Hi all. I'm just writing this quick authors note at the beginning here to say thank you for the positive reception of the last chapter, This story has been a project of mine for a little while with all the planning out how Kirito will fit into the story of RWBY as well as ideas for what other characters i should bring in which is why I'm so happy that you all enjoyed it. You guys might also be happy to know that i have most of the story planned until the end of volume two so now i just have to write the chapters. Unfortunately I won't be able to update very often. Once every two weeks at the quickest.
So without further adieu enjoy the chapter.
The Dicey cafe. A small cafe located in Okachimachi, Tokyo. To the normal person the cafe was nothing special and to be honest it really wasn't. However what it had become was a meeting place for Kazuto and his group of friends after the clearing of Sword Art Online. During the time since SAO was cleared the group of friends had met up here multiple times to discuss new raids and celebrate after major victories. All these thoughts went through Kazuto's head as he stood outside the cafe. Taking one last look at the place before leaving for the day.
He had met Asada Shino,Better known as Gun gale Onlines best sniper Sinon, and his Girlfriend Asuna Yuuki here recently to discuss the fifth bullet of bullets tournament in GGO and also discuss Kazuto's new part time job working with Rath. Mainly discussing the Soul Translator or STL for short. The new machine Rath has been developing.
The Soul translator was something that bothered Kazuto a lot. To start with the fact that Rath wiped his memories after he used it was his biggest concern. He got that it was for confidentiality but still. It always felt that Kikuoka was hiding something. Like something about the STL's purpose was for more than just gaming or medical purposes. Kazuto honestly felt like he should have refused Kikuoka's offer to test it out. But at the same time it was too interesting not to take him up on his offer.
"Hey Kirito, You in there?" Asuna asked him.
Kazuto snapped back into reality, Realizing that Asada had already left he quickly looked up. "What?. Sorry I zoned out" He apologised.
"Honestly, First falling asleep randomly and now your zoning out more frequently. I don't care what your vitals say I'm worried that this job is affecting your health" Asuna told him.
"I promise you I'm fine Asuna." Kazuto said putting a hand on her shoulder "Just a little tired." Kazuto reassured.
Asuna gave him a worried look before responding "I just want to make sure. You have a tendency to not tell us about your problems" .
"I know. But I promise I'm fine. Just had a long few days is all" Kazuto explained.
It wasn't a complete lie. While it had only been around three IRL days since he last dived into the STL. It had been at least a few years in the World of the STL. Kazuto didn't know much about the in-game world. Only it's name. Remnant. He wasn't even supposed to know the name of it. He only knew it because he overheard someone at Rath mention it.
"Well if you're sure then I'll trust you. Just promise me you'll tell me if something is up ok?" Asuna asked.
"You got it" Kazuto replied.
After that they had began walking home. But the strange thing was that this was the last thing that Kazuto could remember.
Kirito groaned as he woke up. He opened his eyes slowly and took in his surroundings. He was in an alley. That much he could tell. This was obviously a massive source of concern. Waking up in an alley and not remembering how you got there should worry anyone. Kirito used the wall of the alley to help stand himself up. He didn't recognize the alley. Not that he should but he didn't even recognize the buildings around him. "Where the hell am i" He thought to himself.
He walked towards the exit of the alley. When he finally reached the street he was blinded by the street lights. He stumbled forward, disoriented, before his vision returned. He was in a big city that much he could tell but it didn't look like anywhere in Tokyo that he recognized. Judging by how dark it was Kirito assumed it was late at night. He looked up into the sky and had to do a double take. The sky might be the same but the moon definitely wasn't. One half of it was shattered. Kirito stared in awe at the sight. He had seen it before. Whenever he was in a rath lab it was on one of the monitors that they had so seeing that moon it all but confirmed his suspicions. He was in the STL.
"The hell" he whispered to himself, "What am I doing diving in the STL".
