[-] I wrote this a while ago for my other account. I won't use that account anymore... so I'm briggin over here now.
[-] Whenever I find some time I will review, edit and post it here, but this story is still on Hiatus.
[-] Only two things can take this story out of its Hiatus: I finish one of the other four I'm posting, or the majority of my Kofi subscribers (Silver Flame and Golden Flame) want it back when I open a vote.
[Pyrrha Nikos]
Professor Goodwitch can't teach today, so when we arrive at the classroom, we are greeted by a substitute teacher who, in Yang's words, is 'a total blonde Dilf.'
Word choices aside, I agree that he is quite handsome, tall, and muscular, but I have never been attracted to older men.
'And his beard, combined with the fact that he wears old, rusty armor, makes him look like a beggar,' I think to myself, staring at the teacher.
When the teacher asked for volunteers to fight him, many girls and even some boys wanted a chance, but it was Yang and Weiss who stood out by standing up and asking loudly. Both are very interested in 'engaging' with the teacher in the ring.
"GO YANG!" Nora shouts from my side. "BREAK HIS LEGS!"
"Nora, she is less than 10 meters in front of us." Her partner complains. "You don't need to scream."
"Sorry, Renny." Nora says, making a dog face at her partner.
Nora's reaction might be exaggerated, but it is normal to root for a friend, especially one who is losing so badly.
"Stay still!" Yang grumbles at her opponent, dodging another of his blows.
"Nop." Says the armored man in a playful tone.
"HARG!" Yang yells, trying to hit the teacher with all her strength.
Only to be parried by her opponent's shield and then pushed out of the ring from behind.
POF!
{RING OUT! YANG XIAO LONG!}
The system announces in a robotic voice before Yang's defeat.
"Rurgh!" growls the frustrated girl on the floor.
"You are a short-tempered, arrogant girl, and you also are extremely dependent on your Semblance to defeat enemies who overpower you." Says Professor Luna, approaching Yang lying on the floor.
Still with her eyes red, Yang stares at the armored teacher as if she wants to bite his head off.
"But…" The professor continues, sheathing his sword and taking off his helmet. "You are also a strong, determined, and very talented young woman."
Yang's eyes widen and her body freezes at the teacher's sincere praise.
"R-really?" Yang stutters.
With a warm smile on his face, the teacher extends his hand to help the student to her feet.
Hesitantly, as if she is a shy maiden, Yang accepts the hand and the teacher quickly lifts her off the ground.
"With training, experience, and a little direction in your rage, you can become the greatest Huntress in the kingdom of Vale of your genaration, or even all of Remnant." He finishes speaking, giving a hearty and contagious laugh.
Yang's face lights up in a red hue, which doesn't go unnoticed by Nora.
"Aaaaah… look at the teacher's pet." Nora mocks loudly.
In response, the entire class laughs at Yang who stomps out of the ring as she mumbles angrily.
"Jokes aside, I want you all to understand, anger is a powerful emotion." Says the teacher in a more serious tone, his voice booming. "When used correctly, it can help you defeat powerful enemies."
The statement catches several students off guard as they begin to whisper among themselves in confusion.
I understand their astonishment; usually, teachers and instructors advise not to give in to your emotions during battle; they say that we should have a cold and calculating mind when dealing with the enemy.
"However, anger is just something that fuels your spirit in battle; don't let it control you." The teacher says, frowning with a melancholy look. "It can lead to making…irreparable mistakes."
A sepulchral silence falls in the room; no student dares to even blink at the declaration, all waiting for context that never came.
"He-he." Professor Luna laughs awkwardly. "Sorry about that awkward silence…, to make it up to you, I'll send you off five minutes early for lunch."
In response, the room erupts in cheers and applause, with students standing up and quickly heading out the door.
When the room finally calms down, I get up only to notice that Nora has run off with the rest of the students and Ren is dragged by her.
"This teacher is a bit weird." Whispers a male voice next to me.
