Family

Jonathan had always considered himself to be a clever man, and therefore he had always grasped his weaknesses and strengths precisely. One cannot thrive in the Order without becoming one after all.

And after three years juggling many responsibilities, he had to become acutely aware of each and one of them.

His main strengths, his trump card, were his ability to teleport. But after the past three years, he had added some more abilities to his deck of cards. He can now create portals, artifacts, even some degree of healing, and even some ability to modify human beings… Of course so far, he has only had success with himself, and further experimentation might be… somewhat unethical.

He was good at communicating with people, especially with children, and might even be passable as an educator. His stocks of Lien almost seem to be endless these days, and his position allows him a lot of leverage and influence, was very rich and influential. Of course, his actions are still dependent on the people's love for him, and he's still constrained by some conditions. Still his ability to solve problems, as esoteric as they might come, are par to none in Mount Glenn.

Of course, that does mean that he has to become hands one in the on goings of the Kingdom of Glenn. Whether it was the Kingdom's lack of Dust or even Menagerie's political crisis.

Thankfully, the latter solved itself. Almost by accident really, and almost without any input on his part, but the fact remained.

In the three years since he had become King, a lot has been achieved. He had his own laboratory and research institute now, even a hospital, a school, and an orphanage in his name…

When he looked back to where he had started, a nameless, penniless, lost magician, he could see that he had achieved much. When compared to himself in the past, it is as if he had gone along the long, long way of self-discovery and achieved more than he could ever dream of.

And yet, Jonathan was not perfect.

In contrast to his strengths, Jonathan's greatest problems were three things.

First was his physical body. The wounds he had sustained that day might one day be fully healed… But not now. And the scars definitely showed its effect on his daily life.

Second were his political experience, or more its practical non-existence. This problem existed long before Jonathan was declared king, and to this day he still finds that he has difficulty grasping its intricacy. No, he knew the theory, but had no practice actually using it at all. In a way, Jonathan was even glad for that fact, no matter the headaches his inexperience had caused him. Knowing his lack of ability in this matter, he decided to delegate the duty.

At least he was glad to be untainted by the political squabbles of the Order, and now, state-level politics. Which, however, did not mean that it stopped being a problem just because he had decided to be more hands-off in the matter.

And yet, Jonathan's third problem was the biggest of all.

It was not because Jonathan was somewhat crippled, nor because of his inexperience in politics, that see him sitting now in his workshop, feeling the otherwise quite comfortable chair digging into his back.

He was almost like a madman examining the small notebook on his desk, filled with notes and his own jotted notes again and again, desperately searching for an easy solution where it couldn't appear.

Jonathan couldn't say that his experience hadn't changed him. As the euphoria of his victory wore off, Jonathan was confronted by the reality of his situation. Those things that his disability had brought him.

Still, while time doesn't necessarily cure, it at least teaches you how to live with loss.

And, when you can console yourself with the thought that one day you can get back everything you've lost? It's easier to deal with the pain of loss… But, it still doesn't mean that it doesn't change things.

Jonathan looked slowly at the mirror on his desk and then looked away.

Why are you afraid to look at me, Jonathan? Isn't this what you wanted?

Ignoring the voice speaking from beyond the mirror, Jonathan turned his gaze to the books that were stacked in the cabinets that completely covered the walls of his workshop. Except for the small recess occupied by the fireplace and the door, his workshop was full of shelves.

You are the King, The Great Osmond the Third! Lord of worldly destinies and a beloved hero! So what if it means doing dirty things!?

Jonathan shifted his gaze a little further, to the large window overlooking his garden, beyond which, lay the streets of Glenn. His Kingdom.

Is something wrong, Jonathan? Do you have any dissatisfaction?

It's not what I wanted.

But it's what you aspired to be, Jonathan Goodman.

Jonathan always wanted to be a good man. The right kind of magician.

Not as one of the Hermeticist, who devours human lives and destinies, resources and achievements for their own ephemeral goals. For Ascension, for Might, for Achievement.

Not to become the kind of magicians who were willing, and perhaps excited, to throw ordinary people into the pyre of ambition, turning them into fuel for progress or victory.

Jonathan didn't even want victory…

Perhaps it was just his youthful vigor, his rebellion against authority, but Jonathan had never wanted to participate in the War of Ascension.

