I've read the revs before ready posting this chapter. Amused? More like regretting my inexperience on grammar mistakes. T_T

Yes, I'm not a fluent English speaker, but it shouldn't be an etched trait in nearly all released works either.

Apology of bad grammar would be unspoken and y'all already tired of my usual rant so...

Mr. Questioner, you have my deepest gratitude for pointing my glaring error once again into the spotlight. This is a great wake-up call. Yes, I do it for fun, but it is very insightful when my story are evaluated to this extent.

My free time getting thinner, so don't expect faster update after making sure it's readable on bare minimum. Phoenix is a legend for making this chapter a great read(we agreed drama sucks so expect next one to be lighthearted) for current plot points I've set up.

Oh, y'all saw that new RWBY anime trailer? Look, I'm not playing Devil Advocate here... but I would give it a chance?... on the first few episodes, as long they did it right.

Reminds me a bit, a cross of Fairy tail and Mushoku with its fantasy accent(... Did they seriously make it as inside joke for fairy tale comparison? Well played...) on brush techniques. Though, as far I am concerned, this is what I saw RWBY in my head and while writing my stories.

Well to the chapter, drama part? No more heavy stuff in next couple chap. XP

It just won't die, no matter I want it to be as 'uncomplicated' as I could. Those who still with me to this point, thank you so much for reading and be open to me regarding your opinion, and I hope you enjoy.

QA below as usual. Hope y'all enjoy~

oh ya I send this update using the app on android instead of PC ver cause it wouldn't let me upload the doc no matter I wait or retry, so take it with grain of salt that some issue on upload would bound to happen. Editing doc on phone is hard compared to PC one.

C.16 In reality, Acceptance is far easier than denying what couldn't be swallowed.

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."

― Lao Tzu

Putting it in perspective, 'What's good? What's bad? How can the two contradict the other's essence yet incapable to last when one went nonexistent?' This question persists not in the span of decades nor centuries. It has been around since Millennium.

The concept of good and bad are often than not questioned under knowing spotlight to simply be discussed or constructing a budding noteworthy argument.

Sometimes, that in and itself turns into a typical mundane conversation that interests others' engrossment. Used in multiple subjective and objective, casual and formal cases throughout humanity's growth.

If one were to define what 'good' is, the majority gravitate towards a noble moral conduct. The achievements of preferred goals on extraordinary paths, a satisfactory result from measured standards based on human scaling, comprehension, etc.

By default, good itself purely meant as a compliment after its classification of a grade in a mundane description, or as its namesake implies, a good kind of desired result.

Here's an example of acknowledging one's appearance; "You looked good, chin up and be proud! Show em what chu made of tiger!". Its purpose from simple affirmation of a subject presented him or herself in an acceptable manner from previously predetermined standards, shifted its meaning to a commencement of giving compliments.

The function remains to change, word good are adaptable on every presented situation. As 'bad' shared this identity in the somewhat opposite manner.

If good represents justice, bad represents evil. If one is positive, then others must be the negative. This particular conclusion born from a rather innocent conclusion of drawing its primary example into a vivid form. It has a clear distinction where these two lies as the foundation of principles. However,

The world was more of gray instead of black and white, but let's not get ahead of ourselves yet.

Reverting to the previous analogy, both are opposite. When one ceases to exist, the one remaining would follow almost instantly.

Why? Simple, if nothing is good, what's the bad for? If nothing is bad, then it's all good. Issue? It's self-explanatory, so I don't have to spell it out for those who had pieced it together.

Oh ya, I should've added moral and common sense to follow up that case… but let's keep it in the realm of two points before breaching to another topic. If an object is shown in both formal and informal environments. Another example of the concept would be this.

This apple is red, plump, round, fruity-sized, and juicy filling if their smooth, unblemished skin is peeled off by a cutting knife to reveal its white goodness to the naked eye. Captivating a person's appetite to urge in taking a bite. Thus, with these complimentary sentences used as description, this particular fruit will be counted good. No way, an amazing apple would be clarified as horrendous.

However, let us say… this apple, was picked up from a wooden box, where inside it were others of its plentiful homogeneous kind. Now, it wouldn't be much of a change, will it? Other than this is the best apple inside the box we had picked.

Then, how about we alter the word 'wooden box' to 'a dirty' or "a slightly broken wooden box", that couldn't contain all of its contents. How about if we add more information? That this box was filled by rotten apples harvested months ago, left behind on a corner of a shop untouched by the sunlight, eaten by insects and their like.

Those apples are bad. Conclusion, it was unacceptable to be consumed, right? Then the apple from before is automatically classified as greater to any of those fruit coming from the said wooden box. The result is it was the best apple inside the box remains unchanged.

Yet if we were to go a step further, the apple we labeled as good would be questioned for following the laid-out statement, why? We had established it's good, right? But…

Revert to 'wooden box of spoiled goods of monogamous fruit' description. It was stained by association. How can we trust anything that came from a dirty place be safe for consumption?

Is it truly as beautiful and enticing as we had judged before acquiring the knowledge of its source just because we grade it highly?

Good is often judged from one perspective, many often do without thinking too deeply as is the human mindset at times wasn't that open in accepting certain information at face value.

By the previous information, it's clear we're talking about a good apple owning multiple impeccable traits. Then shifted to bad because of the dirty wooden box, merging the two information sources created a different meaning to understand.

See? A simple construct of a rather advanced but remaining understandable discussion of a daily conversation. What's the answer then? Is the apple safe to consume? Let me know the answer later.

The concept of good and bad often expressed in the set of level intensity towards ongoing events. The situation from the speaker's point of view is the most basic example. To make everyone on the same page.

What is situation? Situation is a set of circumstances a person or a group of people find themselves in, a state of affairs transpiring in the materialistic world, a simple location around a person who deemed the environments needed to be addressed to in a conversation after a series of actions defined by internal and external triggers.

Then, how can a situation classified as good or bad?

Is it purely coming from the speaker's standpoint?

Affecting the people in its vicinity?

Is the lasting effect bearing a terrible conclusion?

Well…

Nothing went gone right,

All flowed down to the ditch unconditionally, akin to unhindered stream rapidly flowing towards the open drainage under a violent storm, simultaneously battering houses and trees alike.

Weiss snapped, throwing carefully instilled self-control into a violent bellow for the sake of unleashing her pent-up pettiness towards a brat who recently became the biggest thorn on her side. Her partner was anything but worth her time.

Something a certain blond-haired sister, who she has failed to be wary of, wasn't going to turn a blind eye to.

Yang's explosive response can be summed up as a fiery stove, ready to enlarge all in a Beowolf's savageness, copying the snarling crimson irises, gritting teeth begging to be freed for protecting the self-worth of her sister who was colored the same as her currently vindictive pupil's.

Before she could possibly try and incinerate everything in a five-foot Radius with the perpetrator of her catastrophic rage in the center.

Blake threw her book in time to distract the enraged blond and prevent her in creating additional catastrophic disorder by her hands (With a future mental thanks of gratitude from both Port and Goodwitcth). Then vigorously stopping her partner with an Aura augmented strangle by the abdomen and left shoulder from behind, with the sudden steeled yank manages to prevent any broken splinters flying in all directions when said brawler jumped to the table.

She didn't escape without black eyes unfortunately; Yang threw her head back in retaliation as a reflex. Her grunts of pain were left ignored for indulging the howling demand of releasing her to deliver an, from her censored colorful language, overdue ass kicking to snap the stick stuck in the prideful *bleep* bottom together with the ribcage and spine to next year.

Ruby, who's terrified and shocked beyond normal reasoning, chased the fuming Heiress who had rendered the classroom into an absolute stillness of an equal horrifying comeback in a flurry of showering rose petals. Both directed towards her and Yang as troublesome pains in the ass but in a whole new elevated meaning.