He then noticed a store that was still open towards the end of the street. Figuring heading there to learn where he was would be better than standing in the streets trying to figure it out himself. He began to walk towards the store. Taking in the sights of the city as he went. The place reminded him of the floors in SAO that were based on old European architecture. It definitely wasn't a medieval town though. He could tell that by all the technology he could see. The fact that the store he was heading towards was lit up like it was displayed that pretty well.
Arriving it front of the store Kirito noticed the name of the store above the entrance. From Dust till Dawn.
"Dust?, Why would a store sell Dust" He thought.
He entered the store and briefly took in the surroundings. There was a shopkeeper stood behind a counter. He briefly looked up at Kirito before looking back down at a book he was reading. Kirito looked around and was caught off guard by what the shop was selling. There where multiple brightly coloured crystals on display and there were tubes of to the side containing material of the same colour. "Some kind of jewelry store?" He questioned. Kirito looked over to the other side of the store and saw a books isle. He walked over to it hoping to find an atlas or a history book so he could try and learn about where he was.
To his dismay however he quickly realized that it wasn't books that where there but instead magazines. He mentally kicked himself for making that mistake before beginning to browse the magazines to see if there was anything useful. He looked up briefly and noticed a figure in a red hooded cloak stood in the corner. He was about to speak to them, Maybe ask them where he was before he noticed the door open.
Five figures walked through the door. Four were dressed in black suits with black hats and red tinted glasses. One stood out though, He wore a white suit with black pants and black shoes. He had bright orange hair and his most noticeable feature was his black bowler hat. He was smoking a cigar as he walked up to the counter. The group gave Kirito a bad feeling so he ducked behind one of the displays before watching what played out.
"Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a dust shop open this late?" The man in the white suit asked.
One of the goons stepped forward and pointed a gun at the cashier. This made Kirito's eyes widen. Thinking quickly he reached towards his back to try and grab his sword before realizing he didn't have one. It was an old reflex that went way back to his days of SAO.
"Please just take my Lien and leave" The shopkeeper begged.
"Calm down we're not here for your money." The man reassured "Grab the dust" He ordered.
The goons then began to spread out. Walking around the store and collecting all the dust they could find. One of them began to head towards where Kirito was hidden. Kirito quickly looked around for something to defend himself. He noticed that the guy heading his way had some kind of sword in his hand. It was a dumb idea but if Kirito could some how get it he might be able to fight. Although he would be relying on his own skills with no system to assist him.
Kirito was about to make his move when suddenly one of the goons was sent flying across the store and through the window. Kirito instantly looked over to where the guy was launched from and watched as the goon that was near him went to attack the source, The person in the red hood from earlier. As the second goon approached the person moved quickly. So quick it was difficult to see. All Kirito could make out that happened was that they pulled out some sort of weapon and used it to throw him and themselves out of the window. All the other goons rushed out on the command of the leader. Kirito noticed that the two guys that the hooded figure had knocked out had dropped their swords. Not hesitating Kirito dashed out and grabbed both of them. The swords where heavy. Not heavy to the point where Kirito couldn't lift them but they still had a weight to them. Kirito looked out of the store and noticed the figure fighting the goons while the leader just stood there and watched. Kirito walked out of the door and called out to the leader.
"You know good leaders fight with their teammates" Kirito told him.
The guy turned around to face Kirito, He looked at Kirito for a few seconds before speaking "Truly you are the most fearsome of enemies." He chuckled sarcastically to himself "Although not gonna lie to you kid, You would be a lot more scary if you didn't have to use my mens swords for your weapons".
"I'm doing my best with what I got. Who the hell do you think you are anyways?. That shopkeepers just trying to make a living?. What gives you the right to go and destroy that?" Kirito asked.
"Oh Kid. My heart bleeds for him it truly does but I'm afraid i'm done wasting time with this." The guy laughed as he pointed his cane at Kirito "As for the name. It's Torchwick. But please call me Roman".
Kirito not waiting to see what he was planning dashed forward. Swords raised. Torchwick sighed before raising his cane to block Kirito's downward slash. Kirito expected the sword to easily knock the cane aside but the cane blocked it as if it was a sword "The hell is that thing made of" Kirito thought to himself. Kirito jumped back to distance himself from his opponent before lunging forward stabbing at Torchwick. Torchwick chuckled before aiming his cane at Kirito again and firing something out of the end. Kirito reacted quickly leaning backwards narrowly avoiding the attack. The shot kept going and crashed into a wall of a nearby store blowing a hole in it "That thing is also a gun?. This place just keeps getting weirder and weirder" Kirito thought to himself as he Narrowly blocked an incoming cane swing from Torchwick by crossing his swords and catching it between them. What neither of them expected was for the two swords Kirito was holding to beginning to glow. Kirito's arms then moved on their own and pushed Torchwick back causing the crook to stumble a few steps back. "No way. That looked like Cross Block. There's sword skills here?" Kirito thought to himself.
"Well that was certainly unexpected. Well it looks like I underestimated you kid" Roman remarked before dropping his cigar and stomping out the end."But this is where our fun ends" .
Roman then pointed his cane at the person in the red hood and a Reticle popped up from the bottom. He grinned at Kirito before pulling a trigger under the top of the cane shooting something at them.
"Look out!" Kirito yelled to them.
The figure saw the shot coming and used her weapon to launch herself into the air. It was only now that Kirito got a good look at the person. It was a girl. That much was obvious, She had black hair, that was around neck length with red highlights. She wore a black and red dress and her most notable trait, Her bright red cape. Her weapon was also somewhere between scary and cool. It was a huge black and red scythe. The thing was way taller than she was and it had a mechanical, almost futuristic, look to it. It was a wonder how she could wield the thing.
The girl landed back on the ground after avoiding Torchwicks gunshot. Kirito looked back at where Torchwick was standing and noticed that he was gone.
"Up there" The girl in red called pointing towards a ladder to the roof of a building.
Both Kirito and the Girl ran towards the ladder. Kirito immediately went to climb the ladder hoping to pursue Torchwick as quickly as he could.
"No time" The girl in Red told him.
The girl in red grabbed the back of his shirt. Before Kirito knew what was happening the girl had already used her scythe to launch both him and herself onto the Roof. "Who the hell is this girl" Kirito thought to himself as they finally reached the roof.
They landed on the roof shortly after the left the ground. The girl landed on her feet having been used to this kind of thing. Kirito did not. After landing on the roof he fell forward straight away. Face planting into the ground.
"Man my head" Kirito groaned as he rubbed his head and got back on his feet Dizzily "Please warn me before you do that".
"Hey" the girl called out to the escaping Torchwick ignoring Kirito's complaint.
Torchwick stopped walking after he heard the call. "Persistent." He muttered.
As soon as he finished speaking the wind in the area began to pick up and the sounds of large engines could be heard. It didn't take long for the cause of the noise to reveal itself. A large aircraft flew up in front of Torchwick. Kirito had never seen anything like it. The aircraft was huge way bigger than any plane he had ever seen. Torchwick quickly climbed onto the aircraft's open turned around and looked at the Reaper and the Swordsman who had followed him.
"End of the Line Kids" Torchwick yelled over the aircraft's engines.
Torchwick reached behind him and pulled out a red crystal from behind his back. He threw it down towards them where it landed near Kirito's feet. Torchwick then pointed his cane towards the crystal. Kirito realized what Torchwick was planning on doing as soon as he saw the cane .
"Oh crap . Look Out!" Kirito yelled. Kirito realized too late however and Torchwick fired as soon as Kirito finished speaking. Kirito reacted quickly. The Swordsman dashed in front of the girl and crossed his swords attempting to trigger the skill he used earlier.
Fortunately for him he didn't have to worry about if his plan would work or not as someone jumped down in front of him and shielded him from the attack. The person who shielded them was another person Kirito didn't that he should mind you. She had blonde hair and wore glasses. She had a white shirt with a black pencil skirt. Kirito glanced over at the girl in red and noticed that she was incredibly excited at the newcomers appearance.
