Semblance of a hero

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Ozpin's office was nothing like how Jaune imagined, actually it wasn't even where he thought it was. Jaune was sure it was near the bottom of the school, mainly because of the impracticality of how long it would take to get from classes to his office. A cough interrupted Jaune's appreciation of the decor.

"Ahem. See something you like, Mister Arc? Or did the nurse miss something during the medical evaluation?" Ozpin's rather humorous comment made Jaune look back towards the headmaster in embarrassment.

Jaune looked into the headmaster's eyes, feeling a lot calmer than he thought he would. "Sorry Professor Ozpin, I guess I'm still shaken up after everything that happened today." Jaune said not bothering to hide his indignation at his recent behavior and its consequences.

Ozpin smirked, seeing the hint of anger and shame on one of his students' faces. Ozpin's smirk quickly fell once he looked at his student's arm however. Purple and black, wrapped in bandages, and completely broken.

Ozpin quickly looked back at Jaune before he noticed the Headmaster's gaze. "And what exactly did happen today mister Arc, if you don't mind me asking?" Ozpin asked while staring at his student expectantly.

Jaune looked back to the headmaster confused. "I thought Ms. Goodwitch told you? Me and team CRDL were out in Forever Fall forest to collect tree sap, then we got attacked by an Ursa after I spilled some sap on Cardin."

Ozpin took a sip of his trusted coffee, formulating his questions to get the most out of his student.

"I think we both know that I wasn't asking about that . I suppose what I mean is how is it that someone with admittedly mediocre grades in Ms. Goodwitches combat class was able to not only decapitate an Ursa major with only one punch, but was also able to break his arm doing so?" Ozpin asked while studying Jaune's facial expressions.

Jaune looked back at his right arm and despite the burning sting he couldn't help but smile when he saw it; something Professor Ozpin noticed immediately. Jaune looked back at the headmaster with a proud smile.

"I have no idea!" Jaune said, his smile getting even bigger. Jaune might not know how he did what he did but he was happy that it happened, even if it cost him his arm for a couple weeks.

Professor Ozpin looked genuinely surprised for a moment, however he was quick to push that aside for now. However Jaune's declaration did leave him with one question.

"That is a pretty proud smile for someone with a broken arm, Mister Arc. Is there something to be happy about?" Jaune's smile wavered slightly at Ozpin's question, but quickly came back 10 fold.

"I'm sorry sir, it's just I'm glad about what happened. I'm glad that Cardin and I are alright, even if it did end up costing me an arm." Ozpin studied Jaune's face before smirking again in acknowledgement.

Ozpin took another sip of his coffee before seeing if his hypothesis was true. "Mr. Arc, May I ask you a rather personal question?"

Jaune was hesitant but with a nod he let the headmaster continue on.

"Why do you want to be a hunter? Why go through all the trouble even when you know that you are outclassed by your peers?" Ozpin asked, Hoping that the response he got would be an honest one.

Jaunes face quickly became crestfallen as he was reminded of his earlier thoughts. He didn't really know why anymore.

"To be honest, Professor I don't really know anymore. When I came to Beacon Academy I wanted to be a Hero, I still do. I wanted to be a Hero so that I could be like my Father, to live up to my family's history and legacy. But I realize that I'm horribly outclassed; it's so obvious how much better everyone is." Jaune stated with shame in his voice.

Ozpin looked at the boy, his thoughts slowly coming true the more he listened.

"If you know that your peers are better than you, then why do you still continue to study at Beacon? I mean, is living up to a family name more important than your life?" Ozpin asked as he hoped the boy would answer the way he was expecting him too.

Jaune's good hand tightened into a fist as his aura worked overtime in response to his growing anger. "Honestly sir, it's not. Today showed me why I shouldn't risk my life for something like that; that I could never be a hero if I do it for something like that. But when I looked at Cardin I couldn't help but run after him. I wanted to save him because I couldn't stand to sit there when he needed help, because I knew I would want him to do the same if I was in his shoes."

Ozpin nodded seemingly satisfied with the answer. "That is a very admirable trait, to save those who need it even at the expense of yourself. Much more so if those you save act like Mr. Winchester does. So what are your plans after you become a Huntsman?"

Ozpin's question was a loaded one, even Jaune didn't know what roads lay ahead. However the more he repeated the question in his head the closer he got to the idea.

"One day when I become a Huntsman and I'm strong like everyone else I want to create a world where no one cries. I don't want anyone to worry about the grimm or if they will see another tomorrow. I don't want the faunus to have to worry about being discriminated against." Jaune said as he let out a sigh in his head.

That was rather stressful to say out loud, like he was baring his naked body to the world. However the feeling of gratification was growing as he proudly declared his dream.

