I think I'm going to change the posting day to Tuesday. Mondays are too busy for me. Feel free to ask questions regarding anything related to the story or characters. I try and include the answers to those in the next chapter. Also, don't expect the next chapters to be 8000 words long. But until next time!

Guest on Nov. 16, 2023 - Thanks for the feedback. I'll be honest, even in the show, JNPR is sidelined for much of the first two volumes (except for Jaune's arc). But, Team JNPR is going to play a larger role in this chapter. On that note, I will include Team JNPR in a more prominent role in future chapters (at least until I get passed the already written chapters).

Note: I do not own either RWBY or Fairy Tail. Those are owned by Rooster Teeth and Hiro Mashima ( and FUNimation). Please support the official release.

Note two: Bolded text indicates telepathic dialogue between Mavis and Zeref, usually. Italic text indicates a flashback.

"Good morning Team RWBY!" Ruby blew a whistle in Weiss's face, causing the white-haired girl to shoot up from bed. The rest of her teammates got up more groggily. "What the hell Ruby?" Weiss had lost all sense of decorum.

"C'mon Weiss, it's our first day at Beacon," The scythe wielder swung an arm around the heiress's neck. "And we've got some time before classes, so I thought we could unpack now!"

"Ruby," Yang stifled a yawn. "I fully support that line of reasoning. But could you let the rest of us get our uniforms on first?"

"Oh, right," Ruby blushed. "We'll get started once everyone's ready."

The decorating process took an unsightly amount of time–more time than it should've. Ruby barely noticed though. She was having too much fun helping her teammates put up some of the stuff they'd brought with them. In Yang's case, Ruby helped her sister store the clothes they'd brought from home together in one of the two closets in the room.

Weiss had begrudgingly given up her monopoly to the other closet, allowing Blake to hang her clothes in there, while Weiss kept a majority of the outfit's she'd brought in her suitcase.

Ruby mostly helped to secure the dust charges Weiss had decided to store in their room. Ruby was a little apprehensive about having large quantities of combustible material in their living space, especially after the fiasco on the first day. But Weiss surprisingly brushed off her concern.

"Just because I didn't trust you then doesn't mean I don't trust you now," the girl had answered with a smile that Ruby suspected wasn't genuine.

She had the easiest time with Blake. Most of the personal items the black-haired girl had brought with her were books that Ruby helped to place on the chest-high bookshelf within the room.

One specific book had caught her eye, however. She'd only caught a glimpse of it, just before Blake snatched it away. The cover read Ninjas of Love. Huh. Ruby didn't think Blake was a romantic.

After all of the decorating, Team RWBY took a step back to inspect their work.

"This isn't going to work," Weiss sighed. While the team had been rearranging the room, they had pushed all the beds into a pile in the corner of the room. Ruby closed her eyes in concentration. She was the team's leader, so how was she going to fix this?

"Maybe we should ditch some of our stuff," Yang suggested. Ditch…?

"That's it!" Ruby's eyes twinkled with excitement. "Let's ditch the beds, and replace them with bunk beds!"

"That sounds dangerous," Weiss deadpanned. "Are we really sure that's a good idea?"
"Sounds interesting," Blake immediately contradicted.

"I think that's a great idea," Yang smiled.

"Wait…!" Weiss stammered. "Are we absolutely certain this is a good idea?"

"Sounds intriguing," Blake instantly agreed.

"I love it!" Yang grinned.

"Wait...!" Weiss stammered. "Let's put it to a vote then."

"I think we already did," Ruby smirked at her teammate.

The heiress just sighed in return. "Well then, let's get this set up!"

Zeref sat on the bed of the dorm room he and Mavis shared. He felt the cotton sheets under his palms. The last time he stayed in a room like this was…Mildian Magic Academy. Had it been that long since he was a student?

"Go make sure everyone's going to class," Mavis called from the small freshener attached to their room. "I'll be out in a few minutes."

"I think only one team hasn't gotten to class yet," Zeref muttered to himself, as something thumped against the left wall of the dorm room. Ozpin had probably found it funny to put the two 'student advisors' next to the loudest and most energetic team. Standing up, Zeref readjusted the tie part of Beacon's uniform and rebuttoned the dark blue blazer.

Stepping outside into the hall, the thumps he'd heard in the room increased in volume. Zeref turned the handle of Team RWBY's dorm and opened the door. He was met with a storm of books, string, and bedsheets.

"Watch it, Yang!" Blake warned. As Zeref's eyes adjusted to the chaos, he could understand what was going on. Kinda. Team RWBY had transformed their beds into bunk beds, on the right side at least. They'd stacked books, presumably from Blake's collection to prop up the bed's stands. On the left-hand side, which presumably contained Ruby's bunk, the upper bed was held up to the ceiling by two thick coils of rope.

"Team RWBY," Zeref knocked the wall of the team's dorm. "Are you aware of the time?"

"What are you talking about…" Ruby hopped down from the makeshift bunkbed, blazer, and skirt slightly rumpled from all of the movement. "... it's almost class time!"

"What?!" The other three members of Team RWBY quickly made their way to their team leader.

"Sorry Zeref, but we have to get going!" Weiss pushed past him, followed by the other three members. As they ran down the hallway, Jaune, and the rest of their team, joined the stampede almost seamlessly.

"Agh!" The team leader of JNPR accidentally got elbowed by Ruby as she ran past.

Zeref gently halted the blonde sword-wielder and his team from heading to class. "Jaune," he sighed.

"Mr. Dragneel," Jaune's voice came out squeaky. "I—"

Zeref turned his onyx eyes toward Jaune. "As the leader of your team, it's your responsibility to ensure you and your teammates get to class on time, understood?"

"Y-yes," Jaune mumbled, looking down in embarrassment.

The door to Zeref's dorm opened, revealing Mavis dressed in the school uniform. The blue blazer and white dress shirt matched and contrasted her pastel-colored hair and the pink ribbon that was tied around her upper chest. The red plaid skirt, which for most people ended at the thighs, almost covered Mavis's knees.

"I know it's a little big," Mavis said, reading his expression, her eyes glancing at her shoes.

Zeref gently shook his head. "I think it looks adorable. The ribbon ties the whole outfit together."

"You don't look half bad in a suit," Mavis playfully elbowed him. "But did you have to be that hard on Jaune?"

"He isn't going to improve without some kind of pressure," Zeref responded, his tone softened. "Oz saw something in him–despite the faked transcripts."

"Those must have been some impressive transcripts to even trick Glynda," Mavis mused. "Doesn't matter. We should get to class though."

Zeref scribbled down Professor Oobleck's words as he introduced the class syllabus. It was a little jarring to hear a teacher lecturing on events Zeref had lived through, like the Great War. Next to him, Mavis was sketching out a world map of Remnant, using the larger one hung at the back of the lecture hall.

"Some of you may find this class strange," Oobleck babbled, hands twitching. His desk was scattered with empty coffee cups and a half-drunken one in his hand. "As history might not seem relevant–"

"How is learning about the Fanus Revolutions going to help us slay Grimm?" Cardin Winchester half-scoffed at their teacher. "It's not like we're going to learn anything from this class anyway."

Oobleck furrowed his eyebrows. "Mr. Winchester, I hope you soon come to understand the role that hunters and huntresses play in our society. Mr. Dragneel, I believe Professor Port had a chance to speak with you about this?"
Zeref blinked. "Uh, yes sir." The word sounded foreign to him. "Hunters and Huntresses vow to protect those who cannot protect themselves–not just against Grimm."

"Exactly!" Oobleck held up a caffeinated finger. "By understanding the history of our world, you will all be better equipped to help the people of Remnant more than just slaying Grimm. For example, can anyone tell me how the Huntsmen Academies were established?" Three hands went up. "Ms. Schnee?"

The girl failed to suppress her self-assured smile. "The Huntsmen Academies were founded following the end of the Great War, where Vale's 'Warrior King' created one in each kingdom."

"And why did Vale's king feel it necessary to establish these Academies?" Oobleck pressed. To that, Weiss struggled for an answer.

"Well…because…" She stumbled. "To defend against the increased Grimm attacks?"

"True," The professor admitted. "But can anyone tell me why each kingdom got an academy?"

Zeref watched Pyrrha raise her hand. "Every person in Remnant deserves protection, not just Vale–and the king knew that. So, in a show of good faith, built an academy for each participant of the Great War."

"Correct, Ms. Nikos," He took another sip of his coffee. "But! There is one other reason for the construction of the Huntsmen Academies. Ms. Vermillion, could you tell me that other reason?" Zeref turned to see his wife engrossed in adding extra details to the key of her map of Remnant. She lined her thumb on the map.

"Uh, Oobleck called on you," Zeref nudged her foot. Mavis placed down her pencil before looking up. Their green-haired teacher was giving her an inquisitive stare. Not at her, but at her map.

"The CCT Towers?" She pointed to the massive tower (that didn't have a clock) through the window. "They allow each kingdom to communicate with one another."

"The Academies unite the kingdoms together," Blake answered almost absentmindedly.

"And we've reached it!" The Professor slammed his paper coffee cup on his desk, rattling the empty cups on his desk. "The newest theory regarding the Huntsmen Academies. That they were built to try and heal the divide created from the Great War, and unite the kingdoms against the Grimm." The bell rang. "Remember students, read the first two chapters of your textbook–we'll be having a quiz on that next class."

A few students audibly sighed in relief at the class being over, then quickly turned into complaints at the prospect of a quiz in the very next class.

"A quiz already?" Ruby whined. "It's our first class."

Weiss pinched her arm. "Grow up. This isn't combat school anymore–we're here to learn."

Blake finished stuffing her notebook back into her bag. "Remember what Oobleck talked about in class, about huntresses and huntsmen protecting people from more than just Grimm?"

"I found that part interesting," Yang stood up. "I never really thought about it, but the police call in Huntsmen to take care of criminals sometimes. Ruby, remember that Dust smuggler in Vale?"

"And how Goodwitch totally kicked that guy's butt?" Ruby grinned. "Yep."

Zeref slung his satchel over the right shoulder and leaned into Mavis's ear. "I remember that him. His Semblance was tricky to deal with."

"Maybe for you," Mavis muttered. "His Semblance didn't last too long against Fairy Glitter."

"If you maybe taught me a weaker version of the spell, I wouldn't have asked you to help me with that one."

The petite girl laughed before guiding the two of them to the exit of the classroom. "You would've figured out the original spell if I had. And besides, I already gave it to August, so drop it."

Zeref pouted. "Alright. So what's our next class?"

"We have…" Mavis trailed off. "Semblance and Aura manipulation."

"Isn't August on a research trip?" Zeref asked. "At least, Oz said that."

She shrugged. "Maybe there's a sub then. Or he created an illusion of himself to teach. Either way, we're probably going to have to…control ourselves better."

"Or we could just skip the class," Zeref suggested. "I'm sure Oz would let us do that."

Mavis elbowed him.

"Semblance control?" Jaune's voice strained as he read the title of the class. "But I haven't unlocked mine yet!"

"Juane," Pyrrha chided. "I'm sure not every student that comes to Beacon has their Semblance unlocked–the professor definitely has ways to help you."

