Professor Arc

Chapter 64

Headmaster Jaune Arc of Beacon Academy leaned back in his wooden chair and sighed.

Ozpin probably never had to deal with this. For one, the man had his comfortable-looking chair and desk, along with a hidden stash of coffee and a tower which overlooked the entire school, replete with plush interior and numerous amenities. Right now, those amenities were strewn all over the Emerald Forest, squashed by a dragon. The office was also off limits on account of fire, explosions, dragon, airship and the numerous other things which had turned it into less of a tower and more of a health and safety hazard.

As such, Jaune's desk was now a repurposed classroom, and his seat one of the wooden ones the students might sit on. His desk was thin and chipped, with chewing gum stuck to the underside, and instead of a nice, warm mug of coffee, he had some herbal-infused water. The last bit was particularly soul-crushing.

It just wasn't fair...

A knock on the door heralded a visitor, and he looked up as Glynda entered the room, several folders and books balanced in her hands. A part of him dared to hope they weren't for him, but that soon proved fruitless when she slammed them down on his desk.

"More congratulations and well-wishes," she said. "Along with sympathies and official statements of support."

He sighed and reached forward, lifting the letters up a little. There had to be at least a hundred or more, and the number grew every day. "Can't I just ignore them? If they're just wishing us the best, then we can say we read them and don't."

"No." Glynda crossed her arms. "Many of these are from important people who are required to wish us well. In turn, we are required to respond, and a failure to do so will be seen as a great insult. Beacon isn't in the position where it can afford to insult anyone."

"Except Atlas."

"We can't afford to insult them either. We just can't avoid it."

True, and things were frostier than they ever had been before. It wasn't just on his end, of course. After the Paladins went psycho in the streets of Vale, the people had become understandably concerned about the presence of more Atlas troops. "What's the situation with then?" he asked. "Haven't they moved out of Vale yet?"

"Not yet. Public order is already moving against them, so it won't be long. It seems like James is trying to starve you out, however. Anything that might be seen as a weapon – including dust – has been confiscated before it can be transported to us. All he's allowing through is food, medicine and general supplies."

Jaune blinked. "But I just saw a shipment of dust this morning..."

"Beacon has... other ways of acquiring its dust." Glynda said. "Ways James isn't so familiar with. We also have a stockpile from Amity, so we'll be good for a while. He won't be able to remain in Vale for long. The people are stacking against him, and his delays have only made matters worse." Glynda pushed a newspaper onto his desk and pointed to a particular story. "Even the Council has stopped speaking in his defence. They haven't gone so far as to request his departure, but they can smell what's coming. They don't want to put their positions in danger by endorsing someone the people hate."

"Then why won't they endorse me?" Jaune asked, looking over the story. "This says my approval is over 80% now. I've never even heard of a political figure having that much."

"That's why they won't support you. They fear what this might represent."

Oh, for the love of... Jaune slapped a hand into his face and groaned. "They think I'm going to try and take over, don't they? Are they idiots?"

"They're career politicians. To them, anyone who courts public opinion is trying to take their position. Most of them have reached their positions by being paranoid. Your popularity among the masses is worrying, but also potentially temporary." Glynda sighed. "It was higher last week."