PRE PROMISED DAY
It is another free session before Oobleck's class and I have been watching another training session between team JNPR in one of the vacant training rooms. It's not as interesting as I would like but watching the blonde struggling against his teammates is enjoyable enough.
Jaune grunted as he stumbled back a few steps with his shield and sword in his hands. Pyrrha just finished putting up her stance, with Ren and Nora watching from the sideline.
"Well done, Jaune." The Mistral champion nodded with a proud smile to her partner. "Your reflex is a lot better now."
"Glad to hear that," Jaune replied as he fell on one of his knees on the ground, looking tired from all the training. He looks somewhat unsatisfied but we both know this is the best training course he can take, from his trustworthy friends. Taking in another breath, Jaune stood up and took the stance that Pyrrha had taught him. "Let's have one more round."
"..." The redhead blinks several times before she furrows her eyebrows in worry. "Jaune, I believe you're already spent for this morning. The deadline for your agreement with Mr. Yussuf is tomorrow. You need to save your strength."
"Pyrrha is right, Jaune." Before Jaune could have retorted, Ren and Nora had also stepped onto the stage, looking worried. "We all know what is at stake, and that is exactly why you need to keep yourself in good condition."
Jaune sighed and relaxed slightly, but he still had yet to sheath his sword or retract his shield. He is unsatisfied, now how would he react?
"Guys, I know what you mean… But you've seen what Mr. Yussuf is capable of." He said as he looked down at his hand which tightened its hold on Crocea Mors, before he looked up at his friends again. "Look, I know I'm asking a lot, but…. I feel like, want to try another thing or two. Just one more round, please? Before the class starts."
His three teammates glance at one another; weighing their options of what they should do. They must moved by the blonde honesty. Instead of running away and hiding his burden and hope, he now voices it loud and clear. This is also the growth I want from the boy, he is weak but being weak together is better than being alone.
After a few seconds of silence, the redhead of the group takes one more breath and meets her partner in the eye.
"One more round, Jaune." She said with a stern, yet gentle tone. The blonde's expression brightens up before he quickly assumes his stance again. When the two combatants prepare themselves for another bout, Ren and Nora share one last glance before they walk away from the stage.
A few seconds later, Pyrrha Nikos charged again at the ready-looking Jaune Arc. She swings her lance at the blonde who blocks it perfectly, stopping the redhead on its track. Jaune lifted his sword and swung down at her partner which was blocked by her shield.
The two push against each other, trying to overpower the other. But it is obvious who's the superior one as the boy gets pushed back little by little before finally losing his footing and getting thrown back. But he immediately rolled on the ground and ready his stance as Pyrrha charged at him once again.
"Not bad, Jaune," Pyrrha said, smiling gently as she swung her weapon at the blonde, which was being blocked by his own weapon. "You learn quickly."
"Thanks to you." The blonde replied, panting slightly before he pushed her away. He dashed forward and swung his weapon at the redhead who simply stepped aside and swung her spear, hitting him in the shoulder. Jaune grunts and stumbles forward but manages to maintain his balance, though his movement has become sloppy.
"Keep your guard up," Pyrrha said with a firm tone, watching her partner closely.
"U-understood!" The blonde nodded as he took another breath, before assuming his stance once more. Pyrrha simply watched as her partner regained his footing and assumed the stance she taught him. She smiled when she saw that the boy had managed to correct his footwork.
"Very good, Jaune. Now, come at me again." The Mistral champion said with a nod, and her partner wasted no time charging straight at her. He jumped forward, swinging his blade downward, but the redhead easily blocked the attack. But before Pyrrha pushes the blonde away, the boy pulls back and drops down, surprising the girl. Before she can react, Jaune quickly sweeps her legs, making her fall backward.
"Gotcha!" Jaune exclaimed as he tried to pin his partner, but the girl rolled to the side, avoiding his attack. The boy growled under his breath, disappointed as he failed to seal his win by using his surprise attack. Now he can't use it again in a short time.
"Heehee, well done, Jaune." The redhead giggled as she stood up and ready her stance, looking impressed with her partner's move. "You caught me off guard."
"Thanks, but that was all I got." The blonde replied with a tired grin, before falling back on his butt, panting heavily. He can barely keep himself sitting, his body covered in sweat. "I guess... that's enough for today."
"Yes, it is." The Mistral champion smiled gently and helped him up, supporting his weight as they walked toward his friends.
"Great move, Jaune!" Nora grinned as she gave him a thumbs up, her eyes glittering in excitement. "I never seen it coming!"
"It was indeed a good trick," Ren added with a small smile before he handed his friend a towel and a bottle of water.
