Jaune hadn't realized just how large Beacon's Dream counterpart was until his squad led him deeper inside the fortress. The ramparts and turrets were only the outer skin—beneath and within, it was a hive of activity. Corridors ran like arteries, lit by pale-blue strips of light. Personnel moved constantly, carrying supplies or adjusting holographic displays, their footsteps echoing faintly against polished alloy floors.
Nora was the self-appointed guide. She tugged Jaune by the wrist more than once, dragging him down side halls as she declared, "This way, rookie tour!" Ren followed at a measured pace, occasionally adding explanations when Nora's enthusiasm turned vague, and Oscar trailed behind, relatively quiet.
They passed the supremely reinforced training halls first. It was quite similar to the real world's version. It had vast rooms filled with modular panels and projection rigs. Inside, Jaune caught glimpses of operatives sparring against simulated Grimm. Those constructs of Runic energy were much more impressive here, given terrifying detail and weight. One of the main reasons was that since operatives could access the entirety of their stats in the dream, the simulations here could also be set at a higher level. It still wasn't on the level of real grimm, obviously, just better than the one available in the waking world.
Jaune witnessed one squad drilling in synchronized formation, cutting down a pack of Beowolves with practiced sweeps. Another faced down a towering Ursa projection, its claws sparking against a person who had a rune skill which manifested as a barrier.
Jaune slowed, staring. "That's… quite interesting."
Nora grinned, leaning close. "Fun too. Wait until you're the one punching the big bad bear in the face."
Ren added, "It's always best to remember that the simulators are for practice only. Real hunts are always much more unpredictable. But... well, they still help with coordination."
They moved on. Barracks, supply depots and even the weapon storage. Jaune glimpsed racks of weapons he didn't recognize: rifles that seemed part rifle, part crossbow, each lined with glowing etchings; heavy gauntlets studded with weird nodes and blades humming faintly with restrained energy.
'It really is a military base,' he realized. Not a school but a fortress built to fight a war that most of the waking world didn't even know existed.
By the time they reached the operations building, Jaune's head was buzzing from awe.
The building dominated the central grounds, a sleek tower of steel and glass, its edges lined with glowing circuits that crawled upward like veins of light. Inside, the hum of activity intensified. Massive holo-maps floated in the air, showing real-time projections of the city outside the barrier. Blips of light pulsed across streets and districts—each one a patrol, a team of Awakened operatives.
Jaune slowed instinctively as they entered. It felt… important here. Heavy with purpose.
He immediately spotted them.
Counselor Vex and Glynda Goodwitch stood near one of the central displays. Glynda was engaged in a low-voiced debrief with a squad of operatives—Jaune could recognize those of them who were awakened now, their Rune Frames marking them instantly. Their armor bore unique color trims, their weapons slung casually yet ready, each one radiating quiet lethality. Around them, non-awakened staff recorded data on holo-tablets.
Jaune lingered near the edge, watching. It was strange—now that he understood the distinction, it was like seeing two worlds collide in one place. Soldiers with superhuman power standing beside clerks and analysts who couldn't fight back against most grimm. And yet both sides worked seamlessly together, gears in the same vast machine.
Vex's eyes found them first.
She was different now. No longer in her usual clothes—she wore a fitted Rune Frame of her own. Its sleek plates hugged her form, brown accents tracing along her arms and chest, highlighting the curves Jaune couldn't quite stop himself from noticing. The armor somehow managed to look both protective and… flattering.
Vex raised a hand, beckoning. "Over here."
Nora gave Jaune a mischievous grin and whispered, "Try not to drool." He swatted her arm with a scowl, but his ears burned as they approached.
Vex studied Jaune first, her expression softer than Glynda's usual strict professionalism. "Arc. How are you adjusting?"
He straightened reflexively, trying to sound composed. "I... think I'm starting to get the picture. At least a little."
Her smile deepened, faintly teasing. "Honest. I like that. Good—better to admit the mountain is steep than pretend it isn't."
She reached out, resting a gauntleted hand on his armored shoulder. The weight was firm, grounding. "You'll find your footing faster than you think."
Jaune nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure.
Vex gestured toward the holo-map behind her. "This is where the lifeblood of our operations flows. Every squad in Beacon's perimeter receives assignments here. Patrols, suppressions, and clearances. Your team will be given designated sectors beyond the boundary to ensure no areas near Nightmare zones linger unchecked."
"Nightmares huh? They're the mist zones which are connected to people, right?" Jaune asked.
"Indeed. Those areas are where the Dream attempts to bleed into reality. Left alone, they'll fester and turn the connected human, into a grimm in the real world. Very messy. They also spawn Grimm in the dream realm, which fortunately makes it easier for us to locate them. Unfortunately however, they are also beacons for higher ranked ones. Your job is simple, locate, kill any surrounding grimm and report back if you find any Nightmares in your patrol zone. You'll be briefed before every patrol."
Jaune listened carefully, trying to absorbing the scope of it. 'This is a war machine.'
Ren inclined his head politely. "We understand, Counselor."
"Good." Vex tapped her wrist display. A moment later, a holo-tablet materialized from a side console, which she passed toward Ren. "Your first assignment block. Nothing complex—an outer-district sweep. A good warm-up for your newest member."
Jaune looked somewhat unsure, but Ren gave a reassuring glance. "It'll be easier than you expect,"
The only thing Jaune could really do was try to believe him.
And then—
"Jaune!"
The voice called over the hum of the operations floor, bright and familiar in a way that cut through the military stiffness.
He turned, blinking.
