Here we go.

Cover Art: Z-ComiX

Chapter 74

"Everyone is staring."

Ruby paused in the midst of shovelling food into her mouth to regard Weiss with a confused look. "So? They always stare when I eat."

"Maybe if your manners weren't so lacking…"

Ruby beamed and made exactly zero effort to improve.

"Besides," Weiss continued, "It's not your manners that are drawing attention this time. You do realise that this is the academy food hall, right? The academy that you are no longer a part of by virtue of being an Arcanist."

"Really? I never noticed!"

Weiss sighed at the blatant sarcasm. "You should have more self-respect."

"I'd rather have you."

"Bwuh-what? Ahem! That is… Don't say something so suggestive. Ugh. You really are such an idiot. I'd almost managed to forget that. Regardless, I have lessons soon and you can't follow me for those – quite literally, you cannot enter them!"

"I know. I know. I have work anyway."

"You? Work? Whatever kind?"

"Clerk stuff."

Weiss looked scandalised. "You!? W-Well, I hope you're putting your effort in."

"I am. I am. The White does not falter," she added with a roll of the eyes. "It's just work. Then Pyrrha wants to meet at this place later for dinner. Do you want to come?"

"I can't."

"Sure you can. It's not just for-"

"No, Ruby, I mean I can't tonight. I asked Coco for some tutoring and she agreed; I've promised her I'd be there at six."

"Oh…"

Weiss smiled faintly. "Another night for sure."

"Yeah. It's a good place. I think Pyrrha is just lonely."

"Then keep her company while I'm busy."

"Are you sure you haven't been lonely?" Ruby asked pointedly.

"Is this your unsubtle attempt to drag compliments out of me? I'm not sure what time I'd have to be lonely since you asked Sun to all but stalk me. I appreciate the gesture, Ruby, and I'll admit he cheered me a little, but really, I don't need a babysitter."

Sun had been looking out for Weiss? She hadn't known. Ruby grinned and whispered a quick apology, covering for him. She'd have to thank him later. Or maybe hanging out with Weiss was reward enough for him. It wasn't often Ruby had the chance to tease someone and she was going to take full advantage of it the next time she saw him.

"How is it?" Weiss asked suddenly. Quietly. "As an Arcanist?"

"Boring!"

"Wha-?" It obviously wasn't the answer Weiss expected to hear. "But you have access to so much more-"

"It's so boring!" Ruby whined. "You have to get a job if you want your stipend increasing – and apparently we're meant to learn what that is later as Initiates but I skipped it – and even if you go out into the city you need to tell people why, when you'll be back and then sign out and in like a naughty child. Glynda won't even let me go out Grimm hunting."

"Lady Goodwitch."

"Glynda!" Ruby pressed. "If I'm the same rank as her now, I can call her by name."

"You may be an Arcanist, Ruby, but she is the head of an Arcana! There's quite a bit of difference in your positions."

"Bah. Whatever. Are things okay in class? Malneux isn't being a dick, is he?"

"Ruby!"

Weiss' face burned bright red. Why-? Oh, the dick thing. Ruby rolled her eyes, eternally amazed at how… not innocent, but prudish Weiss could be. She'd have never survived growing up with Yang. "Is he, though?"

"He is… He made a small attempt to mock me. It fell on deaf ears, quite literally in my case. I don't think it works very well when his chosen rival has left him in the dust. I just have to mention your name and he clams up faster than a merchant asked for a discount."

Ha. Served him right. Even if he pushed for the Crimson version of the rites, he'd know she beat him to Arcanist. It's what he gets for being so dismissive of Cinder even after he and his family abandoned her to the Sanctum.

"I know that face." Weiss said. "Don't start plotting something."

"I wasn't plotting."

"Hmm. We'll see. I do need to go now, Ruby. And you need to get to work." Weiss stood from the bench, doing her best not to react to all the curious looks she was receiving. "I'm going to be interrogated as it is by people wanting to know why I was eating with an Arcanist."

"They have eyes. Don't they know we were roommates?"

"It's not that simple. I'll talk to you later."