The newcomer immediately began attacking the aircraft. She flicked the (What Kirito hoped was a) wand in her hand and summoned six energy constructs which she launched at the aircraft. The attack hit the aircraft but barely made a scratch. It did however scare Torchwick who immediately ran towards the cockpit of the aircraft. A few seconds after another person presumably the pilot of the aircraft took his place. Kirito couldn't make out her face. He didn't know if it was too dark or if it was the distance but he just couldn't. The one thing he could see however where her burning orange eyes.
"You got any idea who that is?" Kirito asked the girl in red next to him.
"Not a clue, I know the other guy was Roman Torchwick but i have no idea who the other huntress is" She explained.
"Yeah I met the other guy personally" Kirito responded grimacing "Huntress?, Some kind of title maybe?. But what the hell are they hunting?" He thought curiously.
While they had been discussing the two now named huntresses had continued fighting. The huntress who had protected them had let out a barrage of different attacks to try and bring the aircraft down while the huntress who had replaced Torchwick did her best to defend it.
"If she brings that thing down here it'll crash into one of the buildings and possibly hurt people. Maybe I can do something to stop them?" Kirito thought to himself.
He was dragged out of his thoughts by the Girl in Red changing her weapon into a form with the blade folded up and a scope that was visible "Oh there's no way" Kirito thought to himself. The girl then aimed at the Aircraft before firing four powerful shots at the Aircraft that reminded him of the bullets that where to be fired from Sinon's Sniper Rifle. "That things also a gun. What kind of place is this" .
The huntress on board the Aircraft simply raised her hand to block the attack. The powerful shots seemingly bouncing off the palm of her hand. Her palm then began to glow as she held it out towards them. Kirito then noticed the ground below him beginning to glow a bright orange colour.
"Aw crap" He thought.
The witch huntress noticed this to however and quickly used her wand to throw both himself and the girl in Red out of the way before jumping back to avoid it herself. Briefly Disoriented. Kirito staggered to his feet as did the girl in Red. He looked up when he heard the engines of the Aircraft begin to grow louder and saw the side of the Aircraft close. The last thing he saw before he did however where the burning orange eyes of the woman on board the aircraft glaring at him. The aircraft flew away from the scene with no one present being able to stop it.
"Dammit" Kirito cursed as he watched it leave.
"That seems like an appropriate Reaction" The Huntress sighed.
"Your a Huntress" The girl in Red stated looking at the Witch. A starstruck look on her face, "Can I get your autograph?" she asked.
"Oh Boy" Kirito sighed.
The Huntress looked at the girl with an annoyed look on her face before speaking. "My name is Glynda Goodwitch i am a teacher at beacon academy. You two are to come with me immediately" She told them. Her voice strict and authoritative.
(1 Hour Later, Vale Police Station)
Kirito was curious as to how things had escalated as quickly as they had. He had gone from waking up in an alley confused and with no memory of how he got there to making an attempt to stop an armed robbery and then he almost got blown up by some magic 'huntress' or whatever they were called. To say his day had been strange was an understatement. Now here he was at one in the morning. At what he assumed was a police station of some kind waiting to be spoken to.
What kind of questions he would be asked however he wouldn't have to wait long to find out as the door in front of him opened gaining his attention. Through it walked a man Kirito could only describe as strange. Kirito couldn't tell if the man was old or young. His silver hair indicated to Kirito that the man was elderly but his face and posture was that of a younger person. He wore a black suit jacket with a green shirt and green pants. Kirito could only watch as the man walked in with two mugs in his hands and looked at him.
"Well" The man spoke. His voice soft yet powerful. "You certainly are an interesting case my boy". He told Kirito as he sat down across the table from him. He placed both of the mugs in his hands on the table before pushing one towards Kirito "I figured you could use something to drink. I hope you don't mind Hazelnut Latte's" He explained.
