The sound of polished shoes echoed against the concrete, accompanied by the spin of a cane. A ginger-haired man strutted down the street with an arrogant smirk.
"Must be my lucky week!" Roman Torchwick declared, adjusting his black hat.
"Publicity's been nice. Got a fat stack of lien, a few bruised egos in my wake, and the usual crowd of nobodies who want me dead. Yet, here I am, still on top."
His smirk faded, his steps slowed, and his grip on the cane tightened.
"But," he muttered through clenched teeth, "I don't take kindly to being lied about. Sure, it's nice to have my name in lights, but not when it's pinned to someone else's garbage."
Roman shook his head, pulling a cigar from his coat pocket with his free hand. He bit down on it, the flick of a match illuminating his face for a brief moment. Smoke curled into the air as he took a slow drag.
As he walked, his eyes wandered. To his right, a man stood by the curb, holding a sign with the word "Stranded." Roman paused, taking another drag from his cigar before letting his arm fall to his side.
He approached the man, the usual smirk returning to his lips as he reached into his pocket. "Sorry, pal, it ain't much," Roman said, holding out a small handful of lien.
The man's eyes widened, his jaw dropping slightly before he let out a quiet, disbelieving laugh. "No, it's fine," he stammered, taking the lien with trembling hands. "You didn't have to, but you did. That says a lot about you."
Roman raised an eyebrow, "Does it now?"
The man nodded. "It's all about perspective. My parents… They didn't give a damn about where I ended up. Left me to fend for myself, and here I am: homeless, stuck. But still...thank you. Really."
Roman's expression remained unimpressed, his lips curling into a thin line. He took another drag from his cigar, blowing the smoke away from the man.
"You know what you should do?" Roman said, his tone growing darker. "Buy yourself a gun, find a bank, and make them regret ever letting you starve."
The homeless man blinked, before chuckling nervously, unsure if Roman was joking.
Tipping his hat, Roman turned on his heel, leaving the man behind as easily as he'd approached him. His cane swung in rhythm with his steps, tapping lightly against his shoulder as he moved on, and his eyes locked on the silhouette of Lady Beat's School in the distance.
—
"Clothing I want, food of my choice, and luxury I'd never experience..." Jacob muttered, buttoning up his flannel.
"I'm living a life I never thought I'd have, all thanks to her. Maybe I am lucky…" He sighed, grabbing his katana and his bag.
He strode to the door, his hand hovering over the handle before he swung it open. The hallway stretched before him, and there stood Neo, her parasol in hand.
"You ready?" he asked.
Neo nodded.
Without another word, Jacob sauntered down the hall as they approached the grand and immaculate living room.
Carmel and Jimmy Vanille were already there, their expressions more serious than welcoming.
Carmel spoke first, "You two have been here for a week, and it's been... pleasant. But now it's time to get serious. Ozpin will be arriving shortly."
Jimmy stepped forward, his demeanor stiff. "Trivia, do not gesture or write anything about what happened at the academy. Let Jacob do the talking. If we break our agreement with Ms. Beat, it could be disastrous."
Neo gave another nod.
The pair moved to the couch and sat down. Neo wasted no time, grabbing a mini cake and cramming it into her mouth. Jacob, meanwhile, picked up the tea and saucer, his body language refined.
"Trivia!" Jimmy yelled, his face in shock. "Where are your manners?!"
Neo froze mid-bite, blinking at him in confusion. Her eyes darted between the half-eaten cake in her hand and her father's face. Then, with a shrug, she continued chewing.
Jacob stifled a laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. 'I think I've influenced her too much. She only loses her manners when she's starving.'
Neo finished off three mini cakes before pushing the plate away and dabbing her mouth with a handkerchief.
The chime of the doorbell cut through the air, drawing everyone's attention. Momo, the family's maid, perked up and pressed the intercom button.
"Please identify yourself," she said.
A calm voice responded, "My name is Professor Ozpin, Headmaster of Beacon Academy. I'm here to discuss matters with the Vanille household."
Momo pressed another button, and the estate gates creaked open. Moments later, Ozpin arrived at the grand double doors, which were promptly pulled open by Momo and Ichigo, the family's butler.
Ozpin stepped inside, his eyes roaming the opulent space before landing on the family gathered in the living room. He approached and sat in a chair across from them.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," he said warmly. "I'm Professor Ozpin, Headmaster of Beacon Academy. I understand you two are interested in attending my school?" His gaze shifted between Jacob and Neo.
"Yes, sir," Jacob replied.
Neo nodded in agreement.
