Chapter 2: First Steps
"Do you have everything you need? Clothes? Toiletries?" Scarlett asks as she fusses over Rohan at the tram station.
"Yeah I have everything ma" he smiles and hugs her "I'm only staying at the dorms and I will still be in the city. You act like I'm leaving the kingdom".
Rohan's uncle Crimson steps forward "She is just worried about ya lad. Her only son is leaving home to attend Sanctum Academy. That is a big deal, even if you'll still be in the city".
Rohan nods and looks at the entire Blaze family who have come to see him off, he can feel a few tears appear at the edge of his eyes. His grandmother hands Rohan a package.
"This is a gift from all of us, don't open it till you're in the dorms alright" she strokes his cheek gently "You've grown so much Rohan, we're all proud of you".
A tear falls down his cheek as Rohan embraces her. "Thanks gran" is all he can say.
Sakura finally arrives with her father Kuro, both panting after having ran to the station "Sorry we're ha...ha late, my father slept in" a large suitcase with wheels stands next to her with a backpack hanging off a shoulder.
"Not my fault...ha the alarm didn't go off" Kuro stands up catching his breath as Sakura composes herself and slings the backpack over the free shoulder.
Rohan chuckles "It's fine the tram isn't here yet anyway".
Sakura sighs with relief, then feels a tap on her shoulder, it was Rohan's grandmother.
"Take care of our Rohan, Sakura. He'll need someone like you to watch his back" Sakura smiles and gives a thumbs up. "Also make sure no young ladies capture his heart or attention, wouldn't want any competition now" a sly smile breaks across the elderly woman's face as a heavy blush comes across Sakura's.
"I..I don't know what you're talking about" she turns away as she hears the older woman chuckle.
A bell rings in the distance as a tram comes over the hill and begins to slow down, the two of them climb aboard with their bags and find a seat at the back. As the tram pulls away and as both families wave goodbye, they wave back from the window and promise to visit on the weekends.
"Phew finally we're on our way" Rohan relaxes into the seat and looks at the white box his grandmother had given him, as it sits on his lap.
Sakura notices and leans over "Any idea what's in their Rohan? Something important?".
"Maybe" he gently shakes it against his ear "Doesn't sound like anything hard is in here and my grandmother always has a reason whenever she gives anyone anything". Folding his arms, Rohan starts to think about what it could be and why he was only asked to open it when he was in the dorm room. "Well I guess the only way to find out is when I open it" he smiles and looks at Sakura. "So what exactly did my grandmother say to you? I heard the part about watching my back but I couldn't make the rest out".
Sakura blushes again and just coughs "You don't need to worry, she just wished me good luck"
"Really?" Rohan asks with a skeptical look on his face.
"Yes really, that's all" she looks away to hide her now red cheeks but in Sakura's mind she ponders about what Rohan's grandmother had said. "What did she mean by that? It's not like I like Rohan in that way after all, he's just my best friend that's all" she looks back and just sees him looking out the window watching the city go by "Well either way, I promised to watch his back and that is what I'm going to do. Someone has to after all" she stretches her arms out.
-40 minutes later-
The tram approaches the final stop on the line, Sanctum Academy. It was a large school styled the same way as the rest of the buildings in Argus with red brick work composing the dorms and grey brickwork making the rest of the school. A tall tower designed like the buildings in Atlas stands in the courtyard with a large clock face that can be seen anywhere on campus, surrounded by the school's classrooms. Dorms were at the back facing out towards the sea and the Atlas military base at the bottom of the city. First years are seen following third years to the dorms as Rohan and Sakura follow one group after stepping off the tram. Each dorm could hold roughly a hundred students with two per room and were three floors high. When the third year students graduated the first years took the empty dorm and it would be theirs till they graduated.
It was co-ed so male and female students could share a room. A fact that both Rohan and Sakura had missed when they applied to the Academy as they sat on their beds staring at each other
Rohan watches Sakura intently "I thought you said you looked at the rules when we applied?".
"Don't blame me for this, you should have noticed it too Rohan" a sigh leaves her lips "Well not much we can do I suppose. At least it's someone I know".
"True, I'd rather have to deal with you then a stranger" he smiles "Plus there are no uniforms, which I can get behind. I hated those things back at school".
"Oh that I know" she smirks. "But we still need to establish some rules. Agreed?" Rohan nods and asks what they should be. "First rule, knock before you use the bathroom. Second rule is keep to your side of the room when studying and keep it clean. Final rule is knock before you enter the room"
"Ummm why?" he raises an eyebrow
"Just in case well...you know" Sakura looks away "the other one is changing or something like that" she notices Rohan hiding a blush under his tattered flat cap. "Anyway don't you have that package to open?" Rohan's eyes widened as he had almost completely forgotten about it.
