Chapter 82. Goodbyes

Silva POV

In the past week, I not only finished building my new Mistral-Style mansion but set a friendly relationship with Ruby and Yang. After our first sparring match, they came around every day for a rematch which I obliged them. I also got my second date with Yang, the worst date ever; it started with checking out a movie that used way too many puns, and the plot sucked too. After that, we went to get dinner at the best place on Patch but ran into her Father, Taiyang, which became a massive headache.

I knocked out Taiyang, which she didn't mind surprisingly, and Taiyang let himself go in his training which did not make him a challenge for me to knockout. However, she gave me the nickname Bad Boy which makes me cringe, which is the cherry on top of this terrible date. Next time I plan the date myself for Yang because her idea of a suitable date is a bar or a comedy with a lot and I mean a lot of puns.

Ruby has been a delight to be with, whether throwing ideas around for weapons or just messing around. She particularly loved my weapon, Chair of Sloth which I based off of a gun from a game called Gat Out Of Hell from the Saint Rows series. A chair equipped with Gatling guns, Missiles, and a hover unit to move around while sitting on it. I am racing against Yang in my Chair of Sloth which I won because I cheated by selecting an off-road course that Yang's motorcycle couldn't handle.

Overall, my stay at Patch Island has been great, but I need to make plans to head back to Castle Nightwall soon for my next trip to the Emerald Forest and its surrounding ruin that I am hoping predate the age of gods and magic to further my understanding of magic. Asking Salem or Ozpin is just a bad idea because while they may teach me something, I don't trust them for obvious reasons. I digest, I hope to find some knowledge of magic outside of those two for my benefit rather than theirs.

Right now, I am giving Yang and Ruby the grand tour of my new mansion.

*

Silva: And this is the workshop.

Ruby started zipping around the workshop, looking at the various instruments and equipment that I put in. Yang seemed mildly impressed, then looked at her sister's antics in wry amusement. I then offered.

Silva: Since we are here, how about we upgrade your weapons?

Ruby then tackled me, asking me rapidly.

Ruby: Oh my gosh, can we make Crescent Rose into a rail gun? Add a thermal cutting mod to its scythe blade? Maybe replace some of the parts with a lighter material?

I chuckled at her enthusiasm, and Yang picked up Ruby by her hood. The silver-eyed warrior curled up like a kitten, being picked up by her sister. Yang reprimanded Ruby.

Yang: Ruby, give Bad Boy some room. He can't precisely answer you if you don't give him a chance to respond.

Yang set her little sister down as I cringed a little at the nickname Yang gave, and Ruby apologized while looking sheepish with a shy smile.

Ruby: Sorry, Silva.

I shrugged then replied.

Silva: It's okay, and before we get started, we need a clear idea of what you need, not what you want to upgrade Crescent Rose.

She nodded in understanding, and Yang asked me.

Yang: Any ideas on how to improve Ember Celica?

I smiled at her and said.

Silva: A few, but I need your input to understand better what's okay with you and what's excessive. That includes you as well, Ruby.

Ruby looked like she can barely control her excitement, and we got started drawing up rough drafts for the upgrades. For Ruby, we made it so her sniper rifle can switch between semi-automatic and full-automatic firing mechanism plus adjust her scythe blade to better double as a support for stability when firing rapidly. With Yang, we redesigned Ember Celica from the ground up. It now covers her entire arm with double the ammo capacity plus the ability to plant explosives like in Volume 7 of RWBY.

It can also expand into a pair of small shields to support Yang's tanking style, which can also change into wrist blades to give her a different attacking method. Yang was reluctant at first, but I pointed out that some Grimm is highly resistant to blunt force attacks, which made her agree. Ruby then got curious about my weapon.

Ruby: Hey Silva, aside from that gun you gave me to dismantle and the trench knives you say are your backup weapons; I haven't seen you use any other weapon. Why?

I smiled and told her.

Silva: The weapon I have in mind incorporates some special tech I invented that I am still working the kinks out. However, I should be able to build it in a couple of months before attending Beacon.

Her eyes sparkle as she asked me.

Ruby: What kind of tech did you invent?

I gestured for her to come closer so that I can whisper in her ear, and when she perked her ear at me, I whispered.

Silva: You see, the tech I invented is a... secret!

