NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: Chapter 3
The grand locker hall buzzed with energy as prospective students prepared themselves for the trial in the Emerald Forest. Rows of gleaming lockers lined the walls, each one housing weapons, gear, and the hopes of those eager to prove themselves worthy of becoming Huntsmen and Huntresses. The air was thick with anticipation, excitement, and for some, nerves.
I walked in with purpose, weaving through clusters of students who were either hyping each other up or checking their equipment with laser focus. To my left, Ruby and Yang stood huddled together, their conversation serious despite Yang's usual laid-back demeanor. Judging by Ruby's animated gestures and Yang's reassuring tone, they were discussing team placements.
I debated for a moment whether to join them, but ultimately decided against it. This was their sisterly moment, and I didn't want to intrude. Instead, I made my way toward my locker, my steps slowing as my eyes caught sight of a familiar figure nearby.
Weiss Schnee—Frosty Flakes herself—was standing there, talking animatedly to none other than Pyrrha Nikos. My breath hitched. She's alive.
It was almost overwhelming, seeing Pyrrha again. Her fiery red hair, her calm yet slightly nervous smile, the faint golden glow of her aura—I hadn't seen that since... since... I shook the thought away. This is a new timeline, I reminded myself. She doesn't know me. She may not even be the same Pyrrha I knew. And yet, there she was, standing not ten feet away, talking politely to Weiss as if this were just another day.
A pang of conflicting emotions struck me. Seeing Pyrrha alive was comforting and disorienting at the same time. I'd always admired her in my past life, not just for her strength but for her unwavering kindness. But now, things were different. I'd grown feelings for Ruby in this timeline. Could a love triangle be brewing here? The thought made me groan inwardly. No. No way. Not dealing with that.
Determined to focus, I tried to push my thoughts aside and head to my locker. But of course, just like clockwork, Weiss noticed me.
"Oh, it's you again," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. She stepped slightly into my path, arms crossed and head tilted in that superior way of hers. "What do you want?"
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my tone polite. "Just here to get to my locker, Schnee. Do you mind stepping aside?"
Her eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me? Do you have any idea who you're talking to? I'll have you know—"
And there she went. I tuned her out for a moment, her words blending into a familiar blur of self-importance and unnecessary bragging. I glanced past her to Pyrrha, who was doing her best to smile politely, clearly uncomfortable with the attention Weiss was showering on her.
"And here we have Pyrrha Nikos," Weiss continued, gesturing dramatically toward her companion. "The Pyrrha Nikos, champion of Mistral, winner of countless tournaments, and—"
I sighed inwardly. Poor Pyrrha looked like she wanted to melt into the floor. Deciding enough was enough, I cut Weiss off. "Yeah, yeah, I've seen her before."
Weiss blinked, thrown off her rhythm. "Oh? You have? At one of her matches, I assume?"
"Not exactly," I said, keeping my face straight. "I recognize her from the Pumpkin Pete cereal boxes. I used to love those as a kid."
The reaction was instantaneous. Pyrrha's face turned crimson as she let out a quiet, embarrassed laugh, raising a hand to rub the back of her neck. "Oh, um… yes, that's me," she said softly, clearly not wanting to discuss her unfortunate endorsement deal.
I shrugged, the corners of my mouth twitching upward. "What can I say? Those boxes made my mornings better. They're classics."
Weiss's face twisted as if I'd insulted her personally. "Do you have any idea how disrespectful that is? Pyrrha Nikos is a champion—a legend! She's—"
"A person," I interrupted, my voice sharper this time. "And maybe she doesn't want to be put on a pedestal every second of the day." I turned to Pyrrha, giving her a small nod. "No offense, of course. Your matches were amazing. But Weiss, you might want to tone it down a bit. Let her breathe."
Pyrrha gave me a grateful smile, her blush still present but now mixed with a hint of amusement. "Thank you. That's very kind of you."
Weiss, however, was not amused. She sputtered for a moment, her face reddening as she searched for a comeback. Finding none, she huffed and stepped aside with an indignant flourish. "Fine! If you're so eager to get to your locker, be my guest. But don't think for a second that you're above proper manners."
I gave her a lazy salute. "Thanks, Frosty Flakes."
She froze mid-step, turning back to glare at me. "What did you just call me?!"
"Nothing important," I said with a grin, opening my locker as if she weren't standing there fuming. From the corner of my eye, I caught Pyrrha stifling a laugh behind her hand, her emerald eyes twinkling with amusement. That alone made the whole exchange worth it.
