Chapter 9: Learning

Suzaku sat in class. While he found many of the classes to be boring at Beacon academy, a few he actually enjoyed. One such class was the history class. The eccentric Dr. Oobleck grabbed his attention, not through comedy or anything of the sort, but rather just by being so… energetic.

Oobleck darted across the room faster than Suzaku could track. The professor continued to speak at a pace that nearly made Suzaku lose his place in his book. Nearly. With Oobleck, it made him have to pay that much more attention. Sadly, a few of his classmates either lacked the drive or we're too stubborn to put in any effort, such as Cardin who lazily laid his feet atop his desk; or Jaune who sat asleep with his pencil in one hand and his face in the other.

Suzaku listened as the professor spoke, "...this is prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution, popularly known as the Faunus War. Humankind was quite-quite adamant about centralizing the Faunus population in Menagerie." The professor stopped to take a sip of his coffee before he rushed to the front of the classroom, "Now, while this must feel like ancient history to many of you, it is imperative to remember that these are relatively recent events. Why, the repercussions of the uprising can still be seen to this day."

Suzaku continued to write down notes at a record pace as the professor dashed across the classroom like a bullet.

"Now, have any among you been subjugated or discriminated because of your Faunus heritage?" Professor Oobleck asked. A faunus in the back and Velvet, the girl that was being teased the other day, raised their hands, albeit with hesitation. Suzaku felt bad for them. They didn't deserve the treatment that they were receiving.

"Dreadful-it's simply dreadful. Remember students it is precisely this kind of ignorance that breeds violence. I mean- I mean- I mean- just look at what happened to the white fang. Now, can any of you young scholars tell me what is believed to be the turning point in the third year of the war?"

Suzaku raised his hand, but the student picked was Weiss. She lowered her hand back down as she spoke, "the battle of Fort Castle," she said.

"Precisely!" the professor exclaimed with a flick of his pointer. "And who could tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagoons forces?"

Once again Suzaku raised his hand, but heard a "Hey" from his left. It sounded like… Yep. Jaune was done for.

Suzaku stared at Jaune as he tried to think of an appropriate answer. How could Jaune not know something as simple as nightvision? It was one of the few things they actually learned about the Faunus.

"Uh… Binoculars!" Jaune said.

Most of the class laughed at the funny answer, except for Pyrrha, Suzaku and Oobleck.

The professor zipped back to his desk, "Very funny Mr. Arc. Cardin, perhaps you would care to share your thoughts on the subject?"

Cardin, before the question, just sat with his feet on his desk, fidgeting with his red hair. Cardin answered without filter, "Well I know it's a lot easier to train an animal than a soldier."

Oobleck gave a disappointed glare and shook his head, but remained silent.

"You are standardless," Suzaku spoke calmly, an undertone of disappointment being heard.

Cardin scowled at Suzaku's words. "You got a problem?" Cardin retorted with dislike clear in his voice.

"No, I know the answer," Suzaku said. "The answer is night vision. It's one of the most well-known facts that all faunus can see in the dark."

Cardin growled before Blake spoke up, "General Lagoon was inexperienced and made the mistake of trying to ambush the faunus in their sleep. His massive army was outmatched and the general was captured." Blake then turned to Cardin before continuing, "Perhaps if he'd paid attention in class, he wouldn't have been remembered as such a failure."

Those words prompted Cardin to stand up and walk over to her to give her a piece of his mind, but the professor intervened.

"Mr. Winchester, please take your seat," Professor Oobleck said.

Jaune was snickering at Cardin's misfortune before the professor rushed over to him and continued, "You and Mr. Arc can see me after class for additional readings."

Jaune groaned in dismay.

(=+=)

All the students in the history class walked out into the halls, with the exception of Cardin and Jaune. Team JNPR walked out along with Suzaku.

"You go on ahead, I'll wait for Jaune," Pyrrha said to them as she stood by the arch of the doorway. Everyone nodded their heads as they walked off.

Suzaku would have stayed with her, but he had other things that required his attention. One such thing was his Lancelot Albion.

