SCHOOLYEAR BEGAN
The upper years of Beacon clapped politely as four first-years left the auditorium's stage, having just been made the first new team of the year. After returning to the cliffs with their relic, Glynda had directed the students to the cafeteria to freshen up and have lunch. It was a long day after all, they deserve a break. After everyone was ready, they were collected and lead to the backroom of the auditorium to await team assignments.
"Russel Thrush, Cardin Winchester, Dove Bronzewing, Sky Lark," As Ozpin called out their names, pictures of the four boys appeared on the screen behind him and they made their way onto the stage. "The four of you retrieved the black bishop pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team CRDL (Cardinal) led by… Cardin Winchester!"
The audience cheered politely as the four boys walked off stage.
"Jaune Arc, Lie Ren, Pyrrha Nikos, Nora Valkyrie. The four of you retrieved the white rook pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team JNPR (Juniper) led by… Jaune Arc!"
"Huh? L-led by?" Jaune asked, dumbfounded, as Pyrrha gave him a friendly bump to the shoulder and Nora hugged Ren.
"Congratulations, young man," Ozpin said as his hand covered the microphone. Once they were off stage, Ozpin continued. "Blake Belladonna, Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Yang Xiao Long. The four of you retrieved the white knight pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team RWBY led by… Ruby Rose!"
Ruby turned white from shock as Yang hugged her and Weiss looked incredulous.
"I'm so proud of you!" Yang said. The upper years started to rise from their seats, give an applause to the new teams of new year's. But from the corner of my eyes, it is obvious not everyone is happy.
The morning after their initiation, Weiss Schnee wakes up to Ruby Rose blowing a whistle in her ear and finds that her teammates are already dressed in the academy uniform. Ruby declares as leader that the team's first order of business is to decorate and, as Blake Belladonna suggests, clean their dorm. Each of them arranges their belongings in the room, hanging posters and paintings, putting away books, and putting up curtains.
"This isn't going to work." Weiss sigh as to realize how cramped the room have become.
"It is a bit cramped." Blake agree, unsatisfied with how things come out.
"Maybe we should ditch some of our stuff..." The blonde then suggest, holding stuff both on her hand.
"Or we could ditch the beds... and replace them with bunk beds!" Their fierce leader finally give her opinion. Only to be greeted with different opinion.
"Umm, that sounds incredibly dangerous." Weiss sound unconvinced.
"And super-awesome!" Ruby said back.
"It does seem efficient." Black weighting the option.
"Well, we should put it to a vote!" Yang finally declare
"I think we just did."
I walk the hall of the dormitories, I don't know what am I supposed to do. Ozpin tell me to get the new kids for class. Of course I refuse. But then Glynda and Port join in the conversation and when I realize I already walking toward the dormitories. That two really have a slick tongue, what a nuisance.
As I walk down the corridor, I find the first door. I could hear peoples noise from the inside, but when I knock on the door, it suddenly fell silent. After a few second of silent, the door was opened by the black haired girl that notice my presence few days ago. I could see surprise from her face but I maintained my smile not to scare the kids.
"Yes?" It was the black-haired girl who opened the door. "Good morning, Mr...?" She greeted with straight face. That right, I never introduced myself to them, huh? And a professor usually introduces their self on the first class.
"The names Yussuf, for now I'm an assistant professor here in Beacon. Nice to meet you." I said, paused when I looked inside the room behind the girl. From what I can saw, the room seem had undergone some major renovation with minimum equipment.
Basically, the four beds had been arranged into a pair of bunk-beds, on the left side, the top-bunk was sustained with several ropes tied on the bed's frame, while the top-bunk of the other one was supported by several thick books.
"Yeah, sorry to disturb you guys," I looked between Ruby, Weiss, and the room itself. "With whatever you were doing. I just here to remind you guys have class at nine, so don't be late, okay?"
"Nice to meet you too... Sir?" The heiress said before come to a stop, a giant question mark could be seen floating above her.
"Aren't 'cha little bit too young to be a professor?" The blonde suddenly asks.
"Yes, yes I'm." I said without giving the further explanation. "Did you girls set all of these up?"
I gestured at the makeshift bunk-beds that looks dangerously unstable. I wont be able to sleep on it no matter what, I bet it will fall in my sleep if I try.
"Yeah! This the fruit of our first work as team RWBY!" The leader of the said team proudly declared. "Since we didn't have enough space for all of our stuff, so…. What do you think?" she asked expectantly at the teacher.
"No, no, no." Weiss interrupted. "While I admit that we managed to make more spaces for our luggage… Mr. Yussuf, please tell them that this idea is dangerous!"
