Grayson POV
The warm sun bathed the backyard in a golden glow as I sat on the porch, watching my twin sister, Emilia, swing a wooden training sword under our mother's guidance.
Unlike me, Emilia had taken an early interest in combat, eagerly absorbing every lesson our mother taught her. Her strikes were still clumsy, her footing uncertain, but there was determination in her violet eyes. She wanted to be strong. She wanted to be just like Mom.
I, on the other hand, wasn't as enthusiastic about fighting. Not that I disliked it, but I didn't share Emilia's passion for wielding a sword. I preferred to think before acting, looking for solutions before resorting to violence. But that didn't mean I was completely inexperienced. Dad trained me to wield a staff that I took an interest in, but it turns out he also wielded a staff, so it made him proud that I wanted to use a staff like him.
A sudden poke on my cheek snapped me from my thoughts.
I turned my head and locked eyes with Blake Belladonna, who stood beside me with a half-eaten cookie in her hand. A small smirk played on her lips.
"…Seriously?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
In response, I reached out and poked her cheek back.
She blinked before lightly poking me again.
And so, our legendary poke war resumed.
For the past four years, Blake and I have engaged in this small, silent battle. It was our thing. It was childish, yes, but also our way of bonding. Neither of us spoke, but the moment one of us landed a poke, the other had to retaliate. There were no rules. Only that it would never end.
After a few more rounds of our ongoing war, Blake suddenly spoke.
"Why don't you train with your mom and Emilia?" she asked, watching Emilia eagerly swinging her sword.
I turned the question back on her. "Why don't you train with your dad?"
She shrugged, nibbling on her cookie. "My dad doesn't push me to fight. He says I should make my own choices."
I hummed in response, Ghira Belladonna wasn't like most Faunus leaders. He didn't force things on his daughter, even when he was leading a movement that could one day define her future. Blake had a rare privilege, the ability to choose. I envied that a little.
"I never asked to be here."The thought crept into my mind, but I quickly shoved it down.
What was the point in dwelling on the past? This was my life now. Emilia, Mom, Dad, even Blake.
"And yet... if they knew the truth who I really was would they still look at me with the same warmth? Or would I become a stranger in their eyes?" I thought as I knew that if I told them the truth… it wouldn't end well.
Before we could continue, Emilia turned to me and grinned widely. "Big Brother! Come practice with me!"
I sighed and leaned back on my hands "I'm not much of a fighter, Em."
Emilia pouted, bouncing on her feet. "But Dad taught you how to fight with a staff! You never practice with me."
I hesitated. It wasn't that I didn't like fighting. It was just that I knew where this path would eventually lead. This world was dangerous. Grimm, Hunters and Huntresses, and soon, an all-out war. No matter how much I tried to avoid it, I would eventually be dragged into the chaos of RWBY.
Still… this was my birthday too. And if my sister wanted a spar, I could humor her.
"Fine," I said, standing up. "Mom, toss me the staff."
Mom smirked as she effortlessly tossed a wooden training staff toward me from the weapon sack she carried. I caught it midair and spun it once in my hands to get a feel for its weight. Even though I rarely trained, the movements felt familiar.
Blake watched me curiously. Emilia, on the other hand, was practically bouncing with excitement.
"I'll take it easy on you since it's our birthday," I teased, twirling the staff. "I'd rather not hurt you, sis."
Emilia grinned. "You're the one who's gonna get hurt, big brother."
I smiled. She's got spirit; I'll give her that.
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We took our positions in the backyard. Our mother, standing to the side, folded her arms, watching closely but offering no instructions. This was our fight.
Emilia charged first, raising her wooden sword above her head before swinging down. It was a predictable move. What I could tell quickly is that she had no formal stance yet, just pure energy and enthusiasm
I sidestepped the attack and gently tapped her side with my staff, just enough to remind her that she is open.
Emilia yelped, quickly regaining her footing. "No fair, you dodged!"
I raised an eyebrow. "That's called strategy and you were also wide open."
