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Hello there! I am really really really sorry for the wait and really sorry for no new chapter but in fact, I made an updated version of the story (Again...). anyway, it has been a year since I started this story and I learned a lot since then.
I made some mistakes here and there, especially for my habit in not checking the chapters I did until after I post them(guess that's what happens when you don't have a beta reader to cross-check some stuff) and my biggest one is rushed some of them feels, especially the last two chapters.
so I decided to rewrite the first four chapters and adding a prologue because I was made aware that not everyone is familiar with the Deus Ex series, so I am back to square one, building the story one step at a time.
I've also decided to delete chapter 3 and 4(if you read them already) and try to fix them properly, especially chapter 4 because it looked and felt rushed. but the first two chapters are already updated and the new prologue was added.
Thank you for your patience and enjoy the story.
"I am talking to you normally"
'I am your inner voice trying to tell you that this is your inner voice'
[I am calling you through a radio, phone or scrolls]
{You are listening or watching the TV or listening to a normal radio}
Project Aegis.
Mission 2:
Introductions Are Needed
{START CHAPTER}
The sun's glowing light shined down on the courtyard, twenty or so students were training and routines as ordered to do. After all, this was their first day here in training.
"At-ten-tion recruits!" The drill instructor booming voice called to everyone in the courtyard, making the twenty students who were doing their usual exercises to scatter and stand stiffly in one line at the center of the large courtyard "Sergeant is coming out! Stand in line!"
A few seconds went by, which felt like an eternity before someone finally came out from the larger building where the offices and dorms were located. The Sergeants' black boots graveled along the dirt ground, expecting recruit one at a time. His chestnut hair was starting to gray, despite that, age did not seem to slow him down as he looks in great shape due to him wearing a tight grey military shirt and pants.
He continued walking past each student, staring dead on before stopping in front of them with both hands behind him, he began addressing them.
"I am Sergeant Samuel Carter!" He greeted loudly, his voice having that Minstrel drawl some are used to hearing. Some even recognized the Sergeant upon his introduction "I will be your Senior Drill Instructor moving forward!" his piercing gaze looked around, frightening some of the students in the area "From now on, you will speak only when spoken to! The first and last words coming out of your filthy mouths will be 'SIR!' or 'SARGE!" He spat "Do you understand?!".
"Sir, yes, Sir!" all students said in unison.
"Can't hear you shitheads!" he spat once more "Sound like you mean it!"
"Sir! Yes! Sir!"
The Sergeant stood for a moment, satisfied with the energy coming from the new students before continuing his rundown.
"Welcome to Tarsus Academy. The last place your mothers would send their own kids unless they hate your guts, which I wholeheartedly cannot disagree! Or thinks this is a great education place, which I also wholeheartedly agree!" he spat out, once again walking back and forth in front of the students, eyeing each of them with an intense gaze "You useless wastes were chosen to become Remnants foremost defenders against any and all oppositions! Be it Grimm or some idiot who thinks that can take you!" he passed by a fearful girl, who shrunk more so after he turned his glare at her direction "If you wastes of air leave my class. IF! You survive the training!" he declared as he glared down at the girl before moving unto the next student "You will be a weapon. You will be a minister of death. Sending your enemies to their much deserved send off to the afterlife!"
"But until that day comes you are nothing! The lowest of lows! Unorganized pieces of shits that should be flushed! Nothing! Not a human telling me your non-existing privileges! Nor a Faunus to tell me your rights!" he eyed several students with a hardened gaze, further scaring the hell out of them.
"Alongside with Instructor Miller over there," he pointed at the blond instructor who called them earlier, standing a bit further away. He wore the same clothes as Carter, except for the aviator glasses, which is tinted black. His blond hair styled in a mullet "We are hard instructors! You will not like us! But the more you hate us, the more you will learn how to be the weapon we want you to be! You. Will. Learn!" he spat out "But we are fair! There is no racial bigotry nor gender in my class! I do not look down on Faunus, Vacounians, Augs, Male, Female or whatever the fuck you call yourself! Here you are all EQUALLY WORTHLESS! And my orders are to weed out all the useless sacks of shits who do not have the drive to serve and protect the world!"
The Sarge surveyed the yard before continuing, his voice lower but still loud enough for everybody to hear.
"When I am done with you wastes of breath. You will no longer be humans or Faunus, you will be a weapon, an instrument of death pointed at the enemy when duty calls!" he spat out, his voice filled with steel "Nothing more! Nothing less! Just a Weapon to be used!"
"Am I Understood?!"
"SIR! YES! SIR!"
He stopped his stride, making several students tense at the sudden halt. Before slowly turning towards one of the tallest students in the pack.
"YOU!" He walked close to the student, eyes hard and focused "What's your name skyscraper?!"
"Sir!" the student answered with a deep voice, riddled with a strong accent "Gunther Herrmann! Sir!"
The student towered over most if not all recruits present in the courtyard and even some of the instructors.
"What the fuck are you doing up there?! Lower your eye level to me scumbag!" The student did as what he is ordered and lowered himself, standing awkwardly "From now on you are Recruit Giraffe! Got any Faunus blood in the family!"
"No Sir!"
"Well too bad! I hate your accent and the fact you are tall enough to grab the fucking sun pissed me off! Nevertheless, I like the name I just gave you! Wear it with pride!"
"Sir! Thank you for the name! Sir!"
Suddenly. A small but loud enough to hear chuckle was heard in the quiet courtyard. Making several students' present tense with fear at what is next to come.
That set the Sergeant off, his grey eyes hardening more intensely "Who just laughed in my CLASS?!" demanded the Sergeant angrily, looking each student at the eyes one at a time "Who the fuck had the pair to think this class is a joke!" his eyes settled on a female recruit from earlier "Was it you Flatlander?!"
"Huh?!" taken aback at how close the Sergeant was to her face, the girl answered fearfully "N-N-N-NO SIR!"
"What's with the stuttering?!" The Sergeant demanded, "You got a scowl on that pretty face of yours!"
