Hector stood beside Professor Goodwitch in the training arena. There was something he didn't understand.
"You hold combat classes in the morning? Why?"
Professor Goodwitch straightened her glasses as she used her semblance to brush some dirt off the arena floor. "All hunters need to be ready for an attack at all times. Be it morning or the night."
He understood that fine. But as the students came in he couldn't help but notice how tired they all were. Bags under eyes, slumped postures, and constant yawning, they looked exhausted. Most sent him wary looks but "Perhaps their workload is too heavy? It is the beginning of the year, many are still getting used to this place."
"Beacon only trains the best, if they wish to stay then they will adapt. The others will fall behind."
"That sounds a bit harsh."
"Do you believe the grimm to be any less so?"
She had a point. "I suppose it makes sense. I just worry about their wellbeing."
There it was again, that same odd look he couldn't read. "Was training to be a Judge any less strenuous?"
He rubbed at his arm. He couldn't see them but he knew that the scars were still there. Serving as constant reminders of what he had been through to earn his status. "I still do not like it. But it is not my place to decide. You are the instructor and I will concede to your judgement on the matter."
He received a nod and he saw that Teams RWBY and JNPR had entered the room. Her teammates seemed fine but Ruby looked completely drained. She shuffled in like a zombie and plopped down next to her partner on the arena bleacher. Team JNPR seemed much the same, with Jaune being the only one who seemed completely out of sorts. It must have been a leader thing.
"Students," Goodwitch began as everyone had come inside, "today will be your first combat class. This course is simple. I will face you off with another student, you will spar, and when the match ends I will give you pointers on your performance." She went on to explain the aura tracking meter and general rules of the class. "Our new resident Judge," Hector tried not to flinch at the hint of venom in her voice, "will be observing today."
Hector gave the class a small wave. Team RWBY waved back, except for Ruby who Weiss was making sure didn't fall unto the floor unconscious. Team JNPR waved too, except for Pyrrha who sent him another baneful glare. Hector chose to ignore it and waited as Goodwitch continued.
"Since this is our first class we will be having some quick spars before lunch."
The class began and Hector watched as student after student took their turn in the arena. Beacon only accepted the best, and the matches showed just that. Hector stood on the side as the students clashed and he saw semblances, steel and wits collide. The raw power on display was incredible. Weiss carved through the arena like a dancer. Ruby woke up easily enough and sped around her opponents like a crimson whirlwind. Yang bulldozed through the competition with fire and grit. Blake's subtle manipulations and misdirection caught him off guard a few times. Ren moved with refined and lithe precision. Nora was…Nora. But the crowning performance had to go to Pyrrha.
The girl was a monster in combat. No wasted movement, no hesitation and no mistakes, just pure refined violence. Her opponent had absolutely no chance against such overwhelming skill, speed and power. As Hector looked on he felt a bit worried at the fact that even he might not fare much better against such clearly honed talent. The students at this school were incredible.
Well, except for one.
"Jaune Arc, you will be facing Cardin Winchester." Hector's breath hitched at the name as he eyed the boys standing up and coming towards the arena.
Cardin seems so unlike Canary, but he couldn't help but see the resemblance. They had the same cheekbones and hard indigo eyes. They walked similarly too, exuding power and confidence in their strolls as if inviting trouble. That is where the similarities ended. While Canary was confident the way that Cardin looked at the smaller Jaune made it clear that the boy was arrogant and enjoyed power over others.
Professor Goodwitch began the match and what followed…was completely pathetic. Thinking back, Hector realized that the initiation videos had not actually shown Jaune even encountering a grimm before the deathstalker. And even after that he had never actually struck it with his blade, just blocked an attack with his shield. He had chalked it up to the missing footage but wtching him fight now it was clear that something was seriously wrong.
The boy had no skill, he had no form, he had no power behind his attacks and he certainly had no chance against Cardin. Hector almost did a double take as Cardin, who was clearly a heavy weight brawler who wore armor to take hits, actually sidestepped and dodged a clearly telegraphed and poorly executed sword swing. "This is ridiculous. This boy went to a combat school?" Hector would be the first to admit that he wasn't the strongest warrior in the Order, but he knew was combat at this level was supposed to look like. And it was not supposed to look like this.
Professor Goodwitch hummed in acknowledgement at the words. It seemed that he shared his skepticism. Continuing the match actually seemed cruel, especially after Cardin sidestepped another blow and Hector heard a series of low chortles in the crowd. He was almost grateful when the mace slammed into Jaune's shield and sent him flying out of bounds.
"A little more restraint would serve you well Mr. Winchester," Goodwitch began. She continued to give advice to Cardin as Hector went over to help Jaune.
He hopped off the arena unto the floor below and quickly found the boy sprawled on the floor groaning. "Mr. Arc, are you alright?"
"Never better," Jaune responded, clearly dazed. He was definitely an odd boy. Hector extended his hand out to help him up.
"Don't you touch him," a voice snarled. Hector turned to see Pyrrha standing a few feet away, eyes full of the same hate and suspicion he'd been receiving for days. She wasn't in her combat stance, but she was armed with a hand on her weapon hung at her back.
"Is there a problem?" Goodwitch said as they all looked up to see her looking down form the edge of the arena.
Hector shook his head. "No, no problem. I was just checking on Mr. Arc, he is fine."
Jaune gave the professor a thumbs up before Hector walked away and let Pyrrha past him. She never took her eyes off him, even as she helped her leader up.
