled me in if I asked."
"Jaune…" Ironwood's gaze was steady and solemn. "Have you mentioned this to anyone?"
I shook my head. "Only Professor Ozpin this morning."
"What made you consider such a thing?" he pressed.
"The premise occurred to me shortly after I killed Krios, when my sisters explained that Grimm intelligence and planning isn't well understood, just that they get better at it as they get older. Olivia just took a teaching job at Sanctum, so I assume she would have mentioned a controlling intelligence if she suspected it. She didn't say any such thing, and I had other priorities than asking, but every time I met a Named the thought would crop up again." I frowned, dredging my memory. "Krios actively laughed at me when I got frustrated, and angry when I taunted it. Samiri looked me right in the eye after killing someone it knew I was trying to protect. Amphivena identified that I was the one allowing Amber to cast magic at it and prioritized us over the squad already attacking its other head a hundred meters away around a bend in the canyon."
"None of that indicates anything other than Named Grimm being particularly intelligent," Lionheart pointed out, and I nodded.
"Exactly." They all looked confused by my agreement, so I elaborated. "If a Named Grimm is that smart, and since they're capable of calling and commanding their lesser brethren, there's nothing to stop something like Samiri from gathering up a band of Cretans and Beringels and systematically wiping out every village on Anima. News would eventually spread and everyone who could manage would retreat to major cities like Argus or Mistral itself. Once the gates are closed, can one city feed half the continent? I doubt it. People would start to starve; they would panic, they would riot, and eventually the Grimm would batter down the walls. Their reserves are infinite, after all." Lionheart grimaced at the picture I painted. "The fact they aren't doing that is the smoking gun."
The whole group was silent for a moment, digesting that, before Qrow muttered, "Why the fuck didn't I see that?"
"It might help engage your brain if you weren't always drunk," Goodwitch snarked at once.
The pair descended into squabbling, Ironwood quickly joining in on Goodwitch's side, and this time I did roll my eyes. Ozpin pinched the bridge of his nose, but didn't comment.
Theodore addressed me. "So what conclusions did you draw from that 'smoking gun'?"
I shrugged. "Whoever or whatever is controlling the Grimm, they obviously don't care how many people they kill, but the fact we aren't already dead suggests that killing us is a means, not an end. I'm not sure what they want — what 'she' wants?" I questioned, and Theodore nodded. "But whatever it is, she obviously can't get it if everyone's dead."
"Her name is Salem," Lionheart told me. "Her goal, as you've hypothesized, is not to kill mortals outright. It is to retrieve four Relics that are guarded by us."
"And by the four Maidens?" I guessed.
"Indeed, which is why it is so critical the Maidens be kept safe," Theodore intoned.
I fixed him with a cool stare. "Amber is a big girl and can make her own decisions."
"And look how well that worked out for her," Theodore shot back.
His tone got my back up immediately. "Tell me, did Amber know she was the key to finding this Relic? That she was in danger not just from the Grimm, who are a threat to us all, but that she, personally, was in specific danger beyond her possession of magic?"
The bickering had ended by now, and Ozpin and Goodwitch exchanged glances.
"Well?" I pressed.
"Ozpin?" Theodore prompted his nominal leader.
"I… honestly can't recall," Ozpin murmured. His eyes were distant. "I'm certain she knew of the Relics, but she was always so eager to Hunt… I don't remember if we ever discussed how to open the Vault. It wouldn't have been a priority, since without a Maiden's willing cooperation, the Vault cannot be opened by anyone."
"Either way," I added, though I wouldn't be forgetting to ask Amber myself. "Why didn't anyone go with her when she left? You didn't have anyone free to accompany her running around doing exactly what Huntresses are supposed to do?"
"She left on her own," Goodwitch reminded me.
"Maybe she was tired of you all trying to control her life," I retorted. "I stormed out of my parents' house last night for similar reasons; having someone's best intentions at heart doesn't give you the right to treat them like a mushroom!"
[Eagle's Splendor has increased by 1!]
There was a moment's silence before Ironwood asked, "'Treat them like a mushroom'?"
Qrow barked a laugh. "It means being kept in the dark and fed shit, Jimmy. Perfect growing conditions for fungi, not so much for people."
