With low expenses and the extra income from selling my bird plushies, it was a matter of time to raise more than enough funds to finally buy a scroll and get access to the dustnet and the unlimited potential of such, especially the digital library of knowledge.

"What do you mean they are out of stock?!"

The deer faunus behind the counter lets out a long-drawn sigh, "There had been delays with the shipments lately thanks to high grimm activity. The best estimate is a week or two before everything normalizes."

"Is there a way to save a spot? I've been working to buy this for months."

He shakes his head, making my shoulders drop in disappointment, "I'm sorry kid, but I cannot give preferential treatment."

The look on his face is enough for me to understand that he won't budge on his moral decision and even if he did accept my request, I still wouldn't have been able to watch the Vytal Festival for how close it is.

I leave the electronics store and sit on the floor with my face buried between my hands, my back leaning on the wall, "Goddammit…"

I could say it is an anticlimactic ending, all the effort for naught thanks to something completely out of my control.

"So you didn't get one."

I slowly look up and meet with Levi looking down with a smirk, radiating the 'I told you so' expression.

"Out of stock…" I groan, knowing full well what she is about to say, "Fuck me, how could this happen to me?"

"Should have accepted my help."

"I should have… fuck. So should I bring chips?"

"Hehe, just bring lots of those rice rolls." She extends me her hand and pulls me up the moment I take it.

"Sure." I dust myself off. It is a good thing I don't wear white colors.

She gently pokes my chest with a grin, "you need a drink."

"I will pass. Alcohol isn't for me." I refuse her offer. It is not like I hate alcohol, but it is very situational and alcohol in general is tied to many unpleasant memories of mine.

But my worries wash away when my friend starts laughing and pats my shoulder, "Not booze, you silly, just a coconut drink. I know a place where they make the best one in all of Kuo Kuana!."

"Oh…."

Levi never drank or invited me to drink before. Why did I think that in the first place?

She is correct to call me silly.

We only walked for a bit to find Levi's recommendation since the electronic shop is downtown, giving us easy access to many other places to pass the time. She leaves my side when she spots the store and enters first.

Following her inside, I quickly notice the store has a few wooden tables, which I pick the closest to the door for fresh air. From my seat, I watch the worker skillfully cut the coconut before starting mixing the drink behind the counter. I couldn't recognize anything that he added besides sugar, but it looked quite colorful.

He finishes with putting a green straw on each coconut cup before handing them to Levi, who happily received them and skips to my table.

"One refreshing coconut coming up!" She hands me my drink with her typical smile.

We clink our fresh coconuts together, almost spilling the drink inside.

"Thanks Levi." I take a quick sip, "hey, this tastes good!"

Levi nods in agreement as she drinks hers. The sweet mix of fruit is pretty unique. I should try experimenting with more elaborate drinks of my own.

"I told you it is the best of Kuo Kuana!"

The worker gives a hearty laugh from the counter, clearly proud of his work being praised.

I should buy snacks as well, dried fruit could be the perfect match.

"Say Ma'iq, how long before you finally become a member of the fang? It's been like months already."

"It wasn't that long to be honest, but the ceremony is pretty close. I think it's a week or less." Blake did mention the ceremony of initiation and the importance of my assistance to be finally recognized as a member of the White Fang, though I have barely interacted with other recruits besides the first day sparring.

She takes a sip of her drink, "Don't forget you promised me to bring lots of fish rolls for the Vytal Festival. White Fang or not, you are coming or I will drag you to my house if I have to."

"Now, who is the dramatic one? I won't break my promise, besides how could I miss those fights? I really want to see the champion of Mistral with my own eyes and live up to the hype."

"She is going to win this year again. I should bet a bit of lien on her."

I play with my straw for a bit, moving it in circles, "By the way, how are your plans for the Vale flight academy coming along?"

Her ears perk up but she slumps on her chair, her eyes focused on her drink "Well with my job and help from my family I think I have enough, I've already sent my application online so I'm waiting for their response and the tuition costs. Now I'm looking for a place to live, and that's another set of problems like why are human landlords such assholes?"

"What do you mean?"

"I've checked hundreds of places and all of them have a disclaimer written with big letters 'No faunus', and the few that allow faunus are way too expensive for what they offer, fucking pricks." She snarls her disgust before grabbing her drink and gulping it down and slamming it on the table along with her frustrations.

In my case, I quietly took another sip before clearing my throat to shift her attention.

"I think there are forums for faunus to help each other. I'm sure they will point to a couple of nice places to live."

