The troll is back and imitating me and others in the reviews, this time trying to make it look like I'd attack my own reviewers because obviously that's a thing I'd randomly do from a guest account. Ignore the nonsense.

Cover Art: Z-ComiX

Chapter 43

"An apprenticeship?"

Ruby fidgeted in the seat beside Merlot, trying hard not to draw the attention of the Grand Arcanist, Ironwood and Lady Goodwitch of the White. They'd apparently interrupted a meeting of some importance and given who was in attendance, she couldn't help but think it about her. Merlot said it had to be announced, however. It had to be official.

"I've never heard you speak of the possibility before, old friend." Ozpin said.

"Most here are scions of noble families pushing their silly agendas," Merlot said, dismissively waving a hand. He sat relaxed in one of the comfortable leather seats, his rabbit fur cloak bunched up around his neck like a cushion. "You know what I think of that."

"You always were focused. I've never known someone who encapsulates the Azure quite so well."

They had to be old friends, she thought. They were about a similar age and both from the Azure, and the way they talked didn't have the same awe and respect most people used around the Grand Arcanist.

"There are too many mysteries in the world to sit back and play petty games. Ruby understands that." Merlot gestured to her. "Finally, I've found someone not only worthy of my attention but just as dedicated as I. How could I stand back, Ozpin? How could I ignore this?"

"How indeed? I suppose she caught your attention with her latest achievement. That's understandable. I'm quite eager to test it myself."

"It works exactly as designed, Ozpin."

"Truly? How far mapped is-" A cough from behind had his eyes widening imperceptibly. "Forgive me," he said, chuckling. "The curiosity of the Azure is ever present. You are of course free to offer an apprenticeship as you please, as is Initiate Rose free to accept or decline." He looked to her. "I trust the fact you're here indicates your acceptance?"

Ruby nodded quickly.

"It has to be spoken," Goodwitch said. "Lest we think it forced."

"I agreed to it," she chirped.

"Forgive her," Merlot interrupted. "I believe I embarrassed her with the offer and she's quite concerned how her friends will take the news." He smiled benignly. "You know how jealous some can get."

"Understandable," Ozpin replied. "Well, if that is all then I see no reason not to approve this arrangement. Initiate Rose has shown herself quite talented, both with her recent actions and joining an Arcana so quickly. You are, of course, a well-known and respected member of the Collegium. Given that she is from Menagerie and her house fell, I'm sure there are no suggestions of political favouritism to contend with?"

"None that I can see," Lady Goodwitch said. "The White raises no objection."

"Wonderful. Now, Initiate Rose, are you aware of what being an apprentice entails?"

It was past. The danger, that was. Ruby forced herself to look up and spoke quickly, hoping her anxiety would be mistaken for being due to all the attention. "Lord Merlot has primary control over my education. He can take me out of classes whenever he pleases and teach me what he wishes. I must respect his instructions. I will still be considered an Initiate. The apprenticeship can be taken away from me…"

"Only by consensus of Merlot and independent adjudicators," Ozpin said. "That is to protect against abuse, which I am sure won't be a problem here. Also, you are not free from lessons entirely. Should Merlot have no tuition for you at a given time, you are expected to attend lessons with the other Initiates. It is your responsibility to inform your lecturers when and for how long you shall be absent, and his responsibility to both grant you ample warning and ensure your studies progress. Should you ever feel one or more is lacking or that your mentor is failing you, you may speak directly to a Warden in your dorm, and a meeting shall be arranged either with myself or another high-ranking Arcanist, where we will discuss the fact and any resolutions. This is both a great honour and a great responsibility, for your actions, successes and failures shall reflect on your mentor. You will also be occupying the time of an Arcanist, so be sure to study hard and listen to what is said. Am I understood, Initiate?"

"Yes Grand Arcanist."

"Very good." The old man smiled and settled back in his seat. "Then I approve this arrangement. Merlot, you can report to the Scriptorium tonight or tomorrow to make it official. Please ensure it's done before you do anything-"

"I have a question." Ironwood interrupted, earning both a surprised look from Ozpin and a rather pointedly upset one from Lady Goodwitch.

"Lord Ironwood," she said, "While you are an appreciated guest and member of the White, you are a foreign guest of Vale's Collegium. Please remember that you have no input in everyday matters of the Collegium's running."

