304"Struggle, endure, contend. For that alone is the sword of one who defies death. Do not forget these words."
- Skull Knight
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[Would Mr. Jaune Arc please report to the headmaster's office?]
The speakers crackled for a brief moment before cutting off, leaving the cafeteria in an odd hush. A few students glanced around curiously, but the moment quickly passed as they returned to their meals.
"Ohhhh, someone's in trouble!" Nora sang, her grin wide and teasing as she nudged Ren with her elbow.
Jaune gave her a flat, unimpressed stare—one that even Glynda Goodwitch would have been proud of. "Thanks for the support," he muttered dryly.
Pyrrha, however, wasn't laughing. Her emerald eyes flickered with concern as she turned toward him. "Do you think it's something serious?" she asked, her voice softer than before.
Jaune forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I hope not," he lied.
The truth was, his stomach had twisted into knots the second he heard his name over the intercom. There was only one reason the headmaster would summon him, right? They must have found out. About his fake transcripts. About how he cheated his way into Beacon.
His hands curled into fists at his sides, and he exhaled through his nose before giving Pyrrha a reassuring nod. Then, without another word, he turned away from the table and made his way toward the exit.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
By the time he reached the elevator, his palms were clammy, and his breath came shallow. His hand trembled as he reached for the button, hesitating for just a second before pressing it. The low hum of the machinery filled the air as the elevator descended, and Jaune swallowed hard.
Maybe they'd just let him off with a warning. Maybe he could talk his way out of it.
Maybe—
Ding
The cheerful chime nearly made him jump.
The elevator doors slid open with a smooth whisper, revealing the dimly lit expanse of the headmaster's office. The floor-to-ceiling windows cast a haunting glow over the room, the gears and mechanisms along the walls turning steadily like the inner workings of some grand, enigmatic machine.
And there, at the center of it all, sat Headmaster Ozpin, fingers laced together, his ever-present mug of coffee resting beside him. He looked directly at Jaune, his expression unreadable—but not unkind.
"Do come in, Mr. Arc," Ozpin said, his voice calm and measured.
Jaune's throat went dry.
For a brief moment, he considered turning around, pressing the elevator button, and getting the hell out of there.
But no—there was no running from this.
With a deep breath, he stepped forward, the sound of the elevator doors shutting behind him sealing his fate.
Ozpin sat behind his desk, his ever-present mug of coffee resting beside him, steam curling lazily from the rim. His sharp, observant eyes were leveled directly at Jaune, unreadable yet not unkind.
"Please, take a seat, Mr. Arc," he said, gesturing toward the open chair across from him.
Jaune swallowed the lump forming in his throat and nodded stiffly. His legs felt like lead as he stepped forward, lowering himself into the chair with all the enthusiasm of a man sitting in an executioner's booth. His fingers curled together, fidgeting nervously in his lap, the slight tremble in his hands betraying the effort he was making to appear calm.
His heart pounded so loudly he half-expected Ozpin to comment on it.
The headmaster leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the desk. "I assume you know why you're here, Mr. Arc?"
Jaune forced himself to hold Ozpin's gaze, though it felt like staring down a storm he had no hope of outrunning. He had to play this carefully—act like he had nothing to hide. Feign innocence.
"I… think I have an idea, sir," Jaune replied, trying to keep his voice even.
It wasn't a lie. He was almost certain it was about his transcripts. It had to be. What else could it be? Had someone found out? Had one of his classmates reported him? Or worse—had Glynda Goodwitch, with her hawk-like gaze, noticed something off about his combat performance and decided to investigate?
Ozpin raised a single brow, amusement flickering across his face. "You seem nervous, Mr. Arc," he observed, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Breathe, you'll find that the air in my office is not as heavy as it feels right now,"
Jaune blinked at the unexpected remark before realizing that, yes, his breathing had turned shallow. He was working himself up too much.
Feeling like a child caught red-handed, he did as Ozpin suggested. Inhaling deeply through his nose, he let the air fill his lungs before exhaling slowly. He repeated the action a few times, trying to settle the frantic beat of his heart.
It helped. A little.
"Better?" Ozpin asked, watching him closely.
