Chương 18: Time skip and a mission
6 years later
(Daemon POV)
I had now lived on Remnant for almost 7 years and was set to twelve in two days' time. Yang was now thirteen while Ruby would turn eleven in only a few weeks. I had lived with the Rose/Xiao-Long family for 6 years now and l could genuinely say I loved them all. At this point I even called them all by familial titles such as mum and dad as well as uncle Qrow or sometimes Grampa Qrow.
Since receiving my huntsman license all those years ago I also fulfilled a decent number of missions including gathering around three tinctorius grimm for gramps only a couple of days after returning to Patch. I now had 72 D-ranks often just running notes for Gramps or simple deliveries between Patch and Vale. 23 C-ranks which were all grimm extermination missions for small groups of standard grimm like boarbatusks and beowolves. 13 B-ranks which were spectacular bounties on stronger grimms like nucakleeves and large groups of alphas as well as my initial two missions. 2 A-rank missions one was for stopping a grimm tide. The 'huntsman' term for a group of over 100 grimm and a high-level escort both alongside Summer. And finally, 2 S-ranks one due to the discovery for the poison which after research proved it was the poison which went through aura and another due to his contribution of huntsman techniques.
Admittedly my record seemed better than most rookie huntsman but I had, had it for six years now and my grandfather was Ozpin so it was kind of expected to a degree but impressive none the less.
I had also grown closer to Ozpin who I now called Gramps. We spent a lot time together talking discussing theories about things like aura. In fact, about two weeks ago he received a doctorate for his studies in basic aura, semblance development and aura control. He was now technically Doctor Ebon-Nix signed off by a scientific council presided over by Dr Polendina. Everyone had thrown a huge celebration over this. Something he didn't expect as most of it was just topics he discussed with Gramps before writing down ideas and speculations on it.
Gramps however had read all the notes and helped draft it as paper before encouraging him to publish it. Of course, he had also written a few other things like aura strengthening techniques and things that he and Ozpin had come up with like a breathing method that would enhance muscle regeneration through interaction with aura. His grandfather refused to claim any credit as he had only helped test ideas and develop them a bit further.
He did feel that his achievement was a little unfair as he had a huge advantage in his family records as well as Ozpins help but he was reassured that some his speculations were beyond even what he may be able to theorise.
He had also learnt some magic from his grandfather. The wizard loves talking about magical theory, the different uses of magic and how creatively magic could be used. He was so knowledgeable about the subject that Daemon could two with him just a couple of hours and feel like he had learnt years' worth of information. He had also been taught some his favourite being elemental and druidic magic.
On his tenth birthday he had gone through the animal form ritual which upon further inspection seemed more like the animagus form from the HP universe. However, it was possible to get multiple forms with this one. He had gotten a white tiger, a direwolf, a kestrel and most shockingly a phoenix and a dragon. His phoenix form was made of blue fire and had most of standard abilities of a phoenix like healing, singing that could affect emotions and teleporting but it was really tiring. His dragon form however looked like a white western dragon. Similarity shape to the skyrim dragons but he had the ability to change size. He didn't really have a use for either but he loved having them. I mean who wouldn't want to become a dragon or phoenix.
He had also learnt basic nature magic which he could use to cleanse water for drinking and control vines and trees to make small natural huts or hammocks to use to for shelter or sleep. It also could be used to remove any natural toxins from anything. His grandfather explained that this is why druids were the best healers on Remnant as they could use any plant for its benefits with no negative consequences.
It was certainly interesting learning about different schools of magic and how they were used for example Ozpin was by technicality an elemental yet he could manipulate time. Salem was also an elemental but in the traditional sense. She had also mastered a basic form illusion and enchantment.
His runic archive semblance was another thing that he had experimented with. It fascinated his grandfather and they had come with so many different ideas and concepts. They actually spent some of their bonding time on projects like re-creating weapons from story books and myths, that didn't actually exist, such as the spear Gáe Bolg. Ozpin's speciality in time magic had been a great help with working out how to create the reversal of causality effect. It had taken them almost three years of their almost weekly Saturday meetings but them had done it. It was so fun to use but incredibly dangerous.
Ozpin acknowledged that by himself he doubts he would have been able to create it and that it was only through our combined magic and liberal use of my semblance that we managed.