Ozpin leaned back, a smile on his lips. "Good, very good. I've reviewed your transcripts, and I must say, they're quite impressive. However…" He turned his attention to Jacob, his tone growing sharper.
"I've heard from your previous teachers that while you're hardworking and creative, you tend to fall behind when something doesn't catch your interest. You do the work, but only on your terms. Care to explain?"
Jacob clenched his jaw, sweat forming at his temple. 'Damn, straight to the hard questions.'
Taking a deep breath, he collected himself.
"I won't lie, sir," he began. "If something doesn't inspire me, I struggle to fully engage. But that doesn't mean I don't give it my all when it matters. I try to shift my perspective, to find creativity in the task. I might approach things differently, but I always meet the requirements and take responsibility for my work."
Ozpin studied him for a moment, then nodded. "I appreciate your passion, but that pride of yours is dangerous. Falling behind because you're not interested could be disastrous, whether in academics or on the battlefield. Beacon is meant to provide knowledge, purpose, and discipline. You've taken the first step, and that's commendable."
Turning to Neo, Ozpin's eyes softened slightly. "Ms. Vanille, your transcripts indicate you excel academically, but you lack combat experience. I understand you have a background in acrobatics, and your teachers describe you as a quick learner, though prone to daydreaming. Why do you want to be a Huntress?"
Neo's hands hovered over her communication board, hesitating for a moment.
Jimmy moved as if to speak, but a glance from Ozpin stopped him.
Carmel leaned toward her husband, whispering, "Let her answer on her own. It'll reflect poorly if she can't."
Neo finally typed her response, hitting the play button. "I've been training with Jacob since he arrived at Lady Beat's school, and I've proven myself in difficult situations. But above all, I want to be a Huntress to fight alongside Jacob. It's the closest I've felt to freedom, and to being my true self."
Ozpin's brow arched, his smirk returning. "Love and freedom, you say? Intriguing. You come from wealth and privilege, freedom is not something you've lacked. Yet you seek it through this path." His eyes flicked to her parents, their guilt visible in the downturn of their expressions.
Returning his focus to Jacob, Ozpin's tone shifted. "Your skills are impressive, but you lack a semblance. Do you truly believe you can keep up at a school where students are the best of the best?"
Jacob straightened, his confidence returning. "Yes, I do. I've spent countless hours honing my craft. If my skill isn't enough, I'll make it enough. A semblance is a tool, not a crutch. Over-reliance on it can be a weakness. I'd rather master my skills than depend on something that drains my aura. And if people see me as lesser for lacking one, it just gives me more reason to prove them wrong."
Ozpin chuckled softly. "A strong answer for dealing with opponents. But what about Grimm?"
Jacob hesitated for a split second before replying, "Grimm are drawn to emotion. If I stay calm, I'll stand a better chance."
Ozpin turned his attention back to Neo, "Hypothetically, if your aura broke and Jacob's life was in danger, what would you do? Would you spill your own blood to protect him?"
Neo's response was swift: "My blood is just paint. If I have to paint the town red, pink, brown, or any other color, I will."
Ozpin's eyes widened, and he physically recoiled for a moment, his mouth slightly agape. With a blink, his expression reset to its usual composure.
Leaning in, he stared at both of them, his tone serious.
"I have one final statement to address," he began, "What happened at Lady Browning's Academy? Why did you disguise yourself as a girl? Why did you perform such an emotional song? And what transpired after that performance?"
Jacob and Neo exchanged glances, silence lingered for a moment before Jacob sighed deeply, his eyes lifting to meet the headmaster.
"I disguised myself as a girl because it was… convenient," he admitted, "After stopping that robber a while bwack, I ended up face-to-face with Lady Beat. She mistook me for a girl and offered me the chance to join her school. I was broke, homeless after losing my wallet. I felt like I didn't have a choice. So, I faked the most feminine voice I could muster and tried to pull off the disguise day after day." He paused, lowering his head briefly.
"I performed the song because I needed to say something. A message to be heard, a story to tell, a picture to paint. That's what we artists do," he continued, glancing toward Neo before returning his gaze to Ozpin. "It's how we express ourselves. It was the only way I could vent about everything going on with us. Honestly, I didn't expect the song to go over that well. I planned for the best but was prepared for the worst. One slip of my voice could've exposed me. One bad line could've ruined everything. And yeah, using semblances during the performance technically broke the rules, but we got away with it because of how much people loved it." He exhaled.
"And after the performance…" Jacob's voice wavered slightly. He shook his head before continuing. "A lie was spread about me. It said I… cheated on Neopolitan. Enraged, she lost control of her semblance, and everything spiraled into chaos. Her parents eventually helped her calm down, or so she told me. I went back to being homeless, my family's all the way in Mistral so I couldn't go back, and that's when she found me again. I also ran into a guy who said he'd inform you about my transcripts. Neo's family got involved, too, offering to help reach out to you. I've been staying with them for a week, and now… well, here we are."