Jaune nodded, still gripping his own hands as if letting go would cause him to unravel. "Yeah… I do feel less nervous, thank you, Headmaster," he admitted, though he doubted it would last long.
Ozpin smiled—calm, patient, yet still unreadable. "Good," he said, sitting back in his chair, lacing his fingers together like a councilman preparing to address the public. "Then we can get back to the matter at hand."
Jaune felt his stomach twist.
Here it comes.
"It's about your transcripts, we received a tip from a student claiming that your transcripts had been falsified, naturally, we investigated, and after a surprising amount of digging, we were able to confirm that your records were, indeed, fabricated," Ozpin said, his voice calm yet carrying the weight of finality. He exhaled softly, "Mr. Arc, the rules of this academy dictate that I expel you,"
Jaune grimaced. Yup. Saw that coming seven miles away.
His mind raced. He had expected this moment—had dreaded it since the day he set foot in Beacon. His secret was out, and there was no way to talk his way out of it. He should've known it wouldn't last.
But then, just as he was preparing himself to stand up and accept his fate, Ozpin spoke again.
"But," the headmaster continued, "I believe you are too valuable as a Huntsman to simply let go."
Jaune blinked. His thoughts screeched to a halt.
What?
He stared at Ozpin, unable to mask his confusion. "Sir... I'm valuable? As a Huntsman?" he asked, his voice betraying his disbelief.
Ozpin nodded. "Yes, Mr. Arc, despite any doubts you may have about yourself, I believe you possess qualities that cannot be ignored," He paused for a moment, then tilted his head slightly. "In fact, may I make a little confession?"
Jaune, still reeling, managed to gulp down the lump in his throat. "Uh... sure thing, sir," he said hesitantly.
Ozpin gave him a knowing smile, the kind that sent a chill down Jaune's spine. "I knew from the start that your transcripts were fake,"
Jaune felt his heart stop. His breath hitched. His hands, which had finally stopped fidgeting, tensed up once more. "WHAT!?" he practically shouted.
Ozpin chuckled, amused by his reaction. "Come now, Mr. Arc, did you really think I wouldn't conduct background checks?" He took a leisurely sip of his coffee before continuing. "I personally reviewed your records, just as I did with several of your classmates and friends,"
"But… then why did you let me in?" Jaune asked, his voice laced with confusion. His fingers gripped the arms of the chair, his knuckles turning white. "Why would you allow me to enroll if you knew I was nothing but a fake?"
Ozpin studied him for a moment, his expression thoughtful yet unwavering. "Mr. Arc… I saw potential in you," he finally said, his tone carrying a quiet certainty. "Call it intuition if you'd like, but after reviewing your profile and looking further into your background, I had an unshakable feeling that you were meant for something more... That you, Mr. Arc, have the capacity to do great things in the future—just as I believe Ms. Rose will,"
Jaune's breath hitched. He hadn't expected that. Potential?Him?It sounded ridiculous. He wasn't strong like Pyrrha, tactical like Ren, or as energetic and fearless as Nora. He wasn't a prodigy like Ruby.
He was just… Jaune.
A guy who lied his way into Beacon and had been struggling to keep up ever since.
"Is… is that why she and I are team leaders?" he asked hesitantly.
Ozpin gave a small nod. "That isoneof the reasons, yes. But there is more to it than that."
Jaune frowned. "Like what?"
Ozpin took a slow sip of his coffee before continuing. "I selected both of you because I believe you have the ability to lead others, you and Ms. Rose share that trait, though in different ways,"
Jaune tilted his head, skepticism creeping into his voice. "How are we theonlyones capable of leading our teams? What makes us so special?"
Ozpin let out a quiet breath, his fingers tapping gently against the desk before lacing together once more. His gaze, steady and unwavering, remained on Jaune as he spoke.
"Ms. Nikos has been placed on a pedestal for most of her life, people see her as the pinnacle of excellence—an untouchable warrior, a prodigy destined for greatness, and because of that, her life has not been as easy as one might assume," Ozpin told him. "While she is outwardly friendly and kind, the expectations placed upon her have made it difficult for her to form genuine relationships, she desires nothing more than to be treated as a regular girl, to be seen for who she is, rather than as some idealized champion,"
Jaune blinked.
