Chapter 4: Preparation

The trip home was filled with awkward silence, a rare occurrence. Normally, there was always some sort of conversation going on. Winter would ask me how I was faring with my lessons or training. Mother and Winter were always the targets for any questions I had on everything related to Huntsmen and Huntresses. Klein would tell a joke every now and then whenever the three of us got too serious.

Now however, I was occupied watching and making sure Neo was okay. The poor girl was alive, but she herself was too weak to move on her own. Winter helped me by gradually feeding Neo small portions of rations and water she had in her dimension chip. I make a mental note to stock up supplies in my own. Mother was lost in thought thinking about who knows what. She at least glanced over at us occasionally, so I think we haven't done anything wrong just yet. Klein was busy driving, so he can be excused for not starting any conversations. Soon, the limousine came to a stop.

That was earlier than I expected. I thought the trip home was going to take longer.

When I look outside, I understand why. We had made a detour to the nearest clinic. Soon, Neo was examined by a doctor while a nurse performed some kind of skill related to her Healer class. We were lucky it seems. Neo had some sort of inflammation in her throat. Had we been a day later, Neo would have permanently lost her voice. Other than that, she only needed proper food, water, and plenty of rest.

I sigh in relief.

Thank goodness.

I feel someone staring at me. I turn and find Neo watching with her heterochromatic eyes. I smile to reassure her.

"You're going to be okay now."

She closed her eyes but didn't respond. I didn't hold it against her. She must have been exhausted. She soon began rhythmically breathing in and out. Now that the crisis was averted, I can now appreciate the adorableness of the situation.

It's Neo! As a child!

Ah! So cute!

We eventually reach our mansion. I am surprised at who was waiting outside. Father was home. Early.

"You're home early, dear. Did you forget a file again?"

Father gave Mother a pointed look.

"Weren't you the one who said I wasn't spending enough time with everyone? I endeavored to come home early today, but I arrived and found nobody present. I have been lamenting about the wasted time ever since."

Winter and I are speechless. Klein's head popped out of the car like a gopher. His mouth was gaping. I stealthily snapped a photo with my scroll.

Jacques Schnee. Came home early. Because of family. Will the sun rise in the west tomorrow?

Father rolled his eyes at us. Mother was the only one who moved. She embraced him and gave a quick kiss in thanks. Klein gave me a look of betrayal that I ignored.

I should've turned off the sound.

I join my sister and gave my father a rare but deserved hug. He patted us awkwardly. Father looked like he wanted to tell us to back off but couldn't. He soon found an excuse however.

"What is that putrid smell?"

At his words, a fetid odor fills my nostrils. I realize his words were referring to me. I must have gotten it when I was hugging Neo earlier. I smile sheepishly. Father pushes me away.

"Go wash yourself immediately young lady."

Well, it was nice while it lasted.

Life in the Schnee manor soon resumed without a fuss. I continued training with Mother and studied during my free time. Neo was put under Klein's care for training as my personal maid. We also hired a second tutor to help educate her. She looked adorable in a maid costume. I can only imagine how beautiful she would look in the future.

Speaking of beauty, I'm surrounded by gorgeous women. Winter was already starting to develop her curves, and Mother's beauty wasn't even a question. Even our maids were gorgeous. I can't tell if this is because we have high standards, or a rule of the universe dictated it so. I'm not hung up on my appearance, but I would be lying if I said I had no expectations about my own beauty.

I look downwards at my chest.

...Perhaps I should add more milk in my diet.

One day, I noticed Mother had left with me after my training finished. That was strange. Normally, she would stay after to get her own training done.

It turns out she was going to make a trip to visit some friends of hers. I asked if I could come with her and meet her fellow Huntsmen, but she rejected me and said it wasn't appropriate.

I asked her what she meant by inappropriate, but she didn't elaborate.

Klein oversaw my training in her absence. Neo sat on the side as a spectator, but she soon requested to join me. Klein saw no reason to deny her request as the stronger Neo becomes, the safer I will be in the future.

Neo's title changed as well. She was no longer "The Abandoned" but "The Grateful". I'm glad. It seems I have secured a reliable ally in the future.