The War of Ascension, ha… The great conflict between the traditionalists and technocracy for control of the sleepers. A thousand-year-long war across the Earth, the Umbra, and wherever a magician treads. All their conflicts hidden from the sleepers, or rather, covered by a thin screen.

Really, as long as there's no overt show of magic, everything is fair game.

Protests against the church and the popularization of neo-paganism, the creation of astrophysics laboratories, or even scientific communities against the release of new fantasy books. These things were all part of the battles in the war for humanity.

And if you are fighting, literally, for the fate of humanity and the entire universe, no price is too high. Wars, genocides, the dirtiest game of politicians, were all employed, all for the sake of an ephemeral victory in an ephemeral war.

Jonathan didn't want to be like that.

No, perhaps, at one time he might have believed that his involvement in such a war would be like a game. Perhaps like a chess game of great minds, where one would only admit defeat at the end and nothing permanent would be lost.

And here he is, cut apart from the War, and here he is all the same committing atrocities.

Ha, here he is, the King of Glenn…

Is there much more he could dream of? He was loved by the people he governed, all the world's resources were at his fingertips for his research, and he had powerful allies by his side.

So what if life is not at all as rosy as he once thought it would be? Of course, admitting that fact, doesn't make what he needs to do in the future any easier to swallow.

What is better? That when Aisa dies, and she will die for it was not in his power to prevent it, to slaughter all the other commanders turned council members? Spilling the blood of dozens of innocent people on his hands, to destroy their families, and become a dictator in full. For him to take control of all government policy by slaughtering not only all of his political opponents but all decent and experienced administrators, of which Jonathan himself was not one?

Or to risk, even if it was all but assured, a clique of officers who had lost the only commander capable of controlling them, tear the state to shreds? For him to hope that the oligarchic council would not try to turn him into their puppet king as they jockey for power and influence, destroying the state completely?

Which is worse? Stealing, on an industrial scale, Remnant's most strategic resource from the richest man in the world, and by doing so radicalizing the pacifistic Faunus organization and destroying their reputation? Or would it be worse to watch innocent people, his people, people that he has sworn to protect, lose their jobs, and to die of cold or starve to death?

Which is better? Picking up a blade in the fight against the greatest evil, a monster obsessed with destroying this world through the hands of hundreds of thousands of her monstrous minions, for him to wage a secret struggle to save Remnant? Or is it better to avoid drawing attention to himself, allowing millions of people to live a quiet life, including his two adopted daughters, and watch others wage their war?

What course of action should he take? Should he be a hero or a savior? A good man or the right one? How should he act, for the people or for the common good?

You can't hide forever, Jonathan. Inaction is also a choice, you just have to understand the consequences.

Jonathan didn't know. He had never really known anything.

Time after time, as he reached the next peak, he has only realized that the only thing he could see from the new peak he had conquered, was yet another peak that he couldn't have even seen.

Maybe that's why the Old Man died… Why he sacrificed himself to save you.

What things did someone, who had lived for a thousand years, know? What things did he know that Jonathan could never even imagine about? Things he did, that Jonathan could never comprehend?

Maybe he just saw his limit, and saw that your limit had not yet been reached, so he chose to sacrifice his life for yours instead. He was clever precisely because he knew he could go no further.

If only Jonathan could get rid of that knowledge, from this reflection and doubt. If only…

But what now, King of Glenn?

Every action for good that he did was but a drop in a sea of actions that he did not do.

Every life he saved today is ten lives he didn't save yesterday.

Even now, reflecting in his workshop, Jonathan realized that he could have spent that time far better. To save one more person. Create another masterpiece. Invent another cure.

Isn't this just madness covering your mind?

Jonathan was afraid of becoming insane once upon a time. A marauder whose mind was destroyed by his own magic. For him to live in a mad world, a mad king. A mage who no longer sees the difference between his fantasies and reality, one who has erased the boundary between the two.

Or worse, to be struck by a madness of another kind. The apocalyptic madness of the Nephandi, monsters who have perverted the very essence of reality and magic. The one creature of Tellurian that should never have existed.

Jonathan never thought that he would instead be driven to another kind of madness. A madness of imperfection.