I have to agree with them, Jaune showing some great progression compared to his first fight in Beacon. I can barely call him capable at that time, holding his weapon as if it's some toy he doesn't want to lose. Now, he got the basic at the very least. The question is how should I test them. Tomorrow is another field day so I should have some freedom of how I would push them. Let's talk to Glynda after Oobleck's class.
Oobleck goes with his lesson, describing his topic just like how he used to do. After half an hour of blabbering nonsense, he finally ends the class. But before letting the kid leave, he has something to say.
"Everyone, I have read all of your poems and I must give my praise. It is all beautiful and meaningful good job." He said before scanning the class as if looking for someone. I cringed when I first heard he assigned some homework like that. This is a hunter school, not some elementary. I bet the kids also feel stupid as they work about it. "But Miss Rose, if I may ask, where do you know this poet? It's quite the writhing, I must say."
"My mom always sings it before bed sir." Roses excitedly said, feeling proud that her writing was being noticed by her teacher.
"I see, I believe you know nothing further from that?" The man asked, drawing a nod at the question. "Understandable, it is written in some ancient language. But your mother translated the writhing into our system of writing."
"Do you know what it means sir?" Instead, the youngest, it was her big sister who asked. What kind of poem did she give to Oobleck anyway? He said it is in some ancient language? Which one I wonder? And I never thought Rose would be interested in such a topic. She was always an airhead.
"There is some typo I found but yes, I understand the meaning." The man's expression slowly changes into one of uncertainty as he looks up to the students. "But I must warn you students, there may be some words you found disturbing."
After the warning, Oobleck then read the poet and its meaning.
"The poet sounds like this," The man takes the piece of paper and coughs several times as he clears his throat before he continues.
'Hapunten, dihapuntenan, mugi dosa abdi dihampuraan
Jalma-jalma anu ku sim kuring paehan
Ingetan nu ku sim kuring hakan
Naha sim kuring masih hirup nepi ka ayena
Numpuk tilar dunya nu teu ka etang, salami-lamina
Waktos ngalir sakumaha ayeuna, ninggalkeun sim kuring saayana
Nalika kulawarga sumping ka sim kuring, aranjeunna ogé ngaleungit ninggalkeun sim kuring
Ujug-ujug, kabeh leungit ninggalkeun sorangan sim kuring
Hapunten, dihapuntenan, mugi dosa abdi dihampuraan'"
I can feel my body freeze up from the poem he ready. That poem is one that is not supposed to read by anyone. But the question is how did Rose get her hands on it. Not to mention she read it to her daughters...
"If we translate it then we will have meaning like this." The man takes out another paper before continuing.
"'Be forgiven, be forgiven, let my sin be forgiven
The people who I have killed
The memory of whom I have devoured
Why am I still alive till this moment
Piling up countless deaths, forever and ever
Time flows as it is, leaving me behind as I am
As family appears before me, they also disappear leaving me
And without me noticing, everything disappeared leaving me alone
Be forgiven, be forgiven, let my sin be forgiven'"
The room becomes silent as they listen to what their teacher has to say. The kids look at each other both in worry and confusion. The poet is not for the public to read, especially its meaning. But it's already too late to stop them after all. It would only attract unwanted attention if I open my mouth now.
"That is what the poem means." Oobleck then once again scans the class before coughing into his hand. "If that is all, you can leave the class."
The kids finally disperse and leave the room as soon as they can, leaving only team JNPR, RWBY, Oobleck and myself. I bet Oobleck has something to say to Roses but decides to wait until everyone leaves. Just like I expected, the man walked toward the group of students before handing what I'm guessing was the translation.
"Excuse me, Miss Rose, but do you know where your poem comes from?" The man gently asked, his voice seeming soothing and calm compared to his usual way of talking.
"N-no, Professor." Roses honestly answers as she receives the paper looking at it with her teammates. "My mom just used to read it before we fell asleep."
"Then, is this written by simply remembering?" The man once again asked, unsatisfied with the girl's answer.
"No, I asked my dad and he sent a picture of it." The girl takes out her scroll and shows it to the man. He looks at it closely for a few seconds before pulling back, showing the look of satisfaction.
"Do you happen to know the origin?" The heiress asked, now feeling curious as well.
"The poem, no. The language, yes." The man proudly said, showing off his expertise in history and such topics. "It came from a region in the Dragon Continent, North of Vale. It was found in inscriptions in stone and temple."
"So, it really is an ancient language." Nora joins in the conversation, nodding in awe at what she is hearing.
"From which civilization is it?" Jaune asked, now also feeling curious.
