BeaconRinko adjusted his tie, his reflection in the polished metal door revealing a figure dressed immaculately in the formal suit he often wore for business meetings with his father.His attire seemed out of place for the occasion, yet it gave him a sense of control and comfort.The long shower had washed away some of his tension, but nothing could entirely prepare him for what lay ahead.As the Schnee Private Ship touched down on Beacon's landing pad, Rinko stood at the threshold of the ship's open door.He took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto the towering structure of Beacon Academy. Its ancient walls radiated an aura of history and strength."Beacon... it certainly has its own beauty," Rinko murmured to himself, stepping onto the stone pathway leading to the main entrance. His usual businesslike composure faltered for a moment, replaced by a sense of awe.OzpinHigh above, Ozpin stood in his office, gazing out through the expansive windows.His eyes caught the unmistakable gleam of an Atlas ship descending onto Beacon's grounds, its insignia shining in the afternoon light.He wasn't surprised. General Ironwood had informed him earlier about a Schnee's impending arrival at Beacon."Rinko Schnee," Ozpin muttered, his voice low and contemplative.Ironwood had mentioned Rinko's desire to follow in his sister Weiss's footsteps, though the weight of that decision carried more complexity than Rinko likely understood.Ozpin's thoughts drifted back to the darker undercurrents of the situation. The Branwen Tribe.Jacques Schnee, who had been taken by Raven's tribe, had left a trail of questions and consequences. Rinko, unknowingly or not, was walking into a world far more dangerous than any business negotiation."Raven... you're sowing more problems in your garden," Ozpin whispered to the empty room, shaking his head. His grip on his cane tightened as the pieces of a larger, more intricate game fell into place.A few moments later, a call from the receptionist broke the silence. "Rinko Schnee has arrived.""Send him in," Ozpin calmly responded. He waited patiently, the quiet hum of the elevator reaching his ears before the doors opened with a soft chime.Ozpin remained still, his back to the door as the soft chime of the elevator echoed through the office. The sound was followed by the quiet footsteps of Rinko Schnee entering the room.The air between them felt thick with unspoken expectations and the weight of legacy."Headmaster Ozpin," Rinko greeted respectfully, his voice firm but carrying a hint of uncertainty. Despite his polished exterior, the atmosphere of Beacon was far from the boardrooms and business deals he was accustomed to.Ozpin turned slowly, his cane tapping gently against the floor."Rinko Schnee," Ozpin said, his voice calm but knowing. "Welcome to Beacon Academy. You've come a long way."Rinko nodded, adjusting his posture. "Thank you for accepting me, Headmaster. I'm here to follow in Weiss's footsteps and—" He hesitated, as though carefully choosing his next words. "—to find strength. To protect my family."Ozpin's eyes sharpened at the mention of family. He knew more than Rinko likely realized about the struggles and secrets that accompanied the Schnee name, especially when it came to Jacques and the burden he had placed on his children."You'll find that Beacon offers more than just the training of a Huntsman," Ozpin replied, his tone calm but purposeful as he stepped closer. "It's a place where you might discover parts of yourself you didn't expect, where the challenges ahead are not always as straightforward as they seem."Rinko's face lightened a bit, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Then, may I—" he began to speak but was cut off when Ozpin tapped the floor with the tip of his cane, the sharp sound echoing in the office."But first," Ozpin interrupted, his gaze steady, "before I can officially make you a Beacon student, you'll have to pass a series of tests. Prove that you have what it takes, and I will gladly accept you. Beacon is a prestigious academy, after all. Our students are among the best, and we expect no less."There was a pause as Ozpin's words sank in, his soft smile hinting at the difficulty of what lay ahead. Rinko nodded, though he could feel the weight of the challenge looming in the air. Determination flickered in his eyes as he walked over to the chair in front of Ozpin's desk, and took a seat."I understand," Rinko said, his voice firm. "I'm ready for whatever you have in store."Ozpin's smile grew, though his eyes remained calculating. "Good. These tests won't just challenge your physical abilities—they will test your mind, your heart, and your character. Beacon doesn't only prepare Huntsmen and Huntresses for battle; it prepares them to lead, to protect, and to face the darkness both in the world and within themselves."Rinko's grip on the armrests tightened, his knuckles turning white as he absorbed Ozpin's words. The weight of his mission, the drive to find his father, hung heavily on his shoulders, but it was a burden he had willingly chosen. His mind raced, already preparing for the challenges ahead."I'll do whatever it takes," Rinko repeated, locking eyes with Ozpin. His voice carried the quiet intensity of someone who had already made up their mind, no matter the cost.Ozpin observed him closely, a flicker of approval passing through his otherwise enigmatic expression. "Good," he said, his tone calm but firm. "Beacon is not an easy place for latecomers, especially one with your ambitions. You're months behind the rest of the students, but I can make an exception for you, Mr. Schnee."Rinko remained silent, listening carefully, knowing there was more."I am very aware of your purpose here," Ozpin continued, his gaze sharp and perceptive. "You're not just here to become a Huntsman. You're here to find your father. Jacques Schnee has gone missing, and the Branwen tribe might hold the answers you seek, of course, since they're the ones who took him away from you. But to achieve your goal, you must first prove yourself capable."Rinko raised an eyebrow, though his expression stayed neutral. "I'm not hiding my intentions, Professor. It's no secret why I'm here."Ozpin smiled slightly, a hint of amusement in his otherwise serious demeanor. "Admirable. You've already shown more transparency than most. Still, Beacon Academy operates on its own rules. You'll need to pass a series of tests before I can formally accept you. Only then will you be a student of this prestigious academy."Rinko nodded, bracing himself for what was to come. "I'm ready. Whatever it takes."Ozpin grinned,"If you succeed," Ozpin continued, "you'll be assigned to a unique arrangement. A one-man team, designated as Team RNKO. You'll have the freedom you need to pursue your goals, but you'll also carry the responsibilities that come with being a Huntsman-in-training."The