A Path To Omniscience

"Since our meeting with Ironwood, you've been unusually quiet. Something on your mind?" Asher asked, glancing over at Liv, who sat across from him. They were back in the partially armored truck his parents had chosen for him. The occasional jostle and hum of the vehicle were the only sounds, making the ride feel oddly tranquil.

Liv, her gaze fixed on the floor with a tense expression, finally looked up. She hesitated before speaking.

"I'm struggling to understand your plan," she admitted, her tone laced with confusion.

"You told Ironwood you wanted your own division in the Atlas Military—a special forces unit with full autonomy over equipment, training, recruitment, and deployment. But... why? What's the endgame here?" Back in Ironwood's office, Asher hadn't offered a clear explanation, and Ironwood hadn't pressed him for one.

The ambiguity had left both Liv and Winter equally perplexed. Yet, given their respective roles in the room, neither had voiced their concerns.

Asher rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his eyes drifting to the passing scenery beyond the window.

"There are plenty of reasons," he began, his voice calm but deliberate.

"But if I had to narrow it down, three stand out."

"Three?" Liv echoed, her confusion deepening.

"Tell me something: how long does my authorization to bypass military protocols last?" Asher asked.

Liv thought for a moment before answering.

"Well, it didn't come with a specific time limit. It's an authorization, not a contract. So, I'd guess it'll be revoked by tomorrow at the latest. That said, you'll still retain possession of any military-grade hardware and materials you already have—you just won't be able to acquire anything new." Asher pointed at her with a nod.

"Exactly. A lot of my projects require military-grade equipment, but without that access, I'm stuck."

"So that's why you wanted to become the Director of Operations for a new division?" Liv asked, piecing it together.

"Yes," he confirmed.

"Though there are too many codes and laws to make that happen outright, I'm confident Ironwood will find a workaround. If the division is focused on advanced research and operational strategies, it gives me the authority to bypass certain registration protocols. Technically, as long as I register everything first, anything I create or assemble will be fully legal under government oversight." He leaned back slightly, letting the idea sink in.

"That makes the legal barriers far less of an issue—things that were impossible before will suddenly become manageable." Liv tilted her head, considering his explanation.

"I see... but even so, you'd still technically be part of the Atlas Military. That means you couldn't do any of this off of Atlesian Military property. Everything you invent would be under their watch, logged in their databases." She frowned slightly.

"It sounds like you'd basically be signing away the rights to anything you create." Asher shook his head, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips.

"Not if the division has its own private laboratory."

Liv blinked.

"What? A private-" She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening in realization.

"The warehouse..."

"Exactly," Asher replied, nodding.

"If the warehouse is officially designated as an Atlas Military facility under the division's jurisdiction, I can keep working in privacy, fully backed by legal authority. And because it's a military facility, there won't be any issues implementing those security measures I have in mind—measures that exceed commercial clearance." Asher leaned back further into his seat, his tone self-assured as he finished his explanation.

On the other hand, the more Liv thought about it, the more Asher's plan clicked into place. A new division wouldn't fall under the existing military chain of command, meaning oversight would be minimal. At most, Asher would report directly to Ironwood, maintaining the appearance of operating within the Atlas Military's jurisdiction.

Given their unique working relationship, though, oversight was almost a non-factor. Ironwood would essentially allow Asher to work as he pleased, provided he stayed within the bounds of Atlas law and military regulations. On top of that, funding wouldn't be an issue—rather than signing a formal contract, the division itself would handle the financial resources.

In effect, Ironwood could funnel as much money and material support as Asher needed without the legal complications of directly transferring funds to a fourteen-year-old or having the military appear to officially employ him. It was a clever workaround, sidestepping potential controversies entirely.

It was a solid plan. While it didn't seem like Asher had mapped this out from the very beginning, he had clearly anticipated it. 

"Okay, I understand that part now," Liv said, leaning forward slightly.

"But couldn't you have just asked Ironwood for extended authorization? He already gave it to you once, and I doubt he'd have trouble securing permission again." Asher's expression shifted at her question. 

"That brings us to the second reason. Tell me, Liv, what's your take on the state of crime in Atlas? I'm not just talking about robberies or petty theft—think broader. Corruption, trafficking, the works. What do you think about the state of Mantle and Atlas?" The question was still broad, enough to make Liv narrow her eyes in thought.

"Well... Mantle's in rough shape," she admitted.

"You don't need to look hard to see it. The crater became a home for so many people, mostly Faunus who couldn't make it in Mantle due to the working conditions. That's why it turned into the slum it is now. Places like that are perfect breeding grounds for crime—robbery, smuggling, worse."

