Making his way into the entrance, he couldn't help but take another look at the students around him.
He blinked once, making sure he was seeing this right. Then again.
"Okay," he muttered under his breath. "Did I miss a memo about mandatory model auditions?"
The students around him appeared like they belonged on the cover of magazines. Sharp jawlines, flawless skin, not to mention their hair that looked like it had volume settings. And somehow, everyone dressed like they had a personal stylist on retainer.
A girl with silver-white hair and perfect posture passed by, white heels clicking against the concrete and a school-bag strapped against her shoulder.
Another guy had sun-kissed skin and abs clearly visible through his oversized jacket.
Oversized!
His friendly laughter appeared too charming to be real.
Jaune instead felt like a potato in a hoodie.
It made him almost regret staring at himself in the mirror so narcissistically, earlier this morning.
He tugged at his collar absently and kept walking.
The front building was easy enough to find and as he entered, signs pointed him toward the administration office. As he walked in, he found a well-lit office lined with glass panels and some modern furniture.
A tall woman in a navy-blue blazer looked up from her holo-computer as he entered.
Her features were striking.
Smooth, deep bronze skin hinting at her Vacuon descent , sharp cheekbones and dark chocolate hair that was pulled into a long braid which hung over her right shoulder. Her eyes were like pools of polished obsidian, black and refined.
His eyes drank in her smooth alluring curves but wisely, he didn't linger on her assets, afraid that he might offend her with his impoliteness.
If this woman were to walk into a room, Jaune was certain that half the people around would stop and stare.
"Jaune Arc?" she asked, her voice was rich and smooth, like liquid honey-butter.
"Uh, yeah. That's me." He replied, not so smoothly.
She offered a warm yet faintly amused smile, as if knowing exactly what he was thinking and gestured toward a nearby seat.
"Welcome to Beacon. I'm counselor Vex."
He nodded and sat down, trying not to overthink how awkward he felt.
"First days can be overwhelming," she said, scrolling through her tablet. "But we try to make it as smooth as possible. The school has already spoken to your father and we have finalized a list of classes that you will attend for this year."
She handed him a slim, folded packet.
"Here's your schedule, locker number, and building map. Orientation is informal for transfer students, so feel free to explore once you've settled in. I have also paired you up with a student that will help you get started."
"Thanks," Jaune said, flipping it open. "So, who's the student?"
Counselor Vex gave him an oh-so-attractive smirk.
"Well, I wouldn't want to spoil the fun. First impressions are everything, after all." she said. "You'll see who it is in just a minute."
"Right,"
She smiled again and rose from her seat. "Wait here for a moment. Your buddy will be here shortly."
With that, she walked him to the seat in the room and nodded once before turning back to her desk.
Jaune sat down and stared outside, noting all the students mingling around.
Before he could lose himself to his thoughts once more, the door behind him creaked open.
"Hi! Are you Jaune Arc?"
He turned.
A girl stood in the doorway, holding the frame with one hand like she'd nearly forgotten to knock. She looked to be around his age, maybe a little younger, with a pale complexion and bright silver eyes that seemed far too expressive for their own good.
Her outfit was... striking, to say the least.
A dark corset-style top, black with red trimming that fit snugly under a half-length crimson dress which split unevenly at the waist and flared slightly behind her like trailing petals. Black stockings ran clean down her legs into sturdy red boots with silver clasps, appearing polished enough to catch the light.
Around her neck was thick red scarf, soft-looking, and long enough to wrap once and while falling across her back like a cape. The contrast made her look almost like the storybook heroine, Red Riding Hood, who'd wandered off the page and ended up in the modern world by accident.
Even her hair added to the effect; a short black bob with deep crimson tips that framed her face in an animated fashion.
A cute, petite girl that had beauty in spades.
She offered a wide, nervous smile.
"I'm Ruby. Ruby Rose. Counselor Vex said I should show you around?"
"Uh… yeah. That's me. Jaune, Jaune Arc. Short and smooth. Ladies... love it." Jaune finished lamely, inwardly cringing at what he said, the moment he said it out loud.