"I have never claimed to be perfect, Qrow." Ozpin looked… old, in that moment. For just a second, I could see exactly how tired he was of the life he'd been cursed with. Then he rallied. "But that is why I keep counsel, and why I invited you here, Jaune. Others have perspectives that I do not."
Taking a deep breath, I turned back to Theodore. "Amber was attacked before because she left the city by herself. This time she didn't; she took with her someone who can watch her back and act as a magic battery." At their stunned looks, I clarified, "My Semblance can restore Aura."
"But… magic isn't the same as a Semblance," Goodwitch frowned. "Is it, Ozpin?"
Ozpin studied me briefly before answering his deputy. "Glynda… have you never wondered where the term 'Semblance' comes from?"
None of the headmasters spoke, so I took a 'guess', "It means 'a Semblance of magic', doesn't it? Magic used to be widespread, but now it's almost gone."
[Acting has increased by 1!]
Oh, fantastic, and we're back to this.
"Indeed," Ozpin said gravely. "Once upon a time, or so the legends say, magic was a gift all mortals could access. Not everyone had the same inclination or talent, but even the poorest housewife knew some cantrips for cooking and cleaning. As magic died out, only the most talented were able to access magic any longer, and only in the areas they specialized in; the singular talents that their souls were inclined toward."
"And so the Wheel of Time turned, and Ages came and passed, leaving memories that became legend," I finished. "Legend faded to myth, and magic was forgotten, only a Semblance of that power remaining to the world's guardians."
Ozpin inclined his head solemnly.
After a beat, Qrow spoke up. "You got a way with words, kid."
"I have some small skill," I allowed modestly.
Ironwood glanced at something off-camera, then clicked his tongue. "I need to take this. Until next time, Ozpin, Glynda." He logged off, and both Lionheart and Theodore also made excuses.
I watched Lionheart closely again, at least until Theodore drew my attention. "You did good work with the Legion this weekend, young Jaune. Xanthe had… well, I won't say 'nothing but praise', but there was praise in her rants, which is rare as hen's teeth. We shall watch your career with great interest."
Forcing myself not to laugh at the unintentional meme, I nodded in thanks, and he too disconnected, leaving only Qrow on the line.
"Tell me about these Relics," I asked Ozpin, who sighed.
"Are you familiar with the story of the Brother Gods?" he asked, and I nodded.
"Basic creation myth about a god of creation and a god of destruction. The mortal races, humans and faunus, were the Brothers' magnum opus — combining the Light God's inclination to Creation and the Dark God's tendency to Destruction, along with the Knowledge to understand and the Choice of what to do with that knowledge."
"In the fairy tale, it is implied those four gifts are metaphorical," Ozpin continued. "And they are, of course. But they were also quite literal. The Relics are physical manifestations of those concepts. The Staff of Creation can, with some restrictions, create anything the user imagines. The Sword of Destruction, as its name implies, is a nearly peerless weapon, and its true power can wreak destruction on a conceptual level. The Lamp of Knowledge can answer three questions every one hundred years. The Crown of Choice reveals the future to its wearer, but only if they understand the choices that lead to it."
He let the explanation sink in for a moment.
"Any one of these Relics contains great power; if anyone were to wield all four, they could undoubtedly change the world," he finished.
"How?" I pressed. The show never went into even this much detail, at least before I stopped watching. "Do they have some extra power when brought together? An unfettered wish?"
"I cannot say," he answered, and for the life of me I couldn't tell if he was lying. "But as they are what Salem is after, I have no difficulty saying that she should not have them."
I frowned, folding my arms and thinking over what I'd learned. "We still don't have enough information," I said finally.
"Whaddaya mean?" Qrow asked. "The evil Queen of the Grimm wants the magic tchotchkes; pretty obvious she shouldn't get 'em."
"But we still don't know why she wants them," I argued. "Yeah, admittedly, given her disposition it's probably not anything good, but we don't know. At least, not from what you've told me so far. What is she like?"
"Brilliant, cunning, ruthless, and by far the most powerful magic-user on the planet," Ozpin said grimly. "She is quite insidious, rather sadistic on the occasions I have fought her directly, and has a regrettable talent for manipulation. I am… not entirely surprised by Qrow's report that she has gathered a cabal to do her bidding. Alarmed, but not surprised."
"Then, she's likely the mastermind behind the one who attacked Amber," I 'guessed', and Ozpin nodded.
"Yes, I suspect the attempt to steal her magic was so that Salem's agent could infiltrate the Vault under Beacon," Ozpin agreed. "Not that it would be quite as easy as that — the Relics have more defenses than just a locked door — but I dare not underestimate Salem either. Many people have, and she is still out there."
And they aren't, was unspoken but clear.
"Your urge to look at all sides of the issue is laudable, and I will not say you're wrong to do so, but please keep in mind that whatever her precise goals may be, she is afflicted by the same drive toward destruction as the Grimm," he warned me. "It is now part of her nature, as much so as her talent for magic."
All mortals have the capacity for destruction, though, I thought. That was the premise of the fairy tale; hell, that's the dreaded Duality Of Man that philosophy has been wrestling with for millennia on Earth as well as here.
"I'd still like to know her actual reasons, but learning them won't change the fact that her methods aren't acceptable. I'm certainly not about to hand over a bunch of divine artefacts to someone like that," I reassured him. I doubt my oath would allow it. "Although, now I think about it… considering she eventually needs to reach the schools, I'm still not sure why she isn't wiping out cities."
"Why do you say that?" Goodwitch asked.
"Ask yourself the thing you don't want your enemy to do, and assume she'll do it," I shot back. "Realistically, a big enough Grimm Surge could wear down Vale, especially if she manages to open a path through the walls. Wiping out even one Kingdom would probably topple the rest like dominoes as the CCT went down and negativity compounded, after which any survivors would be too scattered to mount a united defense. Plus, Ozpin told me that Amber 'inherited' her magic as an adult; that means being a Maiden isn't genetic and Salem doesn't have to worry about accidentally killing them off. She could hunt down the new inheritors at her leisure, steal their magic or otherwise force them to open the Vaults, and bam, she has the Relics."
All of them digested that for a moment, before Qrow grunted, "You're real cynical for a kid, y'know that?"
"Am I wrong?" I demanded.
"No," Ozpin agreed, "Which is all the more alarming, because it suggests that you are right, and she has some other goal we have not yet discerned."
I debated with myself for a moment before speaking up again. "If I was her… I wouldn't let any of my agents move visibly until my entire plan was ready."
Goodwitch frowned, and she looked ready to dismiss me yet again. Then her eyes widened, and she breathed, "But Amber was already attacked."
Ozpin's mouth tightened, clearly following the same line of thought. "…Qrow, have there been any movements from her other agents that you could detect?"
"No way to be sure," he said reluctantly.
"What do you mean?" Goodwitch asked. "That's the entire reason for your current mission."
"Look, it's not that easy," Qrow grumbled. "I'm doing my best to keep my ear to the ground, but it's not like I can just fly out to the Darklands and poke around; even the damn trees out there are Grimm. We already know whoever attacked Autumn is still at large; and I can only be in one place at a time."
Ozpin sighed, rubbing his eyes. "You're right. Perhaps you should return to Vale. The Vytal Festival is approaching anyway, and if we take Jaune's advice about preparing for the worst-case scenario…"
"Then the Festival would be the perfect time to disrupt the peace," I finished. And thank fuck he made the connection on his own. "People from all over the world gathered in one place, emotions already running high… Her agent could use the panic of a big attack to try to find Amber and take the rest of her magic, and Beacon would probably be too busy to even notice her sneak in."
"Aw hell…" Qrow groaned. "All right, I'll start pulling up stakes and head back. Be good to check on the kids anyway."
"Your niece is on my squad, if you want to swing by Beacon," I told him.
"How is Yang doing, the little firecracker?" The affection in Qrow's voice was clear.
"Well enough, but I was referring to Ruby."
"Huh?" Qrow sounded puzzled. "Ruby's not old enough to be– Ozpin, you son of a bitch."