Her expression darkened, and her tone grew sharper as she added, "It's a vicious cycle, and no one in power seems to care enough to stop it."

"The group that tried to rob us? That was just the tip of the iceberg," Liv said steadily. 

"Everything from gang wars to the illegal drug trade, all stems from the slums. They're practically outside of Atlas Police jurisdiction—it might as well be its own city, the way it operates." She paused, frustration edging into her tone.

"And whether the crime spills over into Mantle or profits flow from Mantle into the slums, it's a shit- I mean, bad situation all around." She leaned back slightly, her expression tightening.

"Those charity events in Atlas and fundraisers in Mantle? They're not going to fix anything. The core issue isn't even in Mantle—it's rooted in a place the government refuses to acknowledge. That's not to say Mantle doesn't have its own problems—it's a city perpetually stuck in Atlas's shadow, both figuratively and literally."

The disparity was impossible to ignore. Two cities, one prosperous and cutting-edge, the other crippled by crime and poverty, existing side by side under the same governance. The result? A system where Atlas consumed all attention and resources.

"New laws, better policing, secure trade routes—they all go to Atlas first," Liv continued.

"Mantle only gets the scraps, long after the damage has been done. It's never a priority. And as long as that's the case, Mantle will never get better." She hesitated, her gaze shifting slightly before continuing.

"Of course, Atlas has its own problems. Mantle's issues might be obvious—rusted metal, crumbling streets, abandoned buildings—but Atlas's are hidden behind a polished façade. I've seen so many clear violations swept under the rug, ignored because no one's willing to challenge the status quo. It's as if people here can't-" Liv stopped abruptly, catching herself mid-sentence.

Her eyes darted to Asher.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to make it sound like everyone in Atlas is... well, you know." Asher waved her off with a small, understanding smile.

"Liv, trust me. If anyone knows you're right, it's me. Atlas is far from the dazzling jewel people claim it to be. I've seen what corruption looks like up close—how deeply it's woven into every corner of high society, even into how people are raised. Even my parents aren't exempt, despite the fact they didn't start at the top." He paused for a moment, his tone shifting slightly as he moved on.

"That said, let me ask you something. If you wanted to improve Mantle, where would you start? What's the first step you'd take?" Liv took a moment to think, her expression thoughtful.

"Well, I'm guessing you're not asking about the legal approach. So, in that case, I'd start with the locals—people who actually live in Mantle and the slums. Talk to them, find out what crimes are most common, and build a statistical overview. From there, identify the root causes of those crimes and dismantle what we can through legal means." She paused, frowning slightly.

"The thing is, Mantle's issues aren't complicated. They're just deeply rooted—left to fester for so long that now they seem insurmountable. Even if the slums were policed, it'd do more harm than good at this point. The slums have become their own ecosystem, built on everything from the morally gray to outright bleak. Fixing them would require precision, using a scalpel instead of a hammer."

But such a solution would demand resources, substantial funding, and, most importantly, genuine support from people in power.

"And that's exactly what I plan for my division to do," Asher replied.

"Fixing Mantle isn't something that can be done overnight, whether it's improving the economy or living conditions. It's a massive job, and it requires more than just what I can provide. But that doesn't change the fact that Mantle is deteriorating every day, and that's because the problems down there have been left unchecked for too long." Liv nodded slowly, agreeing with his sentiment. 

Mantle was a festering wound. It wouldn't heal anytime soon, but the least they could do was prevent it from getting worse until a real solution could be found. That meant tackling both the overt crime and the hidden neglect—the corruption and indifference that allowed the decay to spread unchecked.

"So, your plan is to use this division to do what the Atlas Police have failed to do for years?" Liv asked, skepticism creeping into her voice.

"I mean, it sounds good on paper, but creating some kind of private police force under the Atlas Military's banner isn't going to fix anything, Asher. The problem isn't just that the police have been ineffective—it's that the situation has spiraled far out of control." Asher responded with a calm expression his tone unchanged.

"I'm well aware of the scale of the problem, Liv. Trust me, I'm not going into this with some naïve belief that Mantle's problems can be solved with a few arrests or through a shallow understanding of criminal networks. I've thought this through. I have a plan. But first, I need this division set up properly." Liv studied him closely, her eyes narrowing slightly.

She knew Asher well enough to believe he wasn't acting out of some childish idealism, but the enormity of the task still felt overwhelming. Liv sighed, giving in with a resigned but amused smile.

"Alright, I'll take your word for it. So, what's the third reason?"

Asher's response this time around was simple and straightforward: "It gives me the freedom to test not only my inventions but my methods in the field."

Liv raised an eyebrow, clearly expecting more.

"That's it?"

"Yes," Asher confirmed without hesitation.

