It had been a hard life for Jae...
A kid who had to watch his father train him and beat him like a dog to turn him into a "Prized Huntsman worthy of the name" to the point where the line between harsh training and genuine hate was blurred.
A kid who had to watch his mother suffer because she had to step in to protect her son from being overworked...Up until the day she got carted off in the back of an ambulance and he got foisted between foster home to foster home...
From an age too young to consider, Jae was forced to learn how to live, how to think and more specifically how to fight back against the people that called him a freak. By the time he was old enough to live for himself, he worked job to job; Earning Lien and paying for his room and board while he continued his training for the same thing that every teenager and ambitious adult wanted: To become a Huntsman.
It took him at least 8 years to train, to study and to have enough money to gain the entry fee but he finally did it…He had passed the entrance exam and excelled in the practical tests that the proctors and the famous Headmaster of Beacon had lay out for them, no all he had left to do was bag the interview. "So, you wish to enter my school, Mr Cielo….why exactly?" Professor Ozpin asked with a level of intrigue as the young boy sat in front of him, curious about whether he was in this for the fame, the money...Or for something else entirely.
Jae had been glad he chose to clean himself up beforehand as he knew that he needed this more than anything; He was wearing a faded blue hoody with crude but effective thin armour plating along the sleeves, a pair of thin black gloves along with deep crimson pants that had seen their fair share of rips and burns along with their repairs and a scuffed pair of black combat boots. "For the same reason that anyone else would want to join, I want to become a Huntsman and help to make a difference in the world." Jae would respond with the same speech that he had repeated in his head over and over, noticing Ozpin coolly nodding along as he listened while his assistant/Vice Headmistress Glynda Goodwitch took notes. "To be able to protect the world that we share and to help make it a better place."
"That's certainly a noble enough sentiment to carry but why choose Beacon? You could have signed up for the police or for the military to do that exact same purpose." Ozpin countered as this was a fairly common thing from would-be students that came this far. "You'd certainly be a little out of place within the arms of the law but you'd certainly be in a safer position and at less risk of the Grimm."
"I could have…but I also know that the Huntsmen who graduate can also expand themselves….to learn more about the world and it's history….I want to learn as much as I can and ensure that it is put to the right use." Jae further explained, it wasn't entirely inaccurate that he wanted to preserve history...In fact there was a certain part of history that he wanted to discover but knew from past experience to not elaborate.
"Interesting...Oobleck would like this boy." Ozpin mused to himself as he tapped his finger on the head of his cane; "I must admit, most would-be applicants would seek the greater strength or the glory….and Beacon is certainly happy to welcome all walks of life into it's classrooms…no matter if they are rich or poor….Human or Faunus, everyone remains welcome." Ozpin would remark as he took a sip from his mug; wanting to see if this triggered a response. "Even a Demon can can certainly rise to heights unimagined if given a chance."
Jae shook his head, the fact that the headmaster brought up Demons of all things intrigued him but decided to play it safe; "I understand, Professor...But I want to be known for deeds, not who I am as a person and if you do choose to accept me….I will put my utmost effort to ensure I can be someone to be proud of." He would finish his comments as Glynda scribbled his and Ozpin's words down.
"I see, I can assure you that you have indeed made a good impression, I don't doubt that you have more then what it takes to be accepted into Beacon…..but there are other applicants besides yourself…Are you sure that you can excel if there is that kind of competition?" Ozpin asked as he took a long gaze at Jae, watching him for any anxieties or second thoughts but was surprised and somewhat impressed that Jae was calm as anything,
"I do, I've trained for years and while I can take the chance to welcome the possibility to prove myself...I would rather let actions speak over words." Jae responded with a resolute nod. The interview was concluded with an amiable thanks and a farewell from the both of them…the interview was over and all that was left were the results.
"He seems steadfast in his comments and I can see very little reason that he would not be ready." Ozpin remarked as Glynda shut the door to share their thoughts; "Though there is something more to him, I can't exactly tell what but he certainly has a way about him that I can't quite place."
