After the first few weeks at the academy had passed, time seemed to just flow by, Mikael found himself in a stable routine of his own. From the first day, the students hung on every word and followed each instruction to the letter weather it was out of respect or perhaps slight fear after his display with Cardin a few weeks prior the students themselves were capable and at times eager to prove their combat prowess
Well most of them which is exactly why he found himself in Glynda's combat class today, standing at the back of the class he observed the ongoing fight between first years Jaune Arc and Cardin Winchester and let's just say it was mostly one sided. He'd read about the Arc family and their achievements throughout Remnant's history most notably during the events of the great war, Jaune on the other hand in terms of skill and academics was barely keeping up with his team.
And as the leader of team JNPR that wouldn't bode well for him or his teammates in the long run.
Mikael was broken out of his thought when the buzzer sounded indicating the end of the match Mikael just shook his head at the outcome 'he wore himself out throwing himself at Cardin and left him open to counter attack.' he thought while Glynda continued speaking
"Mr. Arc. it's been weeks now. Please try to refer to your scroll while in combat. Gauging your aura will help you decide when it is appropriate to attack, or when it is time to move to a more defensive strategy." Glynda stated sternly while Jaune was hunched over, breathing heavily
Jaune took out his scroll checking his aura levels and sighed while the Professor continued. "We wouldn't want you to be gobbled up by a Beowolf, now would we"
"Feh, speak for yourself" Cardin snarked, a cold shiver shot up his spin due to the glare Mikael gave him. Cardin was always on best behavior when he was in the Nightingales presence, but the boy was known as a notorious bully across the school along with the rest of his team.
There torment was mostly focused on Faunus students and their teams, although his actions didn't go unnoticed and Mikael had a feeling he would need to straighten them out in time.
Glynda typed on her scroll before turning to address the class, "Remember everyone, the Vytal festival is only a few months away. It won't be long until students from other kingdoms start arriving in Vale, so keep practicing. Those who choose to take part in the combat festival will be representing all of Vale"
The bell rang indicating the end of class as the students began filing out Jaune picked up his dropped weapon and sulked off the stage, Pyrrha stood from her place and followed him out in an attempt to console her partner. Mikael watched them go, If Jaune couldn't improve that wouldn't only put his life in danger but the lives of his teammates.
"Something needs to be done about Mr. Arc" Glynda said coming to stand next to the nightingale "I know you said to have faith in the boy, but he's not grasping the most basic of concepts. I warned Ozpin that he wasn't ready for this level of combat."
"I've been wondering that myself" Mikael turned to Glynda "Do you mind if I look over his transcripts"
"I see no reason why not, but why what do you have in mind?" Glynda asked
"Nothing at the moment just a theory" Mikael said
"Very well, I'll send you a copy, inform me if you find anything amiss." Glynda said as she took her leave typing away at her scroll
/
After meeting up with Amber the two began making their way towards the cafeteria for lunch, still his suspicions about Jaune only grew as time went on "I don't get it Arc has been falling behind in all his classes, the boys barely scraping by something isn't right" Mikael said.
"I know what you mean, Jaune's been struggling even with the simplest of aura techniques, he barely has any control over his own Aura." Amber said in slight concern
A buzz came from Mikael's side, the two stopped as he pulled out his scroll, what he saw put the final nail in the coffin Mikael sighed heavily "What is it?" Amber asked Mikael pulled her into an unoccupied class room before handing her the scrolls her eyes scanned over the document "There fake" Amber said
"Yes" Mikael responded
"How could Ozpin over look this?" Amber said, true Ozpin didn't seem to be the one to miss such a simple detail of forged transcripts by someone with such a low level of skill unless of course.
"He already knows" Mikael said causing Amber to blink "Though his reasons are still the question, perhaps something to do with Mr. Arc's lineage I doubt it would be possible for something as simple as forged transcripts to pass by him."
"What should we do about this" Amber asked staring down at the incriminating documents
"Keep it between ourselves for the time being" Mikael began " I'd like to have a word with Mr. Arc before we do anything rash"
"I hope your right about this" Amber said handing him back his scroll
'So, do I' The two left the classroom continuing down the hallway towards the cafeteria.
/
After grabbing their food, the two made their way towards a table in the back corner their usual spot where they could talk more privately, that's when the two noticed someone attempting to flag them down from across the cafeteria "Professor Salmon, Miss Amber hey over here!" Ruby called out to them, making the two professors pause as well as earn a small chuckle from the Nightingale.
Mikael was fond of the young reaper, her overall demeanour was rather cheerful and uplifting, and despite the rough start at the beginning of the year she was rather focused in her work he once spotted her taking notes furiously in one of his lectures, he chuckled slightly at the memory of the Schnee heiress expression during such an event as if such a thing were an impossibility on Ruby's part.
While it might be considered outside of the social norm for instructors and students to interact with one another in a more casual setting, given that Peter and Bartholomew would not be joining them today and that they had little else planned between now and the end of the lunch period, Mikael looked to Amber the Fall maiden giving a small shrug in response.
