Chapter 7

"Oof!" Jaune grunted as he slammed into the floor of the rooftop. He groaned as he slowly pulled himself back onto his feet.

"Alright. I think that's enough for tonight." Adam called from the sidelines.

"I can keep going!" Jaune panted out, raising his shield.

"That determination is good, but not needed. This is training, not a real battle. There is no need to push yourself like that. No point in risking injury when we can just train again tomorrow."

"He's right Jaune, no need to push yourself." Pyrrha put her sword and shield away and stepped forward to pat him on the back.

"Right… I just feel so useless, you know? I want to get better as fast as I can."

"Keep that drive, just remember that you haven't had any training until now. You're going to catch up, just not after such a short time." Adam folded his arms as he spoke.

"I understand." He sighed. It had only been a couple of weeks since he had gone to Adam and Pyrrha to apologise. After that, he'd asked for training and they'd accepted.

Pyrrha was a nicer teacher, that was for sure. She was also the one teaching him the most considering their weapons were most alike. Adam was much more strict but filled in the gaps where Pyrrha lacked knowledge. Jaune was bigger and had more weight, so he should use it. Shoulder checks, grappling, strikes and more. Adam showed him how to use his size to his advantage.

He still wished he had a gun like they did, but as both of them had said, it wouldn't help him to have a gun unless he knew how to use it and he was already learning one style of fighting, no need to spread himself thin.

They had shelved the conversation for now, at least until Jaune had developed his own style with the weapon he had. As much as Jaune wanted a gun, he trusted them.

Jaune would admit he was getting better. Not great, but better. Professor Goodwitch had been thoroughly impressed the day before when he almost beat Cardin. Soon he would have a win under his belt, he just knew it!

Though now that they had stopped Jaune felt exhausted. He let out a big yawn, causing Pyrrha to giggle and Adam to sigh.

"Anyway, shall we meet up again tomorrow?" Adam asked, pulling open the door and walking back down into the corridors.

"That sounds good! What do you think, Jaune?"

"Sounds great!" He smiled and followed the pair down.

"Pyrrha… maybe you and I can have a match?" Adam turned to face them. "You were damn good in class and I think we could learn a lot from each other."

Pyrrha blinked in surprise before she smiled. "That sounds like fun! It's been a long time since I had someone who could match me, I think you're the best I could hope for, I'll look forward to it!"

Adam's mouth twitched up, almost forming a smile. "Perfect. Tomorrow night then." He waved at them before walking off, leaving the two behind.

Jaune leaned over ton Pyrrha and asked: "Is it just me, or was he really looking forward to fighting you?"

"He did seem really happy… he's kinda like me in that respect. We are both looking for people to test us and make us better warriors…" Pyrrha seemed oddly contemplative as they walked back to their dorm room.

Well, tomorrow is gonna be an interesting session, that's for sure.

Adam was pleased. It slightly surprised him how her much agreeing to train with him meant. Of course, they trained Jaune together and sometimes fought in Goodwitch's class which mostly ended in draws with the occasional win in either's favour. But there was an added enjoyment to training with someone so talented without an audience.

I feel… calmer than I ever did in the White Fang. The last time it felt like this was before the fighting when it was just Blake and me.

Ever since he had started training Jaune, the two teams had gotten closer and he had become friends with them all, except the Schnee of course. She was still her usual self. Maybe a little quieter than she used to be but when she did open her mouth all that came out were demands and insults.

But it didn't anger him like it used to. He had been shown quickly and thoroughly that she was more of an exception than he had thought. Ruby, Yang and all of team JNPR were perfectly content with him being a Faunus. Plus there was that team in the upper years, CFVY. Their leader had approached him with thanks for helping out Velvet against Cardin.

So many here were good to the Faunus, even if most seemed apathetic to the plight. The only one who had gone out of their way to be hostile was Cardin, who had left them all alone after Forever Fall.

Adam was brought out of his thoughts by the door to his dorm room. He sighed and went inside. Unfortunately for him, the Schnee was the only one inside, quietly working on her homework.

Adam left her alone and silently prepared for bed. Time may have passed but it hadn't healed his wounds when it came to the Schnee family.

Ruby and Yang had returned by the time he was done, the pair excitedly talking about the going down to Vale on the weekend.

"...And I could pick up some more ammunition! I'm running low on Gravity rounds."

"A day off in Vale and you talk about stocking up for your weapon. Ugh, you are helpless."

Though it appeared the two disagreed on what to do. Adam just rolled his eyes and climbed into bed, tuning out the pair as they continued the debate. Or he tried to anyway. It was hard once Ruby started poking him.

"What?" He finally let out once it was clear she wasn't going to stop.

"Well, what about you? Don't you want to pick up anything in Vale? I-I mean you don't have much…"

He turned to face her and sighed. "I don't have any money so there isn't any point."

"You don't have any?" Yang sounded concerned. Of course, she is. She's your… partner here and she's a compassionate person.

"No. I don't." He ignored the concerned looks they sent each other and the shocked sound from the Schnee. She had probably never met someone with no money.

"Well… we could get you stuff! What do you want?" Ruby asked, as innocent as ever.

"I don't need anything except what I already have."

"Yeah, that's dumb." Yang scoffed. "You're coming with us. This weekend we are going to get you geared up. Right, Rubes?"

"Yea!" Ruby's smile was sweet but Adam was sure there was an edge to it. "As your team leader, I order this team to have time off in Vale this weekend!"

In a rare show of solidarity, Adam and the Schnee both groaned at the same time, before glaring at each other.

"Fine. Whatever." Adam turned over.

"I am perfectly content staying in Beacon thank you very much. I must keep preparing for the tournament at the end of the year." Her high and mighty voice ticked Adam off.

"I heard that a couple of the students from other schools will be arriving this weekend~" Yang was probably smirking as she said it. Adam could hear the pause in the writing as the Schnee considered what had been said.

Yang's realized how competitive the Schnee can be. A chance to observe the other contestants before anyone else? Maybe even meeting them and figuring out their weaknesses? It was a golden opportunity.

She agreed moments later, under the stipulation that they must go and look at all of the transfers. Adam could practically feel the smug flowing from Yang.

It'll be easier to just go along with it. Maybe a day out will be good. It has just been training and learning for weeks now and I just got finished lecturing Jaune on pacing yourself. In The White Fang, we would have had several missions by now, it's a bit… strange doing nothing but training. Getting away from it all could do me some good.

When was the last time he had really just taken a break? The only time he could think of was a couple of years back, when they had just turned violent. He'd spent the time with Blake and… he'd accused her of losing her resolve like her parents.

He had manipulated her into staying with him and the White Fang. For all he knew that could have been the moment she decided to become just like him.

He shuddered.

Since when had he been a manipulator? It had never felt like that until now…

I really am a horrible person…

"Boss, we just got word that she wants you to use the White Fang for this one." The black-suited man said.

Roman Torchwick sighed and turned to the hired thug. Junior sure knew how to get loyal guys, even if they weren't that talented.

"Does she now? And why would she want us to use those crazies?" He pulled a cigar from his jacket and lit it.

"I don't know Boss. All I know is those two who followed her around came in earlier and told us."

"Great. Those two." He sighed. "Alright then. I'll handle it with them. No need to get you boys stuck in the mix. Send the details over to whoever is in charge there. We move on Sunday night." Roman waved the man away and turned back to his plans.

He hadn't wanted to work with those terrorists, but it looked like he didn't have a choice. His new boss sure was demanding.

Well, let's see what these animals can do, shall we?

A/N: We all know what's coming next. It's gonna get spicy... well hopefully. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed!