"When life gives you lemons."
To almost no one's shock, Robin was now a newly minted member of Team CRDL upon teams being named. However, while his teammates were out in Vale celebrating their victory over the initiation, Robin went to the library. His search for fairy tales relating to his situation had gone less than stellar. It also hadn't gone unnoticed, as a certain less than stealthy silver-haired headmaster seemed to be shadowing him. Then again, knowing him, he probably wanted to get caught for some scheme or the other.
"I can see you over there, you know?" Robin spoke as he slammed another book back into its shelf. So far, everything he looked at that even bared a remote resemblance to his situation all went the same route of 'the main character looked within themselves, fixed something wrong with them and got to go home.' What a load of shit. Even the Alice in Wonderland rip-off wasn't helpful.
Ozpin gazed down at him, and Robin couldn't help but feel the judgment in his eyes. "One might want to treat the books here with more respect."
Robin scoffed. "Yeah yeah, I know they contain more knowledge than I know, and shit."
Ozpin blinked. "That, and the librarian wouldn't look kindly on you damaging academy property. She has the capacity to give out detentions as well, you know?"
"Oh shit."
"Oh shit, indeed." Ozpin's gaze somehow became sharper as he continued to stare. "Quite a strange choice of literature, young Robin."
Robin blinked. Ozpin knew his name. Wait a second; of course, he does. He's the headmaster. "Figured Cardin could use some bedtime stories to lull him to sleep. It's hard for him to read on his own, you know?"
That much managed to draw a small smile onto the headmaster's face. "I won't press if you don't wish to reveal your true reasonings. I will leave you with this before I go, however. If you want to read something more substantial, check the next shelf over for a little blue book."
Every instinct in Robin's body screamed at him to run. He hadn't even been here a day; how in the world did Ozpin already know? A hand came down on his shoulder before he could run or speak again. The headmaster looked at him with a kind smile. "Peace boy, I mean you no harm. You haven't been the most subtle in your search here, and it wouldn't be the first time I've seen something similar." He spoke softly as if passing on a dreadful secret, but his tone remained reassuring.
Robin forced himself to calm down slightly. It was all too easy to forget the man across from him had lived a thousand lifetimes and dabbled with magic. When he thought about it like that, it was almost unsurprising that he was at least tangentially familiar. At the end of the day, this was a world where myths and legends came to life regularly.
"Thank you, Headmaster." Robin gave a shaky smile, and the hand slowly came off his shoulder.
"No need to thank me. I hope your reading proves enlightening, but don't stay up too late. You do have classes tomorrow, even with your special circumstances." Ozpin slowly began to walk off. Leaving Robin with his thoughts and the strange recommendation.
He shook his head as if trying to physically force his thoughts through his head. No sense wasting time worrying about Ozpin. If he wanted to do something, he could have done it right there, and no one would have been the wiser. All he can do is let his legs carry him down to the next shelf and let his eyes pick out an inconspicuous blue book simply titled The Stranger. It was not an ornate book, just a thin leather-bound thing.
It doesn't take him long to flip through it, not even twenty pages from front to back. Despite that, the tale inside is still a tragic one. It details a man who fell into Remnant from another world back when Remnant was still young, and magic was plentiful. The man crossed the breadth of the known world, petitioning kings and wizards alike, desperately searching for a way back home. None could help, except for one wise king who posited that perhaps the Gods might hold the key to help him in his struggle if he could contact them. However, in the end, he could never contact the Gods, dying on his journey alone, having dedicated his entire life to his singleminded search.
So fucking subtle, Ozzy, Robin thought to himself. It was clear from a brief read through the message he was supposed to get that it was some bullshit about accepting his new circumstances. However, while the story's message was useless, it gave him a lead. The Gods, if he could somehow get in contact with them, he might be able to get sent home, or they might just blow up the world.
Either way, he needed to get his hands on the relics. However, in order to do that, he needed to either overpower or outwit not just Ozpin and Salem but the dozens of elite hunters and geniuses both had on call. That was frankly impossible, at least in his current state. His only solution then was to get stronger and plan. He had time until the world started exploding. He shoved the book into a pocket.
For tonight, however, he couldn't do anything else. As such, he began his slow trek back to his dorm room from the library. Hopefully, Cardin and Co would already be asleep, or at least not back yet. However, his hopes were dashed as he neared the room and saw the lights still on. He steeled himself for the oncoming shitstorm of stupidity as he walked forward and opened the door.
The scene inside was interesting, to say the least. The three boys were huddled around a table in the center of the room. Well, it wasn't a table at all. It was just all four of their desks pushed together temporarily.
"Well, Mr. Academic finally reveals himself. Where did you hide out while we were getting dinner?" Cardin was the first to speak as he lifted his head up to look at Robin with a small smile. One might call it friendly if one was an idiot.
"I was at the library reading," Robin answered truthfully. They didn't have to know the specifics of what he was reading.
Sky opened his mouth, looking forward to getting in on the banter before coming up short. "I suppose that checks out."
Dove silently motioned and pointed at the seat beside Cardin. As Robin approached the table, he saw four papers, schedules, part of his mind realized as he got closer. Each had alterations made to them in red pen, presumably the other boy's work. Robin took a seat to look at his own. Among the changes were a lot of training sessions. Physical training with the whole team throughout the week and sword lessons with Dove were also scattered about, albeit with less frequency. Sky seemed to have managed to squeeze in a weekly game night every Sunday.
He looked up at the other three, who all stared at him expectantly. "Alright, I'll bite; what the hell is this?"
"This," Dove spoke, almost so softly Robin couldn't hear him. "Is your new schedule. It has both team and personal activities. It was Sky's idea that we try and coordinate team activities."
Cardin followed up. "As for your own schedule, I refuse to have a teammate so weak he could hardly beat a single Beowolf."
"I did beat it, though. I beat two of them, in fact." Robin crossed his arms but inwardly was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected this by any margin.
"You got lucky randomly throwing dust on the first one and flailing around, stabbing the second one with my dagger, which is still your only weapon after you got your first one broken." As he speaks, Cardin makes a noise that sounds like a mix of disappointment and annoyance.
"Point, but counterpoint fuck you." Robin looked back down at his schedule. "Well, I suppose I'll actually have to buy a new sword for sword lessons, won't I?"
"Yeah, you will. Think you can handle doing that on your own?" Cardin quirked an eyebrow.
"I'm not that incompetent, Cardin. I can buy a sword on my own." Robin immediately bit back. Ignoring the fact that he didn't actually know what sword would be best, come on, a sword is a sword. How hard could it be? Besides, he'd die before he admitted he needed Cardin to baby him on a shopping trip. But still, he couldn't help but feel slightly touched by them going out of their way to help him.
"Listen, guys, thanks for this. I mean it." He spoke slowly.
Sky's face brightened up. "Oh no, pro-" the blue hair boy was cut off by a snort from Cardin.
"Hold that attitude throughout the week, and I'll believe it," Cardin spoke.
"Cunt," Robin replied.
"Incompetent."
"Asshole."
"Dipshit."
"Fucking hell, just kiss already, you idiots," Sky interjected his remark drawing a look of disgust from both of the bickering boys.
Robin stood. "Well, I'm going to bed, it's already late, and it's been a long day." He stops to make a heart with his hands directed at Cardin. "Good night, Pookie Bear."
"Fuck you," Cardin spoke as he also stood, moving over to his bed.
"That's how he says I love you." Robin mock whispered toward Dove, who let a small smile cross his face at the interaction.
Sky, on the other hand, sighed as he crawled into bed, and part of Robin couldn't help but agree with the sentiment. Team CRDL is undoubtedly a bit fucked this year.