Unexpected Remnant

After Glynda chewed me out for dragging Ruby along my class skipping, she sent me to see Ozpin the next day. As I rode up the elevator to the headmaster's office, my mind wandered to what to do next at this junction of my life. Mid-terms are just around the corner, and after them is the two-week summer break, where the Vytal Festival really starts to kick off before the tournament. Aside from checking in on Raven and Salem, plus seeing a few friends across the multiverse, should I go ahead and seek out the worlds I plan to go to reach the level needed to deal with the Brother Gods once and for all?

Unlike Salem and Raven, who are tapping into completely new power systems, the worlds I have in mind focus on synergy with my Aura, Magic, and Divinity. If I do go ahead and end this, then I need to take them down immediately the moment I return to Remnant to prevent any collateral damage. Ultimately, I am tempted to procrastinate as I want to see how things pan out for the year since canon is out the window in its entirety. Taking a year to relax in my homeworld to relax from my over a thousand years of travel across the multiverse isn't too much, right?

I know I should not procrastinate, but I am honestly just tired of running around. I sighed as I felt my years catch up to me; maybe I should consider storing my excess memories somewhere else to relieve my mind. Even with Soul Archive, I can still extract my memories and forget them. It's just a complicated process. Whatever, I'll make my choice after seeing Raven, Salem, and a few others. The elevator door opened to reveal Ozpin's office, and the headmaster called out to me.

" Come in, Silva Branwen."

I walked in casually and kept silent as I waited for the old wizard to say his piece. Ozpin sipped on his cocoa as he sat at his desk and then said.

" Silva Branwen, how would you feel about taking on missions for school credit instead of attending classes?"

Okay, that threw me for a loop. I considered his words for a moment before asking.

" What brought this on Ozpin?"

" Well, Glynda informed me of your test results on end of the fourth-year material and that you passed with flying colors. So rather than waste your time on classes you clearly don't need, why not have you tackle missions instead as a probationary Huntsmen and let you graduate at your leisure?"

I started to get suspicious of his intent as this was a little too convenient when I should be punished for being a bad influence on Ruby. I am not sure what he wants from me at the moment, but for now, I see no reason to refuse.

" I'm all for it, but what's the catch?"

" No catch. Just take your pick of missions on the mission board to earn school credits. You are also exempt from exams."

I spread out my Divinity to increase the range of my Soul Archive to peek into what was going on in Ozpin's head. Ah! So that's what he wants! Basically, he will manipulate what missions are displayed to me and have me tackle some things that are possibly Salem related on the sly, along with getting an idea of what I can do in general. Sneaky but not worth anything of importance since Salem is away, and her circle is scattered to the four winds.

Cinder is working from the inside, trying to join Ozpin's circle to get the remaining Maiden powers. The two scientists are part of the Menagerie Department of Research and Development. Hazel is wandering around doing some soul-searching after I had a long talk with him about his desire for revenge on the old wizard. Tyrian has been dead for years, and Arthur never joined in the first place. Lionheart is keeping his head down for the time being as not to draw attention to himself.

I then asked Ozpin.

" Is there anything else?"

" No, Silva Branwen, you are dismissed."

I turned to leave and returned to my dorm, not how I expected my day to turn out. As I opened the door to my room, I heard a nasty voice call out in cold fury.

" S-i-l-v-a."

I turned around to see Yang with fiery red eyes looking furious. I then offered without an ounce of fear.

" Would you like to come inside?"

***

Yang Xiao Long was angry and was only getting angrier at how nonchalant Silva Branwen was being with her as he gave her a drink—Sunflower Pop, one of her favorites. As the snow leopard man sat down and cracked open an unmarked can of soda, she growled.

" Why did you drag Ruby along with you?"

" Mostly to help her relax and assure her that I'm fine."

" Couldn't you have done it on the weekend instead of having her skip classes!?"

The blonde slammed her fist on the table in anger, and Silva was unbothered by her anger as he replied.

" True, but it adds spice to the fun, something that made it a bit more interesting for her."

" You!"

Oh, how Yang wanted to punch the living daylights out of the snow leopard man but couldn't because she knew she would be starting a fight she could not finish. It wasn't just rage at corrupting and being a bad influence on Ruby that was setting her off but an unpleasant feeling she wanted to deny as well for its implications. Things were already complicated for the blonde, with the man sitting across from her. Silva then told his guest.

" Yang, Ruby skipped two whole years."

" Thanks for the obvious."

The snow leopard sighed at the blonde's retort and added context.

" During her time here in Beacon, has Ruby had any chance at all to unwind, to have a me day?"

Yang's fiery wrath was doused with a bucket of cold water at that question as the answer was no. Ruby was either trying to catch up on the two years she skipped or spending time building bonds with her team as the leader. Silva then said after finishing off his soda.

" All I did was give Ruby a one-day guilty pleasure and let her focus on herself."

The snow leopard man gave his argument and defended himself without really caring about the consequences aimed at himself as they were only a minor nuisance to himself. The blonde was at a loss for words and then drank her beverage. She then finally said, after a few moments of silence.

" This was a one-time deal. Ruby has enough on her plate as is. Are we clear?"

" Crystal."

Silva answered as he made plans to help Ruby with Mid-Terms since he was exempt and had the means to give her plenty of time to study in peace. After all, it would be funny to see the little cookie monster get better grades than the rest of her teammates despite being behind. Yang downed the rest of her drink and left without another word.

***

I wonder what sort of mission I should take tomorrow? Maybe search and destroy? Investigation? Well, I'll know when I look through the mission board. As I wondered how to start my new school plan, I heard a knock on the door. I went to see who was visiting me this time at night, and it was Ruby.

" Ruby? What brings you here?"

I was surprised to see her on my doorstep again, and the little cookie monster replied.

" I just wanted to say thanks again for taking me out to the museum. It made me realize it was something I needed even if I did not know it at the time."

" Anytime."

I said with a warm smile, and I offered her.

" Might I interest you in a drink?"

" Sure! That warm chocolate milk was great last time!"

I let Ruby into my dorm and made her a drink. I switched out the dark chocolate with white chocolate this time. I got myself a home-brewed cola in a can and drank it. The little cookie monster started to fidget, and I asked.

" Is there anything else you want to talk about?"

" Um, well, it's just that, the thing is... Can I sleep with you again?"

I blinked once, then twice, then thrice as I processed what I was just asked and grinned as I teased Ruby.

" Enjoyed that, didn't you?"

" A bit..."

She replied in a small voice with a slight blush. Needless to say, I agreed, and this was just the start of an unexpected way of affection.