545Jaune found it unsettling, almost strange, not to see the Afterans he'd grown accustomed to. In the Everafter, a walking teacup was as common as a passerby in a marketplace. Those odd creatures had been his constant companions, and in a world devoid of them, Vale felt jarringly different. Even now, amidst the throngs of students and laughter, he couldn't shake the feeling of displacement.
It had been years since he'd first entered the Everafter, years since he'd been separated from his parents to train under his master, the Rusted Knight. The Rusted Knight had been a figure of fairy tales and one that Jaune knew was powerful. Jaune often wondered how someone with such abilities could have simply... passed away. The thought haunted him. His master's sudden departure was a stark reminder of his own limits. And the reality that even his master, the Rusted Knight, had been subject to mortality. He himself had grown old because of the training, but after what his master did before passing away, he became young again, though the strips of white on his hair did never go away. Though he didn't feel like an elderly with his sense of time being quite skewed. Focusing solely on training, mastering all kinds of weapons, the only thing he carried out of the Everafter was the weapon and armor forged by the Blacksmith.
As he wandered through the bustling streets of Vale, Jaune felt the weight of his armor and weapon. The blacksmith's masterwork glinted faintly under the sun, a reminder of his grueling years of training fighting all kinds of creature that his master would let him fight. He wondered if any of the students at Beacon had gone through similar trials. Here, they seemed carefree, though he knew many were likely hiding anxieties of their own. Honestly, he could have just taken the huntsman exam, but Jaune understood that years of isolation had made him seek friendship as well… and it was what he promised his Master.
The bullhead to Beacon was a quick ride, but each jolt made Jaune's stomach churn. Sitting quietly with his arms crossed, he focused on keeping his face neutral. As they landed, Jaune stepped off, his eyes immediately catching sight of an argument between two students — a girl with white hair scolding a red-caped girl holding a case.
The white-haired girl was practically seething. "Sorry?! Do you have any idea of the damage you could have caused?"
The red-caped girl, clearly at a loss, managed only an uncertain "Uuhhh…" before the other girl snatched the case from her and opened it, revealing small crystals that glimmered ominously in the sunlight.
"This is Dust — mined and purified from the Schnee quarry!" The girl's words were sharp, and the red-caped girl coughed as dust particles wafted into her face.
"I… I know…" she muttered between coughs, clearly overwhelmed.
Jaune raised an eyebrow, watching with a mixture of curiosity and sympathy. Dust was potent and volatile — something even he was careful with. The two girls continued, with the white-haired one growing increasingly frustrated until the red-caped girl finally sneezed. An explosion erupted, showering flames, snowflakes, and sparks all around. A few students nearby gasped and jumped back, though the white-haired girl's expression didn't waver, her face now covered in soot.
"Unbelievable!" she huffed, wiping her face. "This is exactly what I was talking about!"
Jaune stifled a laugh. There was something endearing about their clash of personalities, and he was relieved to see he wasn't the only one feeling out of place. Still, the mishap left him on edge, wary of the unpredictability Beacon seemed to foster.
A girl with black hair and a ribbon approached, clearly intrigued by the unfolding drama. She cast a calm glance at the soot-covered girl, then at the case of Dust crystals scattered across the ground.
"It's heiress, actually," she commented coolly, stepping closer to the white-haired girl. "Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company—one of the largest producers of energy propellant in the world."
The girl called Weiss straightened, a smug smile crossing her face. "Finally! Some recognition!"
The black-haired girl's gaze didn't falter. "The same company infamous for its controversial labor forces and questionable business partners."
Jaune was impressed. The heiress's smirk vanished as quickly as it had appeared, and she shot a glare at the black-haired girl. As the two girls exchanged words, Jaune noticed the faintest trace of amusement on the black-haired girl's face… a hint of rebellion and defiance beneath her calm demeanor. Also… why was she hiding her Faunus ears?
By now, the red-caped girl — Ruby, he thought he'd heard, was muttering an apology, her face flushed with embarrassment. The white-haired girl, Weiss, stalked off in a huff, her helpers scrambling to gather her belongings.