"If this division is going to be a special forces unit under my control, then I decide what equipment and training they'll have. What better way to test my inventions than to put them directly into action?" It was a simple answer, but it made sense. Liv couldn't argue with the logic.

She leaned back in her seat, her eyes wandering to the ceiling as she let out another sigh.

"Well, all of this sounds like a legal nightmare, if I'm being honest," Liv remarked, a light chuckle in her voice.

"I guess that means I'll finally be working as hard as your parents are paying me."

Her playful comment made Asher laugh, and he responded, "Well, if you do a really good job, maybe I can convince them to give you a bonus."

Liv's brows perked up, and she sat up straighter, the hint of excitement creeping into her voice.

"I'm going to take you up on that and hold you to it. I've been saving up for a car in Atlas since my office is way too far from any public transport."

"Hmm? Oh, I didn't know that. I could arrange for a new office closer to our home if you're interested. Consider it an employee benefit," Asher offered casually.

Liv shook her head with a polite smile.

"I appreciate the offer, but I'll pass. Trust me, I get plenty of benefits already. Though, now that you mention it, I don't know if you're aware, but after I started working for your parents, all the harassment and threats of lawsuits from my... former, more gray clients stopped. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?" Her brow arched in playful suspicion.

"Hmm, can't say I do," Asher replied smoothly.

"Though, my parents do prefer their employees to work in peace. It boosts efficiency." His deadpan delivery caused Liv's expression to crack, and she burst into laughter. Asher's own chuckling soon joined hers, filling the truck with lighthearted energy.

The two continued chatting idly for the rest of the ride, steering the conversation away from their meeting with Ironwood and Asher's plans for Mantle. By the time the truck pulled up in the driveway at the foot of the stairs outside Frostvale Manor, the mood was noticeably lighter.

As the doors folded open, Asher stepped out.

"The driver will drop you off wherever you need to go. I'll contact you once Ironwood gets back to me about the division and our arrangement."

"Got it. See you later, Asher," Liv said, giving him a wave. The truck's doors folded closed, and it drove off, leaving Asher standing there. He watched until it disappeared down the long driveway before turning to climb the stairs toward the front door.

Now then, I should probably talk to Father about those Faunus he's been holding in jail for me. He's been delaying their sentencing for a while. I'll need to schedule a meeting with them soon.

=====================================•=====================================

September 25th, 2033

The sharp, rhythmic clash of blades echoed through the manicured yard, a chaotic symphony of metal meeting metal. Sparks flew with each strike, lighting the space between the combatants.

"You know, Weiss," Asher said, his tone calm despite the flurry of motion.

"I think I've spotted a major flaw in your fighting style." His movements were subtle but precise, his arms and body working in perfect harmony. As Weiss unleashed a rapid barrage of thrusts—over a dozen in seconds—he parried each one effortlessly, using the near-hilt of his blade to divert her strikes.

The attacks came close, unnervingly so, but never landed. Each deflection was perfectly timed, so much so that Asher didn't even have to step back.

"Oh, is that so?" Weiss replied, her voice laced with determination.

She stepped back, crouching low before dashing in a semi-circle, aiming to catch him off balance. Her speed and precision were near-inhuman, but Asher countered with a single controlled step. He moved seamlessly into her trajectory, closing the distance and bringing his blade toward her neck in a blinding arc.

Weiss halted her advance abruptly, pivoting to block the strike. But then, mid-swing, Asher's attack curved, redirecting toward her chest.

A feint!

Weiss thought as she quickly shifted her stance, turning her block into a parry. A grin spread across her face.

He always uses a feint when his attacks are too obvious. I've got him this time!

As if reading her thoughts, Asher commented, "Your eyes give you away too easily, Weiss."

Her confidence wavered, replaced by a jarring sense of unease. Asher halted his attack mid-swing, his stance perfectly controlled. Before Weiss could recover, he shifted again, thrusting his blade straight at her with startling speed. The sudden change in trajectory caught her off guard.

Two feints in a row!?

She had no time to block, leaving her only option to dodge. Weiss bent back sharply, her body arching to the point it seemed she might topple over. Yet, with her balance and flexibility, she narrowly avoided the blade, the tip missing her by a hair. Using the momentum, she went to flip back, vaulting off her free hand to create distance.

But her recovery was cut short when she saw Asher drop even lower then her, sweeping at her legs from under her. In the split second, it took her to realize what was happening, her options narrowed. Without her aura active, she couldn't push off the ground for a quick escape, and so her legs slipped out from under her. 

Damn it, he read me like a book...

Weiss resigned herself to the fall, closing her eyes as she prepared for impact. But instead of hitting the ground, she felt a firm arm wrap around her waist, halting her descent. A low chuckle reached her ears.