He caught a small whisper as he walked away, "Pyrrha, what is up with you?"
He couldn't hear her response and headed up the stairs to rejoin Goodwitch. She critiqued Jaune and dismissed the class for lunch. "I have a lot of work to do this year," she said with a sigh. Hector nodded understandingly.
"It is a good thing you have help then."
"Yes, but she appears to have forgotten." Hector looked to see that Blake had already left with her team. He held back a sigh.
"Forgive her. This is all very fresh for her. She must have forgotten her responsibilities in the rush. I will go find her and she will meet you in your office."
With that he left the training room and headed into halls of Beacon. Walking through the school was an experience akin to a shark swimming in a pond. His image might have been softened but that didn't stop the students from avoiding him where they could. One student even jumped out the nearest open window to avoid eye contact with him. Hector was thankful to find some familiar faces as he approached the dining hall.
"Hey Hector, what are you up to?" Canary asked, she was holding Teddy and sitting on a bench in the hallway. The odd student sent her a confused look before getting a glare that snapped their eyes back forward.
"I am looking for a student who has forgotten her responsibilities."
"Playing hooky, huh? Cool, I'll come with you."
"There is no need too."
"Hector I've been sitting here for like an hour waiting for Ozpin to get back to me on my application. I am not sitting here anymore."
"Very well, let's go." Together they walked down the halls and talked. This really got people's attention. Alone a Judge and a young mother would attract gawkers, but walking side by side talking comfortably had people outright staring at the two as they came by. Canary told him about Rollo and his newfound skills as a blacksmith. Unlocking his aura had given him strength and skill he hadn't before. This made Hector all the more glad that they had ended up at Beacon in the state they were in.
Crafters and traders with their auras unlocked needed a special license and even then their wares had to be taxed extra. It seemed unfair and was most definitely biased but they were the only ones complaining. Anything crafted by an aura unlocked practitioner benefitted from aura's additional benefits and with the right semblance could give the creator a huge advantage over their peers. It was like the rules prohibiting the creation of weapons grade elements or precious metals and gemstones. If an aura user decided to get greedy they could oversaturate the market with their wares and materials, destroying remnants economy overnight.
Academies like Beacon though had free reign for such things. So long as whatever they made didn't end up for sale in civilian hands they were free to build or create whatever they wanted. Which made them perfect places for the aura unlocked creators of the world to practices their crafts.
With Rollo registered now he was destined to work for either an academy, government agency, or become an accused if he wanted to make any real living for himself. Luckily they had ended up right where they needed to be. Canary said that Ozpin was actually glad for the extra help since the armory at Beacon had been understaffed as of late. It had something to do with the rise of grimm attacks along Vale's borders forcing most aura enhanced workers to head out to head out and reinforce the kingdoms defenses.
With Rollo now in the work force Canary was just waiting to get word back on what it was she could do to help out around the school. She could easily apply to work under the council of Vale with her qualifications and his recommendation but with one glare from her Hector abandoned the idea of having her work anywhere else. When he talked about his day she just clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"That Pyrrha girl sounds like a total brat, so does Weiss."
Hector shook his head. "Everyone has different histories and reactions to judges, Ms. Nikhos must have a good reason for acting as she does. Ms. Schnee must have a reason for acting like she does as well."
"I still say they're brats."
Hector hummed in discontent. "Have you spoken to your brother yet?"
Canary shrugged. "Haven't seen him, but I have heard of him."
"Oh?"
Canary suddenly scowled. "Little idiots being a real jerk here, him and his team have a reputation already."
"But it is only the first week..."
"I know!" Canary quickly lowered her voice and started rocking Teddy to calm him down. "He's been bullying the hell out of that Arc kid. I think I saw him launch the poor guy out of the school in one of those rocket lockers."
That would explain why Jaune had been late to class earlier. How horrid. He was Ren and Nora's leader as well. He couldn't imagine how they felt about this. "Why haven't they been stopped?"
"Hector look around, you see any teachers?" He looked, and he didn't. The only people in the halls beside them were just more students. "There aren't exactly a lot of people here to bust them."
"But the cameras-"
"Are either fake or unmanned, either way they seem to be there mostly for show and this place is really facing some issues. I learned to spot holes in security to leave my house and see Rollo, and this place has plenty of them. " She looked worried as she gestured to the hallway around them.
"Do they not have the money?" That didn't make any sense though. Hunter academies were notorious for raking in insane amounts of money from their kingdoms. They trained the one thing holding back armies of horrifying monsters after all.
"No it's not that. This place is too well maintained for that. I think it has more to do with no one wanting to work here."
That was news to Hector. "Why would they not? This is a great school, and the people are so nice." Just then a group of students came around the corner only to freeze like deer in front of him. "Oh, excuse me." The group shifted and split in front of him instantly, almost slamming themselves into the walls to make room for him to pass.
Canary shrugged. "I think it might be the people who are driving them away. Regular people don't feel comfortable around hunters and huntresses. If they did you'd probably be out of the job. There aren't enough hunters and huntresses who survive until retirement to fully staff an academy this big. I don't think I've seen a single janitor or cook here. Whatever can be automated, is."
"What does this have to do with the bullying issue?"
"Hector, if a kid gets bullied and no one's going to report it does the bully get in trouble?"
"…is that a philosophical question?"
