Beacon Academy - Headmaster's Office
The office is quiet.
Afternoon light filters through tall windows, casting long shadows across the shelves lined with books and artifacts. Professor Ozpin stands near his desk, hands resting on the head of his cane, eyes unfocused as if replaying a moment only he can see.
The door closes softly behind Professor Goodwitch.
"You wanted to see me, sir?"
Ozpin doesn't turn right away.
"Yes, Glynda," he says calmly. "Thank you for coming."
She steps closer, folding her arms. "This is about Mr. Lioren, isn't it?"
Ozpin smiles faintly. "You're perceptive, as always."
"I happened to notice your attention lingering in the library," she replies. "That isn't something you do without reason."
Ozpin finally turns to face her.
"I observed Mr. Lioren reviewing a collection of fairy tales," he says. "Multiple editions. Cross-referenced. Annotated."
Glynda frowns slightly. "That alone isn't a crime."
"No," Ozpin agrees. "But why those stories?"
She exhales quietly. "You think he's piecing things together."
"I think," Ozpin says carefully, "that he is asking questions most people never think to ask."
Glynda's expression hardens. "How far?"
Ozpin pauses.
"Far enough to concern me," he admits. "Not far enough to stop him."
"That sounds dangerous."
"It always is," Ozpin replies gently.
Glynda walks to the window, looking out over the academy grounds. "We've already found no records of his past in those six years. No guardians. No official history. It was as if he had appeared out of thin air when he showed up at that school."
"An absence," Ozpin says, "can be louder than any confession."
She turns back to him. "Then why does he worry you?"
Ozpin considers the question.
"Because he does not seek power," he says. "He seeks understanding."
Glynda's eyes narrow slightly. "Those are often more dangerous."
"Yes," Ozpin agrees. "Especially when paired with restraint."
There's a brief silence.
"And Pyrrha?" Glynda asks.
Ozpin's gaze softens.
"He trusts her," he says. "With ideas I have spent lifetimes keeping buried."
"That trust could become a liability."
"Or a safeguard," Ozpin replies.
Glynda shakes her head. "You're placing a great deal of faith in a student you barely know."
Ozpin smiles faintly. "On the contrary. I am choosing not to interfere."
"That's not like you, professor Ozpin."
"Perhaps," Ozpin says, "I have learned that truth revealed too early can be just as cruel as truth withheld too long."
He turns toward the window now, watching students move across the courtyard below.
"Mr. Lioren is careful," he continues. "He does not speak recklessly. He does not boast. He does not recruit."
"And if he's wrong?" Glynda asks.
"Then he will reach a limit and stop," Ozpin replies.
"And if he's right?"
Ozpin is quiet for a long moment.
"Then," he says softly, "we must ask ourselves why a student was able to see what we tried so hard to hide."
Glynda exhales, tension visible in her shoulders. "Do you want me to monitor him?"
Ozpin shakes his head.
"No. Observation would only confirm his suspicions."
"Then what do we do?"
Ozpin's smile returns-subtle, unreadable.
"We wait," he says. "And we trust that when the time comes... he will choose wisely."
"And if he doesn't?"
Ozpin's eyes darken, just slightly.
"Then," he says, "we will face the consequences of our silence."
The room falls quiet once more.
Beacon Academy - Professor Port's Class
The next day, Erik and Pyrrha sit in the back row during Professor Port's class. His voice booms dramatically as he launches into yet another long-winded tale of his heroic exploits.
A few rows ahead, Jaune sits beside Weiss, fidgeting nervously.
"So, Weiss," Jaune says, leaning in a little too close, "I was thinking... after class, maybe we could grab something to eat?"
Weiss keeps her eyes forward.
"And, uh... I've got two tickets to that new Spruce Willis movie," Jaune continues quickly. "We could head to Vale. I hear it's really good. And then maybe after that we could study together. I mean, you're smart and I'm... uh... trying."
Weiss says nothing.
Behind them, Erik glances over briefly, already sensing how this will end.
