Beacon was far too big. That was Jaunes' biggest impression of the institution. From its very stupidly big outer limits to its many stupidly long halls. The academy was just too big.
Somehow the duo had managed to backtrack their original course. After that, finding the main hall was simple. If you consider briefly arguing which way to go while trying to wrestle the guidebook from each other was simple. Honestly, terrain maps weren't as confusing as the layout of this building Jaune argued as they finally arrived at their destination.
Somehow the duo had managed to backtrack their original course. After that, finding the main hall was simple. If you consider briefly arguing which way to go while trying to wrestle the guidebook from each other was simple. Honestly, terrain maps weren't as confusing as the layout of this building Jaune argued as they finally arrived at their destination. Upon walking through the large wooden doors of the auditorium their banter was quickly interrupted, however.
"Hey, Ruby! Over here, I saved you a spot!" A girl with long bright blonde hair called out. Waving her hand energetically she tried to grab the attention of his new friend.
"Oh, Hey I gotta go." Ruby suddenly stated as she turned to Jaune. Hastily trying to excuse herself she stumbled over her words a little. "I'll see you after the ceremony!"
Taking off she headed over to the new girl. Though looking at the pair he had to wonder albeit briefly just what kind of relationship they had. Jaune had figured she didn't know many people here, same as him. Not to mention they didn't share many resemblances.
"Oh, uh yeah. Cool. I'll just be over here. See ya." Jaune managed to stammer out as he found himself suddenly all alone. 'Real smooth' He berated.
Making his way towards the wall he tried his best to avoid getting caught up in the commotion. Crowds were not his strong suit. Granted he had experience handling rowdier types at pubs and local lodgings but those were often older drunken men. That seemed almost like child's play when confronted with the idea of making small talk with other teenagers.
Honestly, this whole day has been filled with firsts for the young man. He couldn't even remember the last time he held a conversation with someone his own age. Thankfully Ruby seemed just as ill-prepared as he was. Though, he figured people like her were not the norm.
Finding a suitable empty space against the wall he leaned back and took a glance around the large hall. It was crammed. Filled to the brim with the young hopefuls of the next generation of Huntsman. He had heard rumors that Beacon was notoriously selective with its applicant processes, yet it felt as though anyone and everyone could apply. Granted if that was the case, he was grateful the late recommendation he had mailed in at the absolute last moment was also taken.
However just because the applications were approved didn't mean any of the wannabe students were enrolled. The initiation that would be held tomorrow morning would be the determining factor of whether any of them made it to the first day of classes or not.
The fabled initiation had almost as many rumors as Beacon itself. There were tall tales ranging from fighting a grim barehanded to being dropped in the air with no warning. It was all bull as far as Jaune was concerned. This was a school meant to teach techniques to kill Grimm with whatever weapons they chose to use. So, it stood to reason that would be their test. He was eager to start in all honesty.
Though past the initiation he knew at the very least that teams would be assigned in groups of four. So, he made a mental note to try and scout potential allies later that night. He had already caught a glimpse of a few people he felt would end up being common faces. However, he wasn't too sure if he would really get along with certain white wearing individuals. But that could wait until later.
The sound of microphone static caused his eyes to drift up towards the stage that stood proudly on the other side of the room. Two figures stood in the center. Jaune recognized the visage of Glynda Goodwitch. She had welcomed them to Beacon not more than an hour ago. Her tall slender build was only accentuated by her pretty face and platinum blonde hair tied into a bun. The air of maturity she gave off added to her appeal. However, Jaune felt that the stern expression she held hinted she was not to be taken lightly.
The other figure on the stage was someone he had only ever heard about in rumors. Professor Ozpin, Beacons headmaster and a key member of Vales Council. He had the appearance of an older gentleman. Clad in a respectable black and green suit, the addition of a dark green scarf and wiry tinted spectacles mixed with his gray gave him a distinguishable image. Holding onto a simple cane he gazed out around the crowd as he cleared his throat.
"I'll keep this brief. You have traveled here today in search of knowledge. To hone your craft and acquire new skills and when you have finished you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people." He spoke almost monotonously. There was little emotion in his voice, almost as if he was simply reciting words he had spoken a thousand times. Yet it also carried a sense of wisdom, experience, weight. The audience was solely focused on him. "But I look amongst you and all I see is wasted energy. In need of purpose, direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this. Your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step."
