"Struggle, endure, contend. For that alone is the sword of one who defies death. Do not forget these words."
- Skull Knight
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[Would Mr. Jaune Arc please report to the headmaster's office?] The speakers blared for a moment before shutting off.
"Ohhhh, someone's in trouble!" Nora said with a smile.
Jaune gave her a flat, withering look that Goodwitch would have been proud of.
With a sigh, Jaune stood up from the table and looked over to Pyrrha, who looked at him with a worried look, gave her one back, and then continued to make his leave from the cafeteria, a d to Ozpin's office.
When he reached the elevator, Jaune gulped loudly, and his hand was shaking as he lifted it to press the button to call the elevator.
Did they find out about my transcript? It had to be about that, there was no other reason for him to be called. Too caught up in his own thoughts, he failed to notice the elevator giving off a cheerful ding, signaling that he had arrived, as the doors slid open, and Jaune looked forward to seeing Headmaster Ozpin sitting at his desk.
Ozpin looked right at him with a soft smile on his face, "Do come in, Mr. Arc," Ozpin told him
With a shaky foot, Jaune stepped out of the elevator and once he did, the doors of the elevator closed, and Jaune wanted to look back and see his only escape route disappear, but he swallowed hard and pressed forward, knowing that he needed to face the problem head-on.
Ozpin sat at his desk, eyes leveled at Jaune. "Please, take a seat, Mr. Arc," Ozpin said, gesturing to an open chair across from him at his desk.
Jaune did as the Headmaster suggested and he sat down, and he began fiddling nervously with his hands. His heart pounding.
"I assume you know why you're here, Mr. Arc?" Ozpin asked.
Jaune gave him a forcibly blank look that was not very convincing, but he still needed to act as innocent as possible in case this was about his transcripts. "I think I have an idea, sir," Jaune replied
Ozpin raised his eyebrow at his student, a smirk on his face. "You seem nervous, Mr. Arc," Ozpin stated, "Please take a few deep breaths to relax," Ozpin told him
Jaune did so and after a few deep breaths in and out of his nose, he felt a little less uneasy, but still prepared himself for the blow he was expecting.
"Now, how are you feeling? Less nervous I hope?" Ozpin asked
Jaune nodded, "Yeah, I do feel less nervous, thank you, Headmaster," Jaune replied
Ozpin smiled, "Good, then we can get back to back to the matter at hand," Ozpin told him, lacing his fingers together as if he was a councilman addressing the public.
Jaune gulped, but nodded, "So... the reason I was called in?" Jaune asked
"It's about your transcripts." Ozpin said, "We were given a tip from a student that you had falsified the transcript, and, after a surprising amount of digging, we confirmed that your transcript was indeed false," Ozpin said, and then let out a sigh, "Mr. Arc, the rules of this academy dictate that I expel you," Ozpin told him
Jaune grimaced. Yup, saw that coming seven miles away.
"But I believe that you are too valuable as a huntsman to let go," Ozpin told him
'What?' Jaune asked himself "Sir... I'm valuable as a huntsman?" Jaune asked
Ozpin nodded, "Yes Mr. Arc, I believe you are, despite any doubts you may have about yourself," Ozpin said "In fact, may I make a little confession?" Ozpin asked
Jaune w a bit confused but slowly nodded, "Uh.." Jaune began, he gulped and cleared his throat, "Sure thing, sir," Jaune said
Ozpin gave him a soft smile, "I knew from the start your transcripts were fake," He told Jaune
"WHAT!?" Jaune cried in shock
"Come now Mr. Arc, you really thought I didn't do background checks?" Ozpin asked with a smile "I personally checked your background myself as I did with a few of your other classmates and friends,"
"But... Then why did you let me in?" Jaune asked, "Why did you let me in if you knew I was nothing but a faker...?" Jaune asked
"Mr. Arc... I saw your potential," Ozpin told him "Call it a gut feeling actually, but when saw your profile after looking more into your life... I had this strong feeling that you, Mr. Arc, are capable of doing great things in the future, just like how I believe Ms. Rose will do the same,"
"Is... Is that why she and I are team leaders?" He asked
"That is one reason, yes, but there is more to it than that," Ozpin said "I chose you two because she and you are capable of leading people, both in different and similar ways," Ozpin said
"What do you mean? How are we the only capable people to lead our teams?" Jaune asked
"Ms. Nikos has been put on a pedestal her whole life, and due to people putting her in such a position, she has led a tough social life, while outgoing and friendly, she wants nothing more to be normal and be treated as nothing more then a regular girl, should I have made her team leader, it would have made her situation worse, more people would see her as a trophy and someon deserving to be a leader when she has no idea how to be one, she may be skilled in combat and have good grades but her selfless nature and belief in her duties to do the right thing for the greater good, has made it difficult, if not outright impossible, for her to make decisions for herself out of fear of letting down those who have placed their faith in her, and as for Mr. Lie, he may be cool and collected in some areas, and may appear to be well organized and level head when the situation arises, but due to past events, Mr. Lie has closed himself