"I see what you're talking about now," Mavis sighed. "He's going to need a lot of support–or pressure–to do well."

The classroom was empty when Mavis and Zeref entered the classroom. Behind them, Team JNPR filed in, and each member was filled with various levels of enthusiasm. However, one other student was sitting in the room, legs crossed over one another, on one of the folding chairs in the corner of the classroom.

The girl wore a black beret on top of her brown hair, with sunglasses covering her eyes, on top of her school uniform. It took a few seconds before she noticed them.

"You guys are a bunch of first-years, right?" The girl glanced at Juane and his team. The girl looked familiar–just like a girl August had described to Mavis the previous year–Coco?

"Yep!" Nora gave her a thumbs up. Ren barely moved his head in confirmation. Jaune smiled nervously. Phyrra bobbed her head. Coco then turned to her.

"And you two are the talk of the school," The brunette leaned back in her chair, eyeing them like prey.

"We are?" Zeref found Mavis's hand, squeezing it hard. It was sometimes hard to remember that The Black Wizard had once been a humble student, a socially awkward one at that. Mavis squeezed his hand back.

Coco laughed. "Are you serious? The last time any of the Huntsmen Academies created two two-person teams was so long ago that no one can remember. Team MZ is the first in a long time."

"Is that why you're here?" Mavis tilted her head inquisitively. The girl waved her off.

"Nah," Coco told her. "Professor August lets my team help with his classes–in exchange for one-on-one sessions with him. But he's been out in Vacuo for a few months now–along with Fox."

"Then how is he going to lead our class?" Pyrrha inquired.

"Conference call us from Shade Academy," Coco replied. "Should be getting a call any minute now."

"No need," a tall, elderly man entered through the doorframe. His purple robes carried stray sand particles, his skin tanned from sun exposure. A long, thin, white beard graced his chest. "Sorry for the slight delay, everyone—your teammate is resting after our journey, Ms. Adel." Zeref nudged Mavis, puzzled.

"Is that…our son?" He knitted his eyebrows. "He looks…familiar."

"Let's take a seat," She pulled him toward the seats next to Coco. Mavis was glad Coco didn't comment when Zeref stood in front of his seat for ten seconds before taking it.

As her husband stared at the ground, Mavis took a glance at August. He pulled out a familiar, worn, and now much more sandy, brown journal from an inner pocket of the jacket he'd worn. The professor's eyes flickered up, staring straight back at Mavis. For a split second, his face formed into a smile, but turned into a slight frown when he noticed Zeref's troubled stare.

"He still has the book?" Zeref sharply looked up, his face completely blank.

Mavis plopped herself into the seat next to him, leaning into his shoulder. "Yeah. Got some sand in it though. I thought I taught him better than that!" She tactfully avoided asking about his obvious confusion.

"Good, good." The Black Wizard tried to, at least, relax. Mavis could still see confusion and apprehension swimming in Zeref's eyes. She was half-tempted to ask what was wrong but then noticed Coco eyeing her suspiciously. As this all happened, more teams filed into the large classroom, taking up the remaining cluster of chairs.

"Settle down!" August's sharp voice simmered down the ambient conversation between the students. Mavis leaned forward in interest. She wondered how well her son would teach a group of superpowered teenagers. "I won't bore you with the details of the syllabus–you will be graded on the improvement of your Semblances. That is all you need to know.

More importantly, I would like your opinion on something." August paused. "Why do you think our esteemed headmaster decided to make a class on Auras and Semblance mandatory?" Mavis's hand shot up. "Yes, Ms…?"
The blonde internally smirked at August's faux ignorance. "Mavis Vermillion, professor."

"Ms. Vermillion," August continued. "Do you have an answer?"

"A Semblance is the manifestation of one's soul. So, by mastering Semblance, we become more attuned with ourselves."

Her son nodded. "That is one answer. Can anyone give me another?" Emboldened by Mavis's answer, more students offered their answers.

"So we can better utlize them as huntsmen?"

"True,"

However, Pyrrha had a different question. "Professor, are you the only teacher of this class?"

"Yes I am," August dipped his head in agreement. "What would you like to know?"

"I wonder," The Mistrali champion shone with curiosity. "How will you effectively teach every student, considering the wide range of Semblances?"

August merely smiled, before extending a hand. "Ms. Nikos, would you mind informing me of your Semblance again?"
"The girl stiffened slightly. "It's polarity, professor."

"I see," August's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Could you demonstrate it for me?"

"Of course," Pyrrha held her arm up towards the professor's desk. A second later, the metallic pen that sat in the pencil cup flew into her hand.

Then August opened his hand, causing the pen to slip out of Pyrrha's grasp and into his. "There is your answer Ms. Nikos." The Spartan was at a loss for words, eyes wide. Next to her, Jaune turned to ask her something.

"Is that your Semblance?" he asked in a hushed tone.

"It is," Pyrrha remained dumbfounded. Mavis couldn't help the smile that was forming on her face.

"As you can see students, I have the power to copy the Semblances of others. Hopefully, this should put your remaining doubts at ease. Now, you will all demonstrate your Semblance to the class. Now, to start, Arc, Jaune!"

"He's…going to have some issues in this class," Zeref noted.

Mavis elbowed him. "Give him time. I'm sure August will too."

"Well, he always took after you more," he leaned back in his chair.

"Uh, sir?" Jaune said in a small voice. "I…haven't unlocked my Semblance yet."

Mavis's son tilted his head. "Is that so? No matter. See me after class." JNPR's team lead visibly deflated at those words. Tactfully ignoring him, August continued. "Zeref Dragneel!"