Port felt he had been smacked across the face upside down when the perfect representation of flipping the bird in the most violent tension happened in his class, none other by a person he had convinced was eager to learn and ready to accept her shortcomings.

Followed by a cursing storm that he has to admit made him blushed from descriptive promise the hot head would certainly deliver had Belladonna not rise up to the peacekeeper role.

If it wasn't enough, it somewhat sparked a chain reaction into the drowsy population. All sorts of emptiness and attentiveness born swiftly as eyes could discern, slowly morphed itself into growing sets of apprehension and interest of a drama worthy sight.

Those in the upper lane weren't hiding their open startlement, two teams were avidly gossiping the possibilities on what had made the next owner of SDC lose her refined upbringing and instead thundering like a dumped girlfriend on revenge. Totally unbecoming of a girl her prestige to lose her composure so easily.

Team CDRL and GOLD on the other hand had simply stared at one another in pure confusion, had yet to settle in what made the rich girl from Atlas so angry after a great nap when suddenly incited chaos below ran its course, ready to jump in if the desk was broken by a rage filled slam Xiao Long ready to dish out.

Members of team NPR such as Pyrrha and Nora had voluntary joined the fray stopping Yang's warpath by switching roles in Blakes position grabbing the blond leg and abdomen as well.

Ren finally doused the growing flame by bringing back order, raising his Semblance to influence the classroom population to prevent the spreading emotion spike more than it currently is while conveying his apologies to the stunned professor to let his Semblance influence take place, even though it wasn't as potent in this situation as it did during the initiation as the large number of people he had to influence burned his Aura reserves at a faster pace.

His supposed interference roused Port from daze had brought back attention to him in one loud command, rendering those who has yet to close their mouth, including Yang, to sweet quietude.

Though the Professor had quelled the igniting sparks. He quickly bored his students once more, who yet again makes one wonder how he pull it off so easily, to sleepiness by drawing a winded story what would he do had they continued the chat by taking them to his office for detentions one by one on the first day of school. Oh, it was menacing, but his boisterous nature flexing his teacher's pride dampened the supposed effect.

Why it is unlikely he would do it on first day of school, drawing reference of his life and friends experience, threat of dumping them on Professor Goodwitch or Pierot who's a math teacher and wouldn't hesitate to ask him giving them math homework that needed to be submitted in his class, which supposedly tomorrow they haven't enter yet he could made exception. Yada yada yada…

All in one giant rambling that knocked Nora and Ren out cold from the waking world in on their seats. Openly snoring as they don't care anymore after blatantly copying Jaune's note (which is clean and rather neat for male handwriting). Blake glaring her partner in open disapproval by rubbing her black eye, who wasn't guilty in the slightest and vowed to kick the Heiress' ass when the chance arise after a long yawn from how boring the warning is, while Pyrrha sending an 'I'm sorry' smile to everyone in the class.

The action had the effect of slightly giving them a warm sensation inside their chests that the champions smile would be so apologetic yet encouraging them at the same time. Its... its kind of cute… how? … She's supposedly a strong, graceful fighter.

Honestly? They're peeved Weiss is so up-stuck and perfectionist to a fault, she blamed her fault to her leader for the mistake it was clearly her own not focusing on task on hand by kept glancing back and forth between the angry Grimm and the excited classroom.

Sure, it was embarrassing to mess up spectacularly on the first day of school after coming in late while failing her skill exhibition. They understood as an unspoken rule to avoid cringe worthy school life.

But she didn't have to yell that hard and brutal to her partner in the next second, who they note, wasn't focusing as much as them, but did send a rather encouraging logical tips though her voice is a bit high pitched.

After taking worrying shots at her age and noisiness, wishing her to be disappear from her vision was a bit too... prideful.

Leaders including Cardin, surprisingly, are sending silent cheers to the youngest girl in their peers to have such troublesome partner and members with the unwritten condition of having to survive a long four years. Plus, jealously, they could bail early from this boring class because having a legit reason to escape the room through the front door.

That Blunderbuss on the wall became so tempting to use on their own temples by the second.

Now, was this development good or bad?

If we put it in perspective again. Numerable arguments would be bound to happen, points would be brought up to debunk others and their own from available interpretations. Please, feel free to comment if there are any opinions regarding the matter, this is merely an out of topic discussion I'm wondering to see the answer of.

Regardless,

They had missed how three students went missing from the classroom until the bell rang. Not two, three.

The last person who followed the White Princess and Red Reaper, is none other than Jaune Arc.

RWBY wasn't an exactly a cohesive team when putting it nicely. Under intense discernment, it might work on a basic level had there been no initial bad blood between said members under a watchful environment.

Yang, brash boastful femme fatale, Blake, analytical goth, Weiss. prideful perfectionist, and Ruby, being the youngest and brightest(read:naive).

These types of members would clash a lot no matter the excuse, considering 'who' their partner is. Opposite attract has its limit and just couldn't be thrown out there without proper familiarization.

Yes, Blake would keep Yang in line and the blond would try making her as sociable as her. This could also apply to Ruby and Weiss dynamic to loosen up or decisive, but here's the kicker.

Blake was the type who won't act unless it was mandatory to get her hands dirty as it long it involved her in some way. Yang's devil may care would bite her in the future in the form of responsibilities she's been ignoring, Weiss could use a lesson in humbleness on her hierarchal world view.

Ruby? What about her?

Sure, they could technically dismiss Weiss being a know-it-all knowing where she comes from. Yang and Ruby might have goofed up a bit too much in class, after all, they're the one who made the chaos in their own dorm quite... not catastrophic.

Blake technically shouldn't read her por-one of her cultured books in class if she's that bored either, but in all fairness. Why had Weiss directly targeted her and her alone before adding Yang?

Why had her words callously dismissed?… Yes it is her role to ask what is was wrong with her attitude, yet-

"-So far you've been a nuisance! You are a leader! The team's head and spine! But you never act like one!" Cut her a slack, it has been one day.

She only want to help...

"Well don't! Your useless advice distracts me from my focus! I have a better solution to all of your needless energy! Do you know what it is?! That is not trying at all! Was a single action so difficult?!"

Done… Nothing?… How does that even work?

"Precisely! Nothing! Like everyone's expectations! Your sister should be aware if she wasn't blinded by favoritism putting a pedestal RWBY could be led by a gratuitous idiot!"

What?…

But… Weiss, had seen what she capable of.

Against the Nevermore? Teamwork, they pulled together as a team?… Where's the promise of working together?

There must be a purpose why she was appointed as on-

"Shut up! Your sister is a obstinate git, gun-blazing to a crisis without plan, 'Do first, think later' gal! She's the most detrimental dimwit to be appointed as one! Listen to that muffled mental roar! That woman needs anger management classes before any of those dunderheads sue that git for needless violence and ear damage! Do you think that adrenaline junkie realized you're but a waste space selected on that podium?!"

'Hey! Take that back! Yang might have her shortcomings! But she's my sister no matter what you want to label her! This between you and me Weiss! You being this spiteful wasn't much of a leader material either!'

"..." Why did the retort stuck?

"Blake is so uncaring, I wouldn't be surprised that she would straight up resign, and give it to someone else who understood the weight of being in charge!" That… Might be true…

"But you?... You're the worse out of three options. A dreamer, clueless, overloading peppiness, and blinded by shallow idealism, a simpleton. And Naive beyond saving is not what a leader should possess…" Weiss' scorn stabbed deep.