This caused Kirito's eyes to widen. Hazelnut lattes where what he ordered at the cafe he and Kikouka met at whenever Kikouka wanted to speak with him and were one of his favourite drinks. "Uh yeah thanks" He nodded before taking the mug "Is it a coincidence or is there more going on here" He thought.
"So how am i interesting" Kirito asked.
"Well let's start with how you are not Registered with any Huntsman academy, Have no record of any form of training and yet you were able to go toe-to-toe with Remnants most well known crime boss." He asked.
"That guy with the orange hair" Kirito asked.
"Indeed. Roman Torchwick is a dangerous criminal and yet you stood up to him bravely. Surely you must have heard of him before" The man asked.
"To be honest I don't know much of anything. I woke up in an alley about two hours ago and i don't know where I am or what im doing here" Kirito explained. He didn't know why he was telling the man this. He just had an aura around him that made him seem trustworthy.
The man took a sip from his mug before speaking "So your telling me you don't remember anything at all, Not even your name" The man asked.
"My name?. My name is …" Kirito Paused at this, What should he say his name was. Names like Roman were particularly English names so judging by that and the architecture of the buildings around him. Those factors didn't exactly scream that his real name would make it easy enough to blend in. So he decided to use the only other name he had. "Kirito" He said "The names Kirito".
"It's good that you at least remember that" The man replied "So tell me Kirito do you know who I am?" .
"Sorry Sir. Not a clue" Kirito responded nervously realizing that the man had made the mistake that he had no memories at all. He decided to roll with it anyways as it could make his adjustment to this world easier if people didn't expect him to know everything about this world.
"I suppose its natural. If you don't remember anything else then knowing who I am is a stretch" The man chuckled. "My name is Professor Ozpin. I'm the headmaster of the huntsman academy known as beacon. It's nice to make your acquaintance Kirito" The man smiled.
"Huntsman academy?" Kirito questioned.
"To explain to you the entire history of our world would take quite some time. However to give you an incredibly short version of the story. The huntsman academies were created to train warriors. Warriors who would defend the four kingdoms, Vale, Atlas,Mistral and Vaccuo against the creatures of Grimm" Ozpin Explained.
"Creatures of Grimm?, Some kind of monster i assume?" Kirito questioned.
"Correct. The creatures of Grimm are evil incarnate. They care about one thing and one thing alone. Ending our existence. They take many forms but they all share that one objective. The Huntsmen and Huntresses we train hunt these Grimm and protect the people who cannot protect themselves." Ozpin confirmed.
"And that lady. Glynda she said her name was. She's a fully trained huntress?" Kirito asked.
"Professor Goodwitch is indeed a fully trained huntress. She has been a huntress for many years in fact and is one of the best i know. Which is what brings us to why i find you impressive" Ozpin told him.
"What do you mean?" Kirito questioned confused.
The man took a sip from his coffee before responding. "What i mean is many fully trained huntsman and huntresses have had encounters with Roman Torchwick over the years and he has been more than a match for many of them. So you holding your own against him…. Intrigues me. As such I'd like to give you an offer" Ozpin explained.
"What kind of offer" Kirito asked Narrowing his eyes.
"Well Beacon Academies new year is about to start and the entrance exams are currently taking place. There is currently one entrance exam remaining and without your memories you need a purpose. Direction. I'd like to offer you a chance to take this entrance exam. Should you pass then i will gladly take you into beacon academy. Someone with your talent should be able to pass it with flying colours I believe" Ozpin explained.
"Join beacon academy" Kirito said to himself.
The offer took Kirito by surprise. Enter a huntsman academy. He had only been in this world for two hours and this was happening. It made him suspicious. Why would Ozpin give him this chance. Did he know something that Kirito didn't or was he really just impressed with Kirito's skill. Kirito looked at the man's face. His face was unreadable. Kirito couldn't tell what he was thinking no matter how hard he tried. "I guess there's only one way to find out".