Following suit, Zeref stood and extended a hand. As he did so, some of the air in the middle of the classroom began to glow with a white hue, thickening into a translucent barrier. It increased in size, nearly touching the ceiling, before shrinking down to the size of a dinner plate. Mavis noted their teacher's rapt attention, taking out a notebook and jotting down something. It filled her with warmth to see August in his element–a smile across his face.

"Thank you Mr. Dragneel. Next, Arany Zloto!" One by one, more students were called up to demonstrate their abilities. It wasn't too long before Mavis herself was called up.

"Vermillion," August murmured to himself as she made her way to the front of the classroom. "What an interesting name."

"Sir?" It felt awkward for Mavis to call August that. "Could you pull back up the targets?" With the flick of his wrist, three metal plates rose from, the ground, locking into place. Raising a hand, Mavis aimed her open palm at the center target. A burst of dark energy shot out, burning the air it traveled through. Then, as fast as it was formed, the bolt of energy collided with the metal, superheating the otherwise silver alloy to a yellow color. While the material quickly cooled, a black scorch mark adorned the otherwise scratched metal.

"Thank you, Mavis," August motioned her to return to her seat.

As the last few students were called up, August pocketed his notebook. "That is all for today's class. Please remember, to bring your weapons next time to class. And Mr. Arc–in my office."

It was the first time August had used his Scroll for anything other than for taking photos. Generally speaking, he did not need it, preferring paper to write down his discoveries. Aside from his scroll August only ever used the terminal in his classroom to enter his students' grades. But his parents lived far enough from Beacon that his telepathy couldn't reach them.

Besides, it would be nice to see Mavis and Zeref once again. He leaned his Scroll against the lamp on his desk and clicked the call button. The device vibrated once–then twice. On the third ring, they finally answered.

"Hello?" Zeref's hand obscured the camera, as he fiddled with the placement of his Scroll. "August?"

"Father," the faded blonde was at a loss for words. He honestly expected his mother to answer the call, not…Zeref. "How are you and mother?"

"Getting ready for winter," the black-haired teenager answered. "We've spent the last few days salting most of our kills. How has teaching suited you?"

"To be honest," August forced himself to relax. This wasn't the cold, calculating Spriggan Emperor that he'd seen in his father's memories. "Terrifying. It feels like I'm not helping the students the best that I could be. But I don't know if that's the case either."

Zeref leaned back on the couch. "That's good. It means you care–and that you want to improve."

"That's what I wanted to talk to you actually," August murmured. "There's…been a specific student whose had…an especially difficult time with their Semblance."

"Is it Raven?" August visibly slumped in his chair as Zeref asked the question. Was he that predictable now?

"I told the headmaster my idea on how Semblances 'change'. One way is through some sort of traumatic, life-changing experience or circumstance. Putting enough pressure on something to transform it. But the other way is through connecting with others–and growing through them."

"So?" Zeref prompted him to continue. "How does this relate to Raven?"

"Ozpin wants me to prove the second idea by helping Raven to evolve her Semblance."

"What's the issue then?" Zeref raised his eyebrows.

"Raven is the most hostile student in the entire school. Outside of her team–and even that's questionable–she actively pushes people away, sometimes literally. Most of the other teachers complain about her behavior–and it's especially worse for the TAs."

"How…so?" It seemed even the Black Wizard was afraid to find out.

"She somehow managed to put Peter Port in the infirmary with a thumbtack. Accidentally, of course. She was aiming for her brother."

"So how does she act around you?"

At that question, August chuckled. "Oh, she avoids me. I don't think Raven took kindly to my deduction of her and her brother's reasons for enrolling at Beacon."

"But Qrow?"

"He's quite different from her sister–in the things that matter anyway. Quite popular with the student body as a whole. But he generally sticks close to his team for a much different reason, one I cannot fault. He's at least open to talking in class–and contributing."

"Hmm," Zeref covered his mouth, eyes deep in thought. "Have you worked on your Semblance lately?"

"Yes, why?" August couldn't see where this was going.

"The next time you have Raven, use her Semblance–but better."

"You mean–" Beacon's new teacher dropped his arm onto the table. So that's what Zeref meant. "Show her what her Semblance could be—a far more versatile tool."

"Make it into a competition," A small smile formed on the wizard's face. "Brother against sister–Qrow's Semblance has the potential to control luck, right?"

"Possibly," August took back what he had thought. Zeref still had that same calculating and manipulative streak. "I think I know what to do then. Thank you, Father–I'll let you know how it goes." He moved his hand to end the call.

"Wait," his father called, "thanks for asking me. It…means a lot."

"I know." August ended the meeting. Standing up from his chair, Beacon's Semblance teacher pulled open a drawer. Next to the more faded journal, his parents had given him, August pulled out a new notebook, the one he used to record all of his student's abilities. Flipping to Qrow and Raven's entries, he made a little note. Meet with them after class, he wrote.

It was going to be an interesting semester.

Jaune nervously stood in front of Professor August's desk. Part of him hated the fact his lack of a Semblance was called out in front of the class. But the other part of him was thankful that at least one teacher at Beacon was willing to help him.

"Mr. Arc," the professor who had been scribbling something in a notebook, looked up. "How are you feeling about your first day at school?"

"Oh, uh great!" Jaune pasted on a smile. "Just fine–I mean, not that anything bad has happened, but–"

"Jaune," August put a hand up, "why did you come to Beacon Academy?"

"Well, my dad, and his dad, and his dad before that–you get the point, we're all huntsmen or warriors, ya know? So I wanted to follow in their footsteps."

"I see," August returned his attention to his desk. "Talk to your teammate, Pyrrha. I believe you will find her willing to help you with your Aura and combat ability."

