Chapter 10: Rose Family (3)

~Third POV~

Taiyang Xiao Long, also known as Tai, is the father of Yang Xiao Long and Ruby Rose. He is mentioned to be a teacher at Signal Academy on the island of Patch where the girls grew up.

He was part of Team STRQ alongside Summer Rose, Raven Branwen, and Qrow Branwen. He also had a relationship with Raven, resulting in Yang's birth. After her disappearance, he started a relationship with Summer that resulted in the birth of his second child, Ruby.

Taiyang is a man with blond hair that has two small strands sticking out from the top and blue eyes. His facial hair consists of a soul patch and small stubble along his jawline. On his right arm is a tattoo of his emblem, which resembles a heart. His hair was once a bright shade of gold, but in his older age, it has notably grayed somewhat - still blond, but far more subdued.

Taiyang is shown to be a bit protective toward both of his daughters, yet still open and caring. His attitude towards helping others in need was passed along to his children too. He appears to have an eccentric side.

Currently, Tai was sitting across from Albus as they both drank tea as he was reading through the contents of the letter given to him from professor Ozpin he sighs and responds to Albus in a defeated tone, "Sigh… damn it Oz. I guess according to the letter you need a place of stay for the 6 days before you join Beacon because of the Semblance Act right? At least you have a better option than most… Albus Goodwitch right?"

Nodding his head at this Albus also expresses a conflict to match his tone to Tai as he rubs his cheek signifying a punch to the face, "Yes that is correct Xiao Long sir. Ow… you have a literal mean right hook good man. Stings like a son of a bitch still."

Tai nervously laughs at this as that was his first reaction seeing his daughters being friendly with a random boy sitting off multiple danger signals in his head. Quickly apologizing at this he replied to Albus with some amusement in his voice, "Hahaha… yeah kind of sorry about that. Just… whoa. I never expected that stick in the mud Glynda to have another relative though. One that ain't afraid of cursing in front of her presence."

Continuing to read the contents of the letter with Yang and Ruby looking from the stairs of their conversation Tai read the part that interested him the most with his eyes widen, "You took a shot for Ruby! And according to this because of your semblance 'The Gamer' your body is now a Video Game character you don't have any burns all over your body and everything intact. Wait! I thank you for guarding my baby girl for taking the shot - "

Raising his hand Albus told Tai to stop as he responds to his earlier actions of helping Ruby in a kind tone of voice, "Of course, I would help Xiao Long sir. It wouldn't be very good of me to leave some conscious that to leave miss Rose to fight goons and have a chance of harm. That wouldn't be very I guess manly of me to do so."

Tai chuckles at that as Yang and Ruby grew a good impression of Albus helping his daughter but also expressed a concerning worry on his face as he asked Albus a question, "I see but well… I mean are you sure you want to join Beacon though? Mostly, everyone, there have been trained and you are being thrown into the wolf den to put it with people obviously stronger than you are you know?"

Albus nods calmly at this as if it didn't concern him as he responds to Tai with reassurance and his confidence as he replied to him, "Oh I know I'm going to be outclassed by a long shot. However, I trust in the growth speed of a Video Game character to help me actually. After all, a game character can grow more by training and even killing monsters to earn Exp and well…"

Albus glanced at the outside with an excited smile on his face toward the window showing the outside as he replies to him, "Grimm is always hunting us and giving humanity and Faunus nothing in return. With my powers though killing them solely benefits me by a large margin. Even giving me items. Like this for an example."

Taking out his Healing Potion (Low) from his inventory he began to explain to Tai earlier how he got along the way to his home with Yang with some Beowolves their way to get to his home as he gave it to him.

Explaining the abilities lightly Tai's eyes widen at this. Despite not being a gamer much he does know the basics of playing games and items as he responds somewhat surprised by the item he was holding, "Whoa! This…. well this could be a real game-changer in Remnant if this was mass-produced. But… are you sure you want to show me though?"

Shaking his head at this Albus merely let him hold it as he wanted to know what was Tai first opinion of the item he asked another question as he got his potion back, "No. I merely wanted to see your response to it and reacted to the fact that I should help Remnant. I have no qualms in doing so but… it's exactly what I feared though. Tell me Tai if people in high power and foul intentions were to know of this what is the first thing would they have in mind?"

Tai closes his eyes as he thinks for a bit but then frowns at the answer as he replied to him what would be the exact response for this now understanding why his semblance could be kept a secret as the letter wrote, "An all-out fight for resources that you create. With this ability alone to kill Grimm and get items you could be practically be considered a literal resource trove for others… and to other Kingdoms a threat."

Ruby and Yang looked surprised at the answer since the concept to them thought it was merely a fun ability but to hear Kingdoms might want to fight for him would be dumb.

However, Albus nods his head already knowing fully ahead of this as he replied to Tai about the issue of this concerning him, "I agree. The council will more than likely try to keep a leash on me… if they knew of course. I'm trusting Ozpin on this much but it will only be a matter of time before THAT happens. After all, a person that can create resources out the most useless spaces into something good in Remnant like using Grimm into something else is useful in itself. That greedy idea is too tantalizing before others get a piece of me."

