Chapter 14: The Start of Something New

"Fifty five, fifty six, huff, fifty seven…" I grunt with each upwards motion of my arm. I found a secluded spot to keep exercising and not let myself become lax with my training.

It's been a day after the incident at Forever Fall and you'd be surprised at how hard it was for me to find a spot to do vertical one handed pushups without my team trying to stop me.

I had the ok from the doctor who was 'baffled and angry at my healing greatness', but my team didn't want to take that chance just yet.

I had to have Jaune distract them with false info on my whereabouts an hour ago so I could at least do a routine workout.

"One- hundred!" I proclaim, falling backwards onto the ground with glistening drops of sweat covering my body.

I guess I need to thank my stats and skills that helped me recover this quick. I may not be like a game character that just re-spawns, but when you can rapidly heal from wounds during combat like I could you can't really complain much.

I even got a few more levels from the boss battle. Add in the few Levels and stat increases gained from training, I went up in total to level forty nine and felt rather rewarded for my effort.

"Status" I say, pushing myself up and cleaning myself with a towel while I decided to grab some lunch from the cafeteria.

Ulric Azul

[Guardian Student of Beacon]

HP: 1740/1740

Aura: 950/950

Lvl: 49

Str: 127+ 51 [.40]

Vit: 124 + 50 [.40]

Agi: 70 + 18 [.25]

Dex: 59 + 15 [.25]

Int: 63 + 19 [.30]

Wis: 68 + 27 [.40]

Chr: 57 + 14 [.25]

35 Points remaining

Yep, I was feeling strong. Maybe not the strongest, but I felt like I could go a few rounds with another boss like that again.

I hum to myself as I go through the line grabbing various dishes when I hear a young voice call out.

"There you are Ulric!" I turn to my table of friends where Ruby was waving happily at me.

I saunter over to them, taking a spot between Ruby and Blake, who I noticed was eyeing my fish side dish. Turning to Ruby, I spoke.

"Here I am Rubes. Also you don't have to shout to get my attention you know, I kinda know where our table is." I say with a smirk as she blushes slightly.

"I just wanted to make sure you knew…" she fidgets with her fingers as Yang nudges her with a grin.

"Yeah she just wanted to make sure you saw the spot next to her." She says with amusement making Ruby gape like fish for a moment before flailing at Yang to quiet her.

I shake my head from their antics and begin to eat when I look around. "So what's everyone's plan today?" I turn to Jaune who seemed to have an idea.

"Well my team is going out for the day to have fun because Nora is still upset." Jaune replies first.

"Ren and I couldn't find any more sap after we searched so of course we're going to Vale to get the next best thing!" She answers with her energetic smile making the rest of her team quietly sigh.

I turn to Ruby who finally stopped batting at Yang. "Weiss wants to go over notes for Port's class so we're staying in the dorm to go over them." Weiss nods to this statement before I lean around Ruby to see Yang looking dejected.

"Doctor Oobleck caught me napping and is having me do a 10 page paper on sleep deprivation, so I won't be here for a while." Yang frowns and drops her forehead to the table.

"Well, you only have yourself to blame for that, Yang." I say to her with a smirk, earning only a grunt in reply.

Leaving only one person left I turn to Blake, who was staring intently at my fish dish with yearning eyes. I slide it over to her with a dejected sigh. (Rewrote this paragraph to make it easier to read.)

She looks to me for approval before quickly devouring the offerings. Looking back up she holds a slight blush before she coughs into her hand and begins to answer my question.

"Well my plans today were to relax somewhere to read, so you can come if you want."

I think on that as I nod in agreement. "After the trip I could use a little down time. Sure, I'll come."

She seemed rather pleased with that as I felt something off from the three to my left, but I wasn't going to agitate that hornet nest by asking.

"That reminds me Ulric…where were you earlier and why do you have a towel?" Weiss asks with a soft voice, but held malice behind it as she and the others inspects my form making me shrink from the stares of my teammates

'Uh oh…'

After a quick lecture, we all split off to go about our days.

Blake and I decided the floor's common room would be a good spot. Few students would pass by it on their way to and from their dorms, leaving us our privacy.

Pulling out my earbuds while sitting down on the couch, I thumbed through the Oumify app on my scroll until the Achieve Men started playing.

Blake quietly took the spot next to me and pulled out a small book. Nestling into the couch, she started to read beside me.

After a while I started swiping through my scroll for videos and games to enjoy as the two of us simply relaxed. The time we spent together was rather pleasant before the T.V. in the background brought up a news bulletin.

"Hello. This is Lisa Lavender bringing you breaking news ." The field agent states with her professional tone before the camera pans out to an ambulance.

