SHOW OF IMPROVEMENT
Suddenly, I can hear a bunch of footsteps around me. Did they already arrive? I try to open my eyes several times, trying to adjust my vision to the sunlight. My attention immediately falls on Glynda who approaches me, menacingly.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Yussuf, I hope you have a nice nap." She greets, her tone dripping with sarcasm. I can't help but smirk a little.
"I am, thanks for asking," I reply, sitting up while exaggeratedly stretching my limbs, to tease her a little before looking at the crowd behind her. "So, you have all the kids?"
Glynda sighed and turned around, completely ignoring me while motioning the kids to come closer.
"Class, as you know, the objective of this trip is to collect some red sap from the trees here." She gestures to the trees beside her. "Professor Peach had asked for you all to acquire these, and bring them back to the laboratory for further examination."
"How much should we gather, Professor Goodwitch?" Pyrrha asks, raising her hand.
"A jar full would be sufficient. But you are free to gather more, Miss Nikos." Glynda answers, adjusting her glasses. "The forest has been cleared of any Grimm but please stay vigilant and form a group of two with your partner. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Professor Goodwitch." The kids answered in unison, and they began splitting into groups before looking around for a ripe tree.
"Well, I shall take the East side, Mr. Yussuf. Please keep a close eye on the students on the other side." Glynda instructed, and I just nodded, before she walked off.
"Sure thing, just remember what we agreed on," I watch the deputy walking off and disappearing behind the red forest. I turn around and count on the kids under my responsibility, making sure I don't miss them. I know Glynda is amazing since she flawlessly assigns me team JNPR and CRDL among the rest. This should bring forth the best situation to test the boy. This is gonna be fun.
I decided to wander around, eyeing the students who were busy extracting tree sap or looking for one. I find the first pair of students to be Nora and Ren. While the latter is busy filling the jar in his hand with some sap, the former is sneaking a taste with her finger every now and then. That kid is a glutton but to think she would even taste this stuff. It is still unknown if the special red sap is edible or not, but judging by how the girl's face hasn't turned green or coughing from symptoms of poisoning. I can assume it's safe, maybe.
"You aren't supposed to eat those~" I call out, surprising the two with the girl choking and coughing from the sudden shock before raising both of her hands.
"I didn't do it!" Nora screamed, looking around in fear before she noticed me and immediately relaxed.
"Hahaha, it's fine, just make sure you don't eat too much." I laugh a little, patting her back before I look at her seriously. "Also tell me if you feel any sign of poisoning."
"Y-yes, sir." She gulped and nodded, rather sounding glad I let her continue with her antic.
"I'll keep an eye on her, sir," Ren added, assuring me with a small smile before he glared at her partner.
"Good. So, how are things going here? Need any help?" I ask, looking around between the full jar in the boy's hand and the empty jar in the girl's. "You won't meet the quota if you keep eating them."
"It's fine, Mr. Yussuf. Everything's good." Ren answers, keeping his hand moving to harvest the sap. "I'll... make sure Nora does her part as well eventually."
"Hmph!" Nora puffed her cheeks, puffing her chest out in confidence. "I'll make sure to collect lots and lots of sap and fill up all the jars with 'em!"
"Just make sure you don't overdo it." I give a warning before glaring at the ginger in the eyes. "Also don't sneak any sap in Beacon. I'll make sure to tell Glynda to check your belongings. It's a contraband from now on."
"But, it's so tasty! I bet it will go well with pancakes!" Nora whined while hugging her jar of sap as she looked at me with her puppy eyes. Noticing her puppy eyes didn't work, she averted her attention to her partner. "Ren! Tell him! Tell him it's gonna be amazing."
"...no." Her partner coldly said before focusing again on his work collecting sap. "I also don't want to mess with Professor Goodwitch."
"Ren!" Nora cling to the boy's sleeve, causing him to almost drop the jar in his hand. Realizing the catastrophe that almost happened, Nora pulls away slowly as the boy starts to unleash his death glare.
"If anything happens to them..." The boy said, his face devoid of any expression and feeling.