Ruby sighed, mumbling to herself, "Welcome to Beacon…"
Jaune had seen enough. Taking a breath, he approached her, extending a hand. "Hey... I'm Jaune."
Ruby looked up, startled, but quickly took his hand with a small smile. "Ruby."
As he helped her up, Jaune noted her sincere and thankful gaze.
"So, Ruby… First day's troubles?" he asked with a grin.
Ruby laughed nervously, brushing dust off her cloak. "You could say that. I didn't exactly plan on getting blown up before orientation." She glanced toward where Weiss had disappeared. "Though, apparently, I'm not having any luck."
Jaune chuckled. "Well, you're in good company. I think most of us are just trying to survive the first day. Let's go?"
"Okay," Ruby said, following Jaune.
The grounds of Beacon Academy were nice. The tall, graceful trees scattered across the campus swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves casting dappled shadows along the winding paths. Beside Jaune and Ruby, a river murmured softly, reflecting the midday sunlight in rippling patterns. Elegant arches and spires rose from Beacon's architecture, blending seamlessly with the natural beauty surrounding it. Even the stone-paved road they walked on seemed to hold history.
Jaune glanced around, barely concealing his amazement. This place was like nothing he'd ever seen, so different from the landscapes he'd grown used to during his training. He breathed in the crisp air, feeling the warmth of the sun on his armor and the refreshing coolness from the river beside them.
Beside him, Ruby coughed, breaking the peaceful silence.
"So… I got this thing!" With a grin, she whipped out her weapon and stabbed it into the ground. Jaune took a step back, eyes wide as he took in the massive, crimson-hued scythe before him. It was intimidating, deadly, and… something about it gleamed with a personal touch.
"Whoa! Is that… a scythe?" he asked, both intrigued, and a little bewildered by the towering weapon.
Ruby's smile grew wider as she put her hands on her hips. "It's also a customizable high-impact sniper rifle!"
Jaune's jaw dropped. "A… what now?"
Without a beat, Ruby cocked the weapon, the faint clicking sound echoing in the quiet space. "It's also a gun." She grinned, clearly proud of her weapon's duality.
Jaune took a second to process it all. "Oh. That's… cool! Like, really cool!"
"Thanks!" Ruby beamed. "So, what've you got?"
Jaune brightened, drawing his own weapon — a gleaming sword in a sturdy scabbard, crafted with solid lines and classic proportions. He held it up proudly.
Ruby's eyes lit up. "Ooooohh!" She leaned in, inspecting it closely. "And…?"
"Oh, and I've got a shield too!" Jaune extended his arm, pressing a button on his scabbard. The metal unfolded with a satisfying clank, forming a sturdy shield in front of him.
Ruby reached out to touch the shield's surface, her fingers tracing its outline. "So, what do they do?"
"Well…" Jaune's cheeks flushed as he explained, "the shield can get smaller, so when I get tired of carrying it, I can just… put it away. And, uh…" He flicked the mechanism, showing her how the scabbard could merge with the sword, forming a larger, heavier greatsword. He held the combined weapon with a slightly strained expression. "It's, you know… basic, really. But I can handle it."
"Classic then," Ruby giggled, giving him an encouraging smile. "Well, I'm kind of dork when it comes to weapons, sooo… I guess I might have gone a little overboard with mine."
Jaune looked at her, surprised. "Wait… you made that?"
"Of course!" Ruby laughed, clearly proud of her craftsmanship. "All students at Signal forge their own weapons. Didn't you make yours?"
Jaune paused, glancing down at his sword. "Not exactly. It was actually reforged. I trained with different weapons, but this… this one felt right. So I asked the Blacksmith to craft something special for me." He ran a finger along the edge, his face softening as he remembered the days spent in the forge, watching the weapon take shape. Every detail, every edge had been carefully honed by the Blacksmith and was like a testament to the years he'd dedicated to his training. Although it looked deadly, the Blacksmith said that those slayed with the sword could be returned to the tree. It was a kind sword.
Ruby tilted her head thoughtfully. "Sounds awesome to me!" She laughed, her eyes crinkling with genuine admiration. "Well, I like it! Not many people have an appreciation for the classics these days."