After all, it's so easy, Jonathan. To be the hero of your own story. To be a king on a white horse, fighting evil dragons for the heart of a beautiful lady. Being good, being right is easy, Jonathan. As long as you don't try to understand the consequences of your actions.

Jonathan knew he couldn't stop. Inaction was his problem, but what path does he have to choose?

And Jonathan was shouldering many things on his shoulders. Things that would be affected by his decisions. His people, his projects, his family, and his friends. Aren't these things supposed to be placed above the right and good? Above whatever higher purpose he espoused? Even if it is in order to save the world?

Is that what your old man taught you?

Jonathan didn't know. He wasn't sure, he couldn't remember.

He had chosen, time after time, to do the easy route. And each time he seemed to move further and further away from his original vision.

From hero and savior to a pragmatic… politician, he guessed.

If my people want food, I'll take the food from your people. If my state needs dust, I will make your state bring it. If I need peace, I will hand you over to the Grimm.

I am a good man.

Jonathan sighed slowly, as he looked into the distance.

Outside his house, he could see the people of Glenn enjoying their day. There were people walking, children frolicking, and soldiers marching.

Should he have traded their lives for the lives of others? Should he have sacrificed himself for them?

As he pondered the thought, Jonathan felt half his rib cage ache. One of the many things he had sacrificed for others.

The sun was slowly moving across the sky, the clouds stretched in a string across the blue, and the day was passing just like any other.

Jonathan picked up his pen and closed his notebook, setting it aside. Pulling the sheet of paper closer, Jonathan sighed and began to write slowly, letter by letter.

He could help here, he probably even thought it was the right thing to do, he probably even wanted to help. And yet, there was only one answer.

"Thanks for the Raven's contact, Ozpin. But, neither Cinder nor Neo will become a Spring Maiden. Tell Lionheart to look for another candidate."

***

Cinder Fall considered herself, and perhaps not unreasonably, the best at everything.

Absolute records, records that would stand the test of time, were set in every test and in every subject she attended. Not just in the number of correct answers, but also in the time it took for her to complete the test. All with absolute perfection, of course.

And Cinder was, as she was supposed to be, proud of such results. But, unexpectedly, and against her expectations, the reaction of her classmates and students, to whom Cinder was henceforth set as an example, was not negative. Quite the contrary, in fact, they loved her.

She guessed that it had to be that way after all. She is the daughter of a king beloved by the people, which effectively made her a princess. Although the situation in this case was rather complicated due to the fact that she was adopted and therefore could not actually be a princess, she is still loved by the people.

But surprisingly, it was not the love for her adopted father that made her a favorite among the students, but rather her own actions.

Some scars cannot be healed, even with time, and some of Miss Sunny's lessons will stay with her forever, but they can be masked.

Although Jonathan could not undo the years she spent being raised by Miss Sunny, he could still try to teach Cinder at least a modicum of empathy, a modicum of human kindness and understanding.

This became half the basis for Cinder's character, but only half.

The other half that molded Cinder into who she was today, was the conditions in which Cinder found herself in. Not many humans or fauna could boast of being the children of one of this world's most powerful politicians. And even fewer can be brought up in an environment where they are able to observe the political stage from a front row seat.

And while it might be impossible to bring back those sprouts of empathy that were burned out, something new can always grow in their place.

This has become the other half of Cinder's character base.

And yet, the foundation, the two main pillars of her morality together were able to create something new.

Any outside observer could say roughly the following about Cinder, 'she can be scary. and she will definitely make your life hell if you cross her. But, as long as you do the right thing, she will prove to be one of the most pleasant and rewarding contacts in your life.'

Cinder's opinion, on the other hand, was different.

If I see people using each other, why shouldn't I use them?

If Jonathan says I should help people, why shouldn't I help them?

And Cinder's two lines of thinking eventually converged into one. 'Always help people, for it makes them love you. It creates a debt that they have to repay. If I interact with these people more and someone becomes close enough to me that I don't want to take advantage of them, that's fine, because friendship is natural. If, however, such a thing didn't come to pass, I can always use their debt to me, created out of my kindness.'