Emilia pouted before trying again, gripping her wooden sword tighter. This time, she swung from the side faster, more determined. I caught her strike with my staff, the impact sending a dull vibration up my arms. Not bad, but there was still hesitation in her form.
Blake watched intently from the porch, quietly observing our movements. I could tell she was analyzing everything, committing it to memory.
Emilia kept coming at me with attack after attack. I blocked, dodged, and occasionally countered with light taps to her arms or legs. She was getting frustrated.
"Getting mad won't help you win," I said calmly.
"I'm not mad!" she huffed before lunging again.
"Are you sure about that?" I thought, then realized it reminded me of John Cena.
This time, I stepped forward instead of back. I hooked my staff under her sword, twisted, and gently knocked the weapon from her hands.
Emilia gasped as her sword fell to the ground.
"Match over little sis." I said, lowering my staff.
For a moment, she just stared. I thought she was going to get mad or, like in those anime scenes, where one of the siblings gets jealous.
Then, to my surprise, she grinned.
"That was awesome! Teach me how to do that!"
I blinked. "You… don't mind losing?"
She shook her head. "No way! I'll just get better and win next time!"
I chuckled. I shouldn't have doubted her...After all that's Emilia for you.
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~Hours Later~
Later that evening, our home was filled with laughter, warmth, and the scent of delicious food. Our birthday celebration had begun.
Mom and Dad had gone all out, there was a feast of meats, bread, and desserts. Family friends had gathered, including the Belladonnas, and the atmosphere was lively.
Emilia was the center of attention, running around, showing off her training skills, and stuffing her face with cake. I was more relaxed, quietly enjoying the food while making small talk with the guests.
Maybe even gain some Info here and there without making it too suspicious.
At one point, Kali Belladonna chuckled as she watched Emilia drag Blake into a game of tag. "Those two are quite the pair, aren't they?"
I nodded. "Emilia can be… persistent."
Kali smiled knowingly. "Much like her brother."
I snorted. "I don't know what you're talking about."
I saw Blake having fun with Emilia and other faunus as they played tag. I couldn't help but smile a little. Then, Kali noticed me smiling at Blake and smirked at me. For some reason, her expression gave me a chill.
The party lasted late into the night, but eventually, I stepped outside for some air.
The night sky stretched above me, the shattered moon casting a soft glow over the island. I sipped on a glass of juice, staring at the moon.
Footsteps approached as my wolf ears twitched. I didn't even turn around. "You know I heard you coming, right? I said casually. "Your footsteps were loud."
Blake huffed, clearly embarrassed but said nothing as she sat down next to me.
For a while, we just sat there in comfortable silence, looking up at the sky.
Then, I spoke. "…You know, I may fight, but I'd rather do something else than be a warrior."
Blake turned to me, her amber eyes curious. "Like what?"
I smiled slightly. "Maybe something like your dad. Maybe even become the High Leader of the White Fang someday."
Blake's eyes widened in surprise. "You'd really want that?"
I nodded, staring at the stars. "I don't want to fight just for the sake of fighting. I want to do something that matters. Something that makes things better. My dad is second in command with your dad, but I want to try." I looked at her. "What do you think?"
Blake hesitated, her fingers curling slightly in her lap. "...The White Fang is supposed to help Faunus."
Her voice was soft, almost uncertain. "But... leading it wouldn't be easy."
"It wouldn't be." I admitted. "But I don't want to just fight. I want to change things. Not just for us, but for everyone."
Blake looked down, then looked up and looked at me. "…I think that's a good dream," she finally said, her voice softer than usual.
I chuckled. "Good to know I have your approval, Princess Belladonna."
She nudged me lightly with her shoulder but didn't deny the nickname.
The silence stretched between us.
I exhaled. "Hey... if you're ever unsure, if you're scared you're making the wrong choices just believe in yourself."
I turned my head, meeting her eyes. "You're not alone. You have people here who will stand by you...Even me."
She looked at me, her expression unreadable but there was some pink on her cheeks. Then, she gave a small nod. "…Okay."
We sat in silence once more, the broken moon shining down on us.