"It means that the only reason that this place hasn't erupted into a post-apocalyptic dystopian thunder dome of a school is out of sheer fear of Goodwitch. This means students aren't too keen on doing anything too big that will bring her down on them. But for something small like bullying a kid who won't say anything…"
"There isn't anyone to stop it." This was terrible. How many more incidents were like this around the school with no one to stop it? With no one to help a student in need of it but too scared to say anything?
"Bingo, this place really needs more help getting the students in line."
"Are you volunteering?"
"Me? Nah, I don't think I couldn't scare a fresh batch of students right now, never mind kids who have fought grimm."
Hector didn't comment as they entered the dining hall. Hector was surprised when people didn't stop eating immediately. Instead they only eyed him warily, while conversations continued on the other side of the room. Being escorted by Canary must have really helped him seem non-threatening because the students didn't seem to be on the verge of complete and utter panic at all.
Canary seemed to have noticed this too. She gave Hector a confident smile before her eyes wandered over the hall. They seemed to find something and Hector suddenly felt a chill run up his spine.
"Hector," a voice said colder than an Atlas blizzard and harder than a Sable Judge's armor. It came from Canary but Hector was pretty sure that it had actually come from the deepest and darkest grimm pit on Remnant. "Hold the baby." He didn't argue as she passed Teddy over. The baby seemed confused but even he seemed to know that it wasn't a good time to make any noise.
"Cardin Winchester," Hector actually flinched at the words and the pure unadulterated fury behind them. All noise in the hall stopped, the room suddenly becoming deathly quiet. "What on the brothers good green Remnant do you think you're doing?"
Canary walked forward, although it seemed more like prowl, with a long, smooth gait towards her prey. The people in her way quickly got out of it. This created a straight line for her directly to her target at the other end of the room. This happened to be her frozen, terrified brother. Whose hand was currently wrapped around Velvet's bunny ear.
Hector grew furious at the sight, but Canary had already beat him to the punch. Cardin just gawked at her as she approached. "Canary, is that you?" His teammates looked at each other confused.
"That's your sister?"
"Didn't you say she was dead?"
"She's pretty hot."
The last comment earned a glare from Cardin as he grit his teeth and let the ear go. Velvet wisely retreated away from the table as Cardin tried to compose himself. "I thought she was dead. I thought you were dead."
Canary just scoffed as she stood in front of him, hands on her hips. "Why, cause dad said so?"
"You disappeared, around the same time that animal blacksmith did, so we assumed…"
"He was my boyfriend and we eloped you idiot." Cardin began to do his best impression of a fish, with his mouth gaping open and closing shut. "You're an uncle now by the way."
She said this as Hector walked up beside her holding Teddy. He nodded to team CDNL. "Hello, Mr. Winchester."
The team was split between looking at the woman emanating death and the Judge holding the baby. They chose to focus on the immediate threat as she spoke. "You see what you did? My friend can't even say it's nice to meet you because his first impression of you and your team is a hate crime."
"I-"
"What would mom say?"
"I-"
"I know exactly what dad would say."
"But-"
"Which means it's up to me to punish you, like always." Cardin paled, his eyes widened as his mouth hung open. His teammates could only cower in fear of the woman whose aura began to radiate. "You, me, and the rest of your team are going to run laps."
"Laps, you mean around the hall?" Cardin's voice cracked in fear and his teammates could only exchange terrified looks.
"No, baby brother, I mean around the school."
"But we have class…"
"Then we had better get started," she said crossing her arms. "Now let's get running."
The sheer chill of her words got the group running out of the hall. As they scurried off, Canary followed giving out orders and making sure they didn't lag behind. Hector watched them go and rocked Teddy gently as the noise returned to the room. He noticed Velvet watching where the bullies had left and walked over to her.
"Ms. Scarlatina, are you alright?"
She nodded. "Yes, your friend took care of those jerks."
"Why was your team not here to help you?"
"Professor Peach asked them to help her with something after class so I went ahead to get us all a table. That's when those guys saw me…"
"I doubt they'll be bothering you anytime soon."
She shuddered. "I don't doubt it." She smiled as Teddy cooed and poked his small belly causing him to laugh. "And how is this little guy doing?"
Hector smiled under his helmet as the baby continued to giggle. "He seems great, his mother and father couldn't be happier about how he's doing."
"They seem to trust you a lot, to let you watch him like this."
She had a point. "I suppose so." It was an odd feeling, being so trusted by someone outside the order.
Velvet seemed to notice his reaction to the statement and gave him an understanding smile. "People tend to trust the person responsible for saving their lives."
"You saved them too, you saved me as well."
Velvet blushed as she rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment. "Oh, well, it was nothing." She perked up and Hector saw that the rest of her team had arrived. She waved them over and Hector greeted the team with a nod. They talked for a bit before he said his goodbyes and looked around the hall.
The students seemed to have their normal conversations going again. His presence completely overshadowed by the new gossip that was probably spreading like fire. A few groups awed at the sight of Teddy and others paled at the sight of him, but he found the table he was looking for quickly enough.
Team RWBY was apparently sharing a table with team JNPR and the table watched as he approached. Reactions ranged from delight to outright hostility among the group as Ruby perked up at his arrival.
"Hi Judge," she said cheerfully. "Your friend was really cool."
"Yes," Blake said with a smile. "It's always nice to see bigotry stomped."
