Later that day, the three teams sit in another class with everyone acting as usual. Onyx, Ruby, Rain, and Jaune barely paid attention to the teacher's lecture while the rest if their team tried to listen to the lesson. The teacher, a tall man with spiky green hair and large circle glasses literally zipped around the front of the classroom as he drank from his silver thermos. "Now, before the Faunus Rights Revolution or the Faunus war, humankind was adamant on keeping the Faunus population in the island of Menagerie." He took a sip from his thermos before talking again. "Now remember, while this seems like ancient history to some of you, you have to remember that these are relatively recent events." He takes another sip from his thermos and zips to another part of the classroom. "Now, who here has been faced with discrimination due to their Faunus heritage." A few students raise their hands, the rabbit girl from the cafeteria among them, making the professor shake his head. "Dreadful, simply dreadful. Remember students this is the kind of ignorance that breed violence. I mean look at the White Fang." Ash perks up from the mention of the White Fang and looks at the professor more attentively.
"Now, who can tell me what may theorize the turning point in the third year of the war?" Weiss immediately raises her hand. "The battle at Fort castle!" She shouts out and the professor nods his head. "Precisely! Now, who can tell me what advantage the Faunus had over General Lagune's forces?" Near the front of the classroom, Jaune has his head down and closes his eyes when a piece of paper hits him from behind, making him hold the back of his head and turn around. "Hey!? Who-" "Mr. Arc! Finally deciding to contribute to the class! Do you know the answer to the question?" Jaune looks around the room for help when Pyrrha makes her hands into circles and puts them over her eyes. "Advantage… umm… Binoculars?" He says unsurely and Pyrrha facepalms and Cardin pounds his fist on his desk and laughs. "Very funny Mr. Arc." The professor says as he turns to Cardin. "Mr. Winchester, perhaps you would like to share your thoughts on the subject?" "Well, I think it's easier to train an animal than a soldier." He smugly replies and Erica sighs. "You're not the most open-minded person are you?" She asks him and he looks at her in anger. "What!? Do you have a problem!?"
"No, I have an answer. It's night vision, many Faunus are known to have near perfect sight in the dark." Cardin grumbles when Pyrrha and Blake jump in. "Lagune was inexperienced and tired ambushing the Faunus when they slept. His army was overpowered and he was subsequently captured." "Blake leans forward and looks at Cardin, "Maybe if he paid more attention in class he wouldn't have been captured and remembered as a failure." The class starts to chuckle and Cardin gets up from his desk with his fist raised. "Mr. Winchester! Take your seat!" The professor shouts before he can do anything and turns back to Jaune who struggles to stop chuckling. "Mr. Winchester. Mr. Arc. The two of you will stay after class for some extra reading." Jaune slumps into his seat and continues the lesson.
Soon the class ends and people start to walk out of the door when Pyrrha looks back at the classroom. "You guys go on ahead, I'll catch up after Jaune is done." She tells Ren and Nora and they both walk off. Ash looks back at Pyrrha and taps Erika on the shoulder. "Yeah, I'm gonna wait too. I'll see you guys back in the room." Erica nods her head and Ash walks back to the door where Pyrrha look in on Jaune.
"The two of you have been struggling in my class since day one." The professor says as he watches over Jaune and Cardin as they read a large book in front of them. "I don't know if this is because of lack of interest or you're stubborn nature, but whatever it is… It stops now." He takes a drink of his coffee before continuing. "The two of you worked hard to enter this school and we only accept the best, so it is expected that you act like it. It's important to remember that history is important, and those who don't learn from it are forced to repeat it." He points at the two books in front of the teenagers. "Pages 51 to 91. I want an essay on my desk by Monday. Now, run along." The professor zips out of the classroom and Jaune picks up his things and walks out too, however as soon as he reaches the door Cardin pushes his to the ground and walks away chuckling to himself.
"Hey come on man!" Ash shouts after Cardin while Pyrrha helps Jaune up. "You know I heard Nora say she would break his legs." Ash imagines Nora with her hammer chasing after Cardin and shudders looking back at Pyrrha. "Do… Do you think she was serious?" Pyrrha shrugs and Jaune sighs while rubbing the back of his head when Pyrrha realizes something and tugs on his arm. "Hey, I just remembered something. Follow me." She pulls him down the other side of the hall and Ash walks after them with his hands in his pockets.
The three of them end up on the roof of the building and Ash leans back against the door while Jaune looks over the edge of the roof. "Pyrrha, I know I look depressed but I'm not that sad. I could be a farmer or something." Pyrrha looks over the edge and back to Jaune and her eyes widen as she pulls him back. "NO! That's not why I brought you up here!" When Jaune is safely away from the edge, Pyrrha continues. "Listen Jaune, I know you're not the strongest or the smartest of fighters, but I want to help you." Jaune looks at his partner with a confused face. "Help me?" Pyrrha gestures to the roof with her other hand. "We can train here after classes. No one will bother us here." Jaune's face morphs into an expression of pain and steps back from her. "Are you saying I need help?"
"No that's not what she means." Ash jumps in. "Everyone needs a push from time to time Jaune, and that doesn't mean that you're not talented. You made it into Beacon, that says a lot already." But Jaune shakes his head sadly. "I don't belong here." He mumbles catching the attention of Pyrrha. "What are you-" "I wasn't really accepted into Beacon!" He suddenly blurts out making his two friends stop in their tracks. "Jaune, what are you talking about?"
"I mean I didn't go to combat school, I didn't pass any test, and I didn't earn my way into this academy! I cheated!" His voice resonates with Ash and Pyrrha who look at each other with unsure expressions, letting Jaune continue his rant. "I lied to get in! I got my hands on some fake transcripts, and I lied." Pyrrha looks at Ash with a distraught face and he matches her expression and shrugs. "Jaune... Why?" "Because this is all that I've ever wanted to be! My father and his father were both warriors, heroes, and I wanted to be like them. I was just never good enough for the schools." Ash walks closer to Jaune and reaches out to put his hand on his shoulder. "Then let us help you-"
"I don't want your help!" Jaune shouts and smacks Ash's hand away. "I'm done being the damsel in distress, I want to be the hero! I'm done being the kid stuck in the tree while his friends fight for their lives. If I can't do this on my own, then what good am I?" Ash and Pyrrha are at a loss for words when Jaune crosses his arms and turns away from them. "Just... leave me alone." Pyrrha lowers her head and mumbles, "If that's what you think is best," before walking away. Ash shakes his head in disgust and puts his hands in his pockets. "You won't be able to do everything yourself Jaune. That's why we have teams." Ash walks back into the building, only to hear a familiar laugh when he reaches the doorway. "Oh hey, Jaune!" "C-Cardin!?" Ash hears Jaune gasp and he quickly moves out of the doorway and leaves him by himself. "You should have taken her offer Jaune." Ash whispers to himself, shaking his head and walks away.