Chapter 12 – boarbatusK

You know those people who act like they're idiots and do weird stuff and say nonsense, but then it turns out they were secretly a genius all along in some big, proud reveal?

Professor Peter Port was not one of those people. He absolutely checked the idiot, weird, and nonsense boxes, but Ilia had been watching his class for over a week now, and she had yet to witness any secret genius in the rotund man's rambling nonsense. Currently, he was babbling about the time he'd slain a company of Ice Sphinxes with nothing but his bare hands, a half-eaten stalk of celery, and his trusty pelican familiar. Ilia was taking the time to complete her homework for Professor Peach's plant studies class as the senile halfwit rambled on and on.

In that first week, Ruby had opened up to the three of them quite a bit. The young girl was an open book – every little secret in her life was out on display for the entire world to see. She and Yang were half-sisters, born of mothers from an old hunter team, the Starks. Yang's actual uncle, despite lacking a blood relation to Ruby, still played the part for both girls. Ruby herself admitted that she was more comfortable with weapons than people, though she seemed to be growing more comfortable around K or, as they now referred to themselves, Team Rabies.

Their team was not the only one growing. The Yellowjacket-P's had worked out their issues from before. And by worked out, Ilia of course meant that they had all made surface-level apologies for their 'harsh words' without actually addressing any of the communication issues at the root of their problems. Ilia knew the sordid details because Yang had told Ruby, and Ruby had gone and blabbed it to her. The girl couldn't keep a secret to save her life. If she found out about K, there was no doubt that the entire school would be gossiping about the three secret Atlesian Faunus before the next morning.

Team Sword, unfortunately, was changing as well. The four of them were improving at an alarming pace in Goodwitch's combat class, winning more and more practice spars with each successive day. None of them were individually strong, but their teamwork had come together faster than any of the other first years (save for K, who remained at the top of the rankings, because they had no room to improve). Ilia didn't like it one bit. At least her made-up alliance with their team was steadily progressing – Weiss had invited her out for tea on the weekend, offering it as a chance for the one good member of Team Rabies to escape 'those ruffian Faunus and the overgrown baby.' Ruby had smiled slyly for but a moment when Ilia accepted, then audibly cursed her.

"…which brings me to Dust. A powerful weapon, practically an essential for the toolbelt of any genuine hunter, it is the one thing that has given humanity an edge over the Grimm and brought us out of the dark ages. You are also no doubt familiar with its use as the primary source of power to modern, civilized society, but are you aware that it has tens, no, hundreds of other uses? Gravity Dust has been applied in fine quantities to precise medical procedures including heart and brain surgery for very fine tune manipulations of organs and blood vessels. Plant Dust, one of the rarer forms of Nature's Wrath, doubles as a fertilizer that has been seen to improve crop production sevenfold when applied. Why, even Ice Dust is paramount in the production of frozen treats like popsicles and ice cream. Ah, ice cream. I remember the first time I ate ice cream. It was the middle of the Great War, and I was in the middle of holding back the combined forces of Mistral and Atlas–"

Huh. Ilia hadn't actually known that about Dust. She knew that it was practically everywhere in daily life, but to know that so many products that she took for granted were based on it was a novel concept. The more she thought about it, though, the more she began to fret. After all, even though the SDC had been pulling in record profits, Dust production was actually slowly on the decline. Like any nonrenewable resource, the supply would eventually dry up and leave humanity and the Faunus with nothing. If that was the case, why were they wasting something critical for energy production and defense against the Grimm on trivial things like popsicles?

Wait a second. I'm in a school again, not the White Fang. I'm allowed to question people.

It had been a while since she'd been in a school, but she hadn't forgotten the basics from her time at Iridium. Raising her hand, she waited patiently until Professor Port called her name. Rising from her seat, she bowed and kept her eyes downcast.

"Sir. If Dust is only known to exist in limited quantities scattered among isolated pockets within Remnant's crust, and thus must be considered a finite resource, why is it being applied to such trivial applications? Will this not bring the day when we run out of Dust closer? Sir."

Without lifting her eyes, Ilia stood from her bow and took back her seat.

"Well, now, that is quite the heavy question. Truly, I regret having received such a serious query this early in the morning before taking my daily coffee. Now, to answer why: there is no answer."

"Sir?"

"Inevitably, we shall one day squander all of the Dust available on Remnant and run out. People know this and have chosen to ignore the consequences in favor of convenience and comfort. This is a thinly veiled metaphor for climate change."

"I see. Thank you, sir." That hadn't been nearly as comforting an answer as whatever Ilia had been expecting. A small ball of dread began to condense in her chest.

Simultaneously, a box placed on the ground next to Port's desk that was covered in a dark blue sheet began to gently rattle.