Tai nods in the agreement of this as his first idea was to him that he could help Remnant with this ability of Albus semblance The Gamer. But then came to realize why he hadn't because that would paint a large target on his back if he did anything reckless at this current time.

With him getting Roman attention-stealing his weapon from the reports and viewing his body's natural state it will be scoffed off to him that his semblance would be weird. However, if he knew about the benefits of looting off enemies…

Tai expressed an uncomfortable face as Ruby and Yang grew more concerned as Tai realized why Ozpin made to use the Semblance Act to keep Albus into safety in the most secure place he knew Beacon Academy, 'Fuck. I guess Ozpin doesn't want him losing to the wrong side and enforced that Semblance Act to get him to stay. Despite the fact, I don't like him that much ever since Summer's disappearance… With his influence, it's possible to keep him within arms reach from unwanted elements…. And if SHE knew… sigh....'

Sighing at this Tai agreed to let Albus stay inside his cabin home changing his expression a bit before he replied to him questioningly, "Sigh… seriously young man that semblance of yours is really going to be a pain to hide. Guess having you in Beacon where the Headmaster could keep you safe would be wise. But are you sure showing me this is wise though for all you know I could be sending this info back to Oz?"

Albus nods already fully aware of that fact as he began to reply to Tai with a shrug on his shoulders knowing the risk, "Go ahead. But I would have preferred you didn't though. The only reason I did is what you can expect from me to do as I am in your care and build trust. I would prefer you didn't but I can't stop you I just hope to reach an understanding that some things I want secret at least for now..."

Tai merely looked at him as Albus is in deep thinking as he needed to secure his own safety as well as he thought to himself, 'That is partially the large reason why I let the MCs that I know are good be trusted to a fair degree. At least I know they are trustworthy to a degree and are too morally good is the exact reason why I can feel to trust them.'

Closing his eyes a bit more Albus also thinks of the benefits of joining Beacon Academy of not only learning more of the world under the guise of being a student from any prying eyes but also the troubles the MC goes through as well, 'But in Beacon a place filled to the brim of warriors in the making an excellent place to obtain more Exp in Emerald Forest or Forever Falls Forest. Add the fact for the MC's natural source of trouble will give me plenty of chances to gets some good missions or good Exp. Either way, it's a win and win for me to farm Exp.'

Then another thought occurred to Albus as he thinks of another scenario as he thinks to himself privately with a serious tone, 'Although even if Tai does tell it won't matter in the end once I obtain a strong enough level. While Ozpin has been shown as times as incompetent his still someone to be rather trusted to a degree. His collogues not so much.'

Next opening his eyes as he thought of Ozpin telling his comrades of him is also unlikely about his identity as he thinks to himself, 'Ozpin won't drag random people in his war until he discloses the truth to them first so I'm safe for now to being disclosed. And what can they do exactly? Nothing. They will simply listen to Ozpin and follow for the time being. But all I need is to buy time to be stronger even if they know what I can do or not. Not while Ozpin is supporting me that is…'

Tai thought for a bit before he comes to his own conclusion as he responds to Albus in a bitter tone, "Hmm… I think it's best that we keep this info about looting to people you can trust. Just don't go thinking Ozpin is all that or trust others that much. That seems to be a very dangerous trait so take from me and stop it. And also… take it from someone with experience dealing with the man don't always trust what he say."

Albus already knew that and thanked his LUCK for this as he knew he couldn't keep that secret for long as he had to risk the possibility of him either denying or agreeing with him as he sighs out a breath of relief.

But is surprised about the warning as he thought Tai was fine with Ozpin. That was a mistake on Albus' part as he thinks more critically, 'I see... it seems like what I know won't be of much help considering the reaction of Tai... Hmm... I have been too carefree as he says... I should rethink how to approach this world differently....'

Both agreeing to this Tai then asked Ruby to come down as he gave her a mission for her to do as she saluted, "Since my baby girl is going to Beacon the same time as Albus here it would be good to get used to each other as an apology for overreacting. Ruby can you show Albus to the spare room we have for the time being. I need to start cooking with Yang for dinner soon. Is that alright sweetie?"

Ruby nodded happily as she dragged Albus away from the living room as asked him to follow her, "Yes general dad! Come on Albus I'll show you to our spare room! Oh! We could probably make some weapons for you right!"

Albus agreed to it as he responds to Ruby with a hint of excitement in his voice as he replied back to her, "Heh. I agree. As a matter of fact, I still have the stolen - Ahm! I mean confiscated weapons of those thug's red swords and their handguns inside my inventory. We could use those to build a suitable weapon. I'm in your care miss weapon master rose."

*Bam*

Hitting him on the shoulder playfully at this Ruby showed Albus to the spare room they have for him to stay for the next 6 days.

Another bedroom is accessible from the second floor. It contains a single bed with plain bedding, a bedside table decorated with a vase of sunflowers, and a circular white rug. A large window occupies the wall next to the bed, hung with pale curtains.

Albus enters inside with a smile on his face as he saw it while thinking to himself hopefully, 'Ok. That part was risky but thanks to the risk Tai agrees about keeping some things hidden from Ozpin... As well as things aren't as they seem... Better proceed with things more cautiously from now on. But now is the time to game on.'