Hector nodded. "Indeed, this school may train you all for combat but that does not mean that aggression has to be a constant here. I was happy to see your skills in actions today."
Most of the table smiled at the words. Pyrrha scowled as she kept her eyes on her plate while Weiss just looked down. The same look of shame passing by her features as it had before. It was really starting to worry Hector, but he knew he'd have to wait for the right time to talk to her about it. Ruby and Nora on the other hand began to gush and bounce around like puppies.
"Did you see my moves?"
"What'd you think of my fight?"
"My weapon is so awesome right?"
"I might break Cardin's legs next fight!"
"Are you staying for the second half of class?"
"Is the baby coming too?"
"What are you doing here?" The last question actually came from Pyrrha. Her icy tone drew worried looks from the others at the table.
Hector comforted a fussy Teddy as he realized that he had been dawdling. "I am actually here for Ms. Belladonna." The others turned to look at Blake who gave him a confused look. "She's been remiss in her duties."
Her eyes widened and she blushed furiously as Yang and Ruby began to 'ooh'.
"Looks like someone's in trouble," Yang sing-songed. She laughed as Blake punched her in the arm and thanked Hector for the reminder through gritted teeth. The rest of her team laughed as they watched her go and Hector shook his head.
"That was not very nice of you, Ms. Xiao-Long."
Yang just blew a raspberry at him and waved off his words. "Oh come on, she knows we're just kidding around."
"That may be so, but do not forget that you have a job to do as well." He gestured to the rest of the hall. "With all these dishes I am sure you're going to be quite busy on your first day on the job in the kitchens later." Yang paled as Ruby tried to reign in her laughter. She gave her sister a dirty look as she crossed her arms.
"What are you all laughing at?"
"Oh nothing," Ruby said in between breaths. "I'm just…imagining you…with a hairnet!" She doubled over laughing as Yang sighed and ran a hand through her golden locks. She took on a devious look as she eyed Ruby.
That's funny Rubes, almost as funny as how much detention you're getting this semester." That cut off Ruby's laughter as she too on a look of shock and dread before laying her head on the table in sadness. Weiss could only look between her teammates in shock and confusion.
"Are you being serious? Am I the only person on my team not to get in trouble before the semester even started?"
Not really wanting to have a part in that discussion Hector said his goodbyes and left the hall. He decided to go look for Rollo and hand off Teddy before the second half of combat class began. He turned a corner though he stopped before running into Headmaster Ozpin, who gave him and the baby a small smile.
"Hello Judge Hector," he said with nod that Hector returned, "touring the school?"
"Looking for Mr. Duff, actually, so that he can watch his son while I attend the second half of a combat class."
Ozpin nodded with a hum. "Yes, his mother seemed preoccupied last time I saw her. I was actually on my way to inform her that we gave given Mr. Duff a job on the maintenance team. This school deals with plenty of weapon…malfunctions. So many actually that an aura infused handyman is an incredible find, he will be a great help to us." He took a small sip of coffee before humming contently. "You know, Professor Goodwitch could always use some help keeping the student body in line."
Hector caught the hint. "Another disciplinarian would be helpful."
"Do you think Ms. Duff would be interested?"
Hector looked out the window to see Canary running alongside Team CRDL. He could hear her shouts even at that distance and it looked like she was pushing them hard. "I don't think she'd be against it."
"Good to know. How about you, are you enjoying your accommodations Judge Hector?"
Hector eyed the man from beneath his helmet. He had a choice to make. Canary and Rollo were suspicious of the headmaster, and they were right to be cautious. But subterfuge and deception weren't a part of Hector's mentality. Sable Judge's did not slink behind words or work from the dark. They chose to act were all could see them, and neve hid their intentions.
"The apartment is, aside from the listening devices, quite accommodating."
Ozpin's eyes widened a bit and he could see the man stiffen. Teddy fussed a bit at the tension but the two continued to stare each other down. Ozpin's grip on his mug increased slightly and Hector could tell he was waiting for his next move.
"I was afraid you found those."
"I didn't, but I am glad they are gone."
"If you allow it, I can explain."
"I bet you can." Hector realized that Ozpin couldn't tell his emotions under the armor. For all he knew Hector was furious, a threat to him and his students. "But I understand."
Ozpin raised an eyebrow, "really?"
"Headmaster the night we met I learned how the Judges are viewed by Huntsmen. Civilians may rely and trust us but the Order had only ever elicited fear from your kind. We may be on good terms but the mistrust and fears built up over years of conflict were never going to disappear in a day." He extended a hand out to the man. "I know trust has to be built, as I know that the gap between our groups needs time and effort to heal. I want you to know that I am willing to put my all into showing that Judges, aura users and civilians can all co-exist peacefully."
Ozpin eyed the hand before shaking it firmly and nodding. "A noble vision, most others would have kept the fact that they had found the devices to themselves, for whatever purpose."
"Trust must be built up from honesty and mutual respect, headmaster. I do not want there to be any secrets between us during my time here."
There was a flicker of something in his eyes but it was gone in moments as Ozpin took another sip. "Indeed, I can assure you that there will be no more devices in you apartment. I will endeavor to keep you in the school's loop, so to speak, as well."
"I would appreciate that, thank you."
Ozpin simply nodded and from there Hector went off to go find Rollo. The man was back in the apartment going over his new contract and was happy to watch his son as Hector returned to the arena. He was surprised to find Professor Goodwitch and Blake discussing something as he approached.
"-it could work."
