And that was my life.
Get up at six thirty, shower,
I had added a run outside. I just ran until I couldn't any more, until my lungs burnt and chest heaved. I then walked back, showered again, and did some streches.
Breakfast was at seven thirty. I'd meet up with either team, if I saw them, or just ate by myself. I was trying to eat healthier now. It wasn't any easier yet, but I live in hope.
After breakfast, I'd go up to my new, permanent room, and relax until I had class. There were a few new classes that I didn't have on my first day, such as Gym, practicing with weights, track, practicing running, but also drills for those quick movements made in fights. Those classes were the worst, but I could feel the effect that the training was having on my body. I had exempted myself from combat, but I hoped that soon, I would be able to fight someone, without hurting myself, or feeling so terrible.
We also had sparring, which I enjoyed immensely. Whilst hand to hand, it was a lot less structured and observed, and we were mostly free to work in pairs, teaching ourselves. I guess I enjoyed it most, because I was actually at the upper end in the class, most students being used to weapon based combat. Still, I didn't intend to fight Yang at any stage. I may have done some martial arts in my youth, but she has done martial arts her whole life. And has Aura, and actually lifts.
I did however enjoy fighting Ren of all people. Like me, he wasn't the strongest or fittest of people, but he made up for it with skill, technique and Aura projection. When using all three in balance, he was a monster. When using only the first two, he was an excellent training opponent. Not only because his technique was more polished, but also because he was one of the few people who could and would happily carry a conversation whilst sparring.
The final class that we had, was less a class and more a study period. We had allotted time to access the training rooms, the ones I had used before my match with Pyrrha. I had spent a little more time using my shield, and had begun using the diving suit, practicing shooting and smashing targets with abandon.
Those classes left a great deal on time in between however. I spent the vast majority of that time working on my little project with Herphestus. Even with her help, and all my ability, it was painfully slow going. I, we, were almost designing the thing from the ground up. Different skeletal system, to house different servo muscles systems, plus the old skeleton for redundancy. Which kind of motor system is better, projected energy requirements forsuch motors use, projected amount of motors required, projected energy output required, projected generator size and weight, adapt calculations, redo.
Armour plating. Thickness? Composition? Weight? Ergonomics? System space inside? Ease of movement? Vision restrictions? Soft armour protection? Air recycling? Water pipe? Waste disposal? Sensory systems?
Total weight? Total power draw? Power source?
Adapt, redo calculations.
Intended weapon use? Recoil absorption, aural dampeners, targeting overlays, speed of motion. System control.
It was long, slow work. But I could envision the solution to each issue, bar one.
How could I ever control these systems? Helicopter or plane pilots could use their hands, as I could in the deep sea dive suit. But I wanted something better, and I couldn't just stick my hand back into the body to flip one of a hundred different switches.
Voice control? No, would take too long to say in a fight, too complicated, and honestly I was more concerned about how fast the motors could follow my movements. If the suit lagged behind me a centisecond it could be fatal, and definitely make me clumsy.
Facial signals? No, I'd probably be as likely to accidentally grin after killing a grimm and accidentally fire on a friendly. And it would do little to help me with what I wanted.
That left one more thing I knew, a B.C.I, or brain computer interface. IN the interior of my helmet I could fit sensors, that would measure my brain electrical output, and through training, recognise my intention and act upon it, at the speed of electricity. If my rough estimate was correct, it shouldn't inhibit me at all.
But this day was not like the others. There were no classes for the day, all that had been pegged up was a field trip to forever fall. I wished I could have gone as well. The leaves were turning their incredible bright red, the kind that reminded me of the world I stood in. Nowhere on earth did leaves grow such an incredible red coloration. But it was not to be, I guess. Ozpin had requested my presence for the day.
The doors to his office dinged open, with a pleasant chime to them, and I entered, hands folded behind my back. Ozpin was standing by the window, looking out over Vale down below.
"You know, mister Richards, there is a great symbolism in this view." He said, bidding me over.
"Vale lies below us, quiet and peaceful, whilst Beacon stands above, protecting and sheltering it from the encroaching darkness. But it also stands distant. Large yes, but distant. And no matter how it appears from Vale, it takes viewing from this angle to truly appreciate how far above it all we are, and how distant. But I confess, I did not call you here to force you to listen to me monologuing, but for a different purpose entirely. Tea?" He gestured to a tray. I loved tea, but it was too warm still. I would sweat terribly badly.
"No thank you professor."
"Very well. I called you here to question you. You are aware I am considering transferring Amber's soul to a new candidate, likely miss Nikos, in the hopes it grants her the powers of the fall maiden?"
I nodded. We hadn't even discussed anything even remotely related before, but he knew I knew.
"I want you to tell me how it pans out, should I select her."