Levi shakes her head and crosses her arms with a deep frown, "I already checked Ma'iq, and most are taken and those which aren't… they aren't exactly in the nicest part of the city, is the very first they warn others. Many gangs roaming the streets, is baffling that they recommend picking a place around faunus gangs."

"That's kinda fucked up."

How can people even suggest living around criminals just because they are your same race?

"Of course it is!" She throws her hands in the air in frustration before dragging her hands across her face, "If I can't find a place then I will have to postpone my plans till next year to raise more money just to afford a room, ugh…"

I wince a bit since it is a very relatable issue, not long ago I was suffering the exact same problem. If it wasn't for my job system, then I would have been stuck in the docks as a cargo boy for months.

"Hey, since I will be part of the White Fang pretty soon. I will be making bank, so I don't mind using a bit of that fortune to sponsor my future private pilot." I finish with a smirk, causing her to use her hand to muffle her giggling.

"They don't get paid you dolt."

Hearing the new revelation, I calmly place my drink on the table and adopt a very serious expression while staring her in the eyes, "Change of plans, I will go to Vale and become a hunter."

She can't contain herself anymore as she laughs out loud. In my case I drink the rest of my drink with a smile as my objective has been completed.

She looks much better happy than gloomy.

But the moment doesn't last as the store door is thrown open so abruptly that made everyone in the establishment jump in surprise, even though everyone was Levi, the worker and me.

I wanted to voice my annoyance but when I turn to the person responsible, my breath hitches when I recognized the girl wearing a white crop undershirt with matching shorts and her back scabbard.

"Blake?" Not wanting my eyes to betray me, I give another look just to be sure since she never dressed so casually before.

Or sexy.

She turns her gaze and quickly approaches my table, "I need you to come with me."

I look sideways a few times before addressing her, "You didn't need to be so dramatic with your entrance. The door was open and I thought we were done for the day."

"You could have broken the door." Levi adds, her face twisting back into a frown.

With no one noticing, the guy is already checking the door for any cracks and gives an ugly look to Blake before returning to his post. She averted her gaze for a moment as the realization hits her, but she wouldn't be my mentor if something took her out so quickly as she regains her composure after a couple of deep breaths.

"My bad. I didn't measure my strength since I was in a hurry. Look Ma'iq, I know what I say hours ago, but something important came up and you need to be there." She clasps her hands pleadingly, obviously hoping for my acceptance.

I can't just say no to her as she never pleaded, but accepting her request, I would be pushing Levi aside. There is some hesitation to answer her but steel my nerves to finally speak up, "You really have a bad timing with your request Blake, but I will go. Sorry Levi."

"Is okay…" The lynx faunus slumps on her again with a downcast gaze in defeat.

"See you later?" I force a smile, trying to cheer up the mood.

However, she doesn't even look up and weakly waves her hand, "See ya."

I finally leave the store through the punished door with the cat faunus and head in the opposite direction of the store towards a more empty street.

[Affection with Levi Fang decreased by 1, 19/20]

Levi is totally not okay.

I run to my mentor's side, "What was so important that it couldn't wait until tomorrow?"

"I want you to accompany me to the forge." She replies.

All that dramatic scenario for a visit to the forge?

I pinch the bridge of my nose to somehow hold my negativity from sprouting, "That doesn't sound as important as you made it out to be."

"You not only will be part of the White Fang, but also a future Hunter who will fight and protect Remmant from the Grimm. And a hunter's weapon is an essential part of them, just like my Gambol Shroud." She points her mecha-blade on her back, "Your current weapon has shortcomings which I'm sure you already noticed. That's why I asked for a favor to forge a new weapon to make up for those shortcomings and today we can pick it up."

Her long explanation makes me think for a bit in her perspective, "I guess you are right but… Is just that it left a sour taste in my mouth leaving my friend like that."

Her gloomy look was still fresh on my mind as we left the establishment or the notification. At least some consideration from her wouldn't have hurt. Or tell me from the very beginning what she has been doing.

Is more frustrating thinking it better now, so many options and alternatives and she picks the worst one.

She stops in her tracks, biting her lower lip as I calmly wait for her reply, giving me more time with my thoughts, "I…you can have tomorrow as compensation."

I open my mouth to argue back but close it as there is no longer a point, what is done is done let's just try to get the better of it, "Just lead the way Blake, let's get this hunter weapon and be done with the day."