And so there wasn't a person among all the many people Cinder knew who could say anything really bad about her. She would always help with an assignment, if she wasn't busy at the moment. She would help you study to give you the score you wanted, whether it was a hundred points or even just a decent seventy. To teach someone to ace a test was nothing difficult, standardized tests were so standard after all.

However, she wouldn't forget that she helped you, and you shouldn't forget either.

Cinder could have easily bypassed her grades, and graduated early, but after Jonathan's words about the importance of socialization, she realized the whole need for school not as an educational tool, but as a place of socializing.

And Cinder's social circle was wide indeed.

Still, every day she would still return to Jonathan first thing after the last class, and no amount of force could keep her away. But during class, Cinder was not distant from the other students or even teachers, spending her time not trying to ignore those around her, but the opposite. Carefully looking out for anyone who might need her help.

Were there many people Cinder could call her friends? Hmm, with the exception of Jonathan, which was in a category of its own, so far above the others that it wasn't even worth mentioning, only Neo was honored with such a title. But Cinder wasn't entirely sure that she wouldn't one day call someone else a friend, though she just hadn't managed to meet anyone else worthy of the title until now.

Does that mean she still lacked sympathy? Maybe. It's just that certain friendly feelings Cinder had for all sorts of people, doesn't really merit the title of 'friend'. It doesn't mean that she treats them facetiously, she wasn't a soulless and heartless monster. But, none of that was too much of a problem for Cinder to treat others nicely, she only needed to think of all the many debts people owed her.

However, the number of people who considered themselves Cinder's friends, and who wanted Cinder's friendship, was a very large number.

Some hoped for it out of self-interest. The answers to the test were far from all that Cinder could provide as the daughter of King of Glenn, though it was worth realizing that the desired result always correlated with the price. But, there was a large group of people that genuinely considered themselves friends of Cinder Fall. Even if she doesn't.

If Cinder chose to consider them friends, it would make her relationship easier, as both people considered themselves friends, and so Cinder could be unafraid of relationship problems. If, on the other hand, Cinder didn't consider them friends, they were much easier to manipulate as long as they considered themselves her friends.

In other words, whatever Cinder's attitude was, she would benefit.

And it was as a demonstration of the benefits of such an attitude that Cinder had chosen one of her acquaintances, this time a young girl from her graduating class.

Taking her aside, Cinder asked her the question she was interested in, and one that she would definitely answer.

"What… '' Cinder asked slowly, looking into her upper-classman's eyes. "Do men love?"

Of all the questions Raine could have received from her, this one was clearly not in the top hundred, judging by the surprise on her face.

"What?" Raine blinked in surprise.

"I'm asking you, what do men like?" Cinder repeated, then, realizing that even in the case where she wanted information pro bono, a little flattery would give her more and save her current relationship, smiled. If it doesn't really reach her eyes? Well, no one has ever complained before. "I wanted to know this from the most popular girl in school, I'm sure you have many admirers, and as a friend to a friend."

After some blatant sweet words that no adult would fall for, Raine's eyes lit up with a slight light of understanding for a second, causing her to smile and nod. Flattery and light manipulation of words worked wonders sometimes. "Of course, Cinder, I'd forgotten that you were already all grown up and interested in such things… "

Cinder didn't care for those words, it didn't really offend her or please her, so she just silently continued to wait for an answer.

"I don't suppose you're going to share with me exactly who the lucky guy is?" Raine smiled, then, correctly understanding Cinder's silence as her implicit command for her to get on with it, just continued speaking.

"Huh, well… Ahem… " With a cough, Raine glanced around at Cinder's body, who was clearly already showing signs of maturation, having added a respectable fifteen centimeters in height and a bit in the chest area, but then just shook her head.

"Hmm… I'll be honest, it's a little early to talk about some things now, ahem… But first, um, what about you try spending more time with him, find out more about his hobbies, and things like that. And, as weird as they may seem to you, don't ever say anything bad about them… In fact, even if you don't like them, try joining in. Who knows, maybe you will like it, and he will definitely appreciate it…"

Cinder thought about Reine's suggestion for a second before nodding slowly. "Ok, a hobby. Anything else?"