It had been crafted from condensed grimm bone, wood and some fire dust that weaved it together and gave it a relish hue. The grimm bone and dust help to enhance the magic while the wood held it even better. It was currently in a blood bound storage scroll which lay in the vault beneath Beacon. Ozpin said when he had a safer place to keep it, he could it take there or he could carry it on a seal on his when he finished Signal. Daemon had agreed as he didn't want to carry around with due to the danger it posed. Yeah, all the curses he and Ozpin had put on in the attempt to replicate the one hit kill effect may have been over kill.
Gramps had also taught him a lot about space/time magic and how it works and can be used which was an immense help in his development with fuinjustu specifically. He had learnt the flying thunder god technique and was now working on space expansion seals and runes as well his ultimate goal of creating what would in effect be a pocket dimension. He had almost mastered space expansion using basic principles from the FTG and storage scrolls he now just had to work out how to stabilise and create a self-sustained eco system in the pocket dimension as well remove from the standard dimension. Yeah, it was complicated process but one he would accomplish it.
He had however made a breakthrough in linking aura and seals. He had recently managed to make storage scrolls that would only respond to a specific aura. He had made one for Summer, Tai, Qrow and Gramps who all thought it was brilliant. This breakthrough had also allowed him to give them all the ability to use specially made explosion tags as he couldn't mass produce them due to the risk that someone may steal, they and use them for malicious purposes.
My combat skills had also been further developed with Qrow and Summer's help and training. Qrow had taught him to wield a scythe and was shocked at how far he had come with his style. Gramps had gotten him a simple double ended scythe when he had spoken of the plan for his future combat style and he recently reached the point where he could nearly match Qrow, on a sheer skill-based match with no aura involved, at least for a while. Apparently, he had an unfair amount of aura and as a student this was actually a detriment as student as he would never feel the same pressure to improve.
From Summer and Tai however, I had learnt more about how to use guns specific rifles and kamas (Summer) as well as even more about unarmed combat and knives (Tai). I had worked hard and found that I liked to use kamas and knives, it was great especially with all different tricks I could use with each. I had also learnt that I favoured grappling based fighting styles and restraints as a fighting method. Tai had taught me some of Atlas CQC which focused on restraints and grappling.
I had also improved my archery to a point where I could hit 2 in 10 bulls eyes while running at an aura enhanced speed. This may not sound particularly impressive but all of his other arrows were hitting the centre two rings which was still good enough when moving at that speed.
On that note however I had hit a plateau in somethings. One being my physical strength and speed. While I could match moat veteran huntsman it was only due to my large aura reserved meaning I could almost constantly enhance but without I had reached the point, according to my parents and Qrow, of at least a second year Beacon student which is apparently impressive.
I was also struggling with any advancement on my seals and any practical crafting skills as I didn't have access to a workshop or forge. But apparently my technical knowledge would be considered at the very top even among senior huntsman even if not to the level of a forge master. This however would be something for the future.
This however was not the case for my fire semblance which while it hadn't increased in power my fine control of it had sky rocketed. I could now unleash its full power but nothing would burn unless I wished it. I had frightened Summer when I came covered in flames sat on the sofa. She went to use a fire extinguisher on me until I turned it off and pointed out something had been burned.
Sadly, I still received a lecture on semblance uses and safety which also led to first time I called her mom. After listening to it for almost twenty where he bounced around waving her arms all over the place I stood up and wrapped her hug and said "Okay mum I get it, just stop bouncing around your making me dizzy."
A second later after I had let go and turned around, I was tackled in a hug by a crying and sniffling Summer who asked "What did you just call me?" It took me a moment to realise I had called her Mum aloud; I had been calling her it my head for a while now. (This was around two years). So, I responded "Mum."
Yeah, the rest of that day was spent with a clingy watery eyed Summer who kept giving me deadly bear hugs.
Nonetheless I could now almost perfectly manipulate my flames from shape to heat to intensity to what they burned. Yeah, it was awesome.
However, I was not the only one who had trained and advanced. Ruby and Yang had also begun their training and were advancing quickly through everyone's guidance. Yang had begun to look more like her cannon appearance with a yellow top and a full brown leather jacket and leather boots as well as her hair which she was still very protective over. She had begun to cough develop cough like her cannon character.