"I'm impressed," I smile at the scene. I also do this last year, and there is no one who do such thing. But above all else, the one who suggest this, Ruby Rose, just have the same idea as her mother. Not expecting that kind reaction from me, the heiress looks defeated. "Only lunatics can survive as a hunters and you just prove yourself to me. Congrats."
"Sir! Sir!" The little sister raises her hand from behind her partner, I signaled her to continue. "Are you the one who kill the Nevermores at the examination?"
"Hmm? Of course not. Let me tell you kids," I move closer to them, as if trying to whisper some secret information and such. "Some of the higher up want the test to be harder than usual so we have more skillful people here in Beacon. But Ozpin planted a bomb in the Grimm, in case something dangerous happen, he could just detonate the bomb and kill those Grimm from the inside."
"Is that so..."
"Yeah, the plan was for each team to take down one Nevermore but instead your group have to handle the three, so, sorry about that."
"Sir! Sir!" Their leader once again raised her hand excitedly.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Have we met before?" Silent. I was so shocked by the sudden question that I couldn't even move my mouth to answer.
"Now that you mention it," Blake, who this whole time have stay silent finally join the conversation. "I also feel like we have met before."
"I can assure you that I never met any of you before." I clap my hand several time to take control of the situation. "You can ask another question later, for now you have class to attend. So get ready, alright?"
Just like that I left the girls and walk toward the next room. After hearing a closing door behind me, I let a sigh. It can't possibly happen again right?
Blake close the door in front of her. The girls start ti get ready for class just like their teacher just said. But with their encounter in their head.
"What a nice person," Their team leader commented.
"He feel kinda awkward, but I guess he is an okay person."
"I wonder how he become a professor in that age?"
"He must be really talented then?"
"Maybe but-"
"Guys, please be wary around him!" Blake finally said, after being silent the whole time in their little exchanges.
"Why?" The heiress ask while tidying the uniform that she will be use.
"When we first arrive here in Beacon, he observe us from the clock tower." Blake finally said, causing the three of them to looks surprised and disgusted.
"Iuuuuh, really? Gross, is he a pervert?" The Heiress shivering from disgust.
"Is that why you keep silent when around him, Blake?" Ruby asked, drawing a star from the black haired girl before she finally nod.
"While I can't feel any hostility from him, we can't be so sure." Blake honestly said.
"Heeh, is that why you feel familiar toward him?" The heiress ask once again. The black haired girl only shook her head slowly.
"I just feel like we have met a long time ago when Ruby ask him." She then look at their team leader who have who have changed her clothes into uniforms. "What about you Ruby?'
"Hmmmm, I also feel like I have met him before a long, longggg time ago! But I can't remember!" She said with a grin on her face.
"Well whatever it is, we can talk later because we better move or we'll be late for CLASS!" The older sister yell when she look at the clock on their room and show that its already 8.55. Weiss is the first rushing out of the room and down the hall, followed by the rest of them.
The sight of an axe-blunderbuss weapon pans down to the boards displaying various species of Grimm - King Taijitu, Death Stalker, Beowolf, Boarbatusk, Nevermore, and Ursa - behind an elderly teacher named Peter Port. The first class of the day is history and Port are the professor. To tell you the truth, I want to leave from this class. Port lesson are not so enjoyable both to the mind and the soul by how he carries the lesson. I was seated far back of the class, for now I'm just and observer. I'll have class for myself but it was later on of the semester.
"Monsters! Deeeemons... Prowlers of the night! Yes, the creatures of Grimm have many names, but I merely refer to them as prey! Ha-ha!" Port said, continuing the class.
The members of RWBY, seated on the front row, are in varying stages of interest; Blake and Yang are sitting up and paying attention, Weiss is taking notes, and Ruby has her head propped in her hand as she takes a quick nap until she is woken back up by Port's bad joke, which receives a cricket-filled silence as a result. As I'm not agree for her to fall asleep in class, port class is an exception. I also what to doze myself up but it wouldn't look good in front of the kids.
Port speech evolves into more "blah"s in my ear as the class proceed. Most of the students is already lose their focus as well. Especially Ruby Rose who right now is more focus to jokes around with her teammate, only to raise the heiress looks of frustration.
"The moral of this story? A true Huntsman must be honorable!" Port continues with his nonsense. "A true Huntsman must be dependable! A true Huntsman must be strategic, well-educated, and wise! So, who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these traits?"
"I do, sir!" White loudly exclaimed, still angry with her partner shenanigan. What a surprise, of course the princess would take the bait for this kinda thing.
"Well, then, let's find out!" Port summons a cage with a creature inside it. Its red eyes shone in the darkness of the cage. Weiss Schnee immediately walk forward and readying her her Myrtenaster at the growling creature in the cage while her teammates cheer her on from their seats in the front row.