The girl shrunk back "I-I-I Don't know Sir!"
"Don't stutter in my presence!"
"I-I-I don't know how! S-S-Sir!"
"Then fix that stuttering recruit!" He ordered harshly at the girl, who was close to tears with fear gripping her heart.
"I-I-I Will try Sir!"
The Sergeant nodded, satisfied. He turned toward the next student who stood by her side and glared intensely "Was it you blank face?!" he spat out, the boy had this bored look adorned on his face "Were you the one who thinks this class is a JOKE?!"
"No Sir…" the boy answered with a cold and toneless voice, standing straight with both hands behind his back.
That ticked Carter even more "What's with the lack of energy?! You look like your dog got ran over! Cremated then got the ashes run over again!" he came closer, towering over him. The boy was tall, give it a couple more years and he will be to reach or surpass most of the students here. "What's your name?!"
"Sir… JC Denton… Sir" the boy answered with a calm tone, his blue orbs stared dead on to the Sarges dark aviator sunglasses.
"What's with that dead answer?! is my class boring you!" the sergeant spat, once more Denton remained unfazed by his loud voice "Hot dang we got ourselves a walking zombie in the midst!" he turned to the blond instructor standing by the side "Instructor Miller!"
"Sir?"
"Make sure our resident dead man here" he glared at the boy, whose expression remained unchanged "Doesn't decompose from boredom during classes" the blond instructor nodded at the order. Carter got closer to Denton and said lowly "I am watching you boy…"
"Duly noted Sir…" Denton answered calmly, expression unchanged.
He stared intensely at the boy's eyes before turning, boots graveling on the dirt ground. Walking back to the blond instructor and nodded.
"Begin Instructor"
Miller nodded back at the order and walked at the center, standing in front of the students "Alright!" he called "Because no one stepped forward and confess for this misconduct! You lot will do fifty push up as punishment!" some of the students started murmuring amongst themselves at the order "No complaining and start your punishment!" the students began to do what they were ordered to and laid on the ground, preparing their punishment "And a one! Two! Three! Four! Herrman you are going slow! Five-"
…..
…..
…..
…..
"JC?"
"Hmm?" JC suddenly found himself back in Beacon, feeling a small headache creeping after that trance he went through. Looking down on his left to see his companion, who looked at him worriedly.
Beacon Academy – Main Auditorium – TIME: 11:12 AM
"You were quiet for a while now" Ruby observed "Are you okay?" she asked worriedly.
He shook his head to bring him back from the trance "Sorry about that…" he apologized, trying his best to show he was fine "Just remembered something… No need to worry about it…"
"Ah…" Ruby said lowly, her worries lessened after his reassurance "Alright then" she looked ahead once more.
'Why am I remembering that now…' he shook his head once more, it's been close to five years since that day, remembering it now serves no purpose whatsoever. 'My brain has been acting funny since I came here…'
Burying that thought back, he looked ahead at the crowd of students gathered in the large hall "Judging from the crowd, I can take a guess that we found it…" He observed. They somehow manage to find the main hall in time before the ceremony could begin.
Ruby nodded, smiling happily "Yep! We have to thank her for the help the next time we see her." During their search, they somehow found the cafeteria after going through at least three buildings in quick succession looking for the main hall. Along the way, they bump into a second-year students who was nice enough to direct where the main hall.
'Damn place could use a map…'
He turned his head after hearing Ruby wolfing down something "Don't eat fast Ruby…"
"Whaff?" Ruby talked with a mouthful of cookies before swallowing "You said you didn't want any."
The second year was nice enough to give them a fresh batch of cookies they have made, he opted to eat two while Ruby went and took the whole batch for herself.
'Carrot flavored cookies…' he grabbed hold on the last piece of cookie left untouched by Ruby and took a bite out of it. 'Should ask her if I can have the recipe…'
"There are a lot of people here" Ruby commented at the brim of students who stood and waited at the center. The assembly took the form of a glass-domed amphitheater; rows of raised bleachers arranged in a circle like formed around the circular stage.
Ruby felt a little uncomfortable in being such a large crowd of people, she did not have a fear of crowds per se, just being so close to this many people made her extremely uncomfortable.
"There are at least a hundred students here…" JC commented by her side. His deep voice oddly enough managed to calm her a bit.
She was about to ask him something before she heard someone call her by name.
"Ruby!" her ears perked up at the familiar voice "Over here!" she searched for the source of the voice, tuning out the other students to focus the name caller before finally spotting her "I saved you a spot!" she saw a blond girl waving at her direction
"Who's that?..." JC asked the blond girl who called Ruby was the same one who he bumped into back at the airship.
"That's my sister Yang!" she said smiling, happy seeing her sister "You two are probably the only ones I honestly know here"
"Schnee doesn't count?..." Ruby glared at the tall man for reminding her of the white-haired girl who practically yelled at her. He raised a single hand in defense "Just wondering, no need to glare…"
She smiled broadly once more before looking ahead at her sister's direction "Well…I-I gotta go" she looked at his direction once more before grabbing his gloved hand, taking him aback at the sudden action "Hope to see you after the ceremony!" Ruby said, grinning happily before letting go and dashed toward her sister.
Said sister who was looking at his direction with suspicion.
'Guess dark clothes isn't her favorite…'
JC stood there in the middle of the crowd, his gaze turned at the two sisters for a moment. With Ruby explaining the events of what happened to her sister, angrily too.
"Siblings huh…" he moved his shoulders to fix the blue coat he wore a bit before turning back and walked toward a different spot to stand on.
Preferably, a wall he can lean on.
{DXR}
Yang Xiao Long gave out a wide smile as her sister came closer.
When she sent Ruby off on her own, she did it with the best intentions. Allowing Ruby to be on her own and try to socialize with some of the students here in Beacon, probably befriend some even- which Yang knows Ruby can make if she lets it happen- Well aware of how her young sister is socially awkward she is when it comes to people, and sheltering her will not her young sister at all.
