o1 . text, un: beacon

[clocktowers]

Welcome, to all arrivals, new and old. My name is Ozpin.

It seems our arrival has fallen on October's doorstep. It was, to put it lightly, a dangerous month in Deerington. Even here in Trench, I would be unsurprised to find that we are entering a season of bloodshed and Beasts.

It would be wise to prepare. Even should that degree of danger fail to arrive, many of us have been newly burdened by powers we have not yet learned to control.

In the world of Remnant - I do not think it right to call it 'home,' in light of our situation - I served as headmaster of a combat academy. I guided young people in learning to harness their powers and hone their abilities, even in the most dire of circumstances.

If you are interested in such training, I am now accepting students for private instruction. It seems our currencies won't be of much use here, so allow me to propose an alternate price: stories. I have always been a scholar of folklore and fairy tales, and I would like to hear what your own worlds have to offer.

[ Ozpin hesitates a long, long beat. Then: ]

I shall even trade you one in return. My favorite, as of late, is about an old hermit and the visitors who changed his life. For those who have heard some of my more recent tales, you may be pleased to know that this one has a happy ending.

Comments

un: A.

[fabrications]

A combat academy, rather than a military academy?

[ It's not the strangest thing Akechi's heard since arriving, not by a long shot, but the distinction strikes him as interesting. ]

[clocktowers]

Indeed. In most kingdoms of Remnant, combat training was divorced from military oversight. [ A man has never been so thrilled to speak of his home in the past tense. ] The greatest threats to face our borders were posed by monsters, not other nations of men, and thus small and maneuverable teams were of greater value. It translates rather well to our new environment.

[fabrications]

That's convenient, isn't it?

[ He's say almost suspiciously so but, again, this place is fucking weird. ]

Do you only teach teams, or are solo combatants also included?

[clocktowers]

It is my belief that Sleepers would be safer and more successful were we to fully embrace teamwork. We all have weaknesses best covered by our peers, and strengths best highlighted in coordination with them. On Remnant, four-person teams were the norm.

With all that said, yes, I will teach individuals.

[fabrications]

[ There's a longer pause than usual before Akechi responds. ]

I don't know that I'd get much use out of lessons.

But I have experience working in teams against monsters. If you'd like an assistant I might be of some help.

[clocktowers]

[ Ozpin sees "I don't know that I'd get much use out of lessons" and discards it out of hand. Still, there's no harm in giving his new friend an opportunity to prove it. ]

Those are certainly relevant qualifications. I would be glad to hear more about your experience.

Perhaps we should meet for a demonstration.