Headmaster's OfficeThe room was bathed in warm, golden light streaming through the grand, circular windows that overlooked the vast grounds of Beacon Academy. The subtle hum of gears and the occasional clink of Ozpin's coffee mug punctuated the silence, lending a sense of calm to the space that seemed to exist outside of time.Ozpin leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled, eyes sharp yet kind. "Rinko Schnee, you've proven yourself not only capable but exemplary. You've prevented a tragedy," he said, his voice carrying a rare note of admiration. His gaze shifted briefly to the reports sprawled across his desk-documents detailing the narrowly avoided disaster at Mountain Glenn, thanks to Rinko's decisive actions.Rinko stood at attention, his posture disciplined but his eyes shadowed as if weighed down by more than the exhaustion of the mission. The echoes of steel on steel, Raven's defiant glare, and the desperation in his father's voice still haunted him. He swallowed hard, forcing those thoughts back."Thank you, Headmaster," Rinko replied, his voice steady but tinged with a reserved tone. He glanced at the framed map of Vale on the wall, realizing how close the city had come to catastrophe.Ozpin's expression softened, recognizing the storm within the young warrior. "I understand the burden of sacrifice, Rinko. You've carried it well. But know this-you are not alone. Here, at Beacon, you have allies."The mention of allies made Rinko's eyes flicker with a momentary warmth. His thoughts drifted to his temporary teammates, each as fiercely determined and flawed as he was. They were more than partners; they were a lifeline in the swirling chaos of his dual life as both a Schnee and a relentless protector.Glynda Goodwitch, who had been silently observing the exchange, stepped forward, her heels clicking on the polished floor. "Your actions have earned you our gratitude and set a standard. This academy thrives on those willing to stand in the face of the impossible. You did that," she added, a hint of approval breaking through her usually strict demeanor.Rinko met her gaze, a flicker of pride warming his chest. For a moment, the weight he carried felt just a bit lighter.Ozpin leaned forward, lifting his coffee cup like a silent toast. "Welcome to Beacon Academy, Rinko Schnee. We expect great things from you."A determined smile crept onto Rinko's face as he nodded. "I won't let you down."Outside Ozpin's Tower, Beacon AcademyThe warm afternoon sunlight cast long, dappled shadows across the courtyard of Beacon Academy. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees lining the paths, carrying with it the lively chatter of students going about their day. The grand, spire-topped tower loomed behind him as Rinko emerged from its entrance, the weight of the conversation with Ozpin still settling in his chest.Waiting at the foot of the tower, Team RWBY stood gathered. Yang leaned casually against a stone column, arms crossed but eyes sharp with anticipation. Ruby, unable to contain her excitement, bounced on the balls of her feet, her crimson cloak fluttering behind her. Weiss stood with her usual poise, a hint of a proud smile softening her features. Blake, ever composed, watched quietly, her golden eyes glinting with interest.Rinko paused, momentarily taken aback by their presence. He hadn't expected them to be there, waiting for him."Sooo... how'd it go, snowflake?" Yang called out, stepping forward and giving him a playful slap on the back that nearly made him stumble.Ruby, eyes wide with excitement, echoed her sister's enthusiasm. "Yeah! Tell us the news!"Weiss's smile deepened just a fraction, and Blake tilted her head, a small nod urging him to speak.Rinko blinked, a moment of surprise melting into a warm, genuine smile. The sunlight fell across his face, catching in his silver hair and making his blue eyes gleam. The tension that had coiled in his chest finally unwound as he met their gazes."I got accepted," he said, his voice steady and clear.The words hung in the air, and for a heartbeat, there was silence. Then, Ruby squealed with delight, launching herself at Rinko for a hug that was equal parts joy and impact. Yang let out a cheer, ruffling his hair with an affectionate grin."Knew you'd do it," Weiss said, her eyes softening with unspoken pride. Blake's lips curled into a subtle smile as she nodded.The group shared a moment bathed in the golden light, the sounds of Beacon's bustling campus fading into the background. In that moment, Rinko felt something he hadn't experienced in a long time since his reincarnation into this strange, vibrant world-a sense of belonging, surrounded by those who believed in him."Welcome to Beacon, Rinko!" Ruby said, her voice bright with excitement as she beamed up at him.Yang punched the air with a grin. "Looks like we're gonna see a lot more of your frosty self around here."Weiss's eyes sparkled with rare warmth as she crossed her arms, trying to maintain her composure. "Just try not to get into too much trouble," she teased, though the corner of her mouth lifted into a proud smile.Blake gave him a nod, her expression thoughtful. "Beacon could use someone like you."As they began making their way toward the dorm building, their footsteps mingled with the laughter and chatter of other students passing by. The setting sun cast long, warm shadows that danced across the cobblestone paths, painting the academy in hues of gold and amber.They reached the row of dorm rooms, and Rinko's eyes flicked to the door marked with the number that matched his key. He reached out, fingers brushing the doorknob, when he heard a collective gasp from Team RWBY."Wait... your dorm is right next to ours?!" Ruby's eyes went wide with surprise, bouncing slightly on her heels as she pointed to their own door just a few steps away.Yang's grin stretched wider as she let out a bark of laughter. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."Weiss shook her head, her smile turning into an exasperated sigh. "Of course. The universe insists on chaos."Blake chuckled softly. "Looks like we'll be neighbors, whether we like it or not."Rinko couldn't help but smirk, an expression that mirrored the one he'd worn many times in his past life when life had thrown him the unexpected. He glanced at his new teammates-different from Team RWBY but close enough to keep him grounded-and felt the weight of this new chapter settle comfortably on his shoulders."Well," he said, turning back to the others, a glimmer of humor in his voice, "looks like we won't be getting much peace, will we?"Yang clapped him on the back, nearly knocking him forward. "Who needs peace when you've got friends like us?"Ruby nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! We'll keep things exciting, that's for sure."Rinko took a deep breath, feeling the pulse of life in Beacon around him, and let himself smile, genuinely and without reservation. For better or worse, this was home.Dorm Room, RinkoThe room was simple but comfortable, a testament to the Academy's balance between practicality and comfort. The setting sun cast a soft orange glow through the window, illuminating the space with a warm light that felt like a gentle welcome.Rinko closed the door behind him, the silence a stark contrast to the lively chatter outside.He unfastened the belt around his waist, letting it slide off with a soft thud, followed by the sheath that usually carried his sword.The absence of its familiar weight was a painful reminder-his blade was still embedded in Raven's side. He'd need to find a new weapon.Right now, there was only one thing on his mind: sleep.The exhaustion from the day's events clung to him like a heavy cloak. He wasn't able to sleep last night. The fight, the tension, the emotional highs and lows-it all hit him in waves as he reached the bed.The sheets were crisp, smelling faintly of lavender and something uniquely Beacon. Rinko stumbled forward and let gravity take over, collapsing onto the soft mattress.His body sunk into the bed as if it had been waiting for this moment for years. The fatigue of battles fought and missions completed seemed to evaporate in the quiet of the room.His eyelids grew heavy, and he didn't fight it. The room blurred at the edges, the world outside fading into a muted hum.Rinko's mind raced for a moment, flickering with images-Raven's eyes, fierce and unyielding; the fleeting glimpse of his father; the look of trust on Team RWBY's faces.But those thoughts soon dissolved as sleep finally claimed him, pulling him into the depths of rest he desperately needed.The last thing he remembered before the darkness took over was the warmth of the sunlight brushing against his face, a rare sense of peace settling in his chest.For now, there were no battles to fight, no decisions to be made. Just silence, and the comfort of knowing that, at least for this moment, he was safe.[End]