Ruby sighed and watched her go. People didn't keep watching Weiss; they kept watching her. Muttering under her breath, Ruby finished the rest of her breakfast in silence and then strolled out of the food hall. It'd only been a week or so since she was one of them and yet they were treating her as if she were a stranger in their midst. Stupid nobles.

/-/

"I've heard you spent the morning dining in the academy." Lady Glynda Goodwitch said it without criticism or much heat, more a statement of fact than a question. Ruby knew she was supposed to answer regardless.

"I did."

"It's not exactly typical for Arcanists to disrupt the lives of the Initiates. Your presence could cause quite a bit of speculation and unrest."

"If they can't get over the fact an Arcanist is within a hundred metres, I don't know if I care." Ruby crossed her arms defiantly. "And I had to make up with my friend."

"Initiate Schnee. I'm aware. Well, it is no bad thing to have strong relationships with your fellow White Arcanists, and she will become one in time for all her slight hiccup here. I'm only suggesting that next time you take her out to eat elsewhere. Spare the other Initiates the drama if you can."

"Okay…"

"Good." Lady Goodwitch set her documents down and finally graced Ruby with her full attention. "That's not the reason I summoned you here of course. How are you finding life since becoming an Arcanist? I hear you've taken work in the Azure Archives. Lord Port informs me you're quite helpful."

"I wanted to earn some money. It's not too hard."

"A lack of difficulty does not mean a lack of importance. You've seen some examples now of how Azure Arcanists can step close to potentially dangerous research without out oversight. What do you think of that?"

It felt like a personal insult. "They didn't do it on purpose!"

"Of course not, and as a result none of them are being questioned or considered for a stay in the Sanctum. The White is not tyrannical despite how some may see it. Those who unintentionally stray close to damaging our place in the world will be gently informed and asked to change their path. If they do, there shall be no further issue." Glynda gestured to her. "I'm pleased to say all the Azure Arcanists you put forward for concern have been dealt with, and by dealt with I mean that they have been convinced of the potential danger of their research and encouraged to focus on new subjects. All have willingly agreed bar one…"

"What about the one? Have they refused?"

"Not at all," Glynda said, chuckling. "We haven't spoken with her yet."

Ruby slumped with relief so hard she couldn't help but glare. Talk about leading her on. The older woman didn't stop smiling, and instead pushed a piece of paper across her desk.

"I thought it might be a good idea for you to speak with the girl in question. Your age should not be an issue in this case – she's an Initiate and not too much older than you. If she acts up, remind her you're an Arcanist."

"Why have me do it?"

"For context, and potential future employment. You're already acting as an investigator right now – that's our official term for those looking into other Arcana for dangerous subjects – and you may as well experience the job at its fullest. It's also fairer on the individual in question if the one who notes the indiscretion also deals with it. If you were to pass it onto someone else, they may go in heavy handed or not fully understand your concerns."

"You want me to be one of these investigators…?"

"You're an Arcanist now, Ruby. You can choose how to live your life. I'm merely offering you the chance to test yourself in the next step up from your current role."

Ruby looked down at the document and then up again. "Why?"

Glynda smiled. "Hm?"

"Why are you pushing this so soon? I'm a new Arcanist, I've barely gotten any experience and I bet you don't have private meetings with every single person who joins the White like this. You even recruited me into the White personally. Why are you so interested in me doing this?"

Lady Glynda Goodwitch watched her with a satisfied smile that grew with every accusation Ruby laid at her feet. Ruby was surprised she let her continue, especially since this was the leader of the White Arcana. Then again, she'd been surprised ever since Glynda took an unhealthy and worrying interest in her. Once she finished, the older Arcanist clapped her hands together slowly, applauding her quietly.

"Well spoken, or perhaps I should say well deducted. Your manner of speech could still use some refinement. That's something that can be taught, however. The state of mind that lets you identify such inconsistencies is something much harder to train. To answer your question frankly, I see potential in you."

Ruby's eyes narrowed. "Potential for what?"