"Try walking with him a couple of times, like from school…" Raine thought for a second, remembering. "Hmm, but you always leave right after school with Mr. Osmond…"

"His Majesty," Cinder said slowly but insistently. She knew, of course, that Jonathan did not like to be addressed in this way, but Jonathan was not here, only Cinder. And Cinder's business was that Jonathan should be addressed properly. "But, no, that would not be a problem."

"Hmm, okay," Raine smiled, "And… I guess, just be yourself. I don't think I have any more advice at the moment… Ha, if only you were older…"

"Hmm…" Cinder thought about it. "Anything else?"

Raine thought for a second more before shaking her head, before quickly perking up as she remembered something. "If he wants to kiss you, don't give it to him right away! You're the Princess of Glenn, you deserve to be treated better than that!"

"Hmm…" Cinder nodded slowly after those words, "Okay. Anything else?"

"I guess not," Raine shrugged, then smiled. "I guess you're not going to tell me who the lucky guy is?"

"I'm afraid not," Cinder smiled and shrugged. "Good day to you… Friend."

"Good luck in your endeavor!" Raine smiled back at her sincerely, then hugged Cinder for a second, to which Cinder responded with a mutual hug. "And if anything, I'll find out about your lover anyway, sooner or later!"

'Oh, that's highly unlikely…' Cinder said mentally, watching her friend's back as she walked away to class. 'And if you do start guessing things you shouldn't…'

Who said all Cinder's friends had to be schoolboys?

The price for Jonathan's personally created cure for his sick daughter was expensive, and the occasional RATS agent might well have paid the price… In some ways.

***

'Ninety-eight… Ninety-nine… One hundred…' Neo continued to do push-ups while the teacher standing next to her just kept looking at her with a judging eye, counting out her reps.

'One hundred and forty-eight… One hundred and forty-nine… One hundred and fifty…' A small drop of sweat ran down Neo's forehead.

'One hundred and sixty-five…' Her panting breath was intermittent, and her hands slowly began to tremble, but Neo continued to do the exercise time after time.

'One hundred and seventy-one…' Neo exhaled through her nose once more, doing the exercise even as she felt herself strained…

'One hundred and seventy-seven…' Slowly, her hands seem to be refusing to move, but Neo dove in once more.

'One hundred and seventy-eight…' Each time it got heavier and heavier, her hand moved slower.

'One hundred and eighty…' A couple more times…

'One hundred and eighty-one…' Come on, there's not much left!

'One hundred and eighty-two…' Come on, Neo, push!

"Time!" The teacher's voice announced, causing Neo to moan silently before immediately falling to the ground like a log, "Neo, are you alright?!

Neo, quite comfortable on the floor, only held up her thumb, signaling her tired but fine state.

"There!" The teacher held up his finger admonishingly, while looking at the group of other children in front of him, "That's the kind of people we need! One hundred and eighty-two push-ups in two minutes, that's one and a half push-ups per second! That's exactly the kind of people the Kingdom needs!"

At these words, the other students only crossed their eyes at Neo, glaring at her.

Indeed, King Osmond's two adopted daughters, who else but them could be an example to everyone else and yet not cause rejection from the other students?

Indeed, as much as Cinder outperformed everyone else academically, so does Neo outperformed everyone else physically. Though Cinder, even when lagging behind Neo in that regard, was not far behind. The both of them being in a separate league physically, so high above everyone else that there was no point in worrying about it.

Besides, they were daughters of Osmond, the strongest man in Remnant. What was the point of being offended at those who by all accounts are naturally stronger than the others?

Besides, while Neo didn't have Cinder's kind and open nature, who is always ready to help and support in any trouble, Neo was down-to-earth enough for people to like her. She's always helping out in all sorts of shenanigans and pranks, sometimes skipping classes. And while her grades are not bad per se, the fact that it's not the academic dominance that is Cinder, also let her become closer to other people.

Well, if nothing else, her absolute dominance in the power field could be explained away. Ha, what else could one expect from a girl with an awakened aura?

After catching her breath for a bit, Neo finally got up and then headed towards where the rest of the students were, glancing at Trifa's smirk on the way before rolling her eyes.

"I've got a tenner from that," Trifa only managed to whisper as Neo took a step towards her.

Grimm tugged at her tongue, at the stupidity. Did she really bet a tenner that she could do two hundred push-ups in that time?

