Splitting off from RWBY and JNPR, and with nothing pressing to take care of, Rio decided to make use of the sudden free time to explore the campus more thoroughly.
After all, he realized there were still a great many facilities that he hadn't yet had the chance to see.
And being in a world so similar to Earth, he couldn't deny the urge to acclimate to the more advanced aspects that he might have been used to as Haruto.
The kitchens had been one such example.
But beyond that, his eyes had also been on the library.
Back during his Beltram Academy days, with little else to do but train and study, it was only natural Rio would find himself with a book in his hand.
That being said, in comparison, Beacon's library was much more expansive.
Naturally, it was modern and multi-media focused as well, so all in all, it definitely made learning about the world of Remnant easier.
In fact... now it was too easy?
Gone were the days when Rio spent half the day flipping through the dozens of books trying to learn the ins and outs of a foreign world. Computers and scrolls aside, now he could at least flag the exact type of book he was interested in and then find it fairly quickly.
Although, one would definitely raise an eyebrow at the kind of books he was perusing through at the moment.
It would be a fairly comical sight after all.
Children's books.
Of all subjects too.
It came with some embarrassment, but there was no easier wellspring of knowledge than literature that was manufactured to explain things to an audience where common sense wasn't guaranteed.
In other words... Rio needed to be taught things as if he was five.
Luckily, he wasn't looking at books regarding Remnant's language, as he had no problems reading and writing. Although, strangely, the language looked like Japanese to him, a fact that no one else seemed to recognize.
Either this was another one of the similarities between Remnant and Earth, or he was given some kind of favor in his summoning, much like Satsuki and the other heroes were given back in his previous world, where their Divine Arms seemed to translate everything for them.
Currently, Rio was flipping through a history book.
Ah, a normal one.
Basically, history for the starry-eyed youths of the world didn't sound like the kind of information he was looking for. As the saying goes, the victor gets to tell it all.
No world is exempt from that.
That became even more apparent when he got to the section explaining the Faunus Wars. The children's book had explained it in a cheery way. That the faunus won the war, and out of respect and consideration, were given a piece of land for their people to live in.
That said nothing of the fact that the land was barely habitable, and that tensions between humans and faunus were extremely high, even after war, and giving them land was just so they could get rid of them.
That was the adult history he was reading anyway.
At the very least, it was enlightening in explaining the presence of the White Fang.
The faunus won the war, but instead of things changing for the better, all they got was more discrimination for their trouble. I can't exactly say the White Fang turning away from peaceful protests was illogical, Rio thought.
After all, sometimes violence was the answer.
If nothing else, it got people to listen.
Or to realize they should consider doing so.
Rio wasn't about to preach anything different, not with how dirty his own hands were.
He closed the book gently.
With that, he stood up, silently pushed his chair in, and after tracking down the shelves where he got each book from, he deposited them back where he found them.
On his way out...
"Oh, you didn't have to do that, young man. That's my job."
The woman at the desk stopped him with a smile. Naturally, she was the librarian, and who he had seen frequently now. Still, to her comment, Rio just smiled back. "There was no trouble. It barely took any time at all. Have a good day."
The woman must have been in a good mood, because her smile widened as she saw him off.
He left the library after that.
In which he almost ran into someone.
Rather, a group of someone's.
Rio went to apologize, but paused for a beat when his eyes landed on just one of them, the girl's eyes wide with surprise, even more so than the others.
It was someone he had met earlier today, after all.
Though, he almost didn't recognize her, without her hood covering her green hair, which he had just barely seen in that darkened tunnel.
Still, it was definitely a surprise.
Although calling it a welcome one? Rio wanted to reserve judgement on that. After all, when it came to this person, he had seen something he shouldn't have.
"...Oh, it's Miss Reese, isn't it?" the white haired boy acknowledged in an what he hoped was a welcome tone, even as she continued to stare at him, posture slightly rigid.
Then, he looked to those accompanying her, and it didn't take much guessing who they were. "And the rest of Team ABRN? If I'm not mistaken, it's Miss Arslan, and then Mister Bolin and Nadir?"
Perhaps too caught up in the suddenness of it all, the group of four was a bit delayed in reacting. Bolin and Nadir, however, save for how they exchanged quick glances with each other, responded in the affirmative.
"Uh, yeah."