Ozpin's fingers steepled, "If this is true, then what about the statement issued by the school?"
"It's complete BS," Jacob replied bluntly, "I've looked into Roman Torchwick. Seems like a big-shot crime boss. Sure, I'd suspect him for the robberies, but he had no involvement with the academy. It'd be impossible for someone as notorious as him to just walk out of a school filled with trained huntresses. He would've been captured or dead on the spot."
A low "hmph" escaped Ozpin, a smile tugging at his lips. "Very well," he said, rising from his chair. "Uniforms will be provided at the end of the week. I'll show you to your dorm rooms in two days. Since the semester has already begun, forming teams will present a challenge. Typically, teams consist of four, and I wouldn't want you two to be an exception. I'll handle that matter when the time comes. Enjoy the rest of your day. Welcome to Beacon Academy. Classes start at 8:00 AM sharp, and I expect you to be prepared."
Ozpin adjusted his glasses before striding toward the door. As it opened, Momo and Ichigo stood at attention, watching him depart.
—
Roman strolled toward the school, his pace unhurried and his hat tilted just enough to cast a shadow over his grin. Overhead, a passing plane caused his hair to blow in the wind.
"STOP! IDENTIFY YOURSELF!" a voice rang out, commanding but shaky, as a young woman stepped into view, her weapon drawn and eyes narrowing at the approaching figure.
Roman didn't break stride. His grin widened as his cane tapped against the ground. When he was finally close enough for the girl to see his face, he tilted his head up, his expression both amused and menacing.
Her eyes went wide. "EVERYONE, IT'S RO—"
Before she could finish, Roman's cane snapped upward. A shot erupted, followed by an explosion that threw her backward through the entrance, leaving a smoldering hole where the door once stood.
"Whoops," Roman muttered mockingly, stepping over her body without so much as a glance.
The school erupted into action. Staff rushed to the commotion, weapons drawn.
Roman, now inside, moved quickly. As gunfire and dust blasts rained down, he dove onto a moving escalator, crouching low.
"Tch," he hissed under his breath, his teeth gritting as he ducked his head to avoid another volley.
With a sigh, he leaned back and popped open the handle of his cane. From within, he retrieved a red Dust crystal. His fingers rolled it before flicking it skyward with his thumb.
The moment the crystal soared, a stray bullet found its mark. The explosion was immediate, shaking the very foundation of the building. Debris rained down, and the ceiling crumbled, sealing off Roman's path from his pursuers.
"Nice shooting, ladies," Roman quipped as he sprinted up the escalator.
Turning a corner, he leveled his cane down a long hallway. The first figure to emerge was Scarlet Evergreen, a tall, fierce-looking woman clutching a smaller student in her arms. Roman's smile grew as he fired off four consecutive shots.
Scarlet barely had time to react. She turned her back to shield the child, each explosive round slamming into her aura like a sledgehammer. The fourth blast sent her sprawling across the polished floor, leaving her breathless and skidding to a halt.
The younger girl tumbled from her arms, trembling on the ground as Roman strode past. He side-eyed the two of them, his cane spinning lazily in his hand.
As he passed, his arm jerked backward, pointing his cane at the student. Scarlet, still gasping for air, dived instinctively. But instead of another blast, she felt the steel of his cane's hook snap around her neck.
Her eyes widened in horror as Roman yanked her out the air like a rag doll. She hit the floor with a loud thud and was immediately dragged along the corridor.
"I gotta say, you heroes really make this too easy," Roman taunted, he didn't slow down as he rounded another corner. "Always so predictable. Makes my job almost boring… Almost."
Scarlet smirked despite being dragged along the ground. As they came to a halt, Roman's path was blocked by a cluster of teachers, each armed to the teeth and aiming directly at him.
"Easy now," Roman drawled, his grin widening as his head dipped slightly. "Wouldn't want to fire and turn your little friend here into swiss cheese, now would we?"
Midori, the green-haired school nurse, knelt with a rifle steadied against her shoulder. Her eyes narrowed, "Do you even know how a hostage situation works? She's supposed to be in front of you, not dragged behind like luggage."
Roman casually glanced over his shoulder at Scarlet, then back at the group. "Oh, I think you're missing the point. Let's play a little game of odds, shall we? How fast do you think your bullets would hit me? Break through my aura? Better yet," he tilted his head with a smirk, "how fast do you think I could turn tail and run while your shots rip through her aura to get to me? Ten seconds? Fifteen, tops? Now, I didn't do track and field, but I'd wager that's plenty of time to make an exit." He paused with a smirk.