"Yeah… the classics…" Jaune echoed, feeling a bit more pride in his humble weapon. He strapped the sword back onto his belt, reassured by her words.
They walked along the path, the river murmuring beside them, when Ruby spoke again. "So… why'd you help me out back there? In the courtyard?"
Jaune shrugged, hands resting behind his head as he walked. "Eh, why not? My mom always says, 'Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet.' And, well, my Master would definitely scold me if I didn't help."
Ruby's eyes softened. "You talk about your family a lot. They sound nice."
Jaune's face broke into a gentle smile, trying to remember his parents, who he hadn't seen for long. "They are. My mom, especially—she's always been kind, always reminding me to see the best in people." He paused, then added, "And my Master was… well, he was something else. Strict like a soldier, but… wise. He taught me a lot about honor, about helping others, even if they're strangers."
Ruby nodded, taking in his words. She looked around, realizing they'd been walking for a while. "Hey… where are we going, anyway?"
Jaune blinked, looking around. "Uh… I don't know! I was following you." He scratched the back of his head, slightly embarrassed. "You think there's some kind of directory around here? Or maybe a food court? I'm kind of lost."
Ruby laughed, her voice echoing along the riverbank. "That's a no. We're probably way off track by now."
It took them a while, but they found the courtyard was brimming with students, the air filled with excited chatter and the murmurs of anticipation. As the crowd of new students gathered, Jaune and Ruby then heard a voice.
"Ruby! Over here! I saved you a spot!" Yang's familiar voice rang out across the courtyard, and she waved excitedly from a distance.
"Oh! Hey, I-I gotta go! I'll see you after the ceremony!" Ruby turned to Jaune with a smile, then darted off toward her sister. Jaune gave a friendly wave, watching her go, feeling the brief pang of separation from his newfound friend.
Before he could dwell on it too long, a girl with long red hair stood behind him, arms crossed, her piercing gaze following Jaune's path. Without a word, she turned and walked away, leaving Jaune curious but uncertain about her intentions.
Meanwhile, Ruby bounded up to her sister with a relieved grin. "Yang! I missed you!"
Yang raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms in mock reproach. "And how's your first day going, little sister?"
Ruby rolled her eyes. "You mean since you ditched me and I exploded?"
Yang's eyes widened in mock horror. "Yikes! Meltdown already?"
Ruby laughed, though her expression shifted to one of mild distress. "No, I literally exploded a hole in front of the school! There was fire, and I think ice too...?"
Yang's smile broadened. "Are you being sarcastic?"
Ruby shook her head emphatically, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "I wish! I tripped over some cranky girl's luggage, she yelled at me, and then I sneezed... and boom! Explosion!"
Just then, Weiss Schnee materialized beside them, her sharp eyes narrowing at Ruby. "You!"
Ruby jumped back, instinctively hiding behind Yang. "Oh no, it's happening again!"
Weiss crossed her arms, her tone dripping with indignation. "You're lucky we weren't blown off the side of the cliff!"
Yang's face went blank with amusement. "Oh my god, you really exploded."
"It was an accident!" Ruby said defensively, stepping forward. She looked at Weiss, hoping to smooth things over. "It really was! I didn't mean to cause any trouble..."
Weiss, however, was far from convinced. She held up a pamphlet titled Dust for Dummies and Other Inadequate Individuals, the title underlined in a scornful red font. "Here. You might want to read this," she said curtly, pressing the pamphlet into Ruby's hand. "The Schnee Dust Company is not responsible for any injuries or damages sustained while operating a Schnee Dust Company product. Although not mandatory, the Schnee Family highly encourages their customers to read and familiarize themselves with this easy-to-follow guide to Dust applications and practices in the field."
Ruby took the pamphlet with a baffled expression, clutching it awkwardly. "Uh…?"
Weiss crossed her arms, her face as stern as ever. "Do you really want to start making things up to me?"
Ruby's eyes brightened with hope. "Absolutely!"
Weiss handed her the pamphlet with a deadpan glare. "Then read this, and don't ever speak to me again."
