Before this chapter begins, I'd like to thank the kind reviewers who left me such positive and constructive criticism. I took your critiques and tried to apply what they contained a little better. I'm still but a growing writer with many other things on his plate right now, but any feedback is welcomed. I'd also like to thank any readers of this story. Who gave it a chance and or stuck by it. I hope that you continue to enjoy what I write. With that said, please enjoy chapter 2.
Dreams to Reality
The beep of Lance's alarm woke him. He groaned, hitting the snooze button as the tranquil silence of the morning returned. He rolled over trying to once again fall back asleep, the comfort of his pillow hard to resist. He laid there in the blissful silence until he remembered last night with what Ozpin said and the events that transpired. His sea green eyes shot open as he sat up in his bed, a small grin on his face as he raised his arms over his head in a stretch.
Lance got up out of bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he walked over to his closet, navigating the organized mess of some old clothes strewn about the floor. He began to dress himself in his usual attire, consisting of well-kept black jeans and a black three-quarter sleeve t-shirt with dark blue sleeves. He then walked over to his bathroom's sink to begin getting ready for the day. After brushing his teeth, he styled his brown hair, smiled in the mirror in satisfaction, and went to grab breakfast.
Lance replaced the now clean bowl he used for his cereal in its rightful place in a cupboard. As he was heading back to his room to finish getting ready for the day, the TV he left on as he was eating caught his attention.
"Another Dust shop was robbed last night, but the robbers didn't steal any Lien." The news woman said.
Lance went over to take a seat on the couch. His attention fully on the TV.
"The current suspect is a man named Roman Torchwick. He has a record of gang activity and has committed multiple robberies throughout Vale. If you see this man, please notify the police immediately and avoid him at all costs."
A picture of Roman Torchwick popped up on the screen as the news woman continued to talk.
"That's the guy from last night…" Lance said under his breath.
He noticed the time that was being displayed in the lower corner of the TV. His heart jumped when he saw that it was already ten forty.
"Gah, geez!" Lance said, shooting up from his seat.
He fast walked over to his room and grabbed his black and blue high-top shoes. He tried sliding them on, balancing on one foot to do so, but the shoes didn't give.
"Oh c'mon…" He said, sitting down, loosening the laces and putting them on normally.
Once tied, he ran over and grabbed his signature, black and blue long coat that had gold accessories. Once finished, he rushed across his fairly small apartment towards the door.
Unlocking the door, he pulled it open and noticed something taped to it.
"Huh?"
Lance took what looked to be a medium sized yellow paper envelope off of the door. As he did a note fell from behind it, floating to Lance's feet. He bent down and picked up the letter and flipped it around to read its contents.
"Dear Lance, Supplied in the envelope is a school issued scroll. On said scroll are directions to a meeting point where I will be waiting. From Ozpin."
Lance raised an eyebrow at the odd note, but proceeded to open the envelope anyways. He reached inside, pulling out a cell phone like white rectangle with a yellow diamond in the middle. There was no screen visible on the smooth rectangle. It looked as if it could be pulled apart though, so Lance placed both hands on either side. Pulling with minimum force, the device parted, revealing a screen as it opened. On the screen was a map with an address not too far off with step by step directions.
"Huh… Well that's convenient," He said to himself.
He went out the door, closing it and locking it behind him.
Lance looked up from his open scroll.
"Well. This is the place."
He continued onward through what looked to be some sort of small airport with a few smaller air ships scattered about. There was plenty of open space that Lance assumed was for multiple ships of varying sizes. The said space and the ground he stood on was a smooth concrete. The sole grey building in front of him was his destination. He made his way to the entrance where Ozpin stood, resting on his cane.
"I'm glad to see you could make it," He said.
"Glad I could," Lance said, smiling.
"Are you ready to see Beacon?"
Lance's eyes began to shine, "Of course," He said with excitement evident in his tone
"I thought so," Ozpin said returning his smile. "Come with me"
He walked past Lance and towards a nearby ship.
Lance's smile only grew, as well as his excitement, as he followed Ozpin onto the ship.