"I understand that, Glynda." The lack of a title had her frowning harder. "And I'm not questioning the Grand Arcanist's judgement. I simply have a question for Merlot. Professional curiosity."

Merlot chuckled. "As an Azure, I can only respect that. Go ahead. I am fine with it."

"Thank you." Ironwood nodded and moved around the desk to stand before them. His eyes were fixed both on Merlot and on her. "Your research is something I know about, naturally. It was commissioned and funded by both Vale's Collegium and our own. While I don't question whether you can conduct both that research and teach an apprentice at the same time, I would ask why you would reveal such sensitive information to an Initiate. It seems… awfully reckless of you to endanger her like that. Is she aware of what it is you study?"

"Oh my." Merlot covered his mouth with one hand. "That would be quite unfair of me, wouldn't it? Except, Ruby my dear. Do you know what it is I research? Do tell Lord Ironwood if you do."

"Grimm," she whispered. "He studies Grimm."

Ironwood's eyes widened and even Lady Goodwitch drew in a sharp breath. "That information was to remain confidential, Lord Mer-"

"You may recall I filed a report a week or two back that a Beowolf had escaped within the Azure Archives. I reported that it was stopped, and this was true, but that wasn't before two Initiates saw the beast. One of those was Ruby here. Naturally, I had to explain to them the nature of my research and the importance of keeping it secret. So you see, Lord Ironwood, it was but an accident that led to my research being divulged."

The man's lips thinned. "I see. How unfortunate."

"I would tell no other, naturally, but it does save me the time of having to explain to her," Merlot went on blithely. "Worry not, her work won't involve much time with the Grimm. I will be using her to scour the Archives. Her own curiosity ties in quite nicely with my own and would have undoubtedly led her to researching the Grimm sooner or later."

"And what might that be?" Lord Ironwood asked. "I would hear it from the Initiate herself."

"Of course. Ruby?"

"I want to understand why Menagerie fell."

Lord Ironwood's eyes closed. He let out a long sigh. "Such is a question on everyone's minds. Very well. I retract my question. However, I would advise you not to focus on the Grimm if you seek the truth of Menagerie. They may have been the reason it fell, but they were only the end. The catalyst was not the Grimm but the treacherous Shadow Arcana."

Ruby's heart skipped a beat. "Excuse me…?"

"James." Ozpin spoke firmly, honorific forgotten. His eyes met Ironwood's and some hidden message passed between them. Lord Ironwood nodded slowly and stepped back. Ozpin turned back to her and Merlot with a tight smile. "We shouldn't keep you any longer. Congratulations to both of you. Initiate Rose, study well. Lord Merlot, teach her as best you are able. Good luck to you both."

The dismissal was clear. Ruby rose when Merlot did, fumbled a curtsey and followed her mentor, her new master, with a gnawing worm eating away at her stomach. If the Shadow Arcana were the traitors in all this, then had she left Yang with someone who couldn't be trusted?

Had Blake finding a Wildmage really been as much an accident as she made it sound?

/-/

"You've been invited to be an apprentice?" Weiss sat on her bed, hair wet from the tub and body wrapped in a towel. It almost slipped free as she stared at Ruby, stunned by the news. "That is… I… That's excellent news of course. C – Congratulations. Does this mean you'll no longer be in lessons…?"

"I still have to attend class. I just get some tuition outside it."

"Ah. That's… yes, that's good." Weiss' entire body relaxed. "I'm thrilled for you, obviously. This is incredible news."

Yeah. Incredible. Merlot knew the truth and had that over her head, and even if he'd thrown his own neck on the chopping block that didn't mean he couldn't turn on her. "It's a thing," Ruby said, unsure how excited she should be. "At least I'll still be with you in class."

"Yes. That's a relief. I thought for a second you'd be leaving me alone with Malneux and his cronies."

"Not willingly." Ruby grinned and shucked off her boots, dumping them at her bedside, ignoring the pointed and then irritated look Weiss gave her. "I'll clean them in the morning," she said. "Let me sleep for now."

"We both know you won't clean them at all."

"They're boots. They'll just get dirty again."

"You have an image to maintain. Not that you care." Weiss rolled her eyes. "Really, I'm not even sure why I bother. Your reputation is going to be better than mine now that you're apprenticed to a Lord Arcanist. I expect Malneux will be furious."

"He'll buy a Crimson Arcanist to mentor him."