He brings the white box out and opens it to reveal a new flat cap but it was dark red with flecks of green in the plaid pattern. He smiles, removing it from the box, then notices an emblem on the metal stud pushing the front up above the cap rim. It was a green thistle head atop a crimson red background. A note lies underneath the cap.
To Rohan
Figured your cap would need replacing by now. It's a tradition in our family to give a gift when someone is leaving home for the first time, this is from all of us and we hope you wear the emblem with pride just like everyone else in our family. We wish you luck and don't forget us.
From
Grandma Kindle
Rohan sniffs as a couple of tears fall down his cheeks and Sakura puts an arm around him sitting on the bed "You were right, there was a reason behind it".
"Yeah there was" he wipes the tears away and puts his new cap on "and I will wear it with pride that is a promise"
-Meanwhile in Atlas-
Silber lies on his bunk looking at the ceiling, the only combat school you could attend in Atlas was a part of Atlas academy. So it followed the same military style of teaching as the academy along with its uniforms, which he didn't mind but Silber couldn't help shake this feeling that he didn't belong there. Being from Mantle and all. He had already drawn unwanted attention to himself on arrival by carrying Odin his grandfather's axe wrapped up in parcel paper and being taller then almost everyone here. Now he waits for the roommate who will share the dorm room with him for the next three years. ~He sighs and rolls over onto his side just as the door opens, a gentle voice follows.
"Oh you must be my roommate" the young woman smiles, she has long pale blonde hair that reaches her waist and curtsies as Silber sits up. "My name is Van Illa, it's a pleasure. What is your name?".
Silber slowly stands up easily towering over her.
"I'm Silber Gron. It's nice to meet you Van" he smiles offering his hand which Van shakes unfazed by his height.
"I look forward to getting to know you Silber Gron. Where on Atlas are you from?" she asks.
"I'm not from Atlas, I'm from...Mantle" he gulps, awaiting her reaction, thinking she would be disgusted.
"From Mantle, really? I've never met anyone from there and I've always wanted to go" she pulls in her suitcase and slides it into the space underneath the other bunk. "We have some time. Would you like to talk for a bit and have some tea? I brought my favourite blend"
This is not what Silber was expecting, Van wasn't judging him or thinking he was lower than her just because he was from Mantle. She was actually kind and wanted to know about his home, this got Silber thinking "Maybe not everyone from Atlas is a snob". So the two of them sat down, drank some tea and had pleasant conversations. They talked for hours right up till dinner. Van was from a wealthy family that owns a popular restaurant in the city, in which you had to wait 2 months for a reservation and she joined the combat school because just like Silber she wanted to see the world outside of Atlas and becoming a huntress was the best way to do it. She loved her family and the life they gave her, but she wanted more. Silber told her that she could come with him to Mantle on their first day off and try his mothers food at the diner, this got Van very excited since she had never been to a diner before.
-After dinner-
The two are heading back to their dorm room when a scene unfolds before them. Another first year is thrown into a locker by a group of what appear to be three older students, third years and Silber notices the student in the locker has claws, he was a faunus. Looking at the third years It was clear that the one with light blue hair was the leader.
"That was for bumping into me, animal. Your kind shouldn't be allowed to attend this school. You'll only drag it down and fill it with your stench" he flicks his light blue hair out of his face "Know your place".
Just as Silber is about to step in, Van beats him to the punch. "The only stench as you put it, is yours Snow and your attitude" Snow looks over and smiles wickedly.
"Well if it isn't Van. I had heard you were attending the school, you must really want to see me haha" he walks over "However you shouldn't be here either, my future wife should just stay in the kitchen where she belongs"
Those words take Silber by surprise, was Van engaged to this pompous fool? The sound of a slap dispels that thought quickly as Snow takes a step back holding his cheek.
"Y..You slapped me" he trembles staring at Van who stares him down.
"I will never marry a slime like you, who only uses his position to humiliate and bully others because he can. So remove the notion of marriage from your mind and be glad you only got a slap. You deserve far worse" Van turns her head to look at Silber. "Can you get that locker open and help our classmate?".
Silber grins and nods cracking his knuckles."Sure that shouldn't be a problem" he approaches the locker, as Snow's lackey's back off. With one swift motion the locked locker door is opened with ease, Snow gasps in surprise.
"T..That's not possible. How are you that strong?" The faunus steps out of the locker and thanks Silber before running down the hall to the dorms, Silber then faces Snow's lackey's.
"It'd be wise for you two to leave".
They both run off down the hall leaving Snow as he screams at them.