Suddenly-
Beep.
Professor Port stops mid-sentence.
"And then I-oh! Ah... timed that one poorly, I'm afraid!" Port announces. "Alas, the stunning conclusion to this tale must wait until next time!"
The bell rings.
Jaune blinks. "Weiss? Did you hear me?"
Weiss snaps back to reality. "No. No. No. Yes."
Jaune lets his head drop forward, his face hitting the desk with a dull thud.
Yang pats his head sympathetically as she passes. "One day, buddy."
Erik and Pyrrha head toward the exit. Erik slows when he notices Jaune still slumped over his desk, staring at nothing.
"Another cold front from the Ice Queen?" Erik asks, tone calm but not unkind.
Jaune lifts his head, shoulders sagging. "I just... I thought I was doing everything right this time."
Pyrrha stops beside him. Her smile is gentle, steady. "You were honest," she says. "That already counts for something."
Jaune lets out a weak laugh. "Doesn't feel like it."
"It will," Pyrrha replies. "You're trying. And you're improving-even if it doesn't look that way yet."
He looks up at her, surprised. "You really think so?"
She nods without hesitation. "I know so."
Erik adds quietly, "Just don't measure success by one conversation."
Jaune straightens a little, taking that in. "...Thanks. Both of you."
Pyrrha's smile warms. "Anytime Jaune."
Erik gives a small nod, and together, he and Pyrrha continue toward the door-leaving Jaune sitting a little straighter than before.
They walk together along the courtyard path, enjoying the fresh air, when they spot Team RWBY near the dormitory entrance-joined by Sun and Neptune.
Erik slows. "Hey," he calls out. "What're you guys up to?"
Blake answers calmly, "Nothing. We're just heading into Vale."
Sun grins and immediately ruins it.
"We're going to investigate the White Fang and that Torchwick guy."
Blake shoots him a sharp glare.
Sun just smiles back.
Erik grows quiet for a moment, thinking.
"...If that's the case," he says evenly, "then I hope none of you get yourselves killed."
Yang raises an eyebrow. "Wow. Dark."
"That's not what I mean," Erik replies. "White Fang and Roman Torchwick don't work together naturally. They're too different. Ideologically. Strategically."
Ruby tilts her head. "So why would they team up?"
"There's only one reason," Erik says. "A third party."
Blake's expression hardens. "What kind of third party?"
"Someone powerful enough," Erik answers, "to force both Roman Torchwick and Adam Taurus to accept their terms."
The mood shifts.
"...All the more reason to stop them," Blake says quietly.
She turns and starts walking.
"Blake, wait up!" Sun calls, jogging after her.
The others follow soon after.
Before they leave, Erik speaks again.
"Don't worry," he says. "We won't tell anyone about this."
Ruby smiles back at him. "Thanks, Erik."
Pyrrha walks in silence for a few steps before speaking again.
"Erik," she says softly, "do you think we should help them?"
He doesn't answer right away.
"As much as I want to," Erik says at last, "we're already under Professor Ozpin's watch. If we get involved directly... we won't be able to stay on the sidelines anymore."
She glances at him. "And that would force a choice."
"Yes," he replies quietly. "One we can't take back."
They walk a little farther, the sound of their footsteps filling the space between them.
Pyrrha breaks the silence again. "Then... when you say 'third party'... who do you think they are?"
Erik exhales slowly, as if weighing how much to say.
"People on the same level as Professor Ozpin," he answers. "But standing on the opposite side."
Her brow furrows. "You mean... evil?"
He shakes his head.
"I wouldn't call them that," Erik says. "Evil is simple. This isn't."
He keeps his eyes forward.
"They know the same secrets Ozpin does," he continues. "They understand how this world really works. The difference is... they're willing to use that knowledge without restraint."
Pyrrha's fingers tighten around his hand.
"That's... frightening," she admits.
Erik just nods at her.
They continue walking together, neither of them speaking now.
To Be Continued...