[5/12 - Evening]
Following behind the newly appointed Team Ruby and Team Juniper, the batch of first-year Hunters-in-training were led on a short tour by the deputy.
After leaving the auditorium, the group made their way through several key areas of Beacon Academy, beginning with the cafeteria. It was a spacious hall where free breakfast, lunch, and dinner would be served daily in a self-service style to all students.
Their next stop was on the upper floor, where the lecture halls were located. The subjects varied between academic years, though as first-years, their syllabus was comparatively lighter than that of the third- and fourth-years, who were required to take on political and strategic coursework.
On the same floor is the library, renowned as the largest repository of Hunter knowledge in all of Vale. Open around the clock, twenty-four-seven, it offered countless volumes, records, and media for study, though borrowing any material required a valid student card.
Moving on to the building next to Beacon's main hub, they were introduced to the primary facilities intended for Hunters, the first of which was a gym hall equipped with a wide variety of training equipment. Miss Goodwitch emphasized the importance of caution when using the equipment, warning that self-inflicted injuries or damage to Academy property would result in serious repercussions.
Next up was the blacksmith workshop, where Hunters could personally repair or forge their own weapons and armor or commission Beacon's exclusive blacksmiths to craft them instead. Entry and materials, however, would cost a Lien.
Finally, as they exited the training hub, Miss Goodwitch came to a halt and turned to face the group, one hand raised as she gestured toward the tall building ahead.
"This is the dormitory where you'll be living for the next few years," she announced. With a motion for them to follow, she led the group into the lobby, where a Beacon staff member promptly approached and presented Clerval with his student card.
"Your student card grants access to all authorized facilities within Beacon Academy, excluding restricted areas meant for staff only," she explained with a cold tone. "Should you lose it, there will be consequences."
With that, she made a note on her Scroll before adjusting her glasses.
"That concludes the tour. In light of the Initiation and your current state of fatigue, the headmaster has approved for classes to begin later than usual tomorrow morning. Your schedules will be sent to your Scrolls in the hour."
With her final words delivered, Miss Goodwitch dismissed the group with a curt nod before turning on her heel and walking away, leaving the newest batch of students to their own devices.
"... Wait, do we even know where our rooms are?" Jaune asked, frowning as he flipped his student card over in his hand. "I don't think it's written anywhere on this."
"Perhaps we should ask around?" Pyrrha suggested gently, glancing toward the nearby reception desk.
Yang, however, had another idea as she patted her stomach. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving after all that! How about we grab some grub first?"
Ruby perked up instantly. "Ooh! Seconded! Weiss? Blake?"
Weiss crossed her arms, thinking for a moment before nodding. "Very well. I suppose we should at least check the quality of Beacon's cuisine."
The three turned toward Blake, who gave a quiet nod of agreement. Ruby beamed.
"Great! Let's go, Team Ruby! Oh—do you guys want to come too?"
She looked over at Team Juniper, who quickly agreed. Nora's eyes lit up as she clung to Ren's arm, grinning from ear to ear. "Maybe they'll have pancakes~!"
Ren gave a small shrug. "I doubt that. It's already six in the evening."
Jaune glanced at Pyrrha, asking for her opinion, who smiled at the idea before nodding. "We can even make it a celebration for our Initiation," she said brightly.
"Alright, the vote's unanimous, Team Juniper is in!"
At that, everyone's gaze turned toward Clerval. He met their eyes for a moment, then gave a small nod of agreement.
Everyone went to the cafeteria to celebrate passing the Initiation.
It turns out that there were pancakes, to the delight of Nora.
Surrounded by good food and laughter, each partner group recounted their moments as they shared stories of their experience during the Initiation.
Clerval could feel his relationship with each member of Team Ruby and Team Juniper grow somewhat closer.
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[5/12 - Night]
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As they arrived on the third floor of the dormitory, Jaune and Ruby glanced at their assigned rooms before cheering in unison.
"Looks like our dorm rooms are right next to each other!" Ruby grinned, leaning over to peek at Jaune's Scroll. "And Clerval's room is just across from Team Ruby's!"
They soon reached Team Ruby's door. With a quick scan of Ruby's student card over the authentication lock, the door clicked open, and she pushed it inward.
"It's... smaller than I thought," Weiss muttered as the team stepped inside, taking in the compact space.
Team Juniper, watching from the hallway, gave their two cents and left for their own room, just before Yang dashed forward and pointed toward one corner of the room.
"I'm calling dibs on this one!" she declared, already tossing her bag onto the bed.
"What? No fair, I'm taking this one, then!" Ruby zoomed onto her new bed, rose petals staining the white sheets.
Blake quietly settled onto another bed, cracking open her book without a word.
"... Fine. I'll take this one, then," Weiss sighed, resigning herself to what was left.
Clerval, in the meantime, opened his own dorm room with a scan of his student card and pushed the door.
It was the exact same layout as Team Ruby's and Team Juniper's, just without the extra beds and tables, making it seem more spacious compared to the other teams'.
After locking the door behind him, he switched on the ceiling fan. The soft hum filled the air as the weight of the day finally caught up to him.
He briefly rinsed his body and brushed his teeth before sitting on the edge of his bed, his face filled with tiredness.
Making sure to set an alarm for the next day, Clerval soon closed his eyes as he let his consciousness fade to the gentle hum of the night.
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NEXT UPDATE: Take a Deep Breath, Deep Breath, The Butler Who Can Bend Fire (6 February, Friday)
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