"Potential for an excellent White Arcanist. Potential, perhaps, to take my position in the future. The distant future," she added, "After you've improved in quite a few other areas. Even if you don't take my place, you'll be a remarkable investigator. Your stubbornness combined with your ability to think outside the box and even your natural mistrust will serve you well. That you went behind my back and not only arranged but succeeded in passing your rites only proves that you will take any measure necessary to achieve your goals. Those goals are selfish now perhaps, the same way most children's are, but if you focused those to the betterment of the Collegium then I can only wonder at what you would achieve."

"You suggest I do not speak with every White Arcanist and that is true," she went on, "But you are not alone in being of interest to me. Lady Nikos also meets with me, and I'm sure you can figure out why."

"She could be one of the best combat Arcanists in the White…"

"Precisely. She may even be the brawn to your brains, dealing with problems you identify. That is for the future however," she said firmly. "Right now, I want you both to focus on safer pursuits. This flawed research should at best lead to an awkward discussion, but it's still good experience for you. Talk to the girl in question, explain your concerns and work to convince her to stop."

"And if she refuses?"

"Come back and report on that. Don't try to push her or start any conflict. If she refuses to acquiesce to our requests, we will simply order her to stop. No threats," she promised. "We'll simply bring her in and make it a rule that she must cease her research. We'd much rather try the gentle approach first, however. Part of the White's work is in not appearing too draconian."

Ruby nodded faintly, even if she hadn't technically agreed to anything.

"What if I don't want to be an investigator?" she asked quietly.

"Then don't. I see potential in you, and I am offering you the chance to explore that. I'm not enforcing it. Except this on case," she said. "And only because we're too busy right now. You know why."

"The Grimm."

"Not only that, Ruby."

"The Grand Arcanist…?"

"Indeed. Nothing has been found yet and we are running out of time to keep his demise hidden. Whether or not we have answers, we will need to reveal his death next week. It will be cited as natural causes if we cannot find his killer. We cannot have everyone panicking, especially not with a Wildmage, Grimm and this new threat on the loose. Right now, my best investigators are busy on that case. The Azure issue is far too small an issue right now to divert attention, hence why I am requesting your aid. You will be paid at the full rate for an investigator."

"Alright." Ruby said, the last sweetening of the pot catching her. "I'll do it."

"Thank you. You do the White a great service."

/-/

"Bloody investigators."

Merlot spat on the floor after Ruby explained her latest job, startling her with his vehemence. She'd not once seen a noble spit. She'd come for advice on how to handle the issue since he was both Azure and an Arcanist, but she hadn't expected such a reaction. He'd even turned away from the Beowolf straining to break free from the chains behind him.

The monster's eyes were fixed on Ruby. It cared for nothing else, ignoring Merlot as he walked under its very nose and placed a hot poker down. The man's lab looked like a room fit for torture, steel bars, sharp implements and a branding station set nearby, several tongs inside the coals. Ruby shivered at the burn marks over the Grimm's flesh, its fur scorched away.

"W-What are you doing to it?"

"This?" Merlot scoffed. "I'm testing whether its skin is resistant to attacks from various sources. It's resilient and doesn't appear to feel pain. You could sear out an eyeball with a hot poker and they won't flinch. Believe me, I've tried. I'll be moving onto weaponry created by the Black Arcana if you would like to stay and watch."

"No way!"

"Suit yourself. Why are you here again?"

"The investigator role…"

"Ah yes, those cursed busybodies." He sighed and stomped past her to his desk, rummaging among his papers. "Did you know they used to be called inquisitors? Before the White changed it. Apparently, the term was too aggressive and put people on edge. Not that it's changed what they do. Constantly interfering in other's work. Too dangerous this, upsetting precedent that, potential for misuse this. Pathetic! Anything can be misused, even a kitchen knife can kill someone, but you don't ban all knives in the food halls, do you?"

"Um. No?"

"Pathetic!" he boomed, spinning and shaking a sheaf of papers at her. "Paranoid and stuck-up idiots with delusions of grandeur. They investigated me, you know? Tried to stop my research! I had to appeal to the Grand Arcanist himself." He laughed. "You should have seen the looks on their faces when he ordered them to back down. It never occurred to them anyone might disagree with their point of view. The White does not falter – pah! More like they can't imagine a world in which they should be expected to."