"Quite possibly. I met one the other day, you know."

"A Crimson?"

"Hm." Weiss continued to towel her hair dry, working moisture out of long strands by squeezing them tightly between her fists. "She was only my age but already an Arcanist of the Crimson and taking her second stone in the White. I could hardly believe it. Why have we been doing that someone like that could already be an Arcanist?"

"How long has she been here for?"

"I didn't ask. Years, at least."

"There you have it. It's not like she came in with us and is one already. Maybe we'll be Arcanists in the time it took her to."

Weiss paused to smile and close her eyes. "Perhaps we will. You're right. It's silly to get worked up over someone else's achievements. For a moment I started to sound like Malneux."

"Not even close. You're not as pig-headed as he is." Ruby paused for a long moment, knowing the news she had to deliver might not be well received. "Merlot-"

"Lord Merlot," Weiss interrupted.

"Merlot," Ruby said, stressing the name only, "told me that he might have me out of lessons for a week soon." The warning caught Weiss' attention. "It's only while we do some research in the Archives. We're going to be looking through books and things."

"For a full week's worth of lessons?"

"No. For a full week. As in, I won't even be coming back to the dorm."

Weiss looked horrified. "You're sleeping in a library? Why? What's the point? It can't take an hour to walk back and forth in the morning."

An hour if it were a normal library. Weiss had no idea how vast the Azure Archives really were. They could be days of walking inside, pitching tents between mighty bookshelves and cooking food over an open fire. Getting that across without revealing the secret of the Archives wasn't easy.

"It's Azure stuff," she said. "I can't explain."

"Really." Weiss huffed. "What can I say to that? I suppose it's something that would make sense if I knew?"

"Yes. Definitely."

"Very well then. But we shall be spending time together when you return!"

"Definitely!" Ruby bounced on her bed. "And it's not like I'm ditching you. It's just something we have to do. I'm gonna tell Jaune and Sun tomorrow. You'll be okay, right? It's only five days of lessons and then I'll be back."

"I shall survive."

"You sure…?"

"I am a Lady of the White Arcana," Weiss said proudly. "We stand firm where all others falter. Such a test of will is well within my capabilities."

Ruby's smile turned sickly at the edges. "Yeah. That's great…"

/-/

To her disappointment, she couldn't find Jaune the following day. He wasn't in morning training when she joined in the running, and he wasn't in his barracks later when she stopped by to talk with Sun.

"Sorry Ruby. I'm not sure what he's been up to lately. Guy's been training like a man possessed."

"Oh…"

"I can tell him you called by, though. I'm sure that'd make him happy."

"Yeah. Okay." There was something in Sun's voice she didn't like, a lingering sense of doubt. "Is he really okay? I haven't seen him in days. He usually eats with us at lunch…"

"Something must have happened on his side. Or maybe he's thinking he needs to pick up his training. I can't even convince the bastard to take it easy. He just shrugs through whatever I say and goes back out to train more. He's going to get white hairs at this rate. More than he has already."

There must have been something going on at the Sanctum. She wished she could go find out what, but she wasn't meant to go near there for now. Hopefully Jaune would explain when he came back from whatever he was doing.

Excusing herself from Sun, she made her way to the Azure Archives and through the halls to Merlot's private chambers. There, she let herself inside and found Merlot arguing with a dark-haired man with a flat expression, leather armour and a pale grey fur cloak. It was a rich thing that fell to the back of his knees. He wore black sable gloves and a single piece of armour strapped over his chest and shoulder, curving under the fur cloak.

"I don't much care for how it's done, only that it is. Your kind barely register to the creatures so capturing some shouldn't be an issue."

"It is not fear for ourselves that stays our hands, Lord Arcanist."

"Don't give me that. You lot are always wearing those smiles and I don't care for it. You have your job. See it done. My apprentice and I shall be within the Archives for a full week. You have that much time to acquire some Grimm. Three should suffice."

The man bowed. "As you wish, Lord Arcanist." He turned and walked to the door, pausing to nod at Ruby. "Lady Initiate."

Ruby smiled. "Hello."

The man cocked his head at her. His eyes were strangely empty, mislike and swirling without any of the warmth she would have expected. Without pride or ego usually shown in nobles or the dismissive fake-politeness of the guards. At best he looked curious by her reaction, but even that was muted. More than anything, the man looked tired. Not physically, but mentally.

"Ruby," Merlot barked. "Let the man leave. He has work to do."

"Oh. Sorry." Stepping aside, she noted the tiniest of smiles the man offered her. So small she thought she might have imagined it. He left soon after, closing the door behind him. "Who was that?" she asked Merlot. "He looked like a noble."

"Most everyone here is a noble," he said dismissively. "Though some are less human than others. That was a huntsman."

Ruby gasped. "From the Sanctum?"

"You know of them? How- No, it's best you don't tell me. Yes, they're the enforcers of the Sanctum and your natural enemy. Inimical to magic and all the less human for it. No Arcanist can stand to be in their presence. There's a pervasive wrongness about them you can feel deep inside…"

"I didn't feel anything."

"Really?" he asked, only half-interested. He swept a hand over his desk, collecting empty notepads, pots of ink and quills. "That must be something unique to Wildmages, then. Have you brought the supplies I told you to?"

Ruby hefted the bags of food she'd brought from the kitchens. The cooks hadn't liked the idea of giving her that much until she showed them the note from Merlot. Instantly, they'd been more willing. It paid to have the word of an Arcanist at your back.

"Good. Help me prepare, then. We're going on a weeklong excursion into the Archives. Food and supplies is a given, but we're also there for research. You shall be carrying the essentials. I shall deal with the theoretical."

Grudgingly, she collected and strapped the camping equipment onto her pack, making it substantially heavier. It was always the apprentice's job to do the busy work the master didn't want to. That was what she'd learned from watching the lucky kids in the farmlands, back when she'd been trying her best to figure out what got them chosen so she could find a master at the apprentice's fair. No luck there. No one had wanted the scrawny girl.

"I managed to acquire a prototype from the Valkyrie girl," he went on. "It will operate like a far smaller version of the Rubricator. I believe it's the one you were sent to test the first time. I've told her to make more, but it is enough that we have a working model for now. We shall be delving deep and out of range of the portal, far enough away to be free of prying eyes."

"And that are we looking for specifically?"

"Anything that fits our interests. Grimm and Wildmages specifically. I have a few other tests I want to perform while we're out there, but we shall leave those for when I judge it safe. Mostly, we just want to be far enough away that no one can doubt when I tell them I've spent six hours a day teaching you various spells."

"You want to dodge the work?"

"I want to streamline our arrangement," he countered. "It benefits you as well. No one will know exactly what I've taught you, so keep it a secret. Should you ever use a spell you shouldn't be capable of, you can claim I taught you it."

Fair enough. He got out of having to do the work and got a Wildmage to scour through books and act as Grimm bait, and she got a way out of any accidental uses of wild magic. Even if she hurt someone, she could just claim it was because she lost control of the spell. Strapping the pots and pans to her pack, Ruby hefted it up onto her shoulders and stood at the ready.

"Your lack of nobility is showing," Merlot pointed out.

"Hah-?"

"No noble would carry a pack." He waved a finger and her pack began to lift, her with it. "Nor would an Arcanist."

"B-But I wouldn't know this spell yet."

"Hmm." Merlot hummed for a moment and then sighed. "I shall levitate it down and for the first while, but you shall do it after. If anyone asks, tell them it was the first spell I taught you. It would be natural for me to do so considering what it is we're doing. Make sure to drop things every now and then when in public. Create the illusion you're learning slowly."

"Okay."

"And refer to me as Lord or Lord Merlot in public."

"Yes Lord Merlot."

"Better." He waved a hand for her to follow. "Come."

They made their way through the building together. The upper levels of the Archives were as quiet as ever. It surprised her how she'd never noticed that the first time, but then she hadn't grasped just how many Arcanists there were. Knowing it now, it seemed so obvious that the Azure Arcana couldn't be as small as the numbers suggested.

People had to move out Merlot's way as he led them down the staircase in the secret corridor, floating large packs behind him. No one looked surprised, though. They must have seen people heading off for long excursions before. Inside, Merlot bid her wait with the packs by the bottom of the stairs while he went to speak with the Librarian.

A few people looked her way as they walked by, Ruby sitting on the resting packs, but no one bothered to speak with her. The Librarian and Merlot's conversation became animated, gestures shared as they argued for what felt like an age. Ruby kicked her feet as she waited and watched, Arcanists and Initiates coming and going with books in hand. It took a good ten minutes for Merlot to return.