"And your name was Rio, right?"
"That's correct," Rio nodded with a smile.
This finally got Arslan to snap out of her surprise, a fact that just seemed to cause her to double down and start looking at Rio more appraisingly, an expression a touch too serious for the boy's liking. But he didn't plan on saying anything about it.
"Hm. Yes, it's nice to finally meet you," Arslan eventually said, nodding her head.
"Likewise," he responded.
Of course, and then there was Reese.
On the outside, she was looking at Rio curiously. On the inside...
Oh. My. Gods.
It went without saying that Reese was embarrassed, something she was trying desperately not to show. She did have her pride. Though even that was a sore point, because as far as this white-haired boy was concerned? She was 0-1 in showing off her cool side.
What the hell do I say?! Hey, thanks for letting me ball my eyes out in your VIP room. Here's your key back? As if!
Still, Reese tried to stifle down her panic.
"H-Hello."
She gave him a chipper wave and smile, and because she felt extra conscious of the key she still had on her person, desperately thought of something else to say.
Luckily, it wasn't very hard, considering where he had just come out from.
"You, uh, just came from the library? Y-You an avid reader or something?"
"You could say that," Rio acknowledged, "Although I was just curious about several things more than anything. What about you four? ...Can I make a guess and say you weren't about to pull off a team study session?" he asked with a joking smile.
This seemed to make the boys more comfortable, as, one of them, Nadir, shook his head with a snort. "Yeah, no. We were actually going to one of the training rooms. Maybe stop to get a snack along the—"
Arslan glared.
"O-Or maybe after."
"Haha. I see. Then, I'll no longer keep you."
The white haired boy stepped out of the way, and in doing so, he accidentally made brief eye contact with Reese. This had the girl looking startled all of a sudden, quickly looking away with a flush.
Well, Rio supposed that was the expected reaction.
She was likely still embarrassed over what happened. And while she did still have something of his, this was hardly the time to bring it up. That was what he had thought, anyway.
"I-It was nice meeting you, Rio."
Unexpectedly, Reese extended her hand out for a handshake.
A bit surprised, the white-haired boy allowed himself a slight pause before taking the hand without much thought.
But that was when she did something that made his eyes widen.
Her other hand, which had been idly resting in the pocket of her hoodie, joined in, and now there were two hands grasping his.
Naturally, Rio's uncertainty had reached its peak at this point, very much at a loss at what was happening, however that feeling quickly evolved into understanding as he felt something slipping into his palm in a very familiar way.
"We... We should exchange fighting tips sometime. I'll even treat you for it. So, um, thank you, Rio. In advance, I mean."
Reese held his gaze.
Even in spite of her cheeks growing in color.
"...I see," Rio eventually said with a smile, although it was those amber eyes softening considerably that truly caused the girl's heart to jump in her chest. And she felt betrayed by the way her face grew even hotter because of it. "I understand completely, Miss Reese. I was—am—happy to assist."
Reese had to look away.
Geez...
Still, she smiled.
With that, Team ABRN walked off.
"...Okay, surely, we're not just going to ignore what just happened, right?" Bolin asked with a flat voice, glancing at the green-haired girl. "I mean, that was some passionate contact just now. There a reason you got all touchy, Reese?"
"Yeah, it's like you couldn't help yourself or something," Nadir added, eyes narrowing conspiratorially.
Arslan said nothing, but her eyes also said she was just as curious.
"S-Shut up, all of you."
Rio watched their retreating forms, and only when they were no longer in range, did he release a tiny sigh.
Then, despite it not being necessary, he looked at what had been placed in his hand.
Naturally, it was the key he had given away.
Honestly, after what happened, he had thought the task of asking for it would be quite the awkward affair.
There was even the possibility that Rio would have been hated for his nosy behavior.
Unexpectedly though...
Well, she looks like she's feeling better, Rio thought idly, slipping the key into his coat.
But that was when something formless pricked at his neck, causing him to turn around before he could stop himself.
After all, the power on approach was quite substantial.
Therefore, it wasn't surprising in the slightest when he recognized a different group at the end of the hallway. If nothing else, Rio certainly felt the difference.
"Mr. Amakawa. Apologies if we've interrupted anything."
"Headmaster, Professor Goodwitch too..."
It was indeed Ozpin and Glynda.