"…maybe, I will discuss it with him."
Hector stopped in front of them and Goodwitch greeted him with a conflicted look. "Judge, Ms. Belladonna here was telling what happened in the dining hall. I hear ms. Duff will be helping me enforce discipline in the school and thus has the authority to administer punishment. Regardless of that thought the matter remains that the class is down a team. My lesson today may be incomplete."
Hector nodded, understanding. "What can I do to help?"
"Well…"
Soon, Hector restrained a groan as he stood in the middle of the combat arena. His arms were crossed and sword planted in front of him as he waited. He went over the conversation leading to this point in his head over and over again but still couldn't grasp how it had reached this point.
"This is a terrible idea."
"They need the experience"
"It will break their confidence."
"Some of them could use a lesson in humility."
"I'm not even sure I'm at their combat level."
"You'll manage."
It hadn't been a very helpful discussion. As his opponents entered the ring the surreal nature of the situation didn't get any less confusing.
"Um, hey Judge," Yang said awkwardly as she took her fighting stance next to the rest of her team. She glanced over nervously at Professor Goodwitch who surveyed the match with a critical eye from the side. "Professor, is there a reason we're fighting a Judge instead of like…anyone else?"
The class snickered at her comment from the bleachers as Goodwitch adjusted her glasses and gave Yang a cool look. "It is important for you all as a class to understand the full extent of your abilities. In the initiation you were forced to push your strengths to their limits to pass. Now you must face your weaknesses."
Weiss gave the professor a confused look. "By fighting an opponent we have no chance of beating?"
"Ms. Schnee, I am surprised at you." Hector's voice carried over the room and shushed the crowd in the bleachers. Blake looked at him with a raised eyebrow as he locked eyes with hers. "That kind of defeatist attitude has no place in this arena. I would expect more from a group of students I picked out myself as worthy to attend this school."
Weiss looked down in shame, before raising her head and giving Hector a determined stare. Ruby gave a whoop in excitement. "He's right you guys, let's show him what we got!"
Her teammates nodded and Hector could have sworn he saw a smile flicker across Professor Goodwitch's face. "The rules for this match will be different from the ones you are used to. Your only goal is to move Judge Hector from his spot."
The girls looked at each other confused. Ruby tilted her head as she puzzled over the rules. "That's it?"
Goodwitch nodded. 'That's it, you lose when you quit. Begin when you are ready."
"Alright, let's go!"
"Yang, don't-" Ruby was too late to warn her sister who exploded forward and went for Hector directly. He still hadn't pulled his sword from the ground. Yang must have seen that as an opening and propelled herself forward with a blast sending her through the air on a direct collision course.
As she came at him like a fireball and he could only shake his head as he took a deep breath and braced for the blow. She went for hit after hit and he just kept his breathing up as he took the punches. If he was being honest, every one of these students outclassed him in terms of combat ability. They had been raised and trained to be hunters of evil. It was in their nature to be phenomenal fighters.
He hadn't been training half as long as they had, which meant that skill wise he was at a disadvantage. It was actually highly likely that he would actually lose in a contest of ability. But skill wasn't the only thing that mattered in a fight, and the task here wasn't to actually win one. As Yang kept up her barrage of strikes Hector just kept stood there taking them unflinchingly without moving an inch. She seemed to get continuously more and more frustrated at her inability to get him to move. All her strikes were landing so she should have beaten the challenge by now.
But it wasn't that he was tougher than her or that the armor was that good. The real reason was that Hector hadn't moved was because he was projecting a stable amount of sable energy from his body. It was so subtle that she wouldn't have been able to tell it was there immediately. But it covering his body meant that every blow passed more of the energy unto her. Every strike she landed meant the next one would come weaker.
She was already starting to breathe pretty heavily moments into the match. As Weiss moved into position Hector saw it coming and crossed his arms as a column of ice flash froze a line through the arena. Yang saw it coming but she must have been more tired than he thought because despite her attempts to dodge she still had her arm and leg caught in the ice.
Hector's body below the head had been completely covered. He was cozily waiting in the ice as the others seemed to realize that they had helped him become more difficult to move than before. Weiss cursed before she began setting up for another attack as Ruby called out her orders. Hearing a scuffle behind him Hector realized that Blake's stealth was being affected by his energy too. He watched as a pillar of flame went consumed him and the area around him, slamming into Blake's chest and sending her flying back.
Hector let the ice melt off his body and watched as Weiss apologized before retreating next to Ruby and together the two sent of barrage of bullets and dust at him.
He calmly let the barrage flow over him. The sable energy weakened the dust so that it wasn't too difficult to handle while his armor handled the bullets as well as he expected. The two girls grew more desperate and soon their weapons ran dry of ammo. He could only feel a bit disappointed. They had the right idea. Ranged combat was their best bet against him. But they were uncoordinated and inexperienced fighting someone like him. It wasn't entirely their fault though. His abilities were entirely honed to fight their kind, while their combat skills were meant more for grimm than people.
Having failed to move him at range they moved into melee range for the attack. The two slashed and stabbed at him but couldn't pierce his armor. Every strike piled on the sable energy affecting them and soon they were covered in sweat and could barely stand up let alone muster up the strength to throw another hit.
Seeing that Team RWBY was now exhausted Goodwitch called the match. "Good effort girls, but sometimes the simplest approach isn't always the best one."
