Professor Arc

Chapter 13: Forever Fail

Forever Fall was a beautiful place. Untouched by humans and unspoiled by industry, the land had been allowed to grow unhindered. And it had flourished.

Named so for its appearance, the trees crowned with dark red and orange leaves, as though trapped in perpetual autumn. Loose petals and leaves rained around them, drifting through the air before they would come to settle on the ground, crunching beneath their feet as they marched between the trees.

Perhaps it was the presence of the Grimm themselves which had created this beauty. An unusual thought to have, but there was no denying that without humans interfering, nature had been able to fully claim this land.

"Make no mistake students," Glynda said from the front of their procession, "Forever Fall is as dangerous as it is beautiful." Jaune rolled his eyes from the back of the group, where he had been assigned to make sure none of the students lagged behind or got lost. The Grimm pretty much owned all of Remnant that was not within the walled cities of the four Kingdoms, so claiming the area was dangerous? That really should have gone without saying...

That said, they had landed via Bullhead over twenty minutes ago and still had yet to actually see any Grimm. Of course there were signs; trees knocked over, tracks – the usual. But no news was good news as far as he was concerned.

If only the entire day could go that smoothly.

And here I forgot to check my horoscope.

"Right then students," Glynda stopped the group, letting the teenagers fan out before her as they listened to her instructions, "our task here today is to gather sap from the trees here. The sap has various purposes, from medicine to food – and is needed by Professor Peach. Any questions?"

"Yes." Jaune said with a raised eyebrow, holding one hand up to the muffled laughter of the students.

"Professor Arc?" The blonde woman acknowledged, nodding to him.

"Who on Remnant is Professor Peach?" And what hadn't he met this teacher if they apparently worked at Beacon too? In fact, how did what amounted to three teachers and their boss run an entire school?

That really explained why he was so overworked as a support teacher...

"Any other questions?" The Deputy said without answering him. "Good, off with you then – and be careful." The students began to meander away from them, sticking to their respective teams as they carried numerous empty glass bottles. After a minute or two, the two of them were left alone.

"So are you going to tell me who Peach is?"

"We do not speak that name." The woman said, looking around in a manner that if he didn't know her better... he might think it was nervousness. "To have already said it once... but we are far enough away from Beacon."

"I... don't understand."

"Perhaps it is best that way."

"Seriously though... who is Professor Peach?"

"There is no Professor by that name." Glynda said firmly, glancing at him from the corner of her eyes.

"But you just sai-"

"There is no Professor, by that name." She said once more, turning to face him as her green eyes bored into his own. Her glasses seemed to flash in the low light.

"Who was I talking about again?" Jaune said nervously, stepping back and holding his hands before his face in surrender. Glynda nodded once, before looking away. "A-anyway, what should we be doing about the students?"

"I will wait here." The stern woman frowned as she found an uncomfortable looking rock to sit on. "In the event that something goes wrong it would be best to have a clear area the students know they can retreat to. If I move around, we run the risk of them not being able to find help if they are in danger."