I take the lead despite not knowing where to go, just very upset with her shortsightedness to think. However, that is quickly fixed as she picks up her pace and recovers the lead without saying a word, clearly giving me time to cool off.

We arrive at quite an empty place but not silent as the constant sound of metal clanging makes apparent we aren't alone, but it gives a new direction to follow.

It is a brief walk as soon we find a stout dark skinned man with a messy black beard focused on hitting the metal sheet between his hammer and the anvil. Surrounded by lots of weapon racks and piles of material lying around in a sort of organized mess.

Is a good thing the forge is out in the open or the furnace behind him would have made the place unbearable to be in. When he notices our presence, he stops his work and removes his leather apron with his gloves and hangs them on a metal pole before approaching us.

He is surprisingly tall, I could have mistaken him for a human if it wasn't for his vertical slit green eyes.

"So you are Ma'iq?" He says with a very rough voice.

"No, I'm the evil twin brother, Na'iq. Fear me!" I quickly raise my hands to strike a ridiculous, scary pose.

[Affection with Blake Belladonna increased by 1, 7/100]

The bearded guy slowly turns his gaze to my mentor with a bored expression, "I thought you were training a fighter, not a clown."

She merely shrugs, making the weapon smith sigh.

Silently he walks towards a pile of crates and starts looking at the labels of each one of them until he finds the correct one and signals us to get closer.

Soon a wave of heat from the furnace hits my body, so I pull the collar from my shirt for a bit of fresh air. Now makes sense why Blake is dressed in such…revealing way.

"Miss Belladonna has been explaining to me your combat style and your weapon of choice. So this is the best I came up with." He places on top of another crate a pair of ridiculous sized spiked metal gauntlets, "Usually everyone wants a gigantic sword, but I won't judge you for being different."

"They are big." They could easily double the size of my head and the spikes feel more like spear tips. Is this what one would call overkill?

Even Blake is surprised by the size of the forged weapon, but keeps her opinion to herself.

The blacksmith merely boasts a hearty laughter, to our combined surprise.

"I made them this big to pack a punch if you catch my meaning. However, these weapons were never meant to aim, so I implemented a small but potent shotgun." He picks up one and turns it around, showing gray barrels under the wrist, "Each gauntlet has a capacity of 4 shells, giving you in total 8 shots in total. You can only feed it fire or electrical dust, though, so be careful with the type of ammunition you buy."

With his explanation done he throws me the gauntlet without any regard of safety catching me off guard for a moment but my instinct acts up to catch it before crashing on the ground and much to my shock it doesn't weigh much, my muscles don't complain either.

Before the blacksmith throws the second one, I run up to him and take it off from his hands. I was lucky that the spikes didn't touch me at all. I didn't feel like trying my luck again, a sentiment shared by my mentor right behind me.

Surprising me again, both gauntlets in my possession still weigh little if any. I can easily carry them with a single hand, which is convenient as I need to put them on.

Putting the right one on my hand, I quickly find out it is a bit tight but has a soft cushioned interior, then it has contraptions where my fingers fit right into. And when I try to move the gauntlet moves as well, surprising me with the flexibility despite being made of metal, is like a second hand though it almost reaches my elbow.

I try the same on the left side and obtain the same results, despite being huge, the fingers are dextrous enough for smaller tasks.

"Give them a test run. If you don't feel comfortable with the spikes then just clap two times and they will retract back into."

I quickly follow his suggestion and watch in amazement as my mechanized weapon whirl and turns for a moment before the spikes in the knuckles are completely gone. My weapon looks and feels too advanced. The blacksmith must have given his all to forge it from scratch, even more after he said that he is only accustomed to making swords.

With my new weapon ready, I move away to an empty spot. Blake, on her part, approaches the blacksmith and starts discussing something with him.

I raise my hands, adopting a fighting stance before practicing my jabs in the air. However, the first punches told me enough, making me frown, "They feel wrong."

I try a couple more, getting the same feeling in my arms, refusing to cooperate. I couldn't properly replicate the same movement that I trained with the claws. Although they weigh nothing to me, my arms are too sluggish with the strikes.

Thinking that maybe the hidden spikes are the reason, I clap twice to bring them out and try again, only to get the same fucking results.

And I haven't even tried the implemented shotgun.

"I can't use this shit!" I stomp the ground in frustration.

Blake quickly hearing my growing anger rush to my side, "Did something happen?"

"It's just like the swords Blake, I can't use these things. I don't even know how to describe how wrong it feels to throw a simple punch." I demonstrate with a quick jab, making her frown as she also picks up my problem.