In other news, Winter finally got me a bracelet with a dimension chip installed. When I operate it, it opens up a floating menu similar to the one when I used my own inventory. The difference being I needed to actually touch to operate it rather than think. I should spend some more time to see what other differences exist. Maybe I can exploit it somehow. But first, I would need to find some free time…

-0-

Today was a shitty day.

For someone like him, there wasn't many days that could be considered good. Few memorable moments made it onto that list. When he had his first lay. When he found out his sister was pregnant. When his team conquered their first A-ranked dungeon. When his niece was born. Those were just some of the few he could think of off the top of his head.

Not today.

For a man with a semblance like his, he was used to tripping over a loose rock. He was used to stubbing his toe on the leg of a table. He was used to having faulty air-conditioning in his room. Some of those things might be considered an inconvenience for others, but it was just another Tuesday for him. Even the death of a comrade was a pain that dulled given enough time.

Not today.

Today, it hurt.

The pain stabbed him deeply.

It hurt more than an Assassin cutting him with a Corrosion debuff. It hurt more than the worst curse a Vacuo Gypsy could ever inflict. The pain cut. It twisted his insides. He wanted to scream and destroy everything he saw. He already did when he first heard the news. He wanted to cry, but the tears were already spent. Instead he focused on the man who was crushed even more than he was. The only one who could possibly be more devastated than him. Her husband stood silent, uncrying only because he already exhausted all he could much like himself.

Qrow stared at the shell of a man his best friend had become.

Taiyang Xiao Long stared mindlessly ahead. If he could not faintly hear his breathing, Qrow would've thought the man a specter. They did not speak. No words could describe their pain. No gesture could ease their torture. The only way to relieve them was to bring her back, but in that path lied madness.

Qrow turned at the sound of a door opening.

A young blonde girl no older than five stood there with her younger sibling in tow. Unlike their normal attire of yellow and red, they were both dressed up in black. Little Yang had probably gotten her sister dressed for them. Qrow knew Tai hadn't because he was only dressed due to Qrow being his own reminder. The reminder about the event they all needed in order to move on but dreaded because it was an admittance about something they didn't want to be true.

Summer Rose was dead.

Just like that, their family was destroyed. Tai was too distraught to function. It was a wonder how he made it through the past week. Already, the two brats have started relying on one another. A three-year-old relying on a five-year-old. The only one mentally sound enough to take care of any of them was him, the drunk. Him, the person who wanted to do nothing more than to lose himself in battle. This was all sorts of fucked up. It would be a miracle if any one of them came out of this sane.

The grandfather clock rang in the hallway.

It was time. They shuffled out.

The once warm house no longer had its friendly atmosphere. It was dreary. Every corner had her touch. They could imagine her figure just wandering around in the kitchen. Baking some snack for the kids. Forgetting where she had placed the sugar. Tai would come along and show her she had covered it up with the other groceries. Little Ruby would jump up and down and ask for cookies. Yang pulling at her apron, asking her about her recent mission. He would sit on the couch all the while, admiring their interactions. Admiring it because it was something Qrow understood he could never have. But, even that was no longer possible.

They turn the corner. Hoping. Praying, that it was all a lie.

The kitchen was empty.

Small amounts of dust were gathering on the countertops. The reality once more sank onto their shoulders.

Qrow turned the keys in the car. Tai sat in the passenger seat. Little Ruby and Yang sat in the back. Little Yang buckled her sister in. He looked at all of them.

The day when he was the safest driver of the bunch had arrived. But, he was in no mood to call in his bet. Because if this was what I took for him to win, he would rather lose every time.

The drive was silent.

The hum of the white minivan was the only noise that could be heard. Eventually, they came to a stop. It was a cliffside near the edge of a forest. Some people were already gathered. Little Ruby drew closer to Yang at the sight of unfamiliar faces, but Qrow patted their heads in reassurance. Qrow recognized all of them. Ozpin. Glynda. Bartholomew. Peter. James.

He turned at the sight of a limousine pulling up. The door opened. Adelle stepped out. Instead of her usual blue and white, she wore black. Black, just like everyone else. Black, the opposite of Summer's white. Black, because if despair had to be given a color, that would be it.

Qrow noticed she did not bring the usual butler with her.

He did not ask. He was not in the mood for small talk.