He had never really thought about it like that. Pyrrha wasPyrrha—the four-time Mistral tournament champion, the girl who made fighting look effortless. But he had noticed, hadn't he? The way she sometimes hesitated when people spoke about her accomplishments. The way she seemed almost… lonely, despite being so admired.
Ozpin continued, his voice calm but firm. "Had I made her the leader, it would have only further reinforced the perception that she is above others—a role model, a trophy to be displayed, rather than a person to be understood," He began. "More people would look to her as someoneexpectedto lead, rather than someonecapableof leading, and while she is skilled in combat and maintains excellent grades, her selflessness—her unwavering belief that she must always do the right thing for the greater good—has made it difficult, if not outright impossible, for her to make choices forherself... She fears letting down those who rely on her, to the point where she often neglects whatshetruly wants,"
Jaune swallowed. That… made sense. It madea lotof sense.
"And as for Mr. Lie, while he is cool and collected on the surface, and certainly possesses an organized and level-headed nature, he has built walls around himself due to past experiences. He internalizes his emotions, refuses to share his burdens, and because of that, he struggles to rely on others when he truly needs to," Ozpin informed him. "A leader must not only think with their head but lead with their heart, and Mr. Lie—despite his strengths—is reluctant to expose his own vulnerabilities, even to those closest to him,"
Jaune thought back to Ren's quiet, composed demeanor. It was true—he never seemed to let anything faze him.
But now, with Ozpin's words, Jaune wondered how much Ren actuallyfeltbut simply refused to show.
"And Ms. Valkyrie, she is bubbly, cheerful, and appears carefree, she is, by far, one of the kindest students at Beacon—second only to Ms. Rose—and undeniably one of the toughest, However..." Ozpin began before continuing. "She wears that energy like a mask, one that hides a fragility few ever notice, she plays the role of the unshakable optimist, but she has her own struggles, ones she keeps buried beneath her boundless enthusiasm, her heart is immense, but that very same heart is far more fragile than you may realize,"
Jaune felt a pang of guilt. He had always seen Nora as invincible—fearless, wild, and full of life. But what if it was just another kind of armor? One that she had built around herself for protection?
"As for you, Mr. Arc…" Ozpin's gaze leveled with Jaune's once more. "Despite your lack of formal training, your inexperience in combat, and your obvious fear during initiation, you still took charge, you led your team—not because you were the strongest, nor the smartest, but because when the moment called for leadership,you stepped forward,despite your own doubts, despite your inexperience, you composed yourself, gathered your teammates, and led them to victory, you did the best you could with what you had… and itworked,"
Jaune sat frozen, his heart hammering in his chest.
"More importantly," Ozpin continued, "You believe in your team, you trust them with your life, and in return, they trust you, they follow you not because you asked them to, but because theychoseto, becausetheybelieve in you,"
Jaune swallowed hard, his hands clenching into fists.
"You have your faults—there is no denying that, but faults are not failures, Mr. Arc, and more importantly, they are not yours to bear alone, your teammates make up for what you lack, just as you make up for whattheylack, that is the essence of leadership—not perfection, butbalance," Ozpin leaned back, his expression soft yet unwavering. "And that, Mr. Arc, is why you were the best choice for a leader,"
Jaune sat in stunned silence, absorbing everything Ozpin had just told him. It was surreal. He had spent so long thinking he was nothing more than a fraud, someone who didn't deserve to be here. And yet, Ozpin—one of the most respected figures in the world—believed in him. Believed that hecouldbe a leader, that hewasa leader.
He wasn't sure if he believed it himself. Not yet. But… hearing it from someone like Ozpin? Thatfeltgood, in a way he didn't expect.
Still, that didn't change the reality of the situation.
"But sir… what happens now?" Jaune finally asked, his voice quieter than before.
Ozpin leaned back in his chair, exhaling softly before giving a small nod. "Well, while I do have to remove you from the school and expel you as a student—which I unfortnatly must do—I will be holding onto your transcripts until next year and awaiting your return,"
Jaune's head snapped up, eyes wide. "Wait—what?" He blinked, his heart suddenly racing for an entirely different reason. "I-I cancome backnext year?"