I watched Weiss stomp away, her indignation trailing behind her like a cape. Pyrrha remained where she was, standing gracefully despite the awkwardness of the encounter. Her emerald eyes flicked to me, her expression warm but curious.
"You really didn't have to step in," she said, her voice soft but steady. "I can handle it, but… thank you. Really."
I smiled, leaning casually against my locker. "I'm sure you can handle yourself. But sometimes, it's good to have someone take the heat for you. Weiss has a way of being… intense."
Pyrrha chuckled lightly, the tension from moments earlier melting away. "I've noticed," she said with a small grin. "I don't think I caught your name?"
"Jaune Arc," I said, extending a hand.
Her handshake was firm but kind, her smile widening. "Pyrrha Nikos. But it seems you already knew that."
"Well, hard not to when your face is on cereal boxes," I teased lightly, earning a faint blush from her and a quiet laugh. "But it's nice to meet the person behind the brand."
"Likewise, Jaune," she replied, her tone genuinely warm.
I nodded, closing my locker and adjusting the straps of my gear. "See you in the forest, Pyrrha. Good luck out there."
"You too," she said, her gaze lingering for a moment as I turned to walk away.
As I left, I felt a sense of ease. Meeting her again—or for the first time in this life—felt different, but in a good way. I couldn't quite place it, but there was something reassuring about Pyrrha's presence.
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Fast forward to the launching platform, where the gathered students stood in a loose formation under the open sky. The air was electric with anticipation and nerves, every face turned toward Professor Ozpin as he began his briefing. He stood tall, his posture relaxed but his tone commanding, his words cutting through the murmurs of the crowd with ease.
"Today marks the beginning of your journey as Huntsmen and Huntresses," he began, his cane resting lightly in his hand. "Your task is straightforward: make your way through the Emerald Forest and retrieve a relic from the temple at its heart. Along the way, the first person you make eye contact with will become your partner for the duration of your time here at Beacon."
He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle over us. There was a nervous shuffle from some of the students, the realization dawning that this wasn't just a trial of skill but a test of compatibility and trust.
"However," Ozpin continued, his voice growing more serious, "this is not a simple exercise. The Emerald Forest is no ordinary woodland. It is home to creatures of Grimm, many of which will not hesitate to attack if you stray into their territory. You will face them. You will fight them. And you will learn whether you are capable of standing firm in the face of such threats."
I noticed a few faces paling in the crowd, whispers of uncertainty passing between groups. Ozpin's gaze swept across the platform, sharp and discerning, before lingering on me for a moment. His expression remained neutral, but his eyes held a glimmer of something—curiosity, perhaps. It was brief, but I caught it before he turned away.
"Be resourceful," he said, his tone quieter but no less impactful. "Be vigilant. And above all, stay alive."
With that, the process began. One by one, the students were launched into the sky, their arcs visible against the backdrop of the sprawling forest. Some screamed, others laughed nervously, while a few remained silent, their focus already locked on the task ahead.
When my turn came, I stepped onto the platform, gripping the hilt of my weapon as the mechanism prepared to fire. With a jolt, I was launched into the air, the wind roaring past my ears as the ground became a blur beneath me. The world opened up, the vast expanse of the Emerald Forest stretching out in every direction.
I tilted my body, controlling my descent as I hurtled through the air like a missile. The treetops rushed closer, the wind tugging at my clothes and hair. I could already feel the thrum of my aura, preparing to absorb the impact of my landing.
The moment came in an explosive instant. I struck the ground like a meteor, the impact sending a shockwave through the earth and kicking up dirt and debris in every direction. A crater formed beneath me, the edges cracked and smoldering slightly from the force of my landing. My aura absorbed the kinetic energy flawlessly, dispersing it harmlessly as I crouched low in a classic superhero landing—one knee bent, hand braced against the ground.
The dust settled around me, the stillness of the forest momentarily disrupted by my arrival. I rose slowly, shaking off bits of dirt and leaves as I straightened. The forest loomed around me, a maze of towering trees and dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy. The faint cries of distant Grimm echoed in the distance, a reminder of the dangers lurking within these woods.
Ozpin's words echoed in my mind: You will face them. You will fight them.
I smirked, rolling my shoulders as I adjusted my weapon. The Emerald Forest was a proving ground, not just for skill but for determination and grit. I wasn't just here to survive—I was here to dominate.
"Alright," I muttered to myself, stepping out of the crater and into the forest. "Let's see what you've got."
With that, I began my journey, the shadows of the forest closing in around me as I pressed forward, ready for whatever awaited in the heart of the Emerald Forest.
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