"So, has everyone passed the push-ups standard?" The teacher looked around at those present before looking at his log of students and nodding. "Good, in that case, you can rest for a minute. After that, we play dodgeball!"

Before the first shouts of the children making teams could be heard, the teacher made an important point. "Cinder and Neo don't participate!"

The only correct option, because otherwise, absolutely every game ended up as a duel between the two, in which other people were not needed from the beginning to the very end.

And even worse was the idea of putting the two of them on the same team, the two girls were capable of winning the entire game, even when blindfolded and with their hands tied. Any team put against them is simply doomed.

The students, sighing with relief at such news, instantly began to scatter, while Cinder and Neo went to a bench nearby, taking a seat in the corner. While Neo would have been happy to play with the others, she still understood that including her in the game would be completely unfair to the other players. And besides, Cinder didn't want to participate in the match as it was, quite happy with her free time and the opportunity to read another book.

Sitting down next to Cinder, and without an opportunity to do anything more interesting, Neo glanced at the title of that one and rolled her eyes and started signing with her eyes alone. 'Are you seriously reading this old stuff?'

"It's a classic, not old, Neo," Cinder exhaled, perfectly aware of the girl's unspoken meaning,- "It's Makaveli's 'The Ruler', and I suggest you read it as well."

'Booooo-riiiiing!' Neo rolled her eyes - 'I'm more of a comic book girl.'

"It shows." Cinder sighed, turning the page. "Comics are for entertainment, but if you want to get smarter, I suggest reading the classics. And given your grades, maybe even textbooks."

'Uh-oh, you are so smart, teach me please,' Neo rolled her eyes.

Although maybe Neo really should have read a little more of the textbooks… Her grades had never been outstanding, and considering that the next chemistry subject was supposed to be particularly difficult… Ha, she wouldn't want to upset Jonathan by getting a bad grade. Not after all he had done for her…

After all that had happened that day, Neo… Ha, there was no way anyone could find her a foster home at such a time, especially given her... Features. And orphanages were clearly not high on the list of priorities for a destroyed state that needed warmth, food, electricity, weapons, shelter… In fact, everything for everyone.

Jonathan then took her into his care, even though Cinder had initially been against her presence. He was the one that gave her food and a roof over her head. He even managed to teach her something after all, and then got her into the most elite school in this town. Which was not that difficult, actually, considering he was the one who founded the school, huh.

Neo did want to repay Jonathan for all the things he did, even if she didn't like the idea of the school itself. And especially after her… unfortunate start with Cinder.

Though it wasn't to say that Neo hadn't tried to start learning until now, it was just… Ha, there was agile, there was strong, there was tough, and then there was smart… Neo fits into the first three categories, not the last.

Learning just wasn't her kind of thing. Physical education, though, was 'her' thing. Especially considering Neo could even outrun and outpace Cinder in that field. And if Neo couldn't please Jonathan with perfect grades like Cinder, she could easily please him with another broken record.

Besides, ha… Maybe she wasn't as smart as Cinder, but any king needs not just an advisor, but a bodyguard too, don't you think?

Neo glanced at Cinder, causing her to look away from her book, and at her instead. "What?"

'Nothing,' Neo looked away before glancing at the people playing dodgeball downstairs.'I could knock them all out in ten seconds.'

"I could do it in seven," Cinder replied easily, making Neo blink.

'No, no you couldn't do it in seven,' Neo rolled her eyes.

"I most certainly could." Cinder glanced at Neo, allowing a slight smirk to her face.

Neo glanced back, squinting while signing with her hands. 'You're just taking advantage of the fact that we won't get to check it out.'

"Want to prove me wrong?" Cinder smirked, setting the book aside, "I can arrange it."

'Let's give it a try' - Neo grinned, 'I'll bet ten lien, on me winning.'

Cinder pondered her friend and foster sister's silent suggestion for a moment before she slowly nodded and held out her hand, "The die is cast."

Neo, on the other hand, only smirked.

Maybe their acquaintance had started on the wrong note, but sometimes Neo was glad that fate had turned that way.

And maybe Neo wasn't in a position to dictate terms to the world just yet, but if the world tried to take away the first thing she'd gained from this world?

Well, the world would have to find out that Neo didn't think she was quite suitable for the role of bodyguard for no reason.