Looking to the left, I see my partner, staring thoughtfully at Professor Luna.
"Why do you say that, Jaune?" I ask curiously.
"Don't get me wrong, he seems like a good teacher, but I feel like I've seen him before."
"Like before class or the school year?"
"More like he's a distant relative I haven't seen in a while." Jaune says, getting up and walking towards the teacher.
I follow Jaune as he approaches Professor Luna, who is removing his rusted armor, revealing a black tank top that clings to his muscular body.
The professor's physique is impressive, a testament to years of training and discipline. It is as if he is one of those ancient heroes carved from marble.
Jaune clears his throat, catching the teacher's attention.
"Excuse me, Professor Luna." He begins, his voice firm but curious. "I couldn't help but notice… are you by any chance a member of the Arc family?"
The professor stops mid-motion, his hands still on the straps of his armor. His eyes flick to Jaune, then to me, before settling back on Jaune. There is a moment of silence, a hesitation that seems to go on a little too long.
"Arc, you said?" Professor Luna finally responds, his voice careful, measured. He goes back to removing his armor, but his movements are slower, more deliberate. "Why do you ask?"
Jaune shrugs, a casual gesture that belies the intensity of his gaze.
"You remind me of someone… an uncle of mine maybe."
The professor laughs, but it sounds forced, without the genuine warmth it had been before.
"Well… as I say earlier in my introduction, I'm Professor John Luna and I don't remember being related to any Arc."
He avoids Jaune's gaze, focusing on carefully stacking his armor pieces. His evasiveness is palpable, a stark contrast to the open and engaging demeanor he demonstrates during class.
Jaune nods, apparently satisfied with the answer, oblivious to the educator's tension.
"Just thought I'd ask." He says smiling, feeling satisfied. "Thanks for the early dismissal, by the way. It's always good to have a little extra time."
The professor nods, with a tight smile on his face.
"No problem." Says the teacher, turning his back. "Enjoy your lunch, Jaune and Pyr."
As we turn to leave, I can't shake the feeling that there is more than meets the eye. Professor Luna's reaction to Jaune's question is... suspicious.
I look at the teacher one last time before leaving the classroom. He is there, watching us leave, his expression unreadable. There is a story there, hidden beneath the surface, and I can't help but feel a spark of curiosity, a desire to discover the truth. But for now, it has to wait. Lunch is calling, and with it, the promise of normality and-.
"Wait!" I exclaim in the middle of the hallway. "What did he call me?"
[Professor Luna]
I lean against the cold steel wall of the elevator, my breath comes in ragged gasps. The fight with Yang was refreshing and even fun, but it is nothing compared to the confusion in my mind.
Seeing Pyrrha again...it was hard… and also hurts like a punch in the gut. I thought I was prepared, that I had strengthened myself for this moment, but I was wrong.
The sight of her, standing there, strong and radiant as in my most vivid memories, awakens feelings I thought had long been buried.
"My God… how I missed you, Pyr." I murmur with tears streaming from my eyes.
In my chest, I feel a pain that I have become accustomed to, like an old wound that hasn't healed properly. But seeing her again is like sticking a knife in, exposing the bloody flesh beneath.
When I close my eyes, I can see her, clear as day. The way her hair catches the light, the fierce determination in her eyes.
The elevator hums, a soft, steady sound that seems to echo the rhythm of my thoughts.
Feeling tired, I raise my hand and rub my face to compose myself, then I let out a deep sigh as I feel the weight of it leave me.
"Mister Luna." A calm voice says, catching my attention. "I'm glad you can join me."
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even notice the door opening.
"Yes, o-of course." I stutter, getting out of the elevator. "What would you like to talk to me about, Professor Ozpin?"
Smiling, the director sits back in his chair, looking at me. After taking a sip from his cup, he answers me.
"Please." Ozpin says in a friendly tone. "When we're alone, you can call me Ozpin or Ozma."
I nod.
"And if you want, I can call you Jaune." Adds the immortal wizard, smiling.