He turned once more when the sound of slicing reached his ears. A familiar visage appeared next to him, but unlike Adelle, he wasn't expecting this one.

Raven, his sister, stood before him. Instead of her armor, she was dressed simply to match the occasion. The two of them did not speak. Tai, himself, didn't even react. The man stared forward at the casket that held his beloved. Some of the others gave her weird looks, but she did not deem them worthy a reply. She was here out of respect for her leader. Not them. Not her former husband. Not even her daughter. Only her leader.

They all stop and gave their attention to the world's strongest man as he stepped forward. Ozpin tapped his cane gently on the dirt as he strolled to the front. He cleared his throat. It was most likely parched because he did not have his usual mug of coffee with him. Though if he had, Qrow would have been the first to punch the man. Strongest or not.

"Words cannot describe the tragedy that has transpired." He began.

"In a mere week, humanity has lost one of its finest Huntresses, and a family has lost a central pillar. Throughout her life, Summer Rose took many roles. Each of them different for every person she came in contact with.

A fighter. A lover. A friendly face on the street to some. A caring mother to others. A fearless leader to the public. A careless ditz behind closed doors. She was brave yet shy. Clever, yet harmless. Powerful, but gentle all the same.

Losing her was a tragedy because the world may someday find another person who is all those things and more, but they would never be Summer Rose.

Today is a day of mourning, but also a day of resolve. Let us find the resolve within ourselves to keep moving forward. Perhaps that will not happen today. Maybe it will not be next month. But, let us someday find the strength to become a better person than we were yesterday. For the sake of our loved ones, ours friends, our beloved Summer, and ourselves."

From within his dimension chip, Ozpin drew forth a chalice. With the exception of the two kids, they all did the same.

"To Summer Rose. May she rest in peace."

Qrow gulped down the drink. The liquid burned in his throat. He ignored the window that popped up in front of his face.

It was a familiar feeling.

A feeling he had grown accustomed to long ago, yet he felt it was harsher than ever. He could feel himself tearing up despite holding it back. Qrow put away the chalice that no longer held the debuff potion within.

Ozpin turned with his back facing everyone else and gazed upon the casket. He kneeled, ignoring the dirt that now stained his pants. Ozpin whispered in a voice too low to hear before standing up and moving to the side. Then came Glynda. Then Peter. Eventually, he was up.

Qrow kneeled. What was he supposed to say? What could he say?

Sorry I wasn't there to help you?

Your family still needs you?

Why did you insist on going by yourself, you idiot?

In the end, he bent forward and gazed upon the casket that held the body of the woman he admired with regret, sadness, and resolve.

"I miss you. We miss you. We might be headed for some rough times, but you can count on me. We'll get through it. I promise."

He could almost see her smiling at him.

Qrow stood up and let Raven take her turn. He ignored the tears that streamed down her face.

Soon, it was Yang and Ruby's turn. A question he never wanted to hear reached his ears.

"Yang, where is Mom?"

Qrow clenched his fists. His heart was filled with self-loathing. Why? Why must this happen to them? What did they ever do to deserve this?

Nobody answered her. Her sister hugged her tightly in response. Little Ruby clutched back.

Finally, it was Tai's turn. He sank onto his knees. Then, all was still. It was an eternity before he found something to say.

"I remember the day we first met. I had been nervous attending such a big-time academy coming from a small town. Then, I opened the door, and you ran me over like it was nobody's business. Who would've thought a small girl was capable of knocking a big guy like me off my feet. It was the first time I had ever met anyone who did that.

When I found out I was on a team with the four of us, I thought I had to be the unluckiest man alive. I have never been happier to be proven wrong. You were always a ray of sunshine. Always smiling. Always cheering other people up. Even Raven had to succumb to you eventually, and she's one of the most stubborn woman I know."

Qrow heard a snort in the background. He looked at Raven out the corner of his vision, but she was staring into the distance as if nothing happened. He closed his eyes. There was no need to lip read his partner's private moment anymore. He would be fine.

Before long, Tai had finished his piece. The harshest yet most necessary part of the funeral had come.

Tai beckoned his daughters to follow him and leave. He most likely didn't want them to witness what would happen next, and he himself did not want to participate. Qrow didn't blame him. They would essentially be killing her themselves.