name of the one-man team lingered in the air for a moment, and Rinko couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. He had always operated alone, and perhaps this was exactly the kind of opportunity he needed."Understood." Rinko's eyes gleamed, the fire of his resolve burning brightly. "I'll prove myself. To you, and to everyone who doubts me."Ozpin's grin widened, just slightly. "Then let's see what you're truly capable of, Mr. Schnee. Welcome to Beacon Academy."Rinko stood, his heart pounding with anticipation. This was the first step on a long and dangerous path, but he was ready. Whatever it took."We shall see soon enough, Mr. Schnee," he said, his tone carrying a subtle note of finality.With a measured step, Ozpin moved back toward his desk, the soft clink of his cane tapping against the floor echoing in the room. "Prepare yourself," he continued, "I'll notify you when the tests are ready. Until then, take some time to rest and explore the campus. I'll assign you a temporary dorm for the night." He paused, letting his words sink in. "Use this time wisely—rest, reflect, and prepare your mind for the challenges ahead."Rinko stood up, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. He gave a respectful nod to the headmaster, acknowledging the importance of the moment. "Thank you, sir."With that, Rinko turned and headed for the door. He had come here for a purpose—to find his father, to make sense of the tangled legacy of the Schnee family, and to forge his own path. But standing on the cusp of that journey, he realized that Beacon would demand far more than he had ever prepared for.As Rinko made his way to his temporary dorm, he glanced out the large windows overlooking the campus. Students milled about in groups, training, laughing, and living the lives of future Huntsmen and Huntresses. He could feel the weight of their collective ambitions, the shared goal of protecting the world from the dangers beyond. He was now part of this—part of something bigger.CampusAs Rinko walked through the bustling campus, he couldn't help but feel the weight of every curious glance thrown his way. The whispers floated toward him, almost teasing in their subtlety, though they did little to escape his sharp hearing."Woah, he looks cute.""Maybe you should ask for his number...""One of the transfer students, maybe?""I've never seen him before."Each comment made his skin prickle slightly with discomfort. He was so used to hiding behind masks, both literal and figurative, that now, with his face exposed, he felt strangely vulnerable. His usual composure faltered for just a second, the quiet hum of his thoughts interrupted by the realization that he was no longer shielded by anonymity.The quiet, sheltered halls of the Schnee mansion were worlds apart from this lively, unpredictable environment. Back there, he could be unnoticed, a shadow among many. Here, he stood out—more than he was comfortable with.Rinko's hand instinctively twitched toward his face, almost wishing for the comfort of something to hide behind. But he forced it down. He had chosen this path, to step out of his family's shadows and carve his own way, giving the Schnee name a new meaning. Exposing himself like this—unmasked, vulnerable—was just another step forward.He kept walking, his expression unreadable, but his mind raced with the weight of new beginnings. If the whispers were all he had to worry about, then maybe, just maybe, he could handle what Beacon would throw his way.As he wandered the campus, Rinko took mental notes of everything. He mapped out the key areas: the towering buildings where classes would take place, the cafeteria buzzing with laughter and conversation, the dorms that seemed a mix of excitement and exhaustion, and finally, the expansive training grounds, filled with students honing their combat skills.The whole place was alive with energy, a stark contrast to the quiet halls he was used to at home. He hadn't seen Weiss yet, though. It didn't bother him; there was no need to rush. He knew he would eventually face her, and when the time came, he wanted to be ready.For now, it was enough to simply exist in this new world—to observe, to learn, and to prepare. Rinko let the steady hum of the academy surround him as he silently promised himself that when the time came, he would be ready for whatever lay ahead.As the late afternoon sun began to sink below the horizon, Rinko returned to the private ship where he had left his luggage. He gathered his belongings, the weight of his bags a reminder of the journey he was about to undertake. The day had been a blur of orientation and observation—studying the grounds of Beacon Academy, watching how the students interacted, trying to understand the environment he was stepping into.By the time evening arrived, Ozpin's office had finally provided him with the keys to his temporary dorm. It was located on the second floor, a space assigned to him until he officially passed the tests and became a full-fledged student. He had already dropped off his luggage at the reception earlier, but now he was ready to settle into his new home for the time being.Rinko followed the map on his scroll, using it as a guide through the winding hallways of the dormitory building. His mind raced with thoughts of the coming challenges, his determination to find Jacques and infiltrate the Branwen tribe fueling every step he took. As he walked, he glanced down at the screen once more, checking to ensure he was at the right place."This must be it," he muttered to himself, stopping in front of a door.He tested the handle, surprised to find it unlocked. Pushing the door open, he stepped inside.The room was larger than he had expected. Four beds, spaced out evenly, indicated it was meant for a team of four students. But for now, Rinko would be the sole occupant. He let out a soft chuckle under his breath. It was strange, being assigned to such a big space just for himself. He wasn't used to it. The Schnee mansion had been vast, but there had always been people around. This felt oddly... empty.But he was used to being lonely, especially back when he was in his original body. As Kakashi Hatake.He shrugged, pushing the thought aside as he hauled his bags in, placing them near the bed he chose by the window. With a sigh, he sat down, gazing out at the academy grounds from his vantage point. The lights of the campus flickered in the distance as the sky darkened, and a quiet stillness settled over the room."The view from here looks marvelous," he whispered to himself. The quiet determination in his voice echoed in the empty dorm.Rinko knew that the tests Ozpin had spoken of were coming, and the path ahead would be difficult. But as he sat in the silence of his temporary room, he allowed himself a moment of calm before the storm. This was his mission now, and nothing would stand in his way.[End]