Ozpin sighed, momentarily showing his age once more. "Qrow, you yourself told me that Salem is moving. Given her attack on Amber, we have all agreed it is clear she has set her sights on Vale. Would you have me leave one of the last Silver-Eyed Warriors who remain in this world alone on Patch with a mere Combat school education?"
"Taiyang also gave his approval for her invitation," Goodwitch pointed out. "Over my objection, I'll add."
"Oh, I'll be kicking his ass as soon as I can fly home." We could hear Qrow moving around, clearly packing a bag.
"So… You want me to tell her you're coming back?" I offered.
"Nah, keep it a secret," Qrow decided. "I'll surprise 'em when I drop by." He let out a sigh. "Ozpin… I'm not happy, but you obviously convinced Tai. And… I don't think you were wrong." It sounded like the words pained him.
"Thank you, Qrow," Ozpin said softly, and Qrow hung up.
Shutting down the whole call array and making the cameras withdraw back into the desk, Ozpin flicked through some notes and a calendar. "I suspect James will be making his way here soon. He expressed an interest in attending this year's Festival; some project of Pietro's they've been collaborating on. Hopefully I will be able to dissuade him from bringing an entire battalion with him," he added, his normally controlled voice quite close to a groan.
"Given what we suspect, you don't think we might need that kind of force?" Goodwitch asked, though from her sour expression she was clearly playing devil's advocate.
Ozpin grimaced. "Normally I wouldn't want to condone it, but…"
"Maybe you could convince him to bring a delegation of Hunters instead?" I suggested, and both of them looked up like they'd forgotten I was here. "We could spin a story about a potential international mentorship program. If the other headmasters can spare a squad each, all the better. It takes way fewer Hunters to provide the same firepower as a conventional army, and without the same image problem."
[Persuasion successful! Charm has increased by 1!]
Neat. I had hopefully put a stop to Pawn already by getting Watts arrested, and I would be trying my damnedest to prevent the Fall outright, but if the worst case came around, I wanted as few of those damn robots in Vale as possible.
"That… might work," Ozpin said slowly, and I could almost see the gears spinning in his mind. "We might even be able to make it more than a story, if I can get the others on board."
Goodwitch nodded. "Theodore would favor it, I expect. If nothing else, he might go along with it simply to have more protection for his students."
"True," Ozpin acknowledged, fixing his gaze on me. "You've given me a great deal to think about today, Jaune. Tell me, in light of our discussion, what are your plans for the Vytal Festival?"
I grimaced. "If it were up to me, I'd keep my team out of the tournament so we'd be fresh in case of the worst-case scenario," I admitted. "But Ruby and Pyrrha are both excited to participate. Outside of that, my gut is telling me the one who attacked Amber will try to sneak in. I've gotten familiar with the feel of Amber's magic, so I should be able to identify the other half of it."
"To have overcome Amber, this woman would have to be formidable even discounting her stolen magic," Ozpin warned me.
I gave him a cold smile. "Then we'll see how she fares when she's the one outnumbered this time."
Name: Jaune Arc
Level: 57 (Next: 84.59%)
Title: Academy Student
Race: Human
Age: 18
Job: Beacon Student
Class: Paladin
Semblance: The Gamer
HP: 7470/7470
MP: 4080/4080
STR: 212 (100)
CON: 261 (101)
DEX: 150 (53)
INT: 128 (50)
WIS: 105 (52)
CHA: 140 (52)
Points: 92
Money: 1,231,438L
Status: Cursed – Yellow Death [High]
A/N: I noticed while writing this that I was inconsistent in the time Jaune and Amber spent in Vacuo. I've been too lazy to go back and edit the previous chapters, so for the final word: their date was Saturday evening. They flew there and spent Saturday night, fought Amphivena on Sunday, cleared out Crooked Crown Monday morning, and the argument with Isabella was Monday night. Consequently Jaune not only went AWOL the entire weekend, he missed a day of class.
I'll make some edits at some point to make it clearer.
Finally got back to the gym, so on the nights I'm not writing I'm picking up heavy things. I usually post chapters as soon as they're finished, but I'm trying to get a couple chapters ahead at the moment because I'm planning to spend November writing something else. Ideally there won't be any gap in updates.