Blake then looked at me and spoke," Do you think we will be friends forever?"
I looked at her and smiled, "Of course, no matter what happens, I'll always have your back."
Blake's amber eyes widened slightly before she abruptly looked away. The faintest flush colored her cheeks.
Without another word, she stood up so fast that she nearly tripped. "I-I'll see you inside!" she blurted before hurrying inside.
I frowned. "What was that about?"
When I went back inside the house, the celebration was still going strong. Emilia was now in the middle of an animated retelling of our sparring match, wildly swinging her arms as if she were still fighting.
Dad chuckled at her enthusiasm, while Mom simply shook her head with an amused smile.
Blake slipped back into the group, quieter than before. Her eyes flicked toward me once, twice only to dart away the second I noticed. The tips of her ears twitched.
I had no idea why she had bolted earlier, but whatever it was, she wasn't going to tell me now or probably never.
Kali seemed to notice this and gave me another one of those smirks. It sent another chill down my spine. What was she plotting?
Before I could think too much about it, my father's voice pulled my attention.
"Grayson," Dad called, setting his drink down. "Come sit with me for a bit."
I nodded and joined him near the kitchen, where we were a bit away from the others.
"You handled yourself well against your sister today," he said, his sharp blue eyes so much like mine watching me closely. "You have a natural talent, even if you don't train as often. But I can tell you good with a staff."
I shrugged. "It's not that I don't like training. I just…Not ready to train a lot until after my birthday, but I also know fighting isn't all I want."
Dad nodded, his expression unreadable. "That's a good mindset to have. Fighting should never be the first choice… but it must always be an option."
I knew what he meant. He wasn't just talking about training.".
The world was changing. The White Fang was going to change.
And sooner or later, I'd have to decide where I stood.
"I remember you once saying that you wanted to lead the White Fang someday." Dad continued, leaning forward. "Do you truly understand what that means?"
I met his eyes, feeling the weight of his words.
"If I lead, I want to keep Uncle Ghira's ideals but I also want to stand my ground," I said firmly. "I don't want many people to get hurt, but I also want everyone to have equal opportunities."
Dad studied me for a long moment before chuckling. "You remind me of Ghira when he was younger." He shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Idealistic. Hopeful."
I looked at him curiously. "And do you think that's a bad thing?"
"No." His expression grew serious. "But ideals alone won't be enough. One day, you'll have to make choices that aren't easy. Choices that will test everything you believe in and stand for."
I clenched my fists. I already knew that. But hearing it from him made it feel more real.
Dad reached out and ruffled my hair, smirking when I puffed out my cheeks at him. "You'll figure it out, son. You always do, but right now, you're a kid."
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, fixing my hair as he laughed.
The party carried on for a little longer before guests began to take their leave. The Belladonnas were among the last to depart, with Ghira giving me a firm handshake and Kali throwing me a knowing wink that made me uneasy.
Blake lingered for a moment, looking as if she wanted to say something.
I waited.
She opened her mouth, hesitated, then just nodded. "Goodnight, Grayson."
"Goodnight, Princess," I said with a smirk.
She huffed and turned away, but I didn't miss the tiny smile tugging at her lips as she left.
"Ooooh, does big brother have a crush on Blake?" Emilia sang, a mischievous grin stretching across her face.
"I don't, she's just a friend Em." I said as I started walking past her.
"Sure, big brother, of course," Emilia said with a smile.
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~At Night~
Lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. Despite everything I knew about this world, I had to admit that I was enjoying my life here. My family, my friends, and even the small, silly moments, like poke wars with Blake, and the sparring match with Emilia brought me joy.
But I couldn't forget the bigger picture...the future of the White Fang, Blake's future, and my own future. I had time to prepare, to change things, and to make things better. I wasn't going to waste it.
That's when I heard a familiar notification sound in my head. Smiling, I realized my system was finally online.
Ding!
[Congratulations on turning five years old! [Player] The Spirit System Manual is now unlocked and Quests, Side quests, Events, are now unlocked!]