I'm supposed to be a pugilist, fist like weapons should be my thing. So why does my body reject that weapon that was specifically designed for me and my close combat style?

It doesn't make any sense!

How is my class supposed to work then?

"You shouldn't have any problems Ma'iq, so how? They were designed to be an improvement to your original weapon. I've never heard or read any case like this." She quickly helps me to take them off and checks one of them for anything out of the ordinary, indirectly showing off her strength.

The weapon smith arrives as well and his face becomes surprised when he sees his work on the ground and scratches his head, "I suppose you don't like your weapon, so it is a bust. I can't force a hunter to use a weapon they aren't meant to use."

Blake hands him the giant fist while he picks the other side before returning to his place of work where he stores them in the crate and closes it with his hammer, "I guess I shouldn't be surprised with this setback, I've never built a weapon similar to yours in the past, not even schematics to work with but vague ideas. Maybe if you manage to bring one example from Vale smiths, I could replicate it or improve it, maybe being the keyword."

He glances at Blake, who gives a quick nod.

"You didn't build these?" I quickly bring forth my claws as he merely shakes his head. After Blake drilled into me the importance of carrying weapons, I never leave without them anymore.

"I only made the blades and welding. Your friend there put it together." He points at Blake with his hammer who quickly looks away with her arms crossed, hiding her embarrassment from us.

"Wow, I didn't think you knew about weapon crafting, Blake. I'm truly grateful for the effort and trust you have put on this humble one." I fake my bow just to tease her, as I know she is looking at me from the corner of her amber eyes.

"Ehh… no I mean… I read it from my scroll."

[Affection with Blake Belladonna increased by 1, 8/100]

So it is effective against her, good to know.

"Don't be a drama queen, kid." The blacksmith raises his voice, causing me to straighten my back while Blake sighs in relief.

"Still though, it feels a bit wrong that you wasted so much time crafting those big boys." I point at the crate where they are now stored.

He waves his hands to dismiss my concerns, "Don't sweat over it kid. Maybe someone will find a use for them or I can just disassemble it to build another weapon. I can make a sword and a couple of daggers from these."

He is pretty optimistic. I have to give him that.

But it doesn't change my confusing situation. Those fuck off fists should have worked with my class with no issues, unless there are more requirements I do not meet. The gamer system is complex but I do not know how complex it is. There has to be a reasonable explanation behind the failure.

It would be far simpler if it said it directly to my face.

"I'm sorry it didn't work out." Blake gently places a hand on my shoulder giving me a comforting smile.

I sigh, "Don't blame you, is not like there are many options around these parts. I will stick with these claws in the meantime." I slowly turn my gaze to meet hers with an ear to ear grin, "They were made by my precious teacher after all."

She rolls her eyes and walks away, seemingly unfazed by my continued teasing.

But I swear I saw her smile a bit.

-Blake Belladonna-

She could only groan hopelessly as she checked her money left on her scroll. She couldn't have predicted how much it would actually cost to train someone and eat a lot of her own savings. At least she had some level of comfort as a new month approached because that means her monthly stipend would come.

She gained a new level of respect for Sienna who had to oversee and manage thousands of recruits with the little they had every day.

But it all had paid off quite well for her.

Ma'iq proved himself and his rapid growth only reassured her decision. Innately everyone respected and admired strength, and with his she would be able to sway more to her side and rectify the White Fang.

It was a shame that the mechashift weapon didn't work out for him, especially that it cost her quite a bit of lien but she wouldn't cry over spilled milk. There would be other chances to get him a proper weapon.

The ringing of her scroll abruptly interrupted her train of thought. It was something strange as she didn't receive many calls and mostly they were from her parents to check on her wellbeing.

She just answered to solve the doubt.

Her eyes narrowed when she saw the red-haired faunus looking at her through his white mask, "Why are you calling me, Adam?"

She had a powerful urge to straight up cut the call.

"A new mission in Vale. We need all skilled members to pull this off. Is of grave importance to the white fang to succeed." He calmly explained, catching her off guard.

"Mission? I'm on leave." She huffed after regaining her composure.

"Lady khan gave me permission to request reinforcement from anywhere. We cannot fail this mission."

Adam maintained his professionalism. Their personal lives didn't matter, as he wouldn't call her if it wasn't so important for the White Fang. She bit her lower bit, torn between duty and her beliefs, "I… I need to think about it."

"There is no time. Make your choice now." He pressured her, making it clear that time was no longer an option.