Ruby had also begun to look more like cannon with her outfit but she was still short and really innocent. She also had the same love of cookies she always had.
Both of their trainings had gone well. Both had been CQC and while Yang was great at it, Ruby wasn't but unlike cannon was at the least proficient in. Ruby had also learnt and specialised in the scythe like in cannon but this time she had also learnt how to use smaller side weapons like knives and pistols which she would have to carry when she started at Beacon. Yang had also taken up using a poleaxe due to Summer's training. She also was fierce with a combat knife.
Both girls had, had their auras unlocked by me. When they had been asked who they wanted to unlock their auras both had firmly declared that I would unlock it for them much to the adult's amusement. I had as been put in charge of training them in aura usage since I was so proficient at it. Not to mention my doctorate in aura theory and development.
While both had only aura a year, they were both progressing well. Ruby had excelled at aura channelling for enhancement like vision and speed as well as strength but defensively was bad. Yang however shone at defensive and strength enhancement but sucked at all else. Neither of the girls had unlocked their semblance yet.
The adults had all learnt Higher level aura manipulation from me as apparently it wasn't as common place as I had believed it be and what I already knew was far beyond most users. Huh, maybe that was why I got a doctorate.
All them had learnt to enhance on a muscular level as well as my new breathing technique which we also learnt could make platelets form over injuries even quicker. They had also learnt before basic weapon reinforcement and how to constantly channel and do small aura slashes.
Tai however had been able to actually take my flash step technique and adjust and improve it. He helped me learn the improved version. The new version moves at the same speed but could you turn move effectively and even step on air for a moment by channelling and then spinning aura to give a slight twist or make a dense air block to kick off. None of the others had been able to learn this however.
Finally, we can't forget the final members of the family. Zwei and Lilith. Zwei had unlocked his semblance, it was practically a sonic roll with fire but it was awesome. Its damage was also propionate to the speed of his roll. I may have gone a bit over board in testing but I gave him steak as an apology so we're cool.
Lilith had grown to the size of a small horse before unlocking both her semblances. She could now grow into a shadowy tank sized demon but most of the time stayed puppy sized so she could play with everyone and Zwei with hurting anyone. Her ability to shadow travel had also been amusing. She could take people with her and the first time she had used was to get herself and Zwei into the cupboard and retrieve and eat all of the dog treats.
No one could work out how they had done until Summer saw her shadow travel a few days later. She had been heavily lecturing as she sat in front of Summer with dropped ears and pleading puppy dog eyes until she had been forgiven and fused over to all of our amusement. I did however later make clear to her she was not to do it again and she reluctantly showed she agreed.
Yeah, another had changed in six years and even more was set to change when Yang left for Signal next year. While due to living so close she would be home each night it would feel strange without her here.
Yang and I had also grown closer so much so that I was the only one allowed to brush her hair and style it for her, well other than Summer. It had become a part of their daily routine that he would brush her hair after they had finished their training for the day and she had showered.
Yang had also dragged him out on several 'mock dates' in the last few months it was apparently needed as she may meet a boy at signal and she needed to know how a date would go.
This had of course led to him indulging Ruby in having mock dates as well after Yang got to go on them with him. He had only tried to refused once and she looked ready cry over so he caved and gave in.
Tai and Summer had just laughed and told them to have fun. They were clearly laughing at his misery, bastards.
It had also become routine for him to teach Ruby archery. Last year she had finally made her own bow and had learnt how to shoot well enough she could she could kill a grimm. He was impressed. It was also routine for them to go and buy the fortnightly issue for her favourite weapons magazine and read it together.
The worst part however especially now was that both girls snuck into his room every night without fail. Now that may not sound too bad but aura makes a person physically mature faster. As such he was going through puberty again and having both cuddle into him at night made him supremely uncomfortable and nervous.
But yes, a lot had changed throughout the last six years.
(Two days later)
Daemon had been going about his morning as normal when received a call from Ozpin on his scroll. He was admittedly curious as to what the old man would be calling him for as he only ever called for missions or on a Friday to check that he would be coming to visit the next day.
He hit the answer and then spoke "Hey Gramps, what you calling for?"
He heard a chuckle from the other end of the phone as he received his answer. "Good morning to you to Daemon." This made him scratch the back of his head sheepishly and laugh.
