Wake Up As Ozpin

Ozpin had rewritten the Vytal Festival.

He had thrown the entire tournament into chaos.

He had successfully baffled every student and faculty member at Beacon.

But that was just the setup.

Now, it was time for the main event.

Step Two Hundred and Six: Mess With the Villains.

Step Two Hundred and Seven: The Emerald Problem

The first target? Emerald Sustrai.

Why?

Because Cinder's illusionist was a cheat.

Because she relied on subtle deception.

Because her entire strategy depended on people not knowing she was messing with them.

So Ozpin's first move was simple.

Make her paranoid.

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Step Two Hundred and Eight: Operation "Gaslight the Gaslighter"

It started small.

Little things.

Emerald would turn a corner—only to find Ozpin already there, sipping tea.

She'd pass a hallway window—only to see him standing outside, watching.

She'd hear him say something in a conversation—only for it to never have happened.

And then, the true masterpiece.

One evening, in an empty hallway, Emerald walked past a bulletin board.

Nothing unusual. Just the usual school announcements—

—Except for the new poster.

The one with her face on it.

"HAVE YOU SEEN THIS STUDENT?""DO NOT TRUST HER.""REPORT SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR IMMEDIATELY."

Emerald froze.

Her heart dropped.

She spun around—

—Only to see Ozpin, standing five feet behind her, sipping his tea.

"Something wrong, Miss Sustrai?"

Emerald sprinted away.

Step Two Hundred and Nine: She's Going to Lose Her Mind.

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Step Two Hundred and Ten: The Mercury Solution

Next up? Mercury Black.

Why?

Because Mercury was overconfident.

Because Mercury was cocky.

Because Mercury thought he could handle anything.

So Ozpin's plan for him was simple.

Make him doubt everything.

Step Two Hundred and Eleven: Operation "Headmaster Horror Show"

Mercury was too relaxed.

Too smug. Too sure of himself.

So Ozpin fixed that.

How?

Mercury would sit down for lunch—only to find a cup of coffee already in front of him.

Mercury would stretch before training—only for Ozpin to appear behind him, nodding sagely.

Mercury would spar with a student—only to hear Ozpin's voice whisper, "Interesting technique."

No one else would hear it.

Only Mercury.

And then—the final touch.

One night, as Mercury walked back to his dorm, he heard something behind him.

Footsteps.

Slow. Methodical.

He turned.

Nothing.

He sped up.

The footsteps sped up.

He ran.

The footsteps chased him.

He slammed into his dorm room, breathing hard.

Silence.

Then—

A slip of paper slid under the door.

He stared at it.

Slowly, he picked it up.

Four words.

"I'm watching you. –O"

Mercury did not sleep that night.

Step Two Hundred and Twelve: The Paranoia Begins.

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Step Two Hundred and Thirteen: Cinder's Nightmare

Now, for the main event.

Cinder Fall.

Step Two Hundred and Fourteen: Break Her Plan Before It Starts.

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Step Two Hundred and Fifteen: The First Strike

Cinder operated in shadows.

She relied on being unnoticed.She hid in plain sight.

So Ozpin did the opposite.

He made sure everyone noticed her.

Step Two Hundred and Sixteen: Operation "Cinder Spotlight"

First, her name kept appearing on rosters she never signed up for.

"Cinder Fall – Volunteer for Tournament Cleanup Duty"

"Cinder Fall – Guest Speaker on Dust Safety"

"Cinder Fall – Official Festival Mascot"

Second, students kept greeting her.

"Morning, Cinder!""Hey, Cinder, great match yesterday!""Love your new title—'Student Liaison for Vytal Festival Security!'"

She had never signed up for that.

She had no idea who spread it.

And the worst part?

Everyone thought Ozpin was behind it.

Because every time she tried to argue—every time she insisted this wasn't supposed to happen—

Ozpin would simply smile.

And say, "Miss Fall, I'm only giving you the recognition you deserve."

Step Two Hundred and Seventeen: Force Her Into the Spotlight.

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Step Two Hundred and Eighteen: The Final Play

And then, the final touch.

The true masterpiece.

The moment Cinder realized she had lost control.

Because during the opening ceremony of the tournament, right as Cinder stood among the crowd—

The projector lit up.

And displayed a slideshow of Cinder Fall.

Not a villainous slideshow.

Not an exposé.

No.

A "Student of the Month" tribute.

Complete with soft music.

Complete with quotes from teachers.

Complete with a smiling picture of Cinder herself, edited onto a background of flowers.

The audience cheered.

Cinder stared.

Her eye twitched.

And then—slowly—she turned.

To see Ozpin.

Standing on stage.

Holding the microphone.

Smiling.

Checkmate.

Step Two Hundred and Nineteen: Make Her Regret Ever Coming to Beacon.

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Step Two Hundred and Twenty: The Aftermath

Cinder stormed into her dorm, seething.

Emerald was pacing, muttering to herself. Mercury was sitting stiffly, gripping his chair like it might attack him.

Cinder inhaled sharply. "What is happening."

Emerald spun around. "HE KNOWS!"

Mercury twitched. "He's doing something. I don't know what, but he's messing with us."

Cinder growled. "Then we adjust."

She clenched her fists.

"We stick to the plan. We wait for our moment. And we strike when he least expects it."

Pause.

Silence.

Then—

A slip of paper slid under the door.

Cinder's blood froze.

She picked it up.

Unfolded it.

Four words.

"I still expect it. –O"

Emerald screamed.

Step Two Hundred and Twenty-One: Victory.