While he did not pilot it as much due to school regulation, he did keep an eye on it to make sure it was well maintained and polished. He did not want to see his knightmare-frame be mistreated.

Suzaku walked into the large hangar where the professor had allowed him to store it. Ozpin had asked him about the mech, but Suzaku was hesitant to disclose any information about it. Suzaku walked towards it, holding its key in his hands. He looked up at the Albion and for a brief moment he thought about giving it a quick run, but discarded the idea. He promised Ozpin that he would only use it if necessary.

"Suzaku?"

Suzaku turned around to see Euphy wearing the usual school attire for the women at the school and holding a large stack of flyers that reached to her chin. Suzaku quickly walked over to her and took about half the stack from her hands.

"Thank you," Euphy said. Suzaku gave a curt nod, before he grabbed one of the flyers and gave it a quick look.

"You really are doing a good job on advertising this club of yours," Suzaku said in mild surprise. The flyer was a picture of Euphy with Velvet by her side. Both were smiling and appeared to be having a good time. Below them were the words "Faunus supporters club! Come and join us!"

Euphy gave a small smile and modestly spoke, "Are you sure I'm not going too overboard with this?"

Suzaku shook his head in disagreement. "I think what you are doing is a wonderful thing," Suzaku said, before he walked over to her and gave her a sweet peck on the cheek.

Euphy lightly blushed, before continuing, "Thanks. Now, can you help me hand these out across the academy?"

Suzaku looked at the stack of flyers, before looking at his watch. "Sure, why not."

(=+=)

Blake was walking down the halls of the academy with her books in her hand. She was heading back to her dorm when she heard her teammates talking about something. She quickened her pace, reaching her dorm in a few seconds, before she opened the door.

Inside, Ruby, Yang, and Weiss were looking at some sort of flyer. Curious, Blake walked over and took a look at it herself.

"Blake, what do you think of this?" Ruby asked. Blake was surprised that Euphemia was actually willing to help the Faunus. Blake smiled.

"I think it's really nice of her," Blake said. The others couldn't help but agree, however Weiss was rather hesitant about it. Blake noticed this, but didn't say anything. After all, Weiss was a Schnee.

Maybe Blake would attend the club.

(=+=)

Suzaku and Euphy stood on the edge of the roof of the dormitory, staring into the stars of the night sky. The stars were far different than the ones on Earth. All of them formed new constellations and shapes, creating a new scene to enjoy.

Suzaku held Euphy's hand as they continued to gaze into the night sky - until Jaune and Pyrrha walked out and onto the roof.

Suzaku and Euphemia turned to face the two, both parties now noticing each other.

"Perhaps we should have this conversation elsewhere," Pyrrha said to Jaune.

Suzaku and Euphemia were a bit startled by their presence, but were not trying to inconvenience them in any way.

"No, please do stay. You're not interrupting anything," Euphemia said. Jaune and Pyrrha looked at each other before they decided to stay and talk it out.

"Jaune, I'm offering to help train you," Pyrrha said. Suzaku was impressed by her offer. If anyone was qualified to teach Jaune, it was her.

Jaune appeared to be surprised by the offer, prompting Pyrrha to continue, "We can train up here, after class, where no one will bother us."

Jaune's eyes looked to the ground as he responded, "You think I need help?" Jaune asked.

Pyrrha was about to reply but was interrupted by Suzaku who sternly and without hesitation said one word, "Yes."

Jaune looked to Suzaku, Jaune's anger evident as he gave a scowl, "I don't need help. I need to do this myself."

Suzaku calmly walked over to him and placed his hand on Jaune's shoulder. "Do you think I got my skill myself? No, I learned from others, whether it be through reading their textbooks or actually learning from them, I didn't get good on my own. You need help to better yourself. Besides, you have potential, you got into Beacon," Suzaku said sternly.

Jaune pushed Suzaku's hand off of his shoulder, before he spoke up, "I didn't actually get into Beacon."

Suzaku glared at Jaune before continuing, "I thought that was the case, but I don't care."

