Ozpin took another sip of his lovely hot cocoa as he watched over this year's entrance exam. The second test was underway, candidates racing through obstacle courses the Beacon staff had set up on the outskirts of the emerald forests. It would test the practical problem solving skill taught in an actual combat school with the occasional " random " Beowulfs appearing out of nowhere.
There were many ways for a student to enter a huntsman academy. Most spent years at a combat school then submitted a transcript to their desired academy. However, and Ozpin thought that it was a shame, not everyone could afford to go to combat schools. Which was why the academies offered an entrance exam. It was a chance, to those who hailed from outside the kingdom or simply couldn't afford to pay the expensive fees for a combat school, to prove that they had what it takes to be a huntsman. And although this year didn't garner as many potential students as the years before, Ozpin was pleased to see the numbers of candidates who had made through the second test. There was a lot of potential in this year's batch.
There was Blake Belladonna, who was one of the first to finish the obstacle courses with ease, it wasn't a surprise considering her history. Even though she had changed out of the usual White Fang uniform and had taken to wearing a bow to disguise her cat ears, Ozpin had recognized her name and her face.
Then there was Russel Thrush. The young man had somehow evaded most if not all of the traps that were set up along the way, although he wasn't the first one to do so it was still an impressive feat. Ozpin was curious on how Mister Thrush would perform in the third test.
Speaking of the thirst test, it would seem that Glynda had already got it started. Compared to the second test, the third one was more straightforward. Two students would fight 1v1 to the best of their abilities for five minutes. Ozpin had always liked watching this portion of the entrance exam, he found through analyzing his potential students' fighting style he might come to understand who they are a bit more.
The first battle of this year was between Hilo Winick and Jaune Arc.
Ozpin raised a brow at the mention of the young Arc's name. It wasn't hard to spot him out of the crowd ofteenagers, Ozpin recognized that familiar mop of blond hair from a mile away. He couldn't help but let out a small chuckle when the boy stumbled on his way to the arena, it was nostalgic seeing the scene.
But imagine his surprise when Jaune Arc drew, not for Crocea Mors which Ozpin's previous reincarnation had gifted the Arc family, but a dust utilizing lance. Ozpin hummed and took another sip of his cocoa, his interest peaked.
The Arc family has produced many warriors before and Ozpin was curious to see if Jaune Arc would be one of them.
Her amber eyes glanced around the bookstore one more time before Blake Belladonna could feel a sense of dread running through her.
" Can I help you with anything?" The boy behind the counter, she recognized him from the entrance exam, asked awkwardly.
" Is Tukson here, uhh Jaune?" Her eyes wandered down to the nameplate on the boy's t-shirt.
" Oh yeah, he's in the back right now. Do you want me to go get him ?" He pointed a thumb at the door behind him.
" Please."
Immediately after Jaune disappeared through the door, Tukson came rushing through it.
" Blake." He gave her a kind smile before sweeping off her feet with a bear hug.
" Hi Tukson." Despite having the air squeezing out her lungs Blake couldn't help but smile herself. "It's been awhile."
" You don't say." Tukson let go of his grip on her. " When I heard what had happened I was so worried."
Blake's mouth felt dry. They both know what he was talking about, her departure from the White Fang. "I'm fine now. I actually got accepted into Beacon actually and-"
" And you were wondering if you could stay with me until the school year started." Tukson finished her sentence, placing his hands on her shoulder. " You know I'll always have a place with me. Unfortunately though you'll have to share."
Before she could say anything else a familiar creak interrupted her. Jaune walked out from the back room door with a stack of books unaware of the pair of eyes that were staring at him. Although, when he did notice Blake and Tukson staring his face turned red and he stammered out. " I'm sorry, did I interrupt something ?"
Tukson waved him off. " It's fine. Jaune this is Blake, she'll be staying down stairs for a while . Blake, this is Jaune, he's my new employee. Coquicidently, Jaune here also got accepted into Beacon."
"Congratulations." She offered.
"Thanks." There was an awkward pause before he added. "You too, congratulations I mean."
Another waved of silence settled between them before Tukson let out a laugh. He guided Blake to the back room. " Come, let's get you settled for night."
Tukson's basement was exactly how she had remembered it. If anything it looked bigger without all the White Fang recruits. At first the bookshop was built as a potential safehouse for White Fang members but when they found a better place Tukson held on to it. Some part of Blake was glad that he did.