"Old fossil," he bit out. "He wants us to explore the south – it's the focus of the most expansion at the moment."

"Will we be?" she asked.

"No. We want to be away from where most of the Azure are. We shall head west. It's the least explored area and that piques my interest." In a lower voice he said, "The White will use the Rubricator just as we do. It wouldn't surprise me if some White-Black Arcanists had been given a chance to tamper on it, or if they won't have their own soon, which taps into ours. They'll use that to locate and dispose of any books they feel we shouldn't have access to."

"Is the Librarian with them…?"

"He's not of the White, but it wouldn't surprise me if he knew. It's of no matter. He can bluster and complain all he likes but it is my choice where I take my apprentice." He waved a hand and Ruby squawked, tumbling off the packs as they lurched up beneath her. "Come. We'll be keeping quite the pace for the first while. As much as we might wish it, there are no horses down here yet."

"Shouldn't we have waited until there are?"

"And give the White a chance to censor everything they can?" Merlot snorted and moved on, trusting her to follow. "I think not."

/-/

"Sitting alone again, Lady Schnee?"

Weiss sighed. It hadn't taken more than their first lecture of the day for people to notice the lack of Ruby and comment on it. The teacher had prevented any rumours falling afoul for her friend and announced the apprenticeship. Weiss had enjoyed the looks of shock and envy on the various faces. That saved Ruby any loss of face but didn't do much for her.

"Lord Malneux," she replied formally. "I'm merely taking my seat as I always do. Is there a problem?"

"Only that your companion appears to have left you." He paused for effect, allowing others nearby to turn to listen in. Mockery with no one to witness your victory served no purpose after all. "As the proud scion of the Malneux family, it falls to me to see this affront rebuffed. Come sit with us. I'm sure we can make room for you."

"A most generous offer-"

"It is generous, no? And it would be quite the insult to refuse."

Weiss refrained from biting her lip. It was a bad habit and a sign of weakness. Recalling her lessons, she blinked slowly and rose, picking up her books. As much as Ruby might not care, the Malneux family were influential. Hers was not. It would be seen as a rejection of his `generous` offer for her to refuse him. An insult the likes of which he and his family might remember.

"Wonderful." His ugly smile belied his satisfaction. Weiss walked over woodenly, thanking him quietly as he drew out a seat for her. It would have been incredibly childish for him to pull it back and make her fall. People would laugh at her misfortune, but they would also talk of Martyn's less-than-genteel actions in private. He maintained the guise of the perfect gentleman and tucked her seat under. "My lady graces us with her presence today," he told his lackeys. "Do remember your manners. Lady Schnee's family is new to the upper echelons of society, but no less deserving of their place."

Thank you for the reminder, she thought, gritting her teeth.

For all that he was a spiteful and arrogant sort, Martyn was attractive and wealthy and the sole heir of his family, Ruby's rumours of a second notwithstanding. Either way, that made him popular. More so because he didn't have a marriage match of yet. That could be seen as a weakness for many – and certainly was for her – but the Malneux family were well-off enough to not bother pushing, which instead left them looking so strong they didn't need to forge alliances.

There were greater families in the Collegium, the Arc and the Lie families for instance, but they weren't in this class. Martyn Malneux was the highest ranked, which was what made it so scandalous that an outsider like Ruby Rose could and would stand up to him. This is what class would be like without her, Weiss thought. This is why Martyn hates her so. Because she doesn't bow down and let him take control.

"I heard your sister has been accepted into the Royal Guard," Martyn said. "Winter, wasn't it?"

"That's right. On both accounts."

"You must be proud of her."

"We are," she said politely.

"She is engaged to the second heir of the Daichi family, isn't she?" At her nod, he hummed. "Quite a middle of the pack family for a Royal Guard to marry into, isn't it?"

Yes, it was. The Daichi family weren't particularly wealthy or well placed, and to only have the second in line offered up for her hand was a grave insult. Of course, the Daichi family no doubt thought that as well. The only reason they had accepted at all was because of the title Winter held, with the family she belonged to being an afterthought. For Weiss, who had always looked up to her sister, it was an unforgivable sleight.

To her father, it was an ambitious and almost desperately fortunate arrangement. Knights were not exactly favoured when it came to selecting brides. Many preferred the blushing and doting ladies of court, or the quiet and mysterious Arcanists. At least Yatsuhashi Daichi was polite, or so Winter said. Even if he was ten years younger than she. Another blatant insult.