"I refuse. Working on a team, where my supposed leader, who doesn't understand the weight of being a Huntress, goof off instead of taking notes regarding what matters when deployed on field!" Tirade inflicted wounds were far worse than any physical graze,

"On the first day! First day! Is Beacon a kindergarten?! ARE you Testing my patience?! Because it was working!" Weiss hysterically asked as she shakes her index finger in front of her.

"Does "serious" exist in that small dictionary filled with nothing but self indulge fantasy of heroic worship?! I have disciplined myself! Study really hard to be the smartest! Perfecting my abilities to be a model Huntress!" No lies or deception mixed in those storm of verbal onslaughts.

"Not a single obstacle will bring me down! Especially in a form that actively mocks my effort, patience, and position! It's not about what happened this morning anymore! I refuse, to be in a team, with clowns! Did you find the sentence understandable?! Should I dumb it even further?! If I am going to be a teamless unit, then so be it!"

She…

Was this serious?... Where this anger coming from?...

It hurts.

"Unable to see why I am mad?... Rejoice for proving my main point, Dolt." Weiss…

It hurts.

Why?…

"Hump, Frankly speaking... It must be a stupid reason the Headmaster appointed you as a leader when you had the sharpness of a dulled blade. Are you really lived that far inside the bubbles?" We-well… She defeated bad guys, that should be counted, right?

Right?...

It hurts.

"Torchwick and his band of misfits? *Scoff* that flair-searching troublemaker is nothing more but a performer, a dangerous performer, who won by glamorously 'running away'. Stealing literal metric tons of Dust and Atlas equipment under the military nose before dwell in his work in Vale's underbelly. Your prowess might be enough for thugs and mindless Grimm. But against me?… any other seasoned Huntsmen? Your sister and Blake?… A criminal registered on government's hit list for years? You're nothing when one well-placed attack can smash your aura flat had they bypass that overzealous speed."

No…

Take that back… Uncle Qrow spared his precious day-offs for her. She has yet to disappoint him. There's no way she's below average claiming top fifth position of Signal's overall mock combat class.

It hurts.

She's desperate to voice a scathing riposte out of gradually withering throat, anything to stop the sharp choke twisting her gullet inside out. And Crescent Rose is the best… Why does she have to go barehanded when she has her best weapon in grasp-

"-Should I? You might stop 'one', of his heists, but you didn't see the bigger picture where you could've gotten killed without Professor Goodwitch bailing you out from trouble, preventing your useless feet incinerated with Arc had he not take the initiative. That impulsive behavior almost gets you and civilians around you killed without anticipating imminent danger."

...

…What?

"Newsflash, reason Arc sticks close because you're the first person alive he talked to in Beacon as kindred spirits, not because he wanted to be your friend or oblige to your laughable fantasy without seeing reality past it."

No… She has done the right thing, right?…

The shopkeeper is safe, the attempt is thwarted. Bad guys jailed, it was a good job. Right?...

Jaune is her friend, he… Couldn't stick around just because that's the only reason… Surely?

"No one catches Torchwick because police here are incompetent?... Oh for great founder of Hunters society. Tone down that inflated balloon ego. Atlessian military labeled him as a dangerous 'apprehend on sight' not because us consistently upheld military code unlike Vale's 'loose' jurisdiction." If Weiss' harrumph is any indication, she tried her best to remain 'civil'.

"Had my warning escape from your left ear like every other time, drill this. You didn't thwart him, but played right into his hand. Torchwick is been a menace far longer than your time for proper practice. Slipping away even if the heist was a bust, is considered a lost on law enforcement side for not caught him behind bars." Was… Was it true?...

"Screwing up and preventing his latest escapade putting him on an alert schedule so he would be harder to track? Shot out in middle of night disturbing public's safety without proper reasons than you are merely there? Arc must be the one picking up the pieces by leading the shopkeeper away from incoming 'brawl'? Narrowly managing to avoid further incident when a certain person destroying someones' roof as local CNN news informed the goons neatly tied no thanks to your intervention but his who rejected an interview for avoiding eyes tracking his movement?"

Oh… Oh my gosh… She… She didn't mean to-!

"Reason why you're not apprehended for 'playing heroes' is because combat students are permitted to act in such situation before it escalate than mere street disturbance, Arc's swift handiwork lessen that penalty considerably for neutralizing local mafia under that thief command, which you had caused in the first place not counting property damage had you think things properly. Grow, up! Be thankful you remain underage that the law still protects you!" That word, why everything must go back to her ag-

"Listen to what I say, walking wall!" The curt roar cuts the thought off clean as fresh sheets.

"No responsible Huntress in training or thinking human being, regardless of age, jumped straight into danger without further plan by dismissing incoming consequence because your moral compass screaming 'I have to do good because I have to'! Did my last statement escaped your maximum ability to comprehend?!"

… No, she can't be wrong…

What is an aspiring hero if they neglect ongoing injustice?

"Oh, whoever out there that made me sit through this, please-! help me to implant logic into this dolt's stupid brain! Your dream is stupid!"

No… Her dream is not stupi-!

"Yes it is, If 'everyone can stop crime including you, then the police and Huntsmen wouldn't need to exist! Because there wouldn't be no one left to save!" Her mind grinded to a halt.

"And by that reasoning, it's okay if underage kids with same half baked aspirations carry knives around to protect themselves playing 'hero' in the middle of shot out if they have Aura!? We should protect civilians! Not weaponize them! And you, so called aspiring justice keeper, can resolve things by swinging that gardener tool when you can call the cops and evacuate bystanders by not breaking the glass and inviting a show of barbarity!"

She… Has no rebuttal for that…It tore at her, Weiss is right. And she wanted her to be wrong to defend the idea of a heroic deed...

"... I must admit that creative mindset made two of us put aside our differences. You are manageable as long that drive did not wane or clogged by sudden rush of immaturity."

Then-!

"-Recklessly jumping hundreds feet in the air on top of flying Grimm, never waiting for others' conclusive opinions or listening direct order regardless who it is, lacking patience and subtlety- Ow, I forgot, had I struck a nerve you'll never achieved both?"There's no hiding the flinch of pain regarding her weakest virtue.

"Don't be so full of yourself that we can work together when you couldn't fix your issue but want to me 'compromise'." Is… is this what Weiss see?…that she's trying to deal a half-baked bargain and not trying to work together?

It hurts.

"It almost cost us my-no. Everyone's acceptance to Beacon by a stupid squabble you had started! Feats you believed as 'cool' are hazardous! Even for professional Huntsman's standards. If Arc wasn't there to snap both of us out by holding that Grimm before kicking it sky high, we would have continued to argue, deducting our scores and sending you back to kindergarten for troublemakers with kiddies glove back on!"

…

"And that's if both of us alive! He had prevented an escalation between SDC and Vale population in general for unable to secure safety of SDC's successor! I'M genuinely surprised we're accepted knowing my performance is lower to normal standard, no thanks to your intervention!"

…

"Speak a word, surely using metaphor of walking wall is not- ooooooh~… pardon me; I finally see the real purpose of these indifference of vandalism… Perhaps because it's not too expensive to pay the reconstructing fee out of your own pocket?~ Is that it?"

What-!?

"So this what you meant you are related to Xiao Long capricious tendency. She has ALL the money for excessive hair products and customized explosive shotgun rounds, using that left over stipend covering the damage cause by her 'oopsies' wouldn't be much of a stretch, wouldn't it?… my, What a hypocrite, labeling me using money as a wiper when she had done the same. Didn't she boast destroying a bar last night? It certainly... illustrate, a neatly weaved picture, why she's still here instead being on detention center. Don't you think so?"

No- That is not why-!

"Ow… My biggest apologies, that was very rude of me assuming such uncouth presumption; or what can be called 'Assuming' if you earn the outgoing hotheadedness gene, which is a stretch and not the case… Being too socially destructive to hold a simple, easy talk, and all." Weiss carefully placed her fingers in front of her lips, recreating a mocking gasp from plain view.

