Qrow waved his hand dismissively, as if brushing aside the weight of what had just been discussed.
"The expedition won't be anyti soon," he said.
They wanted Jaune on their team. They had seen enough to know that he might be an asset when the ti ca.
But that ti was not now.
"The expedition won't be anyti soon," Qrow explained, voice intoning casually "And if we're calling it an expedition, that ans it isn't just the three of us walking into the dark and hoping for the best."
The note was clear. They would need more mbers.
"We want you with us, Jaune," he added calmly. "Both of us do. But this mission will require more than potential. It will require numbers and Specialists."
And if they were going to gather those mbers, there was only one realistic opportunity on the horizon.
He exhaled slowly. "The Vytal Tournant."
Qrow's grin widened just a little. "Bingo."
Jaune knew exactly what Qrow was referring to.
Within LUCID, once every decade or so, a special tournant was held among the various kingdoms. It wasn't open or known to the general public, but within the structure of LUCID, it was one of the most significant recurring events.
The Vytal Tournant.
This tournant wasn't about spectacle or diplomacy, it was about power. More specifically, access to power.
The Vytal Tournant was special because of what it granted. The kingdom that erged victorious wouldn't receive trophies or symbolic honors. Instead, it gained sothing far more valuable. It gained access to one of the most vital powers within the Dream Realm.
Research power.
The true prize of the Vytal Tournant was access to the Supre Rune known as Creation.
Jaune had once seen Arthur Watts and his father take away the mimic creation rune from Atlas while it was revolving around a disaster. But that Creation rune was very limited in it capabilities and couldn't be used on the sa scale as the real Relic and Supre Rune, Creation.
Creation, being a supre rune was perhaps the most used Relic among the four. It was a construct of imnse complexity embedded within from Dream Realm's structure. Jaune himself didn't know much about its capabilities, but what he did know was that LUCID bases in the dream realm only existed because of Creation's influence.
While it could probably be used as a weapon. It's true utility was far beyond that.
The kingdom that won the tournant would be granted temporary access to Creation for research purposes. The duration was limited and apparently the supervision was strict. But even a short window of access was enough to catalyze breakthroughs that would take years to achieve otherwise.
Advancents in defensive systems. Refinents in dream technology. New runic forging thods. The ripple effects of prior tournants had shaped the internal balance between kingdoms more than most realized.
Yet for all its importance, much of the knowledge surrounding the Relic's capabilities were wrapped in veils of secrecy.
Information regarding them was sparse among general awakened, ant for protection against internal and external threats. What was known, however, was that the Relics were housed in a very special location. Jaune didn't know much else about it, but speculation led him to believe that the Supre Runes were likely guarded by multiple Rank 3's.
That was another thing. Apparently, not all information about Rank 3's were available to the public. Many things such as the exact number currently in the world as well as their locations were kept secret.
What was known however, was that each kingdom, generally had two Rank 3s stationed there at all tis.
Jaune had tried to inquire about the information multiple tis but each attempt had t the sa wall.
Only Rank 2 clearance granted access to that level of information. And even then, the details were not absolute. Certain aspects were further restricted and compartntalized—even among Rank 2 operatives. Knowledge was divided carefully, ensuring that no single leak could compromise everything.
It was frustrating, but it was deliberate. The Dream Realm was not a place where loose information was harmless. Especially with Sleepless running around. Not to ntion the other loose awakened groups.
What made this upcoming tournant particularly noteworthy, was its location.
This ti, the Vytal Tournant would be held in Vale.
Hosting the tournant carried implications. It ant Vale would oversee preparations within the Dream Realm, construct the competitive environnt, and coordinate security asures alongside neutral oversight. It was an opportunity to demonstrate capability and discipline.
More intriguing still, was who would preside over the event.
Two Rank 3s.
And not one affiliated with any kingdom.
That detail alone added weight to the situation.
A Rank 3 was exceptionally rare and their authority extended beyond simple oversight. Each of them operated at a level where strategic decisions shaped the long term direction of LUCID itself. For one of them to preside over the tournant signaled its importance, let alone two.
The fact these two beings were not aligned with any kingdom ensured neutrality. Though how that was the case was uncertain to Jaune.
Information about them was sparse, after all.
With Sleepless still at large, LUCID could not afford complacency. The rogue threat had already proven capable of infiltration and manipulation. If hidden agents existed within LUCID's bases, individuals with motivations similar to Arthur Watts, then open access to sensitive information would be disastrous.
If details regarding the Supre Runes, or the presiding Rank 3 were readily available, they could possibly be exploited and compromised. Used to undermine LUCID's entire structure from within.
Information control was not paranoia but a necessity at this point.
Jaune understood that, even if he didn't like it.
When everything was distilled down to its essence, the upcoming Vytal Tournant would serve two clear purposes.
The first was obvious.
The kingdom that won would receive temporary access to Creation. Why temporary? Jaune didn't know. Personally he believed that having access to the Supre Rune for a long ti would probably evolve LUCID tech in greater and greater directions, but perhaps there was a limitation sowhere when using the rune. At any rate, thinking about it was only speculation, and speculation without true knowledge was useless.
In any case, that access would allow focused research and developnt. New technology could be designed and existing systems refined. The balance between kingdoms could subtly shift depending on how effectively that access was utilized.
Now, the second purpose was more personal.
It would provide the perfect opportunity to scout potential mbers for the expedition into the Shadow Realm.
High level competition within the Dream Realm would reveal strengths and weaknesses clearly. Those who excelled would demonstrate more than raw power. They would show control, resilience and adaptability under pressure. Qualities essential for an expedition into unknown territory.
Qrow, Raven and Ozpin would be watching.
Not rely for victory but for capability.
The tournant offered visibility and it would also gather the most promising awakened from each kingdom into one controlled environnt. Rather than searching blindly, they could observe candidates in action.
Two objectives aligned within a single event.
Jaune felt the weight of it settle in.
While the expedition was not imminent, it would be best for him to be prepared ahead of ti. The right people had to be chosen and the right foundation, laid. Rushing into this Shadow Realm without a proper plan would be reckless.
Jaune didn't feel the urge to end up like that first Darkness ta rune user.
The Vytal Tournant would provide structure to that preparation.
It was efficient and strategic.
Two birds with one stone.
.
.
AN: Sorry, shorter chapter today.
Now, we have the Vytal Tournant Arc and the Shadow Realm Arc after that, which honestly isn't going to be too long and the last small arc which Jaune will reach comprehension in Plunder.
Afterwards, it will be his Rank 2 journey. Originally I believed that the story would end at around 300 chapters, but it looks like it might be a bit longer. Perhaps 350. I'm not certain.
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