'You didn't send her off… you ditched her…' a small voice rang out at the back of her mind but she guilty ignored it.
Not a minute after leaving Ruby by herself did Yang feel extremely guilty and fearful for Ruby's well-being. Her anxiety reached the point where she went back to the courtyard but couldn't find her.
She feared that Ruby might get lost while looking for the assembly hall or –which made her anxiety worse after thinking it- Might mistakenly run against the bad kind of people in the academy on her first day, taking advantage of a young and lost girl like Ruby.
Thinking about that possibility made her anxiety risen tenfold after each minute went by as she was waiting for her sister. Nevertheless, seeing her fine, safe and happy, managed to ease up her worries. Before risen a bit after she saw whom Ruby was talking with when she entered the hall.
He was tall, could be mistaken to be seven feet from a distance. Wide shouldered. Wearing a dark blue coat, black slick back hair with a single large strand resting. Dark sunglasses that tinted and covered his eyes.
Yang almost marched towards where her sister stood after seeing her clasped his one hand with her own but stopped herself after Ruby said her goodbyes and dashed to her direction.
She still looked at the guy suspiciously 'Who the heck wears sunglasses indoors?...' that reason alone set off red flags.
"Hey, Yang!" Ruby greeted her sister; the ever-present smile still unchanged but received no answer "Yang?"
Yang realized what she did "Oh! Sorry about that little sis" she apologized. Her eyes drifted to the tall guy, who stood there for a couple of seconds before walking away to the back, disappearing into the crowd "Just been thinking about something…"Ruby tilted her head confusingly but didn't ask to elaborate.
Trying to think of something to talk about, she asked simply "So… it looks like you made some friends"
Ruby nodded giddily "Yeah! His name is JC" she revealed his name before quickly stopping her sister from asking an obvious question "And no I have no idea what it stands for," she explained, smile still present "He might look dark and scary but he is really nice! I wouldn't have been able to get here in time without him helping me" her smile broadens as she continued to explain her little 'adventure' when they got lost in their search "Did you know the cafeteria serves those cereals dad buys every week-"
Yang nodded along as Ruby explained her experience, but couldn't shake off the feeling she had on this JC dude 'Him being polite doesn't explain much Rubes…' The one flaw she saw in her young sister was she is extremely trusting of people, fast. It may be possible that this guy could be a saint and helps kitten in his free time.
On the other hand, he might hold this over Ruby for helping her get here…
She shook her head 'Over thinking stuff again Yang…'. The blond girl gave her sister a wide grin, "That's great to hear Rubes, guess leaving you did wonders"
Ruby glared "You mean ditching me" Yang laughed nervously at her crime "And no, it didn't do any wonders," she said aggressively "I nearly exploded just ten minutes ago!"
"Yikes! Meltdown in only a minute?" New record.
"No" she shook her head, "I mean literally exploded a hole in front of the school! And there was some fire!" she stopped and thought for a second "And I think some lighting too!"
Yang couldn't help but laugh at her sister's attempt to sound angry before stopping after Ruby glared daggers her "Sorry" she brought her hands defensively "I thought you were joking"
Ruby scoffed "I wish!" she half-yelled "I tripped over some crabby girl's luggage and then I got yelled for tripping!" unbeknownst, a white-haired girl stopped her stride behind the young girl upon noticing her "And then I sneezed, by accident. Then I exploded, by accident." The white-haired girl eyes narrowed at each word Ruby said in her explanation, clearly unhappy "And then she yelled at me again, and I felt really, really bad, and I just wanted her to stop yelling at me!"
"YOU!" The white-haired girl had enough; her shrill voice resonated all around the hall.
Ruby yelped in fear, jumping into her sister's broad arms "Oh GOD! It's happening again!"
"You're lucky we weren't blown off the side of the cliff!"
"Oh my God..."Yang couldn't help but mutter lowly at this turn of events "You really exploded... literally too…"
Nearby, stood a black-haired girl wearing a rather large bowtie rested on top of her head, who turned her eyes away from the book she was reading and stared at the three with complete disinterest.
Letting out a tired sigh, she walked away to another spot to stand on, away from all annoyance that may disturb her time in enjoying her book.
'Lively people here…' A thought crossed the black-haired girl before disappearing into the crowd.
{DXR}
Leaning against a nearby pillar near the entranceway, JC had a great view to see almost the entire assembly area, with his height helping him a bit. It gave him a chance to study the hall more thoroughly.
'Place's big…' the hall was big enough to house at least hundreds of people, and judging of its size, for other arrangements not including a ceremony. 'Combat training?' the place had the looks for a lecture hall and class can be conducted when needed.
The voices started to chime down before coming to a complete halt as a man in green clothes walked on stage, his cane echoing in each step he took, following him behind was a blond woman reading off a folder of some sort.
'Headmaster Ozpin…' JC recognized the man, despite his limited appearance, and the blond woman was Glynda Goodwitch, a famous Huntress.
He stood at the center of the stage, clearing his throat before
"I'll… keep this brief…" The Headmaster began lowly, his voice calm and even on the mic, speakers resonating around them "All of you have travelled far and wide to be here today in search for knowledge" JC leaned against the pillar, arms crossed as he listened intently "Hone your craft and skills, and when it's all said and done you will dedicate your life and soul to be a protector of the Remnant and its people" The Headmaster stopped, his eyes surveying the crowd of students behind his dark sunglasses till he reached JC's direction.
A sigh escaped from the Headmaster, a disappointing sigh "But I look amongst you and all I see is wasted energy… in need of purpose, in need of direction," JC raised a lone eyebrow as a murmur of whispers echoed the hall, some shocked, others angered. "You assume knowledge will free of this, but your time will prove knowledge can only carry you so far" his eyes surveyed the students once more before ending his speech with finality "In the end, it's up to you to take the first step."
Headmaster Ozpin looked at the students one last time before turning away to take his exit, students still quiet at the speech.