"Wha–" Jaune was flabbergasted at that proposal. He–he couldn't ask any of his classmates for help, let alone Pyrrha. "I'm sorry professor, but, I think I could–"

"Jaune," the professor cut him off, "the faster you accept your need for help, the faster you will unlock your Semblance. I…taught a student like you a long time ago. The first year I was here. And while for different reasons, they also refused to reach out to their classmates, and friends–limiting their growth. And ironically, they came here to become stronger. You don't have to ask Pyrrha now, or Pyrrha at all. I simply hope to see improvement before the end of the semester, Mr. Arc. And as I've said, leveraging your friends and teammates will enable that process. You may go." The professor turned back to his papers. Signaling the end of the conversation.

Jaune stood there awed into silence by August's words. Did he know? And if August did, why wasn't he kicked out yet? No, he couldn't. But, was…there some truth to his words? Maybe, if not Pyrrha, maybe August could help him. And if not August, at least one of the student advisors, Mavis he believed, could be open to giving him some guidance.

"Professor," Jaune began, "Could I…come by after class tomorrow?"

"Two more times," he responded.

"Excuse me?" Jaune was confused.

"You can visit me two more times this semester," the old man looked back up. "That is all the help I will be able to give you. I can point you in the right direction, but I cannot be the one to lead you there. That will be up to you, and your friends."

Weiss was having a…mixed week. The first day was overall okay, though a little messy, though she had to admit, the bunk beds were an innovative idea on Ruby's part.

Then classes rolled around.

Dr. Oobleck was an interesting figure–certainly with a unique set of…ideas on history. So was the math teacher–Se Zi. He had quite a different approach to teaching his subject. All of Weiss's previous tutors and teachers had explained the concepts, and that was that. But Professor Zi would introduce a problem, and then let the students try and solve the problem on their own–until the end of class, where he'd explained the reasoning behind the concept. Unfortunately, it was also the only class she shared with Ruby alone. And Ruby was not exactly inclined towards that type of teaching.

And now again, her team leader was distracting Weiss during Grimm Studies! Granted, Professor Port's…stories were a little non-sensical. And boring. And a little irrelevant to the class. Weiss wasn't even sure he was qualified to teach the class. But still, if even Zeref was managing to pay attention, then Weiss would too.

Weiss still wasn't entirely sure what to make of the student advisor. On one hand, he was level-headed, responsible, kind, and socially awkward. On the other hand, he was also sarcastic, stern, and full of conviction for his role. If he caught someone after dark, it was going to be a long night for whoever he found. And that person would show up the next morning wide-eyed and sitting ramrod straight.

She then glanced at the person sitting next to Zeref. Mavis Vermillion was doodling something in her notebook. In some ways, Weiss was just as confused by Ozpin's choice to have her as a student advisor, as the rapier wielder was puzzled by Ruby's ascension to team leader. They both were brimming with optimism, sometimes when it wasn't warranted. And impulsive. It was a miracle Goodwitch was able to get the battle arena running again only in a day, after the many, many holes Mavis blasted through the room.

But in other ways, Mavis was very different from Ruby. The short blonde was a lot more emotionally and socially aware–and often would check up on each team before lights out. Zeref and Mavis were the 'good cop' and 'bad cop' incarnate. But the most important thing was that Mavis had shown (to Weiss at least) that she had the adequate skills and experience for the responsibility they were given.

And that brought Weiss back to the present. Ruby had shifted from drawing stick figures on her paper to folding origami frogs and launching them into the air. How was this child made her superior? Honestly, Weiss had half a mind to march up to Ozpin's office and demand he do something about it.

"Now, who would like to demonstrate their abilities against an actual Grimm–" Professor Port started. Weiss's hand shot up. She needed to hit something. "Ms. Schnee! Excellent."

Weiss pulled out her Scroll as she made her way down to the bottom of the lecture hall.

"Kick some butt, Weiss!" Ruby cheered behind. "Make Team RWBY proud!"

"Ruby," Weiss turned sharply, "Not now."

"Oh," the red and black-haired girl withdrew the hand she'd raised in the air, "got it."

Weiss tapped on her Scroll, summoning her weapon's locker to the classroom. The lockers used a pneumatic tube system to travel through the school. In a few seconds, the metal locker arrived in the left corner of the classroom. Opening the door, Weiss quickly unhooked Myrtenaster from the sheath built into the locker. She unhinged the sword to open up the rotary chamber and filled each chamber with the dust charges she'd brought. Ice, fire, gravity, lighting, hard light, and wind. Weiss flicked her wrist, relocking her weapon's blade, and closed the locker.

"Ready!" She grinned, stepping into the center of the front area. Just in front of her, a cage covered in a beige cloth rattled back and forth.

"Alright," Professor Port had retrieved his weapon–a blunderbuss with two axe blades built into the gun's stock. He held it by the barrel. "Let the fight, begin!" He pulled off the cover and slashed off the padlock keeping the cage closed. A Boarbatusk charged out, tusks bearing down at her.

Weiss dove to the right, deflecting the Grimm's tusks with her rapier, rolling to recover. She jumped to her feet, holding Myrtenaster at her waist, tip pointing toward the ground. The Boarbatusk pressed one of its hooves into the ground, pivoting its large frame to face her.

"Nice dodge Weiss!" Ruby cheered. Weiss gripped her rapier till her knuckles turned white. Couldn't Ruby just let her focus?

The pig screeched, bounding forward. Weiss dug her feet into the ground, dashing forward, thrusting forward with her rapier. Unfortunately, mere feet before meeting, the Grimm swung its head upwards, catching the blade between its curved tusks. Weiss tried to pull on her weapon, hard. All that did was cause the Boarbatusk to take a few steps.