"A fight has erupted over in the downtown sector of Vale today, where alleged White Fang members attacked a group of people. Experts say…"

Blake's eyes were glued to the screen, her face full of remorse. I tapped her legs, that had somehow been draped over my lap while relaxing, to get her attention.

"Blake, is something wrong?" I ask her. Her expression quickly morphed into worry as she returns my look.

"I- I'm fine, Ulric. Don't worry about it." she says meekly, trying to avoid my gaze and shifting her body off and away from me.

I frown before standing up and facing her as she looks to me before trying to move.

"Hold!" I shout gripping her shoulders as she struggles. "Blake, you know me better than that." I make her look directly at me before continuing.

"We're teammates so please tell me what's wrong. If something is bothering you it'll affect us all and that's no good." I keep my hands on her as she tries resisting for a minute before finally nodding as I let her go.

"Ulric, what do you think of the White Fang?" she softly whispers looking towards the ground.

I think for a moment before sitting next to her. "Well, depends on which we're talking about." Her bow twitches before looking to me.

"The old White Fang I really did respect as a whole. They did a lot for the Faunus community and started a very positive movement for all of Remnant." She seemed to smile at this before I continued.

"Ever since their leader stepped down, however, the new Fang has done some rather criminal actions that I worry about."

She once again looked fearful as I held her shoulder. "That doesn't mean I hate their ideals, But what they are doing needs to stop. The fear they spread…it's hurting more than just humans, even Faunus are attacked and what's worse they get the short end and get treated more cruelly."

I look to her with concern after finishing. "So why did you want to know?" I ask as she rambles in her thoughts.

"Ulric…promise me you won't think different of me." She meekly holds my arm as I see her eyes tear up.

"I promise." I say to her soothingly, her lips twitch slightly before she speaks.

"Before I came here Ulric…I've hurt people…I did things a person shouldn't do." She lowers her head as I softly stroke her back.

"I used to be a White Fang member Ulric. I was a terrorist before deciding to leave them and become a huntress to do some good for this world." She slightly shakes when I wipe a tear from her eye.

"I regret those actions, but I wanted to make a difference for Faunus everywhere. However at some point I saw the truth of what they did and I couldn't take it anymore and left after a mission…"

Abruptly she moves into my chest as I feel a few tears dampening my shirt. "I swear, Ulric, I'm not with them. Please, don- don't hate me for it."

I wrap my arms around her with a soft shush as she shakes slightly. "Thank you for telling me Blake. Don't worry I don't hate you. You saw what they have done and decided to leave it to do something better."

Wrapping my arms around her shivering form, I reassure her.

"I don't hate you, Blake. You saw what they were becoming and you decided to leave them to help people. You're a good person, Blake."

I stroke the back of her head as I calm her. "If anything I respect you more for deciding for yourself what was right."

She looks up to me as I smile warmly. "So thank you, Blake, for trusting me enough with your past. I won't say anything, but you need to tell our team someday. I don't want to see any of you hurt from something that could be avoided."

We sit in silence as Blake numbly nods her head while trying to compose herself. It takes a few minutes before she speaks feeling and she looks much better than before.

"Thank you Ulric. What you said really means a lot to me. I've had to live with that guilt for so long that I didn't know what to do with it." she smiles rather stunningly when I gaze at her.

"I'm glad I met you here Ulric." She leans closer wrapping her arms around me in a soft hug. "You have done so much to help me adjust here, thank you."

[Likeness from Blake increased by 6]

I return to hug and laugh quietly. "I'm always here for those I care for." I stroke the side of her head with my hand as I hear something like a purr from Blake.

"Guess you're happy." I snicker slightly as Blake blushes immensely, using her semblance to teleport off the couch and out of my reach.

"You better not tell anyone!" she glares at me as I hold my hands up in surrender before she leans close to my ear. "But if you're good you may hear it again…"

I open my eyes wider hearing that. "Blake did you just…" I try to say but she holds my mouth with her hand.

"I can tell that you need to figure out some things yourself, I'm not blind you know…" she mumbles the last part before moving back.

"I'm going back to the dorm now to clean up. Thanks again Ulric." She smiles before heading out with a sway a her hips, knowing that I'm watching them as she leaves my view.

Even when she is gone I watch the doorway before suddenly turning and sinking into the couch. 'So Blake actually…this just got more complicated…'

After lying down for a while, I decided to take a jog around the campus to ponder and maintain myself.

The outside air felt refreshing while I speeded around the academy. I even changed to my weighted gear which consisted of a normal tee and shorts that were strapped with Forty kilogram weights on each limb.

I decided on only a short ten lap which took a whole hour for me to complete it. I huffed between breaths when I found a fountain to cool myself off with.

Taking a handful of water, I splashed it on my face to cool myself down.