"Shall we?" Amber asked tilting her head towards the students.
Mikael gave a small hummin response "Why not" With that the two began making their way towards the two teams.
"Glad you could join us Prof" Yang said as Mikael and Amber took a seat on either side of the table.
"So, what's today's topic of discussion." Amber asked,
"Nora was telling us about this dream she had" Blake said while turning another page in her book her eyes glanced up at the professor, she still didn't know what to think about the Nightingale although her opinion of him had improved after dealing with CRDL when they harassed Faunus students.
However she couldn't help but pick up on the strange air of unease that seemed emanated off him, it was no secret that he had amassed a small reputation among the students, many of the first years regarding him with some awe following the events during their initiation, her young leader included, but Blake couldn't shake the feeling something was...off about him.
The bubbly redhead vibrated slightly in her sleet before she started her tale
"So, there we were in the middle of the night"
"It was day" Ren corrected while drinking tea
"We were surrounded by Ursa" Nora continued
"They were Beowolves" Ren commented
"Dozens of them!"
"Two of them"
"But they were no match" The Valkyrie pressed on ignoring her partners comments "And in the end, Ren and I took them down and made a boatload of Lien selling Ursa skin rugs!"
Everyone at the table were in varying states of attention. Yang seemed to be the one paying the closest attention, Blake remained sitting quietly reading her book but was equally focused on the tables conversation. Ruby, Amber and Pyrrha had been listening closely but their attention had shifted to the blond knight both sending worried glances Jaune's way who merely picked aimlessly at his food.
Mikael raised an eyebrow at the Valkyries tale turning his attention towards the red-haired bomber "Some believe dreams to be a prediction of things to come, perhaps it means you and Ren are destined to start a business with one another in the future."
Nora giggled "So what do yah think Renny, me and you kicking Grimm but while living the high life selling them as decoration" Nora nudged her friends shoulder who merely sighed a small smile gracing his features because of his lifelong friend's antics
"Jaune are you ok" Pyrrha asked her leader and partner snapping the blond knight out of his stupor.
"Huh, oh yea why." he asked dropping his fork.
Ruby rubbed her hands nervously "It's just that you seem a little...not ok."
Jaune waved them off "Guy's, I'm fine. Seriously, look." He said attempting to put on a brave face although everyone could tell it was fake. The sound of laughter came from across the room Drew the attention of the whole table, there they saw Team CRDL sat at another table across the room.
"Jaune, has Cardin been picking on you again? He's been at it since the start of the first week of school." Pyrrha stated noticing her partner clenching his fist at the sight of the other team.
"Who? Cardin Winchester?" Jaune asked attempting to dodge the question. "Nah... Her just likes to mess around, you know. You know, practical jokes" his friends and the two professors gave him an equally similar look
"He's a bully" Ruby stated narrowing her eyes
The leader of JNPR scoffed "Please. Name one time he's 'bullied' me"
"Where to begin" Mikael said idly Yang and Amber snickered at the statement
"He knocks your books out of your hands every passing chance he gets." Ren began
"He activates your shield so that you'd get stuck in the door on your way to class" Yang went next
"And let's not forget the incident where he shoved you into your own locker and launched you into the heart of the Emerald forest." Blake said while flipping a page in her book.
"Also, how I had to trek out there and drag you back here before the Grimm were able to take a chunk out of you" Mikael said the other's eyes widened looking between him and Jaune unaware of that particular piece of information
"Yeah, thanks again for that" The blond knight said
"As I told you before think nothing of it" Mikael said a momentary silence followed
"Jaune, you know that if you ever need help you just have to ask" Pyrrha tried to reason while laying her hand atop her partners
"OH!" Nora exclaimed in excitement "We'll break his legs" she said with a sinister smile and a dangerous gleam in her eyes. Mikael chuckle slightly the thought of such a punishment could happen to no others more deserving of such a fate
"Nora" Amber began "I don't think that's the best idea in this situation" Amber said although she did hold a mischievous smile. Glancing over to the team who had now set their sights on a passing Rabbit Faunus, her smile fell at the sight the Fall Maidens eye's narrowing at the boys 'despite how much they deserve it' Amber though
"Guy's, really, it's fine" Jaune said standing up his tray in hand "Besides it's not like he's only a jerk to me. He's a jerk to everybody. "As if to confirm his statement a cry of pain echoed across the cafeteria the table once again turned their attention towards team CRDL
"Ow, that hurts!" Velvet cried as Cardin held one of her rabbit ears in a tight grasp, many students looked on before turning away apathetically, it seemed even among Huntsmen and huntresses in training the bystander syndrome was still very much present.
"I told you they were real" Cardin said looking to his teammates as his laughter grew at Velvet's expense
"What a freak" one of them agreed
"Atrocious" Pyrrha growled into her tray "I can't stand people like him"
"He's not the only one" Blake murmured.