Ruby gave me a cute pouting look at me for not telling her anything, which made me grin ear to ear. As time went on, I gave my goodbyes to them as this is my last night here at Patch for now but not before I created a bond with them both with the soul crystal with Kindred Link on it plus used Where The Heart Resides semblance on the other soul crystal to create a bond here at my place at Patch Island. I went to my room at the castle to sleep, and when I opened my door, I saw Emerald sitting on my bed in the light green silk robe that she uses as her pajamas.

She noticed me and tensed up before asking.

Emerald: Um, Silva, can we talk?

I took a seat next to her and replied.

Silva: Sure, Em, what's up?

She took a deep breath and said to me.

Emerald: Before I met you, my life was hard but livable, if barely so, but now I have a new lease on life thanks to you. Not only that, you taught me how to be human and to have pride in myself. So I am just going to say it before I lose my nerve. Silva Cloud, I love you!

She was blushing as she confessed, and I leaned closer to her, then kissed her and said, after breaking away.

Silva: I love you too, Emerald, and I am never letting you go.

She looked stunned at my admission, unable to process what I just said for a moment. I gave her another kiss which she returned after a few moments. Emerald couldn't look me in the eyes as she asked.

Emerald: What now?

I whispered in her ear.

Silva: How about we sleep together for the night, and I mean just sleeping so hands to yourself.

She gave me a wry smile and replied.

Emerald: Shouldn't I be saying that.

We chuckled at the joke, and I then pulled Emerald close to me. I am laying off having sex with her, for now, to make her first time with me memorable. She cuddled closer to me as we went to sleep, and I enjoyed her company as my eyes got heavy.

( The following day)

I woke up to find Emerald hugging me tightly in her sleep, which made me smile. I got her hands off me and went to the kitchen to get breakfast started. Before I left Emerald, I gave her a peck on the forehead and made my way to the kitchen. I got the robot chefs working on an eastern Mistral breakfast (Japanese) for this morning, and when they were almost done with breakfast, I decided to wake everybody up.

I had a mischievous smile on my face as I stood in front of the massive gong that is large enough for the whole castle to hear, plus part of Vale. I got the sizeable soft-headed polearm and took a few practice swings in before striking the gong. The gong bellowed out, the sound shaking me down to my bones along with the castle.

After it finished ringing the first time, I struck it again, then lastly a third time, and I put aside the polearm. I soon saw Blake glaring at me as she asked.

Blake: Is that necessary?

I shrugged with a smile as I said.

Silva: Probably not, but it is fun for me.

She sighed, sounding tired, and I then told her.

Silva: We are having grilled fish, miso soup, and rice for breakfast, in case you are wondering.

She broke out into a small smile and headed to the dining room. Soon everyone in the castle showed up for breakfast; Kyuu and Morgana sit next to me, followed by Ilia and Emerald, then Blake. As we finished up breakfast, I made an announcement.

Silva: As I am sure some of you have noticed, I am planning for a trip, and I will not be back for a couple of months; however, once I am done with my trip, the lot of us will start seriously cramming for Beacon for next semester. Before you ask, this is something I need to do alone, so I am leaving the twins and Emerald in charge while I am away.

Emerald was the first to ask me.

Emerald: Where are you going?

I told her.

Silva: Something I have had on my mind for a while, and I am not giving you any details except that it is possibly dangerous.

It is dangerous since I will pick a fight with Salem after I check out the ruins in the Emerald Forest to find some information on magic. Kyuu then me teary-eyed asked.

Kyuu: Do you hate Kyuu? Is that why you're leaving?

Her question made me feel slightly awkward, but I assured her.

Silva: No, you silly girl, I can't possibly hate you.

Kyuu cleared up her eyes, and Morgana then asked.

Morgana: Can you bring back souvenirs?

I chuckled at her question and told her.

Silva: Sure, but don't expect a lot because where I am going won't necessarily have souvenir shops.

Blake asked her question.

Blake: What if we get some uninvited guests.

She means Adam and the White Fang because they are searching for her through the underworld information network. I then assured her as well.

Silva: Not to worry, the security system in place is overkill for anything below an invasion of a massive horde of Grimm attacking Vale.

After a few more talks here and there, I made my plans and packed my things, and tomorrow, I will be heading for the ruins then the Land of Darkness on the dragon-shaped continent above Sanus.