"Alright, I'll give it a shot. If you really think I'm ready for it" Kirito told him.
"Oh no you are not ready yet. You will need to train and also get your own weapons and combat gear made. You weren't planning on fighting with swords stolen from Torchwick's goons where you" Ozpin Chuckled.
"I guess not" Kirito agreed.
"But that is an issue for tomorrow. Please wait outside and i will make arrangements for you to stay somewhere until the entrance exam" Ozpin told him while standing up.
"Wait. Why are you doing this?, Why are you helping me?" Kirito asked.
The Professor looked Kirito in the eyes. "Kirito. I believe things happen for a reason and whatever that reason may be you stepped in to face a dangerous criminal with no knowledge at all of what he was capable off or what he had done. That alone makes me believe it is at least worth giving you a chance. Now if you'll excuse me i must go and speak with young Miss Rose." Ozpin told him before walking out of the room. Not looking back as he left.
Kirito watched him go. He was still confused and what he had been told was a lot to take in and he had been told the short version. Huntsman and Huntresses. Evil Creatures named Grimm. Academies that train warriors. Four Kingdoms. The main thing that worried Kirito is how quickly Ozpin had believed what he had said about his memory. He didn't ask any further questions or anything. He believed him far to easily. Kirito made a mental note to be cautious around Ozpin in the future before doing as Ozpin said and leaving the room.
(30 minutes later)
It was around half an hour later that the Girl in red walked out of the same room Kirito had spoken to Ozpin in. She looked incredibly happy and excited. Walking out behind her was Professor Goodwitch. She looked around for a bit before spotting him.
"We have arranged that you will stay with Miss Rose and her family until your entrance exam. We suggest you use your free time to prepare yourself" Glynda explained to him.
"Of course. Thank you Professor" Kirito nodded.
"Right. Now you and Miss Rose will wait here until your transport back to Patch arrives" Glynda told them. She then turned around and walked back into the room she had just exited leaving Kirito and The girl in the hallway.
The Girl didn't say anything she just walked over and sat down in the seat opposite Kirito. Kirito watched her getting a better look at her now that she wasn't darting all over the place with a massive scythe. "Note to self ask her about that" He thought to himself. He recognized her body language though. It was much like his own back in SAO. She wanted to say something but was to scared to. She was just as socially awkward as he was.
"So did they Grill you about what happened on the roof too?" Kirito asked.
"Uh yeah. Although mine was mainly about how I learned to use my scythe. What about you? what did he ask you about?" She asked.
"Mainly about how I was able to fight Torchwick i guess. And i got a brief version of the history of Remnant due to me not knowing anything." He explained.
"What do you mean not knowing anything?" She asked confused.
He hesitated for a few seconds before responding. "I woke up in an alley a couple of hours ago with no idea of where I was or what I was doing there. I ended up in that store by chance" He explained .
"So wait you don't remember anything. Not even your name?" She asked. Her silver eyes wide with concern.
"I do remember that much. My names Kirito and you?" He asked trying to learn more about the girl.
"I'm Ruby. Ruby Rose." She told him.
"Ruby huh. Should've figure with all that red" He chuckled.
"Well it's my favourite colour. I try to work it into everything" She laughed .
"So did Ozpin invite you to take the Beacon entrance exam to?" Kirito asked.
"Not exactly" She smiled "I kinda get to skip the exam and got invited straight into beacon" .
"That makes sense" Kirito thought "Judging by how well she could use that scythe of hers she must have had some prior training that lets her skip the entrance exam".
"Excuse me Miss Rose. Mister …. Kirito." A voice said. Kirito turned his head and saw a guy in a police uniform "Your transport has arrived".
"Guess we'll have to continue this conversation later huh" Kirito told her.
"Sure" Ruby Smiled.
They then both stood up and followed the Officer towards the exit. He still had so many Questions. How did he end up in the STL. Why was he in the STL but he had to start somewhere and if these huntsman academies could help him do that. Then he had to get in. No matter what.