Ahh, very well.
"You end up forced into doing so. However, the process is interrupted. Ambers assailant returns, and manages to kill her, retrieving the full extent of the fall Maidens powers."
"Ahh, so it's a moot point whom I choose. Continue." he said, frowning.
The two of you fight, in spectacular fashion I might add. However Ambers killer is a trained professional, and eventually manages to overpower you. She kills you professor, but it leaves her drastically weakened in power, enough that Pyrrha Nikos is nearly able kill her, literally sword to her throat." I say, miming the actions.
"But she doesn't." Ozpin replies, guessing the outcome.
"Correct, she isn't able to bring herself to do so, and hesitates. In response, her sword gets shattered, her aura finally gets depleted, and she takes an arrow to the ankle, like the mythic Achilleas, before she is executed with another arrow to the heart."
"So Pyrrha dies. Do you know who I do on to?" Again, assuming I know his secret.
"Yes, a boy named Oscar. You eventually meet up with Qrow, who..."
"Gives me my cane back, after I ask for it."
"Correct."
"So, how do we stop this from happening? Must we transfer her soul earlier?"
"Honestly sir, I'd suggest that we all act like we don't know any better, and play our rehearsed parts as they come."
"Which results in my death, Pyrrha's death, and if memory serves, the complete annihilation of Vale, Beacon, and the loss of the Cross Continental Transit System, throwing the children of dust back an age?" Ozpin said, almost sarcastically.
"Yes, but at the last moment, we change it. Think about it. If we act exactly how you would always have acted, Salem and her forces will act exactly as they would act in turn. Cinder Fall, Ambers assailant, arrives to participate in the Tournament, the White Fang get Vale on edge, using supplies stolen by Roman Torchwick. They pin everyone down, and make everyone think one of the two finalists was murdered, chopped to pieces before them. They use the fear to attract Grimm, and convert the armies the good General brings with him, to attack civilians and huntsmen alike. During the commotion, Cinder Fall slips away, and the battle of Beacon tower takes place."
"...I follow."
"Now, if we change a few factors, it all turns out alright, and we can still predict their actions. White fang use the tunnels to mount glen to get Grimm into Vale, so post automaton soldiers everywhere in the commercial district that day, and with the students already there, damage is minimal. Larger attack occurs later, we can plan shuttles to quickly take civilians to bunkers, and isolate the controls to the robot army, and the Grimm attack looses all its effect. It was only a real battle once the Generals robots turned on us alongside the grimm. If they don't, the battle is far less serious. And Pyrrha will only die if there is not someone to save her in time. Ruby nearly does, but is a second too late, which awakens her silver eyes."
"Ahh, say, if there was already someone waiting, hiding up there, unseen..." He ventured.
"Yes, I can wait until she slows, and goes in for the kill. Her powers are depleted, her aura is thin. One bullet, to the back of the head while she's distracted."
Ozpin nodded. "She dies before she can realise it, and her power goes to the last woman she focused on..."
"...and now Pyrrha Nikos is the Fall maiden, without ruining her soul." I completed.
"Damage to Vale is minimal, Salem fails in her big gamble and looses a valued asset, and we can go on the offensive maybe."
He nodded again, a smile creeping across his face. "For years now, centuries, I have been playing this game, knowing nothing of who I fight, seeing nothing, hearing nothing. Now, I feel that we may just have a chance at this."
"Yes sir. Just wondering, can a scroll be traced?"
"Location wise, of course."
"From a call location?"
"I believe so. Just a matter of triangulation isn't it?"
I couldn't stop a grin forming on my face, "Oh that is excellent."
He leaned forward, a small smile playing across his features. "Why do I get the feeling you are about to do something devious. Do I want to know?"
"Spoilers sir, spoilers."
"Ha! Very well then. Anyway, a final question. Your class is out in forever fall, siphoning sap. Does anything of note happen?"
I thought back to that episode. Rapier wasps, an act of defiance, an Ursa attack and respect earned. Pyrrha turns out to be able to control polarity.
"Eh, some stuff happens, but nothing that doesn't get worked out in the end. Cardin had been strongarming Jaune, by threatening to reveal his secret if he didn't do as he was told."
"Ahh yes, young Mister Arc's forged papers. Does that get worked out?"
"Yes, Jaune accidentally sets an Ursa on Cardin, then saves him."
"Good to hear. Anyway, you are free to go, unless you have any questions for me in turn." Ozpin said, returning to his chair.
"None I can think of sir. Good day."
I walk back over to the elevator and press the level that goes down to my room. I had a whole afternoon now to myself. I intended to enjoy it. Work more on the suit maybe, find some music I enjoyed, or a parallel to it at least.
Does an anime world have anime?
I was going to find out.