"You see, my environment from a wealthy family altered my perception of currency. I am aware, of my rather high status compared to lower class society. Being the daughter of a rich corporate CEO made me often forget a Huntress' paycheck, including the trainee's, is 'Richer' than civilians with their habits buying ammunition and maintenance of equipment." And it's true, Huntsmen in general was paid well and swimming in money compared to general populaces .

"I've overlooked lampposts created in Vale are far cheaper than my hometown. That's one-tenth of the cost of the installation of a small apartment, I presumed? Maybe a little higher because of Vale's aesthetic design?"

…

"So does the asphalt, walls, roofs, Reinforced window, and high amount of Dust resource went unsellable by the heist you can obviously cover from the allowance exaggerating what you call baby?"

…No, that's no-

"Don't think I am ignorant by having stick two rigidly huge stick stuck inside my bottom Xiao Long colorlessly exclaim. I'm the Heiress of my family company, its next successor; keeping up with news by giving it a full two pages review is a simple task placating old men's in fancy vest named it politics." Weiss grate through gritted teeth.

"If I say leadership skill of yours is worthless, I mean it. Never in slightest assume I'm a sheltered princess for there never enough of my time assessing others mistakes which can easily be resolved if they had a fully functioned brain cell."

…Stop… Please…

"Why should I? I'm only telling you the truth? You're an idealistic incompetent idiot, my apology for not getting to the point to waste my precious time on you."

Make it stop…

"He was a fool, but Arc has the skill to back his talking. He might dress like a delinquent, yet he was far readier than you or your sister combined when we're pinched by two elder Grimm. He deserves to be a leader of his team and partnered up with Pyrrha Nikos, kicking all seven of us in gear in imminent danger. You?..."

Stop-!

"-Headmaster made a mistake to not let me lead the team. No, he made a terrible mistake to let you step to Beacon." But… Headmaster Ozpin-

"-there's a team far stronger, far better than we are. Better than RWBY will ever be when the year has yet to begin." Weiss never let the younger girl utter a single rebuttal in return. Fully compelled to cold indifference instead of flaring anger.

"'Open your eyes, stop treating all of this as a one massive game you can win one day, Rose." Weiss spitefully usher her name, and it was a sure fire method letting the statement sink.

Then thin fingers wrapped her collar button, bringing her face closer to hers, chilling frost grazed her as the words grazed to her mind for years to come. One that would take her life away as her heart did stop beating in that instant.

Piercing Cyan dominating withering Silver.

"You're unfit for real Huntress' life, we're taught how to fight Grimm and criminals that break laws under legal contracts sealing our actions on a piece of paper." Her barbed breath exhaled hissing venom on agape lips.

"We are here to fight Grimm for fees. Not a grand dramatized tale sell as books, not for upholding ideals Headmaster claimed, but business. REAL world is not a fairy tale you can freely emulate," The bomb was too much, there's no words Ruby could fight back as a retort.

Pragmatic to the core, denying the stories her mother and uncle narrate upholding moral which was expensive and spreading it to those who needed it is a noble thing to achieve in this unforgiving world.

The warm turned to chilled vapors, dried instantly in her mouth.

This, is what she must face from now on?

"We won't be heroes, and you're far to incompetent to reach that bottom height, face it..." Hearing the final nail in the coffin cracked open her last defense, it's her dream, her motivation, she had train very hard to reach this level, yet…

Is Ruby blind to how the Huntsmen and Huntress world is all about? She can not believe it, there's no way the world would be this dark, yet if she denied it.

She'll be back to a kid throwing tantrums, wanting to be right even if her answer is not.

Did Ruby treat all of this as one big game?… her fingers touch the place where Weiss tugged her by the collar.

The Heiress flicked her hand aside before walking away, visibly spotted as a young woman who throw her pet away inside a dingy cardboard box; intolerant enough to deal with the puppy as it only did was nothing but disappointment.

"-There's a former soldier who led an improvised squad after saving thousands of lives, a Huntress who understands the weight of genuine infiltration. A Hunter, who challenged the impossible hurdle that is Vale Headmaster, all by himself, on top of a burning bullhead. Not to mention far overly disadvantaged right from the start. Our 'generation' Rose. We may act like defenders of weak, but it was a silent agreement we never voiced it out loud," Weiss stopped, glanced over her shoulder, cold sneer reserved for garbage stood in her way, sending waves of invisible frosts.

"Do you think you deserve to be here?" She… She should, everyone can step into Bea-

[-all I see, is wasted energy.] -!?

[-in need of purpose, direction.] … no way.

The orientation, the speech. Ruby grabbed her head, nails digging through the scalps, failed to disperse the memory.

[-You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far-]

Everyone could apply to Beacon. Be skilled enough, be smart enough, be strong-

[-It is up to you to take the first step.]

…

Ozpin's right, Beacon is not a goal. No matter how high and unattainable. It's just another stairway.

Their first step…

"…" Ruby didn't see it.

She was swayed by the inspirational quotes and hope-giving speech, entirely dismissing the former cryptic message without batting an eye.

"...-!" Ruby set Beacon academy as a life goal, a few years away from aspiring hero back she had chased after for so long, like her mom. Attending the best combat school in Vale would aid her in that goal.

Saving others across the kingdom as able to get in best school in Vale would let her claim that duty in a few years time. Going on adventure to kill Grimm and help those in need.

"Hic-!…" Another weak hiccup.

Ruby Rose was far behind everyone else.

Enshrouded by a safe environment and love. Not made for the true violence plaguing Remnant's world for decades.

She's good, but not a monster.

"..." Yes, a Monster.

Mouth gaping and closing, unsure what to do.

There's no room for normal humans in front of walking disasters. The Headmaster of Beacon being the top, serving Vale as her strongest Huntsmen.

"..." And he had lost to a candidate enlisted as the school's strongest first year this 'generation'.

Knees began to buckle, drawn to one another.

A vulnerable twitch solidified the statement into an undisclosed premonition.

Sensation of swallowing unsealed bottle of pepper without anything to accompanied it pervaded her throat horribly, Weiss was right, she's not qualified to be a leader, nor stepping her foot to Beacon.

She's far too weak compared to the titans that Yang would bow down to when pushed to shove…

Not this time. Not with this extent of determination.

So she ran.

A zip of wind fled, farther as each meter crossed into the distance. Breeze of subsiding dash follow its creator to unrecognizable speck. A trail of rose petal scattered in its absence.

"Finally," the princess elegantly flicked her hair to the side in unfeeling scoff.

Who had thought the man overseeing Beacon could be so blind? No. Perhaps his yesterday's theatrical wanting students to one up themselves was the first cue of the opening speech was more than it should be, that it was up to her taking the first step.

"Honestly," then Headmaster Ozpin Could've been less inscrutable.

Nevertheless, it was an effective push for her. Dilly-dallying wouldn't aid her progress for achieving the current goal she must accomplish.

Knowledge and skill could only carry so far, what matter is being proactive to harness growing skill to a greater height. Students must be prepared before taking over a pro's work.

Slacking off as future protector of humanity shouldn't mess around, like the two dunce sisters that giving her no end of newfound migraine.

Weiss construe Headmaster's method slapping each person awake was unique, all they needed is a little push to the right path. It's a shame that incompetence has to her first steppingstone.

Side notes for the future; emulating first year top swordplay had a been a blunder on her part, his robust and decisive footwork wasn't made for her elegant step to utilize her semblance. That range dash with stabbing lunge must've been a Dust imbuement on his sword, lighting it up to create shockwave must've been his mastery for that particular sword style.

