The Wizard of Change
The cane came up, gently redirecting the iron blade before it could touch his glasses. Then, in an instant, the motion shifted from gentle to harsh as the tip of the cane cracked across the Faunus' skull, snapping the aggressor's head backwards even through the shield of his Aura. A thrust to his abdomen followed and, finally, a sweep of the leg left him groaning on the ground. Ozpin placed the tip of his cane against the young man's throat just to make things clear.
Then, he lazily leaned his head to the left and allowed the dagger from behind to sail through empty space and embed itself into the tree in front of him. He turned on his heel, looking into the young woman's eyes with a small smile.
And if he enjoyed the look of shock on her face a bit too much...well, teachers must find their joy where they are able. He surged forward on only the strength of his Aura, and she learned where she was lacking.
"Teacher, you are...far greater than we." The young man coughed slightly, rubbing his throat from where he sat.
"The benefits of age and wisdom. Now, tell me." He leaned forward, both hands on the end of his cane and a serious air about him – in his experience, the expression tended to lead his students to consider his questions more carefully. "What did you learn today?"
"That your senses are absurd, Teacher." The girl grumbled, checking over her dagger to make sure it hadn't been dulled by the missed throw.
"In other words, Yie?"
She scoffed, but recited the lesson once again. "Never underestimate an opponent, especially when you don't know their limits."
He nodded, finally smiling. "Indeed. I dare say that one day you will learn to apply that lesson."
"I keep expecting to find your limits, but it's like they don't exist! Where are we likely to find another enemy at your level?"
"Well -"
"Teacher!" The red-fox Faunus approached him, panting and disheveled from travel. It wasn't surprising, considering the distance he'd surely covered – yet, there was more to it than that. Hm. His blade is missing. How did that occur, I wonder...?
"Venn. You've lost your sword...what happened? Were you ambushed?"
He shook his head. "No, Teacher. I...the Cielan Princesses were there."
"I see...Veve is a skilled swordsman, I can understand -"
"No! No, Teacher, I didn't cross blades with the royals." At his raised eyebrow, the young man took a deep breath. "They've...domesticated a Wilder. She fights like a monster. I've never seen anything move that fast...er, except you, Teacher."
His brows furrowed. "A trained Wilder, in the service of Ciel...?" That's...new. What have I changed? Surely I haven't driven any of my Wilder to their service.
The young man nodded. "A cat, black of fur with eyes like lights in the darkness." A trained black cat...? The boy's voice dropped low as he glanced around them. "She wields magic, Teacher."
His eyes widened the tiniest fraction before he brought his reaction under control. No.
"She wears the darkness like a cloak, and weaves liquid blades from it. I couldn't even strike her, Teacher. I've never..." He fidgeted, and Ozpin recognized the expression on his face. Fear.
Drawing himself up, he stepped forward and laid a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder. "Then you did well to escape with this news, Venn. I was correct to trust you with this mission. Now, we know of this Wilder's existence, and we won't be so easily blindsided a second time. It's clear you're exhausted. Come; we shall eat together, and you can tell me everything that transpired." With that hand, he guided the young man off towards the mess hut.
Ozpin kept his face carefully blank as they walked. Miss Belladonna...how have you found yourself here, and in her service...?
And what am I to do with you?
"Now, as practiced. Reach out, not only with your body or your mind, but with your essence. Feel them, as if they are a part of you." Ozpin's voice was smooth with long practice as the chieftess laid a hand on the young man's chest.
"He is. Part of my tribe; part of me." She was solemn, as befitted the ceremony this had become.
"Of course. Now...you know what is to be done."
She nodded, and he saw and felt her Aura flare.
"For it is in service that we bind ourselves together. Together, we become more than we could imagine, eternal in memory and unfailing in duty. I release your soul, and by my heart guide thee." As the young man's Aura flared to life for the first time, Ozpin allowed his thoughts to drift.
Two possibilities...either Miss Belladonna can be convinced of what must be done, or not. If so, my task has become much easier. A Maiden, even a nascent one, in this age, towers far above all others. If she cannot...then I shall have to plan.
He breathed deeply, allowing his soul to reach out to his connections around him. It was so much easier, in this era. Even if it had been so many years since he'd been here the first time...he still remembered his connections. His roots.
His magic reacted eagerly, and he released his breath. It seems I shall have to practice. It has been...many years since so much power responded to me.