"Oh yeah sorry Gramps. Good morning."
"Yes, good morning, always remember unless there is an emergency there is always time for pleasantries. Nevertheless, I was calling you to ask if you would be willing to take a mission for me? While when I describe it, it may seem easy it will be an A-rank mission."
"Sure, Gramps I will take it."
"Very good. I will be sending Doctor Oobleck as a supervisor for the mission. You will be taking a bullhead to Mistral where you will then be taking an order of special coffee beans from a small farming village an hour away from the landing zone. Does that sound okay."
"Yea I understand. I have a few questions. Will Oobleck be armed? Can you send me a map of the destination? How long until departure? And how is the coffee going to be presented, bagged, boxes or another method?"
"In order. Yes, of course I will do the second this call ends, an hour and a half at the usual pick-up zone. The should be boxed in individual bags. And before you ask, I have informed your family and yes you can have a couple of bags for payment."
"Cool thanks Gramps. Let just go grab my combat gear and I will be ready to go. See ya"
"Of course, I will see you later my boy. Have fun."
I ran back to the house and everyone else was at the table with omelettes in front of them. Summer just smiled at me and said "Oz has already let us know. Go shower and change and I will have breakfast waiting for you when you get back down here.
It was about an hour and fifteen minutes later that I arrived at the bullhead dock and waited for the bullhead with Dr Oobleck on to arrive.
After about ten minutes it came in to land and set down. A bouncy man with dark green hair, circular glasses and a traditional brown explorers hat shouted a greeting to me as he walked over with a thermos of coffee in hand.
"Doctor Ebon-Nix, it is brilliant to you see you again. I hope you have been well?"
"It is good to see you again as well Doctor Oobleck. And yes I have been well how about yourself."
"Yes, yes. Quite well indeed my friend. Anyhow let's not dawdle. Shall we?" gesturing at the bullhead.
It was an almost four hour trip to Mistral from Patch so given that is around nine thirty when we left we wouldn't get there until almost two pm.
The whole journey me and Doctor Oobleck sat discussing our relevant fields. Something that had recently been unearthed was about the brother gods and when they stripped magic from humanity.
Apparently it was in a journal from someone in period, a wizard who describes the pain in his soul as it happened. He asked my views on it and if and how I believe it may have had any effect on the nature of aura. I responded that of it caused damage to the soul maybe it is like having a leak and that this may be what allows us to externalise and manipulate it. This line of argument seemed to fascinate the doctor.
This led to the discussion about semblances and how this were formed. I explained that it may be a lingering remnant of the magic that we once had. I then went on to explain that it may even be the reason it was a semblance by who coined the term. It presented a semblance of magic.
Doctor Oobleck was enthused by this reasoning and asked if I would be interested in doing a joint paper with him on the subject as he promised to send a translated transcript of the journal to me when we returned.
This discussion with other similar ones took up nearly our entire journey to Mistral.
When finally set down it was at a small outpost on what seemed to be the only the only hills in view which was surrounded by swamps and bogs.
The outpost had some huntsman stationed around its perimeter. Oobleck saw me analysing the outpost before explaining.
"Ah, I see that you look curious so let me explain. This outpost in the only bullhead dock for around twenty miles which covers seven small towns including the one we will be visiting. And due to the grimm population here they have a constant team of at least eight huntsmen on rotations of four here at all times to protect the bullhead."
I nodded my understanding as we them set off in the direction of the village we were to pick up the delivery from.
Like I had been told the village was roughly an hour journey but during it Doctor Oobleck pointed out all of the local plants and herbs that could be used for food or medicine as well as what was poisonous which was fascinating and may be helpful in the future.
Attempting to transverse the swamps and bogs was also an experience. I had to constantly aware of grimm thankfully we only got attacked by a couple of beowolves. The other thing that made it difficult was in effect a mud version of quicksand.
As we approached the village, I noticed Oobleck seemed tense. "Doctor is something wrong you seem a little tense?"
He looked and seemed to give a bit of thought before answering. "Nothing my friend. It just feels like we didn't encounter as many grimm as we should of. I don't know maybe it is just throwing me. But something maybe be wrong. Anyhow shall we continue."