Ozpin though had another question for the boy. "How exactly do you plan on changing society in such a way?"

Jaune looked at the sun setting off in the distance behind Ozpin. Even in the clouds Jaune could see the students milling about and talking with their friends. He saw a crow on the window seal looking back at him. He saw the beautiful forest and giant lake separating Beacon Academy from the rest of Vale. He saw the things he loved, and knew what the grimm would do if the Huntsman weren't there.

Jaune shifted his eyes to the awaiting headmaster, setting his heart ablaze with a passion he never felt before.

"I want to be a hero of justice sir. I want to be strong enough to carry the world on my back and keep pushing forward so I can save everyone. There are so many evil people that want to hurt others because they are selfish. I want to be everyone's hero, even theirs. I want to be someone so strong people can look up when they are in danger and know with a smile that everything will be ok because I'm here. I want to be Remnants symbol of peace."

With that final declaration of dreams completed Jaune took a breath. Professor Ozpin looked at Jaune with indifference, but the smirk was telling. In the glass behind Jaune stood another face, of a man now gone.

Ozpin looked at Jaune with happiness in his heart at his declaration. Even if everyone knew Jaune was weak that didn't mean he didn't have potential.

Ozpin knew potential when he saw it, and if Jaune's arm was indication then he was right once again at seeing it. Looking behind Jaune, Ozpin once again saw the ghost of the past.

"Mr. Arc, do you know the story about the girl in the Tower? And of the Emerald colored hero who came to her rescue?" Ozpin asked, silently glancing at his cane.

Jaune felt strange at the slight brushing off of his dreams but quickly shook his head no. Ozpin chuckled slightly as if he expected nothing less.

"It's a rather old story, one about two gods who made a world full of life and magic. It's about how there was once a woman named Salem, who was beautiful but lonely. You see she was locked in a tower by her father for years with only her magic to keep her company. Many warriors tried to get her out but all failed; until one day that is." Ozpin leaned in closer to Jaune as Jaune kept listening.

Jaune didn't really know where the headmaster was going with the story but he doubted it was to just swap stories. Ozpin continued on with the tale, knowing this story by heart.

"You see Mr. Arc this hero was a rather popular one throughout the lands. He battled monsters and always strived to save others so he could be the absolute pinnacle of justice. His name was Ozma, and he had heard about how lonely Salem was because of her cruel father. So doing what no other hero had done before he defeated the monsters blocking his path and rescued salem. Over time the two fell in love, However nothing good can last forever. You see, Ozma became sick. He later died from his illness and in her grief Salem tried to go to the brothers to bring her love back. The gods however sent her back, saying that the balance between life and death could not be disrupted. Salem cursed the gods and in her rage allied herself with every nation; eventually starting a revolt against the gods. The gods, enraged by Salem, destroyed humanity and stole their magic. However they left Salem Alive and immortal, knowing she would only ever be able to move on to the afterlife until she was able to accept the natural cycle of things and let her love rest. Some say she still walks remnant today." Ozpin said finishing the tale of his past, not that Jaune knew that of course.

Jaune looked confused for a moment, something that Ozpin quickly picked up on. Interrupting Jaune before he had a chance to speak Ozpin quickly explained.

"The point of that story Mr. Arc is to never let your emotions control you, to never let them lead you astray from where you started and where you want to go. If you truly want to be a hero like you say you want to then it is best you accept now that the path ahead is a bloody one. If you choose to accept it then there is no going back and you could very well end up like Salem; walking Remnant hopeless and a fragment of the person you used to be." Ozpin finished while leaning back in his chair, hands in front of his head.

Jaune thought about what Ozpin had said to him, before smiling and nodding his head. "I understand Professor. I know it won't be easy and I'll have to get stronger, but I will become the symbol of peace!" Jaune said with enthusiasm.

Ozpin smiled before standing up and grabbing his mug. "Well Mr. Arc I suggest you go. I'm sure your team is worried about you and what happened. Also if you are serious about becoming a hero like you say than I recommend you go see Ms. Goodwitch. She is an expert when it comes to aura manipulation and I believe she will help you in anything you may need guidance on. Perhaps ask Ms. Xiao Long about hand to hand combat training if that Ursa was anything to go by."

Jaune nodded his head and stood up to leave, smiling all the way. "Thank you Professor Ozpin, I'll go see Ms. Goodwitch tomorrow morning."

With both their peace said, Jaune left to go back to his team and Ozpin sat back down to stare out the window. Ozpin smiled upon seeing the crow in the corner of the closed window, apparently staying for the whole conversation.

"Well what did you think about that my old friend? Would you say he has huntsman potential or will he be just another casualty to the grimm?" Ozpin said before opening the window and letting the crow fly in.