Ruby Rose was weaving her way through the bustle, her smaller frame darting between squads and staff. Her black-and-red accented Rune Frame caught the light as she jogged toward him, a grin spread across her face.
She looked slightly out of place amidst the hustle of operatives and analysts, but at the same time, she belonged. She radiated an easy energy that the others, so stiff and professional, lacked.
Jaune felt his shoulders relax almost unconsciously. "Ruby? I… wasn't expecting to see you here."
Ruby pouted, planting her hands on her hips like she'd caught him committing some minor crime.
"What, did you think I'd just vanish? I'm part of this too, y'know. Yang and I just had to go and meet our teamates. We've got a patrol briefing in a few minutes."
"Oh." Jaune scratched the back of his head, embarrassed at how relieved he felt. "Right. I guess I just didn't think our paths would cross so soon."
Her pout melted into a small, softer smile. "Well, surprise."
He couldn't help but smile back. "I'm glad to see you again"
Ruby's eyes flicked toward Ren, Nora, and Oscar before returning to him. "So? How's it going with them? You've been doing drills, right?"
"Yeah." Jaune exhaled, remembering the hours of training simulations and Ren's calm but firm corrections. "It's… a lot but they've been patient with me, so far. Ren's basically holding the whole thing together." He gave a crooked grin. "And... apparently, there's still a lot more to come."
Ruby chuckled, rocking slightly on her heels. "Well, that's how it is here. One drill at a time. Hopefully It'll feel normal before you know it."
Jaune doubted it would ever feel normal, but her confidence was strangely comforting. He opened his mouth to ask how things were going with her team when movement at the far side of the hall caught his attention.
Three figures entered the operations building.
The first was instantly recognizable—Ruby's sister, Yang Xiao Long, her bright gold accents gleaming against her heavy gauntlets and her hair was practically glowing under the lights. Jaune almost lifted a hand to wave.
But then he saw the two women walking beside her.
And paused in shock.
Weiss Schnee and Blake Belladonna.
For a heartbeat, his mind refused to reconcile what he was seeing. Weiss wore armor that was lined with light-blue accents that caught every gleam of light. Even in the middle of this military fortress, she looked like she had walked straight out of an advertisement, regal, beautiful and collected. Blake had a different vibe. Quieter. Her rune frame was accented in a subdued purple that matched the sleek lines of her movements. Where Weiss radiated elegance and beauty, Blake carried herself like a sexy shadow, unassuming yet unmissable.
Jaune's thoughts scrambled. 'What are they doing here?'
His mind flickered back to his first week at Beacon—the conversation with Ruby and her evasive answers. She had once admitted that Weiss was in the same "club" but when Jaune had asked if they were friends, Ruby had denied it with an awkward laugh. At the time, he hadn't thought much of it. Clubs were clubs and Beacon had dozens. But now—here they were. Weiss Schnee and Blake Belladonna, walking through the center of LUCID's operations building like they belonged.
'So both Weiss and Blake are a part of LUCID too huh?'
Jaune blinked hard, trying to wrap his head around it.
'How many of my classmates are involved in this? How deep does this go?'
Ruby followed his gaze and froze for half a second. Then her expression softened into something unreadable—part pride, part hesitation.
The three girls noticed them almost immediately. Yang's face lit up in recognition, but Weiss and Blake…
Weiss's eyes narrowed, surprise flashing across her features before it smoothed into something cooler. She looked contemplative, guarded even, as if she was trying to piece Jaune into a puzzle she hadn't realized she was solving. Then, almost inevitably, her expression shifted into a faint scowl.
Blake's reaction was different. Her golden eyes widened, confusion plain in her expression. For a moment, she looked as though she were trying to place him. As though his presence here, in this place, didn't make sense.
Which... considering his anomalous awakening, it truly didn't.
His stomach tightened slightly under the weight of their stares but he still managed a small smile.
Ruby broke the silence first. She gave a small, slightly sheepish wave. "Um… hey, guys."
Yang grinned, striding over with her usual confidence. "Well, well, if it isn't Jauney boy." Her eyes flicked to Jaune, glinting with amusement. "Looks like you're making yourself at home already."
Jaune scratched his cheek. "Trying to, at least."
Weiss's gaze cut to Ruby. "He's a part of LUCID, too?" Her tone wasn't exactly hostile. More confused than anything.
Ruby fidgeted slightly. "Yes... sort of."
Blake's confusion lingered as her eyes moved between Ruby and Jaune. She analyzed his get-up. She finally spoke, voice quiet but steady. "He's Awakened? I thought we'd have been briefed about this, at least?"
Ren stepped forward smoothly, "Ordinarily yes. However, his... awakening was a... recent affair. Anomalous in nature."
The two girls looked a little confused and somewhat hesitant.
Weiss took a longer look at him. "What do you mean?" She paused before a look of shock appeared on her face. "You... you're fourteen?"
"I—no. Im actually sixteen..." Jaune replied.
Blake tilted her head in confusion. "Is this supposed to be some sort of joke?"
His cabal stared at him, expecting him to answer.
The silence stretched on awkwardly, filled with the low hum of holo-projectors and footsteps from passing personnel. Jaune felt acutely aware of every eye on him. He hadn't expected this—not today, and certainly not like this. Yet here they were. Ruby, Yang, Weiss, Blake. His classmates. His peers. And now, apparently, his fellow operatives in LUCID's war.
He sighed heavily, forcing himself to meet Weiss's sharp gaze and Blake's questioning one. 'This just got a lot more complicated.'
"Let me explain from the beginning."
.
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AN: Advanced chapters and images(free) are available on patreon.