"Now, let us move on to the primary subject of this lecture. This is, after all, a Grimm Studies class, not Dust theory. Grimm themselves have not been extensively studied due to the physical hazards involved. We do, however, know that the darker portions of their anatomy tend to be less structurally sound and far more vulnerable to the effects of Dust than the bony plating that tends to cover their exterior and act as shielding. This is a rigorously documented and well known fact. To this end, I have brought in a live test subject."

Port pulled the sheet off of the box, revealing what looked like an oversized cat carrier. If it was, then the cat inside must have been quite agitated, because the shaking began to intensify. Students across the room began to gasp as they realized what was inside.

A Grimm.

"Fear not, my pupils," said Port. "This monstrosity is no threat to us. I have it securely contained and–"

"How?!" one of the other students cried out.

"Well, it was a simple concept. Grimm are attracted to negativity, but my classroom is a fountain of jocularity. Thus, as long as none of you were aware that it was present, you would have no fear, and the Boarbatusk would remain docile."

That would explain why the box had shaken – Ilia's general dismay over the inevitable Dust shortage had roused it.

"But now we know!" someone shouted.

"And now we're afraid!" exclaimed someone else.

"Hmm, quite the observation, my dear class. I suppose, then, that the only solution to this predicament is for this Grimm to be slain."

The box started to tumble back and forth, nearly tipping over. The Grimm inside emitted an ear-piercing squeal as it raged from within.

"Do I have a volunteer?"


The Boarbatusk was now in a frenzy, no doubt brought on by the fear that the prospect of fighting it had engendered in these children. Blake had killed Boarbatusks aplenty before and had half a mind to volunteer to off the creature if only to show the class how it was done, but it was probably better if she stayed silent. Ilia had already made them stand out by asking that question – seriously, asking a question? In a school? Who did that?

So, Blake stayed silent. It was rather embarrassing, as the huntsman in charge of the class probably counted her among the cowards who quaked from their desks, but the alternative was showing everyone just how talented she was with the now fixed Gambol Shroud. Showing off and spying didn't mix.

"Hey, teach," said Cardin. "I got an idea." He and the rest of his team were sitting near the front of the classroom. No doubt Schnee had insisted the present themselves 'front and center' to their 'esteemed professor.' She had been attempting to impersonate the rigid military discipline so often found at Atlas Academy, and to Blake, an actual servicewoman, it was not flattering.

"Pray tell, young Winchester. Who, what, when, where, and why?"

"I think the cow should fight the sow." Cardin turned around in his seat and pointed at Adam. "You know, farm animals unite and all that, right?"

"Why, I say! Mister Winchester, that is grossly inappropriate and extremely uncalled for–"

"Oh, it's quite all right, Professor. I'd be happy to dispatch your Grimm."

"Mister Taurus, there is no need for you to–"

"Don't worry, sir." Adam grinned. "Cardin's just joking around. We're all good friends, right?"

Cardin's smile only grew, but Weiss Schnee sitting next to him did not look happy. While the meathead clearly seemed to think that he'd gotten a fast one on Adam by forcing him to fight a 'dangerous' Grimm, his leader seemed to have a few more functioning brain cells. She must have realized from Adam's nonchalant approach to Cardin's bullying that he had something in mind.

Ruby didn't pick up on it, though. "Adam…"

"It's fine. Just a couple of friends joking around with one another, right?"

"…be safe."

"Don't overdo it," said Blake, as Adam drew Wilt.

"If I overdo it just a bit now, they might back off. Fear is a powerful thing."

Or they might decide to corner you in a dark alley one night, thought Blake, but it was too late now. Adam had already volunteered, and he was clearly going to show off. Nothing Blake could say was going to persuade him otherwise. I hope you're right about this.

Adam slowly began to descend the staircase that cut between the rows and rows of desks. Cardin was watching him like a salivating wolf, eager to watch what came next. There was clearly no doubt in his mind that the weak Faunus was about to get steamrolled in the upcoming fight. Blake wondered how a human could be so sheltered that they actually believed in superiority and inferiority solely based on species. A lot of the human she'd tangled with before had been Schnee higher ups, capitalist grunts who could care less for species and only saw Faunus as the most easily available source of cheap labor. They couldn't give a damn about the Faunus, but not because of any racial ideology. Others had been fearful and ignorant of Faunus, calling them dangerous or more pre-disposed to crime, but even those people were wary of the Faunus in the White Fang and the threat they represented.

Cardin, on the other hand, acted like he'd been exposed to so much human supremacy propaganda that he'd actually come to believe he truly was inherently stronger and smarter than them. That was a dangerous mindset, one that would probably get him killed one day. Never should one assume that victory was inevitable. Blake hated the Grimm, but she refused to underestimate them. Even when she'd plowed through Beowolves in the Emerald Forest, she'd always kept her aura up and her wits about her.