"We are not so sure yet, but some archeologists said it is from a small village where the Silver-Eyes once came from." The man said with such a serious expression. "We believe those temples and inscriptions were made by the Silver-Eyes to worship their god, The God of Light."
"Ugh, too much history lesson." Yang protests as she exaggeratedly holds her head.
"What do you mean Silver-Eyes and God of Light?" Blake question, the first time hearing such words.
"Unfortunately, I have something else to take care of but I believe Mr. Yussuf is an expert in such a topic." Oobleck suddenly shifts the kids' attention toward me. I have been trying to listen to their conversation from far away, hiding from the kids' gaze. Without saying anything, Oobleck leaves the kids and walks out of the room, giving me a wink. Bastard.
"Oh yeah! You're supposed to teach us history in the next semester!" The blonde exclaims as the eight of them run straight at me, surrounding me and closing my path of escape. "Come on, handsome! Tell us!"
"Ugh, can't we do this another time? I'm not in the mood." I groan and try to push through, but the kids are adamant, refusing to budge.
"It will only take a few minutes, sir," Pyrrha assured, making me sigh in defeat.
"Pleeeaaaaase!" Roses whined, tugging at my shirt, her silver eyes shining brightly, her voice begging and pleading.
"... Fine. I'll answer three questions, so decide to ask already." I sigh, slumping down on the desk.
"First." Weiss raises her hand, the ever-curious student. "What did Professor Oobleck mean by Silver-Eyes and God of Light?"
"Silver-Eyes are tribes that specialize in eliminating Grimm and worshiped the God of Light, the opposite of God of Darkness that creates Grimm." I give a brief and simple answer.
"Is that it?" The blonde asked, unsatisfied by my answer.
"Should I consider that as the second question?" I retorted with a grin, only to be received by glare.
"Second." Pyrrha this time takes the stage, her green eyes look deep into mine. "What happened to them? I heard the Dragon Continent is empty of any civilization, Grimm or otherwise."
"They died, of course, invaded and colonized by their neighbor country to extinction." I simply say, causing the students to gasp in surprise. "They were feared because of their great power. So, naturally, their neighbor wants them gone. Fortunately, an expert in fighting Grimm but inept in a war against humans, hence why they were easily defeated."
"But why would they do that? Shouldn't they work together to fight Grimm?" Roses mumbles sadly, feeling upset.
"I want to ask more about that God of Light and God of Darkness but..." Blake mutter under her breath, before looking at her friends around her. "Is there any other question you guys want to ask?"
"Wait, I remember in that fairy tale 'Evil Dragon'! The story starts in Dragon Continent!" Yang suddenly exclaimed, remembering a story she read a few weeks ago in the library. "Is there any connection between the two?"
"Wait, I remember in that fairy tale 'The Child of Light In Devil's Grip'! The story starts in Dragon Continent!" Yang suddenly exclaimed, remembering a story she read a few weeks ago in the library. "Is there any connection between the two?"
"That's right." I grin and look at the young lady. "There is suspicion that the child is a member of the Silver-Eyes and the war mentioned in the book is when The Silver-Eyes got massacred."
"So, it is merely a suspicion, right? There is no outright evidence of such an event, right?" Weiss questioned, raising her eyebrow. "It is just a fairy tale, right?"
"But in Professor Ozpin's class a few months ago, he also told us there is always some truth in fairy tales," Jaune interjected, reminding the rest of what Ozpin had taught them. "That's why the story was passed on, not simply a legend, but history."
"But, there is no proof of its existence, right?" Pyrrha asked, her face full of concern.
"That's a question for another time. I have to go now." I say, standing up from my seat and walking past them. Before I walk out of the room, I turn to look at them. "If you're curious, read the rest of The Fairy Tale written by Znaniye."
"So, the conclusion is that the poem mom read to us is scary." Yang finally said, after their teacher closed the door behind him.
"What is it with your mom and ready scary thing?" Blake asked, feeling a bit weird. "You also said, she read the 'Evil Dragon' fairy tale before you sleep."
"Yeah, I don't understand either." Ruby shrugs, not sure what to say.
"Is there no other story? If I remember that story is not so kid-friendly." Jaune said, rubbing his chin.
"Yeah, I remember my younger cousins are really scared of that story and cry a lot," Pyrrha adds, nodding her head.
"So the Evil Dragon? Sure, hope it's simply a story." Weiss commented, before taking a breath. "But the question is that, did your mother write that poem or did she find it somewhere."
"Oh yeah! Why didn't we ask that to Teach?" Yang said, before realizing that the teacher was gone.
"He probably just doesn't know," Ruby said, looking at the door her teacher walked away. She sighs as she takes out her scroll and starts typing before sending it to her father. "Well, I'm gonna ask Dad and hopefully he knows."