I gazed into the reflective pool of water below me as I recall the events earlier today and a few days prior.

"Ha…why do some choices in life have to be so troubling…" I slump slightly over when a new voice appeared from behind.

"Well usually that just means the choice will change you drastically, but that's just my experience."

Turning around in a panic, I see Headmaster Ozpin, who was walking with his cane and sipping on his mug. "I overheard you while I passed by." He says nonchalantly while I remain puzzled.

"Headmaster sir…why are you…" I try asking but he seemed to understand.

"Ah well after a few hours of paperwork, I decided to take a walk to think like you seem to have done." He walks over taking a spot to lean on before continuing.

"I have a few moments if you want someone to listen." He gazes at me as I feel rather awkward.

"Well, the choices aren't exactly an issue. No matter what I'll be happy with it, but someone else may be hurt from it and that is what makes it so difficult."

I rub my head with the towel as I look to the ground while Ozpin hummed, pondering the question. "Indeed, that does sound like an issue."

"To decide on one's own happiness or to keep a status quo…rather difficult." He swirls his mug slightly as steam rises out before he sips once more.

I look to him as he simply enjoys his drink. "It sounds easy, but if I do something the team could suffer for it and I would hate myself if I caused that."

Ozpin simply looked to the sky before words came from his mouth. "Well then why not find a new choice?"

My mouth opened slightly before closing again. "I don't think that choice would be better to do…" My face must have looked worried, as Ozpin started chuckling.

"Well, I know an old saying that relates to that." He looks to me with amusement in his eyes.

"A choice is not good or bad until it happens. It's only a harmless idea until given action." He looks to his watch with what I see as disappointment.

"I'm afraid I have to return now. Glynda was rather clear to get me back at exactly four." He starts walking down the path towards the tower before he turns his head.

"Never think something is impossible until you try. That way one won't live their life with regret." He slowly disappears once he reaches the doors leaving me outside.

'Until you try, huh?' I think to his words before I look to my dorm. "Well one way to find out."

I grab my gear and head back to my dorm with a more upbeat tune. I grab the handle and slowly open it seeing my team talking about something.

The noise died down when they all stopped and turned to me before I spoke.

"Did I miss something?" I ask as Ruby runs over to me with her cheerful grin.

"Were having a party!" she cheers with arms held in the air. I look over to the rest of the team for a more explained answer.

"We decided to have JNPR over tomorrow to celebrate the success of the trip and your recovery." Weiss explains as I nod my head in understanding.

"Yeah, we already messaged them so were going send you out to get things to prepare for the party." Yang says, entering the conversation. "Weiss and I are planning it, while You, Ruby, and Blake will get snacks."

"Aww, and here I was hoping to relax." I say with mock sadness when Ruby jumps onto my back with a giggle.

"No time for that, we need to get cookies!" she points to the door as I support her legs to keep her up.

"As you command, team leader." I say, earning a smile from her as I go out the door with Blake following after.

"So whose idea was this anyways?" I turn to Blake due to Ruby now daydreaming about the food she'll get to eat.

"Mostly Yang, but we all thought it would be a good way to enjoy the weekend. It's not bad to do this once in a while with everyone." She smiles softly as I give one back in kind.

"Glad to see you're smiling again. It's good to see your taking my words seriously." I smirk, making her slap my shoulder lightly before turning away.

"Between you and Yang's teasing I swear I don't know which is worse." She hisses at me and tries to act angry, though the small smile she is barely hiding ruins it.

Once we were over Ruby got back to her feet and sped around the shopping distract looking through the windows for something that enticed her.

Each stop she would take a second to press herself into the glass and look inside before hopping to the next one with a happy hum. 'Good god that cuteness is strong.'

"Hey, this one has a lot of choices!" she declared before rushing into the building she was at while Blake and I followed after in a relaxed walk.

The store itself was rather dull, but the aisles of food were of good selection. Ruby was already in the third row with a small basket of goodies to purchase.

"Ruby, just how much are you planning to get?" Blake asks as she inspects a few books by the window.

"Oh just something for everyone…" she replies with taking four bags of cookies from the shelf. I hummed and stared her down as she sheepishly put two back on the shelf. "You stink…"

I smirk walking up to her, placing a bag of chips into the basket. "If you're good I'll get you something later."

That seemed to make her happy from how she crushed her body into me with a hug. "I take everything back, you're the best!" I happily chuckle and stroke the top of her head before she skips off to the new row.

'She's too cute some days…' I think returning back to looking around which lead me over to Blake who was reading. "I thought we came for food?"

She looks up to me from her right. "This is food! Just for the mind." She states like it's a fact as I shake my head.