The ride wasn't a long one. Lance sat, staring out the tiny window at the majesty that was Beacon Academy and the city of Vale that held it. The ornate structures of Beacon and its towering spire that stood in the center of it all seemed to beckon him. He wondered what classes would be like, life on campus, what the training would be like, and not to mention the real Hunters and Huntresses he'd meet. His imagination ran wild at the thought of attending such a prestigious school.
He was so captivated, he absentmindedly let out his fascination, "Whoa…"
Ozpin let out a small chuckle.
"It's quite the view, isn't it?"
Lance just nodded, keeping his eyes on the school that grew ever closer.
The ship landed and Lance followed Ozpin off the airship. Beacon looked even more amazing from the main courtyard. Lance was breathless at the sight. The main tower that surpassed the other structures was ornate like the rest of the school. Aside from its size, the biggest characteristic was near the top of the tower where multiple green spheres glimmered.
"Come with me, if you will," Ozpin said.
Lance complied, following Ozpin towards the first large building to the Academy.
They got in an elevator and went to the top floor. From there they entered Ozpin's office. The ceiling and floor were both see through, showing gears and cogs in motion. There was a clear desk with similar cogs and mechanisms near a giant window showing the view from the tower. A woman stood there as well, seeming prepared for their arrival. She had blonde hair, green eyes and wore glasses. She also wore a white shirt with black skirt, along with a purple cape. A stern look was written on her face as she moved closer to them.
"So, are we letting just anyone into Beacon now, Ozpin?" She said. Her voice sounded commanding yet smooth. Despite that, it didn't hide her displeasure in the slightest.
Ozpin walked over to meet her, "Glynda, just trust me," He said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
She sighed, brushing off Ozpin's hand as she began to make her way out of the room.
As she passed Lance, she paused her walk, glared at him with her green eyes to which Lance gave a shy smile. As Glynda passed and left the room, he felt his body loosen up.
"My apologies, Lance. She means well, and is quite the impressive instructor, Ozpin said, standing beside his desk.
"Oh, uh, no worries. It's all good," Lance said, nervously straightening out his coat before turning to Ozpin.
As he finished turning, the light from outside the massive window caught his attention. Without thinking, he wandered over to it. He stood in front of the glass, basking in the great view of the campus. The many buildings and spires, the long main avenue he walked to the school, the water from the large river that separated Beacon from Vale, and all of the greenery of the many trees and surprisingly vast fields of grass.
"Lovely view, isn't it?" Ozpin said, walking over to the window with him.
"This is amazing. I honestly can't believe I'm here," Lance said, his voice just above a whisper.
"I'm sure," Ozpin said, letting out a smile.
Ozpin turned, making his way to the chair at his desk.
"Now, down to business."
Lance turned from the window to Ozpin, "Right," He said nodding.
Ozpin opened a scroll of his own. He started tapping on the screen, typing things down. Ozpin sat there for a half a minute doing so.
"Feel free to take a seat, Lance," He said motioning to one of the empty seats across the table.
Lance nodded, walked over to the seat and sat down. He looked at Ozpin type for a little longer, the silence eating away at him. Lance felt he should say something as he drummed on his lap with his thumbs. Before Lance could think of anything, Ozpin lowered his scroll, raising his eyes to meet Lance's.
"Let me ask you this, Lance. Have you had any formal training before becoming a vigilante?"
Lance already felt his heart beat faster in his chest as the question left Ozpin's lips.
"Huh?"
Ozpin held out his scroll that showed about a month old news article. It stated something about a robbery being put to a halt after the criminals escaped.
Lance readjusted his position in his chair, sitting a bit straighter. He looked back at Ozpin, then again to the article.
"Or how about this one?" Ozpin said, pulling back his scroll, swiping, and presented another article.
This time it read, "Man saved from Grimm by unknown Hunter."
"I-uhh," Lance stammered, racking his mind for excuses, explanations, reasons, a way out.
Ozpin smiled and pulled the scroll away. Lance looked down at the table, brows furrowed in confusion, hands glued together on his lap.