Finishing his speech Ozpin stepped back and gracefully took his leave, disappearing from view as he left the stage. Following his departure, Goodwitch stepped forward and dismissed the crowd. As the crowd once again came to life with chatter Jaune reflected on the man's words.
They were so broad and vague, but he couldn't shake the feeling there was more to them than face value. Sure, some of it made sense upon simple reflection but it felt like it was meant for someone. What did he even mean when he said in need of direction? Granted Jaune couldn't speak for everyone but he at least knew exactly what he was after. He needed knowledge, skills, the ability to fight the Grimm more efficiently. Wasn't that the first step? But maybe-
"Jaune?" A soft voice broke through his inner monologue.
Looking for the source of the voice his eyes fell to a small red-cloaked scythe user. Pushing his questions to the side he managed a soft smile. "Hey what's up Ruby?"
"Well, I was trying to invite you to join me and Yang. We're going to pick up our bags and get something to eat." She explained excitedly, eager to introduce Yang to her first official friend. "I was trying to get your attention, but you looked spaced out."
"Yeah sorry, it's kind of a bad habit of mine. I tend to get lost in my thoughts a little too much." He explained with an embarrassed chuckle. "But sure! That's sounds great. But, uh whose Yang exactly?"
"Oh! She's my big sister. She's just the coolest." Jaune honestly couldn't help but smile a bit wider at the girls excitement. "She's just over there! Yang! Yang"
Waving her arms, she bounced up and down trying to signal her sister. Following her line of sight, Jaune locked onto the blonde girl from before. 'Huh? Guess I was wrong. Never would have to thunk it. They really don't look that similar. Different parents may-'
"Jaune you're spacing out again"
"Oh, uh sorry" His cheeks tinged red at being caught unaware. He really had to get a grip.
"You really are kinda weird"
"Please stop, my self-confidence can't take another hit." He sighed in exasperation. Running a hand through his hair he took notice of the blonde making her way towards the duo.
If he had to honestly describe her, he would say she looked more like a party girl than a future defender of mankind. With black shorty shorts and a brown jacket over a top that was pulling far too much extra duty. Fashionable sure, but it was rather exposing for fighting monsters. Honestly, it baffled him why no one else here wore any armor. He was starting to think Ruby was right about him being a weird one.
"Hey Rubes, how's it Yanging?" Ruby's sister called out as she approached. She was greeted by a drawn-out groan from her younger sibling.
"Ugh. Jaune this is my big sis Yang." Ruby introduced with a sweep of her arms almost like she was showing off a fabulous prize. "She's the coolest but she also tells the worst jokes."
"You don't say…," With a slow drawl, he offered his hand to blonde. "Jaune Arc."
Giving him a moment of suspicion, the girl accepted his hand. "Yang Xiao Long."
"Not Rose?" Jaune probed.
"Got a problem with that?" She retorted, an edge of warning lacing her voice. Her hand suddenly crushing his own.
"Nope!"
"Good, I prefer guys who catch on quickly." The intense glare she had only moments ago suddenly vanished replace with a confident smirk. Releasing his hand, she turned with a flick of her long hair. Turning to her sister she asked, "So, wanna go get our luggage sis?"
"Sure!" Ruby chirped happily. With a soft smile, she glanced over to Jaune. "We're gonna head over to the docks and get our stuff, do you wanna come?"
Jaune who had been gently rubbing his aching hand shook his head. Not at all influenced by the scarily strong elder sister glaring at him. Shouldering his pack, he softly declined. "Not at all. "I think I'll pass, thanks though."
With a cheery nod, Ruby and her sister took their leave.
Jaune suddenly found himself alone again. In an unfamiliar location and without any idea where to go he let out what felt like the thousandth sigh that day. Pulling out the student guidebook they offered on the Bullride he tried to pinpoint where in this massive mess of a school the cafeteria was. New arrivals would stay there until initiation was over and then be moved into the dormitories.