off in an emotional way, as he will not outright express himself and hold in his feelings, something a team leader has to rely on as well as their head, as for Ms. Valkyrie, while being bubbly, cheerful, and childish, and is by far one of the kindest students next to Ms. Rose, as well as one of the toughest students here at Beacon, she hides behind a mask, despite how loving she is, she is more fragile the you may think," Ozpin told Jaune, "As for you, Mr. Arc, despite no training as well as little experience fighting Grimm, and no doubt very afraid during initiation, you still took charge and led your team, despite what you may have been feeling, you were able to compose yourself and gather your team and lead them to victory, and did the best you could, which worked well, you believe in them and trust them with your life and in return they do the same because they believe you are the right person for the job, you have your faults there is no doubt about that, but those faults are fixed thanks to your teammates... Mr. Arc, you are the best choice for a leader," Ozpin finished
Jaune was surprised to hear Ozpin's reasons as to why he made a good leader, and while Jaune didn't fully believe it, it still felt sort of good to hear those words coming from someone who he sort of looked up to and respected. "But sir... What happens now?" Jaune asked
Ozpin leaned back. "Well, while I do have to remove you from school and expel you as a student, which I must do, I will hold onto your transcripts until next year, and await your return," Ozpin answered
"Wait!" Jaune said, a little in shock, "I-I can come back next year?" Jaune asked
Ozpin nodded, "Yes, and since you will no longer be tied to this school, it will give you time to harness your skills, and when you are ready, you may come back here, and return to your leadership position," Ozpin said, "Think of this as your trial to prove yourself," Ozpin said
Jaune nodded, and then he realized something, "Headmaster... when do I leave?" Jaune asked
"Today," Ozpin said
"Oh..." Jaune said with a sad tone
Ozpin looked at Jaune with pity, he let out a sigh, "Mr. Arc, do you need time to say-"
"No," Jaune replied
Ozpin was a bit surprised by Jaune refusing to say goodbye to his friends. "Are you sure Mr. Arc?" Ozpin asked
Jaune nodded, "I..." Jaune began, he gulped, took a breath, and let out a deep exhale, "I... can't face them, not when I let them all down, which is why until next year, until I prove myself... I can't face them," Jaune said, looking down in shame.
Ozpin knew why he was doing this, and while he didn't agree with it, he understood why, after all, he had once been in a similar situation. "I understand Mr. Arc," Ozpin said, "I will tell them,"
"Thank you... Headmaster," Jaune said, he let out a quick sigh, "I better start packing before they head back to the dorms,"
"Goodbye, Mr. Arc, I do hope to see you next year," Ozpin said
"I wouldn't really call this a goodbye, Headmaster, this is more of a... see you later," Jaune said with a goofy smiled
Ozpin couldn't help but smile and nodded, "Very well then," Ozpin said "See you later, Mr. Arc," Ozpin finished
Jaune nodded with a smile, "See you later, Headmaster Ozpin," Jaune said
With that said, Jaune left Ozpin's office to go collect his things before classes ended. That would be the last time Ozpin would see Jaune Arc that year...
After collecting his things, and with the help of some of the staff, all of his things were gathered and taken out to the Bullhead. Jaune left for the dock which would take him to Vale City where he would be on his own from there.
That was the last day, anyone saw Jaune Arc. Ozpin informed Team RWBY and (J)NPR about Jaune's transcripts as well as what he had planned for Jaune, however, the response to the information was not good.
Ms. Schnee and Ms. Xiao-Long were angry and agreed that Jaune deserved to be expelled, but didn't agree that he should be let back in. As for Ms. Rose, she felt a little heartbroken he was gone and no doubt a little hurt by what her friends were saying about Mr. Arc. As for Ms. Belladonna, she didn't say a word, even if she did, Ozpin would agree that she had little room to talk given her... colorful past.
Ms. Nikos was hurt but didn't say a word, though, Ozpin could tell she didn't want to stay quiet, after all, she no doubt knew about Mr. Arc's forged transcripts, as for Ms. Valkyrie and Mr. Lie they were speechless, no doubt surprised and hurt by this revelation.
A small conflict arose between the two teams, and Ozpin knew that this was only going to get worse...
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This story will mostly follow Jaune's journey to prove himself before the 2nd year starts, now this story will be heavily focused on Jaune's change through both good and bad situations as well as the lessons he learns along the way as he faces what it means to be a huntsman in the real world where there is both the Grimm and other human's to deal with.
Trust me, I'll be putting Jaune and the characters that eventually join him in his journey through the fucking ringer, I mean certain parts of this story will get dark.
This story is Post-Volume 1 but also Pre-Volume 2
Jaune will also be traveling around Remnant both finding himself and meeting other characters and facing off against enemies, most won't be part of Salem's circle, but I might have Jaune face against Tyrian or Hazel later down the line.
In the next chapter, Jaune heads for Mistral and encounters a certain mother.