We entered the village and nothing seemed to be wrong. Everyone was in good spirits and the collection went off without a hitch. I sealed it all into a seal which I then placed in my pocket before joining Oobleck up on the low wall of the settlement. He staring off into the tree line and then I saw it. A grimm tide. Over two hundred grimm thankfully with very few alphas were approaching through the tree line.
I turned to Oobleck and told him to call Ozpin and ask for instruction while I made an estimate on their number. As he rang, I used aura enhanced vision and counted 237 grimm in total. All a mix of beowolves, ursa and boarbatusks. Only 28 of which were majors and alphas.
Ozpin had answered and immediately asked what the problem seemed to be which I explained as well as the number of grimm.
"Just sit tight and backup will be there shortly. Just hold on."
Then I spoke up. "Gramps, do I have permission to cut loose and fight them?" I received a sceptical look before a nod. "Then we won't need back up."
"Good luck Daemon." He then hung up and I asked Doctor Oobleck. "Can you man the walls for me please. Don't worry about anything else." Ooblexk just gave me a solemn nod before I jumped over the wall and walked towards the encroaching horde summoning my double ended scythe and enhancing it and its edge with aura.
Then I charge.
I used flash step to close the distance with the closest Ursa Major which I swiftly decapitated before then cutting a path to the centre of the horde with quick spinning movements.
Once in the centre of the horde I gathered my aura on the edges of both ends of the scythe before spinning it around unleashing a large circular aura slash in a full circle around me cutting down almost eighty grimm. I had already destroyed almost half of the horde.
I then unleashed my semblance and the air around me burned and the ground at my feet melted. All the grimm closest to me disintegrated as I unleashed my full unrestrained semblance.
Within the next ten minutes I used my semblance to thin the horde down to just 60 remaining grimm which I then unleashed a huge aura slash combined with my semblance which disintegrated them and left the ground where they stood a molten puddle.
My head felt light as I turned off my semblance. Yes, I had killed 237 grimm by myself and made it look easy but I had burnt through my aura which was a hell of a feat considering how much I had. This was also the difference between me and an accomplish S-rank huntsman. They could so the same thing just with a third of the aura usage so I still had a long way to go before I reached that level.
I had heard stories of S-rank huntsman like Qrow who could take on a horde this size with just aura reinforcement and their weapons. Not aura slashes, flash step or semblances. Yet he had an over reliance in all of these things when fought. Yes, he could match an S-rank but he was no where near as skilled. As such he had a long way to.
As I reached the wall, I heard clapping and cheering from everyone as they had seen what I had done. Everyone was thanking me and showering me with praise even professor Oobleck.
After resting and celebrating for a couple of hours me and Oobleck prepared to leave. As we were about to leave the village head approached us with another three boxes. Two the same size as early and one smaller.
The chief explained that the two big ones were for me. One with their unique coffee and the other was a unique cocoa that they make which they often only sell to the elite of Atlas due to what they charge. The smaller box was coffee foe Dr Oobleck.
I thanked them for the gifts as I knew how this would cost me otherwise and then departed back to the air field.
(5 hours later)
Me and Doctor Oobleck had finally arrived back at Beacon where we delivered the produce to Ozpin who was ecstatic to have his premium coffee. He went to pass me a bag but I gave it back explaining the gift that as had been given.
I spent a while talking with him about the mission and my over reliance on aura. He assured me that I wouldn't have to worry but suggested making a seal that partially sealed my aura so that I don't use it as much and get used to fighting with. Food for thought, I guess. It was around midnight by time I was ready to leave so Gramps just suggested I stayed in a dorm room for the night which I did.
As I lay there falling asleep on one of the dorm beds, I thought to myself about how much I had changed since coming to this world. I trained, explored, studies and actually enjoyed life. Tomorrow would mark seven years of this new life I have lived.
I slowly shut my eyes and fell asleep.
(Hey guys so I have gotten to a place I will enjoy writing again. I feel like this chapter was a bit of an info dump so sorry about that.
Also, just to clarify Daemon with his semblances is able to match an S-rank but without an S-rank would beat him due to pure skill, experience and most importantly control. Yes, he can control his aura and semblance but not the amount. He still uses a bucket where he only needs a spoon and this will not change for a while.
Anyhow hope you all enjoy the chapter and until next time.)
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