A rapier is different to a longsword by a large margin. Finding a way to safely and efficiently mimic his swift palm exchange with sudden dash without the use of a Glyph would prove useful on her arsenal.

Extra training planning with body exercise for conditioning can't be neglected as well. Truly, that simpleton wouldn't think this far other than intensive battle training with one specialized weapon and fooling around all day.

Maybe this is why she was placed here when the man stroked his nonexistent beard, to make her think deeply of this team standing than taking anything by face value.

"As expected of me, nothing come close to myself than the champion herself." Now all left to do is-

"So you're done?" An alto voice stopped her in tracks, the owner is someone familiar.

"Is eavesdropping one of your Hobbies Arc?" Weiss flatly glanced from her shoulder, directing that gaze to a person that idly leaned on the wall on the hallway intersection.

"Hardly, though in this case, I'm nearly glad for overhearing everything." He's unimpressed, the draped blazer on shoulder with crossed hand amplify his taller frame to come out as authorative if nothing else. Shadow mildly casted on his eyes only hid his furrowed brow, but not the flat lips he currently depicts.

"Ten seconds to explain yourself." She fired without waiting.

"Not a minute?" He raised a brow.

"Eight." Weiss counted. Just how well did he hide?

"Eavesdropping is purposefully listening to ongoing conversation, stumbling into it by accident is not one." Jaune rolled his eyes, wholly unabashed of her threat. The Heiress was slightly perplexed, he was too calm, like handled for sounding in charge.

"Everything?" Weiss prodded, crossing her arm in front of her chest in moment of too late.

"Hmmm… Including SAO being freshmen strongest team, and reminding Ruby she's the youngest student. I guess you can say almost everything." Jaune easily admitted. Although pretending to mull it over by glancing upwards. She almost couldn't read his intention if not for his connection to the dolt.

"Do you realize it's still considered one for listening in?" Weiss raised her voice, threatening query transformed into a demand.

"Are you going to sue me for doing that?"

"I just might." Zero hesitation.

"For someone who praised me highly to put Ruby down in her place, that's some cold treatment." Jaune lightly grumbled and forgo his loose attitude by standing up straight. One hand on his pocket while the other weaved to the side conveying his observation of Weiss merciless outburst.

"Watch it Arc, you're testing my patience." A true testament of today's obstacle for the SDC heiress.

"Sorry, didn't mean to." He was truthful on that apology, but it didn't come out as sincere as Weiss heard when nonchalantly shrugged his arms upward.

"-but I'm wondering whether this is a good thing or a bad thing." He added the follow up to finish his sentence.

"Suing you this very second?"

"I'm talking about giving her a dose of reality after thrown out spite, so please spare me from dealing with men in fancy tuxedos." Geez, this woman needs to calm down about flaunting her materialistic threat. Jaune called out inside his head.

"I can still blame you for the groping you did back in the Emerald Forest." Wow, she can hold a grudge.

"Still can't thank me for saving you from those bypassed shenanigans?" That came out as a mock than ice breaking joke he previously aimed.

"Why should I? Your hands groped me in unspeakable-"

"-Your upper back and knees to keep you from hitting the ground hard." He dutifully supplied.

"Unspeakable." She didn't lose her momentum.

"I already said sorry didn't I? Is gratitude an expensive commodity up north?" Let it be known he was sweating bullets on that accusation.

"Be thankful my lawyer hasn't flown here to kick you off to court this very second." Weiss was not joking.

"Absolutely relieving for knowing what my answer is." He snark in a bit of heat, a little bold taking Eugeo's bluntness in that mere second. Surprising even himself where Weiss rolled her eyes. Not rising to the bait.

"I praised you enough today, don't made me lick my spit, as I certainly wouldn't acknowledge you any higher than I already did. Know your place." Weiss huffed to the side, sheer arrogance of knowing his presence would always below her suddenly cracked how Jaune had seen her from collected young lady.

"Thank you for the vote of confidence." Jaune kept his face straight as the tension rose.

"I'm praising you enough Arc. No one had properly praise you than your family I suppose?" Her taunt was actually hitting the bullseye, and Jaune was way too pissed to take literal shot to his pride.

"Now, excuse me." Weiss informed while flicking her ponytail to the side.

"I'm not in the mood to entertain your attention seeking attempt, I have matter to attend, see you around." Weiss soles clucked on the flat surface, ready to leave the hallway towards the man in charge of Beacon team assignments.

"Who said I wanted attention?" Jaune retort tore the silence she had created, stopping herself to properly glimpse to his direction.

"That Vaunting said it all."

"Define vaunting." Jaune almost scoffed, this girl was on highest totem of pettiness pole. Sable wasn't this vindictive when rubbed off the wrong way, and that's on a good day.

"Boast about praise, especially since I've been talking about you before. Desperate for more?" Jaune blood temperature slightly rose from the taunt of Weiss' supposed sarcasm, but he squashed it in a resigning sigh of consideration.

"Not for Ruby?"

"...point." Even without her being around, there's no saving for her reputation in the Heiress' eyes.

"So its not a comparison after all?"

"Hmph, it seems there's a reason why you're different from others." Weiss said after a bit of observation to his tall frame from head to toe after properly turned her body to face him. Jaune soon walked to her while stuffing his hand on his pocket.

"Did I Finally break the ice?" Jaune smirked at the long last effort to crac-

"Please, for the love of my ancestors' sake, tell me that pun is purely unintentional." Weiss eyes couldn't be more blank than it already is. Ready to unleash her semblance, consequence be damned.

"... Yes, yes it was." Jaune reported in flat intonation. He had to admit, that sound alright on his mind.

"Thank goodness. If you blonds were just Yang metamorphosized, I would lose it." Weiss shook her head while continue walking to her destination. Resigned that Jaune wouldn't leave her alone for typical reasoning man like him should fulfil, he's like that girl on the core after all.

"Careful, Weiss. That claim might be somewhat racist." Jaune softly chided, convincing himself there was enough space between them not to cause more discomfort than it already is.

"Me? Racist? Hardly." Weiss loudly huffed, her? That's him being uninformed. She only said what often preceived.

"Don't group all blonds as brash hotheaded as Yang, it's the same as calling all Faunus evil as the current White Fang." He calmly informed, while it is kind of true that blond or Caucasian often share different ideas while never meeting each other to some degree, that bias might've grown from her strict environment.

"Because all of the White Fang are terrorists." She firmly stated, her gaze more penetrative compared than it was before. The exact one she made to slapped Ruby verbally to be realistic and not stupidly ignorant.

This is the unmoving gaze Weiss equipped to state a belief that would take years to mellow out, Jaune noticed it in an instant.

"Yes, but only the organization." He threaded carefully, the pause of his rephrase filled by tapping noise of their slow walk to the center of campus.

"It doesn't mean those Faunus who never joined White Fang deserve to be associated with them for being born that way, no?" He tried to be as diplomatic as he possibly could without angering the girl than already is, even though it was worth the blood vessel delivering the exact treatment as karma making her see past the own created arrogance.

"What's with today? Late to class, That Dolt being terribly irking, snapping her out from stupid daydreams, and now you who I had thought was decent was talking about painting the White Fang in an impossibly new light." Weiss growled, yet sufficiently stay diplomatic even her tone of voice said otherwise.

"Well that's how life is, you can't perfectly control it." Jaune dropped the issue entirely before it exploded on his face. That one issue could be mingled later.

"Wrong choice of words Arc, we can control our lives." Weiss argued, taking a step farther to keep their distance from one another. Drilling the idiot that you can always dictate how your life would be and not chained by stupid shackle.

"We can, but not everything is controllable Weiss. We didn't choose how we born and how we grow up, you as a Heiress and Pyrrha as a champion." He calmly counters in a persuasive but diplomatic tone.