Soon, their figures disappeared into the distance, most likely headed for the car. Those left behind gathered around the grave with weapons drawn from their respective dimension chips. Glynda flicked her riding crop and removed the cover of the casket.

It was a Huntman tradition to personally destroy the bodies of fallen comrades. Their bodies had to be cremated else none of them would be able to rest easy knowing it was possible for them to be desecrated. Yes, it was possible for them to leave this job to another, but there was no guarantee that the person involved would not sell the corpse. By the time they would find out, it would be too late. Qrow would never be able to live with himself if he let that happen. Not to Summer. She deserved better. So, he had no choice but to suck it up and do it.

Despite knowing this, they all stood there. Silent. Unmoving. They understood what had to be done, but nobody wanted to be the first to strike.

Summer laid there with her entire body stitched back together and wrapped in white bandages to cover the wounds. Her hands were interlaced over her stomach. She looked like she was just sleeping. Like all he had to do was nudge her gently and she would stir.

"I'll start." Ozpin said.

He pointed his cane at the body of his leader. His Chronomancer skill activated. For a moment, Qrow caught a glimpse of what Summer might have looked like had she lived till an old age. Her black and crimson hair faded into white. Ozpin stopped. He panted heavily as the skill took its toll on him.

Aging a body was stressful, let alone making it lose what was essentially decades. The only reason this was even done to such an extent was because Summer could not resist the change. Ozpin was probably finished for the day. Even so, Qrow was grateful. As terrible as it was, it was easier this way.

Adelle was next. Her signature Frozen Tundra skill encapsulated the corpse into a block of ice. Qrow was slightly impressed. The ice barely spread to the rest of the casket. He figured her control had waned more with her years as a mother, but she was still as sharp as ever.

He and Raven slashed at the block of ice, showcasing a rare example of teamwork. Their strikes split it into quarters. Their classes, Reaper and Samurai, were more attuned to making large cuts, not complete destruction of their targets, so they left the rest to the others.

Peter followed up with Crush, forming smaller chunks despite using an axe.

James shot with a silenced pistol rather than his normal one so as to not scare the nearby children.

Glynda caught the axe and bullets, so that they did not scratch the coffin, before controlling all the leftover fragments with her telekinesis. She willed them to grind against each other until they were as small as rice.

Bart finished the ritual. His flamethrower burned brightly as he used Incinerate to turn everything to ashe.

Just like that, they each took their turn destroying what was left of her. The debuff only made the act more difficult, but it helped them remember what they had done. Qrow hated this tradition, but he could at least rest easy knowing she would go to the afterlife in peace.

Ozpin tapped the casket, undoing the char marks Bart had created. Bart nodded his head in thanks. Glynda waved her riding crop. The lid slid on top before the casket rose and placed itself in the hole that was already dug up. Not long after, the hole was sealed. Only a tombstone remained above ground.

They stood in polite silence. Soon, Qrow felt his mind clear as the debuff ended.

"Raven, why are you here?"

And of course, the resident tin-can had to ruin it.

"You should get your processor fixed." Raven commented.

"I do not have a processor." The general replied blandly.

"Could've fooled me. I thought it was obvious why I am here."

"Do you expect me to believe that the leader of a Thief Guild like you came here without any other motive? I should just arrest you."

Raven squinted at him.

"You'll die trying."

A click was heard as his sister nudged her katana out of her sheath with a thumb. James cocked his revolver.

"If either of you dare to desecrate this sacred ground, I will ground you both into paste."

Glynda glared at the two of them. Adelle interjected before things got out of hand.

"Perhaps we should discuss something more productive. Like how Summer was killed in the first place."

Raven sheathed her weapon.

"I agree. I am also curious. Just exactly what happened, Ozpin?"

All eyes turned to the man in question.

"A month ago, I received a report from an outside village describing an increase in Grimm activity around their area. They were situated in the vicinity of three F-ranked dungeons, but they had been able to live just fine until then. I sent some scouts to investigate. It turns out a C-ranked dungeon had spawned."

Of those present, only James, Adelle, and Raven were uninformed with what had occurred. The rest of them were part of the Beacon Staff while Qrow was directly involved.