"Goooo, Weiss!" The blonde said while raising her fist from the first row.
"Fight well!" The girl with the cat-ears headband gives her cheer.
"Yeah, represent Teeeeam RWBY!" Ruby finally follow up with the loudest speak she even can.
"Ruby! I'm trying to focus!" The Princess suddenly glares at her partner. But before another remark could be made, the professor swings down and breaks the lock, dropping the cage door and revealing the Boarbatusk inside.
"Allllright! Let the match... begin!" He spoke as he take a step back and let his student to the job. Weiss was obviously startled by what just happen but can immediately maintain her ground.
The Grimm immediately charges at Weiss. She uses Myrtenaster to deflect its attack and roll to the side, readying herself for its next move. The Grimm stands a distance away from its enemy, studying her.
"Ha-ha! Wasn't expecting that, were you?"
"Hang in there, Weiss!"
The Princess is now speeding towards the oncoming Boarbatusk, sticking her blade straight at its skull until they meet and Myrtenaster is trapped in the beast's tusks. Weiss is still hanging on to the hilt, and is tossed around as she struggles to get the rapier back.
"Bold, new approach. I like it!"
"Come on, Weiss, show it who's boss!"
The girl turns to glare at Ruby, only for the Boarbatusk to turn its head and rip the sword from her grip. Myrtenaster lands far away from its master, who is knocked back by the creature's tusks.
"Oh-ho! Now what will you do without your weapon?"
Weiss looks up just in time to see the Boarbatusk charge again, rolling out of the way just in time to avoid getting trampled and make it crash into a desk. Weiss rushes at her sword and slides to get it back in her hand.
"Weiss! Go for its belly! There's no armor underneath-"
"Stop telling me what to do!" Weiss finally snap from all Ruby cheers and suggestion. While I agree that giving that many suggestions could distract someone focus, but out and yell like that is a mistake as well.
I take a glance at the kid; she looks quite hurt at Weiss' rebuttal. Meanwhile, the Boarbatusk leaps into the air and rolls into a ball, spinning rapidly in the air and landing on the ground, consistently gaining speed until it launches itself at Weiss. It comes closer and closer, but Weiss activates one of her blue-white circles and blocks the roll, leaping up into the now-black snowflake symbol and turning it blue again so she can drive the blade into the Boarbatusk's stomach. It squeals and falls silent while Weiss gasps in relief.
"Bravo! Bra-vo! It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress-in-training! I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings, and... stay vigilant! Class dismissed!"
With class being over, Weiss glares one more time to her partner and turns away, walking hurriedly to the exit past her teammates. While that happen, the remaining members of Team RWBY look at each other with the same question. Well, that goes the princess, just like I expected.
Weiss is still storming off, but Ruby turns a corner and manages to catch up with her.
"Weiss!" Ruby shout from behind.
"What?"
"What's wrong with you? Why are you being-"
"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you? You're supposed to be a leader, and all you've been so far is a nuisance!" She turnaround to look at her partner, anger could be seen in her eyes.
"What did I do?"
"That's just it - you've done nothing to earn your position! Back in the forest, you acted like a child, and you've only continued to do so!"
"Weiss, where is this coming from? What happened to all the talk about 'working together'? I thought you believed in acting as a team."
"Not a team led by you. I've studied and trained. And quite frankly, I deserve better." Weiss finally snaps, she turnaround from her partner and walks away. "Ozpin made a mistake."
"And that's what happen," I said to Ozpin as we both standing on one the corner, watching every second of it. Ruby Rose was now standing, dejected as she watch her partner walking away from her.
"Hmm... Now that didn't seem to go very well." Ozpin remark, still holding a mug in his hand. Surprised by our presences, Ruby Rose turn around toward us, trying as hard as she could to hide her tears. We don't say anything and after a moment of silent, she finally asks.
"Is she right? Did you make a mistake?" She asked to the man beside me.
"Who knows?" I interject without even a sign of care in the world. Ruby could only stand there, understand nothing before Ozpin elbow me.
"What do you mean?" Ruby asked once again, sounding more sad and defeated. Ozpin cough to his hand and take a step forward.
"What he means is that, it's only been one day. Ruby... I've made more mistakes than any man, woman, and child on this planet. Except beside him maybe." Ozpin point his finger at me and laugh, receiving a confused look from Ruby and a fist from me for later. "But at this moment, I would not consider your appointment to leader to be one of them. Do you?"
"Listen kid," I continue before the kid could answer Ozpin. "Being leader is not a title but a burden. Being a leader is not that simple that someone could be a great leader without any experience. They through a lot, learn a lot together with your teammate only could you become a great leader. Just like Ozpin said, you only become a leader for a day, how could someone determine you are you worthy or not."