I smiled as the system activated...Now I can finally start making changes and helping the main characters. Whether in small or large ways. I want to improve things for them... even for Blake.
"Status." I mentally commanded
Name: Grayson Silver
Title: None
Race: Wolf Faunus/??
Age: 5
Aura: None (needs to be unlocked)
Spirits Created: None
Inventory: Empty
Skills:
Basic Staff Combat (D) – Beginner-level proficiency in wielding a staff. You have the foundations but need refinement.
Instinct (C) – Your Faunus heritage heightens your senses, allowing you to react faster in combat.
Initially, I thought I would start with no skills, but my existing abilities helped. I may need to train more in hand-to-hand combat, in case my staff breaks during real combat.
Ding!
Hidden Quest Completed!
Friends Forever Even if We Separate One Day.
Info: Promise Blake that you will always be friends forever with her no matter what happens.
Rewards: 300 lien, The Ring of Promise (2), The Mask of The Hassan, The Book of Healing
I smiled softly as I looked at the hidden mission I completed; no matter what, I will always be Blake's friend, and I wouldn't regret it for a second.
"I promise Blake no matter what happens...I will protect you." I thought as I claimed the rewards, as I heard another notification in my head.
Ding!
Hidden Quest Completed!
The Dream of Awakening
Info: Reach five years old and unlock the Spirit System Manual
Reward: Spirit Affinity Unlocked, Sephira Crystals (3)
New Skill Unlocked: Spirit Bonding(Rank ??)
As the player grows stronger, they will be able to form bonds with Spirits! Creating spirits and bonding with them, the stronger the bond, makes this skill increase and enhance the performance of the [Player] and Spirits during [Events] or [Quests].
My eyes flicked to the first item in my inventory and saw the Sephira Crystals. I remember these from the anime "Date a Live."
These crystals have the ability to turn humans into spirits if they touch them. I recall some of the spirits from the show, such as Tohka, Yoshino, Kurumi, Kotori, etc.
However, I'm worried about this situation because I don't know which crystals I received first.
I pressed on the Sephira Crystal in my [Inventory], revealing the first one, a blue crystal. I checked its info."
Sephira Crystal Spirit #4 (Chesed): The Sephira Crystal belonging to [the Hermit] with the Angel
"I got Yoshino's Sephira Crystal first, which means I will probably have to give it to someone who can wield
Sephira Crystal Spirit #10 (Malkuth): The Sephira Crystal belonging to [Princess] with the Angel
Next is Tohka's sephira crystal, which means I now have both of the spirits from the first season. That's great because I have information on them. However, I'm confused about the question marks. I wonder what they mean. Could it be possible to create a male spirit?
I shook my head and decided to click the arrow and go to the final Sephira Crystal that I need to see and the crystal was once that confused me as it was multi-colored crystal.
Sephira Crystal Spirit #0 (Da'at): The Sephira Crystal belonging to [Deus] with the Angel this crystal was held by Mio Takamiya. This Sephira Crystal belongs to the [Player] once absorbed, the [Player] will inherit but will be used as a trump card and with other spirits.
"I can't believe I gained Mio's Crystal, but I already know her angel since I've seen it in the anime. However, it's possible that the system decided to alter it, possibly to restrict me or change the angel." I thought maybe this crystal could give me my own angel or potentially unlock Mio's true angel one day.
Ding!
New Quest!
The First Spirit of Origin in Remnant
Info: Absorb Mio Takamiya's Sephira Crystal!
Rewards: 3000 Lien, (1) Event Mission unlocked, Spirit Party Function, unlocked
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"It's best for me to head outside quietly and do it there. If I do it here..." I whispered, glancing down and noticing my twin sister, Emilia, below me. I remembered that my bed was a bunk bed.
As I climbed down quietly, I looked at Emilia and thought this could be an opportunity to give her a Sephria Crystal. But then I felt guilty; if I did that, I would be no better than what Mio did to others.
I shook my head and left my room, planning to go outside. After all, I want to change the fate of Remnant for the better, so this is the choice I am making.
I am going to become the Spirit of Origin.