Yang stepped in, glancing from Ruby to Weiss with a slight smirk. "Look, maybe you two just got off on the wrong foot. Why don't we start over and try to be friends, huh?"
Ruby smiled, determined to make peace. She took a deep breath, extended her hand to Weiss, and cleared her throat. "Hello, Weiss! I'm Ruby! Wanna hang out? We can go shopping for school supplies!"
For a moment, Weiss looked genuinely enthusiastic, as if she might accept Ruby's offer. "Oh, sure!" she said with a smirk. "And then we can paint our nails and talk about boys… like tall, blond, and handsome over there!" She glanced coolly in Jaune's direction.
Ruby's face lit up. "Really?"
Weiss's expression flattened. "No."
As Ruby stood there, stunned by Weiss's sarcasm, a hush fell over the crowd. Professor Ozpin had taken the stage, standing beside Glynda Goodwitch, who waited patiently as he adjusted the microphone. The students, sensing the start of something momentous, fell silent, all eyes turning toward their headmaster.
Ozpin's voice was calm, yet it resonated with a weight that silenced the courtyard entirely. "I'll keep this brief," he began. "You have traveled here today in search of knowledge, to hone your craft and acquire new skills. When you have finished, you plan to dedicate your lives to the protection of the people."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the students as they hung onto his words. "But as I look among you, all I see is wasted energy in need of purpose, direction." His words stung with brutal honesty, and whispers rippled through the crowd. "You assume that knowledge will free you from this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge alone can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step."
He stepped back, nodding to Glynda, who took his place at the microphone.
"You will gather in the ballroom tonight," Glynda announced. "Tomorrow, your initiation begins. Be ready. You are dismissed."
Yang tilted her head, eyebrows raised. "He seemed kind of… off."
Ruby nodded slowly, a faint frown on her face. "It's almost like he wasn't even there."
The students began dispersing, chattering excitedly, yet a new, sober tension lingered in the air. The future hunters could sense that Ozpin's words carried a gravity they'd need time to understand.
As night fell, the ballroom became a patchwork of sleeping bags as students settled in for the evening. The once pristine space now resembled a giant slumber party, filled with murmurs, laughs, and the occasional pillow fight. Ruby lay in her sleeping bag, a journal balanced on her lap as she scribbled away.
Yang flopped down beside her with a laugh, dressed in cozy pajamas. "It's like a big slumber party!"
Without looking up, Ruby replied, "I don't think Dad would approve of all the boys, though."
Yang grinned, casting a not-so-subtle glance at a few shirtless guys nearby, including Jaune, who was wearing a black shirt that clung to his muscled frame. "I know I do," she purred, winking in his direction.
Jaune waved back, his friendly smile earning a grin from Yang, before she turned back to Ruby with a curious expression. "What's that?"
Ruby looked down at her journal, shrugging. "A letter to the gang back at Signal. I promised I'd tell them all about Beacon and how things are going."
Yang's face softened. "Aw, that's adorable!" Her teasing tone didn't mask her genuine affection.
Ruby rolled her eyes, tossing a pillow at her sister. "Shut up! I didn't get to take my friends with me to school! It's weird not knowing anyone here!"
Yang gave her a nudge, her voice warm. "What about Jaune? He's nice! You've already got one friend. That's a hundred percent increase!"
Ruby sighed, lying back in her sleeping bag. "Pretty sure Weiss counts as a negative friend. Back to zero…"
Yang leaned back on her elbows and laughed. "There's no such thing as negative friends!" She barely dodged a pillow Ruby hurled in her direction — this one shaped like a small, floppy-eared dog. "You've made one friend and maybe one enemy. But look, it's only been one day. You've got friends all around you. You just haven't met them yet!"
Ruby glanced around, a bit doubtful, but then noticed a flicker of light in a darkened corner of the room. A tall, slender girl with long, black hair tied back with a ribbon was leaning against the wall, a small candle by her side as she read intently from a book. Ruby couldn't help but feel intrigued by the mysterious girl.
"Hey, it's that girl…" she murmured.
