The next morning, the grand hall buzzed with the usual morning chatter and the clinking of cutlery.
Ozpin surveyed his new student body with his usual inscrutable gaze.
Glynda stood beside him, her expression a mix of relief and lingering apprehension.
The arrival of Arthur had undeniably shaken their understanding of the world, but it had also, perhaps, offered them a chance they hadn't dared to dream of.
As the last of the breakfast trays were cleared, Ozpin's voice, amplified by the hall's acoustics, cut through the din.
"Good morning, students. Today marks the official beginning of your journey here at Beacon. You have all demonstrated courage, skill, and teamwork during the initiation. Now, it is time to hone those abilities and prepare yourselves for the challenges that lie ahead."
He paused, his eyes sweeping over the assembled students.
"As you know, you will be taught by a diverse faculty, each with their own unique expertise. This year, however, we have a new addition to our teaching staff, someone who will bring a… unique perspective to your training."
A ripple of murmurs went through the hall.
Glynda stepped forward, her gaze firm.
"Professor Arthur will be teaching two distinct curricula this semester. For Team RWBY and Team JNPR, his classes will focus on a form of combat training that goes beyond what you have previously learned. For all other teams, Professor Arthur will be leading advanced combat seminars designed to prepare you for the multifaceted threats of Remnant."
Ozpin, taking over, continued,
"Professor Arthur's classes will begin this afternoon. Details regarding your specific schedules will be provided to your team leaders. We expect all of you to approach these lessons with an open mind and a willingness to learn. The world outside these walls is a dangerous place, and your preparedness is paramount."
Later that day, in one of Beacon's larger training halls, Team RWBY and Team JNPR gathered, a mixture of anticipation and nervousness in the air.
When Arthur finally entered, clad in a simple yet elegant black tunic.
His presence was commanding, yet strangely calm.
"Good afternoon," Arthur's voice resonated through the hall, rich and deep.
"You seven have been chosen for a specific course of instruction. A course that will delve into the true nature of power, beyond the semblances you have come to rely on."
He walked slowly, his eyes meeting each one of them.
"For too long, the people of Remnant have been taught that their Aura and Semblances are the pinnacle of their abilities. While potent, they are merely a fragment of what lies dormant within each of you. I will teach you true magic."
Ruby Rose's eyes widened, a small gasp escaping her lips.
Weiss Schnee scoffed, though a flicker of intrigue danced in her icy gaze.
Blake Belladonna remained impassive, but her ears twitched subtly.
Yang Xiao Long grinned, a spark of excitement in her golden eyes.
Jaune Arc looked utterly bewildered, while Pyrrha Nikos maintained her composed demeanor, though a thoughtful expression crossed her features.
Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie, as always, were in sync, their expressions mirroring each other – Ren's quiet contemplation and Nora's boundless enthusiasm.
"This will not be easy," Arthur continued, his voice taking on a serious edge.
"It will demand discipline, focus, and a willingness to confront your own limitations. But for those who persevere, the rewards will be immeasurable. You will learn to tap into the fundamental energies of the world, to manipulate reality in ways you can scarcely imagine."
He then gestured to a series of mats laid out on the training hall floor.
"Today, we begin with the most fundamental aspect of true magic: Aura manipulation beyond combat applications."
Arthur watched them as they took their places on the mats, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
He knew the concept of "true magic" was a radical departure from their established understanding of their world.
"Aura, as you know it, is a shield, a conduit for your Semblance,"
Arthur began, his voice calm and instructive.
"But it is also an extension of your will, a raw, untamed energy that flows through all living things. Today, we will learn to manipulate that energy, not for a burst of power or a defensive shield, but to interact with the world around you in a new way."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"We will begin with something seemingly simple, yet profoundly complex: levitation. True magic flows from within, from your connection to the world and your will."
Arthur then picked up a small, wooden training dummy, no larger than a scroll.
He held it out, his hand open, and focused.
A faint, almost imperceptible shimmer of light, not unlike an Aura, seemed to coalesce around the dummy.
Slowly, it began to rise, hovering a foot above his palm, perfectly still.
He moved his hand, and the dummy glided with it, defying gravity with effortless grace.
Ruby's jaw dropped. Weiss's eyes widened, a flicker of genuine astonishment replacing her usual cynicism. Yang let out a low whistle.
"This is not a Semblance,"
Arthur stated, his voice unwavering as he gently lowered the dummy.
"This is pure magical manipulation. The ability to impose your will upon the fundamental energies of the world. Your Aura is the key, but it's not about reinforcing your body; it's about extending your consciousness, your intent, into the object."
He then gestured to a series of smaller, lighter objects placed at the edge of each mat: feathers, pebbles, and small, empty vials.
"Your task for today is simple in theory, challenging in practice. You will focus your Aura, not defensively, not offensively, but as a subtle, ethereal force. You will extend that force, that intention, towards one of these objects. Visualize it rising. Feel the connection. Do not strain, do not force it. Allow it to happen."
"Think of it as whispering to the object, not shouting at it,"
Arthur advised, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"The more gentle and focused your intent, the more responsive the energy will be. We are not moving mountains today, but we are learning to dance with the invisible currents of the world. Begin."
A quiet hum filled the hall as the students concentrated.
Ruby scrunched up her face in intense focus, her fingers twitching as if trying to grasp something unseen.
Weiss, ever the perfectionist, sat ramrod straight, her brow furrowed in deep concentration.
Jaune looked utterly lost, while
Nora, surprisingly, was surprisingly still, a look of uncharacteristic calm on her face as she stared intently at a feather.
The air thrummed with their collective efforts, a nascent energy beginning to stir within the ancient training hall.
...
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