Ozpin nodded, his gaze steady. "Yes, and since you will no longer be bound by the academy's curriculum, this time away will give you an opportunity to hone your skills, to train, to grow into the Huntsman I know youcanbecome, and when you are ready, you may return—to both Beacon and your position as a leader," He paused, then added with a small smile, "Think of this as your trial, a chance to prove to yourself what I already see in you,"
Jaune let the words sink in, his fingers gripping the arms of the chair as conflicting emotions swirled inside him.
Relief.
Hope.
Uncertainty.
Hecouldcome back. He wasn't being shut out completely. He wasn't beingabandoned. But then, the weight of the situation came crashing back down, and he realized something.
"Headmaster…" Jaune hesitated, his throat tightening. "When… when do I leave?"
Ozpin's expression darkened ever so slightly. "Today,"
Jaune's stomach dropped.
"Oh…" The word barely left his lips, coming out as a weak breath.
He had known this was coming, but hearing it out loud made it real. Today. That meant no long, drawn-out goodbyes. No last meals with his team. No more training sessions with Pyrrha. No more morning antics with Nora and Ren.
It was all just… over.
Ozpin watched him carefully, the faintest trace of sympathy in his eyes. "Mr. Arc, do you need time to say—?"
"No,"
The response came quicker than even Jaune expected.
Ozpin blinked, a bit taken aback by the sudden refusal. "Are you sure, Mr. Arc?" he asked, his voice softer now.
Jaune nodded slowly, the weight of the situation settling in his chest like a heavy stone. He opened his mouth to speak, but his words caught in his throat. He swallowed hard, trying to steady himself. With a deep breath, he finally managed to get the words out. "I... I can't face them, not after everything," he admitted, his voice trembling slightly. "I let them all down, and until I prove myself—until next year—I just… I can't face them," His eyes fell to the floor, his gaze filled with shame.
Ozpin watched him quietly, understanding the depth of Jaune's internal struggle. While he didn't fully agree with the decision—he believed Jaune was stronger than he realized—he could see why the young man felt this way. After all, he had been in a similar situation once, burdened by his own mistakes and doubts. "I understand, Mr. Arc," Ozpin said softly, his tone carrying an empathy that only someone who had walked that path could offer. "I will inform them, it will be handled,"
Jaune's shoulders relaxed ever so slightly, and he exhaled a quick, relieved breath. "Thank you… Headmaster," he said, the words still heavy, but sincere. He gave a small, almost self-deprecating smile before adding, "I better start packing before they get back to the dorms,"
Ozpin nodded, his expression turning more somber as the reality of the situation settled in. "Goodbye, Mr. Arc... I do hope to see you next year," There was a touch of warmth in his voice, a silent encouragement for Jaune to find his way, to come back stronger.
Jaune looked up at him, a small, goofy grin spreading across his face, trying to lighten the mood. "I wouldn't really call this a goodbye, Headmaster, more of a… see you later," His smile was fragile, but genuine.
Ozpin couldn't help but smile in return, the brief moment of levity not lost on him. "Very well then," he said, his voice warm with understanding. "See you later, Mr. Arc,"
Jaune's smile grew a little more, and he gave a small nod. "See you later, Headmaster Ozpin," With that, he turned and made his way toward the door.
As he left Ozpin's office, the weight of what he was about to do hung over him. He had one last task before leaving—gathering his belongings, saying his silent farewells to a place that had offered him hope, even if he couldn't accept it yet. He knew he was leaving behind not just his classmates, but the idea of what could have been.
But this was far from the end.
It was just a step toward something else, something he couldn't quite define yet, but would strive to understand in time.
That would be the last time Ozpin would see Jaune Arc that year...
After collecting his belongings, Jaune moved quietly through the hallways of Beacon, his footsteps soft but heavy with finality. Staff members had helped him gather everything from his room, the various items he had come to associate with his time at the academy now neatly packed into crates. With a slight nod of thanks to the staff, he headed out toward the dock where the Bullhead awaited. The journey to Vale City would be long, and once there, he would be on his own. No more teammates, no more Beacon. Just him, facing whatever came next.