Yang leaned over with sudden interest. "You know her?"
"Not really," Ruby replied. "She saw what happened this morning, but she left before I could say anything to her."
Yang gave her sister a nudge. "Well, now's your chance!" Without waiting for Ruby's permission, she grabbed her arm and hauled her to her feet.
"Wait! What are you doing?" Ruby yelped, trying to wriggle out of her sister's grip as Yang marched her determinedly toward the girl with the book.
The girl with the ribbon glanced up from her reading, observing Ruby's hopeless struggle as Yang dragged her closer. When they were right in front of her, Yang gave Ruby an encouraging push and flashed a dazzling smile. "Hel-looooo!" she sang out. "I believe you two may know each other?"
The girl's gaze flickered briefly over Ruby. "Aren't you… that girl who exploded?"
Ruby's cheeks flushed, and she gave a sheepish smile. "Uh, yeah! My name's Ruby! But you can just call me Crater…" She paused, wincing slightly at her own joke. "Actually, no, just call me Ruby."
The girl gave a slight nod, looking mildly amused, though she quickly returned her attention to her book. "Okay."
Yang leaned in, whispering urgently to Ruby, "What are you doing?"
Ruby whispered back, "I don't know! Help me!" Then she turned back to the girl with her best friendly smile.
"So…" Yang chimed in, her tone bright, "What's your name?"
The girl with the ribbon sighed, clearly reluctant to be pulled into a conversation, but she put down her book momentarily. "Blake."
Yang's face lit up. "Well, Blake, I'm Yang, Ruby's older sister! I like your bow!"
Blake arched an eyebrow, looking unimpressed. "Thanks."
Yang, undeterred, continued with a broad grin. "It goes great with your… pajamas!"
Blake's eyes narrowed. "Right…"
As Ruby laughed awkwardly, Yang attempted to keep the conversation rolling. "Nice night, don't you think?"
Blake's response was clipped and pointed. "Yes—it's lovely. Almost as lovely as this book…" She glanced meaningfully down at the page. "That I will continue to read." She waited, watching them both expectantly.
Ruby and Yang stood there, neither one quite sure how to proceed.
After a moment, Yang turned to Ruby and shrugged. "Yeah, this girl's a lost cause."
Ruby leaned forward. "So, Blake… what's your book about?"
Blake's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Huh?"
"Your book," Ruby said gently. "Does it have a name?"
Blake hesitated, her guarded expression softening slightly. "Well… i-it's about a man with two souls, each fighting for control over his body."
Yang's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Oh yeah, that sounds super cheery!"
Ruby, however, didn't share Yang's sarcasm. "I love books! Yang used to read to me every night before bed. Stories of heroes and monsters… They're one of the reasons I want to be a Huntress!"
Blake blinked, looking as though she didn't quite know how to respond. Then, a faint, amused smile curved her lips. "And why is that? Hoping you'll live happily ever after?"
"Well…" Ruby's eyes softened with sincerity. "I'm hoping we all will. Ever since I was a girl, I wanted to be just like those heroes in the stories. Someone who fought for what was right and protected people who couldn't protect themselves."
For a moment, Blake seemed almost moved by Ruby's words, her expression softening. "That's… very ambitious for a child." Her smile faded as her gaze drifted to the side, her tone growing darker. "Unfortunately, the real world isn't the same as a fairy tale."
Ruby held her gaze, undeterred. "Well, that's why we're here! To make it better."
Yang suddenly pulled Ruby into a tight hug, laughing as she lifted her sister off the ground. "Oh, I am so proud of my baby sister!"
"Cut it out!" Ruby protested, kicking out as Yang swung her around, their playful scuffle turning into a whirlwind of flying limbs and laughter.
Blake watched them, a small, amused smile on her face. "Well, Ruby, Yang, it's a pleasure to ha—"
Weiss's sharp voice cut through the warm atmosphere as she stormed over, her pajama-clad figure exuding irritation. "What in the world is going on over here?! Don't you realize some of us are trying to sleep?"
Yang and Weiss locked eyes, each recognizing the other immediately with mutual disdain.