"I had the pleasure of watching her fight in last years' tournament," Martyn simpered. "Even if she walks in armour, she was quite the beauty. Tall and willowy." He eyed her, the comparison – and her lacking stature – strongly hinted. "Had I been older, I might not have rejected a suit from her."

Weiss glared down at the table. "I'm sure she would be flattered to hear that, Lord Malneux."

"You may feel free to tell her," he said magnanimously. "Alas, I would not intrude on an established contract. No, no, those sorts of affairs are best left for the romance stories. I suppose I'm fortunate there, free to pick my own bride."

"I suppose you are."

"And you, Lady Schnee?"

"I am under no obligation," she said, trying to dodge the topic.

He didn't let her. "Not currently no, but wasn't there talk of an attempted match between yourself and the first heir of the Arc family?" He waited for her to answer even if he knew well enough the truth. So did others around him, tittering along. "Whatever happened there?"

He would make her admit it, the swine. Weiss forced her eyes ahead, sitting with shoulders firm as she ground out the answer. "It did not work out."

"And the Lie family?"

"We mutually agreed against it."

"Did you not also meet with the Callows? That was quite the scandal, I hear. Isn't he fifteen years older than you?"

Weiss closed her eyes and hissed, "Yes."

"He died recently, didn't he? A tragedy. At least you avoided being widowed at such a young age, but still, it's surprising just how many families you've gone to. How many is it now? Do you remember?"

"Fifteen," she whispered.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you."

"Fifteen," she said, voice louder. Her stomach had already dropped to her heels, chin falling but a fraction of an inch. Her voice came out hoarse. "There have been fifteen such arrangements. I… I have perhaps been too demanding…" It was a weak effort to save her pride and one no one fell for. Everyone knew it was not she who turned down suitors, but suitors who turned down her.

"I see. I can respect someone with a discerning eye."

And he, of course, played along. It would have been bad enough to call her lie, but to pretend to believe it – and in so sarcastic a manner – was far worse. Weiss wanted to shrink beneath the desk, curl up and cry, but no noble could survive such a thing. All she could do was stand her ground. There was scant strength to be found in allowing yourself to be mocked, but even they would offer some tiny amount of respect for staying firm.

"I may know a few young men without contracts," Martyn said. "I'll see to introducing you to them. Who can say if you will get along, but it's my choice – nay, my duty – to help those less fortunate. What say you, Lady Schnee?"

"You need not bother yourself on my behalf."

"Nonsense." He took her hand and brought it to his lips. Weiss felt the smirk as he kissed her knuckles. "It's no bother to spend time with a pretty lady, though I hope you understand it would have to be with others. It wouldn't do for anyone to mistake our time spent together as being anything more than assistance."

"Of course not…"

Because he was of the Malneux, and she was just a Schnee. Even if he wanted to mock her, the mere suggestion that she be on a level as to be considered worth of marrying him was laughable. It had been far more so when her father grew ambitious and tried to wed her to Jaune Arc. Oh, how the families had laughed at them behind their backs. It was only pity from the Arc family that saved their reputation, with Jaune agreeing to spend time with her regardless of the impossibility of their union.

That had damaged them. Damaged her. Weiss wasn't deaf to the names they whispered behind her back. The Desperate Schnee. Or the Desperate Schnees, seeing as how Winter had been forced to settle for marrying someone only on the cusp of adulthood.

"Do you accept then? We have a few families who are wards of our own. They are not high families, but there might be a second or third heir that would agree to spend time with you. I'll arrange a dinner date and see to inviting them."

"T-Thank you, Lord Malneux." Weiss refused to acknowledge the dryness in her eyes. "You're too kind."

His smile as he leaned back for his audience was nothing short of radiant. "But of course. Noblesse oblige, my dear. Noblesse oblige."

The lesson hadn't even begun, it wasn't yet the second day of Ruby's absence, and already she was on the verge of breaking down. With six or more to go and Ruby's return not even set for a specific date, she wondered what state she might be in when it came.

Aww Weiss. You've gotten used to having Ruby around and now she's run off to become apprenticed to an Arcanist and leave you behind, even after you tried to emulate her by joining an Arcana early.

"Notice me, Ruby! Notice meee!"

Next Chapter: 7th June

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