Weiss continued to study the situation with an analytical eye. Blake watched her gaze flick between Adam's sword and the caged Grimm. She was paying close attention and watching Adam's stance. Perhaps she wasn't the type to discount Faunus solely on account of their species, even if she despised them just as much. Blake genuinely wondered if she actually hated all Faunus or was just lashing out at the few in front of her because the White Fang had taken her family company from her. Well, technically the general had taken the company, but Weiss clearly blamed the Faunus.

Either way, it didn't matter. Weiss Schnee, Cardin Winchester, all of Team Sword – regardless of what they believed or how deeply they believed it, they chose to harass innocent people who'd done nothing to them. As far as Blake cared, the four humans could discuss the differences in their reasoning from the same prison cell.

As Adam passed by Team Sword, his sword arm tensed up. In a single fluid movement, he brought Wilt above his head and then smashed it down into the table. Cardin's notebook, the wooden desk that was built into the floor, and probably the tips of Cardin's steel poleyns were all cut in half. The blade began to glow red as the momentum stored within built up.

Without interrupting his gait, Adam continued to motion of his sword and swung underhand in the direction of the Boarbatusk. A black circle appeared on the floor beneath Adam, swirling as it expanded outwards. A crimson band of light streamed through the air towards the cage before Port even had a chance to release the latch.

The Boarbatusk and its pigpen were torn to shreds instantly. It didn't even have a chance to disappear into black smoke like Grimm usually did – Moonslice instantly disintegrated the body, leaving nothing behind. No smear on the ground, no scorched remains, nothing. Blake had seen the full power of Adam's semblance before, but that had been when it was directed at tougher things like S-Tier Grimm and reinforced Atlesian spider droids. All of them had been slain as well, but they were usually cut into pieces, not ripped apart without leaving a trace. Honestly, Blake hadn't even known that a single attack from Moonslice could achieve so much devastation. Adam used it judiciously, only in life-threatening scenarios.

Additionally, the stuffed Grimm replica of a Beringel behind the cage had also been destroyed.

As had the Beacon banner hanging on the wall.

And the wall itself.

And first set of the cupboards in Professor Peach's botany lecture lab on the other side.

Professor Peach herself was on the floor, the blast having knocked her over. Blake saw her moving her head when the dust cleared, so she was alive – that was probably for the best. Peach peered through the gaping hole where the wall dividing the two classrooms had once been in time to see Adam sheath Wilt and nod at the carnage he'd wrought. Then, he turned to look back at a dumbstruck Cardin.

"I do believe the cow has slain the sow."


"Detention, Mister Taurus."

"I figured as much."

"That Beringel was a beloved souvenir from my time in Mistral. Its sentimental value makes it – made it irreplaceable to me. I cannot allow you to simply walk away after destroying it without some manner of punishment. I hope you understand."

"The stuffed Grimm? Not the wall?"

"Precisely. And Mister Winchester, I do believe you shall be joining your 'friend' in detention, as you were the one to volunteer him. Why, one might hypothesize that you were, in fact, the mastermind behind the destruction of my treasured Beringel."

"Yeah," said Cardin, his eyes blank. "S-Sure. Whatever."

"Excellent. Other than that, good show, Mister Taurus. Solid performance, no pointers from me, let's say, ehhhh, nine out of ten."

"Nine? Because of–"

"Because of the Beringel, yes. Now, class dismissed. Please read chapters–"

Ruby's brain seemingly finished digesting the havoc, and she jumped into the air. "Yeah! Woohoo! Go Rabies! Rabies for the win!"

"Miss Rose! You root for deadly diseases on your own time, and not when I'm assigning homework. Just for that quite uncalled for interruption, you shall be joining Mister Taurus and Mister Winchester in detention. Now, anyone else? No? Good."


Detention was an unpleasant affair. Adam could care less about the punishment itself, but having to sit quietly next to his fellow inmates was a nightmare in and of itself. In this case, quietly meant him and a surprisingly morose Cardin while Ruby droned on and on about how cool the 'laser beam swordfight' had been. Adam briefly considered biting down on the cyanide capsule in his back left molar but thought better of it.

At least Winchester's pride had taken a hit. Many people like him tried to deny evidence that conflicted with their viewpoints, but it was difficult to do so when the evidence had destroyed half a classroom with a single attack and was now currently sitting on the other side of Professor Port's classroom.

"That was soooooo cool! You were like, whoosh, and then all 'pew pew pew' and the Grimm and the wall and all the other stuff was like 'oh no' and blew up! Adam, how did you do that?"

"Magic," he said, keenly away that Cardin could be listening.