"By the time we sent Summer off, the dungeon was already thoroughly mapped, so there shouldn't have been any traps we weren't already aware of."

Raven zeroed in on his phrasing.

"Shouldn't? As in something happened?"

"Indeed. The moment Summer entered, the other three dungeons started an Overflow event."

They widened their eyes in surprise.

"All three at once?" James asked in disbelief.

Ozpin nodded solemnly.

"They weren't showing any signs of an Overflow beforehand, so we concluded getting rid of the largest threat first was the best course of action. We didn't expect for things to turn out the way it did."

Adelle looked at him in confusion.

"I don't understand. Summer would not fall to a mere C-ranked dungeon, and if she found out an Overflow started, why did she not retreat?"

"The dungeon was an Arena-type dungeon. The moment she and the two Huntsmen scouts started to assault the dungeon, they were trapped inside until they cleared all the waves or found the core. She would not have known about the Overflow until after coming out. And as you know, communication is cut off from those in the dungeons. We only found out about it through the village as they were attacked."

Nobody asked about the fate of the village. Three Overflows at once? The chances of survivors were slim at best.

Adelle looked at the sky in sadness. She could see the figure of her friend and rival fighting long and hard for the sake of clearing a C-ranked dungeon. Then coming out to rest only to be forced to endure three times the amount of Grimm with low aura reserves. F-ranked or not, one's body would be vulnerable to even the dullest knife without aura.

Raven frowned at Ozpin in anger.

"You sent her in alone with only two scouts for support? Where was everyone else? Where were you, Qrow?"

"I was sent further east to respond to another Overflow event at Kuroyuri. I insisted she wait until I got back before heading out, but she didn't. When I got the message, I hurried over as fast as I could. But by the time I arrived, it was already too late."

"Obviously."

Qrow gritted his teeth. Adelle directed her cold, blue eyes at the woman.

"You have no right to criticize him, bandit. If you were still connected to them instead of fraternizing with your group of rogues, you could've easily jumped to her aid."

Raven glared back.

"You think I don't know that, Schnee?"

"Enough." Glynda interrupted. "Qrow and the other Huntsmen were already preoccupied elsewhere. We suggested she wait, but she insisted on getting rid of the threat as soon as possible. We are all aware of how skilled Summer was. The situation at the time did not warrant us to consider holding her back."

James gestured to the grave.

"And look how that worked out. Overrun by three Overflow events occurring simultaneously. Which, by the way, sounds very suspicious don't you think? I've never heard of a dungeon triggering another's Overflow, let alone a newly created one."

Adelle raised an eyebrow.

"Are you implying this is not due to a natural-forming trap but the work of an outside force?"

Qrow wanted to facepalm. Not everyone here was part of their inner circle. This damn cyborg is going to spill the beans!

"That is concerning news." Bart frowned. "Who would be so daring as to use the lives of so many people as bait just to take down a part-time Huntress?"

"The life of a Huntsman does not come without its challenges." Peter commented. "It is unlikely that she did not gather a list of enemies over the years. Jealousy. Hatred. Revenge. Any one of these could be the reason."

Thankfully, the conversation steered toward a different direction.

"I've been busy taking care of Tai and the brats, so I wasn't able to investigate on any leads." Qrow admitted.

"Well I have." Raven said. "Nobody that I could find was related to the incident."

In other words, if this was the work of an outside force, they had to both be somebody they were unfamiliar with and skilled enough to avoid Raven's intelligence network. The only ones Qrow could think of who fit both of those descriptions was Salem and her cronies. But they didn't know that.

Adelle scrunched her eyebrows.

"An unknown force capable of using a never-before-seen method to induce artificial Overflow events? This does not bode well for the future."

Ozpin nodded.

"Indeed. We will need to conduct a thorough investigation in order to narrow down the suspects. Beacon has already started our own, but I request you do the same, James. I have already spoken to Leonardo and Shelta about this. We cannot let this group disturb the peace everyone has worked hard to maintain."

Nods were received from everyone except for the female Schnee and Branwen.

"Tell me, Ozpin. Even with the four kingdoms working together like this, how likely is it that they will still get away with this atrocity?"

Qrow looked at Adelle in surprise.