'First day and already you got called as wasted energy…' The speech was tacky but effective. Calling a bunch of teens as wasted energy- a nicer way to call someone than being called you are lower than dirt- can be encouraging to some, seeking to prove their worth. Others may find it insulting, not wanting to prove anything.
However, the Headmaster is right on one thing, knowledge isn't enough to solve your problems, nor save you from getting killed by a Grimm or knifed by a criminal.
'The first step is always the most important…'
As for the Headmaster himself, he seemed… off. Like he was not even there. Moreover, judging from the stories he has heard, Ozpin seems to avoid and/or declines social gatherings and events unless it was important.
"All students!" Glynda Goodwitch's loud voice boomed in the hallway, not even using the microphone for her to order all the occupants on the room "You will gather in the ballroom tonight for rest, until then you are free to have a tour in the Academy on your own volition, but please don't enter restricted areas!" she ordered, her voice laced with authority that would have impressed Sergeant Carter "Tomorrow your initiation will begin! Be ready and dismiss!"
"Yes, ma'am…" JC murmured as he came off the pillar and walked toward the entrance.
As he exited the assembly hall and back into the familiar courtyard he and Ruby walked around earlier, JC thought back on what Professor Goodwitch.
'Initiation…' he suspected something like an exam or initiation if students are to be integrated into the Huntsmen system. After all, Beacon is one of the top schools in the world; they accept those who prove their worth, the best of the best, future elite Huntsmen and Huntresses to protect the world from all oppositions-
'Now I am starting to sound like Sarge…' he shook his head as he passed by a group of students chatting among themselves as he walked through the courtyard.
Beacon follows what most call as 'Three Phases Program'. A program where most if not all combat schools adhere to when it comes accepting newly registered initiates.
The first phase is traditional, apply to the Academy with your papers and hope for the best, he heard that there were some students managed to enter academies through faking it.
The second way to be accepted to the system is to be recommended by certified Huntsmen or Huntresses to the academy, be it a freelancer or an Academy staff member.
The second phase, however, is different, due to the varieties it can become. It could be a writing exam like how Atlas conducts them every so often or fighting Grimm like how Shade Academy has done so for hundreds of years after the war.
It all depends on the Headmaster and what they have in mind for the occasion.
He stopped his stride after coming across a crossroad, thinking over his options. They had enough time to explore around the Academy, he already memorized most of the layout but he has some places that need a bit of a look, like a library or better yet the blacksmith.
'I'll see Ruby later…' he started walking in the other direction 'Need to check if the smithy can do something useful…'
{DXR}
TIME: 19:03
A sigh escaped from a red-haired girl as she walked in the empty hallway, the girl has taken every opportunity to avoid the constant questions from some of the students, or fans are some would call them.
So she hid behind a massive pillar and stayed there for close to… 'God… I probably stayed there for an hour...' While she didn't know the layout of the Academy, she had to find a way to avoid people and try to be alone even for just a moment. If it means fewer people around her, the better….
She shook her head "No Pyrrha…" she murmured alone in the empty hallway "You shouldn't be saying that…" she reached to a large doorway and opened it, finding herself in the large courtyard once more.
Nighttime has arrived, feeling a cold air wash over her. Looking up at the shattered moon hanging in the sky, still beautiful no matter where she went.
'Where am I exactly?' Her biggest mistake was not memorizing the layout as much as she wanted; with some of the buildings having similar structure.
'A smelter?' she realized after smelling the air, she has been around Blacksmith to know the scent of a smelter out of habit 'It's probably close by'.
She started walking once more on the brick road, trying to find any building she might be familiar with 'Even though most of them look just about the same…' as she rounded the corner beside a building, she unknowingly hit directly into what she presumes to be a solid wall.
"OOF!" She huffed out as fell, finding herself in an undignified position. Embarrassed a bit for falling because she couldn't notice sooner the wall-
"Are you alright?..."
A voice interrupted her thoughts, shaking her head to clear the cobwebs. Aware now that in fact, she collided a person and not a wall as she thought at first.
'It felt like a wall…'
"I-I…" she cleared her throat "I am alright, thank you for asking" she answered before noticing a gloved hand being offered to her, after some seconds she took the hand and helped her stand up straight.
'Tall' The first thing she noticed was how tall the individual she bumped into, probably close to six five, wearing a dark blue coat that can be mistaken to be black if it wasn't for the moonlight shining down on them. But the oddest feature was the dark sunglasses he wore over his eyes, considering it's already nighttime.
Her eyes widened after realizing that she technically bumped into a person, roughly too "I am terribly sorry!" she gripped his hand "I wasn't paying attention where I was going and I ended up hitting you"
The tall man simply lifted his free hand "It's alright… it's more my fault because I was standing there like a pole…" he calmly explained, the girl also realized that his voice was low and monotone "I should have noticed you much sooner…"
The red-haired girl sighed in relief; she was worried she might have unknowingly hurt somebody because she wasn't paying attention. Her eyes stared at him for a second before realizing she was still gripping his hand, which she noted to be oddly stiff like she was holding a stone. Letting go, the red-haired girl turned crimson as her hair for holding his hand for too long.
He doesn't seem to notice it as his expression remained unchanged "So… do you have any business with the Blacksmith?" he asked curiously "Just so you know the Smith isn't open for today… Despite the obvious smelter working…"
She shook her head "No, I was…" she stopped herself, unsure what to say.
"Lost?..."
She turned red "Well… Yes" she nodded, her green orbs stared back at his dark shades, seeing her reflection due to its dark tint, "I've been looking for the ballroom since the last hour and I haven't even found a map"
"Yeah… a place could use a map or something… been getting lost myself a couple of times…" he walked ahead and signaled her "Come on, I am already heading there… Ballroom should be nearby if memory serves…"
The girl hesitated, they just met for a minute and already he is offering assistance right away, which made her suspicious considering her status among the students. Looking at his direction to see him waiting for her to follow, she sighed and walked towards him, unsure but she knew would waste a lot of time walking aimlessly around the Academy.
They entered the first building they saw, with the tall man leading her through the empty hallway; small lights brightened it for a bit.
