Wake Up As Ozpin

The world had stopped making sense a long time ago.

Ozpin had won. Completely.

Cinder had lost. Completely.

Beacon was still standing.

And yet—

The loop remained.

Something was missing.

Step Three Hundred and Seventy: Figure Out What It Is.

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Step Three Hundred and Seventy-One: The Uncertainty

For the first time in countless cycles, Ozpin had no idea what came next.

He had thrown Cinder off her game.

He had turned the tournament into chaos.

He had done things differently.

But the hourglass still stood.

Time still refused to move forward.

Step Three Hundred and Seventy-Two: Something Is Still Wrong.

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Step Three Hundred and Seventy-Three: What Hasn't Changed?

Ozpin sat at his desk, fingers drumming against the wood.

Every past loop had ended in one of two ways.

He died.

Beacon fell.

This time?

Neither happened.

Step Three Hundred and Seventy-Four: This Is New.

And yet—

The loop persisted.

Which meant there was still a missing piece.

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Step Three Hundred and Seventy-Five: The Realization

Ozpin's eyes drifted to the Relic of Choice.

The hourglass.

Had it ever truly been inactive?

Or had it been waiting for him to realize—

The loop wasn't about Beacon.It wasn't about Cinder.It wasn't even about survival.

It was about his choice.

The one choice he had never made.

Step Three Hundred and Seventy-Six: Confront Salem.

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Step Three Hundred and Seventy-Seven: Preparing for the Unthinkable

Ozpin stood.

For the first time in countless cycles—

He was going to face Salem willingly.

No tricks. No games. No running.

Step Three Hundred and Seventy-Eight: It's Time.

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Step Three Hundred and Seventy-Nine: The Last Look at Beacon

He stepped onto the balcony, looking down at his school.

The students were laughing, training, recovering from the insanity of the last battle.

Ruby and Yang were teasing Jaune about his new "Mop-Knight" title.

Weiss was complaining about her uniform getting scuffed.

Blake was silent, but satisfied.

For the first time in a long time—

Beacon felt alive.

And for the first time in a long time—

Ozpin felt like he could leave it behind.

Step Three Hundred and Eighty: Say Goodbye.

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Step Three Hundred and Eighty-One: The Final Journey Begins

He turned.

Grabbed his cane.

And walked toward the Emerald Forest.

Where Salem was waiting.

Where the final choice would be made.

Where the loop would end.

Step Three Hundred and Eighty-Two: No More Delays.