Just like her, Tukson had disagreement with the White Fang's current ways of spreading their message. Unlike her though he was still a member even if he rarely joins in any operation these days. Tukson was an old family friend and an even older White Fang member. If there was anyone who could provide her cover from Adam, it would be Tukson.
That being said she wasn't so trusting of his new hire. He was a human, what kind Blake wasn't sure. Tukson was willing to vouch for him and even let him stay in the basement, but then again Tukson was always too kind for his own good.
Right now the boy was busy in the kitchen preparing their dinner while Tukson had gone back to his own apartment. Leaving Blake alone to her thoughts. Jaune had insisted that he'll do the cooking, he seemed nice enough but Blake wasn't entirely sure he was trustworthy.
If Jaune were to attack, Blake was sure she could take him. Back in the entrance exam, he was one of the more inexperienced fighters in the combat portion, having barely passed it by drawing out his fight to a draw. Blake's eyes wandered toward the lance leaning on the sofa. Even as inexperienced as he was, Blake doubted it would be an easy fight. He had demonstrated several aura based techniques that would prove to be a challenge, especially that aura dome of his. Although if she act fast enough-
" Dinner's ready !" The boy yelled and Blake could smell the heavenly scent of fish radiating from the kitchen.
Put down the book that she was holding, Blake's sat up to help set the table. It had been a while since she had a home cooking meal, having spent the last few weeks hiding in questionable motels as she made her way to Vale.
Dinner was more enjoyable than Blake had expected on the account of the fact that Jaune was a very good cook. Blake had skipped right through her rice and vegetable to the baked fish he had presented to her.
" Do you want another one?" Jaune asked
" Yes, please." She answered through a mouthful.
Another piece of fish was placed on her plated and Blake went right into devouring it. Albeit much slower this time.
" So," She began in the middle of finishing her second fish. " How long have you been working for Tukson?"
" A few weeks before the entrance exam. I'm planning to get a second weapon, figure some extra cash wouldn't hurt so I apply here." Jaune admitted. " Then the motel I was staying in got trash by the White Fang..."
Blake frozen at the mention of the name.
" …..I couldn't find any place affordable so-"
"Did anyone get hurt? Were there any capture faunus ? How did they even know it was the White Fang?" Blake asked, unable to stop herself, her hands shaking as she did so.
Jaune gave her a look of concern but answered her questions nevertheless. " The police didn't tell me much about why the motel got attacked but apparently there were some people who saw the attackers were wearing the White Fang emblem. A couple people had to go to the hospital but last I heard they were fine."
Blake calmed her breathing. It was fine, no one died and there was no mention of Grimm mask so it might not have been the actual White Fang members, she hoped.
" Although it does confuse me," Jaune continued. " I thought the White Fang is a faunus activist group."
" It is," Blake had to stop herself from saying 'we are'. " They're still trying to promote equal rights for faunus, it's just…their methods had changed."
Jaune let out a small 'oh' before offering her a sheepish smile. " I'm sorry, I don't really keep up with the current news in the Kingdom. It's kinda hard to."
Blake, desperate for a change in subject, prompted. " Does your family live outside of the Kingdoms? "
" Not really, it's more like near the outskirts." Jaune took a bite of his food. " We have television and stuff. But my family is really big and when I don't have to help around the house I still have schoolwork to do. Whatever left of my free time is spent training."
" So your parents trained you or? "
" They don't exactly approve of my choice in career so I trained by myself. What about you? You were amazing back at the entrance exam."
Learning how to fight by himself did explain his slow reaction in the fight. And it wasn't impossible to get your hand on a book about aura.
" I grew up outside of the kingdoms," Which wasn't a lie. Legally Menagerie was an independent island not a Kingdom. " Learning how to fight was essential. I guess you could say I have many teachers."
Mom, Dad, Tukson, Siena Khan, Adam.
She gripped her fork a bit harder at the thought of his name.
"Got any tips for me? As you can remember I didn't do too well back at the exam." Jaune once again had that sheepish smile on his face.
"You did well enough to get accepted into Beacon. I wouldn't say it was that bad."
Dinner continues with more small talk. Blake didn't learn much more from Jaune but he ended up telling her about some weird customers he had the other day. She tried not to let her mind wander back to Adam, the fish did help a bit in that endeavour.
The rest of the night was spent in mutual silence. Jaune had helped himself with some comics in the shop storage and 'Fairy Tales of Remnant' by Professor Ozpin while his scroll charged. Blake on the other hand, finding herself a bit more relaxed, immerse herself in the story about a man with two souls.]