Midori's grip on her rifle tightened, her hands faintly trembling.
Scarlet, still caught in Roman's grip, wasn't idle. One hand clutched the cane handle strangling her throat while the other extended toward his turned back. With a mechanical hiss and the grinding of gears, her arm transformed into a cannon.
Without hesitation, she fired.
Roman, reacting in an instant, rose onto his tiptoes. The shot struck his neck instead of his head. The force knocked him forward as the cane slipped from Scarlet's throat, freeing her.
The cannon blast wasn't ordinary. Wind Dust erupted from the shot, creating a swirling vortex that tore through the hall. Papers, debris, and screams were whipped into a frenzy as the whirlwind grew in intensity.
Roman didn't falter. He extended his cane outside the vortex and fired a shot loaded with Fire Dust. The wind vortex ignited, transforming into a roaring tornado of flame.
The teachers didn't hesitate, unleashing a barrage of Dust bullets into the inferno. Each shot fed the firestorm, turning it into a blazing maelstrom that illuminated the corridor in hues of red and orange. Sweat dripped down their faces as the tornado raged.
After what felt like an eternity, the gunfire ceased. The vortex still burned, but the group lowered their weapons, exhaustion and relief settling over them.
Then, a low, mocking chuckle was heard.
Their eyes widened in disbelief. The voice came from the center of the inferno.
"You girls really are something special," Roman's voice taunted, "Stupid, but special."
A gasp rippled through the group as the vortex began to move step by step toward them.
"You can't be alive!" Midori shouted.
Roman's voice remained calm and smug. "Oh, but I am. And the explanation's simple, really. That fancy arm of hers?" He chuckled again, "She lost the real one years ago and replaced it with a gadget that turns into an air cannon."
Behind him, Scarlet scowled, her hair swirling in the wind. "How do you know that?" she growled.
"It takes a criminal to know one, sweetheart. Though, between you and me, we're not even in the same league." he stated as his footsteps drew closer to the group instead of her.
"I knew you'd aim for the back of my head. To avoid getting knocked out, all I had to do was redirect the shot. My aura handled the rest." He paused, "You're rusty. I'd bet my hat you haven't seen real action in years. That lack of control? It's what turned your shot into this wind vortex. And here's the kicker." His voice dipped lower, more menacing.
"The center of a tornado is its weakest point. Stay in the eye, and it's like a calm summer breeze. Since your fancy arm runs on Dust, all I had to do was amplify my aura to manipulate the energy. Add a touch of Fire Dust, and voilà, instant hazard."
Scarlet's eyes widened as the realization hit her. "That means..."
"Bingo," Roman interrupted, "In plain terms, I'm a walking disaster, and you made me worse with your carelessness. And now..." His voice turned chillingly soft. "All I need is one... step... closer."
The group of girls froze as they broke formation, staring helplessly at the fiery vortex. Within the swirling flames, Roman's silhouette became visible, his features like a malevolent jack-o'-lantern, his wide grin and glowing eyes carving a sinister visage.
Without hesitation, they bolted, their screams echoing down the corridors. Roman gave chase, rubble, scorched walls, and trails of smoldering debris marked his path as he tore through the school's hallways like a storm personified.
The women scrambled around corners, stumbling over each other in their desperation to escape.
"Stop this! Why are you doing this?" Scarlet Rose shouted over her shoulder, "What did we ever do to you? Why do you hate us?!"
Roman's laughter echoed, "Hate you? Oh, sweetheart, hate's such a strong word," he called out, "You're not worth that kind of energy, who wastes time hating ants?"
As Scarlet stumbled into a long corridor, other teachers ran in different directions. Scarlet reached a dead end, her back to the wall as Roman advanced.
"You wanna know why I destroy?" Roman continued, "It's not personal. It's because it's easy. Because it's profitable. And most of all, because it's fun. It's a nice little reminder to folks like you that I exist. That I matter. You're just a cog in the machine, grinding away until you burn out. Me? I'm rewriting the rules. That's why I fly solo. And that's why you'll always lose."
Suddenly, the door handle beside her twisted and opened. The sound of heels clicking against the floor grew closer. Roman paused, his head turning toward the approaching sound. A woman stepped forward, her expression was one of extreme annoyance, her brown dress flowing down.
Roman's grin widened as recognition flickered in his eyes. "Well, well," he drawled, his tone shifting into something darker, more personal. "If it isn't Little Miss Puppet herself. I've been dying for this moment."