"Y-Yeah." Ruby kicked the back of her own heel nervously. "Thing is, I kind of have to do this now, and the research I'm stepping into is a little sketchy. I was hoping for some advice on how to approach it."

"Just blunder in and demand everything stop," he snapped. "It's what they usually do. Feel free to cry `in the name of the White` as you do. That usually works."

"Merlot..." she whined.

"I'm busy. Arrogant, entitled, think they know best…"

Ruby let herself out before he go off on another rant. At least she had an idea how the Initiate in question would take her interference – not well at all. Why should she? My job is to go in and make her stop. Uh. Maybe I should ask Ren how it went with him. He was won over easily enough.

Ren wasn't available. Apparently, he was working with someone off site and no one knew when he'd be back. Since it was in the Collegium, he didn't need to tell people where he was, so Ruby grumpily made her way down to the Archives as well, determined to put off her work as long as possible.

"Evening Ruby," Port said. "You're here late."

"Po- I mean, Lord Port!" Ruby grinned and slid up to him. "I need some advice!"

"Ha ha! Well you've come to the right place." The jolly Arcanist patted a seat beside him. "Come and tell me about it."

Ruby recounted her new task and what she had to do. "And now I'm meant to talk to her and convince her to stop but I don't really know how. I think Lady Goodwitch is setting it as a test."

"Hm. Could be. Could be." He wore a faint smile as he rubbed his chin. "I remember my days starting out as an investigator."

"You're an investigator!?"

"Aye lass, of course. Why else do you think I'm here if not investigating the Archives? Why else do you think I'd be granted those files on questionable research? It's all the same job."

Port didn't strike her as someone who would go after Rogue Arcanists. A lot of that had to do with his waistline. He didn't look like he'd done much running in his life. Not like I have a lot of options.

"Okay. What should I do?"

"The first thing is to be understanding." he said. "A lot of our kind like to go running in assuming they have the authority to say or do whatever they like – and they do," he admitted, "but things will go easier if you try and see it from their point of view. Azure can be especially troublesome because they get so caught up in their research that asking them to stop can mean years of hard work wasted."

"You don't just tell them to stop?"

"I don't." Port boasted. "Can't stand to see women cry and men sulk." He laughed boomingly. "It's easier to just run over them and demand they stop but talk it out first. Explain why their research is dangerous and help them understand why it can't continue. If you do a good enough job, they'll want to stop. Or at least they'll understand why they should."

Ruby smiled. "That doesn't sound too bad."

"Hmm. It's not too hard but you need to have thick skin." He poked her shoulder. "If they get angry enough, they might start shouting and ranting at you. Happens to the nicest people. Just try and remember they're only acting that way because they're upset. And whatever happens, don't get drawn into a shouting match. You're an Arcanist now. You've got to act like it."

It was a lot better than she'd expected it to be. More peaceful too. Maybe Glynda had been telling the truth when she said their job wasn't to force people but make them see the right choice. After all, this person wasn't going to be sent to the Sanctum for unknowingly picking a dangerous topic. It might not have even been dangerous when they started out.

"Does that help, lass?"

"Yeah. I think so. I'm going to go see her now."

"Good luck then. You can always come down and talk to me after if it goes poorly. Just remember, you don't have to force anything. You're talking to this person, not arresting them."

/-/

Calm. Ruby let out a quick breath as she stood before the closed door with a file in hand. This wasn't going to be hard. Go in, explain, leave and take her pay as an investigator. It might even let her get closer to finding out what was going on with the Grimm. If nothing else, it was money for Yang and less suspicion on her own shoulders.

I can do this. It'll be easy.

Ruby knocked on the door.

"What!?" the voice inside shouted angrily. "I'm busy!"

"Ahem. I'm from the White Arcana. It's about-" The door was wrenched open before she could finish. "-your research…"

Green hair, tanned skin and reddish eyes. Emerald Sustrai wasn't that much taller than her, and only about two years older. The grey robes of an Initiate were matched with a blue mantle denoting her as focusing on the Azure. If that wasn't obvious from the fact she was in the Archives in the first place.

