The young man's enjoyment was evident as he moaned while chewing the rubbery substance. The smoky texture lingered in the air as everyone around ate. Though the ride was shaky and at random moments, they would come to a complete stop. No one complained.

Their only source of light was from a makeshift campfire that would crackle every so often. The unzipped flaps at the end of the vehicle allowed fresh air to circulate and the passengers to breathe. If one were to count the heads in the back, the number would reach double digits. Following another bump, the young man shielded his head from the metal roof. Feeling the road steady out, he leaned forward.

"Last time they were doing checkups, and I barely escaped the officers. My family is already inside and I can't afford to pay these smugglers again." Listening to the middle-aged man speak, he turned, tuning into another conversation.

"I'm pregnant, and it's hard to find a safe delivery option in my area. I heard there might be an illegal doctor near fifth street in Mistral." The woman was grateful for the many blessings given to her by the kind and generous people who even offered her additional food.

Leaning back, he groaned. Everyone here was risking it all to make it into Mistral, and here he was simply because someone scammed him out of his scroll. His appearance didn't exactly scream foreigner, but they picked the right fool. In hindsight, all he had was the scroll and his acceptance to Haven Academy, and now everything was gone. All he had now is the skin on his back, the clothes he wore, and his thick black gloves.

"Young man? What are you going to Mistral for?"

Stretching his neck, he cleared his throat. "H-Haven… academy." Lowering his voice, he felt himself bring his family's name to shame.

"Damn! I'm in the presence of a future hero! What's your name? What are you good at?" Facing an onslaught of questions, the young man smiled.

The humming of the engine halted, and three voices echoed from outside, two pleading and one yelling. "Baek Hyun," the two flaps tore open, and people dressed in military uniforms holding handcuffs and pistols pointed towards the group. "I'll show you what I'm good at," stationed at the end. Baek stepped out.

As the sun lightened his tanned skin, the mass stepped back from his colossal frame. Sure, he wasn't the brightest, but even he knew the smugglers were in the wrong. Unfortunately, he had to get into Mistral by any means. "Ryu will take care of your soul after death." One officer lifted a flashlight, illuminating the towering figure and revealing his blood-red eyes.

"KILL THIS MONSTER!" Gunshots scared a nest of birds and after a few seconds of nonstop firing, some men made a run for it. "A-AURA USER!"


"Haven Academy is where courageous and determined individuals become world defenders. I am thrilled to stand before you, the new students of Haven, as you embark on an incredible journey of self-discovery, growth, and heroism." Despite the static, the recording captured the jubilant cheers in the back.

"You might wonder why we are here, why we strive to become Huntsmen and Huntresses, guardians of humanity. The world outside these walls is not always kind, and darkness lurks in the shadows. But it is precisely that darkness that makes our mission so crucial. We stand as a beacon of hope, a symbol of strength, and the protector of all that is good. In this academy, you will learn not only to wield weapons but also to harness the power within you. Every single one of you holds the potential for greatness. Whether you possess the strength of a bear, the cunning of a fox, the speed of a hare, or the wisdom of an owl, there is a place for you in our ranks." The cheers from the speakers echoed through the room before the volume decreased.

"As we look around, we see diversity in every corner. People from all walks of life, from different cultures, with unique talents and abilities. It is this diversity that strengthens us, for together, we are more than the sum of our parts. Embrace your differences, for they are your greatest assets. But remember, being a Huntsman or Huntress is not just about the thrill of battle or wielding power. It is about responsibility, about protecting the innocent and defending those who cannot defend themselves. It is about standing up against injustice and fighting for a world where all beings can live in peace." The video buffered before playing once more.

"The path ahead will be challenging. You will face trials that will test your strength, both physically and emotionally. But failure should not dishearten you, because it is through failure that we learn and become stronger. Embrace your mistakes, for they are stepping stones towards success. Be prepared to work as a team, for no individual can stand against the darkness alone. Trust your teammates, support each other, and let your bonds be unbreakable. It is together that we will rise above any obstacle and conquer the impossible. As you train and learn, remember that knowledge is a powerful tool. Seek to understand the world around you, its history, and its secrets. Knowledge is not just power; it is the key to making informed decisions and avoiding the mistakes of the past. Lastly, never lose sight of your dreams and aspirations. Hold on to them like a flame in the darkest of nights. Let your passion burn brightly, guiding you through the toughest of challenges."

Pressing the red button, Leonardo Lionheart examined the crowd through the hologram. Although no exceptional huntsmen were produced, the Regional Tournament gave sponsors and investors enough resources to fund the academy and certain talented individuals. At first, his heritage put many upper-echelon members on edge. Being a Faunus in Mistral was noticeably challenging. Even if Ozpin pushed him into this position, one man can only have so much influence in other kingdoms.

Chair squeaking, the older sighed. Haven sensationalizes huntsmen and huntresses and if some unknown huntress won the Regional tournament, they would gain recognition and be treated like pseudo-celebrities. He has seen it all. From prestige families full of renowned huntsmen keeping the spotlight on their children growing up, to nobodies gaining fame in a day. Being known in this day and age was a double-edged sword, from having a persona on camera to having contracts and high expectations.

"Last year was your best speech, arguably." The feminine figure placed a cup of water directly in the center. His assistant Esmeralda taught history at the academy and she was an angel sent by the gods, helping him with mediocre tasks to plan monumental events. This gave him enough time to research some students and or catch up on missed reading. "Hopefully, you top it this year?"

She was optimistic, a trait he long forgot. "I've been sparingly working on it during my free time, which is something that is a rarity now." Lamenting his problems, he ignored the nagging look the dark hair assistant blossomed. "BUT. I have a feeling this one will top the previous." He clamped his hands together in front of his face, gazing over his fingers gleefully. "With your help, of course." Truthfully, he had other business to tend to, which outweighed a speech these children would forget in their first week.

"Negative. I have to get my material for the semester, and… with Pyrrha Nikos heading to Beacon, some of the other faculty members have to dismantle the welcoming party." She didn't have to explain losing Pyrrha to Beacon. Wherever she went, people followed. "It hurts Haven's pride to lose such an influential prospect. Fortunately, all the newcomers that couldn't get in from networks or resources have to take the test during the first week. Maybe there's a hidden gem in the dirt."

Leonardo grimaced. At the start of each semester, each student would take a physical, mental, and aptitude test. "Before you leave, listen to what I have so far?"


My first story on here, wonder how it'll go? Before anything, I would like to thank those that helped me with sections in the form. I sincerely thank you.

Landmine is a syoc story that revolves around Haven and the students of Haven before it ultimately fell. It will take place in Mistral! Rated M because I don't want to limit myself on here, and it'll allow for some unique characters to be created.

The plot is not as simple as it sounds. Leonardo was a traitor that caused the fall of Haven and its nonexistent staff. Ozpin once called him a brave warrior and as years passed, he became a shell of himself, only looking out for himself. How did his actions affect Haven before it was destroyed? Who exactly was affected?

I'm all over the place. Here are the details about submitting and who plays a vital role.

The primary cast will comprise four individuals and the secondary four more, making eight in total. Think of the sub-cast as JNPR. They'll have involvement and a plethora of time, not as much as the main four, though. When you send the form in the title, directly say which cast you're aiming for. The due date and other information will be on my account, private message me questions along with the form. Side note not everyone will make it, I'll be taking the A-grade characters.