With increasingly insecure feel, Jaune tapped the floor with his thick rubber soles, before Ironwood glared at him. And then he promptly froze standing, unmoving.
He thought the walk on the empty corridor is bad, but elevator ride with just two of them? Terrifying that's what. Jaune heard a lot about Ironwood, and most of these things are great. Which is why it scared him shitless. He don't want to fail expectations from someone like that. Not again.
You can do this.
"When you first came here I was surprised." Ironwood said, seemingly in the lightest tone Jaune heard entire day. "I see someone dressed in to get dirty, I thought to myself, this one has potential."
The door to Ironwood's office, which basically the elevator door, slide open, revealing a utilitarian yet busily used office. Piles upon piles of documents neatly arranged in a way that it doesn't look intrusive at all, blending with the neat furniture arrangement of the office itself.
Ironwood stood up and face the giant window facing the white landscape in front of the academy. The tower, at 400 meter tall, by no means short, but it was dwarfed by the seemingly endless circle of mountain surrounding the region. Those mountain act as a weather deterrent that allow people to live and prosper in the southern part of the north pole itself.
But that's not it's only purpose.
"Jaune, do you know why this academy still standing today? How the city behind us can grow so tremendous?"
Jaune was about to say the hunters and the military but... he tried to read deeper into Ironwood's question. He looked at the scenery and mustered, "The mountains, sir?"
"Indeed." Ironwood said firmly, "Just like in Beacon and Mistral, those mountain range not only works as umbrella to shield us from the savage climate of the main continent, but they also serves a chokepoint where only the smallest grimm can move through unhindered. Though simple geographical challenges, the larger Grimm can only follow specific route through the valleys between them... which is where the Military put their strongest defense."
"You came from Vacuo, where no such convenient area doesn't exist. Isn't that right."
"Yes, Sir." Jaune nodded.
"Did your town often have encounter with Grimm?"
"Not very often, sir."
"Have you fought Grimm before?"
"Yes, well, not alone, Sir."
He was the backup. But still, he had done it before. He had killed Grimm several times. From range...
"Your transcript said you came from Civilian school, graduated a year ago, and then enlist in Vacuo Militia." Ironwood said, "What, exactly, did you do there?"
Jaune was hard pressed. It's not that he had bad memories or anything, but the pressure from Ironwood's increasingly less friendly tone came to haunt him right in the face. It was like trying to scream through an explosion, crying through a sandstorm. No one can help him but his own mouth, and he didn't trust his mouth not to ruin everything he strife for.
"Basic military training, border guard, and patrol... Sir."
That was a good answer, thank God.
"I expect that much, you get a very solid basic, that much I can give." Ironwood nodded as he sit on his chair and scratched his eyebrow a bit, Jaune felt the knot in his throat loosened a bit and he let loose a faint breath. Did Ironwood began to recognize something good?
And then his hopes dashed away, robbed by Ironwood's simple question.
"But if it's just the basic, everyone can do just that. By entering combat school and graduating properly." Ironwood eyed him, "Those documents are transcripts of combat school graduate that applies to this Academy. What makes you think you're good enough to stand with them?"
What the hell.
I passed the exam, what more does he want?
"I passed the exam, sir."
"Do you? I didn't remember saying that." Ironwood grinned incredulously, almost uncharacteristic from his usual cold and militaristic demeanor. "But yes, you passed the exam."
Beads of sweat began to roll down Jaune's cheek. He was right, PENNY passed the exam. Jaune... did Jaune passed? Ironwood didn't say anything about it. Well now Ironwood said that, but Jaune felt that's not the only thing he wanted to talk about.
"You remind me so much of myself, back when I was young and experienced. Tell me, Mister Arc, why do you come here?" Ironwood asked.
"I want to be a Huntsman." Jaune said aloud.
"And why, do you want to be a huntsman? Money? Prestige? Knowledge? Power? What do you seek?" Ironwood asked again, this time even louder. "Why do you come here?!"
"I WANT TO BE A HERO!" Jaune shouted, "I WANT TO BE A HERO, JUST LIKE MY FATHER, MY GRANDFATHER, AND MY GRANDFATHER HAVE BEEN! I WANT TO BE A HERO JUST LIKE YOU ARE, SIR!"
Good, Jaune, you just killed your future career. If only you could shut your fucking trap just once... Jaune winced, he was halfway crying inwardly.
"A hero." Ironwood stood up and removed the glove that covered his right hand, "That is an admirable goal, you don't have to be ashamed of it. Let me just ask you something then: what price would you pay to be a hero? The lives of your loved one? Your family? Your friends? Your own life?"
