RWBY - Child Of Light

Chapter 9: Smoke And Embers

The sounds of the party roar through the dormitory's first floor like a wildfire, laughter and music spilling into the hallways. The air vibrates with energy—loud, infectious, and utterly relentless.

I'd expected tension—a night of hushed whispers and wary glances as everyone digested the day's events. But instead, the atmosphere felt buoyant, almost celebratory. Cheerful faces blur past, laughter echoing against the walls. It seemed as though they'd decided to embrace the fleeting joy of possibly making it into Beacon, instead of dwelling on the slim odds.

Yet, as I steer Rain through the chaos—grasping her wrist more than once to stop her from going off course—a small part of me envied them. The steady pulse of the music tugged at my focus as I breathed in the sour-tasting smoke, a siren call inviting me to stay, to let go, to forget.

I shake the thought away and push forward, weaving through the multitude until the staircase comes into view. We climb to the second floor, where the din of the party fades into a welcome quiet. The air here is cooler, the atmosphere subdued.

The room we enter is spacious, built to house a full team. Its warm, practical décor gives it the feel of a compact home. Soft lighting casts long, gentle shadows on the walls, and the faint scent of polished wood lingers. Smaller, private rooms branch off to the side—spaces waiting to be claimed by a squad still in the making.

Inside, the golden-banded students are already gathered. Some sit, others lean against walls in loose clusters, their voices weaving a tapestry of chuckles and murmurs.

Ozpin is the only one who stands apart, his presence commanding the room without effort. He rises slowly as we enter, his calm demeanor cutting through the low hum of conversation.

"Ah, it seems everyone's finally here," he says, his voice smooth and unhurried. "Good. I'll keep this brief."

Before he can continue, a sharp, feminine voice cuts through the air.

"I think we're still missing someone."

The speaker is unfamiliar, encased in the gleaming polish of knight-like armor. But I already know who they mean.

Yang steps forward, her golden hair catching the light like a flame, her younger sister trailing close behind. "Don't worry," she says with an easy grin. "She's with us."

She flashes her golden bracelet. The small panel glows, displaying three bold letters: RBY.

The armored figure sighs, removing her helmet to reveal a warm, round face framed by chestnut hair. She slumps into a chair, her frustration evident. "What's the point of this gathering if half of us have already started forming teams? Shouldn't the focus be on giving an opportunity to those who actually need it?"

"Not my fault my sister and I kicked ass today," Yang shoots back, rolling her eyes, visibly annoyed.

Before the conversation can escalate, Ozpin brings his cane down with a sharp crack against the floor. The room stills instantly.

"That's... actually one of the reasons I've called you all here," he says, allowing the weight of his words to settle. "I won't go into too much detail, but let's just say I have reason to suspect someone had been tampering with our test—and its participants."

A ripple of surprise spreads like wildfire. Students exchange uneasy glances, the earlier bravado replaced by uncertainty.

"Then why not cancel the stupid test and start over?" Cardin calls from a distant corner where only his teammate accompanies him.

Ozpin exhales tiredly, shaking his head. "Because anyone bold enough to attempt infiltrating my academy wouldn't be deterred by something so trivial. Instead, I chose to give them a chance."