"C'mon Weiss," Weiss could see Ruby in the back of her eye shaking her fists. "Hang in there!" Weiss had had it! Throwing caution to the wind, the Heiress turned to face Ruby. The Grimm tugged back, causing Weiss to lose her grip on Myrtenaster and send it flying to the side of the arena. Now weaponless, Weiss couldn't defend herself as the Boarbatusk slammed into her with its tusks, launching her into the air. She landed on her back, ribs aching. Forcing herself to stand, Weiss took a few deep breaths. She couldn't lose–not in front of everyone. And she definitely wasn't going to lose because of Ruby.

"Now what will you do without your weapon?" Her professor commented. Before Weiss could retort, she rolled to the left, narrowly avoiding a second collision with the Grimm. Then it was one long sprint to retrieve her weapon. It was a lucky thing that Weiss was paired with a Boarbatusk–its recovery was atrocious.

Sliding the last few feet, Weiss snatched her weapon and flipped in the air to face the Grimm. Again, Weiss could see Ruby cup her mouth.

"Aim for the belly! There isn't any armor th–" Ruby started, but Weiss had enough.

"Stop telling me what to do!" she screamed. Balling her left and into a fist. She turned away before she could catch Ruby's reaction. The Boarbatusk screeched, hopping off the ground with its hind legs and turning its body into a wheel. Weiss couldn't keep dodging forever. Weiss rapidly moved her arm, creating a glowing pattern in the air–which quickly morphed into an intricately patterned glyph of ice. She then began drawing a second glyph in the air behind her. She just barely managed to finish the second one when the Grimm crashed into her first glyph. It fell to the ground on its back, dazed. Now was her chance! Weiss pushed off the ground and onto the glyph, then used her momentum to drive Myrtanster into the beast's soft underbelly. Weiss slowly got up, panting, as the Grimm disintegrated.

"Bravo, bravo!" the teacher announced. "We are in the presence of a true Huntress! But, unfortunately, that marks the end of today's class. Remember to label the diagram of a Boarbatusk I gave you at the start of class before tomorrow." Weiss barely paid attention as she turned to face Ruby. Her 'team leader was sitting in her seat, dejected and withdrawn.

A small part of Weiss felt a little bad. But honestly, it infuriated her to no end that Ruby was their team leader, not her. She marched straight out of the classroom, only stopping for a moment to deposit her weapon back in her locker.

Weiss didn't know how long she walked for. She just kept staring at the floor, her right hand squeezing her wrist.

"Weiss, wait!" Ruby called after her. The Heiress sucked in a sharp breath before turning to face Ruby. "What is your problem? All you've been is hostile and annoyed!"

"My problem?" Weiss's eyes widened at the sheer indignation. "You are supposed to be our team leader, but all you've been is a nuisance! I've trained for years, studied, and fought, but then leadership just fell in your lap! Ozpin made a mistake."

Ruby's sliver orb widened. "What happened to 'working as a team'?"

"Not a team under you," Weiss enunciated the last word. Then she noticed Zeref and Mavis walking toward them. The two student advisors exchanged a strange glance.

"Hey Ruby, can we talk?" Mavis tilted her head toward an empty classroom.

"Sure," the scythe wielder gave Weiss a hurt look before following Mavis.

"What's the issue?" Zeref's voice startled Weiss, her gaze still fixed on where Ruby had vanished.

"Do you agree with Professor Port that I have the potential to be a real Huntress?"

He crossed his arms. "Sure, but—"

"Then why wasn't I chosen as Team RWBY's leader? I've worked hard to get here, yet she becomes the leader without earning it!"

"Weiss," Zeref sighed, leaning against the wall, "have you ever heard that the best leaders aren't those who seek it?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Leadership takes more than skill and determination. It demands an open mind, a willingness to listen to your teammates, to see things from a different perspective. And you, Weiss, haven't shown that capacity."

"What?" Weiss spread her arms in anger. "I've been willing to listen to others. I know I'm not perfect."

"Listen," Zeref's onyx eyes focused on the ceiling. "I once had a friend who struggled to accept me as his superior. He came from a background much like yours, one of wealth and prestige, so he felt entitled to lead. That he shouldn't have to listen to me because of his perceived superiority." Zeref paused, expecting Weiss to respond.

"I don't think I should be the team leader because of my last name," she replied in a small voice.

"No, it's not about that. But the fact is, you didn't give Ruby a chance. But if you support your team to the best of your abilities–help Ruby be a better team leader–it might surprise you just how much helping others could help yourself."

"Did Ozpin make a mistake?" Ruby asked, seated beside Mavis on the lecture podium steps.

"Mistake with what?" Mavis's emerald eyes met Ruby's silver gaze.

"When he made me team leader," Ruby said, drawing her knees closer to herself.

"I asked Oz that same question," Mavis murmured, "when he asked me to be a student advisor."

"You?" Ruby turned her head in surprise. "But, why? You're great at what you do! You help with homework, check up on everyone, and make the best cookies."

"I don't think that last one is relevant," Mavis giggled. "The headmaster told me that he's made more mistakes than every single person in Remnant, but that appointing me as student advisor wasn't one of them. And you, Ruby? I don't think that was a mistake."

"But, Weiss is right," Ruby hung her head. "I have been acting like a child."

"Ruby," the blonde wrapped her arms around Ruby comfortingly, and Ruby subconsciously leaned into it. "It's been a week. I don't think anyone should expect you to grow into the role immediately."

"But, what if I never do that?"

"I know – knew a girl once who, with a few friends, founded a wiz–mercenary guild. And at the start, it didn't go so well."

Some of Ruby's sadness faded. "How?"

"They…may have misplaced the P.O. box that requests came in. Almost caused the whole guild to go bankrupt in its first year. And accidentally knocked out a government official. She almost gave up."

"What stopped her?"

"Her friends. It wasn't just about her anymore–leadership gave her the responsibility for the livelihoods of everyone in the guild. And that girl would never let herself fail her family. And now, that guild is one of the biggest in the world. Being the leader of Team RWBY isn't just a title. You owe it to your teammates–your friends–to be the best leader you can be, and to take it seriously."

Mavis stifled a yawn as finished pulling on her outfit, a simple white undershirt, faded pink jacket, and gray sweatpants. Next to her, Zeref was pulling out their uniforms and setting them on the bed. He was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, white hoodie, and navy-colored shorts.

"Do we have Weapon Crafting and Upkeep first period?" Zeref asked.

Mavis stacked the notebooks and textbooks for all the classes she and Zeref had. "You think Ruby would ever let me forget that I had my first period with her in Shop?"

The Black Wizard gave a flickering smile. "Let's get going then. I still need to return that defeat you handed me."

"That is a very Natsu way to look at things," Mavis smirked her eyes as she tried to open their dorm's door quietly. "Though, it's cute you care that much about beating me." The two immortals stepped into the hallway, Zeref closing the door behind them.

Then they noticed the door to Team RWBY's room was halfway open, with a reading light visible. Now normally, that would've been fine, except it was 5 AM in the morning. Most people were usually asleep. Mavis exchanged a glance with Zeref. He gave a brief nod.

Peaking through the door, Mavis noticed Weiss shaking Ruby awake. It seemed that the black and red-haired girl fell asleep trying to finish her homework.

"Weiss!" Ruby flinched in her bed. "I'm sorry, I was studying for the history quiz and I must've fallen asleep and–"

Weiss covered Ruby's mouth. "How do you take your coffee?" At that, Mavis felt warm.

"I think we helped," Mavis commented, before noticing Zeref leaning over her to take a look.

"How do you take your coffee?" Weiss repeated her question.

"Five creams and two sugars!" Ruby yelped. In response, Weiss climbed down to the floor, grabbing one of the coffee mugs. She ripped a plastic packet open, tipping the white liquid into the cup, and swirled the coffee around.

"Yeah," Zeref grasped Mavis's right hand, "Nice to know we're not total failures."

Ruby raised her eyebrows. "Wha–"

"Here," Weiss handed Ruby the cup.

"Thanks, Weiss," Ruby sounded a little surprised.

"Ruby," The Heiress began, "I…wanted to apologize. I think you'll make a great team leader, and, I just wanted you to know that if you ever need help, I'll be there for you."

The scythe wielder smiled. Then, her silver eyes flickered over to…the entrance of the dorm room. "Is someone there?" The sudden callout caused Mavis to bump into Zeref in surprise, who, nearly spooning the blonde at this point, lost his balance and careened onto the floor. Unfortunately, his arm also caught around Mavis's waist, causing her to topple to the floor.

"Zeref?" "Mavis?" Weiss and Ruby both quickly ran over.

"We're fine," Zeref picked himself up from the ground, pulling Mavis up with him. Both of them had a dusting of pink on their faces. "We didn't mean to eavesdrop, but–"

"We were on our way to the gym," the Fairy Tactician cut in, trying to divert the conversation. "Do either of you want to join us?"

At that, the rest of Ruby's sleepiness left her body. "Beats studying!"

Weiss quickly covered her teammate's mouth. "Quiet Ruby. And yes, we will take this opportunity. Ruby just needs to change, and I need to get our weapons."

"Then, we'll meet you there," Zeref gave a small nod. "And uh, get out of your hair."

Ruby locked Cresent Rose onto the back clip of her dress, closing her locker.

"I wonder why Mavis and Zeref asked us to join them for training?" Weiss stabbed the air with Myrnaster.

"I mean," Ruby's silver eyes flickered to meet Weiss's, "They helped us yesterday too, right? Maybe they just want us to improve."

"Then, why just us?" Weiss hooked her weapon onto her belt. "I mean, it's not like Blake and Yang aren't on our team either."

The black and red-haired girl shrugged. She wasn't sure why Weiss was so hung up about this. "You could just ask them."

"Well I don't want to be rude," the Heiress muttered as she opened the door to the gym. "Now c'mon, lets go."

Ruby hurriedly caught up with her teammate, only to nearly get vaporized. She jumped into Weiss's arms as a stray beam scorched the concrete next to her.

"Nice job Mavis," Zeref covered his mouth to stifle a laugh and deactivated his own Semblance.

She pointedly ignored Zeref, running up toward Ruby. "I'm so sorry Ruby–is she okay?" That last part was directed at Weiss

Weiss glanced at her team leader's frozen body and ghostly white face. "She will be. Were you guys sparring?"

"Yep!" Mavis gave a toothy Grimm. "We haven't had our Semblances for very long, so Zeref and I were practicing with them every morning."

Not very long? Weiss had seen–at least Zeref–perform quite a few technical moves with his Semblance, not the very least catching herself and Ruby during initiation.

"That. Was. So. Cool!" Ruby hopped out of Weiss's arms. She grabbed Mavis's shoulders and shook them. "You can shoot lasers? You're like that one superhero from the comics, what was it, Cyclops?"

"I—thought–you–saw–me–use–them–when–we–found–Torchwick," Mavis managed to get out between shakes, her head bobbing.

"Yeah," Ruby finally let Mavis go, "But I thought the lasers came from your bow–not that your weapon isn't any less cool."

"What's your Semblance, Ruby?" Zeref's appeared from behind Mavis's shoulder.

"Oh, I can go super fast," the scythe wielder explained quickly, "And turn into rose petals."

"And I have my glyphs," Weiss added. Mavis put a hand to her chin.

