NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25: The Eighteenth Big Mistake
Ozpin was having too much fun.
For years, he had played the long game. The slow, careful battle against Salem.
But this?
This was different.
This was active sabotage.
This was psychological warfare.
This was unhinged, master-tier trolling.
And the best part?
No one could stop him.
Step Two Hundred and Twenty-Two: Push It Further.
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Step Two Hundred and Twenty-Three: The "Emerald Is Losing Her Mind" Initiative
Emerald had already started to doubt reality.
Which meant Ozpin's next objective was simple.
Break her completely.
So he escalated.
Her scroll started ringing at odd hours. When she picked up, there was only silence… followed by a soft sipping noise.
Her locker would creak open on its own. Inside? A neatly wrapped cookie. No note. Just a single cookie.
She would pass by students—who were whispering about something— and the moment she made eye contact, they'd immediately stop talking and smile at her.
Then, the masterstroke.
One morning, Emerald sat down for breakfast.
Her usual meal.
Nothing strange.
Until she lifted her spoon.
And saw it.
At the bottom of her bowl, written in neat, perfectly legible letters:
"Hello, Miss Sustrai. –O"
Emerald screamed.
Step Two Hundred and Twenty-Four: She Will Never Recover From This.
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Step Two Hundred and Twenty-Five: The Mercury Countermeasure
Mercury already didn't trust reality.
But Ozpin?
Ozpin wanted him terrified.
So he upped the ante.
The lights flickered when Mercury walked past them.
Every time he turned a corner, someone was already staring at him.
His shadow didn't always match his movements.
And then—the final touch.
One night, Mercury locked his door, closed his blinds, and tried to sleep.
Then—
The whisper.
Right next to his bed.
"Goodnight, Mister Black."
Mercury bolted upright.
The room was empty.
Step Two Hundred and Twenty-Six: He Didn't Sleep That Night.
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Step Two Hundred and Twenty-Seven: Cinder's Breaking Point
Cinder was holding it together.
Barely.
But Ozpin wasn't done yet.
Because Cinder was still dangerous.
Because Cinder still thought she was in control.
Because Cinder still had her plan.
Step Two Hundred and Twenty-Eight: Take That Away From Her.
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Step Two Hundred and Twenty-Nine: Operation "Cinder's Got a Stalker"
It began subtly.
She would wake up to find her room cleaned.
Her weapons would be polished before training.
She found a new pair of boots in her closet. The exact same brand she usually wore.
And then—
The real move.
The moment she sat down in the cafeteria…
A waiter appeared.
And placed a cup of coffee in front of her.
Cinder froze.
Slowly, she looked up.
The waiter smiled.
"Compliments of the Headmaster."
Cinder twitched.
Step Two Hundred and Thirty: She Is Officially Freaked Out.
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Step Two Hundred and Thirty-One: The Final Blow
Cinder tried to ignore it.
She refused to let him get to her.
She focused on the plan.
But then—
During a casual training session, as she stood in the arena, preparing for a sparring match—
The screen glitched.
For a second.
Just a moment.
And then—
Her own face appeared on the screen.
Not her usual serious expression.
No.
A smiling, innocent, student-of-the-month portrait.
And beneath it—
"CINDER FALL – TEACHER'S FAVORITE"
Cinder froze.
The students cheered.
And then—
Ozpin's voice came through the speakers.
"Good luck, Miss Fall. I have high expectations."
Cinder's entire world shattered.
Step Two Hundred and Thirty-Two: She's Going to Kill Him.
---
Step Two Hundred and Thirty-Three: Victory in the War of Madness
Cinder stormed into her dorm.
Her team was already there.
Emerald was rocking back and forth.
Mercury was sitting in the corner, wide-eyed.
No one spoke.
No one breathed.
Finally, Cinder snapped.
"We need to KILL HIM."
Silence.
Then—a knock at the door.
Cinder whirled around.
Everyone froze.
Another knock.
Slowly, cautiously, Cinder opened the door.
No one was there.
Just…
A plate of cookies.
With a note.
"Good effort today. –O"
Emerald passed out.
Step Two Hundred and Thirty-Four: Total Annihilation.