"It's about time!" Emerald said. "Come in. Come in. Is that my research notes?" she asked, looking at the file in Ruby's hands. "Am I getting them back? I've barely been able to do anything without them!"

"Ah. Well." Ruby tried to smile and managed a grimace. "There's been a bit of an… well, there's an issue with your research."

Emerald's expression darkened.

"I'm here to talk about that," Ruby hurried on. "My name is Ruby Rose, I'm a White Arcanist."

"Lady Rose." Emerald said stiffly, stepping aside to let her in. "What's the problem? My research isn't bad. I'm not even looking into anything dangerous. Why has everyone else got their material back except me?"

Ruby stepped in and looked around before answering. Emerald must have lived in the dorms like the other Initiates, but they hadn't shared classes or even a year group. The room she rented at the Archives was small and cramped with a single desk and a wooden cabinet. That had a few books in it but was otherwise bare, likely having been taken away as evidence.

"You're researching memory, right?"

Emerald stood stiff. "Yes. What's wrong with that?"

"What made you want to look into memories?" Ruby asked.

"How is that any of your business?" Ruby hefted the file. Emerald clenched her eyes shut. "My mother lost hers," she said bitterly. "Something happened to her mind and she can't remember things properly anymore."

"Oh. Is she ill…?"

"The Emerald Arcana says there's nothing physically wrong with her. It comes and goes. Sometimes she remembers and it's like normal, but most of the time she forgets who everyone is, even me. She does the same task over and over, forgetting she's finished it. I… I want to cure that." Emerald's lower jaw jutted out. "I will cure it."

Port's advice hadn't prepared her for this. He made it sound so easy, not that she'd have to convince someone to stop trying to find a way to cure a loved one. If mom were still alive or Yang was in trouble, I wouldn't let anyone stop me.

"W-Well, shouldn't that be something you study in the Emerald?"

"I tried. They told me it couldn't be fixed because the human brain isn't understood. That's why I joined the Azure. Why? What's wrong with what I'm looking at? It's to heal people!"

"There are concerns…"

"About what!?" Emerald yelled.

"Tampering with memories." The notes had been clear on the risks involved and Ruby happened to agree. "You have to think about what it could lead to even if you'd never go there. What if you make this to help your mother but someone else uses it to re-write someone's memories and enslave them? That's wrong, not to mention really dangerous. If it got out that we could do that then how could anyone trust Arcanists at all?"

"It doesn't have to get out." Emerald said. "Just don't tell anyone."

"Every Arcanist would know about it if you finished your research. We can't just keep it secret."

"Then make it a law that only certain people can use it!"

"How would anyone remember if they saw someone using it illegally or not? Bad people could just make the witnesses forget."

"That's not my fault! People can abuse all magic!"

"I know you're upset," Ruby said, trying for the conciliatory angle. "But there's a difference between this and that. People can be criminals with anything but at least there's evidence and you can stop it. Someone with your research could kill a person in front of ten people and convince them all it was a suicide. The White isn't going to let that happen. I'm trying to help you. I'm here to explain this rather than have someone force it."

Emerald crossed her arms in front of her. "I'm not stopping my studies."

"You'll have to. I'd have to report you if you didn't."

"Then report me. I'm not stopping."

Great. Her first time doing this, and it was already a disaster. Emerald was too stubborn to stop, and she didn't exactly have the means to stop her. Other than not giving her notes back. Emerald could just continue or start her research anew, however. Ruby decided to bring out the big artillery.

"You realise if this continues you could get in trouble. What if you were threatened with the Sanctum? Your mom wouldn't want you to become a Rogue Arcanist."

"T-The Sanctum? I can't be sent there; it's just healing magic!"

"Even healing magic can be dangerous. That's why it's reserved for the Emerald Arcana. There might still be another way to help your mother. Just focus on fixing the problem and not on replacing her memories. Think about it, if she lost them the first time then what's the point putting new ones in? She'd just lose them again."

"I… I know but… I could keep giving them back. It wouldn't be a perfect solution, but it would work."