"Swear to me that you will not kill." She stared directly into his eyes behind the mask.

"Why does that matter?" He replied with a hint of annoyance.

"Swear to me!" she exclaimed. It was the only condition set if she ever went on another mission with him and it was a long shot, but wouldn't give up and cling to the hope of his acceptance.

The masked man stared at her in silence for a moment that felt like an eternity, "Fine… I, Adam Taurus, will not kill any humans on this mission."

There was a strong emphasis on the human word, but that's all she wanted to hear.

Blake gulped loudly, it was the first time he actually swore since the other times he just dismissed her words, it was some sort of progress in the good direction, "Okay… what is this mission and why is it so important for the White Fang?"

"We found Vale's war hound."

-Maiq Rakhan- later-

Back at home, I finish knitting the big red eyes on the plushie and quickly putting it on the table to appreciate in all its glory. A very cute black puppy with a half skull with red engravings around the head.

"A plushie of a grimm. This is so fucked up." It is based on the Beowulf, another common type of grimm from my memories. Surprisingly, I haven't seen one in all my time fighting these monsters of darkness, only the ants and quite recently, the stupid monkeys. Maybe it is a matter of habitat or something.

[Novice weaver increased by 1, 13/50]

I sigh happily before dismissing the notification. It has been a while since my level increased, but the rate is still slow compared to the other jobs. Not like I should be complaining, since what I can achieve with my current level is quite impressive.

Still though, I don't think people would buy a grimm plushie.

It was morbid curiosity more than anything. But the little grim still looks cute, though.

I stand up from my chair and stretch myself for a bit before looking through the window and watch the darkened skies along with the stars. By this time I usually stay at home weaving for a bit before going to sleep, but after today's activities I felt like going for a walk.

The weather is warm as always but only on the shores is very windy which makes it a bit cold, but thanks to my aura weather is not really an issue which is why I can leave my home behind dressed with my sleeveless gray shirt and black shorts before heading to the coast.

Being late, the beaches are empty, only the melody of the waves crashing against the sand being the company of the night.

I kick my sandals off and pick them up before closing my eyes to bask in the moment of peace under the moonlight.

Why haven't I done this before?

Is very relaxing, something I clearly needed after stressing myself out so many times.

These are one of those small moments in life where you appreciate the minor details, so I decide to slowly walk close to the sea, the waves close but not close enough to reach me.

It is also around this time that crabs pop out from their burrows and move around, which came to be a rather dangerous move for the little ones as seagulls descended from the skies and snatched a couple. Seagulls aren't nocturnal animals, which came to a surprise to see a couple of them flying up in the darkened sky.

My gaze returns to the ground and quickly catches the sight of red crabs fighting over a small shiny rock, their pincers trying to cut the other's off.

I continue watching the small spectacle until a seagull lands unexpectedly and snatches one of them and flies away with its food. The winner, by default, drops the shiny rock and scurries off to a safe place.

"What is this?"

I walk closer and reach for the little object to get a better view, it is no bigger than my thumb and for some strange reason the two little crabs really wanted that thing for themselves. However, it is not a rock that I picked up but is a very crystalline thing with a very rough greenish surface.

Out of curiosity I apply a bit of pressure with my fingers and what I assume is a crystal straight up pulverized between them into a mist and completely dissipate in the air.

"Fuck…" The same stinging pain from the moment I woke up in the dumpster a long time ago came back to me in a rush, making me drop my sandals as both hands grabbed my head, hoping to endure the pain.

Thankfully, it doesn't last very long and I quickly regain my composure.

Except that the feeling of disjointed memories and names return, something that should have been resolved like a month ago within my head. Like before, many meaningless and incomplete names thrown around that make absolutely no sense. An amalgamation of words and images with little to no reference and trying to match anything only causes the throbbing headache to come back to haunt me.

I would have left the beach and gone home to sleep it off like I did the last time. But there is one single line that sticks out the most.

One which I can understand very well yet is alien to me.

"The wonderful… Wizard of Oz?"

I should have brought my notepad.


AN: Trying to write while sick is difficult. The head just doesn't let you think clearly. Like I could only write a few sentences before totally stopping and resting on my bed for long hours.*Sighs* Despite gulping down pills and all, it didn't help, so I just had to wait it out like always and after recovering had to fix and edit out lots of stuff because they were wrong or made little sense but if you find some strange things, then yeah it seems some parts escaped me.

Kinda annoying, but well, the chapter is out and 5k? That must be a personal record.

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