Hector helped Ruby and Weiss up before smashing Yang free of the ice. He went with her to get Blake and he gently guided the group back to the bleachers. As he returned to the arena Goodwitch called up Team JNPR. Things went about the same for them too.
Jaune sent Pyrrha and Ren to take him from the front as Nora came from behind. It was actually quite smart. Nora would go for the back of his legs while the others would try and push him forward as the hammer unbalances him, a classic tabletop maneuver. But his sheer weight mixed with their sapped strength led to failure. Pyrrha seem especially confused when the push didn't work though. Hector felt strange as her spear struck his chest. Like the plate armor was being pushed by something else. Was it a semblance?
He had no idea what it was, so he sent out a pulse of sable energy to dampen the effect. It quickly disappeared and Team JNPR fell to their knees as the energy robbed them of their power. Although one seemed way less affected than the others.
Jaune roared as he swung his blade, scraping it across Hector's armor. He had no ranged options so coming up close was all he could do. His strikes were…oddly consistent. It was like he wasn't affected by the energy at all. This meant he either had a semblance that made him immune or, far more likely, massive amounts of aura. As he kept up the attack Hector wondered just how much aura he actually had. After a few minutes of attacking he fell to the floor exhausted.
Hector was impressed at the boy's will. But it had struck him as odd that his form had been so weak. He was able to strike more than the others before exhaustion but the strikes themselves were plagued by poor footing and improper weak angles. He came across as aura filled but mediocre. It puzzled Hector. He watched as the team returned to the bleachers and Goodwitch called up the next group.
By the end of the class all the students were panting and drenched in sweat, while Hector remained where he stood. Goodwitch dressed the class with a stern look.
"While your combat abilities have served you well thus far, this shows that you all have much more to learn before you are ready to be real huntsmen and huntresses."
"Come on," a voice gasped out from the crowd. "How are we supposed to fight a Judge? It's impossible!"
Goodwitch just adjusted her glasses and surveyed the class who nodded in agreement with the words. "Are you so certain?" She turned and walked briskly towards Hector. He braced himself but before he could do anything the floor beneath his feet shifted. He could do nothing as the stone tiles slid back, taking him with them to the edge of the arena where they dumped him over the side unceremoniously.
The students were rendered speechless and Hector made his way back up to the arena as Goodwitch was finishing up. "As you can see, sometimes the impossible can be made possible if you tackle it at the right angle. Think about this and apply it to your other classes as well, class dismissed."
The students shuffled back to the locker rooms slowly and Goodwitch gave Hector a small nod. "Good work today."
"Will this be a normal occurrence?" He hoped not.
She shook her head. "Not too often. It was just a way to humble some of the more…difficult of the group. In all honesty I was hoping Team CRDL would be here to be a bit humbled themselves."
"Canary is handling that just fine," Hector remarked. Goodwitch gave him a strange look before saying that she had some work to handle and leaving. The rest of the day Hector wandered around the school attending classes and taking in things.
Canary had apparently taken to her job immediately. He saw her little running group grow throughout the day. When he visited Rollo in the school forge he found that he had already built a small crib for Teddy in his spare time. The school was in dire need of a lot of repairs though so Hector agreed to watch the baby while Rollo went off to go do his job.
When night came and they all met at the apartment they went over their days. Hector told them about his conversation with Ozpin. While they weren't happy that he had played his hand so simply they vowed to make sure the man kept to his promise of stopping his surveillance. There was a knock at the door and Hector was surprised when Canary came back to the table with her little brother in tow.
"Alright Cardin, now do it properly."
He shook his head vigorously before addressing Rollo and Hector. "Hello Sirs, it is nice to meet you. My name's Cardin, I'm Canary's brother."
"Hello"
"Sup'"
The conversation that followed showed that Canary's disappearance had put an incredible strain on his family. His father's poisonous attitude towards faunus had leaked unto his son leading to his little display in the cafeteria as well as a smaller incident in his history class that day. He still seemed a bit uncomfortable around Rollo and the baby but he was reigning it in pretty well. Cardin also promised not to tell his father about Canary until she was ready to face him.
When Canary and Rollo went off to put Teddy in his new crib Hector was left alone with Cardin. The boy seemed a bit nervous around him, but that seemed to be the normal reaction to his presence around there.
"I don't know if she told you," Hector started causing Cardin to jump, "but the girl you were harassing saved all of our lives. Her team arrived just as the grimm were about to tear us all apart."
Cardin looked down, shame wracked his features. "I…heard about that."
"By all means you should be expelled for what you did." Cardin paled and Hector watched as he began to wring his hands in nervousness. "But I believe in second chances, so as long as you do not make the same mistake twice and give the apology that girl is due I will let this go."
Cardin sighed in relief before nodding his head. "I won't do it again, neither will my team." Hector glared at him behind his helmet and Cardin straightened under the gaze. "I'll tell that girl-"
"Velvet Scarlatina."
"Yeah, her, I'll apologize to her too. I swear."
Hector nodded. "That is good to hear. I am glad that you are willing to do this. I did not want to resort to actually expelling you."
"That's good to hear."
"But now that you have decided to make amends with those you have hurt I want you to know that I am here at the school to help, not just punish."
"Help how?"
Hector rubbed his helmet as he thought the question over. "Well, I suppose I will be making sure you and your fellow students keep away from anything illegal. Canary is enforcing in-school rules while I make sure that outside laws are enforced as well."
"What does that mean?"