Rio instinctually dipped his head in respect, feeling a striking urge to observe formality, especially, since the two teachers he had come to know weren't the only ones present.
Although there was something to be said about, rather than bumping into a friend or acquaintance, doing so with the adults he knew instead.
Especially when those adults held positions that far eclipsed his own humble status.
At least, that was what Rio felt as he stared at the third adult, a clean-shaven man with upright posture, and an even more impressive outfit. His whole gait seemed to command attention. Naturally, Rio had never seen this person before—neither had he seen the orange haired teenage girl trailing right next to him.
Still, he wasn't about to show carelessness and skirt around calling his professors by their proper titles.
A fact Glynda seemed to acknowledge, given the slight nod sent his way.
Rio did his best to smile cordially.
"And please think nothing of it, Headmaster. Your timing was perfect. I was only exchanging light greetings with Team ABRN."
"I saw. And might I say Miss Chloris looked very happy in that greeting." Ozpin chuckled with far too much merry.
Rio's smile cramped.
"Ozpin..." Glynda warned.
"Haha." The man laughed again, unashamed.
Rio coughed slightly, before directing his attention to the others in attendance. "And who might the two with you be? I apologize if I'm already showing discourtesy by not knowing." In caution, he lowered his head deferentially a bit.
Surprising him, the man dressed in white laughed, shaking his head.
"That is quite all right, boy."
The stern visage wafted away, a smile taking its place. Though, the suddenness didn't make it look any less genuine.
"While it is true I am a headmaster as well, you are not one of my students. Thus, I do not expect you to be so formal. But I'll admit, I'm a little pleased. Seeing you have manners to back up that exquisite fighting ability, well, I'm kind of envious that Ozpin got to you first."
The man then gave him an appraising sort of look, one far too serious for Rio's liking.
"Oh my," Ozpin interjected, a glint in his eyes. "It's rare for James to take a jab at me like that when it comes to my students. It looks like you've become quite the hot commodity, Mr. Amakawa."
"...I'm very flattered," Rio decided to say.
"But I still haven't introduced myself, have I?" The man straightened up. "My name is James Ironwood. I am the General of the Atlas Military as well as Atlas Academy's Headmaster."
Rio's eyes imperceptibly widened.
He was in the presence of a world leader then, someone that held a different kind of weight than the gray-haired headmaster.
Even if Rio had just been excused from acting too formally, he did not see himself going along with that at all. In fact, this was exactly the type of situation he wanted to avoid in his previous world, fraught with shrewd and temperamental nobles.
"It is a pleasure to meet someone so impressive."
"Again, that's my line, young man. ...Oh, forgive me. This girl here is a student of mine. Penny, please introduce yourself."
Rio finally focused on the girl next to General Ironwood, and a certain feeling of confusion welled up inside of him.
She had been staring at him this whole time, after all.
That wasn't strange by any means, of course. It was their first meeting. Still, there was something remarkably childlike about the way those green eyes continued to beam at him.
"Hello Rio, I'm Penny Polendina," the girl stated quite jovially, throwing a tiny wave his way as well as a perpetual smile.
Then, as if just realizing something, she cocked her head a little. Her next words were just as chipper, but they came with a frightening candidness Rio couldn't say he expected.
"You have a very pretty face for a boy."
The adults stared at the girl in complete silence.
...Which likely meant Rio hadn't misheard.
To his credit though, the white haired boy allowed himself to be startled for only a few seconds before pasting a rather awkward-looking smile onto his face.
Yes; it was definitely a testament to his own experiences that he fell in line so quickly, even as the orange haired girl continued to unabashedly smile at him.
"...I'm flattered you think so. Miss Penny has a pretty face too."
Now, it wouldn't be a lie to say instincts took over, Rio being so used to trading compliments and lighthearted pleasantries with nobles.
Therefore, he thought that would close the matter.
However, he naturally had no idea what he had just done, that is, the gravity of what he had just set into motion.
"You... think I'm pretty? Really?"
Penny stared at him with utmost surprise.
Now even more unsure, and worried that he had just stepped over some line without realizing it, Rio risked a glance at the others who had been watching in silence.
It... varied.
Ozpin still looked incorrigibly chipper. Ironwood was suddenly looking at Rio and Penny with a steadily growing frown.