Ruby paused and gave him a strange look.
"Do they?"
"Uh...probably not. Maybe someday?" He offered, smiling to shrug off his embarrassment.
"Cool! Well, good luck with that, I suppose," she giggled, giving a little hop in place before composing herself.
"I'm a first-year too, technically. I got bumped up a year, so the school figured it would be a good opportunity to make friends and help new people find their way around."
She paused. "Also because I don't mind talking."
He raised an eyebrow, but she just grinned at him.
"Well," she said, stepping aside and gesturing down the walkway like a proud tour guide, "shall we?"
Jaune nodded, falling into step beside her as they started down the path.
And just like that, he wasn't alone anymore.
Beacon's campus felt even larger once you were actually walking through it.
Ruby led him through the administration wing of their current building, where polished floors and soft-lit signage made everything feel official and very organized. They passed a few students, some teachers, and one very grumpy-looking janitor, before stepping back outside into the open air.
"Pretty big, huh?" Ruby said, walking slightly ahead with her hands behind her back. Her scarf trailed behind her, fluttering like a streamer in the wind.
"Yeah," Jaune replied, taking in the scale of the school as they moved between buildings. "More like a university, really."
"Some people say it used to be one. Or at least modeled after one," Ruby said, looking back at him with a grin. "I mean, who builds four separate buildings for a high school?"
Jaune blinked. "Wait, four?"
"Yup! Buildings A through D. Three floors each, all organized by student year."
She pointed to a structure across the courtyard.
"That's Building A which houses all the science and math stuff. First years stick to the ground floor, second years on the next, and so on. They say the top floor has a telescope dome and a robotics lab, but I haven't seen it yet."
She pivoted and gestured toward another building.
"Building B is for arts and languages. Drawing, painting, music rooms, language labs, the works. I'm pretty sure there's a kiln in there too, though I've never used it."
"Way to sell the place," Jaune marveled.
Ruby giggled. "Wait till you see Building C."
They passed Building C next, a long complex that had skylights and tall windows. Inside, the echo of bouncing basketballs and distant shouting hinted at activity.
"Physical education," Ruby said. "Indoor soccer field, full-size swimming pool, and a basketball court that doubles as a gymnasium. They even host tournaments there."
"Okay," Jaune said. "Now you're just making stuff up."
"Sounds fake right? But I promise it's real." She stepped back and spread her arms. "Beacon. Where high school feels like a sports complex."
"And Building D?" Jaune asked.
"We're in it," she said with a smile. "Admin offices, the big library, teacher lounges and some club rooms too. Student council meets here, and drama club practically owns the top floor."
"They took it over?"
"Yeah. Soundproofed it and everything. Sometimes you'll hear people screaming up there, but it's just someone rehearsing Macbeth."
Jaune laughed. "This school's kinda' cool. I didn't really do my research on it before coming here so this is all new for me. On hindsight, when my dad said I'll be surprised, I wasn't really expecting this."
"Hmm... well...wait till you see the stadium."
They turned a corner and saw the edge of vast stadium looming in the distance. Light posts towered over it, and distant outlines of bleachers and track lanes peeked through the fencing.
"Rugby, baseball, track and field—all of it happens back there," Ruby said. "Some alumni pro athlete donated a ton of money, so they built it big."
"And here I thought I'd be impressed by a decent vending machine."
They passed a few more students heading in and out of the administration building.
"Oh, and there's a parking lot up front," Ruby added. "For parents, staff, and students who somehow have cars already."
Jaune gave her a sidelong glance. "You sound jealous."
"I'm not. I just think the universe is unfair. Kind of wish I was a little older sometimes, but oh well." She shrugged.
They looped back toward the building entrance.
"Now," Ruby said, clasping her hands, "very important question. Cookies or smoothies?"
He paused. "Are you saying I have to pick one?"
"Not necessarily. But I know the shortcut to both."
"Then lead the way, oh wise snack sage."
Ruby beamed. "I like you already."
And just like that, Jaune was starting to think maybe this whole Beacon thing wouldn't be so bad after all.