"You should try for the real solution instead." Ruby said. "I bet the White would be happy with that. There are probably lots of people who have family in the same situation as yours. No one is going to stop medical research."

"But I'm so close to a breakthrough…"

"Yeah. That's why I'm here." Ruby smiled awkwardly and reached out to pat the girl's arm. She pulled away, angry and upset. "It could have been a whole lot of White Arcanists coming to drag you away and interrogate you."

"You're the one who decides if my research is dangerous, aren't you?"

Uh-oh. Ruby had seen this scene play out before, normally whenever Yang was trying to get one of Junior's debts collected and the person thought they could appeal to her to let them go. Emerald was no different.

"Can't you let it go? I'm not doing this to hurt anyone. The White can have my research once I'm done. I'll be the first and only person to use it and you can watch me every day of my life. I just want to try and help her."

"I know but-"

"And no one has to know if you don't tell them. Have a heart!"

"The White already knows!" Ruby yelled. Emerald recoiled, and Ruby kept up the pressure. "I was sent to talk to you, but the White had already taken notice of your research. All I did was sort your file into the right pile. Even if I agreed not to say anything, more would come. Then we'd both get in trouble." She let that sink in for a moment. "It's not worth it. You're only going to get in trouble if you continue. No one wants that."

Emerald Sustrai held her ground, teeth gritted and eyes clenched shut.

"I won't give up on this…"

"I'll have to tell the White."

"Tell them!" Emerald spun. "I don't care!"

/-/

"It went poorly?" Glynda asked.

"Yeah. I'm sorry…"

"Don't be. Not everyone understands and even then some are resistant. I can't say fault her aspirations, nor her desire to see her mother healed. You did the best you could, and you were right to report this back."

She didn't feel right to report it. "What happens to her now?"

"Nothing horrible. We'll pick her up and escort her here, then we shall explain a little more firmly why she should stop. I know that sounds forceful, but we've tried the soft approach with you. We always do. Initiate Sustrai won't come to any harm. We'll work to convince her and then bar her research if she continues to refuse. If the worst happens, we'll just have her monitored or banished from the Azure entirely."

"Not put into the Sanctum?" Ruby asked.

"Not at all. The Sanctum is reserved for those that commit crimes, not those who might one day do so. We don't punish people for what they have not done."

Cinder and Adam would have disagreed.

"Go on now," she said. "I'll have the increased pay added to your stipend. You may go visit Initiate Schnee again if you wish but invite her to spend time at your place. It will be less disruptive that way."

"Y-Yeah. I will. Um." Ruby paused in the doorway. "Can you keep me updated on the Sustrai case? I feel responsible for it now."

Lady Goodwitch smiled benignly. "Of course. We'll be talking to her tomorrow morning. Why don't you visit her again in the afternoon and talk to her? That way you can close the case and mark the matter finished in our records. Would that alleviate your concern?"

If Emerald was going to be free and okay by tomorrow afternoon, then yes it would. Ruby nodded happily. "I'll do that. Sorry I couldn't convince her."

"No problem. Do you agree? On the reasons her research must be kept from completion?"

It felt like a betrayal to think it but yeah, she did. Wildmages shouldn't be persecuted because they hadn't done stuff and Emerald wasn't going to be persecuted here. Making a magic that could tamper with people's thoughts was bad, though. There was no telling how people could abuse that.

"I think it's best it be forbidden," she said carefully.

"On that, we agree. I'm glad you understand our purpose a little more now. Have a good evening."

Man, I can't believe it's almost the end of January already. This'll mark a full year in lockdown soon. I can't remember exactly when it started for me but I'm thinking it must have been around March – April time. I have to admit, I've put on weight! I was never super hench or anything, but I went to the gym daily and did decent cardio and some weights.

I bought a treadmill for home when it was clear this was going to last but I just can't work as hard at home. It must be the atmosphere or something else because I jog for 30 minutes and I'm just done, whereas a full workout at the gym would normally be two hours. Not running obviously. Maybe an hour of jogging spread out around other stuff like weights, rowing, etc. Argh, my jeans don't fit anymore. xD

Next Chapter: 31st January

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur