Caelum sat at the bedside of his unconscious partner. Silence prominently reigned in the sanitized room as the nurse cleaned some metallic utensils. Caelum watched his partner's chest rise and fall slowly as he waited for him to wake.

To his side was a small figure, a girl younger than he when he took a closer look at her. It hadn't been long since she arrived in the room but it was irksome that she decided to come at all even if she stated it was to ensure her schoolmate was safe.

Sitting on a stool next to him, swinging her legs, she fiddled with her fingers and looked about. It was evident she was trying to find something to speak of and disrupt the awkward silence.

Caelum kept his eyes firmly on his partner and pondered what his options were. For now, he acted as he normally would in front of his team. It would cause issues if he feigned another personality down the line with this person. This girl wasn't and wouldn't be a prominent figure in his school life let alone after. Should he pretend to be polite? Just caring and friendly enough for her to leave him alone?

"So, I'm- Uh Ruby. Ruby Rose. Nice to… meet you? Formally. That is." She had beaten him to it with perhaps the most awkward introduction he had ever heard and it must've shown on his face as he slowly turned his head. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

Caelum watched as the younger girl squirmed under his gaze. She glanced around as the thought of fleeing was clearly on her mind. As she struggled he let a small huff of air out his nostrils. She reminded him of his siblings. Just when was the last time he had seen them?

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance Ms. Rose" responded Caelum, turning back to his unconscious partner. The girl seemed surprised at his response. Not having been taunted or shooed away she proceeded to sit quietly and kick her feet a little faster, pleased at a successful interaction and strangely enough, the formal way of being addressed.

Caelum supposed playing nice would be the most reasonable choice of dialogue besides he doubted they would speak much beyond this. Despite his notion of maintaining a facade, Ruby would be the first to see his strict side immediately as well. Raiden's eyes fluttered open slowly as he looked around in a daze, raising a hand to shield his eyes from the lights above and then suddenly freezing at the sight of Caelum's icy glare.

The boy shifted in his sheets, raising a hand to rustle his silver hair. "W-what?" he asked weakly, turning to see Caelum and the unfamiliar girl. Once Raiden was fully lucid and had some water provided by the nurse, he thanked her and hesitantly asked what happened as well as who the girl next to him was.

Caelum explained what he had witnessed and the circumstances of the event. Raiden grimaced at the details of his performance from his partner's unflattering description and the girl nodded along in amazement at the accuracy of the retelling.

However, before Ruby could be introduced, Caleum began tearing into Raiden. "Just what was that?" he hissed. Raiden and Ruby turned quiet in surprise. Winchester would have won that match. We both know that. So why did you break the one rule we agreed on?"

Raiden gripped his sheets in frustration, embarrassed to say that he feared for his life momentarily. He felt that it would be dismissed as a 'trivial' excuse. Caelum seemed to infer as much from the silence of his partner. "Then tell me why you kept it loaded? If, at least, there wasn't a round you wouldn't have nearly killed a fellow student."

"You told me to!" defended Raiden.

"For combat! Not when you're in the equivalent of a schoolyard fight!" countered Caelum. Raiden turned away, abashedly and unable to refute.

Ruby's head meanwhile flicked between the two, not expecting such a brazen lecturing, especially in front of someone outside their team. The tense atmosphere lingered until Caelum raised a hand and gestured to his side. "Our classmate, Ruby Rose, came to see how you were doing. So speak."

Raiden realized she was still present and turned to her bashfully. "Ah, oh sorry about that. Thanks for your concern but as you can see I'm alright."

Ruby rubbed the back of her neck trying to conform to the change in tension by laughing it off. "That's great to hear! And not to contradict your leader but I thought you put up a great fight! Especially that finale!"

Caelum peered down at the girl as she recounted how impressed she was. He had a hunch as to what she was getting at.

"I know you talked about rules or something along the lines but I have to ask…" she took a deep breath, glancing at Caelum before placing a hand on her chest and closing her eyes. With a look of determination, her eyes fluttered open.

"What was that!? That cool blue light and the noise it made! I've never seen a weapon like that! I'm even subscribed to Vales weapon magazine and they've never reported anything close to that!"

Raiden leaned back into his pillow from the fervent questioning. With a pleading look, he turned to his leader as the red-cloaked girl continued to gush over every minute detail she had seen of his weapon. Caelum, however, felt compelled to let him stew under the pressure of one-sided social interaction for the moment.

"What does it fire?! What are the ballistic capabilities? What's its optimal range?"

"Um, Ruby was it?" asked Raiden meekly.

Unintentionally ignoring him due to her excitement she continued her line of questioning. "What material is it made of!? How do the internal mechanisms operate!? How is it powered!?"

The exchange continued for a long minute or two where Ruby asked a question without waiting for an answer as Raiden fought in vain to interrupt her. Finally, Caelum grew tired of the show. Standing to his feet, his stool scraped loudly across the tiled floor, disrupting Ruby's one-sided chat.

"Ms. Rose, Let's leave him to his rest. My partner is not of the soundest physique and will require some time to answer your questions if he is able to. Most, if not all of his weapon's details are considered top secret. I'm sure you understand."

The girl pouted, slightly puffing a cheek at being rebuffed. Caelum nearly felt inclined to leniency as she reminded him again of his distant family. Yet his facade remained strong as she caught herself acting immaturely. Realizing this she stood to her feet and nodded in understanding, still clearly disappointed.

"I can take you to our next class if you'd like, I just need a few words with my partner before we leave."

In an instant, Ruby teleported ten meters away in a flurry of petals. Waving her hands in front of her torso she refused. "N-no thanks! I'll make it on my own besides Yang would lose it if she saw me walking with someone!"

Caelum and Raiden raised an eyebrow at her reaction and looked at each other then back. With an awkward laugh, she slowly backed away and flashed out of the room.

Both boys looked out of the room where she had left. Raiden turned to Caelum who had returned to his usual glower now that Ruby was gone and thanked him. "Thanks. For covering for me."

Caelum gave a reproachful look. "Don't worry about it. How are you feeling?"

Raiden took the opportunity to break eye contact and slightly shift his limbs. With a small grunt, he replied "I should be fine by tomorrow."

"Hm, I'll have the nurse bring you food. Rest for now and be back in the dorm before curfew."

"O-ok"

With his instructions delivered and his partner's safety ensured Caelum left to go on about his day as usual. He began planning how to deflect Ruby's attention in weapons class without being too callous and earning any more attention or her team's ire. While he plotted how to avoid any further attention with what was the first official hiccup in his school career, another unexpectedly followed. With good intentions, he and his team were called up by Professor Port the next day.

At Professor Goodwitch's class the next day as Raiden avoided intense gazes from his classmates, Port walked in as the class was instructed to go about self-instructed sparring. As the class filtered downstairs to grab their equipment or simply sit and discuss strategy, Port bellowed their team name while animatedly waving them over to the entrance.

Team Cerulean exchanged confused looks before shrugging and complying. In an empty classroom, the professor began a sudden speech about masculinity and how they reminded him of his youth.

"Why yes, I was quite a stoic in my day, Man of few words, always of action and results" he turned a bushy brow to Caelum. Pacing past the students he continued. Yet I always had a knack for knowledge and understood where I was lacking. My humility was unparalleled back then." He nodded to Raiden before proceeding.

Turning on his heel he continued his precision pacing. "Why I was even considered somewhat of a lady killer, broke many hearts for my true love was the hunt! However! I knew how to separate business and pleasure." He ruffled his mustache at Lukas. "And perhaps most notable of all! My physique was known across the land! A man from the wilderness honed by survival and skill!" at this he struck a pose, he gleamed an eye at Niel.

Niel laughed uneasily as he turned to his team. Caelum held his poker face as Raiden watched on, lost at the teacher's words. Lukas was the first to speak his mind.

"Agh! Get on to the point! We ain't here for your life story! I'd rather be getting swatted around in the arena!"

Port swung his arm wide. "Haha! A tenacious nature as expected! My point gentleman! Is that I, was much like you at one point in my life! Young, audacious, and eager! Not that being two out of three isn't so bad anymore" he chuckled slyly.

"Why yes being young and eager are still two of my best qualities!" he laughed aloud. Raiden and Niel politely laughed along with the joke as Caelum remained impassive. Lukas could only slouch in his seat and groaned.

"Now as for why I have brought you here. I wish to take your education further. Yes, I see a spark of talent among you and wish to nurture it."

Raiden's curiosity piqued bringing him to interrupt. "How so sir?"

"By having you fight some real opponents!" he declared pointing a finger at Raiden.

Niel and Caelum's attention was now garnered as Lukas crossed his arms. "More work sounds like" he murmured bitterly.

"Hardly my boy!" Refuted Port, having heard the complaint. "If you accept then these bouts will take place during this final hour of Ms. Goodwitch's class. I've already spoken to her and the headmaster. I've even gotten approval to provide you extra credit for this endeavor. Interested?" he asked with a hushed tone.

Raiden and Niel nodded to each other, both trying to hush Lukas' clear distaste.

"We accept sir" declared Caelum. Please provide us with the details via our scrolls so we have official documentation regarding our absence. We will begin preparing ourselves for the first attendance. If that is all we will be getting back to class. Our training is of urgency to us in our limited time."

Port was caught off guard by his student taking control of the conversations and tying it all up. Clearing his throat he agreed. "Ah-hem, of course, my boy, you lads be on your way and await my message! Look forward to it, I certainly will!"

Caelum stood and nodded his head politely before gesturing for his team to follow. Once out of their teacher's hearing, they began discussing the unusual situation in hushed tones.

"What do you suppose that was about?" asked Raiden.

"An old fart sticking his nose where it don't belong" griped Lukas.

Niel gave a weak laugh at the remark. Caelum hummed and gave his conjecture. "It's most likely hazing. I don't know if we did something wrong, if the others are getting the same treatment or we just got the wrong attention. What I can say is that it is most likely to humble us. Remind us of our place and perhaps even boost the attitude of whoever we face."

"Why would we need to be humbled?!" asked Raiden in exasperation.

The team stopped in their tracks as all eyes turned to Lukas. Feeling their stares he stopped and pointed at Caelum. "Don't act as if you're not in the same boat as me!"

"You don't deny it" scoffed Caelum. The two began to bicker as they returned to class. And so the day went on.

They were soon called up the next day at the same time.

Port called them down with instructions to change into their gear. After a short talk between him and Professor Goodwitch, they were off to the training field. With one private arena reserved for them, they entered to see four other students waiting patiently in their combat attire and eager faces.

"Now!" bellowed Port's voice as he stood between the two teams. "First is introductions! This is Team Fern or Team FIRN. They are sophomores and will assist you today so I may gauge your skill level. Depending on your performance your opponent may change until we have a baseline!"

The four boys peered around their stout professor and observed their opponents. Raiden and Niel gave polite nods to their seniors as opposed to Lukas scowling with crossed arms. Both he and Caelum seemed unimpressed.

Ever to the point, Caelum swung his weapon from his shoulder into his hand. "Let's not waste time sir. What are our objectives and the rules of engagement?"

Port seemed to be getting used to his abrasive student and kept with his pace. "Why my boy! Simplicity is best in regard to growth! You will simply face each other. Team against team, first to surrender, be incapacitated loses, unless I call the match of course. From there I shall adjust your schedule accordingly."

"Will we have a strategy meeting beforehand or will it be blind? I assume the match begins on your command?"

Port fumbled his words for a moment as he turned to the sophomores behind him. The four exchanged looks before shrugging and giving casual approval. "Yes dear lad, strategy is of the utmost importance. I admire that initiative! You shall have two minutes to discuss before beginning! The time shall be short as a huntsman must be prepared for quick decisions!"

Caelum gave a solemn nod. "That is plenty of time. Thank you, sir." Caelum spun on his heel and pulled his team in close. Port fumbled for a pocket watch as he began counting seconds.

The other three of team CRLN reached for their weapons until Caelum stopped them. He glanced back at their opponents who watched curiously. "Don't reveal your weapons until the fight begins. We have an advantage in intel here."

Before any questions could be asked, Caelum expunged what he knew and observed in their limited time. "If I'm not mistaken their team is one of the lowest ranked in the sophomore year. They probably accepted this as a means of extra credit in an easy match against freshmen. They don't know our weapons, semblances, or styles. And most useful is they're dismissful of us."

His team looked past him to see the sneers and lackadaisical attitude of their seniors. A small, righteous indignancy arose within the three boys as their leader continued. "The two in the center are holding melee weapons, the two outside of them are holding ranged. Most likely a basic formation. They'll rush two center and the other two flank left and right to pincer."

Caelum turned to Niel. "You will be center-left and counter their melee. Lukas, you support him, deal with the left range as you see fit. Raiden you'll engage center right as your 'rifle' isn't suitable for spars. I'll support you from the rear."

Raiden and Niel nodded as Lukas spit on the ground, whether in distaste for their seniors, Caelum, or both the latter took it as a confirmation without any offense.

Team CRLN then walked to the center of the training field across from their opponent's. "We're ready sir" informed Caelum.

"Is that so?" Port cleared his throat before in a loud, deafening roar he announced "Begin!"

The sudden start caught Radien off guard as he fumbled to engage his weapons transformation from storage mode to a halberd. The other seven combatants had not. Pressed into the center he had no room to retreat and barely brought his weapon up to block as his opponent brought down one of their two war hammers.

Raiden was spared a concussive blow to the skull as his opponent caught a harsh blow to the side of his head from Caelum's black boot. With a loud crack from his neck, the boy was sent careening into his ally where Niel began to lay into them with a series of blows.

The boy Caelum was to face sought to exploit his assistance of Raiden and strike. This came to nothing as he was sent dodging along the perimeter of the room as Caelum fired his MG from the hip, giving him no time to aim his rifle. While firing Caelum spared a look at his allies. Lukas was bruising his foe with a voracious assault as Niel occupied his two foes with a beating. Looking down at Raiden he gave two simple orders. "Stand. Fight."

Raiden nodded and rushed to assist Niel as Caelum burst after his opponent, who was now trying to rejoin his team and get some space between them.

Port watched the fight with interest before his brow began to twitch slightly. The boys showed no teamwork, no care for each other, rather they treated each other like burdens only assisting to not endanger their own position. And yet, they were winning. Quite handily at that, to the point he called the session early.

Keeping his usual demeanor he congratulated both teams and dismissed them for the day. He assured them points were to be awarded and that any further updates would be sent to their scrolls. Team CRLN were quick to leave, checking their gear before each other's welfare and leaving without a further word. Their sophomore counterparts were slower to leave and had many more gripes. Though he sent them encouragement he knew they would not return for a rematch. It would do nothing for either team's growth anyhow.

Humming to himself as he walked the halls of Beacon, Port stroked his chin thinking of just what to do. The boys had outdone his expectations. If they could succeed without teamwork at this level then he supposed he would have to grant them an even greater challenge. 'Haha! I never cease to amaze myself with my quick wit!' he internally boasted.

-Chapter End-