"Must be hard being a Faunus" Yang said in agreement, Ruby looked like she was about to add to the conversation when she noticed something
"Where's professor Salmon?" she asked, those on the table blinked, Amber herself was shocked to find the nightingale missing, then realization hit her turning back to the scene involving CRDL she found a familiar cloaked figure moving through a crowd of students towards the disturbance
"Uh oh" Ruby said following Amber's gaze, one could only imagine what he had in store for them.
/
Cardin continued to pull on Velvet's ear earning another cry of pain which only continued to fuel her tormentors who smiled down at her cruelly, Velvet sighed internally 'Just another day at Beacon'
"Ahem" someone grunted from behind her, her current tormentor looked up only for his face to pale at the sight releasing her ear Cardin took a step back Velvet let out a sigh of relief. Looking to her apparent savior she found herself looking up to beacons newest combat instructor
"Mr. Winchester" his tone cold as ice as he addressed Cardin his sky-blue eyes looking over the four boys "Would you mind telling me what exactly it is your doing" Mikael said his eyes glanced over to velvet as she gently massaged her ear attempting to alleviate some of the pain.
"Nothing teach just messing around" Cardin said although his demeanor betrayed him.
"Really, because from where I'm standing it looks like you where harassing this young woman, I honestly didn't think you could stoop any lower." Anger flashed across Cardin's face yet another wound to his pride Cardin opened his mouth to retort but was cut off by the nightingale" Tell me Mr. Winchester do you know who this is?"
Cardin glanced over to velvet "Should I know Its name"
"This young woman is Velvet Scarlatina, a second-year student here at beacon also a member of Team CFVY, one of beacons most skilled and commendable group of hunters." Mikael turned to Velvet causing her to stiffen he spoke in a slightly warmer tone then which he addressed Cardin with
" Now the only reason I can imagine she has not fought back against you is that she is too kind hearted." Velvet lowered her face attempting to hide the large blush that had crept onto her cheeks "But, you will not find me so lax as she is" Mikael took a step forward towards Cardin the violent Aura surrounding him caused the boy to take a step back as Mikael's hand rested on his sword
"I'm offering the four of you a chance to clean up your act, or proper steps will be taken to ensure that this does not happen again, you are all training to become the protectors of the world I suggest you start acting like it and quickly"
Cardin arrogant demeanor had vanished the implications of the statement sinking in, he nodded slowly no one could deny the fear they saw in Cardin's eyes at that moment "Good now if I catch you harassing miss Scarlatina or any other student then you will be dealt with personally." they didn't need to be told twice, bolting out of the cafeteria
Mikael turned his attention towards Velvet "Are you alright Miss Scarlatina?"
"Y-yes, I'm alright" Velvet responded, Mikael seemed to dwarf the Rabbit Faunus in build and high despite the ears, which only added to the intimidation she was feeling at the moment as he looked down
"Good, tell me why do you let them do that to you?" Mikael asked his tone was softer then before
Velvet was quiet for a moment before speaking "I-I... I don't want to cause any trouble, I figured if I just left them alone eventually they'd get bored and eventually leave me alone"
"You don't have too, I've read your file and seen what your capable off your stronger than them combined, if it came down to it you could easily beat them in a fight, so why don't you " Velvet's ears flattened slightly " Many of the first look to you as an inspiration, raise those ears be proud of who you are be proud of your title wear it with pride and none will harm you because of it" Velvet raised her ears a small smile gracing her features.
"If they cause you any more problems do not hesitate to tell me, they will be dealt with swiftly." Mikael said
"Thank you, professor" Velvet said
"Your welcome miss Scarlatina " Mikael said before turning and walking back towards the table, all eyes focused on him as if expecting something to happen, a stiff silence followed Mikael raised his head his eyes glancing at the table occupants "Is there a problem?" he asked
"Nope" Ruby said the two teams quickly went back to what they were originally doing
Blake peeked over her book, looking towards the Nightingale 'Maybe he isn't as bad as they say' she thought her opinion of their mysterious combat instructor growing slightly.
/
'Elsewhere'
On a snow topped mountain, a lone figure stood before an ancient ruin, their features hidden by a cloak that hung around their shoulders, on their back was a bow bearing intricate designs across it's smooth surface the light of the aurora illuminating the landscape bellow in its ethereal glow.
Amber eye's stared out from beneath a hood their owner deep in thought, he hadn't been there this was the seventh place she'd checked and was now running out of options hopefully the others were having better luck then she was.
It had been nearly a month now and she was starting to worry sure he would disappear for a short time but never to this extent and people were starting to take notice of his absence. Her right hand idly rubbed the pommel of the daedric dagger strapped to her side, the same one he had made her during their travels together a reminder of their adventures together.
A small smile graced her features at the fond memory, the smile vanished as a sighed escaped her lips shaking her head she couldn't help but wonder "Just...where are you?"
'To be continued'