"We were born for it, there's a flaw in your reasoning." Weiss huffed and flicked her hair to her back.

"Born, sure. ready? Like, literally?"

"Of course not."

"Then why do you sound like you could?" Jaune innocently said, an invisible thread snapped.

"... Are you mocking me now?" Weiss asked lowly, nearly inaudible.

"Nope, I'm just really surprised you're this antsy when all you could've done was nicely asking Ruby to handle her position by bringing her here by letting you do the work while she quietly sat in the corner after a cookie bribe." A lull happened. Jaune felt an awkward atmosphere descended between the two of them as they silently walk.

"..." nothing malicious or mind blowing happened.

"..." Just a pure lull of calm realization.

"Tch, why didn't I think of that?..." That click of tongue is quite prominent.

"Anger most likely." She didn't think that far? Ruby is that gullible. He suckered her for a mock date and still hasn't noticed it was all for a single crêpe.

"It makes us lose our frosty composure. And I swear, I didn't meant that one as a pun." He backed away from Weiss' primal stare. That sounded really good in his head, why she's so mad about it? He prays Yang would not stir the hornet nest much later knowing Ruby is crying somewhere by a girl he is currently conversing with.

"Whatever. I'll let that slide, yet I doubt she would understand what is happening when I'm having my talk." Weiss dismissed, even if she agreed. Ruby would barely any help on making that happened than standing around not understanding what is being discussed.

"So you won't give her another chance?" Jaune remind, not asked. Still thinking she's not that simple hearted when could kill Grimm on weekly interval.

"No, she's useless. Her chance already long passed." Weiss affirmed, Jaune noticed the slight crack.

"Why? Hadn't she proved herself to be capable when not acting rash? Just piece of reminder Ruby can decimate a pack of Beowolves if she plays it smart." So he pushed.

"Uuurk, that's the issue. She's incapable to be patient." Let it be known that Weiss detested imperfection, raised to be the perfect lady at the ball and the inheritor of Remnant's biggest flourishing company.

"We are literally Seventeen Weiss, she's fifteen. I really hoped you didn't forget that..." Jaune said, sweat dropping after stopping in front of the elevator, just right in front of door after Weiss pressed the button.

"Reinforcing my argument she doesn't belonged here, Arc." Weiss fiercely returned.

"Being two yea-"

"-this life isn't for half baked individuals who thought life is a massive game she can win just by reaching her goal, I'm sick of those people." Weiss bit to the side, those noble brats that earn their allowance to do whatever they wanted are one of biggest example she hated.

"Age is not her only drawback now?"

"Acting that age, is the prominent reason why her leadership is garbage at best." Weiss did not hold back, a kid could hardly do adults job no matter how talented they are.

Investors leaning on diamond sculpted canes, widows of all ages gossiping behind her backs, disgusting stares of middle aged men seeing her as a brand, her father's greedy and controlling nature. He knows nothing, she know nothing of what she been through to get here.

She's sick of it, and Ruby being oblivious had break the camel's back.

"So you hate her for being positive?"

"No, I detest simple optimistic behavior when you should've see things realistically instead of ideally the way she envisioned, don't you see it?" She questioned, honesty on every syllable.

"She's unfit, socially awkward, and a huntress shouldn't be those two if they want to be defenders of the weak." The Heiress grind her teeth in clear disapproval.

"Again, she's fifteen Weiss." Jaune sighed out loud, not moving his hands from his pocket after its initial intention to hid his sweating palms.

"I'm awar-"

"That's the point." Jaune stated while maintaining his flat expression. Her world view is thoroughly conceited, if not, full of supremacist mindset. Weiss is, surprisingly, simple on the inside.

"Huh?"

"Because she's fifteen,"

"Don't repeat what I already know Ar-"

"And why did you treat her like she's an official huntress knowing she's no different from any freshmen that got into this school? And suddenly thrust into a leadership situation without nothing to be their safety float?" Jaune simply pointed out, it was honestly what Weiss been saying and acting towards her partner.

It might sound she's being entirely arrogant and petty on smallest detail, but in the end its about how she wanted her to be better than being who Ruby is now.

"Ruby doesn't know anything about how scuffed Hunter work can be, you've seen those videos, right?" It's not a question, but affirmation.

"All of us did Weiss, She couldn't grasped it all, hell I wasn't when knowing at times impossible is in our job description." Jaune shrugged, he doubted he would've been able to do a simple mission if the difficulty of their duty would be that hard.

"Get to the point Arc." Weiss subtly growled, wanting to end what he preludes. Jaune simply sighed and looked her directly in the eye.

"You're right for scolding Ruby for ruining your focus, you're right for making her see past her dream that things could always go her way if she tries hard enough couldn't happen all the time," Tone of worried older brother backing him up along the way.

"You're right for drilling into her head that she's not leader material when she's nothing but a good kid with growing virtues and is about someone who wanted to do good."

"then-"

"Your blunder is that she's fifteen," The sentence he's been repeating over and over.

"Too young to comprehend what we do Weiss. I wouldn't go as far and treat her as ten-year-old that can't handle grown up spat, but she barely hit puberty knowing her reaction to Yang's joke?" Jaune pointed out, emphasizing on that point of argument.

"We should guide her, and not step down her desire while trying to justify our reasoning."

"But she's unfit to be here!" Weiss almost thundered, her Aura flared from her emotional state. Jaune could feel the anger, and betrayal whirled inside her of chest begging to be let out.

Yet he sensed one other thing, and he can swear his goal to be a huntsman now is purely irrational for knowing what that emotion was.

"Again, did you become good at the rapier at day one?"

"I certainly am." There's no lie, she's gifted in realm of fencing after her musical and trained it to perfection. Jaune felt a bit of envy linger on his chest.

"Okay. Then politics?" He continued, unpeturbed by the instant admission.

"Simple, as long you hear the underlying words."

"Then are you instantly good at your Semblance?"

"That-"

"Are good at instantly walking? Are you that good at speaking to five years old? Are you good at speaking to your family when they needed you the most and not throw a tantrum for not being accepted?"

"... What do you know, Arc?..." Her voice now laced with thick Venom.

"Nothing," Absolutely nothing, he's not her.

He is Jaune Arc, clumsy son of the Arc dynasty that got the stupid idea if he can go to Beacon, he can be popular and live up to his legacy. Never fully trusted by his family for wanting him safe and protected till he swallowed the hard pill.

He's weak, even now. So, he would improve as much as he possibly could to catch up to someone that saved and trust him before his family ever does. That night in the forest changed how he viewed the world from a stupid teenager to a better person.

"-as far I am concerned to inform you, she's a kid, you're her next 'Older sister' after Yang, who certainly can't help her in the realistic department. A person she can rely in Beacon as her 'Partner'." He wanted her to be better than him too, and impart what he learned from Eugeo in their short time together to reach this point.

Weiss was contemplating his word, growing silent where her outburst leashing her Aura out subdued by placating words of someone she had dismissed purely by her arrogance and narrow view classing people.

Her hand fold in front of her chest, eyes cast by shadow by ray of sun. Jaune let her think it through before she let out a small, resigned sigh.

"...I can agree with you, except the last part."

"Her older sister?"

"Don't twist my words." Weiss glared heatedly in calm disposition.

"Then? Why did you reject her?" Jaune closed one of his eyes while scratching his head, so done being a cleanup when all he wanted today was a slow first day to haul chicken nuggets for dinner and introduce Eugeo to his team if he could find him.

"I mean… this morning's incident didn't warrant much that she's messing things up for having zero socialization skills?" He grunted exaggeratingly.