"So…" she began to small talk, despite them walking for a couple of minutes, it felt like an hour due to the long silence "Why were you in the Blacksmith? If you don't mind me asking"
"Wanted for them to fix something but the giant sign 'Not opened' made it obvious …" he answered simply; his voice remaining even, "So I decided to explore the academy and memorize the layout of the place…"
"Making sure you don't get lost?"
"Something like that…" he turned to her "You?"
"Same reasons but for…" she hesitated a bit before continuing "Different reasons…" she worded, wanting to say 'Avoid attention' but couldn't bring herself to say it 'God… that's a bad thing to even think about…'
She was thankful the tall man didn't pry her for the reasons.
Reaching the end of the hallway into a smaller door than before and opened it, leading them into another long empty hallway.
The tall man sighed, "Seriously, by the end of the week you can actually lose a couple of pounds just by walking building to building…" The girl couldn't help but giggle lowly, agreeing with his comment.
Another long silence came over, she came to a realization that the tall man wasn't exactly the 'talking type' unless when spoken to.
Fidgeting a bit at the silence, she thought over what to ask him before she realized she forget something important "I… didn't get a name"
"J.C… J.C Denton…" he introduced himself, face still forward as he pocketed his hands.
"Pleased to meet you, I am-" she stopped herself once again 'God, I should stop doing that', taking a breather, she started this, she better answer it back "Pyrrha, Pyrrha Nikos"
"Likewise Miss Nikos…" he nodded at her before looking forward once more.
She waited, waited for him to ask the famous champion of Minstrel. Her exploits and trophies she has won throughout the years, the accomplishments that she earned but yet… nothing.
Not even a shocked look.
'Does he… not know me?' if it were any other person, they would have felt insulted at the lack of reaction to someone like her…
Yet… she felt… happy… relieved even…
Deciding to end the conversation, Pyrrha continued behind him "Uhmm… Can I ask you something? It's about the initiation tomorrow," she asked curiously before chastising herself for asking abruptly "I-If you do not mind…"
"I don't…" he answered calmly, face still forward. Every now and then, he would look in different directions the further they walked as if he was looking for something. "But I can't say I know that much about it… though I can guess the exam could be combat based..."
Pyrrha caught up with him, matching his stride "What makes you say that?" she asked. They finally saw a set of windows in the hallway; the shattered moonlight illuminated the dark hallway.
"A Huntsman school is where they train you to fight Grimm, so having a combat based exam comes to mind…" Pyrrha nodded in understanding. Back at Sanctum in Minstrel, the school conducted a single exam, which is a written exam, simply testing you about your knowledge in Aura, Dust and other important things a Huntress should know when they decided to make it as a profession. The exam was designed to rank the students in Sanctum, the newly registered students were already accepted, but the school wanted to know where the students might rank in the hierarchy, from the top all the way to the last.
And of course, when she aced the exam and got first place in the ranking, it did nothing but put more spotlight on her ever-growing fame…
There are days where Pyrrha Nikos wished that if she purposely flunked her exam and let someone else take the fame-
'No!' she shook internally 'Don't think like that… Dwelling on it wouldn't help me now…'
"How about you?..." Denton's dry voice interrupted her thoughts. Looking up to see him staring at her curiously "Did you hear anything about it?..."
"Just rumors, but I've heard that they might split us into teams"
"Teams? How many?..."
"Four to be specific" she explained "But I wouldn't bet on a rumor until I see"
"That's too much information for a simple rumor…" he noted before looking forward once more and continued their stride "A four-team person… four kingdoms and four seasons… guess the headmaster has a thing for the number four…"
She… really did not think of it that way "That's… one way to think about it"
"Maybe the Headmaster thinks he'll get lucky and find a four leaf clover if he continued on with this…" Pyrrha giggled lightly, finding his humor odd but endearing as they continued to walk in silence.
Pyrrha could not help but study him, as she noted he is extremely tall, possibly the tallest among the students. His dark blue coat had floral markings covering his entire back and arms, the name ACRYNM signed on his neck cuffs, and the broken moonlight allowed the coat to appear much brighter.
As they rounded the next corner, Denton stopped them. A large door located at the end "The ballroom…" he pointed before turning at her direction, where he found the red-haired girl was staring at him.
"Oh!" she turned red once more; embarrassed for staring too long "Thank you for the help" she smiled.
"Don't mention it…" he walked ahead of the girl and opened the large door. Signaling the red-haired champion for her to enter "Ladies first…"
She smiled before walking toward the opened door and entered the ballroom.
The hall itself was large, possibly larger than the assembly hall. Many students were already starting to get ready to sleep after their beds were prepared on the floor. The girls slept on one side while the boys slept on the other.
'Is it me or are we too close to the boys…' Pyrrha wondered uncomfortably.
"My old instructor would have a field day if he sees this…" JC noted, as he looked around the ballroom "Especially if he finds anyone this close to the girls…"
"Why's that?"
"'Ethical purposes' and 'inappropriate misconduct' if you asked him… but it's because they don't want any personal problems if both boys and girls sleep this close…" he waved over the entire ballroom "He would have forced everybody here to jog for ten miles just clean the 'filth' as he would say…"
"That seems a bit… harsh for something that small of an offense" she could understand the reasoning behind it, but punishing even the ones who are not involved seems a bit excessive.
"Tell that when you see a couple of guys jogging with you naked in the middle of a cold night…" Pyrrha could not help but giggle at his explanation "He would have enjoyed making all of us run outside in the cold…"
"It still seems a bit harsh"
"Maybe…" he shrugged "But I learned a lot from the man, he was tough but fair enough to advise you when need be…"
Pyrrha smiled a bit, reminding her how her father used to do the same "He sounds like a good teacher"
"He was" it was small, but she noted how his tone was starting to get less cold and becoming warmer the longer they spoke, though still dry.
After saying their goodbyes, Pyrrha and JC went their separate ways. Walking past several students until she reached to what she presumes to be the bathroom and went to change for proper sleeping attire. When she is done, she walked to a nearby pillar to avoid any student who might recognize her on sight.