"How do you know those are about me?" He asked, raising his gaze.
"Trust me, Lance, I'm not going to tell anyone else. Your secret's safe with me."
Lance sat there speechless for a few moments before a thought crossed his mind.
"That still doesn't answer my question. How did you know?"
"I'm the headmaster of a school. I like to keep my ear to the ground, and this particular story caught my attention. Besides, after seeing you the other night, it put any doubts in my mind to rest."
Lance again had no words. His own trepidation choking what hopes he had at forming thoughts. Let alone voicing those thoughts.
"I have another question for you," Ozpin said, breaking the brief silence.
"Hm?" Lance said.
"You do wish to join my school, correct?"
Lance couldn't help but crack a faint smile.
"I'd love to. It'd be a dream come true," He said, his gaze falling as he day-dreamed of the possibility.
"That's all I needed to hear."
"Wait so you mean I'm in?"
"You said it yourself. 'That it'd be a dream come true.' Well consider your dream now a reality."
"Wow…" Lance said, slumping back in his chair a bit, the smile he had returning to his face.
"The only thing we have left to do is some minor paperwork and discussing your team situation."
"Alright, sure," Lance said, readjusting his posture.
"This is a rather odd scenario, but with you now enrolled at Beacon that'll make an odd number of students. Now, it's not a big deal, but teams are generally made up of four hunters. With an odd number of students in this new arrival there would be one student who wouldn't have a team."
Lance nodded, following what Ozpin was saying and trying to understand what he was getting at.
"So, Lance, you are a special case. Unlike every other student joining, you will have a choice. You have the opportunity to decide which team you will join."
"Huh… Alright. When do I pick my team?"
"You'll pick your team when teams have been made. You will participate in the trial like normal."
"So there's a trial and that determines how teams are made, right? How do you pick who goes where?"
"We let teams fall into place if you will. You'll understand soon enough."
Lance nodded his response, confused as to what he meant, but he rolled with it.
"That takes care of everything. All that's left for you to do is show up for orientation. Simple enough," Ozpin said, closing the scroll and resting it on the desk.
"I'll be there," Lance said, smirking.
"I'm glad to hear it."
Both Ozpin and Lance stood from their seats. Ozpin reached a hand out, which Lance shook.
"Welcome to Beacon, Lance Azure."
Lance stood, back at the airfield he met Ozpin at only a week ago. Instead of being fairly barren, today, three large, white, and very ornate ships sat. Many students were loading into them already. Lance grabbed his things and started making his way towards the ships.
The line he was assigned to by one of the people who were ushering in the students went rather quick. Before he knew it he stood at the foot of one of the ramps on to the ship. Here was the threshold he'd cross to begin his new life. With a big inhale and a smile on his face, Lance took the first step onto the ramp. He continued up, excitement growing with each step that he took.
He gazed out of one of the windows as many other students did. He couldn't help but smile from the view. It was similar to the view he had on the other airship, but this view was much more grandiose. The larger windows helped show the entirety of the massive vista of Vale and the natural beauty they encountered as they traveled.
Before too long though, the hovering monitors that were displaying a single news channel shut off. In the channel's place stood the woman Lance met in Ozpin's office with the Blonde hair, green eyes, and glasses.
"Hello and welcome to Beacon. My name is Glynda Goodwitch. You are among the privileged few who have received the honor of being selected to attend this prestigious academy. Our world is experiencing an incredible time of peace and as future hunters and huntresses it is your duty to uphold it. You have demonstrated the courage needed for such a task, and now it is our turn to provide you with the knowledge and the training to protect our world."
She faded out of the hologram as more students crowded one of the sides of the ship Lance included. His grin widened as he saw Beacon in all its glory from the window. The massive spire he stood in but a week afo was elegant and was nestled between beautiful school buildings that only added to the aesthetic. The place seemed just as magical the second time as it was the first. He stood there until the school was only a few miles away and only a few minutes from touchdown. The thoughts of becoming a true to life Hunter on repeat in his mind.
Once again, thank you for your time and I hope you enjoyed!