Thread:99.45.171.100/@comment-27404492-20170406212527/@comment-4010415-20170406230420

Look... The entire reason Salem wants to destroy humanity's hope is specifically because that will weaken humanity. She states that hope and working together are what make humanity difficult to defeat.

"It's true that a simple spark can ignite hope, breathe fire into the hearts of the weary. The ability to derive strength from hope is undoubtedly mankind's greatest attribute. Which is why I will focus all of my power... to snuff it out."

^ Here, she states that mankind derives strength from hope. In destroying hope, she will be destroying mankind's strength.

"But this is merely the first move."

Destroying mankind's hope is merely the first move. That is not her end goal.

The reason she's attacking the academies is specifically to get her hands on the Relics. It's not because she has a beef with the academies, it's so she can get the Relics. Like Qrow said:

"If someone were to collect all four, they'd be able to change the world. That's exactly what the enemy wants. The Huntsman Academies were created to train generations of Humanity's protectors, but they also serve another purpose - guarding the relics. When Ozpin's predecessor founded the schools, he built them around the relics to act as a fortress. Not only would they be easier to defend, but they would constantly be surrounded by trained warriors. The hope was that hiding them would keep mankind from using them against itself… and, of course, keeping them out of her reach."

In response to Qrow's use of "her", we get this exchange:

Ruby: Her. You mean Salem?

Qrow: That's right.


 * If you gather all four Relics, you can change the world


 * Qrow says that's exactly what Salem's group wants


 * Ozpin's predecessor built the Huntsman academies specifically to protect the Relics


 * The Relics are inside of the Huntsman academies


 * The hope was that hiding the Relics would keep them out of Salem's reach and keep mankind from using them against itself

Recall that Salem specifically said she believes the Relic she's looking for is in Beacon somewhere and told a Seer Grimm to have the other Grimm keep searching for it. This is why she's targeting the academies - not because of Ozpin, but for the Relics.