As she was preparing her sleeping bed, Pyrrha thought back on today's events. She expected when arriving at Beacon that she can have a fresh start, but that was thrown out of the window when several students recognized her and bombarded her with questions and awe after speaking with the famous champion.
Her expectation turned sour, seeing how things might not change and how it might look like Sanctum all over again. However…
She thought back to the tall man with the dark blue coat, while the way he spoke coldly and dryly could set off some people that would paint him as if he was some robot. However, he does dresses stylishly. He was still nice enough to help her and did not even try to ask her about the exploits and accomplishments.
He spoke with her like a normal person, not a fan, not some TV personality looking for sponsors, but a normal person.
'Hmm… wonder what J.C stands for…'
{DXR}
"It's like a big slumber party!" said one Yang Xiao Long to her sister as she scanned the ballroom, her pajamas consisted of a simple yellow t-shirt and black shorts.
Ruby was seated on her bed sheet as she worked on a piece of paper, not looking up to her sister, the young girl answered "I don't think dad would approve with all the boys though" she noted tiredly at her sister before going back to writing down on the paper.
"I know I do~" she purred, staring at the number of male students who decided to g shirtless, showing off their impressive muscular form. Her eyes lingered for a second before looking down at her sister and noticed her writing down something "What's that?" she asked.
"A letter to Granny back at Patch, I promised to tell her all about Beacon and how things are going" Ruby explained as she wrote down her final words.
Yang could not help but smile at her sister "Aww! That's so cute! Writing letters and diaries!" she teased which made Ruby throw a pillow at her sister in anger.
"Shut up! It's weird not knowing anyone here!" she huffed before burying her head between her legs "It's like Signal all over again…" Ruby murmured to herself.
Yang always hated seeing this downcast, thinking of something to ease her mind "Well… I can say you did make some friends Ruby" The young girl eyed her sister, confused at what she meant "Like… that Weiss girl. Doesn't she count as someone you know?"
"No, it doesn't!" Ruby glared at her older sister, not happy at her explanation.
"Okay okay! No need to look at me like I am the worst person in the world" the blond girl calmed her sister a bit "Then how about that dude with the sunglasses? You said he was nice enough to help you out" she asked, still not enamored with a guy who seems to like wearing shades indoors.
'Probably has a problem with his eyes… which I doubt'
Before Ruby could answer her sister, her head turned after catching something afar and smiled. Following her action, Yang looked in the other direction and found the tall man talking to a red-haired girl before saying their goodbyes 'Speak of the devil…'
"JC!" Ruby called for the tall man who looked at their direction "Over here!"
"Ruby…" Denton greeted the young girl we a dry voice as he came closer.
Ruby stood up and pushed her sister to the tall man closer "JC, this is-"
"Yang Xiao Long, her big sister" The blond girl cut her sister off, while she gave the man a wide smile, it wasn't filled like the usual warmth, studying him from top to bottom for anything shady. After all, the older sibling has to look out their younger one's interests, especially when it comes to strangers.
"JC Denton…" he greeted back politely, not changing his voice or expression.
Yang studied the tall man; the coat was stylish, its floral markings made it more beautiful if looked up close. Her eyes roamed top to bottom before lingering at the black shirt he wore, that seems to fit his body well.
'Not bad' she looked up at his face and noticed the blank stare he gave behind his black glasses, clean faced but hardened behind all that expressionless face. 'Not bad looking either…'
"Uhh… guys?" Ruby interrupted after a minute of silence went by "Is… something wrong?"
"Oh!" Yang quickly broke off her observation and looked at her sister, who was starting to get worried "Sorry about that Rubes, just assessing things with tall, dark and gloomy here" she looked at JC and gave the tall man a knowing nod and wink.
He raised a single eyebrow at this display but didn't comment on it, aware of what she means at 'assessing'.
"Anyway!" Yang quickly changed the subject after noticing Ruby was trying to ask on what she meant, she gave the tall man a wide grin "Just wanted to thank you for helping my sister earlier" she patted her sister on the head "She can be a bit… lost when it comes to direction"
"Hey! Weren't you the one who literary ditched me just this morning!" Ruby puffed at her sister.
"Don't mention it…" he answered drily.
Removing her sister's hand from her head, Ruby turned to the tall man and called his attention "Hey JC, where did you disappear to? I went to look for you after the ceremony but you just vanished!"
"Memorizing the schools' layout…" he explained "Don't want to be lost like earlier" Ruby giggled in response.
It took him close to three hours- academy is bigger than the ones he visited- to memorize the entire layout of Beacon from top to bottom, including the library and Beacon Tower in his search, he had hoped when he found the Blacksmith he could make use of it, but won't be opening until after the initiation ends.
He felt a nagging pain in his shoulders, something he has been getting since arriving on Vale 'Should have got that checked before I left Atlas…'
"We can ask that nice girl who helped us earlier," Ruby said brightly.
"You just wasn't the free cookies she makes, Ruby… don't extort others goodwill for food…" he stated, which made Ruby puff out her cheeks in annoyance.
Yang smiled proudly at her sister as she interacted with the tall man – who was trying to justify her reasons for loving a batch of cookies they tried earlier- Noting how comfortable Ruby was in speaking with someone that is not her or their family.
However, she is still wary around Denton, and that is not counting the dress and his dry voice.
'Who the hell wears sunglasses indoors, during nighttime!'
The conversation was interrupted as a light was being turned on nearby, distracting the three for a moment. Following the source to see a girl in dark robe-like pajamas, a black sash wrapped around her waist, reading a red covered book.
Ruby and JC recognized the girl from earlier who talked up the Schnee girl, the big bow over her head confirmed it.
'Guess everybody got their gimmicks…' thought JC as he fixed his coat.
"That girl…" Ruby whispered.
"Hmm? You know her?" asked Yang.
