Wake Up As Ozpin

Cinder Fall was trapped.

Not physically.

Not magically.

But in something far worse.

A conversation.

A conversation with a man who should have been her greatest obstacle—But instead, had somehow become her personal tormentor.

Step Two Hundred and Sixty-Nine: The Psychological Warfare Continues.

---

Step Two Hundred and Seventy: The Deathly Silence

Ozpin waited.

Cinder waited.

Emerald was trying not to breathe too loudly.

Mercury was reconsidering all his life choices.

The air was thick with tension.

Cinder's fists clenched. "What do you want?"

Ozpin smiled. "A simple conversation."

Step Two Hundred and Seventy-One: Make It Sound Innocent.

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Step Two Hundred and Seventy-Two: The Opening Move

Ozpin folded his hands. "You've been quite busy, Miss Fall."

Cinder narrowed her eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Ozpin tilted his head. "Oh? My apologies. I must have imagined the secret infiltration, the coordinated attacks, and the—ah, what was it?—attempted assassination of an entire school."

Step Two Hundred and Seventy-Three: Casually List Their Crimes.

Emerald looked ready to throw up.

Mercury stared at Ozpin like he was staring at a ghost.

Cinder, to her credit, kept her expression locked in place.

Step Two Hundred and Seventy-Four: Give Her One Last Chance.

Ozpin sighed, shaking his head. "Miss Fall, we both know where this is heading. Must we continue this charade?"

Cinder's eye twitched.

"What do you want," she repeated, voice low.

Ozpin leaned forward.

"An interesting question."

A pause.

A long, suffocating pause.

Then—

"Tell me, Miss Fall—what do you think I want?"

Step Two Hundred and Seventy-Five: Make Her Second-Guess Everything.

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Step Two Hundred and Seventy-Six: Emerald's Internal Breakdown

Emerald was not okay.

This was not how things were supposed to go.

Ozpin was supposed to be an enigma, yes, but an inactive one. A barrier, not a predator.

And yet—

Here he was.

With a full deck of their secrets.

With a casual smile.

With absolute, terrifying confidence.

Step Two Hundred and Seventy-Seven: She Is Seriously Considering Betrayal.

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Step Two Hundred and Seventy-Eight: Mercury Is Having a Bad Day

Mercury was panicking.

Not externally.

Externally, he looked fine.

But internally?

Nothing made sense anymore.

He had been trained since childhood to read fights.

But this?

This wasn't a fight.

This was something far worse.

Step Two Hundred and Seventy-Nine: Mercury Realizes He's Dealing with a Monster.

---

Step Two Hundred and Eighty: Cinder's Defiance

Cinder's mind raced.

She needed to regain control.

She needed to turn this around.

"You think you're clever," she said, voice cold.

Ozpin smiled. "Oh, I don't think, Miss Fall. I know."

Step Two Hundred and Eighty-One: Absolute Disrespect.

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Step Two Hundred and Eighty-Two: The Ultimatum

Ozpin finally stood, adjusting his coat.

"Miss Fall, I believe we are at an impasse."

Cinder glared.

"You're bluffing."

Ozpin raised an eyebrow. "Am I?"

Another silence.

Another horrible moment of uncertainty.

Then, casually—

"Tell me—what will you do now?"

Cinder's throat tightened.

Because she didn't have an answer.

Because he had taken all of her options away.

Step Two Hundred and Eighty-Three: Total Control.

---

Step Two Hundred and Eighty-Four: The Final Blow

Ozpin turned to leave.

Pausing only to glance over his shoulder.

"You should get some rest, Miss Fall."

His voice was calm.

His eyes were unreadable.

"You have a big day tomorrow."

Step Two Hundred and Eighty-Five: Leave Her Spiraling.

And then—

He was gone.

---

Step Two Hundred and Eighty-Six: The Aftermath

Cinder stood there.

Staring at the door.

Staring at where he had been.

Emerald and Mercury did not speak.

Because what could they say?

Because for the first time in their lives—

They had lost before the battle even began.

Step Two Hundred and Eighty-Seven: Checkmate.