Chapter 70: Beacon Academy (4)

Chapter 70: Beacon Academy (4)

~Third POV~

Somewhere else in the deepest parts of the Mistral Kingdom was a man he has graying black, spiky hair, faded red eyes, and slight stubble along his jawline. Along with a red, tattered cloak, he wears a gray dress shirt with a long tail, black dress pants, and black dress shoes.

He also wears a ring on his right index finger, two other rings on his right ring finger, and a necklace with a crooked cross-shaped pendant.

His bangs are down most of the time, but he sometimes pushes his hair back when fighting. In addition, his hair is made to look like it is composed entirely of feathers.

This person is Qrow Branwen.

Qrow Branwen is the younger twin brother of Raven Branwen, the biological uncle of Yang Xiao Long, and the honorary uncle of Ruby Rose. Qrow's weapon of choice is a scythe called Harbinger.

He is a former member of the Branwen Tribe as well as a former teacher at Signal Academy. In his youth, Qrow attended Beacon Academy with his sister, and together they were on a team with Summer Rose and Taiyang Xiao Long, known as Team STRQ.

Qrow is also involved with a secret brotherhood led by Ozpin, whose purpose is to protect Remnant and is privy to knowledge kept secret from most of the world.

Currently, at this time he was talking to Headmaster Ozpin as he began to report back to him about Salem Crew with vague terms, "Queen has Pawns Oz. You know – "

Before he could continue in the call Ozpin replied to him through his Scroll to him of what he knows, "I already knew Qrow. Certain someone helped me out finding a name. Cinder Fall was the person we found out about. We are searching for more info about her and her past as we speak. For now, I request you come back from your reconnaissance mission."

Surprised flashed on Qrow face but soon scowls at the info he risked his life for as he dryly replied to Ozpin not amused, "Oh geez Oz wished you told me this a bit sooner ya know? It's not like I risk my life for this kind of stuff."

Ozpin laughs at the other end as he replied to Qrow on the other end of the Scroll as he talked to him, "Haha. I suppose I should have you, Dusty Old Crow. But regardless I bet you want to know of miss Rose entering Beacon early no?"

Surprised flashed Qrow face as he takes a swig of his jar of alcohol he replied with a smile evident on his face, "Heh. I see little Ruby growing up. Might as well see what the little cookie monster is up to. Ok, Oz. I'll be there as soon as I can to meet up with my niece and her team."

But next comes another piece of information with a serious tone from Ozpin making Qrow blood freeze, "But she has discovered her Silver Eyes. Her origin. I need you to provide protection for miss Rose – "

Interrupting Ozpin Qrow was justifiably angry hearing the news clenching his fist and talking to Ozpin harshly, "How?! I thought you promised me that you won't tell Ruby about this till she was older – "

Before Qrow could finish Ozpin chimes in his words making Qrow stop in surprise hearing how she unlocked her silver eyes powers, "She unlocked them by saving her teammate. I wouldn't dare train miss Rose her Silver Eyes at least till her second year but… certain situations placed me in a difficult position for me to not disagree. You know miss Rose she's like her mother saving others am I right Qrow?"

*Click*

Turning off his scroll Qrow mumbles to himself glancing at the broken moon fragmented as he talks to himself before turning into a crow, "Heh. Bet Summer would be proud to meet you kid. You managed to find out what makes you special guess someone better explain to her. But better not be any boys or else they will have a talk with their uncle. Heh."

Changing into a bird by magic he flew into the air going to Vale…

/////

Back at Beacon Academy, all the Students are inside the auditorium waiting patiently as they heard the news about something important for the first years as the other older years are present seeing the announcement with knowing grins on their faces.

Inside the auditorium with other students. Team RWBY and team JNPR, who is standing in the auditorium along with many first years faces confusion at the sudden news as they were all reported through their Scrolls to come here in the early morning.

Everyone's attention is drawn to the stage, where Professor Ozpin is readying the microphone, with Glynda beside him as he finally spoke in a neutral tone, "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. But I look amongst you, and all I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose, and direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this, but 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."

With his words, Ozpin began many of the students whispering among themselves hearing the news after being in Beacon Academy for the first few weeks.

"What?"

"Taking our first steps?"

"What is the headmaster talking about."

"Is there any purpose to come here?"

"Hmm… wonder what he's talking about?"

"Also why do we have classes off for the week?"

As the murmurs occur within the Auditorium Glynda began to raise her voice up to the students shutting them up, "Quiet! Quiet, please. Professor Ozpin would like to share a few words before we begin."