"Not really" Ruby answered with a shrug, not noticing the glint behind her sister's eyes "She saw what happened this morning but left before I could say anything- Hey!" Yang proceeded to grab Ruby's arm and lift her up, albeit roughly.
"Well now's your chance!" Yang said, dragging Ruby to where the dark-haired girl seated.
"Wait! What are you doing?!" Trying to grab anything with her free arm, she instantly grabbed JC's coat sleeves "Oh! I am sorry!"
JC simply let out a small sigh, as he was drag along with the two sisters.
As they come closer, Yang greeted the dark-haired girl "Heeeellloooo!~" voiced the blond-haired sister jovially, making the girl look up from the book she was reading.
"Yes?" she looked warily at the three, her gold irises studying each one.
"I believe you two may know each other"
"JC was there too"
"Three then"
JC opted to not comment.
The dark-haired girl blinked a couple of times as she stared curiously at the three "Ah…" she recognizes the girl "You're that girl who exploded earlier"
"Yep! That's me!" Ruby said forcefully, embarrassed at the memory "My name is Ruby! But you can Crater fac-" she stopped mid-sentence, turning red in embarrassment "Actually… you can just call me Ruby…" she said forcefully, widening her smile to an uncomfortable level.
Even Yang couldn't help but smile awkwardly at this development, not even 10 seconds went by and already the ship is sinking like a brick.
"JC Denton…" JC introduced himself more formally, standing behind the girls like an umbrella due to his height and size.
"And I am Yang! Ruby's sister!" the blond girl ended with a smile before waving at JC behind them "No relation."
"I see…" she said expressionlessly.
"So… what's your name?" she asked, hoping to turn this around to something.
"Blake…" the girl introduced herself before going back to reading the book.
Seeing how the girl is becoming more annoyed at their questions, Yang huddled with her sister, whispering something to each other for their next course of action.
"This might take a while…" JC said simply as he stood in his place, opting to watch the sinking ship that is happening.
Lifting her eyes from the book, Blake looked up at the tall man expressionless before giving him a small smile "I am sure" she said knowingly "And thanks for earlier."
He tilted his head, confused at first before realizing at what she meant,"Ah, the whole thing in the morning… weren't you riling her even more for what you said?..."
Blake shrugged "Call it a force of habit."
"Hmm, you're welcome I guess… even though I didn't exactly do anything except show up…" he said with a dry voice, expression remained unchanged.
"Don't worry, you did enough" she smiled once more before going back to her book.
'Not one for conversations…' then again, neither was he.
"Okay!" JC looked at the blond haired girl as Yang pumped her fist together after both sisters finished with whatever they were talking about "I got this!"
Approaching the black-haired girl with an earnest look, Yang started "Well, Blake… I really like your bow"
"This looks promising…" JC murmured lowly before Ruby elbowed him to keep quiet.
A tired sigh came from Blake, her annoyance at this attempt was still there "Thanks…" she answered.
"It… goes great with your pajamas!"
"Right… thanks again…" Blake said simply, eyes still on the book.
Ruby laughed uncomfortably at this development, as it was dying a slow death.
"Nice night, don't ya think?" Yang said, straining a smile.
"Yes, it's lovely!" Blake gave her a wide smile, making both sisters excited at the possible progress that they might have made "Almost as lovely as this book!" she showed the three a red cover book, lacking a title "That I will continue to read" her expression went back to annoyance as her smile died down "As soon as you leave me alone."
'That's one way to tell someone to piss off…' thought the tall man amusingly.
Both girls sighed in defeat "Yeah… girl's a lost cause…" Yang grumbled lowly, disappointed.
"I'll give you an extra point for trying at least…" JC commented dryly.
"Gee, thanks for the support…" Yang rolled her eyes "Not like you did anything"
"Consider me as your supporting phantom then…" JC didn't expect much would happen in the whole 'let's be friends because we met for ten seconds', it either works on the first go or it doesn't at all "And I think she just wants to finish her book…"
Blake sighed in appreciation "Thank you"
"Support going so well too…" Yang sighed.
Despite the failure at the attempt to establish a friendship with the dark-haired girl, Ruby looked at Blake with curiously, or more specifically at her red book "What's it about?"
"Huh?" Blake blinked in confusion.
"Your book" she pointed at the red book "Does it have a name?"
"Oh," she blinked once again before answering "Well… it's about a man with two souls, both fighting for control" explained the dark-haired girl.
JC raised a lone eyebrow "Huh… I heard that book before…"
"You did?" Yang asked as she watched her sister try to interact with the dark-haired girl.
"Heard it was based on a serial killer with a bad case of a personality disorder…" explained the tall man "It even happened here on Vale a couple years back…"
"Did it… was it solved?" Yang asked worriedly.
"Case turned cold last time I read…"
The extranet has a lot of information if one's wishes to use it.
"That doesn't sound like a fun book…"
"They are making a movie out of it if that makes you feel any better…"
"Lovely…"
Both onlookers watched Ruby and Blake continue on their conversation undisturbed as Ruby let out a small laugh "I love books! Yang used to read me every night before bed" explained the young girl "Stories of heroes and monsters" Ruby widened her smile "They are the reason why I wanted to be a Huntress!"
Blake smiled "And why's that? Hoping you'll live happily ever after?" she asked curiously, her eyes focused on the girl's silver orbs.
Undisturbed by the intense look, Ruby nodded "Well, I hoping we all will in the end" Yang smiled at her sister, ever the optimist, JC however… remained expressionless but listened "Someone who fought for what was right, and protected people who couldn't protect themselves!" Ruby proclaimed brightly.
'You are a weapon! Used against the enemy for the greater good!'
JC shook his head at the memory 'No… that was back then… now its different…'
Blake smiled thinly at the young girl's optimism "That's… very ambitious if you're a five-year-old" her smile lowered, turning into a frown "Unfortunately, the real world isn't the same as a fairy tale." Said the dark-haired girl cynically, her eyes trained on the young girl.