"You cowards! I'll make sure you pay for running!" he glares at Van and Silber "I won't forget this mark my words" Snow storms off leaving them alone in the hall.
"What a coward. All bark and no bite" Silber chuckles.
"That's an understatement, but he won't be here for much longer. So feel free to ignore him".
"What do you mean?" he asks with a confused look. Van just smiles as she walks past him.
"Let's just say the headmaster will be shown how much of a bully Snow is very soon" she waves her scroll to him and Silber smiles.
"Recorded the whole thing huh?, you're quite cunning Van".
"Hehe I just recorded the audio and don't tell anyone" she winks as they head back to their dorm for a final cup of tea together before bed.
-Hours later-
Silber lies awake in his bed staring up at the ceiling. Thinking back to Snow and Van's exchange in the hall earlier. It was clear that the two knew each from before Van joined the school., But in what capacity? The thought had been gnawing at him ever since they got back to the room however he felt it wasn't his place to ask. Van's voice speaks up in the dark.
"Silber are you still awake?" she sits up and looks over as Silber sits up too rubbing the back of his head.
"Yeah I am, sorry. It's just that I keep thinking about what happened between you and Snow earlier. It's clear there is a history between you two, but I feel like I don't have a right to ask what it is"
Van sighs "Your right, there is a history between us and I'm not comfortable talking about it yet. But I can't fault you for being curious either" she brushes some hair behind her ear "I mean there is something I'm curious about with you too".
Van points to Odin wrapped up in the corner by Silber's bunk, a smile spreads across his as an idea comes to mind.
"Tell you what, let's make a deal. During our first sparring class later in the week, we face off against each other. I win you have to tell me about your history with Snow, if you win I'll tell you what that is and why it's wrapped up".
Van blinks for a moment and thinks it over. But she shortly smiles with a glint in her eye.
"Alright it's a deal, but don't expect me to go easy on you Silber Gron" she holds out her hand
"I can say the same to you Van Illa" he smiles and shakes her hand
-The next day at Signal Academy-
The students gossip and talk amongst each other in their seats. The classroom is laid out similar to the classrooms at Beacon with the students looking down at the main desk and a blackboard as the centerpiece behind the professor's desk. Many of the students are introducing themselves to each other or are talking about who their home teacher will be, as this goes on Shiroi just leans on the desk, chin in her palm looking bored. Her shoulder length black hair tied into a short ponytail. She sighs.
"Geez when is this professor going to get here? Class will be starting soon." she looks up at the clock, it's almost 8am.
Suddenly the door to the classroom opens and a man in his mid thirties walks in. Shiroi sits up straight as she watches him. The instincts she had built during her years of living on the streets were telling her he meant business. "He must be our professor and honestly, he reminds me of Zold with the way he dresses"
The professor wore a dark green overcoat with his brown waistcoat and trousers. With a dark green tie and white shirt underneath . He gave off an almost elegant aura which was only brought home more by the black cane he carried with him and his smart well trimmed brown hair. Approaching the blackboard he writes his name then turns to face the students who were watching, while some were still chatting away. He raises two fingers to his lips and lets out an ear piercing whistle that gets everyone's attention.
"Good now that I have your undivided attention students, allow me to introduce myself" he points to the name written on the blackboard with the cane "my name is Professor Holmes and for the next three years I will be your homeroom professor. You will address me as either Professor, Professor Holmes or sir is that understood?".
The class all reply with tense mixed responses of either of the three choices he offered earning a chuckle out of Holmes.
"Don't be so tense class, I am not some grim reaper here to damn you. I am merely here to prepare you for the life you've all chosen, the life of a huntsman or huntress depending on who you are".
The whole class let out the breath they had been holding and laughed as the tension eases.
"However" the class goes quiet "do not think I am a pushover, far from it. I will not tolerate any back talk in my classes nor any kind of misbehaviour, for example." Holmes looks up at a young boy at the back of the class and flicks a piece of chalk at him which lands in the dead centre of his forehead, causing him to jolt up straight in his seat.
"No sleeping in my class young man, I suggest you go to bed earlier so you're well rested for my class" he smiles as the class laughs a little at the blushing boy. He walks over to a student hiding behind a book on the desk and pulls it down with the top of his cane to reveal her playing on a scroll.
"If you have time to play with your scroll then you have time to learn young lady" a brown aura arm appears out of his body and takes the scroll from the students hands, tossing it up into the air and landing in Holmes's front jacket pocket.
"You'll get this at the start of lunch, for now do pay attention. I'm sure you can do that" he walks heads back to his desk.
Shiroi watches all of this and a sly smile creeps across her lips "Now this has gotten interesting"