Plotting his course, Jaune made his way out of the auditorium. Thankfully, the large crowd had dispersed soon after the welcome speech. Only a few stragglers remained as he left the complex. With a chance to finally relax he had a chance to really look around and sightsee the school. Lunch would be served at around noon and his battered watch said it was only a little after ten., leaving plenty of time to look around.
The school really did look like something out of a fairy tale. Its large pure white towers and castle-like appearance fit the description his mother had read to him as a small child. It seemed almost ironic that such a place was training teenagers to take on the bloodiest profession in Remnant.
Jaune walked through the halls in the main building, gaining the glances of a few students as he did. He paid them little heed as he memorized the layout of the school. Taking it all in he noted the classrooms, the training area, and the gym. It may prove to be useful if he survived past tomorrow.
He wondered how many others had walked these halls, bristling with good intentions and hope for the future. How many had been led to the slaughter under the guise of protecting the world? A central force for good in an unending war, a sacrifice whose name and face would never be remembered.
A glimpse of something white caught his eye. Turning his head, he saw a petite girl in white fuming to herself in one of the open outdoor rest spots between the school buildings. Taking a closer look, he noticed everything about her was for lack of a better word, white. Her pristine, elegant dress and jacket unwrinkled and sorely out of place for a combat environment was white. Her pale almost ghostly complexion was almost like snow. Her eye-catching, silky hair flowed like winter given form. Caught in his musings he almost did not catch her suddenly turning her icy blue eyes onto him.
"And just what do you think you're looking at?!" The girl ground out with chilly annoyance.
"Sorry didn't mean to stare." He apologized quickly, hoping he could avoid confrontation.
With a sudden humph the girl crossed her arms and raised her head in clear displeasure. "Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"
"I get the feeling I don't want to know." He shot back, feeling this may turn into a headache.
"How dare you," Stomping her expensive-looking boot, she all but screeched. "I will have you know you are talking to the Heir of the Schnee dust company!"
"Oh," Without another word he turned and started to walk away.
"Now wait just a minute!" She cried out in indignation. "Don't you walk away when I am talking to you!"
Jaune continued his stride, making his way towards the courtyard entrance. Or at least he tried before an imposing figure of a girl five foot four at best blocked his path. Hands on her hips she shot him a withering glare.
Getting a closer look at her now he could make out a faint scar over her left eye. Her skin really was pale, like fresh porcelain. She didn't have the look of a weathered fighter, though he supposed few aristocrats ever did.
"Move." His voice was rough, almost cold.
The girl flinched back almost like she was hit. It seemed she wasn't used to being treated with cold indifference. But to her credit, she stood her ground matching his scowl with her own wintery glare.
"I will not be treated like this," She ground out. Her piercing blue eyes trying to force him to back down. "I demand you apologize this instant."
"Move or I move you," His patience was slipping. His anger was starting to bubble up and the longer she stood there the less likely he could hold it back.
"You would threaten me?" She cried out incredulously. "Of all the barbaric, rude, disrespectful-"
Grounding his teeth, he pushed past her. It wasn't hard, for all her haughtiness she stood almost a foot shorter.
Disbelieving the girl clearly had not learned her lesson as she continued. "I will not be treated like this! If I had my weapon, I would force you to apologize right this instant!"
Jaune would look back on this moment later and question what caused him to snap, what about that exact moment that caused him to lose control of his emotions. He wasn't sure, maybe his already conflicted feelings for being at Beacon, the fact another condescending noble wanted him to bend to their whims, or maybe it was simply the anger that always persisted. The rage that lied just inches beneath the surface always threatening to break free.
In an instant, he twirled around in a full half-circle. Drawing Crocea Mors as he spun, he stopped as the blade leveled out mere inches from the girls' face. Caught unaware she took a hesitant step back, uncertainty replacing the score in her clear eyes.
"Wh-What are you…" She managed to get out before Jaune cut her off.
"Shut up!" The rage in his voice was unmistakable. It's intensity even surprising him. "Just where do you get off? I apologized, I tried to leave you be, what more do you want?"
With each question, he took a half step forward gently prodding at the girls' aura. A slight resistance bouncing against the tip of the sword. Still shocked she stepped back as he advanced, searching for an answer.