How best to explain this. "Hmm, well look at it this way. If someone is skipping class or copying homework you call your sister or Professor Goodwitch. If they are dealing with illegal substances or committing felonies, you call me."
"Oh, okay, cool."
The conversation after that was far less strained. Soon Cardin headed back to his dorms leaving the adults to spend their night having conversations. Rollo and Hector went over how best to fix up his armor and clean it up. It was looking pretty used, especially after the beating it too kin class earlier. Canary was fuming about it, she told them she had half mind to tell Goodwitch off for using him as target practice. Hector managed to calm her down though and they talked about maybe getting him a position in the library to help pass the time there. Canary's scroll began to ring though and she was confused when she saw that it was her brother. She answered it and then handed the phone to a confused Hector.
"It's for you."
He took the scroll and awkwardly talked into it. "Hello?"
"Hey, Judge Hector, remember when we were talking earlier about students doing illegal stuff?"
"Yes…?"
"What does faking your academy transcripts count as?"
Sable Chibi: Slice of Life
The girls of Team in RWBY were relaxing in their dorm. Until the door to said dorm burst open with an explosion of rose petals.
Ruby stood excitedly in the middle of the room. "Guys, look what I found!" She held up a very familiar longsword and her teammates gasped.
"Is that Judge Hector's sword?" Weiss asked incredulously.
"Yeah, I found it lying around!"
"Why did you bring it here?" Blake asked as she looked the sword over.
Ruby just laughed. "Don't you guys know anything? A Judge's sword is like the sharpest thing ever! Think about what we could do with this thing!" She gave Weiss a smug smile. "Weiss, didn't you say you were having trouble opening up the pickle jar?"
"Um, no, that was you."
"Oh, right. Well behold! "She brought out the jar and tossed it in the air. She swung the blade but confusingly enough the jar fell to the floor, uncut. Ruby stood there proudly as her team looked at each other skeptically. Yang held back a laugh. "Nice one Rubes. Maybe-"
Ruby wordlessly lifted the top half of the jar separating it in two. The sword remained sharp as ever and her teammates looked at the pickle covered floor before eyeing the sword.
"I call dibs!"
"No, it's mine!"
"Me first!"
The girls took the sword leaving a very dizzy Ruby. Who realized that she had been left with the mess. The rest of the day was filled with various sword related adventures.
Yang used it to make the perfect sandwich. She cut meats and vegetables with absolute precision and neatness, and then using the sword as a plate as she stacked the ingredients. What resulted was so delicious she fell to her knees in tears at the fact that she could never return to less precise food again.
Weiss found the sword to be a great carving tool. She made statues of Beacon's staff. She made them so accurately and so quickly that every teacher gave her extra credit. Her work was put around the academy and she basked in the praise of everyone's admiration.
Blake used the sword for her 'Man with Two Souls 2: Man with Four Souls' cosplay. She could barely get through the crowd at the local convention center. People were so impressed she couldn't make two feet without someone asking for a photo.
By the end of the day all four of the girls were fighting over the sword.
"It's mine!"
"I found it first!"
"Give it here!"
"Come on it's mine!"
They started to punch and kick at one another. The sword bounced between them until it suddenly fell from their hands and cut straight through the dorm room floor. The girls could only watch and cringe as the sounds of the blade slicing through the floors echoes upwards.
"Oh brothers no!"
"My leg!"
"Is that a sword!"
"Save the beer!"
"Egads, Fort Port has been breached!"
Suddenly the door opened and Hector walked in. "Hello girls, I seem to have misplace my sword. I left it on the armory table and it seems like someone stolen it. Have you by any chance seen it?"
The girls could only exchange nervous looks as Ruby chuckled nervously.
"Heh, heh, you know funny story about that…."
Tales from the Sable Library: Overlord
Hector stood in front of a six meter tall wall. At a distance it had appeared as a hill, but as he had come closer it had turned out to actually be a perimeter to something, a highly fortified perimeter. He had traveled its length for miles but it seemed like there was no actual entrance. So he had decided to try climbing.
Luckily the heaviest thing on him was his helmet. The rest of his armor was light leather and all he carried was his tome so climbing the wall wasn't as difficult as it might have been. The dirt and rocks used for camouflage were perfect footholds and he managed to make his way over unto a grassy plain. Hector was confused to see no structures anywhere, just grass.
He managed to spot a lone dot in the distance and began his long march towards it. He wondered how he gotten to this point. He had been sent to Carne Village by the Ivory Paladins to check on Nigun Grid Luin and his men of the Sunlight Scripture as well as their progress in capturing the marauder Gazef Stronoff. Apparently the Sunlight Scripture had yet to report back in so the other scriptures had ordered the Paladins to send someone to see what had happened.
Hector was just an apprentice. He would be taking his journeyman's test soon and would be able to travel the land bringing justice to the masses like he always wanted. For now though he had to rely on his armor and the status that brought for protection. The Ivory Paladins were known to be a group no one wanted to mess with. But as the looming shadow of what looked like a crypt came closer Hector realized that status might mean very little where he was going.
He went up to the door and took a deep breath before using what looked like a stone knocker. The loud vibrations shook his teeth as he used it a few times. "Hello, is anyone there? I am here to speak with the person who was at Carne Village."
Silence, it was so quiet Hector thought that he might have been in the wrong place. Then the doors suddenly began to open. Slowly revealing the stairs that led into the darkness below, it was a daunting sight, but Hector had a job to do so he steeled himself before entering.