And Glynda...
Rio broke into a nervous sweat.
The woman was perhaps the most concerning, given her face was covered by the length of her hand, either still sighing or just having finished. Either way, the dive her lips took looked terribly un-amused.
Even so, Rio chose to valiantly push on.
And given that the orange haired girl was looking at him so expectantly...
...I can't very well say no in this situation.
"...Yes, that is correct, Miss Penny is a very charming girl," Rio replied, wringing his smile out for all that it was worth.
Glynda was now glaring.
Penny on the other hand looked to be the very picture of happiness, her smile incredibly wide. It was as if her day had been well and truly made. "T-This is amazing, splendid even! To think I would be able to experience the social phenomenon called 'flirting'. Ah."
Penny suddenly took a step back, exaggerating-ly putting her hands to her mouth.
"Does this mean, since we both complimented each other and conveyed our interest, we are supposed to proceed with the next stages of courtship?"
What.
The conversation took an even stranger turn than before.
And even stranger, the adults didn't intervene.
Ironwood just muttered a name Rio didn't know, "Pietro..." rather listlessly. Ozpin and Glynda continued to watch, with only one of them sipping from a mug, completely unabashed—and whether it was because they felt they had no business doing so, or simply didn't know how, Rio wasn't sure.
Which was rather unfortunate, because the white-haired boy was just as at a loss.
Although? Rio suddenly had a rather strange thought. It's like I'm talking to a more curious and bubbly Aisha... That managed to calm him down, if only slightly.
And yet there was something else, too.
Something felt... off, regarding this girl.
And while warranted perhaps, it wasn't her personality that caused Rio to feel this way, but rather, something more instinctual. He could tell the girl in front of him was considerably powerful, but strangely, it felt like it was of a different strand than the proficient aura-wielders standing to the left and right of her.
If anything, Penny's magical essence seemed...
Artificial, somehow? Curious...
But that was neither here nor there in the present circumstances.
Feeling extra conscientious of a certain blonde woman's gaze on him, Rio did his best to resolve the situation in front of him, one that could definitely be seen as his own fault.
"T-There is no way being Miss Penny's romantic partner should go to someone like me. Surely, there are others who have also complimented you in a similar way—"
"No, you are the only one who has done so."
Crash.
That was the sound of Rio's plan swerving off road, flipping over several times, and exploding in a sizable cloud of fire.
Now, he didn't know why he did so, but Rio looked to Ironwood, and it was likely due to the mental fatigue visible on his face that the man actually responded in somewhat of a fluster.
"Er, regarding Penny, she... doesn't get to meet many people her age."
"I am without peer! ...Did I use that phrase right?"
Ozpin chuckled good naturedly, utilizing this moment. "You were close Miss Polendina. What you actually just said was that you have no one among your classmates who are strong enough to fight you."
"Hm? But that's also true." A beat passed, in which the girl promptly gasped, eyes shining. "Fascinating..."
At that moment.
Several sharp cracking sounds suddenly rippled through the air, completely at odds with the peculiar mood they had just been knee-deep in. Not only that, but it was almost inaudible, and it was only belatedly did Rio realize what it was.
"Gunfire," Penny said simply, echoing his thoughts perfectly. Though he was the slightest bit distracted by the detached, un-expressive way she said it, a far cry from her usual exuberance.
"Ozpin," Ironwood pressed.
The wizened headmaster hummed, pulling out his scroll and clicking away at it.
After looking at the screen for a bit, he sighed.
It was not the reaction one would have had to their school being attacked. But since it didn't look to be nothing either, Rio's tension didn't dissipate.
And certainly not when he was fairly certain he saw the forms of two people exchanging blows right before the blue holographic display was closed. Immediately after, however, the adults exchanged glances.
The individuals weren't unknown, it seemed.
Ozpin's voice practically matched his tired expression. "It appears... we have some infighting. We should head over there at once. Mr. Amakawa, you actually might benefit from coming as well. Would you mind?"
"Of course not, let us be off," Rio agreed with little delay. "But... infighting between schools? I didn't realize the tension between the students was this bad."
At his words, Glynda and Ironwood's expressions both shifted uncomfortably.
He even wanted to say they looked the tiniest bit awkward.
Ozpin only added to his growing confusion.
"Not quite," he said with a weak laugh.