"I..I…"
"I said shut up," He barked at her "What half-brained piece of Grimm fodder forgets to bring their weapon with them? Did you think the Grimm would just wait for you to remember and go get it?"
He was losing control, and he knew it but now that he had started, he wasn't sure he could stop. It felt so good to finally give in a little and let it out. It had been weeks since his last hunt and it had all just been building, he would just give a scare and let her go. Yeah, that was all.
"Oh, I know! Your butler was going to kill them for you right? Or maybe you'd find some hapless trainee at initiation and pay him to fight in your place?" He kept advancing his voice getting lower with each step, like a beast growling in warning.
The girl found her footing and spoke up. "You don't know anything about me! I would never do something like that! Don't just make assumptions about me you freak!
"This isn't a game!" He pressed, "Real people's lives are on the line, you self-entitled toff! This is real life, it's a war! This isn't some company you can buy and monopolize Miss Schnee. The Grimm won't just let you round them up and put them into factories so daddy dearest can earn a billing. Stop make believing and do us all a favor, leave before you get someone hurt or worse." With a ragged sigh, he managed to reel in his anger. Dropping the point of the blade towards the ground he had to take another moment before sheathing the weapon.
Looking back at the girl he immediately knew he had crossed a line. She was shaking, her head lowered as her fists clenched tight. Making her cry was not the intention but he meant every word. This wasn't some social tea party and the Schnee's controlled just about everything else. They didn't need to get their hands on another Huntsman Academy. People could die, no they would die. If she wanted to be a Huntsman then fine, but she had to at least try and act like one.
Attitude only got you killed in the field, that was one of the first lessons he learned in the Grimm Lands. But even so making a girl cry on his first day wasn't his intention. The guilt sunk in as the anger faded. Scratching the back of his head he cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Look…I'm sorry I kinda-"
SLAP
The impact echoed across the courtyard as skin met skin.
Jaune found himself struggling to understand as he recoiled from the blow. His Aura should have taken the blow, why didn't it? Slowly he turned his stinging face back to the girl. The icy cool glare she had before was gone. Melted away by the pure fiery hatred in her eyes, tears clotting at the corners. Her breathing was shallow and deep shaking her whole body with each inhale.
"Don't you dare talk to me!" The venom in her voice was fresh. "Don't you dare try to lecture me! Don't just assume things about me! Who do you think you are? What do you know? I'm different than them, I am!" That last remark seemed like it was meant more for herself than a scathing remark towards him, though Jaune couldn't find it in himself to speak up.
"I won't be talked down to by you! I won't be told to run away by some brute with a sword! I know this isn't a game, I'm here because I want to be! And if you ever come near me again I'll run you through!" She all but screamed at him.
"Look I'm sorry-"
"Screw you!"
With that, she turned around and marched back towards the entrance of the courtyard, not once even bothering to look back. As she vanished from sight Jaune gingerly touched his cheek. The pian had faded and the red impact mark was already fading thanks to his aura.
With a heavy sigh, he plopped down on the grass beside him. Running over what just happened in his head he couldn't help but let out a small bitter laugh.
'Making friends already Jaune.' He thought to himself as he laid down. Dark blue eyes gazing up towards the endless blue above.
"While I don't necessarily disagree with what you said, I definitely believe you overstepped a few boundaries." A new voice perked up, softer spoken than the last girls.
Propping himself back up he locked eyes with someone new. This one dressed in an array of black and purple with a bow atop her head.
Sighing yet again he realized his day was far from over.
Hey Guys! I am really sorry for the delay! I honestly didn't mean for this to happen. But life came up and well this fell to the wayside. Actually, looking back on what I had intended for this chapter it's funny how the latter half is completely different than what was supposed to happen. Now as a result a lot of character dynamics will be changed because of it. I wanted a more in-depth back and forth between Jaune and Weiss, but it felt weird for strangers to have banter as I intended, I also more than anything wanted to give some forewarning of Jaunes anger. I really hope it came across well. Please review it helps me understand what I should improve, and I genuinely enjoy your feedback, also to everyone who followed and favorited I cannot express my gratitude enough. Anyway, I'll stop taking up more of your time. Until next time!