Ozpin thanked Glynda he coughs first as he began to give everyone a lengthy speech of his in a serious tone to the students listening intently to the morning announcements, "Today we stand together, united. Mistral. Atlas. Vacuo. Vale. The four Kingdoms of Remnant. On this day, nearly eighty years ago, the largest war in recorded history came to an end. It was a war of ignorance, greed, and of oppression. A war that was about much more than where borders fell or who traded with whom, but about the very idea of individualism itself. We fought for countless reasons, one of which being the destruction of all forms of art and self-expression."

Pausing for a bit letting everyone listen to him as they all took in his words he continues with a sad smile on his face as he spoke to them, "And as you are well aware, that was something many could not stand for. As a result, those who opposed this tyranny began naming their children after one of the core aspects of art itself: color. It was their way to demonstrate that not only would they refuse to tolerate this oppression, but neither were the generations to come. And it was a trend that is held to this very day."

Everyone nodded at this in understanding as this was something, they all have read in history classes they have in the past. Jack looks on listening to every word as Ozpin continues, "We encourage individuality, expressionism, and unity through diversity. As I have said, today we stand together, united. But this bond cannot exist without effort. Which is why today, while the rest of the world celebrates peace, Huntsmen and Huntresses will work to uphold it."

Stopping a bit he now focuses his attention on the first years with a smile on his face as he finally gives the announcements to them, "As first-year students, you will be tasked with shadowing a professional Huntsman or Huntress on a mission. Some of you may be taken out of the Kingdom for several days. Others may work within the walls for the rest of the week. But no matter which path you choose, remember to be safe, remember your training, and remember to do your very best."

The first year's eyes widen hearing the news as this will be their big chance to finally go on Huntsman missions.

Smiles and pride puffed out their chest as the thrill of finally achieving their goal was finally within their reach the purpose of why they fought and wield weapons, to begin with.

Before they could cheer though Glynda gave them all a head up as she began to speak to the students with a serious look on her face as she tilts her glasses up like a certain villain behind glasses would, "Of course that begins tomorrow as everyone here still have to attend the class for the day. The morning classes to 12:00 PM will be excused but when it hits 1:00 PM classes begin. For this time choose what missions you would like to choose and please all have a nice day."

Everyone groans at this but soon shuts up seeing Glynda glare at them making them whistle as Glynda and Ozpin step away and the students all begin to file out of the amphitheater.

*Shiii*

A holographic screen soon appears as it displays the words 'VALE BOUNTY MISSIONS' on the mission board everyone soon looked to see it as Jack was the first to see them with surprise in his voice, "Oh? Didn't expect them to give us missions this soon?"

Feeling a tap on the shoulder as Pyrrha talks to Jack but filled with excitement as she talked to him, "This is quite normal from Combat Academies. How else would first years be able to earn experience in the real-life world? Oh! I can't wait to start on one!"

Feeling the excitement as Jack glanced at Ren and Nora acting normal they raised an eyebrow at this as Jack talked to them with a lack of reaction, "I get why Pyrrha is excited but how come you two aren't showing many expressions for it?"

Hearing this Ren was first to respond with a smile on his face as he replied to him, "Well… me and Nora used to work in a Hunter Guild back in Mistral to earn some Lien. So, we are both used to this even if it wasn't serious at times when we were young but did pick up some reputation for it though."

Raising an eyebrow at this Jack glanced towards Nora as she further explain, what Ren meant as she explains to him and Pyrrha, "Yeah! We used to go by Thunder and Flowers whenever we team up on some missions. Of course, we get shadowed by older members but when we came to 15 years old, we are used to duo missions. Mostly transport, searching, or Grimm extermination types but the last ones are with Huntsman or Huntresses to overshadow."

Jack nods with some respect to his teammates listening to their achievements as he soon thinks to himself for a bit, 'Hmm… perhaps I should look into a mission for me to do with the team. That way I can increase my Level to 35 as soon as possible to get myself to learn magic. Or not because of where I am… maybe I can give it to an ally instead perhaps?'

Like that they all decided to look through the missions to see which one fit them as Jack prepares for something else with a hidden smirk, 'Now then since I have enough data on fighting Neptune. And the necessary Water Dust needed it's about time to get his semblance. A water manipulation skill will be a big help.'

With that, they all prepared for the classes as they all discussed what to do for the mission of their choice.

Jack merely grins evilly away from anyone looking recalling in his spare time to buy toy water guns prepared for today.