Chapter 5.

Roman really had not expected that the students would be LAUNCHED away, how was he going to explain that to the authorities. What was he going to say? Yes they launched teenagers into the air without warning, but it totally really wasn't dangerous? Roman was quite sure that no one with half a brain was going to buy that story. Then again there seemed to be a lack of intelligent people around.

Another thing Roman hadn't expected was for the headmaster to launch him up as well. How had he not noticed the launch pad he was standing on? Roman had no excuse for that. He should have known better than to trust the headmaster in any matter. Especially after seeing the complete apathy the headmaster showed towards his students being launched into the air. That wasn't what headmasters should do, they were supposed to be responsible adults. They weren't supposed to be, Ozpin.

But now he was here. Flying through the air on his way into a grim infested forest filled with students. How did the headmaster expect him to stand back when his own life was at risk? Roman had no clue what to do if a situation like that arrived. All this was most likely the headmaster's idea of a test for Roman to prove his worth. But right now Roman could do without the headmasters games.

As the ground came ever closer he prepared for a landing. Using Melodic Cudgel as a hook, he grabbed a large tree, spinning around it to get rid of his momentum before jumping down and landing on the ground. The landing however, could be greatly improved upon. It was quite a long shot from the elegant style that Roman had been going for.

The part of the forest he had landed in was quite dense. The clearing he was standing in seemed to be the only open space in the proximity. Everything else was overgrown, with leaves and branches covering his path. What was the headmaster thinking? How was Roman supposed to do anything from here?

His thoughts were cut off as he heard sounds coming from the bushes. Roman was immediately on high alert, raising Melodic Cudgel into a position to strike. And something did come out of the vegetation.

Jaune Arc proceeded to be knocked to the ground by the swing of Romans cane.

Roman cursed, he hadn't accounted for the sound being made by a student. How unlucky for him, he was going to have to explain this somehow after all. Perhaps he could blame it on the grim? No the boy would testify against him. Perhaps he was lucky and the boy had noticed him in time to put up his aura. That's when he heard more sound coming from the bushes and vegetation.

"Hey Jaune, are you there?" A girl called out.

Then Roman saw Pyrrha Nikos, champion of mistral, stepping into the clearing. Obviously looking for the boy. The boy that just happened to be lying unconscious by Romans feet.

"Oh hi there sir!" The girl said. She looked surprised and it looked like she hadn't noticed the boy yet.

"Hello Miss Nikos" Roman was struggling to find a fitting excuse, perhaps the boy would get up and brush it off? The boy did have aura after all.

"Oh is that Jaune? What happened to him? He looks hurt." Nikos did sound quite worried, she looked very worried in fact. Why was that the case? she didn't seem like a girl who would get into such a state over nothing.

"Any reason for you being so worried? The boy will be fine, he's got aura after all." Nikos looked down, as to avoid eye contact perhaps? But why would she-

"He does have aura right?" Roman asked.

There was quite the moment of awkward silence after that.

"Wellll, it doesn't seem like he does sir, in fact he didn't even seem to know what aura was when i asked" Miss Nikos said at last.

How the fuck did the headmaster let this boy into the school? Was Ozpin really insane? Then again, there was something familiar about the boy, Roman was quite certain he'd seen the boy before. Perhaps the boy was a street rat and was making up for his lack of aura with skills learned from the street? No that seemed unlikely, a street rat wouldn't have fallen to Romans cane like that. They know better than that.

Then it hit him. This was the kid who had asked him to fake transcripts to get into Beacon. The boy had paid quite decent money for it, so Roman had taken his offer. He had thought much of the boy, but he hadn't expected this. The boy wanted to be a huntsman and didn't even have his aura unlocked, even worse he didn't even know what aura was. This was bound to reflect poorly on Roman. If the boy died because of his lack of aura roman would be in major trouble. Especially seeing as he also had knocked the boy unconscious. He supposed that he'd have to fix this little mess.