"Indeed Professor, I've taken the opportunity to look over his gradings for the theories and the practical tests before the interview." Glynda mentioned as she placed a tablet on the table, showing a digital profile of Jae's application. "His combat testing is certainly above average and he shows commendable skill, though he lacks the coordination that we typically see in combat school graduates….and considering that I've seen no transcripts that indicate that he's been approved by a teacher or a combat specialist." She elaborated to Oz while he looked over the grades of other applicants, middling or average with the occasional failing scores; "But the other applicant that seems to be viable to be accepted is this one...Jaune Arc".
"Interesting, Average test scores yet excelling in combat training….and signed off as Signal Academy, though it is rather surprising that none of the teachers have brought that name up before…." Ozpin would explain as his assistant adjusted her glasses while reading it herself. "Either he is a rare talent himself or something else seems to be happening."
"I thought so too, which is why I made some calls to Signal and the neighbouring schools asking if they had a student like this." Glynda said with a hum of apprehension. "No one seems to recognise the name or his face...Which is what makes me believe that either someone has tried to pass Mr. Arc off as ready without thinking or these are tampered with...Therefore I think it would be more prudent to blackli-"
Ozpin shook his head and looked at Glynda with a serious expression. "I recommend we say no and tell him better luck for the next time...Ambition needs to be tempered by experience, that is why the combat schools are there in the first place."
"Under normal circumstances neither of them could be accepted even if their gradings are to be considered; Mr Cielo may have the potential but the fact that he does not have official training is concerning enough." Glynda tried to explain as her own seriousness peaked. "Mr Arc submitting these falsified documents however is not something we can or should accept...Which is why-" She continued before she silenced herself as Ozpin was ready to talk again.
"Permanently stopping someone who is willing to learn is counter productive Glynda….I say we refuse his entry this time and we ensure he goes through the proper channels at a Combat school before he can apply again….but I think that Mr Cielo may be the student we're looking for…." Ozpin stated with a tone that made it clear on his decision, he had taken all factors into consideration but he decided to shed light on his plans before Glynda could protest. "ON the conditions provided….."
The hours carried on into the night as Jae was training in the woods with a silver sabre in his hand; He was practicing his katas as he did every night before sleeping, a habit that stuck with him even when he thought he was finished for the day, he was still determined to keep going when he heard the jingling of his scroll; A wave of his hand made his sword vanish into the night and his anxiety rose when he saw the name flashing on the screen.
"Mr Cielo, I have news for you regarding your application...And it is our pleasure to announce that you have been accepted into Beacon Academy." Glynda Goodwitch brought him the news, ordinarily something that would've made the young man yell for joy but her tone seemed to indicate an oncoming "But". "While we are happy to accept you into our school and welcome you to the coming semester, we will be doing so with some added conditions regarding the concerns we have over your application; Condition number 1...Because there is no record of you in any prior combat school nor have you shown us that you have approval from either a teacher or a professional Hunstman….You will be surveyed and reviewed at the end of every semester." She would explain with her professional tone, something that compelled Jae into silence so he could listen.
"That doesn't sound too bad." Jae thought to himself but kicked himself when he realised he spoke too soon.
"Condition 2: You will be accepted into Beacon Academy but you have to maintain an adequate rapport of good scores and good behaviour in your classes...And Condition 3: If either myself or Professor Ozpin notice a trend of failings in any of these, you will be expelled….that is all." Glynda finished before the call hung up, leaving only the sounds of the night to accompany the thick silence.
Jae wasn't sure what to think first about all of this; The news of being accepted into Beacon was the biggest and greatest news he got for a while, however the subsequent rules placed on him was a sufficient dampener on the mood and a significant amount of pressure…Not to mention rather strict but considering that Glynda wasn't exactly wrong about this lack of traditional experience, he wasn't going to complain.
"Well….If that's what it takes to be accepted into a Huntsman academy? Then I'll take anything they can throw at me…..How about that for a Demon?" He muttered the last part to himself as he directed his gaze to his right forearm; On it was a black mark similar to a tattoo of a sword with a wolf's skull on one side that seemed to pulsate with each breath; "I got a lot of training to do before then." He decided and then started heading back inside to the apartment complex he was staying in...If they were keeping him on a tightrope then he may as well learn what he could to balance.