"Well, at least I know what I'll read for the next week," Blake mutters to herself.
"What? You're that curious?" Yang said, looking at her partner in disbelief.
"There is something I want to search for some time now," Blake answered as she stood up from her seat. "So, you guys coming?"
"Nah, I rather sleep in the dorm." Her partner said, stretching her body.
"Sure, I'm also curious," Weiss said, also getting up. "Let's go, Ruby."
"Are you guys coming?" Ruby asked, looking at team JNPR beside her.
"I think we'll pass, Ruby," Jaune replied, shaking his head. "We still need to prepare for our field day tomorrow for herbology class."
"Oh yeah, but it's only for a half day, right? What else is there to prepare?" Ruby asks, tilting her head. The four members of Team JNPR look at each other, feeling awkward and uneasy. It's still a secret from Team RWBY that tomorrow Jaune will be tested by Yussuf to determine if he is fit in Beacon. They can't possibly spill it now after all of this time.
"Just some stuff." Pyrrha quickly answered, before she took her team and dragged them outside. "Sorry, we have to go now!"
"Huh, okay," Ruby mumbled, looking confused as her friend quickly disappeared. "Weird, they are acting weird."
"They have been acting odd for some time now," Weiss muttered to herself, looking thoughtful. "Do you see how hard they have trained Jaune? They have been focusing on him this entire time."
"Yeah, but it is not our place to pry." Blake shrugs, as she starts to leave the room.
"If you say so, Mr. Yussuf." Glynda sighed, feeling defeated. It has been an hour and a half since our debate started regarding my test on Jaune tomorrow. She finally gave in and agreed to my request. "But please, keep your promise. Do not harm him beyond healing semblance can handle."
"I'm a man of my word." I smile as I get up from my seat. "Just make sure the other students don't interfere except the rest of Team JNPR."
"Very well, Mr. Yussuf. I'll make sure of that." She nods and follows suit. "Also, tonight, you should-"
"Overnight excursion at the Forever Fall Forest? I'm on it." I wave her off and walk away. "Just making sure you agreed to my term before I leave."
"Of course, be careful out there Mr. Yussuf." The woman said one last time before I walked out of the teacher's room. The first-year kids will have a field trip for their herbology class tomorrow in Forever Fall Forest. Considering the forest was outside of the Kingdom's walls, the place would be filled with Grimm hence why I am assigned to clear it from Grimm tonight.
Not to mention I'll also have some time to prepare the needed extras for Jaune's test tomorrow. It's the perfect place to see how far that boy can go. And since Glynda already agrees, I don't have to hold back anymore. To prove his worth, I'm gonna push him to the brink. The question is how I should start it? I want it as threatening as possible. But I'll just see what happens tomorrow. For now, let-
"Who's there?!" My train of thought was interrupted when I heard a shout from behind me. I can feel something pointy touch my back. "I asked who are you?! Take off that hood and show me you-"
"Blake?" I turn around as I recognize that voice, finding the Faunus girl with Weiss and Ruby right behind her. "Girls? What are you doing here this late?"
"Mr. Yussuf?" Weiss is the first to ask back, her looks of worry replaced with surprise. "W-what's with the cloak... robe thing? We thought you were some intruder or something?"
"Ah..." I take off my hood which I completely forgot about and reveal my face to the girl. "Sorry to scare you like that. This is my battle suit, I was just about to leave for Forever Fall Forest."
"Our tomorrow field destination?" Blake asked, her face full of suspicion.
"Yeah, I'm supposed to clean up the area from any Grimm so tomorrow would be safer for you kids," I explained, making sure not to give away anything unnecessary, especially regarding Jaune.
"At night…? Alone...?" Ruby furrowed her eyebrows, thinking. "...isn't that really dangerous?"
"It's fine. There's mostly low to medium class Grimm there." I assure the kids. "Now back to my question, what are you girls doing here? You should be asleep in the dorm by now."
"Ah, we were spending some time reading in the library..." Weiss explained, a little embarrassed.
"And before we know it, it's already so late!" Ruby continued, rubbing the back of her head.
"Yeah... we were too absorbed in our reading..." Blake sighed, shaking her head.
"I don't know what you read but you better get back to your dorm." I chuckle and take a step. "Tomorrow you'll depart the first thing in the morning. So make sure to get some sleep."
"Okay, good night, Mr. Yussuf." Weiss wave at me, before taking her leave with Blake beside her.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow, Teach!" Ruby smiled, following her partner. "Be careful, out there."
"Sure, good night, girls." I wave them back and wait for them to leave, before walking away in the other direction.