"...Aaaaargh-! Fine! She's not leader material! And I want that! I want to make my family proud! Happy?!" Weiss slammed her foot down while her hands swung to her sides.

"Oh?" Why can she just be honest?

"I'm a Schnee! I'm destined for greatness!" Weiss exclaimed, slamming her palm in front of her chest with red blush adjourning her cheek as her composure rise. Oh, that's why…Jaune deadpanned inside his head.

"I have prestige! Honor! Wealth! Skill to back my talking! And I lose to that?!" She pointed to where they had walked, to where she brutally dismiss and hated what Ruby is to achieve her crafted plan she envisioned for making her family paid attention to her.

Jaune…

"You're comparing yourself to an awkward girl stepping into puberty clouded by childish ambition." …unabashedly mocked her as if it was the normal thing to do with giant sweat drop hanging behind his head.

"Shut up Arc." Weiss glare had several variations.

"Zipping up..." And he didn't want to find them all today.

"I just… I just don't understand why the Headmaster saw her as a good person to be a leader! She's clumsy! Retarded! Naive! And most importantly! Didn't respect me! those two in my team as well!" Her last bit made Jaune looked her weirdly, and most importantly. He saw her as being misguided, or plain stupid.

"We...Weiss?"

"What?!"

"...So all you wanted is respect and the position you deserved?"

"Yes!"

Jaune has the flattest expression he could pull off. If Eugeo was here, he wondered if he would resolve this calmly or lost his handle. He admitted to himself in having a terrible track record with prideful people.

"...I don't know how to break this to you, but you're a bigger dumbass than Ruby." Jaune said without any remorse.

"Excuse me-?! Owch?!" Jaune flicked her forehead faster than anyone could predicted, Weiss quickly covered her front with a low whine escaped. He sighed again while progressively knowing getting a chance to hang out with her in the future would be closer to zero than ever.

"Respect is gained, and you must work hard to get it. It can't be given freely because you have a name or status to gain one." He revealed calmly, that's how do it to his part time co-worker in eatery. And he damn sure his family did it the hardway before known as heroes too.

"That's... That's... That's stupid!" Weiss thundered again, respect must not be given till you prove yourself?! That's the… that's the-!

"Do you respect Yang?" Jaune suddenly halted her thought process.

"No." Her biting tone was firm and resolute.

Guess Yang will have to work REALLY hard to earn that one. He surmised inside.

"Do you respect Pyrrha?"

"Yes, because she-"

"AaaaaAAaaaAaAP-!" Jaune hushed her mouth before she could ramble who is the great Pyrrha Nikos and invincible girl is, had he open his eyes. He would see her blushed from the sudden skin contact for touching her lips.

"I said do you respect her, not elaborate. Do YOU?" he withdrew his finger before wiggling it. Weiss is about to slap him before registering his question.

"Yes."

"Blake and Ren?" He continued, he knows she didn't exactly met Nora so he have to pass introducing her later.

"... Somewhat." And that's for covering their spat with Blake knowing privacy unlike a certain brawler.

"Me?"

"No," Ouch.

"But... yes, I can slightly tolerate you compared to those dorks." She added with a slight huff. Little did she know, he was still a dork inside.

"And Ruby?" Jaune finished, her unchanging expression said it all.

"..."

"See. You don't respect her because she hasn't earned it." He surmised, piecing it all together.

"..." Weiss still retain the identical expression, its complicated, but not at the same time. She didn't like her and not respect her. Ruby skill does acceptable if wasn't so infuriating. That's it.

"You didn't accept me before, now you can tolerate me to a certain extent." Jaune continued, Weiss snapped her head to directly stare to his eyes.

"It's called respect than mere tolerance, Weiss." He firmly express what whirl inside her mind, and while looking closely, he has some fine feature for having goofy grin and ridiculously tall.

"Ruby feels 'that' as she's your partner, not as a leader. She wanted a friend and she feels like her introverted personality ruin it all. You exploding by taking it all on her didn't resolve any of your internal struggles." And he damn well know how it sucks when social anxiety strikes him when he least needed it.

"She supposed to be your leader, she's not one. Ruby realizes that Weiss. She's fifteen, she knows that much." Jaune pressed.

"But she's trying regardless cause Ruby is helplessly gullible, she would do anything if she could and asked to do so."

"..."

"Weiss, do you really want that leader position? Or prove yourself better than her for taking that away from you? She would lose when chucked to Atlas without aid, but being the Leader wasn't the only way to show your worth, crafting one or be the member that pushed the team forward is more than enough." Jaune convinced while once again scratching his hair while placing his left hand on his waist.

"Is it?..." She weakly whisper.

"Look at me, I'm barely fit for leading an army like that Alice girl to a horde of Grimm without thinking how to escape without things getting hairy." He stated without shame.

"She's diff-"

"She is, I'm not her, you're not her," Weiss pupil shot to her brow from how simple he had put it on the platter.

"Ruby is not either of you. You are your own person."

"..." It was clear she's letting this information to sink in.

"Is this because you wanted to be in SAO replacing that girl to prove yourself? Is that it?"

"..."

"..."

"..." Weiss looked away in shame, he was shooting in the dark with that one.

"Haaah... why can't you just be honest?" Jaune exhale in resignation after 'bullshit, it that can't be that easy' went rampant in his head.

"Shut it Arc-"

"No, listen to him my dear sister." A cold voice called out; the elevator doors had been fully open since who knows when when the occupants casually walked out to where they were stupidly standing.

"Wi-winter?!"

"Woah?! You... have sister?..." Jaune dumbly let out after being surprised himself.

"Yes... Yes... She's my sister, and thank you Mr Arc, you had saved me time to pound back some humility for Weiss myself." The older Weiss… Thanked him?

"Winter?!" Weiss screamed, aghast by second sentence, no wait! Why is she here?!

"Hush, I heard it all." Weiss silenced immediately, that's a new record. Though…

"You're eavesdropping?" Jaune raised his brow. Winter pointed the elevator with her nose, and it does certainly explain everything…

"No... More like listening in after stumbling in on you two."

"Huh, De javu." Safe to say who said this is not the younger Schnee.

"More importantly, I am disappointed, Weiss." She let out; hands remain behind her back with slight tilt of her head.

"Sis-sister I can explain!" Winter sighed out loud, confusing the two teens when she faced Weiss and placing her hand on her shoulder.

"No. I'm not having a drama that might shatter our relationship after all the shit I went through this morning, so you better prepare your ears as I would rant like mother when she's on her third bottle." She bluntly let out in deadpan manner. Jaune almost let his mouth gape open.

"Winter?!" Weiss in turn felt shocked, this is not the Winter she knows! What is wrong with today?!

"Woooaah... hold up, did... can an Ace Operative swear?" Jaune cut in after raising his palm to ask.

Winter stood still for two second ominously, eyes remain frigid before turning to him. Even he couldn't help but flinch.

"Yes, I f*cking can Mr Arc, today's a big mess for me to take in."

"Okaaaaaay... You sisters are alike." Jaune Arc, I can't tell if you're hopelessly self aware, or just didn't realize having balls made of pure steel for letting that out after alternating his gaze between the two.

"Quiet Arc." the younger hissed-

"Sigh... finish the love squabble you two." Then choked on air.

"Winter we're not-"

"Aside from that, Mr Arc. Do you know where Eugeo went?" Winter breath out while wearily pinching her nose bridge, that confused the Arc from such a random question. Weiss is even more so.

"What? Why?" He dumbly let out. Confusion clear in his tone of reply.

"Answer, did you see him pass this elevator?" Winter reiterates, not mad at Jaune for not promptly answer what she wanted to know, though Weiss saw this as karma towards the blond if her satisfied smug smirk she displays is any indication.