Opening her eyes, she found Asher holding her up, his expression calm and amused. The flat side of his blade rested lightly under her chin as he smiled down at her.

"I think that counts as my fifth win," he said, helping her stand upright as he withdrew his blade.

Weiss straightened herself with a huff, her frown deepening as she let out an annoyed sigh.

"I don't get it. At first, I always won our matches. Then, a month later, we were even. Now, I can't even beat you half the time." Her tone carried a tinge of frustration, wounded pride evident in her voice. She knew Asher was a fast learner—he improved at an alarming rate—and she couldn't keep up.

Her once-dominant win ratio had flipped completely.

"Don't feel too bad," Asher said with a reassuring smile.

"I just learned your fighting style a bit faster than you learned mine." He wasn't lying. After months of sparring with Weiss, Asher's understanding of her movements had reached a new level entirely. 

His Nexus Space knowledge had passed the fifty percent threshold weeks ago and was now sitting at an impressive eighty-six percent. That meant with a single thought, he could predict eighty-six percent of Weiss's moves with pinpoint accuracy.

In contrast, Asher's fighting style was a constantly evolving amalgamation—a blend of techniques from self-defense manuals, combat records, and countless forms of media. It wasn't just adaptive; it was all-encompassing. His proficiency had long since surpassed one hundred percent, giving him the ability to pick up and wield nearly any weapon with ease after only a short adjustment period.

Weiss crossed her arms, her frown shifting into a slight pout.

"Hmph, you're just saying that to make me feel better." Asher's smile didn't waver as he shook his head. 

"No, I'm being honest." For a moment, she met his gaze, searching for any trace of insincerity. Finding none, she sighed, the tension in her shoulders easing ever so slightly.

"You're so calm and nice all that time that sometimes it's insufferable, you know that?" She muttered, though there was no real bite to her words. All Asher gave her in response was a shrug which caused her to let out another sigh. 

"Fine," Weiss said with a huff, though a small smirk tugged at her lips.

"I'll take your word for it this time. But our next duel will be at my house. I'll use my semblance and aura, and you'll use your O.M.N.I. Frame. Let's see how that turns out." Asher thought for a moment before nodding.

"Fair enough. It'll be a good chance to see Whitley again, too. He didn't come with you this time."

"He's been busy trying to secure those higher-quality Dust crystals you two made a deal over," Weiss explained.

"Oh, that's good news. I'd been meaning to ask about those." Asher's eyes drifted down briefly as he spoke, noticing Weiss was now looking at him with an unexpectedly reserved expression. He tilted his head slightly, silently asking, What is it?

Weiss hesitated before speaking.

"You know you're still holding me, right?" Asher glanced down at his arm, still resting around her waist, and nodded without any embarrassment.

"Of course. Why?" Hearing his casual tone, Weiss looked around quickly, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"I... I don't know if we should be doing this out here. What if someone sees us?" Asher leaned in closer, his smile deepening.

"That almost sounds like you're embarrassed to be seen with me." Her eyes widened slightly, and she shook her head.

"No, no, it's not that. I just thought... maybe you'd want to keep this discreet? I don't know..." Her words trailed off as Asher's face drew even nearer, her breath hitching as the proximity made her heart race.

"And why," he asked softly, his voice low and almost teasing, "would I want to do that?"

Before she could answer, Asher closed the distance, his lips pressing against hers as his arm pulled her closer. Weiss's breath caught as the kiss deepened. For a moment, her hands hovered awkwardly at her sides, unsure of what to do, before her weapon slipped from her grasp, falling to the grass. Finally, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back.

Their lips fitting together in a rhythm that felt both natural and exhilarating. Weiss's earlier worries about being seen melted away as the world around her faded into nothing but the sound of their breaths and the soft beat of her heart. A quiet moan escaped her lips as she pulled him closer, her thoughts too hazy to care about anything else.

When they finally pulled apart, Asher smirked, his voice low and teasing.

"You've gotten a lot better at that compared to last time." Weiss, her cheeks flushed and her breathing uneven tried to respond but found herself at a loss for words. Before she could collect herself, a voice called out in the distance.

"Young Master, your father is calling for you!" Asher turned toward the sound, spotting one of the maids waving from the edge of the yard. Weiss immediately stepped back, smoothing her dress and standing rigidly as though nothing had happened.

Her hurried reaction made Asher chuckle, earning him a sharp glare from Weiss—a mixture of embarrassment and a silent warning. He shrugged lightly and waved to the maid.

"Got it! I'll be there in a minute." Asher glanced back at Weiss, but this time, she refused to meet his gaze, her frown deepening as her blush persisted.