"Oh, not you again!" they said simultaneously.
"Shh!" Ruby hissed, glancing around the room. "Guys, she's right! People are trying to sleep!"
Weiss gave Ruby an appraising look, her voice laced with irritation. "Oh, now you're on my side?"
Ruby met her glare with a determined smile. "I was always on your side!"
Yang crossed her arms, stepping up beside her sister. "Yeah, what's your problem with my sister? She's only trying to be nice!"
Weiss let out an exasperated sigh, as if Ruby's kindness was more of a nuisance than a virtue. "She's a hazard to my health!"
It was a long day.
The next day, as morning light spilled into the halls of Beacon. Yang's voice cut through Ruby's determined morning routine as she prepared herself for what lay ahead.
"You seem awfully chipper this morning!"
Ruby gave her a confident smile, her fingers trailing lovingly along the sleek surface of her scythe, Crescent Rose. "Yep! No more awkward small talk, no more 'getting-to-know-you' nonsense. Today, I let my sweetheart do the talking." She sighed happily as she gazed at her weapon.
Yang rolled her eyes, her voice though, carrying an affectionate edge. "Ruby, you're not the only one going through initiation, you know. If you want to grow up, you'll have to meet new people and learn to work together."
Ruby groaned and stuffed her weapon into her locker, shutting it a little harder than necessary. "You sound like Dad!" She put her hands on her hips and looked up at Yang, her expression both frustrated and thoughtful. "Okay, first of all! What does meeting new people have to do with fighting? And second, I don't need people to help me grow up! I drink milk!"
Yang laughed, shaking her head. "Sure, but what about when we form teams?"
Ruby hesitated, her confidence faltering as the thought sank in. "I… I don't know. I'll just be on your team, or something. You'll be there, right?"
Yang tugged on a strand of her blonde hair, smiling gently. "Maybe you should try being on someone else's team."
Ruby gasped, looking mockingly betrayed. "My dear sister Yang, are you implying that you don't want to be on the same team as me?"
"What? No, of course not!" Yang quickly reassured her, her voice warm. "I just thought… maybe it would help you… break out of your shell a little."
Ruby's response was a flat stare. "I don't need to 'break out of my shell,'" she retorted. "That's totally—"
She broke off as they spotted Weiss and a red-haired girl by the lockers nearby. Weiss was animatedly speaking, clearly trying to make an impression.
"So, Pyrrha, have you thought about whose team you'd like to be on? I'm sure everyone must be eager to team up with someone as strong and well-known as you!" Weiss's voice dripped with self-importance.
The girl named Pyrrha chuckled, a gentle, unaffected sound. "I haven't thought too much about it. I was planning on letting the chips fall where they may."
Weiss's eyes brightened. "Well… I was thinking maybe we could be on a team together."
Pyrrha's smile grew. "That sounds grand!"
Jaune, noticing them as he passed by, paused with an amiable grin and a polite nod. "Excuse me, ladies. May I get to my locker?"
Weiss turned, her brows furrowing in irritation. "What?"
Jaune simply gestured to the locker between them, unfazed by her tone. "It's my locker, right there. If I could just grab my things?"
Weiss huffed but took a step back, thrown off by his politeness.
Jaune turned to Pyrrha, who looked genuinely pleased to meet him. "Hello, I'm Jaune Arc," he greeted with a friendly nod before turning back to his locker.
Weiss quickly positioned herself between them, her expression now a mask of practiced sophistication. "Jaune, is it? Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"
Jaune shook his head, utterly unfazed. "Not in the slightest, Miss."
Weiss's exasperated tone didn't stop her from sounding as proud as if she'd written Pyrrha's accomplishments herself. "This is Pyrrha Nikos. She graduated at the top of her class at Sanctum!"
"Nice to meet you," Pyrrha added with a wave.
"Oh… well, I'm sorry I didn't recognize you," Jaune admitted, a hint of apology in his tone. "I spent a lot of time training in a pretty isolated place, so I'm kinda out of the loop on the affairs."
Weiss seemed poised to educate him on Pyrrha's accolades, but his sincerity caught her off guard. She fell silent, casting an involuntary glance over Jaune, her gaze lingering on the white streaks in his blonde hair.