In all honesty, Qrow only held a sense of false hope that this investigation would reveal anything. If Salem was behind this, whoever set the trap was probably long gone. That was the most frustrating part to him. That they would get away with killing her. However, Adelle didn't know about Salem. A normal person would at the very least be temporarily satisfied with getting everyone investigating it. So, the question was, why was Adelle already doubting them?

Ozpin was silent. He took in her expression. The worry on her face. Whatever he saw made him say the next few words.

"Most likely, they will get away." he finally replied.

Glynda beside him swiveled her head towards the headmaster in astonishment. Qrow wished she wasn't being so obvious with her tells, but he supposed James and himself wasn't doing much better.

If Oz said that much, wasn't he basically admitting he knew who was behind this?!

"If this was a planned assault, they most likely already had an escape route accounted for. The chances of us catching them soon are slim."

Adelle's frown got worse. Whatever that was on her mind was really bothering her. Ozpin asked a question of his own.

"Pardon me for asking, Adelle, but why are you so bothered by this?"

"You mean other than the fact this changes the level of danger each dungeon has? Or how secure each of our kingdoms will now be with a person, possibly an organization, gunning for the lives of skilled Huntsmen and Huntresses with zero regard for the safety of humanity? Ozpin, I'm bothered because so long as they aren't dealt with, I will have to worry about my daughters being the victims of these lunatics!"

Daughters? As in more than one? So, her youngest brat planned on being a Huntress as well?

"And that is why we still plan on investigating despite knowing the likelihood of success. They cannot hide from us forever, Adelle. This is only the first step towards confrontation."

The Schnee matron shook her head.

"I'm worried that by the time that day arrives it will not be us that fights them, but our children instead."

The twin Branwen spymasters caught onto the implications immediately. She had intel about Salem's plans?

"What makes you think that, Adelle?" Qrow asked.

They all watch her face struggle with a decision.

"I'm sure you're all aware of my daughter's accident?"

They nod, not quite understanding where she was headed with this.

"My youngest daughter, Weiss, was born with a high LUCK stat."

James tilted his head, intrigued.

"How high?"

"Three times my own."

Raven scoffed and immediately lost interest.

"Your daughter is a Schnee." Raven stated. "Given the direction the White Fang is going, that probably means she's going to be involved with them somehow. Having your LUCK in the low 20's is high, but it hardly guarantees participation with all global events."

Qrow agreed with his sister for once. The Schnee family has always been the target of kidnapping attempts. It would be more surprising if she was born with average LUCK stats. It seemed Adelle was growing paranoid...

But wait a second.

Normally, Adelle was never paranoid without good reason. She knows that the low 20's isn't a good enough reason to guarantee involvement. Various details from recent events began flooding back to the forefront of the scythe wielder's mind.

Adelle's abnormal control of her skills despite being retired.

The Schnee family firing servants that have been employed by them for a long time.

The fortunate survival of her daughter in her awakening ceremony, a feat that had never happened before.

The more Qrow thought about it, the more things didn't seem right. No, something had spooked the Schnee matron. Scared her enough to start training again. Why was she so sure her youngest daughter would be affected by this? She knew something, and she wasn't saying what.

Unfortunately, Raven was letting her bias against the woman keep herself from thinking straight. Well, since she wasn't able to, he might as well do it.

Let's fish.

"20 is hardly enough to qualify, Adelle." he started.

"Your kid would have to be like the Arc brat. He has aura reserves rivaling that of an adult civilian. Word in the grapevine is his VIT stat is just as high."

"You're right. He is an anomaly. But are you aware the Nikos family's daughter also broke a precedent? She was awakened with a class. Not just any normal one either, but the Champion class which nobody has ever heard of before.

Once is by accident. Twice is coincidence. Three times is circumstantial. But four times is on purpose. That's three children, each from influential families from different kingdoms, that will have to grow up in the presence of a person or group that is capable of doing yet another feat nobody has done before."

Qrow finally understood. Her daughter most likely had some absurd quality about her as well. That was the reason she believed her daughter would get involved.

He sighed in relief.

For a moment there, he thought she actually knew Salem's plan because she was a spy. James patted her shoulder in an attempt to ease her worries.

