Not a lot has happened since he reunited with Ruby, Jaune, Nora and Ren. Despite the brief reunion, Ryder hasn't had anything eventful happen. He spent some time since then training lightly. He's gotten stronger with Magic and because of it he's gotten faster and stronger even without his Semblance activated. He's attempted Teleportation again but still struggled. He's getting better but isn't quite there yet. But while he searched for the Dragon Balls, he felt a magical surge from far away. He felt it when he was concentrating on magic which means he's getting better at sensing Magic. But this magical surge felt familiar. It felt like Ozpin. Knowing this, he immediately went towards it. Along the way he held the Dragon radar in case he detects any Dragon Balls.
As he flew, the radar picked up a Dragon Ball making him look at the device in his right hand. He debated whether he should keep going and come back for it or pick it up now and go for Ozpin later. He decided to grab the Dragon Ball first. So, he followed the radar and eventually reached the general area. He stopped flying and hovered in the air while he looked around. He couldn't see much from his height, so he descended from the sky, and he stopped just as he reached the top of the trees. He looked at the beeping radar and saw that the Dragon Ball was moving which caused his anxiety to rise. He frantically looked around for it and prepared to fight for it. He eventually saw a dirt path with a kid who looked like he came from a farm walking down it. Ryder looked at the radar screen and it's pointing right at the boy.
The boy who was walking down was Oscar Pine. He was convinced to leave his home by the voice in his head who apparently was Ozpin, the headmaster of Beacon Academy. He was heading to look for someone named Qrow and Ozpin told him to better check Mistral's capital and Haven Academy. But as Oscar walked, his backpack snug on his back, he felt the wind around him shifts. He stopped walking and looked around. Suddenly, something landed behind him. Hearing the feet touch the ground, Oscar turned around thinking it was a Grimm but saw Ryder standing there. Ryder looked at Oscar thoroughly as weirdly he can feel Ozpin's energy, but this is clearly not Ozpin. Oscar stepped back, intimidated by Ryder's presence. He then heard Ozpin in his head.
"What?" Oscar asked. "You know him?"
Ryder raised a brow in confusion. Oscar then nods to himself before a flash of green light emanates from his body surprising Ryder. Oscar's once nervous look turned to relief.
"It's good to see you, Mr. Falcone." Oscar said.
At least, Ryder thought so but he heard Ozpin's voice mixed in for a second.
"Ozpin?" Ryder asked.
"Correct." Oscar, now Ozpin, replied.
"H-How are you... you know. Talking to me. I thought you died." Ryder said, sounding confused.
"Do you recall when I informed you about my ability to reincarnate?" Ozpin asked.
Ryder didn't know what he was talking about at first then remembered.
[Flashback Start]
"I've lived on this world far longer than anyone." Ozpin said.
"What does that mean?" Ryder asked.
"I can reincarnate. Whenever I die, my soul will enter the body of a like-minded soul. Due to this, I have lived many lives and made many mistakes." Ozpin said.
[Flashback End]
He remembered now. It was shortly after Ozpin, Ironwood, Glynda and Qrow revealed the true condition of the Fall Maiden and got Pyrrha involved.
"That's right. You did say that in Beacon." Ryder said. "So, whoever this is, is a like-minded soul?"
"That's how my reincarnation works." Ozpin said. "Have you ever continued with your search for the Dragon Balls?"
"Yes. All I need is two more and then we can use them." Ryder informs.
"Make that one more." Ozpin said as he removed the backpack Oscar had.
Ozpin opened the backpack and pulled out a Dragon Ball. Ryder's eyes widen. This means that there is only one Dragon Ball left to find. Six down, one to go. Ryder reached for it and Ozpin tossed it to him. Our Earth raised hero catches the Dragon Ball and puts it inside the satchel carrying the other orbs.
"Finally. I'm almost done." Ryder said with relief as if he got a gift from God.
"Have you been keeping up with your training?" Ozpin asked.
"Yes, though i have been slacking." Ryder admits. "I've just been so focused on locating the Dragon Balls."
"I can tell." Ozpin said. "However..."
Ozpin stepped closer, concern coming to his face.
"I can tell you're not well." Ozpin said.
"I'm fi-"
"No. You're not." Ozpin said, cutting Ryder off. "Pushing your pain aside will not allow you to heal."
Ryder remained silent.
"What have you been doing the months I've been gone?" Ozpin asked.
Ryder hesitated but knew he couldn't keep anything from Ozpin.
"I've been strictly looking for the Dragon Balls on my own. I didn't want to get my friends involved because I want them to be safe." Ryder explained.
"So, you've been alone. All this time?" Ozpin asked.
Ryder nods. Ozpin sighs while closing his eyes and shaking his head. He opened his eyes and looked at Ryder.
"While I'm glad you're finding the dragon balls, you're hurting yourself." Ozpin said.
"Ozpin-"
"Don't try to hide it. I can tell your in pain." Ozpin said, interrupting Ryder again. "Your self-imposed isolation is only causing you pain. You shouldn't be doing this on your own."
"I'm not getting my friends involved." Ryder said as he glared at Ozpin.
"I never said that, but with how the world is and what path it's heading down. I fear that everyone will get involved in our war." Ozpin said. "At the very least, allow me to help you."
Ryder hesitated. He didn't want anyone to get hurt, but maybe he's hurting others by doing this alone. He hates to think that way. Ryder sighs.
"Alright. But only until we find the last Dragon Ball." Ryder said.
"Very well." Ozpin said. "But first, we need another ally."
"Who?" Ryder asked.
"Qrow." Ozpin said. "And i know how to find him."
"How?"
"A magician never reveals his secrets." Ozpin said. "For now, we make our way towards Haven Academy."
"Got it." Ryder said.
Ozpin gives up control of Oscar's body and Oscar grabbed his head.
"That felt weird." Oscar said.
"I'd imagine you'll get used to it." Ryder said. "What's your name?"
"Oscar. Oscar Pines." Oscar introduces.
"The name's Ryder."