"Hey Nikos, would you mind making sure I don't get interrupted while I fix this little problem?" Roman called out. Nikos nodded and got into some sort of a combat stance, watching the vegetation with a determined stare.

Roman took his chance and went over to Blondie. That was quite the nickname, so he decided he'd stick with it. As he kneeled down he put his hand on Blondie's chest and incited the verse that he had learned from his mentor when he himself was but a kiddo.

"For it is through lies we gain immortality, stealing our way to fame and glory. To gain victory we shall cheat, to rise above all others. Through the victory we gain we shall live forever, free from all the chains that once bound us. I shall set your soul free, so that it may survive forever."

The boy's aura flared up, he seemed to have quite a bit to work with. Roman was even slightly impressed. But just slightly.

"Well i suppose that i've intervened enough already. So if you don't mind I think I will be making my way towards the temple now. There are other students to take care of after all. Do keep an eye on blondie tough" Roman stood up and walked to the edge of the clearing. Before he left he could hear a quick "Thank you" from Nikos. That had indeed gone better than expected.

.

Ruby's day had just gotten slightly worse. She hadn't been all too keen on having a partner in the first place, but the partner she got was probably one of the worst possible outcomes that she could have gotten. Why couldn't she just have landed close to Yang? Even that Jaune boy would have been better.

Her partner, Weiss Schnee, was currently rambling about just how immature Ruby was. Ruby had tried to make friends with the girl, but Weiss just wouldn't have it. Still tough, Ruby was determined to make Weiss like her. If they were going to spend the next four years together Ruby would have to do so eventually.

Perhaps she could show Weiss her weapon, and then Weiss could show Ruby hers? Then they would already be pretty much besties. Then maybe they would do fun stuff together, and then she could show Yang she already was able to make even more friends.

Ruby was hyped already. Now all she had to do was make sure Weiss liked her. That would be easy right? Who didn't like her after all. She was sure to succeed with her mission. She would take her uncle's advice. If you wanted to see if a girl likes you, just be straightforward. Ruby always knew his drunken blabbering would be useful one day.

Ruby ran up to her partner and said "Heyweissdoyoulikeme?" That was straight forward enough? Right?

All Ruby got as a response was some angry mumbling. Still it wasn't a no. So she was sure that she'd get there eventually.

She could already feel the effects of all the milk she drank this morning kicking in. It really did make her very grown-up.

.

Ozpin stood upon Beacon cliff, tablet and coffee in hand. He had been following the events that transpired via camera and had been quite impressed by all the things that had happened so far. He had not expected for Torchwick, no Candle, to unlock Arc's aura. But it was a welcome surprise. Perhaps the crook did care for the students after all. Or perhaps the man didn't want to blow his cover. Ozpin didn't particularly care, either one meant the crook would keep in line.

The man in question was currently on a collision course with Miss Rose and Miss Schnee. That would be an interesting encounter to watch. He'd have to keep an eye on it, especially seeing as there was a pack of Ursas on their way as well. It always was fun to watch a good fight. Of course Candle would intervene here as well, the grim didn't care if they attacked teachers or students after all. This was as much of a test for the students as it was for their supervisor. If the man did his best here to help the students that would give Ozpin some guarantees the man could be relied upon for future needs.

If that was the case then Ozpin could just have gained another advantage over Salem. And no matter how slight the advantage might be, it was still an advantage. Those were always appreciated. He let a slight smile show on his face once again, taking a sip of coffee as he did so. This of course earned him a worried expression from Glynda. No doubt going mad trying to find out what he was up to.

It really was good to be the headmaster. He could do without the paperwork though.

.

AN.

Hello again. It seems I have gotten a kick of what is called motivation, as such the daily updates continue. As I was reading the reviews on chapter two (The one named chapter two, there's the prologue messing with my head) I just want to say: I hope you didn't get too disappointed by the fight… Anyways, thanks for reading and thanks for all feedback.

Zune