"Hey, that what Il– oh. Oh! O…kay. Yeah." Ruby winked at him, making sure Cardin didn't see it. Adam would've winked back if it weren't for the fact that he physical was unable to wink due to childhood trauma. "So, what should the two of us do to pass the time?"

"Sit quietly in contemplative silence?" Adam suggested.

"Oh, how about we talk about who we have crushes on?"

"Okay. I'll go first. I want to crush your lower lip into your upper lip so you stop talking."

"Well, personally, in terms of crushes, I really think that Ilia's is super cool."

Adam paused momentarily. "How so?"

"I mean, she's sleek, flexible, and packing quite a punch – what's not to love? Though I will admit, Blake's isn't half bad. The way she moves around and flies through the air like she's dancing…" Ruby shuddered. "I get chills whenever I see her."

"O…kay? I've known them both for years, so I don't really know what to say."

"And yours? He's pretty hot too. So fiery, so passionate, so…long."

"Ruby, what the fuck are you talking about?"

"Sorry, I don't mean to muscle in on your territory. Wilt and Blush are all yours. Crescent's enough for me; I just like to fantasize sometimes."

Enough for– is she talking about having a crush on our weapons? What is wrong with this human?

"Ruby, can we talk about something el–"

"And Pyrrha showed me her babies, too. Let me tell you, they're hot stuff! Miló's a skinny little lad, but he's a lot tougher than he looks. And I know some people might give Akoúo̱ grief about her weight, but the way I see it, it's more cushion for the pushin.' Did you know that the two of them are twins? I mean, that's hot, even if you're not into inces–"

"Please stop. Please, just stop talking."

"We can talk about something else. What do you want to talk about?"

"Anything other than your ungodly weapons fetish."

"Oooh, why don't I tell you about how I got into Beacon?"

"Fine."

"So, there I was, listening to my tunes…"

Adam tried his best to filter out the chatter and instead formulate his next move. K had no leader, but as the oldest member (oldest in terms of personal age; Blake had technically been with James and Winter before he had), Adam often felt a responsibility to at least offer leadership. Decisions were best made as a group, but having a plan available usually made things run smoother.

Let's start with the suspects. I've got Jaune keeping an eye on Goodwitch, Ilia is getting closer to Schnee, and Blake's going to romance Ruby. That leaves The Invincible Girl. She's female and might be interested in romance, but Team Yellowjacket-P is practically a powder keg waiting for a spark to set it off. Perhaps it would be best to wait on them a bit.

One thing that had been gnawing at Adam was the fact that he had no idea how the killer was looking for them, or why. The best they could do was lie low and not make their interest obvious, but it still unsettled him that any action he took could be the critical clue that revealed K's identities. Is there any way I can be proactive and somehow disguise us better?

Adam glanced at Ruby as she described fighting a rogue huntress and some thief alongside Professor Goodwitch. He'd spent so much time with her that it felt nearly impossible to imagine the wholesome if not slightly irritating child as a killer. And after sleeping in the same room as her for over a week and spending morning, day, and night as a team, he felt like there was no way she wouldn't have revealed herself by accident.

But the same could be said for K in the reverse direction. That was the big catch, wasn't it? If they hadn't done anything to out themselves as Atlesian soldiers, it was only reasonable to assume that Ruby was able to keep the act up on her end just as well, if it was an act.

If Ruby was the one who killed Amin, was she wondering the same thing about him? Was she trying to determine if he, Blake, and Ilia were her three marks? Did she even know there was three of them, or was she perhaps trying to choose out which Faunus she wanted to kill? There was so much about this situation to speculate on that Adam had to shove it to the back of his brain, lest his mind start wandering.

For now, we're doing all that we can. Maybe I should focus more on–

"…Ozpin! I know, right? The headmaster himself! Isn't that cool?"

"What?"

"The guy was Ozpin, royal Exchequer of Beacon! Isn't that sick?"

"Okay, Ruby. Listen to me carefully. I want you to restart the story. Please, tell me everything."

"W-Why?"

"Because this time I'll actually be listening."

Ruby's exuberance turned into a pout. "You weren't before?"

"No, but I am now. That's what you wanted, right? Attention?"

"Hmph!" Ruby crossed her arms angrily and turned around.

Adam knew that Ozpin was supposed to be a close family friend of hers, and he vaguely remembered Ruby defending him at the post-initiation ceremony by mentioning something about him approving her application to Beacon, but he'd had no idea that he'd done so personally. The more he learned about her, the clearer it became that this tiny girl was truly at the center of all his problems.


Author's Notes

Sort of a non sequitur that interrupts the previous two conjoined chapters and the next related one (which is a continuation of those storylines about each member of K adopting a human), but I wanted to include it.

Remember kids, climate change is not a toy. If you see a friend using climate change, tell an adult.