"Why don't you and Ruby fight Zeref and I," the blonde suggested.

Zeref nodded in agreement. "We wanted to try something, and we haven't fought together since initiation."

"Sure!" Ruby slipped off Cresent Rose, expanding it to its scythe form, and twirling it until the weapon rested on her shoulder. "It's been too long since I got to use my baby."

As the four students prepared for their friendly sparring match, the atmosphere in the gym crackled with excitement. Ruby crouched down, her silver eyes locked onto Zeref, who held a pair of gleaming knives.

"Ready, Ruby?" Weiss called out as she readied Myrtenaster.

"Always!" Ruby replied with a determined grin.

The first move came from Mavis, who unleashed a barrage of dazzling laser beams from her bow. The beams sliced through the air with deadly precision, forcing Ruby to dance and weave with incredible speed. Crescent Rose spun and twirled as she dodged the laser beams, her petals trailing behind her.

Weiss activated her glyphs, creating a series of ice barriers to shield her and Ruby. The laser beams met her icy defenses, causing the ice barriers to quickly melt, light refracting off the spare water droplets. Ruby took advantage of the distraction and dashed toward Zeref, who had drawn his knives.

Zeref moved with the grace of a praying mantis, parrying Ruby's scythe strikes with his twin blades. Each clash between their weapons sent sparks flying, filling the gym with the crackling energy of their duel. The Black Wizard managed to pin Cresent Rose by jumping on the weapon's massive frame, before leaping into the air. In mid-flight, his knives extended into a shortsword and a longsword. As he hurtled toward the ground, arms first, a translucent shield formed on his left forearm. Ruby condensed her weapon into its sniper form, rapidly discharging multiple rounds, each weakening Zeref's protective barrier. Swiftly, she transformed Crescent Rose back into its scythe form and used its handle to block Zeref's impending strike. The Black Wizard flipped in the air, landing on his knees right next to his teammate.

Mavis continued her laser onslaught, pushing Weiss to her limits as she deftly manipulated her glyphs to block and dodge. The Heiress summoned a black glyph, using it to close the distance. In one swift motion, Mavis deftly slid the bow off her back into her hands, expanding it into a shield that the white-haired girl's rapier glanced off.

Taking advantage of Weiss's off-balance, the Fairy Tactician slammed her shield into Weiss's chest, sending her sprawling.

"Weiss!" Ruby ran toward her fallen friend, parrying Zeref's katana with the swipe of her scythe. Her teammate managed to get to her knees, before having to create another ice glyph to block the electric bolt Mavis fired from her now transformed bow. Ruby activated her Semblance, diving toward Mavis in a flurry of rose petals. The two collided, causing Ruby to lose control of her power, exiting her petal tornado. However, the move also caused Mavis to lose her grip on her bow, which clattered to the ground.

Weiss, undeterred, quickly recovered from her earlier stumble. She summoned a white glyph beneath her feet and dashed forward with her rapier extended, launching a series of rapid thrusts at Zeref. The dual-wielder used his wakizashi to redirect Weiss's jabs downward and struck at Weiss's neck with his other sword, only to be knocked to the side by Ruby's flying body.

"Sorry, Zeref!" Mavis called from the opposite side of the gym. At some point, Cresent Rose had come loose from Ruby's hand, as it now lay on the gym floor. Weiss pulled Ruby to her feet.

"This isn't working," the Heiress muttered. "You have any ideas?"

"I need to get my weapon back first," Ruby replied. "Cover me?" In response, Weiss rotated Myrtnaster's dust chamber until it landed on Earth. She then stabbed the rapier into the ground, raising an earthen wall to block any attacks. It soon came under heavy fire, as Mavis let loose a barrage of water arrows, softening the earth. Ruby only just grabbed her weapon before the whole structure came toppling down.

"Freeze their legs!" she screamed. Weiss switched back to Ice dust, focusing on Mavis's feet. Ice crept up her legs, causing the blonde to stumble.

"Don't move," Zeref's voice nearly caused Weiss to turn in the direction of his voice, before noticing the knife hovering around her throat. Ruby, unaware of Weiss's defeat, pulled her scythe back, ready to swing down on the petite archer. Smirking, Mavis pulled out an Electric Dust charge and tossed it at Ruby's exposed body. A quick burst of electricity caused Ruby to freeze up, dropping to her knees.

"I…give up," Ruby managed to get out, as smoke curled from her body.

"That's just as well," Zeref sheathed his blades, releasing Weiss, "The mess hall just opened."

At that, Mavis let out a melodious laugh. "Are you sure your name isn't Natsu?"

"Who's Natsu?" Weiss returned her rapier to her belt.

"My brother," the Black Wizard looked at the floor. "You and Ruby fought well."

"There are some things you could improve on," the Fairy Tactician, gently wrapped her arms around Ruby's shoulders, helping her stand. "Wanna talk about it over breakfast?"

"I suppose we could–" Weiss began.

"Yes!" Ruby grinned. "Could I get the rest of my team?"

"Sure," Mavis ruffled her girl's hair. "Go ahead."

As the two teenagers disappeared into the locker room, Zeref took Mavis's hand. "I had fun today," he admitted.

"Yeah," Mavis agreed, "Me too. Are we still heading out in a few days?"

"I mean, why not?" Zeref gave her a curious glance.

"The rings are on the fritz still," she glanced at the black ring on her hand, "Block out the magic entirely."
"Well, did you accidentally mess with the binding spell on it?"

"No–the trigger spell to release the channel blocks isn't working."

"Why don't we spend lunch fixing…"

August closed the terminal in the gym's maintenance closet. He finished adding his observations of both Ruby and Weiss in his notebook. Class would be very interesting this year.