"Please clear your mind, Adelle. You're letting your role as a mother cloud your vision. Even if these kids grow up to be influential figures, there's no reason they all would be involved with the same group. It is a theory at best."

"James, pardon my harsh words, but I believe it is you who isn't looking at this broadly enough. The only excuse they need to interact together stands in front of you."

With a hand gesture, she directed their attention to Ozpin who was now suddenly sipping from a mug of coffee.

Qrow briefly wondered what would happen if the man went a week without his addiction. Probably the same thing Qrow would go through without alcohol.

"Surely, it is too soon to think of such possibilities. What are the chances that they all become Huntsmen?" Glynda asked with an unsure tone.

"Of the three of them, two are from Huntsman families while my own daughter has the mental ability of a teenager. I would be shocked if they didn't."

Bart pushed his round glasses closer to his face.

"History has records of many influential figures gathering followers and connecting with other important individuals. If they do attend Beacon academy, it would not be a stretch to assume they would gravitate towards one another even if we put them into different teams."

Adelle nodded. Weiss already showed signs of gathering her own allies. Glynda groaned at the thought that children would have to fight their battles. It was supposed to be their job to ensure they didn't have to.

Qrow sighed.

Yang also had her LUCK stats in the 20's. The rest of them already knew this too because Tai had been proudly bragging to them about his 'lucky little dragon'. Now though, Qrow wondered if that wasn't a sign of luck but a sign of her own involvement with this instead.

"We should look at things from a different angle. There is a silver lining in every situation."

"What silver lining are you talking about, Oz?" Qrow complained. "We have basically concluded that the next generation is going to face a dangerous foe."

"Perhaps. However, this also gives us a deadline. Before, we were worried about catching even the slightest clue of our foes. Now, we can expect them to not make a move for at least ten years. Instead of chasing shadows, we can focus our attention towards preparation."

"You wish for them to bring the fight to us?" Peter questioned. "Haha! How manly!"

Glynda rolled her eyes at her colleague.

"Ozpin, that's not guaranteed. This is all still an educated guess at best. There is no reason for them to wait at least a decade before making their move."

"Of course, that is why we will continue our investigations. Glynda, raise the rewards for eliminating all nearby dungeons. By getting rid of any surrounding dungeons, we'll eliminate any footholds they may have at starting an Overflow event. This will buy us time at least."

"Buy us time, but time to do what?" James asked.

"Train." Oz answered simply. "Strengthen our defenses. Prepare the next generation. Eliminate spies and hidden threats. Time waits for no one, and this is our best opportunity to do so before the upcoming battles."

James frowned at his passive decision, but there was no helping it. It was their best and most logical move for the moment. Adelle clenched her hand into a fist. The previously clear sky was like a lie. The peaceful era she grew up in was going to end.

"I will not let them hurt my children. They will have to go over my corpse before I let them."

Raven looked at the woman who held fire in her eyes.

"Those are big words - for a housewife. Are you sure you can even do anything to stop them?"

"It isn't about whether or not I can or can't. As a mother, it is my duty to ensure the safety of my children and protect them the best I can. I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand."

The two women stared at each other with undisguised animosity. Ozpin cleared his throat.

"I appreciate your enthusiasm, Adelle. However, I believe it is best if you were to just stay back home and train your daughter instead. You haven't been in the field for many years. Leave it to us. We will keep you informed if any new information arises."

Adelle bit her lip in frustration but nod her head in acceptance. The sound of a blade slicing through the air was heard. They turned to see Raven had opened a portal and left. She had gotten the information she came for, so there was no longer a reason for her to stay. Adelle scoffed at her cold act, expecting nothing less from the bandit. She said her goodbyes to everyone before making her way towards her limousine. One by one they left, their business finally concluded.

Ozpin looked at Qrow and left him with his final words.

"Qrow, please keep an eye on Summer's daughter."

"In case they go after her next?" he questioned.

"Yes, but also because of what Adelle has told us about. So far, we know of three children. A team of Huntsmen and Huntresses comes in groups of four. We never know for sure, but given that she has the silver eyes…"

"Got it."

The headmaster nodded and walked away, his cane tapping gently against the dirt. Qrow shoved his hands into his pockets before making his way back to the car where Tai and the kids were waiting.

What a shitty day.