Ironwood slowly unbuttoned his uniform, revealing a gleaming surface underneath instead of undershirt. Jaune's eyes wide open as he saw everything in front of him. Ironwood removed his upped jacket to show that half his body were nothing but metal. Underneath solid plates that form his chest and abs, Jaune could see bundles of metallic muscle writhe in response to Ironwood's breath. His arm flexed and stretched, with faint electrical whines that reverberates within the silent room.
The fact that it looks natural scared Jaune more than anything else, metals shouldn't work like that. It looks so painful that Jaune could feel it himself. Jaune had seen people with prosthesis, but to think someone has half their body replaced...Just what kind of injury Ironwood suffered to get those?! Jaune couldn't even think about it, putting himself in Ironwood's place... impossible.
It was too painful, too frightening to imagine.
"This is the price I pay to become a hero... or so you people called me." Ironwood said, almost saddened. "Are you willing to pay that price?"
"I... Sir?"
"Are you ready to sacrifice what you hold dear, even your own lives?" Ironwood repeated, "Are you willing to carry your wound and shame through every trial and tribulations you may face, in your quest to become a hero?"
Jaune was quiet. He wanted to answer that, but he couldn't. He's a proud liar, and he could always lying through the teeth trying to impress everyone around him. But not Ironwood. The man stared right through his façade, the man could see what lies underneath. Ironwood saw it within Jaune.
Ironwood saw fear and doubt.
Jaune's eyes became moist. He held his tears so much that he choked himself on it, unable to say anything.
The elevator slide open behind Jaune, and a tall woman with white hair walked in. Her high heels made her footsteps louder than it should.
"You have so much potential, but your mind still not ready, Mister Arc." Ironwood wore his uniform again and tightened it's buttons, "Should you make your decision to continue your study, come back to me. My office will always been open for you."
"Please excuse me... sir." Jaune weakly said as he ran.
The woman looked at the frightened boy, and then back to the General.
"...I think I've just done something wrong." Ironwood rubbed his temple with the fingers of his robotic right hand, "I was too hasty, I feel like I misjudged him."
"Sir?"
"I think I scared a potential student away." Ironwood clenched his fist.
"Again?" The woman asked, rather bluntly, even. Ironwood took a moment to think, "...yes, that might not be the first time."
"...you need to rest, Sir. Your emotion might have clouded your judgment. You don't usually lose your cool over such trivial matters." She said firmly, without being rude about it.
"I wish I can, Schnee." Ironwood said, "But no, the well-being of my student is not a trivial matters."
But I can't rest just yet, there's so many things to do. Those kids came here entrusting their future under my tutelage. Just like I expect the best out of them, I will give them my best effort.
That resolute mind never left Ironwood's thought for even a second.
Jaune Arc, so far, has been... hard to measure. All of his qualities and flaws, it all even out. Ironwood has no doubt that Jaune have what it takes to be a great huntsman. However, Jaune had to pass the final hurdle first before he unlock his true abilities.
Just this once, make me surprised, Jaune Arc. Come back here before initiation and show me how much have you grown by then.
[SHINE IN MEDIOCRITY]
The Story of Atlas Hunter Academy
By
ZeroXSEED
Chapter 02 - Priority
Jaune was about to leave with his bike until he noticed Penny being surrounded by Atlesian soldiers near the skyports. Jaune wonder for a moment, perhaps Penny have ties with military? It's not much of a stretch. Military in Atlas doesn't have the same stigma as it is in three other kingdoms, but especially in Vacuo.
He himself has no particular bias against Military, mostly out of ignorance of why people hate them so much. Something about Monopoly of force... or something. His History lesson has been a little rusty, but it has something to do with Military being de facto instrument of War. And after the Great War and Faunus War happened, the three kingdoms decided to dismantle their military, replaced them with less formal Militia and partially militarized Police force.
Heh, dismantled. Jaune laughed to himself, wasn't Mantle the name of the old kingdom that exist before Atlas?
He noticed that Penny waved at his direction stiffly, as if to call him.
So he decided to slowly rode his bike toward her, until a pair of Atlesian soldier blocked his way. The way they gestured weren't exactly threatening, but still obstructive all the same. "Halt, where are you going, kid?"
"Sorry, I thought this is not restricted Area." Jaune winced, so he decided to shout at his friend. "Hey Penny, I thought you already went home?"
"My father, had something to take care off. So I am, ordered to wait, for another ride." Penny said, the combination of her monotone and hesitation were uncomfortable to hear. Jaune tilted his head in confusion, until realizations hit him.
Being in Atlas, penny probably had ties to military, probably her father is in the military even. Jaune wouldn't be surprised if that's the case. And judging from how soldiers were assigned to escort Penny, her father must be someone quite important.
He might be dense at times, but this one is way too obvious.
"What about you, Jaune? Did you, pass the exam?" Penny's eyes widened, full of curiosity.
"Yes! Yes I passed! Well... technically. I passed." Jaune averted his gaze, the little pride and satisfaction gained from the fact that he's qualified had been crushed to fine dust by the sheer amount of fear and uncertainty that burdened his heart from Ironwood's little introspective talk. "I think maybe I should give it a little more thought whether to continue or not."
"Why?"
What a simple question, and simple question hurt him the most. Why? Because Jaune Arc is a fucking coward, that's what.
"I don't know, it seems easy at first but if you think about it... it's quite frightening prospect." Jaune smiled bitterly, "I mean, don't you feel afraid? Being hurt, that is."
"I, am not afraid." Penny said straightforwardly, "I, wouldn't like being hurt. But I, am not afraid."
"Well that's not what I mean but... nevermind." Jaune sighed, "Can I have your number?"
"Oh?" Penny's eyes widened.
Jaune heard something clicked and then crawl around Penny's shoulder, which... looks like digital camera with legs. Some kind of pet robot, he assume, which actually pretty common in Atlas. The robot whined and beeped, like the sound of old internet modem. But Penny listened to it intently, somehow. Maybe Penny was wearing an earphone?
"He's a friend. He's also going to Atlas, via entrance exam."
Whine-whine.
"No. I haven't meet him, before today."
Beep-boop, beep-boop.
"Can you, clarify, father?"
Beep-beep, whine.
"Okay." Penny raised her Scroll and Jaune raised his, and they exchanged contact. For a moment, Penny looked like she's really happy about it and jumped a little. "Now, we have each others' numbers. Sensational."
"Thanks, and sorry for disturbance, everyone. I'll call you later, Penny." Jaune smiled and turned back his motorcycle and dash away at modest speed.
Though the easiest transportation method to Atlas is through the Skyports via airships, there are a single, heavily defended roads leading to Atlas from the city. Jaune saw no reason why he even bother using the ferry, and so he decided simply to follow the road trails downhill with his all-terrain 2x2 bike.
Even though southern part of Remnant north pole are both of high enough temperature for humans to live comfortably, and for crops to grow, it's still fairly cold in comparison to everywhere else. The temperature never exceed 299 degree on the absolute scale even in the short summer it enjoyed. It is certainly much, much colder than Vacuo.
Cold mist of the night touched his skin gently as he raced through the road, and his aura flared and trickled to protect him from hypothermia.
Why I am even here anyway, I should've go to Shade Academy instead.
Oh right I board the wrong airship, silly me. Jaune scoffed, and by the time he get enough money to return back to Vacuo, the exam date almost over. In desperation, he applied to Atlas Academy, hoping that he might be good enough to get in.
And he was good enough, everything should be fine right?
No.
It's not. Clearly he haven't been thinking this through. He should have insisted to get his ass in the combat school, he shouldn't have been a spoiled good boy that follow his parent's order...
He... wanted to blame Ironwood about it, but he can't. Ironwood wasn't wrong to question his readiness. Jaune... well, he felt even worse. Originally, he doesn't even bother to take the exam and just use the fake transcript he found, not earn, found. As for how, let's just say it's a drug bust gone wrong. Had he used the fake transcript... how would it gone?
Would Jaune enter the academy with even less common sense than he did right now? He don't know, he's far too dumb for this philosophical bullshit. He just want to stop being the loser he always been, the bystander that can't do anything and had to watch from the sidelines.
He's tired of being the damsel in distress.
What's done is done, all he need to think about now, is whether he's ready to become a huntsman or not.
Maybe I can go back to being part of Militia? That's a good idea. I mean, I'm good enough to be Atlas student, that means I can be the best militia member! Ha, how about that?! Or maybe, he's just trying to delude himself with masturbatory thought.
He needed a drink.
In the end, Jaune settled for mid-class cafe than wasting his money on alcohol. The cafe was much more crowded than he first came here, but he could manage. Ah, there's one empty table.
Jaune was happy, until he noticed that he sit at the same time as a girl in black robe. They exchanged glance for a moment. A set of mirror-like eyes looked at his own cerulean ones, and they blinked.
It wasn't until five seconds later that they regained function of their tongue.
"So uh... I could just leave, sorry about that." Jaune said awkwardly.
"No-no-no, I'd leave right now. It's okay, you must be waiting for someone. Maybe?" She wryly smiled, "...Do you?"
"...Uh... I'm not." Jaune said, and sit down again, "...let's just share the table. Deal?"
"Sure." She giddily nodded and sit down, as uncomfortable as she could. It must be really, really new for her to sit with strangers. Then again, she looks really young, maybe fifteen? Jaune wonder why she looks so... reserved, no, reserved might be too much of an understatement. She constantly look left and right, noticing the unfamiliar terrain around her and certainly memorizing it.
"Sir, ma'am, may I get your orders?" A tall waitress approached them in surprisingly cordial, professional manner.
"Two warm cup of Ginger tea." Jaune said, "My treat."
"Uh, err. Well, could I have some lemon biscuit?" The girl said in response, not sure whether to reject him or not. But in the end she didn't reject his offer. "You're new here aren't you?" Jaune asked, "Don't worry, I was like that too."
"Yeah, I'm Ruby, Ruby Rose from Patch." She said with a pause, "Where do you come from...?"
It doesn't take to long for the waitress to serve the dish, as they're default menu that doesn't take much time to brew. Jaune paid for two steaming cups, and Ruby paid the biscuits.
"I'm Jaune Arc, from Vacuo." He offered his hand, and grinned. "Sweet short, rolls off the tongue, ladies love it."
Ruby looked at him hesitatingly, before shortly returning a friendly retort with uncomfortably flirty expression as she exchanged a handshake. "Do they~?"
Well that certainly caught Jaune off guard, girls usually scorned him whenever he introduced himself that way, regardless what his mother said about it's effectiveness. As such, he learned to use it whenever he's NOT picking up girls. "Erm. I'm certain my mom are joking when she said that, and so did I." He coughed.
"It is a nice name." Ruby shrugged and took a sip form her cup, feeling the gentle heat to flow down her throat.
"So are yours, such a beautiful name fits you really well." Jaune assured her, which made her drop her jaw for a moment, with red tinge drawn on her cheek. Ruby switched her attention to the lemon biscuit... and savor all but one in rapid succession to distract herself from blushing again.
This is not the time to pick up foreigner girls, let alone much younger than yourself. ...God damn it, Jaune! you just had to keep dig deeper, do you? For all he knows, Ruby could be underage, and that's bad. Really bad. Switch topic, switch topic.
"So, mind telling me why are you here, Ruby?"
"Oh, I actually supposed to meet my mother but she had to deal with something. So I decide to wander around and sightseeing. I mean it's not everyday I can visit foreign town so yeah, I'm just wandering around here aimlessly." Ruby explained with rather inhuman speed, and Jaune almost lost it in the middle.
Jaune raised his eyebrow in surprise, "That's kind of dangerous isn't it? No offense, but how old are you?"
"Don't worry, I can take care of myself." Ruby childishly laugh and patted her relative modest chest, "The bad guys will not see me coming."
The ground shook hard as series of explosions triggered only few dozens meter from the cafe, roughly where the police precinct are located. Jaune's eyes stretched in horror as he saw bodies alongside debris flew from the shockwave. He wonder how many of them have enough aura to resist direct exposure to the blast.
"WHAT THE?!" Jaune shrieked, few octaves higher than he thought he could.
Ruby emptied her cup shortly before walked toward the direction of the fire cautiously, pulled what looks like large caliber carbine from under her black cloak. The rest of the cafe patron decide to run away, though, surprisingly most of them don't look panicked. Police siren blared in between the roaring flames that consumed the buildings and it's surrounding.
Don't listen, get away Jaune, you're going to die. Just quietly walk and grab your motorcycle out of here.
But he can't really ignore her alone."Ruby? RUBY!" He called, but the young girl didn't listen and cocked her gun, clearly ready to fight whatever attacked the police station.
Jaune clenched his teeth and closed his eyes again.
My father, my grandfather, and his father before him were all warriors! They were all heroes! I wanted to be one, too. I was just never good enough.
With newfound determination, he grabbed his bundle of weapon and rip away the cloth, a small figurative torch burned behind his crystal blue eyes, brighter than the moon itself. His recoiless rifle hung on his back as he fitted his storage buckler on his arms.
"Ruby, wait, Listen." He grabbed her shoulder, "Don't just charge ahead without a plan, okay?"
"I always have a plan." Ruby smiled confidently.
And then, several cars, pickup trucks, and motorbikes passed in front of them at high speed. Jaune and Ruby, with their enhanced sight, could pinpoint the riders the moment they approached. Black bodysuit paired with dull white bulletproofed vest. Black hoodie obscuring their hair, and frighteningly uncanny bone mask camouflaged their face. Bony white mask with red pattern, the mask of the Grimm.
Jaune knew that style all too well.
"White Fang." Jaune gritted his teeth, and then he quickly grabbed Ruby's cloak shortly before she tried to recklessly pursue them on foot. "Get on my bike!"
Jaune wondered if he will regret this soon enough, but there's no turning back. If he run away now, he will surely regret it for the rest of his life.
I'm tired being the bystander.
つづく