The doors closed behind him ominously and suddenly the stairwell was lit by torches lining the walls. Hector headed down and found himself traveling through what seemed to be a massive underground castle. Vaulted ceilings, extravagant works of art everywhere he looked, and detailed stone work made it seem like a dream palace. Hector couldn't help but be impressed as he walked through the monolithic halls.
He saw such wonders on his journey. A great underground lake, fields of flowing fire and ice, and even a great forest lit somehow deep underground. But they were empty, and with only the torches to guide him he just kept going down deeper and deeper. He could almost feel how far below the ground he was and as he reached tow massive doors they almost overwhelmed him with their splendor. They suddenly opened inwards and Hector walked into a throne room unlike any he had ever seen.
It was magnificent. All the churches and all the castles he had seen so far in his life paled in comparison. He couldn't help but stare at the beauty of the room as he walked forward on a intricately designed red carpet so well made he felt guilty treading on it. At the end of the carpet was a throne that matched the room in its elegance. On that throne sat…a skeleton?
It was a skeleton covered in regal robes and wielding a large detailed golden and bejeweled staff. The being practically radiated power and so did those who stood beside him. The collective group caused Hector's mouth to go dry, it was a lineup of monsters and demons giving him such hate filled glares he could practically taste their killing intent.
He walked towards the throne and as he stood before the steps leading to the throne he lowered himself to a knee and lowered his head in respect. The horned woman beside the Lord spoke in a harsh tone.
"Be grateful to have lived this long trespasser. It is only at the divine benevolence of Lord Ainz Ooal Gown that your pathetic existence has been allowed to step in the presence of our creator's home and its ruler. Now, what is your purpose here?"
Hector realized that this is what he had come here for. But under the gaze of so many who very clearly disliked his presence he couldn't help but feel the words come out as a stutter. The woman scoffed.
"What was that worm, can you not even muster up the courage to speak? You dare insult our lord?!"
Hector managed to finally build up the nerve to speak. "I came to thank you, Lord Ainz Ooal Gown."
Silence reigned over the room. It was a few moments before the woman spoke. "What was that?"
Hector then explained his task. He had gone to Carne Village to find out what had happened to the Sunlight Scripture there. Only to learn of their horrible acts and the rampant destruction they had caused. He learned of the great ruler who had saved the village and deigned to do whatever it took to repay the man who insured justice had been carried out.
The woman laughed haughtily. "But of course. Lord Ainz is the true arbiter of Justice of the world. He is law, order, and the love of m-"
'Enough Albedo," The lord spoke silencing the woman. His voice brought chills up Hector's spine, his power and authority radiating from him like a flood. "So, you are a Paladin?"
"An apprentice my lord," hector said quickly. "My superiors said that I could become a Paladin one day if I completed my task. My success means I can start training as a warrior."
"What were you training as before?"
"To be a librarian, my lord."
Silence, that's all there was for a few moments. The lord seemed to be thinking. "It appears that your masters may have sent you on a suicide mission."
Hector felt his heart fall as he looked up at the lord who seemed to gaze into his very soul. "What, no, that can't be right, they would not do that."
Albedo snarled. "You dare accuse our beloved lord as a liar?"
The others began to get riled up as well but Lord Ainz raised a hand stopping them before standing. "Are you sure of their innocence, truly?"
Hector wanted to argue. He wanted to shout and deny, but he knew he couldn't. "The Ivory Paladins…have fallen from grace." The words came out easier than he expected. He supposed that was because they were the truth. "I have seen the way people look at me and my armor. They fear us. We haven't become a symbol for hope. We have become a tool for fear." Shame and pain wracked his features and he clenched his hand in anger. How could it have gotten this bad?
"I see," Lord Ainz said, "would you like to change that?"
Hector looked up, hope blossoming in his chest. "Yes," he gasped out, "more than anything?"
"What would you give to make a difference? What price would you pay make the world a better place?"
The answer was obvious, "all that I am, all that I am and more."
"Swear your fealty to me, renounce the ways of a corrupt and twisted order and became my servant. Then you can deliver the justice of Nazarick to a world in need of it."
Hector hesitated. The order had raised him, fed him, and kept him off the streets all his life. But they were not the men and women he remembered. Once he would have expected them to be the ones to save Carne Village, now they were the ones condoning such slaughter. They needed to be stopped, and justice had to be delivered. No matter the cost.
"I will do it. I will serve you with everything I have Lord Ainz Ooal Gown and deliver your justice."
"Good." Hector suddenly found himself in mystic circle. It was dark as night and swirling with power. He suddenly encased in the energy as Lord Ainz continued to speak. "You will be made beyond human, a vessel of power and an arbiter to bring the others of your kind to heel." The power raged through Hector's veins like liquid ice. It chilled his very soul and he couldn't even scream as it tore his way through him.
He gasped for air only to find none. An then all of a sudden it ended. He found himself n the floor, and was surprise to see that he now wore armor. It was black and looked heavy, yet he could barely feel it, he realized he could barely feel anything.
"Rise, rise my death kni-I mean…Sable Judge, the first of your kind. Rise and deliver the judgment of Nazarick upon the wicked and lawless. Spread the word of my justice to this world."
Hector rose a new man, a Sable Judge. He gave his new lord a deep bow. "As you command, I serve my Lord and the Nazarick."