"No-no... When Me and Weiss arrived... the corridor was empty." Jaune didn't understand what Weiss felt so happy about, though after he directed his face to her. So did Winter, boy wasn't she see all sorts of sides that better stay buried today.

"Sigh... I'm a bit too late then..."

"Uhm..." He still wasn't sure what is wrong for her to ask him where his best friend was.

"Mr Arc, you do know Eugeo personally, right?" Before Jaune could even open his mouth, Weiss had cut him off from it.

"Sister please, there's no way-"

"Well... he's been teaching me how to fight. I can tell he's having a bad day or not." Oh, he did the same quite well.

"He what?!"

"Huh?" Why is it so surprising?

"I never liked his option on taking the specialized course because it smelled like trouble when we signed up together." Weiss is about to have a blood convulsion.

"Y-y-y-you I-I-Igno-red the-e Se-second Course?!" She also appeared to be having a stroke with her eye twitching rapidly.

"Why can't I? It turned out great that I didn't take the virtual reality test right? Fighting the Headmaster is the last thing on my to do list when all I want is to get accepted here." Jaune raised his right brow in response, why Weiss was suddenly about to pass out, he didn't know.

"Mr Arc, do you know a bit of his past?..."

"... Was it that bad?" He sensed a but and private disclose from how she worded it.

"It's that bad, I... should've intervened sooner." A morose air was around the elder of the group.

"What is going on? Sister? Arc?" The younger tried for an answer but was never received.

"... How much do you know?"

"... He's never been outright, but I can tell that much he's an orphan, stings that he didn't reveal that much. I respect his privacy for not being ready to say that yet though. And could you keep this a secret Weiss? At least..." Jaune looked to the side, Weiss having double the confusion of the wording and sudden beg felt out of the loop even more.

"... Fine." She relent and cross her hand in front of her chest.

"Thanks, that means a lot for me and him." The arc thanked with a small smile. Weiss would deny if anyone mention she's pouting this very second.

"Thank you Weiss, but as I said. The meeting didn't go well." Winter continued, Jaune brows knitted, he can tell Eugeo aren't in class but didn't go well?

"Yeah, we didn't see his team at class, so they were with the Headmaster since the first class?"

"Professor Goodwitch as well. And I really... don't need more Drama after this Weiss." This time it was Winter that begged.

"Uuuhm... Winter?" Then why the sudden black cloud surrounding her back? Weiss was sure it was simply tricks or her imagination before one of them shaking wildly as the older Schnee grabbed her by the shoulder.

"We going to have a long talk, a loooong one. I promised, this is for both our sakes." Why am I seeing Weiss like a defenseless bunny and her sister a scary Wolf about to eat her? Jaune asked to himself again when seeing the two sisters acting like his family, Saphron and him to be exact so he wouldn't bail Weiss out even if she begged him.

"Di-didn't you have a... job? Like... R-right now?" so Weiss did look like Ruby when cornered. He smirked internally at the comparison.

"Oooh~ I've never liked father when he's ignoring us for his business, I'm way too soon to do that to you." Should he be hearing this family matter, Eugeo had no escape on that matter, but he could and would.

"Uuuuh... I think I'm going to leave you alone-"

"Thank you Mr Arc," Winter cut before he can fully escape.

"-if you meet Eugeo... Tell him, that we didn't meant to hear everything. Much less divulging it to others." Winter offered, this time with a small smile conveying her gratitude and guilt.

Jaune didn't pressed further, though he saluted as if he taking order from his superior to melt the mood to be more warm and comedic.

"Alright, I'm going to seach him for now, anything else to add?" He pipped before ready to search his teacher.

"That, and we can chat over a cup of tea one of these days."

"Sure, oh. He's more of a fizz guy like me. Last time we pissed off a local gang after recommending better drinks than the alcohol they chug down to death."Jaune reminisce with a goofy drink, not realizing the indication of what his reply had caused.

"Wait, pissed off a gang!?"Weiss scandalized.

"Better than the mall incident." Jaune shrugged.

"What mall incident?..." Weiss pushed demandingly with sharp squint of eyes.

Winter flatly-

"Hunterman?" -eloquently fished.

"Hunterman?" Weiss is confused.

"Hunterman." Jaune grunted in disgust.

"I'm punching him on the face if he told more than that..." He swore then and there as a dark miasma oozed out from his back. Weiss step back from the sudden malice he let out eerily similar to Winter from before.

"Hold that off till we can chat without the urgent needs plaguing our conversation. Mr Arc, I'm still planning to interrogate him how he suplexed a terrorist." Weiss had her mouth gaping.

"He didn't tell anything else right?"

"Hypocritical Drop-Kick lecture?" She was smirking

"Imma murder him real quick." A sickening crack from his his closing fist showed that determination. Comical as the situation was, he was serious.

"Good, I can trust you to get him and do damage control. I have to personally apologize today before going back to Atlas." Winter informed once more.

"Yes, so please go already…" Weiss added after nursing her headache for this new and probably important(not?) intel of her strongest peers to date then all of them are that good with swords.

"Alright alright I hear you, don't be so Weiss cold, geez."Jaune exhaled while scratching his head from the Heiress 'can't be honest' front.

"Excuse me!?" Weiss rise to the bait as usual where Winter stifle a giggle from the nickname given to her sister by someone that perhaps might be her brother in law if Weiss opened up.

"Weiss cold, oh hey, Yang would like that one." Jaune lighted up, thinking it was a good idea to pass it to fellow blond. Weiss is not amused at the hell awaited her.

"Arc that was terrible and you know it!"

"My point stands from our initial conversation Weiss cold."

"Aaaaaarc!"

"Later~!"

Jaune dusted off as he ran to fetch his teacher-slash-mentor, little did he know. He was in another sitting with a certain redhead.

Okay... Weiss part... I know she's getting better, but this is how I see her in earlier volume. Especially when she dislike Ruby for not being the one that can step up to the plate knowing her drawbacks. Having a tsundere and rich lady upbringing Anime rule didn't help her case in my book.

I can already tell the dissatisfaction miles away, so let me put this here to say did I want to make Alice the one who lecture Weiss, but I just couldn't. It felt... not as natural or earned as I pictured in early drafts. Jaune felt a bit out of character too, but I did made him more competent by having a real guide that help him grow instead of what he is at early vol too so cut me the ooc part some slack.

Phoenix being busy and earn the full brunt of my messy writings didn't help our case solving the chapter's ending as intended schedule either.

I mean, it took me almost a week for Winter and Weiss back and forth, with him tidying up my messy sentence. Q below, next one is Eugeo and Medina overdue reconciliation. Man... Wish I can write faster...

Daedreamer: Eh... I'm taking notes and make sure it was Eugeo that talking here. Not burned up Emiya nor Shirou. Just Eugeo that face Quinella and have to baby sit another Kirito in making by his fault.

Chen: Glad you like it, I'll make sure to keep it that way and thank Phoenix for smoothing it, my early back and forth sucks before turned to this XD

Sora: Sorry to not taking that suggestion, but as said, when I wrote this chapter it didn't feel natural when it was suddenly Alice for symbolism only. I do have Weiss and Alice interaction readied up for future chapter but let me patch up some rough ideas to stitch together first before releasing it -_O;

J-SECTION-L: Well next update should be Honkai one, though really my release rate sucks so don't get hyped yet okay? I read it... and damn the manga is so good wish I started playing before 2020. But seriously, it's confusing to make sense em all, so Imma do some free ideas to even the amount of loose thread of plot to be tied together.

Guest: The kiss... don't rush me darn it T_T I want them to kiss too, so don't push me to make a premature decision yet.

Thanks for reading and stay tune for more, XD hope y'all have a great day when reading or clicking this update. Later~!