Pyrrha simply laughed, dismissing any need for fanfare. "It's alright," she said warmly.
As the announcement blared through the intercom, Glynda's voice rang out: "Would all first-year students please report to Beacon Cliff for initiation? Again, all first-year students report to Beacon Cliff immediately."
Jaune turned to Pyrrha with a friendly smile. "Nice meeting you."
"Likewise," Pyrrha replied, giving him a small wave as Weiss gave an exasperated sigh and headed out.
Yang's voice brought Jaune back to the present as she and Ruby caught up. "Having some trouble there?"
He smiled, watching Weiss walk away. "Not really. They were nice."
Yang blinked in surprise. "Weiss? That girl? Nice?"
"Well," he conceded with a shrug, "I get where her attitude is coming from."
Ruby's voice was bright with excitement. "Come on, let's go!"
The three of them joined the other students on Beacon Cliff, overlooking the dense, sprawling Emerald Forest below. A line of students stood on a row of silver platforms in front of Professor Ozpin, who held a mug in his hand, and Glynda Goodwitch, who was studying her tablet.
Ozpin cleared his throat and addressed them with a solemn tone. "For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest."
Glynda spoke up, her tone businesslike. "Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of 'teams.' Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates… today."
Ruby's excitement turned to worry. "What? Ohhh…"
Ozpin continued, his words tinged with gravity. "These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well."
"Oh no…" Ruby's face showed her dawning horror.
Ozpin's words took on a weight that Ruby could feel in her chest. "That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."
Her world seemed to crack like glass and crumble around her. "Whaaaaat?!"
A orang-haired girl's voice echoed nearby. "See? I told you, Ren!"
A black-haired boy beside her sighed, sounding as though he'd heard this many times before. "I know, Nora."
Ozpin's final instructions cut through the clamor of whispers. "After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will encounter opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path… or you will die."
Jaune's hand found the hilt of his sword, Crocea Mors, instinctively, his face calm but his mind racing with anticipation.
"You will be monitored and graded throughout the initiation, but our instructors will not intervene. You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path containing several relics. Each pair must choose one and return to the top of the cliff. We will evaluate you based on your performance and completion of this task. Are there any questions?"
A hush fell over the group. Not a single hand was raised.
"Good," Ozpin said simply. "Take your positions."
Each student struck a stance on their platform, ready for the challenge ahead. Yang crouched, Ruby took a low stance, and Jaune shifted his weight as he prepared himself.
Just down the line, Weiss stood tall and composed. The moment her platform activated, she shot off into the air with a dignified arc. Jaune glanced at Ozpin, tilting his head thoughtfully. "So, uh, this 'landing strategy'... Is this always how it works?"
Ozpin took a sip from his mug. "It is."
Jaune's brow furrowed. "I see… so, is it tradition?"
"Yes," Ozpin replied coolly. "You'll be using your own landing strategy."
Yang winked at Ruby, slid on a pair of aviators, and shot off her platform with a loud "Woo-hoooooooo!" Ruby had no choice but to follow her lead, catapulting into the sky a second later, her face filled with determination.
Jaune had a chance to steady himself before his platform sprang forward, sending him soaring through the clouds as the forest spread out below him in a vast sea of green. The ground rushed up fast, and he scanned his surroundings, spotting students descending in controlled tumbles or twists.
As he plummeted toward the trees, Jaune spotted a familiar figure below — a girl with vibrant red hair, wielding a sword and shield. Pyrrha was crashing through the trees, her weapon shifting seamlessly into a rifle as she took aim to adjust her fall. Her eyes met his as he neared, and Jaune instinctively drew his sword, using a burst of aura-infused slash down below to slow his descent.
He struck a thick branch, catching his balance and bouncing down to the ground beside her. Pyrrha's eyes sparkled with excitement as they locked gazes once more.
Jaune gave a small, wry smile. "A strange tradition, isn't it?"
Pyrrha laughed, her voice warm. "It is… So, partners?"
Jaune extended a hand, grinning. "Partners."