Jaune looked at Suzaku wide eyed, "Why?"

"Because you have proven yourself. You made it passed the initiation. Along with the fact that you were selected as a team leader, showing your qualification to lead," Suzaku said, before he waved for Pyrrha to come over. "Now shut up and humble yourself. If you have the chance to learn then take it."

Jaune looked at them in surprise, before he closed his eyes and bowed his head.

"Thanks."

Suzaku nodded before he and Euphemia walked off the roof.

"That was rather direct," Euphy said with a hint of worry, "I hope he's not too distraught after that scolding."

Suzaku smiled at her, "He'll be fine."

(=+=)

The quiet ticking of the clocks in the tower drew Ozpin closer to sleep as time dragged on. He had done nothing but fill out paperwork, and boredom was kicking in. He wondered if a single cup of coffee would be enough.

"Here you go," a man said casually, setting a mug beside him. Ozpin looked to the mug groggily, picking it up, before he took a sip.

"This is te-" Ozpin stopped mid sentence as his eyes widened. Who had handed him the tea? Ozpin shot up out of his desk to meet the green eyes of a young man who was sitting at the other side of the table, "Who are you?" Ozpin shouted.

Ozpin was startled by the boy's presence. There was no warning, no sign of entry. The boy was just there.

The boy looked at Ozpin before he spoke up, "You may refer to me as Alpha."

Ozpin furrowed his brow. He did not trust the boy. His instinct was telling him to run, but his mind said otherwise.

"That's sounds like a pseudonym," Ozpin said, "Do you have a real name?"

Alpha just looked at Ozpin before he shrugged his shoulders. Ozpin grew more annoyed by the boy's presence.

"Very well then, why don't you tell me how you got in," Ozpin asked.

Alpha smiled before waving his hands, "I did it with magic," Alpha said with amusement in his voice, though a hint of sarcasm was laced into his words as well.

Ozpin stepped forward, "I don't know who you are or what you want, but I-" Ozpin stopped dead in his tracks as Alpha glared at Ozpin with his glowing green eyes. Alpha stood up, causing Ozpin to seat himself in his chair.

"Perhaps you should be asking why I am here," Alpha said. Ozpin gave the question some thought.

"Why are you here?" Ozpin said. Though Ozpin kept a calm face, he was terrified.

Alpha just smiled once more, "I want to have a simple conversation."

Ozpin was confused by the request, but obliged nonetheless. Maybe he could garner some information from him.

Alpha sat back down, picking up a pot of tea that sat upon Ozpin's desk. Ozpin could have sworn that it wasn't there before.

"Now what do you want to talk about?" Ozpin asked.

Alpha took a sip from his tea before he spoke up. "I was curious, has Qrow been able to gather any leads concerning the woman that attacked the fall maiden?" Alpha asked.

Ozpin's eyes widened once more. "How do you know about that?"

Alpha didn't give an answer to his question, but rather continued to speak, paying no mind to the shocked headmaster.

"I am worried that she will come after the fall maiden again, so that she can attain all of her power. You can't hide the fall maiden in the basement forever," Alpha said, "I mean, you and your little group of huntsmen are doing a good job, but it just won't do."

Ozpin couldn't speak. This man knew everything.

The Counselor looked in Ozpin's direction, before speaking, "Now I know that you are worried what will happen, but you must be strong. After all, I put in a new piece and I wish to see what will happen in this world."

Ozpin spoke, "What do you mean new piece?"

Alpha looked over to Ozpin, before he spoke once more, "I would tell you, but I don't want to," the Counselor said, before he stood up and began to walk towards the elevator door. "Well, I think I have had enough fun playing with you. Ta Ta!"

Ozpin blinked at Alpha's words, only to find the boy gone. Ozpin looked back at his table to see no tea set, no mug, nothing. It was as if it never happened.

Ozpin sighed. "I need more coffee."

Author's notes: I wish I had done this sooner, but here it is!

Thank you for reading my book. If you like the book, please do follow and favorite it. If you like me, please do follow and favorite me. Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day.