This, Jaune realized, was the last time he would be here—the last time anyone would see Jaune Arc at Beacon Academy.
Back at the school, Headmaster Ozpin gathered Team RWBY and (J)NPR to explain Jaune's situation. He didn't sugarcoat the truth; he told them about the forged transcripts and the reasons behind his decision. However, despite his attempts to offer clarity, the response was not what Ozpin had hoped for.
The moment he finished speaking, the room grew tense.
Ms. Schnee and Ms. Xiao-Long were visibly angry, their expressions hardening as they absorbed the news. Both had always prided themselves on their sense of justice, and in their eyes, Jaune's deception was an unforgivable betrayal. They agreed that his expulsion was necessary, that he deserved to face the consequences of his actions, but neither could understand why Ozpin would entertain the idea of allowing him back.
Ruby, who had always seen Jaune as a friend, felt her heart aching, torn between the loyalty she had for Jaune and the truth her friends were speaking. She didn't agree with them, but their anger was hard to ignore. Ruby remained silent, her eyes fixed on the floor, trying to fight back the sting of tears that threatened to well up.
On the other side, Blake didn't say a word. She stood there, her face unreadable, arms crossed tightly over her chest. The silence around her felt heavy, but Ozpin knew better than to think she wasn't affected. Blake had always kept her emotions guarded, a habit born of her own struggles. But in that moment, he knew she understood the pain of hiding one's true self, and perhaps, she felt conflicted about where she stood—her own history of secrets, of running, perhaps causing her to hesitate before speaking up.
Pyrrha, on the other hand, had no such hesitation in her silence. She had been the one who tried hardest to support Jaune, to encourage him, to help him believe in himself. The revelation of his forged transcripts cut deep for her, but even though it hurt, she didn't speak out, either. She stood quietly off to the side, her hands folded in front of her, staring at the floor as if she could will the situation to change, to make sense of the chaos in her heart. Her loyalty to Jaune conflicted with the reality of what had been done. And even though she didn't express it, the pain was written all over her face.
Nora, ever the loud and cheerful one, was left speechless by the revelation, her usual optimism gone in an instant. She looked at Ren, her expression one of shock and confusion. She had always been the first to rally behind their teammates, but this? This was different. She couldn't wrap her mind around how Jaune could have kept something like this from them for so long.
Ren, standing beside her, was equally stunned. The usual calmness in his demeanor faltered for just a moment, and though he didn't speak, it was clear he, too, was deeply shaken by the news.
And then, there was Jaune's leadership. Despite his faults, despite the mistakes, Ozpin knew that Jaune had earned his place as a leader, even if he hadn't fully seen it himself.
But now? The rift between the teams was clear. A small conflict had already begun to surface between them, fueled by anger, confusion, and betrayal. Words were exchanged quietly, but the tension was palpable.
Ozpin stood back, watching carefully as emotions ran high. He understood the outrage, the hurt, and the shock. But he also knew this was just the beginning. The foundation of their unity had been shaken. It wasn't just about Jaune anymore—it was about trust, about how a lie could fracture even the most solid bonds. And Ozpin knew this conflict wasn't going to be easily mended. This was just the start of a long and difficult road...
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This story will mostly follow Jaune's journey to prove himself before the 2nd year starts, now this story will be heavily focused on Jaune's change through both good and bad situations as well as the lessons he learns along the way as he faces what it means to be a huntsman in the real world where there is both the Grimm and other human's to deal with.
Trust me, I'll be putting Jaune and the characters that eventually join him in his journey through the fucking ringer, I mean certain parts of this story will get dark.
This story is Post-Volume 1 but also Pre-Volume 2
Jaune will also be traveling around Remnant both finding himself and meeting other characters and facing off against enemies, most won't be part of Salem's circle, but I might have Jaune face against Tyrian or Hazel later down the line.
In the next chapter, Jaune heads for Mistral and encounters a certain mother.
(This Chapter was rewritten on: 2/8/2025)