They finally arrived at Beacon after the short airship ride up, and Neo couldn't help but be in awe of the school.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Yang asked, and Neo nodded. Before she could say anything, a very energetic voice called out from behind them.
"Hey guys! What've you been up to?" They turned around as Nora skipped up to meet them, followed by a panting Ren.
"Just walking around," Blake answered. "We just got back from town. What about you?"
"We went for a jog," she cheerfully replied.
Ren rolled his eyes, "Nora, that was almost a half marathon."
She stuck her tongue out at him and turned back to the girls. "He's just being a baby. So who's your friend?" Nora asked.
"This is Neo. She's um... visiting from outside the kingdom," Yang replied. "Neo, this is Nora and Ren."
Neo gave a shy smile, "It's nice to meet you."
"Pleasure to meet you too!" Nora said, excitedly shaking Neo's hand. Ren was much calmer, giving a simple nod. "Well, we'd better finish our jog. See ya later guys!"
"WE'RE NOT DONE YET?" Ren shouted as Nora ran off, then grumbled under his breath as he sprinted after her.
Yang giggled and looked at Blake, "Still don't think they'll be a couple?"
"Nope," Blake laughed. "Oh please, she'd kill Ren in a week if they were."
"Why do you say that?" Yang asked. Blake raised her eyebrows a few times, and the brawler eventually caught on to her meaning. "Ohhhh. Yeah, I can see that."
Blake shook her head, "Anyway, let's get to Ozpin's office. It's in this building over here." They continued to walk and finally arrived at Ozpin's office. The elevator was reserved for expected guests, and since this wasn't hours, they had to take the long way up. Yang walked over to the door after they ascended the tall, spiral staircase and knocked.
"Come in," echoed a voice from inside. They opened the door and found the professor gazing out over the kingdom from his balcony.
"Good afternoon professor," Blake said.
"Afternoon," he replied, turning to the girls and taking a sip from his coffee mug. "What brings the three of you by?" Neo was a little surprised that he didn't react to seeing her here, but then again he probably didn't even know who she was. She sheepishly stayed behind Blake and Yang as they walked up the professor's desk, as if she didn't want to draw any attention to herself.
"Well..." Yang started, but wasn't sure how to proceed. She turned her head back to look at Neo, who was still sort of hiding behind her, then to Blake to see if her partner knew what to say.
Ozpin smiled, "Perhaps introductions would help to start us off."
Blake and Yang stepped to the side so that Neo was in view, and she shrank back a little from her nerves. She looked first at the ground, but then brought her gaze up to meet the headmaster before speaking, "My name's Neopolitan, but you can call me Neo."
"Pleased to meet you Neo. I'm Professor Ozpin, headmaster of Beacon. What brings you to my school?" he asked, taking a seat at his desk.
Neo looked back down at the ground, "I, um... Well... I—"
Yang interrupted, "She's the girl I told you about. The one I fought on the train."
Neo's eyes widened at the statement, and she looked up at Ozpin to see how he'd react. His expression didn't change, and he simply looked to Neo for confirmation. She nodded, and he turned back to Yang. "Interesting," he replied. "I'm assuming that since you've come to me and not the police, you have something else in mind than turning her in?"
Yang nodded, and Neo explained what had happened to Ozpin the same way she had before, the headmaster maintaining the same neutral expression throughout. She finished her story and sighed, "Blake said you might be able to help."
"Perhaps. What is it you're looking to do now?" he asked.
"I... I don't know. I was really only raised to fight. I haven't had much experience out in the world."
Ozpin smiled, "Well, there are careers that utilize that skill on the battlefield. I hear there are entire schools dedicated to training young people like you for combat."
It took a moment for it to register, but Neo was stunned after she realised what the headmaster was suggesting. What surprised her even more than the comment was that he hadn't even reacted to her background. Is he serious? No, he can't be, right? Why would he be so trusting of someone like me?
Ozpin continued, "If you've truly left your previous affiliation behind, and are willing to dedicate your life to defending this kingdom, then I'd be more than willing to offer you a place here at this academy. If both Blake and Yang are sufficiently convinced that you have, then I'm inclined to believe them."
Neo's jaw hit the floor, "I... I would be honoured, sir. But, why are you so quick to offer something like that to someone like me?"
"If what Miss Xiao-Long has told me about you is correct, then I know you've more than proven your skill in combat to pass our entrance exams. And, if you've earned her trust after your last encounter, then I'm willing to extend that same trust to you."
Neo was happy beyond words, and couldn't stop a huge smile forming across her lips. "Thank you, thank you professor," she said, and he smiled back.
"But, know that I will be keeping an eye on you, just as a precaution," he replied, and Neo nodded. "I suppose I have some paperwork to put through to have you officially enrolled. For now, you'll tag along as a member of team RWBY until other arrangements can be made. Miss Belladonna, Miss Xiao-Long, see to it she has everything she'll need for her time here."
"No problem. Come on Neo, let's introduce you to the rest of the team. Properly this time," Yang cheered.
"Sounds great," Neo chuckled, and turned back to Ozpin. "Thank you, professor. I promise I won't disappoint you."
He smiled, "I trust you won't. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some work to do." The three girls nodded and departed, heading back to their dorm.
"Do you think the rest of your team will be as accepting of me?" Neo asked once they were back outside.
Blake laughed, "I know Ruby will be, it's Weiss I'd worry about."
"Yeah, but she's... decent once she warms up to you," Yang added, and Neo smiled.
I never would've guessed something like this would happen. I really don't deserve this, not after all I've done, she thought. If they're going to give me this opportunity, I'm sure as hell not going to waste it. I have a chance to turn my life around, and I'm going to. Look out Remnant, here comes a brand new Neo.