The Amphitheater buzzes with low conversation.
Dozens of large Scroll displays hover along the inner ring, cycling through mission postings-maps, risk levels, short summaries. Students gather in clusters, pointing, debating, some already arguing over who gets what.
Erik and Pyrrha stand slightly apart from the crowd, facing one of the larger screens.
AVAILABLE MISSIONS - FIRST-YEAR ASSIGNMENTS
The list scrolls slowly.
Search and Rescue
Search and Destroy
Perimeter Defense
Village Security
Escort
Bounty
Pyrrha's eyes linger on the first option.
"Search and Rescue," she says softly. "Someone's already missing."
Erik follows her gaze. "Or something."
She looks at him. "You don't think it's just a missing person?"
"I think it rarely is," he replies evenly. "Missing people usually mean fear. Fear attracts Grimm. Grimm complicate everything."
Pyrrha folds her hands behind her back, thoughtful.
"But if someone's out there right now... waiting... then time matters."
"It does," Erik agrees. "Which is why this kind of mission can go bad fast if handled poorly."
She turns to face him. "You don't like it?"
"I didn't say that," he replies. "I just want us to be clear on what we're walking into."
She studies him for a moment, then nods.
"You're worried it turns into more than a rescue."
"Yes."
"And if it does?"
Erik meets her gaze. "Then we adapt."
The Search and Rescue listing cycles again, highlighting briefly.
Location: Forested region outside Vale
Details: Missing supply team. No contact for 48 hours.
Pyrrha inhales slowly.
"Forty-eight hours," she murmurs. "That's a long time."
"And not long at all," Erik counters quietly. "Depending on what found them first."
She straightens.
"If there's even a chance someone's alive," she says firmly, "we should take it."
Erik watches her for a second.
Then he nods. "Alright."
Her expression softens-just a little. "You agree?"
"I trust your judgment," he says. "And I'll plan for the worst so you don't have to."
Before she can respond, a calm, familiar voice speaks from behind them.
"A wise division of responsibility."
They turn.
Professor Ozpin stands nearby, cane resting lightly against the stone, eyes thoughtful as he regards the mission screen.
"You're considering Search and Rescue," he says.
"Yes, Professor," Pyrrha replies.
Ozpin's gaze shifts between them.
"It is often chosen for the right reasons," he says mildly. "And underestimated for the same ones."
Erik tilts his head. "Because people assume it ends once someone is found."
Ozpin smiles faintly. "Precisely."
He looks to Pyrrha. "Why this mission?"
She answers without hesitation.
"Because someone might still be out there. And because leaving them there guarantees the worst outcome."
Ozpin nods once, then turns to Erik.
"And you?"
"Because if something caused a trained supply team to disappear," Erik says calmly, "it's not going to politely wait for the next patrol."
Ozpin's eyes glint with quiet approval.
"Search and Rescue," he says, "is rarely just about rescue. It is about decision-making under uncertainty."
He pauses.
"And about knowing when saving one life prevents many more losses."
Pyrrha listens intently.
"If you take this mission," Ozpin continues, "you will shadow a professional Huntsman. You will not be alone."
Erik's expression doesn't change, but he notes the wording.
"However," Ozpin adds, "you will be expected to think."
A beat.
"To observe."
Another beat.
"And to choose carefully."
Pyrrha glances at Erik. "I'm still sure."
He nods back. "Me too."
Ozpin inclines his head.
"Then confirm your selection."
Erik reaches out and taps the screen.
MISSION SELECTED: SEARCH AND RESCUE
STATUS: PENDING ASSIGNMENT
The display locks in.
Ozpin steps back, giving them space once more.
"Remember," he says calmly, "finding someone is only the beginning. What you do after matters just as much."
With that, he turns and walks away, cane tapping softly against stone.
Pyrrha exhales, a mix of resolve and concern in her breath.
"Well," she says, "we're doing this."
Erik allows a small smile.
"We were always going to."
They step out of the Amphitheater together, the noise of mission selection fading behind them. The open air feels cooler here, the stone walkway already dotted with students waiting-some excited, some nervous-for the Huntsmen they'll be shadowing.
Erik checks the assignment notice on his Scroll. "Pending. So we wait."
Pyrrha nods, folding her hands behind her back. "At least it gives us a moment to breathe."
"Moment's over," a familiar voice says brightly.
Sun pops into view, practically bouncing on his heels. Neptune follows half a step behind, looking far too pleased with himself.
"Guess who's officially on detective duty," Sun announces.
Neptune holds up a small badge with exaggerated care. "Junior. Detective."
He tilts it so the light catches. "Try not to be jealous."
Erik blinks. "...Is that laminated?"
"Of course it's laminated," Sun says. "This is law enforcement-adjacent."
Pyrrha smiles. "Congratulations. Who are you shadowing?"
Neptune straightens a little. "Crime specialist. Vale PD liaison. The serious kind."
Sun nods emphatically. "The kind that frowns a lot and says things like 'chain of custody.'"
Erik's lips curve. "Nice. That'll teach you patience."
Sun gasps. "Rude. I have plenty of patience."
Neptune snorts. "You tried to interrogate a vending machine last week."
"It looked suspicious," Sun argues. "It ate my Lien."
Erik chuckles. "So what's the plan-stakeouts? Paperwork?"
"Both," Neptune says, half-groaning, half-excited. "Apparently 'real investigations' involve a lot of reading."
Sun points at Erik. "Which means we're blaming you if we get buried under forms."
"Happy to help," Erik replies easily. "Start with timelines. Don't chase the loudest lead. And if something feels off-write it down."
Sun squints. "You're doing the mentor thing again."
"I never stopped," Erik says. "I just hide it well."
Neptune flashes the badge again. "If we solve a case, do we get upgraded badges?"
"Probably not," Erik says. "But you'll get fewer mistakes."
Sun grins. "Worth it."
Pyrrha watches them fondly. "What mission did you two take?"
"Crime investigation," Neptune repeats. "You guys?"
"Search and Rescue," Pyrrha answers. "Missing supply team."
Sun's grin softens. "Hey. That's serious."
Erik nods. "We'll be careful."
Sun taps his badge once, suddenly earnest. "You always are."
Neptune gestures between them. "We compare notes later?"
"Deal," Erik says. "Stay sharp."
Sun salutes-badly. "Detectives away."
They turn and head off, already arguing about who gets to carry the clipboard.
Pyrrha exhales, amused. "They seem happy."
"They thrive on official-sounding titles," Erik says. "Give it a day."
She laughs softly, then glances down the path where a few Huntsmen are beginning to arrive.
"Looks like our mentor won't keep us waiting long."
Erik pockets his Scroll and straightens. "Good. I'd like to see who they send."
Side by side, they wait-ready to begin.
To Be Continued...