"You've been burdened with a daunting responsibility, Ruby. For now, I advise you take some time, to think about how you will uphold it." Ozpin follow up, before giving another advice. "Oh, and try to talk with your friend, I believe they will think just like I do."
Ruby looks thoughtful with Ozpin's words, then smiles at us. After thanking us both, she turnaround and back to her remaining teammates. After she gone in one of the corners of the corridor.
"There it goes, the innocent leader and a grumpy team member." I whisper silently, don't want to be heard by anyone especially Glynda that sometime like to appear out of nowhere.
"Indeed, but I hope you don't think it was a formula for failure."
"No, but it has a big percentage of collapse." I let a sigh and turnaround from Ozpin. "I better have a word with the Princess as well."
"Remember Yussuf, talk with her not bully her."
"You just don't know my method." I walk away from Ozpin toward where Princess was last seen. If my guess is right, she would be asking someone who she thinks is on her side. And there is no professor she has talk beside Port, A few minutes, I was torn between mocking the princess or talk like normal. Not gonna lie, I never like the noble type. They are airhead that think they are better than anyone in the world. But after thinking some more, remembering what Ozpin just said and realize that I'm a professor now, so of course I have to talk to her like normal. At least what I can manage, hopefully.
While I was thinking that, a door just a few feet from me open and the heiress walk out from it. Silent ensue between us, we just standing there looking at each other. Her expression is calm, even though the anger she has shown several moments is not completely gone.
"Done talking to Port, Princess?" I suddenly blurt out, surprising the unprepared kid.
"What? Are you here to lecture me?" She said feeling offended by how I called her.
"Yeah, I'm the one in charge of you first years after all." I said, making the heiress surprised even further. Yeah, I know I'm not a great teacher. "That's why if there is any problem with you guys, I'm the one responsible to solve it. But seriously, you kids more problematic than I expected, the first day and a team is already on the edge of disbanding."
I give her a serious look and doesn't even bother to hold myself. She need to learn that everything cannot just go like she wanted to.
"Wh-what is that supposed to mean? I just think that Ruby does not suitable to be our team leader!"
"And why is that?"
"Because she is still too young! She is inexperienced! And, and-"
"And you think that makes her not fit to be your leader?" She nod. "She is young, yes, but I myself have met someone younger who more suitable to be a teacher than me. Inexperienced? Obviously! All of you are inexperienced, simply fragiling chicks that just leave their nest. Have you ever go the field? No. Have you ever fight to your death? No. The reason you kids are here is to gain experience in a monitored environment."
Now, she just standing there, looking down to the floor.
"I think Port already give you a better advice, but just let me tell you this. Everything will not happen as you wanted them to be. You need to learn to accept and overcome them." I said with a softer sound, trying to calm her. "You came from a great family, so try to be one, alright."
The mention of her family, make her look up. There is a confusion in her eyes.
"Sir, may I ask?' She finally said, I nod to her. "What did you think about the Schnee Dust Company? I know that my family have made a lot of wrong thing, but when I met new people, their opinion is far worst that I thought."
"If I can blunt about it, both your parent especially your father are a shitty person." The princess was so surprised by what I just said that she open her mouth wide. She also seems angry, but before she could said anything I continue. "What your parent do is exploiting those people, the worker for their own gain. That's why a lot of people dislike the Schnee. Seriously, not only they make the company worst they even tarter the legacy of your grandfather."
"Wait, you know my grandfather?"
"Yeah, we have met several time before. Listen, Weiss, if you ever feel confused and want some advice, ask your grandparent. He is the wisest man that I ever met. To told you the truth, I really have low expectation of you when I know you are the Schnee, I thought that you would be just like your father. But then I realize, the fact that you're here, even if it against your father, right?" She nod at my question, looks eager to hear more what I'm about to say. "That's why, I have hope that would do the right thing for your family and people around you, just like your grandfather."
I look straight into her eyes, showing how serious I am. A smile blossom on her face, seems like doubt has left her mind.
"Understood, Sir."
"Oh, by the way, how is you grandfather? Is he... you know.. still around?"
"Yes he is, but he is so weak that he cannot leave his bed."
"I see... So you haven't kick the bucket, huh? I guess you deserve a vi-"
"Ehhh, sir?"
"Ah, never mind that! Just mumbling to myself. Since we already clear everything, I guess it's time to go." I pet her head once and turnaround. "Remember Weiss, just think about everything what Port and I said for now with a cool head, alright? You're a personification of snow after all, it would be shitty if you have a hot head instead."