Working Beacon with Skill

Chapter I: Shining Beacon

The fresh air that I inhaled was lot different than the air in the city below. I mused as I walked out of the newly landed Dustplane. Although I would really like to notice that when I'm not in a hurry to find the nearest trash bin to release the contents of my stomach. I stumbled across one a few moments later and promptly threw up my breakfast. It was a good thing that I only ate a few toast bread because I was going to be late for the flight.

I grabbed a bottle of water from my bag and washed my mouth from the vile taste left by my digested breakfast. Curse my motion sickness for ruining my chance of seeing Beacon while in the air. I should have brought medicine and decided not to read my horoscope. I was a little happy when I read that today would be my lucky day.

Lucky day my ass.

I sighed and placed the bottle of water on my backpack. I would not let this misfortune ruin my day. I got to be optimistic, since I'm already in the place where I will start my future. That's right, this is where I will hone my skill and become a great Hunter!

I looked towards Beacon with a big smile. I remember the stories told to me by my mum, this is the place where she met dad and where they learned the greatest power of a Hunter. I suppose it is my time to discover that power, whatever it is.

I couldn't stop the chills as I took my first step. The mixed anxiety and excitement were building and I feel the need to release it soon. Mum told me that an initiation was required in order to pass, the written exams had already been taken care, but I wonder what the task would be. I decided not to think about it as I continued to walk against the stone pavement. I can see a lot people chatting, it looks like I'm the only one without a friend.

As I approached closer, I noticed a girl with red cape lying on the ground while staring at the sky. A few meters away, two other girls were walking away from her, one with an expression of disdain, the other calm and collected. I approached the girl in red and offered a hand. She reached for it a moment later and I lifted her. Whoa, she sure is light.

"So, what'cha doing laying there?"

The girl smiled awkwardly and began to tell what happened and how she ended up before I found her.

"Whoa, not even the first day and you already exploded. By the way, name's Jaune Arc. Short, sweet, rolls of the tongue, ladies love it."

Red smiled. "Do they?"

"Well, I can dream can't I?"

We both chuckled.

"By the way, I'm Ruby! I saw you earlier throwing up. Maybe I should call you Vomit Boy"

Oh great, what a nice way to make an impression. Can they blame me? I am a sensitive person, and being the sensitive person I was, I couldn't help but feel sick when inside a move object larger than a house. Does that even make sense? I forced a smile and thought of a nice come back. An appropriate one came in my mind.

"Sure, you won't mind if I call you Crater Face, huh?"

Ruby's face distorted into a pout. I really think that it was cute, maybe if she was older I would try to flirt to tease her but if I do it now I will be labeled as a pedophile. Still, her reactions are quite cute… maybe I could tease her a little.

"It was an accident!"

I huffed.

"Well, motion sickness is more common than people let on!"

The two of us laughed at our own childishness. Great, I made a friend not even an hour after getting here. Maybe today won't be a bad day and my horoscope would be slightly correct. I told myself as we continued our walk.

"So, I have this thing…"

Ruby, grabbed the weapon placed behind her waist and in a moment, it transformed into a giant scythe. It sure is sharp, I noticed as the tip buried itself in the concrete path. I'm not gonna pay from that one.

"Wicked."

Ruby smiled and explained more about her weapon—Crescent Rose—she seem really into it because she talked so fast that I barely understand her. I got one part where she said that her weapons was also a gun. How cool was that?

"Uh, I only have hands me down weapons. But I'm good at it."

I drew Crocea Mors from its sheathe. Compared to Ruby's Crescent Rose, my sword is much older, used by my great grandfather in the war. Dad did not use it for he favored guns while my mum was more focused on Dust spells. I was a bit miffed when I received the sword five years ago but I grew to love it. For someone like me who was a failure in aiming, using a gun would be a bad idea. You wouldn't believe how I hurt myself using a simple bow.

Ruby started at the smooth white metal of Crocea Mors.

"That's cool too! Not many people appreciate the classics."

Says the girl with the gun-scythe. However, I'm not disheartened to use a simple weapon in a school where all weapons are modern. I mean it when I said that I was good in using a sword. I spent five years learning how to use it, developing a style that suited me. To be honest, Mum and Dad were shocked when I returned home one day covered in blood. I told them that I slew a few Beowolf and did not receive any scratches. Although the scolding the followed was one of the worst.

"So Ruby… mind telling me where we're going?"

"Huh? I dunno, I was following you, Jaune!"

[…]

We asked an upperclassman in where in auditorium were located and managed to get in the place in time to hear the Headmaster address us. Ruby left to talk with her sister and I was left alone. Some time later, after the speech, a man approached me and gave the number and combination for the locker. Inside it, were sleeping bags and pillows that we would use for the night. I placed my bag and weapon inside but carried my tooth kit before heading to have dinner.

For dinner, I picked sandwiches and juice. I didn't ate there and hurried in the ballroom where people were already gathering. I picked a spot near the wall and silently ate there. I was surprised that many male slept topless, displaying their large bodies, not to mention the hair in their armpits. I decided to look in the ground as I ate or else I would lose my appetite. But that changed when some boys started to play wrestling with one another, forcing me to temporarily change location.

I tried to search for a place not surrounded by girls, and where my sleeping bag was in line of sight. I found one particular, but a lone girl reading a book already occupied it. I gathered my courage and walked in the direction. It was this or be forced to not eat these magnificent sandwich.

"Err, mind if I seat here?"