We spent a few more minutes shopping before checking out, leaving me with the job of bag holder. 'Yay me…'

Ruby took the lead once more, taking a second to inspect places to eat as Blake stood by me reading her newly purchased book.

Once I knew Ruby was far enough ahead I began to talk. "So Blake, about earlier today…" I slightly coughed as she only moved her eyes towards me.

"When we spoke earlier did you truthfully mean that you…." I trail off when her bow slightly twitches.

"Possibly Ulric… It's hard for someone not to notice you and think you're a great person." Her cheeks slightly tint red.

"So if I told you…that I would actually like that…would you accept?" I ask, looking at her as she was now stopped in place, her book nearly falling out of her hands.

"You mean you would want to…with someone like me?" she seemed to be in disbelief as I smiled and shake my head.

"Blake it's not someone like you, it's because it is you." I wait for a second watching her cheeks warm up even more. "However there is something that I must admit to before going over any line."

She seemed rather worried about it before I raised a hand to rub her cheek. "It's not you Blake, it's just like you said I had something to think about."

I look towards Ruby as I continue. "It's true that I've known Ruby and Yang for years knowing that they both felt something for me. I'd be lying if I said I didn't think Weiss had possible thoughts as well." I sigh looking down.

"I just didn't want to do anything that would ruin their relationship with me or with anyone else on the team…" looking over to Blake who I now stare at with a feeling of guilt and sadness.

"I know this will sound selfish of me but when it comes to any of you four I honestly can't make a choice of just one…" I lower my voice, feeling ashamed of admitting to something like that.

"So if you still want to, knowing how I feel and think then okay. But…" I try to continue but Blake holds a finger to my lips.

"Ulric, I'll admit that that is something I didn't see coming. It's not every day I hear a guy say they want not just one person but their whole team." She softly smiles as she explains.

"However Ulric, after the time I've been with you here at Beacon I feel like I know the kind of person you are." She wraps me in a hug and rests her head on my shoulder

"You always try to become a better person each day and you honestly care for those you love. You even gave someone like me a chance even though the world would shun me for what I've done."

She leans up to whisper into my ear as I start to turn slightly red form the closeness. "So if you're willing to accept all of my past…all of me, then it's only fair that I accept all of you too."

She pulls pack slightly to look at me as our eyes linger into each other's gaze. Our eyes slowly droop when our heads move close to each other, feeling our breath upon our faces when Ruby shouts out of nowhere.

"Hey you too, I found a shop to eat at! Hurry up!" she yells excitedly, waving over to us, causing both Blake and I to jump and distance ourselves. "What are you two doing?" she asks as we look to each other.

"Ulric had something stuck to his hair and I was getting it out." Blake quickly responds with hoping that it works.

"Ahh got it…But hurry up because I found where I want to eat!" she rushes into the door leaving us where we stood for a few seconds before sighing.

"Something tells me this is going to be quite the ordeal to handle…" I say reluctantly as Blake holds my shoulder.

"We'll you won't have to do it alone now." She says with a faint blush that made me smile.

[Likeness with Blake increased by 10, Status changed]

[Due to having a Lover you gain a new Perk]

Love's Blessing: With Love at your side you feel the power to grow even stronger [Bonus to EXP when near you lover]

"Yeah, you're right… thanks Blake" I stroke her cheek softly before heading after Ruby. "Let's enjoy ourselves then today." I comment back to Blake who nods amd follows after me inside with a happy smile and laugh.

Welp looks like Ulric has started his path of 'Conquest' I can only wonder how he will go about and how the others will react to it. Hope you like the early chapter. Since i had to make you wait an extra week i thought it fair to give this to you.

In the meantime I hope everyone is enjoying the story still. I didn't notice as many reviews, so I can only imagine if some people haven't read it yet or seemed displeased. However I look to the support and amount of followings to the story and I feel rather happy glad this became a story people enjoy.

So please send a review to comment or ask a question so I can improve or even explain situations to everyone. Thank you all so much

Feedback Panel

Ryan L. Spradling: I might think about it. Although I had something in mind for Ulric later.

runelt99: Ulric may be a mother hen to the teams worries, but oh man will they watch him like to a hawk whenever to goes out to do stuff. They may happen but before that even becomes relevant I have a few powers that will awaken sooner than later.

Guest:IDK you tell me if there will be Blake moments lol

Cf96: thanks. I felt really inspired writing this chapter. Im currently trying to decide if I ever want to do a multipart chapter sometime.

Dragon of the Blazeing Stars: Currently Ozpin and his father have asked directly of his semblance. No one knows fully what it is, and he is trying to keep it that way so information isn't leaked. Already the power to sense danger and predict it is something an leader would value to have which is why Ulric is considered a priority target.