Ruby remained smiling ever brightly, unaffected by her statement "That's why we are here," she said, her voice not faltering as she stated, "To make the world a better place"
Unable to contain herself, Yang swiftly pulled her sister into her broad arms, hugging her albeit roughly "Oh! I am so proud of my baby sister!" Yang cooed at her younger sister.
Taken aback by the sudden action her elder sister is giving, Ruby tried to escape her sister's strong arms but to no avail "Hey! Cut it out!" yelped the young girl "And I am not a baby!"
The forced sisterly bond quickly turned into a small scuffle between the two, as Ruby tried to escape her sister's powerful arms and Yang not allowing it to happen.
Staring at the scuffle internally amused, JC gave a thin smile at the scene in front of him.
'Siblings… huh…'
"Aren't you going to jump in?" JC turned to the dark-haired girl, who was staring at the scuffle amusingly "Isn't it your thing?"
He shook his head "Not this time…" after all; siblings fight and argue most of the time.
"Can't blame you" Blake thin smile grew wider at the two sisters before letting out a small laugh, which caught the sister's attention "Well…, Ruby, Yang" she called the sisters "Its been a pleasure meeting y-"
"What in the world is going on here?!" a loud voice shrilled, catching the attention of the four, and some of the students in the ballroom. JC recognized the voice right away judging from how high pitch it was "Don't you realize some of us are trying to sleep here?!".
Weiss Schnee stormed into the scene in a huff, wearing a simple white nightgown. Her eyes narrowed at the four before widening after recognizing them "You again?!"
The two stopped their small scuffle and turned toward Schnee, eyes wide.
"Oh come on!" Yang groaned in displeasure at the sight of the white-haired Heiress "Not again!"
Noticing that several students looking at the scene, Ruby brought a single finger in front of her lips "Shh guys!" whispered the young girl from the floor, her arms wrapped around her sister's leg after the scuffle "She is right! People are trying to sleep!" she eyed the two girls.
"Oh, now you're on my side!" The white-haired Heiress huffed angrily "After what you said earlier!"
"I was always on your side!" Ruby defended, arms still tangled around her sister's "And I said I was sorry!"
"Yeah!" Yang nodded, joining in the conversation "And what's your problem with my sister? She's only trying to be nice!"
"She is a hazard to my health!" seethed the Heiress "And you are starting to be the same as her!"
Sighing tiredly, Blake closed her book as looked on at the argument with no interest, before turning to the tall man "Going to jump in now?"
JC looked the argument expressionless before shaking his head "No need… Ruby has this under control…" he said calmly "It's not like things will go out of control…"
"Except for my sleep…" grimaced the dark haired girl before grabbing her candlelight.
JC gave her a sympathetic look before pocketing his hands "Well… I'll be off…" Denton started walking away from the scene quietly after saying his goodbye.
"Goodnight! And sweet dreams!" Ruby waved at the tall man casually before going back in calming down her sister and Weiss who were still arguing, waking several students from their sleep.
'What a shame…' thought the dark-haired girl tiredly as she stared boredly at the three going at it. Sighing, she brought the candlelight closer and huffed the flames out.
"Woah! It's dark!"
"There are still lights you dolt!"
It's been said the argument went on all night.
Depraving some students from a good night sleep.
{DXR}
Passing by the next pillar, JC can still hear the argument going on between the three, waking several students from their slumber.
'It's going to be a long night…' thought the tall man amusingly, he can take a guess that Schnee wasn't the type to back down from an argument, and it looks like even Xiao Long is the same-
He stopped walking.
Feeling something amiss…
More accurately, he felt he is being… watched.
'Hmm…'
At the corner of the ballroom was a circular device, small, rounded. Swiveling left and right high up on the walls.
'One hundred and three… new record…' JC counted, as he looked dead on the camera, the device continuing to turn left and right. Ever since landing, he did nothing but count the number of devices that placed in various areas in the Academy. He won't be shocked if the Headmaster- who is the only plausible person and paranoid enough to actually install this amount of cameras- installed a couple in the bathrooms.
'Guess the golden age of technology doesn't include privacy…'
JC stared at the camera- which, if you focus hard enough, you'll notice the green light around the center, indicating its natural state- before continuing his stride. Looking for any decent spot for him to lay down and rest up for the day.
Tomorrow starts his initiation.
And his entry to Beacon.
'Hope I didn't make a mistake by accepting to come here…'
{END CHAPTER}
Codex Entry: Combat Academies
Huntsmen Academies was founded by the serving Council as the main training schools for future defenders against the never-ending threat of the Grimm.
However, the creatures of darkness are not the only threat to the Kingdoms security.
With the present of a healthy civilization and the rise of the economy thanks to Dust, crimes has also risen from the brink. With the Huntsmen main job is defending Grimm's and occasionally against bandits who prey outside villages.
Special groups policing the streets from threats inside the larger cities that might pose however defend the inner cities. Police and Military was assigned as those defenders, hence the establishment of Combat Academies for those unable to perform their duty as Huntsmen and Huntresses but still has the capability to perform these tasks in subduing, and possibly eliminating all threats.
These academies give out special training, discipline to perform tasks where even Huntsmen and Huntresses are unable to do.
Atlas and Mistral follow this system with their main academies having different schools for their militarypersonal and police, along with the existing Huntsmen Academies; Vale has the popular police academy, founded following the Templars ceasing their activities in the Kingdom twenty years ago, while Vacuo mostly rely on Mercenaries to police some of their cities.
{EXTRA}
Note:
Trying to find free time to write can be annoying if you have college breathing down your neck.
Nonetheless, I managed to rewrite this chapter at least a couple to present the other characters and their interaction – I decided to get the exiting dialogue from the episode and added more to fit the situation-.
I am proud of how the first meeting and interaction between JC and Pyrrha; as my way of trying to flesh both characters out. Trying to make their interactions as natural as I can make.
The Codex entry was simply me explaining the existence of other schools and academies in the world, the lore of RWBY can be a bit… lacking. So I wrote what makes the most sense with the presence of police and military official in the world.
EndNote
Constructive criticism is always welcomed and appreciated.