I asked the girl in a low tone. I tried not to be loud in order to attract attention but I don't know if the girl heard me. I was about to repeat with a louder tone but the girl focused her golden eyes at me and made a single nod, returning to her book. I heaved a sigh of relief and plopped down a meter next to her. I placed three pieces of various sandwiches next to me and took a sip of apple juice. It was a good thing I grabbed many since I think talking to a girl took a lot of me.

I unwrapped a sandwich and took a bite, staring at my sleeping bag a few meters away and not towards the sweaty boys who were trying to impress the girls with their bodies. It clearly wasn't working. From my peripheral vision, I saw the girl next to me twitch and steal a glance at the stack of food next to me. She noticed me and quickly turned her head at her book, her cheeks gaining a red color. I swallowed and shortly forgot about my awkwardness.

"Hey, feel free to take one. I'm not sure I can finish all."

The girl paused in her reading, hesitating, but a moment later she closed the book and placed it beside her, reaching her left hand and grabbing a sandwich, the tuna flavored. She muttered a quiet thanks and unwrapped her food. My awkwardness chose the time to return and stop my plans in asking her name. Well, talking while eating is frowned upon, so I would not get worked up. Maybe if I see her again next time.

The next minutes were in silence. Aside from eating, I became lost at my musings, the girl beside was still eating, imitating me and not looking towards the sweat boys still trying their best to show off. Really, don't they notice that no one was paying attention at them? I buried the thought at the back of my head as I tried to imagine what Beacon would offer me. I did not know how many minutes were wasted but a voice drew me back to reality.

"Hey…"

I turned towards the girl and raised an eyebrow. Now that I got a clear look at her, she was quite beautiful. Golden eyes and black hair, something that you don't see every day. Then again, Ruby had silver eyes.

"Can… can I have some of your drinks too?"

The girl asked, I nodded with a small smile and handed her a carton box of apple juice. She muttered another thanks and took the carton from my hand. Once again, I was controlled by my awkwardness and fail to introduce myself before even trying. After a minute, she finished the juice and grabbed her book about to leave. However, after she stood up, she turned to me and said.

"By the way… I'm Blake,"

"J-Jaune."

Blake nodded at me and turned her back, walking towards her side of the room. I spent another few minutes in finishing my food before returning to my place, once the boys were finally tired and smelly. I can say that in the end, all worked well.

[…]

The next day, I woke up early, jogged, made a detour to the lockers, and then took a shower with a few early risers. I donned a black hoodie and blue jeans and placed my sleepwear into my bag. I did not met anyone that morning and ate waffles alone at breakfast. After that, I explored the outer grounds making sure to never stray too far from the others. Beacon was formerly a castle made in top of a mountain; even now, there are still some buildings from the ancient Castle Emerald, now majorly known as the Emerald Forest.

According to myths, Castle Emerald and its entire people were annihilated when a lone Grimm called Nightwalker awakened. Although there is no proof that the Grimm existed, or how Castle Emerald was destroyed in a single night, the myth was still popular even now.

I returned in the lockers to grab Crocea Mors an hour later. I was one of the few people there and I couldn't help but feel a repeat of last night when I noticed that there were two girls talking beside the location of my locker. One of them, was the girl I saw yesterday when I approached Ruby. Her white hair was very easy to distinguish. Based from what Ruby told me, she was a crabby girl. Therefore, I decided not to cause anything that might turn her attention to me. Yes, call me spineless if you want, but I can't take a verbal assault from a girl. I'm a failure.

I entered the combination and equipped my shoulder pads and chest plate as quickly and silent as I could, then grabbed Crocea Mors, not paying attention to them or their topic. I kept reciting the 'Must not embarrass myself' mantra to myself as I did the whole process. Just when I was about to walk away, praising myself for a job well done, a voice called me.

"Hey Jaune!"

Ruby yelled, and before I knew it, the attentions of the other two were drawn to me. Damn it Ruby! Okay, calm down and don't make a fool of yourself. Remember that your ego is as fragile as an eggshell and that a verbal assault from a girl would shatter it.

"You!"

"Oh God it's happening again!"

"You're lucky we weren't blown off the cliff!"

I heaved a sigh of relief, as Ruby became the focus of the white-haired girl. I took the time to examine the blonde girl who was staring at Ruby with amusement. Meanwhile, the redhead was raising an eyebrow to her companion's reaction to Ruby.

Okay Jaune, time to make your escape!

[…]

"That being said, the first person you make eye contact with or after landing will be your partner for the next four years."

I blinked as I thought I heard what Headmaster Ozpin said. Partners are based from this method. Mum did said that Beacon would surprise me, but seriously? I scanned the other people to see their bewildered looks. I was glad that I wasn't the only one surprised by this revelation.

"After you collaborate, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything on your path… or you will die."

Well, that was inspiring. I mused as I calm my nerves. Okay, this is the day to test your skills. Five years of repetitive training. No everyday life and no ordinary happiness. Only thoughts focused on upgrading my skill, repeating every day by trial and error without end.

It could only be something like that. Like playing an RPG where the accumulation of experience points did not rely on artistry. Always pushing the body and mind to the limits of exhaustion, striving towards "that particular direction" with foolish obsession.

Dad said "have confidence."

That's right, I have spent so much time in developing my skills so I have the every right to have confidence about them. I haven't unlocked my Aura yet but that's fine. I want to know how far I would get with only my skills.

So bring it on Beacon!

Jaune Arc is Ready!