"Sorry..." Nora meekly apologizes before getting back to work.
"I'll... leave you two alone now..." I slowly but surely walk away, trying to avoid the boy's wrath. He always looks so calm and collected, so watching him get angry is always quite the experience. I also noticed only his partner capable of achieving such achievement.
After escaping the two, I decide to walk further into the forest and find the Heiress and the youngest. I watch as the team leader runs around excitedly, harvesting any sap that catches her eye.
She is without a doubt the spitting image of her mother when she was young. Her demeanor is exactly the same as well; energetic, carefree and... clumsy for sure. I watch her slip on some old mold on the ground, causing her to fall face-first to the ground. Her jar flew into the air before shattering as it crashed into one of the trees, spilling all of its content.
"Ruby! Stop messing around!" Weiss shouted, glaring at the girl who was lying on the ground. "You're wasting our time and effort here. Can't you see we are in a dire situation here?"
"Sorry, Weiss..." Ruby apologized as she stood up, dusting herself. "It's just, this is fun!"
"Are you thinking something naughty, Roses? You have quite the nosebleed there." I chuckle, causing the two girls to jump and gasp in shock. I point at my nose as she looks at me, making my point.
"What? N-no!" Ruby frantically explain, before wiping her nose with her sleeve, causing her partner to groan. "Nothing like that! I just fall and all."
"Stop that! You'll ruin your uniform!" Princess takes out a handkerchief, before wiping the nosebleed with it. "There, much better. Now, would you mind not startling us like that, sir?"
"Hehe, sorry. I couldn't resist." I laugh at the two, drawing a frown from the white hair. "I'm just making sure you students are okay. Everything alright?"
"Yes, besides the sap Ruby just wasted, everything is going fine," Weiss answered, causing her partner to huff beside her.
"How do you feel about it? I doubt you ever done anything like this?" I asked as I leaned to the tree behind me, trying to relax a little, pointing a the jar in her hands.
"I'll admit that this is the first time for me to do something…. Like this before…" Weiss replied with an inability to describe what she was doing, looking rather overwhelmed. "...But I'll manage."
"That's the spirit!" I pat the heiress on the shoulder before looking at her partner. "I'm glad because if you don't know it yet, you're the dependable one in your partnership. So, keep up the good work, alright?"
"Y-yes sir," Weiss replies, trying to stay focused and calm.
"Hey! Are you calling me useless!?" Ruby exclaimed, before pouting.
"Somewhat if you keep on falling." I chuckle as I tease the youngest, causing her face to turn red. "But are you sure you're alright? That fall is quite harsh."
"Yup, I'm a big girl, sir. It's nothing!" Ruby cheerfully said, before her stomach suddenly growled, causing her face to turn red.
"Hungry? At this hour? Didn't you get any breakfast or something?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.
"Uhmm... well-"
"Ruby got too excited last night and having a hard time falling asleep." Her partner started to explain. "That's why she overslept this morning and missed the chance to eat breakfast."
"Haha, what are you? A first grader? Are you seriously excited for a field day like this?" I chuckled at the youngest as her face turned more red from the embarrassment. "Well, that's okay. We'll have lunch in a few hours. Don't worry, I'm not gonna let anyone starve after their hard work."
"Thanks, Yussuf!" Ruby exclaimed, grinning ear to ear. "I'll work harder then!"
"Great. Anyway, I'll leave you girls alone. Keep on working." I wave them off before walking away.
The next pair should be from team CRDL which I can see from far away, already abandon their task and playing around. If I want everything to go as planned, I shouldn't bother them and ruin their shittyness. So, I decided to walk around them, making them not notice me. I approach the whiny boy and the Mistral champion, located not far away.
I can see that their relationship has grown ever since their talk when Pyrrha literally forced the boy to listen to her. It's good that your partner has this sense of closeness, friendship, and trust. Not to mention looks like Pyyrha has a crush on the boy.
I have lived long enough to know and notice such things especially when he always tries to talk and interact with the boy. I never expected her to be the one falling for him. I always thought it would be the other way around. But why? He barely has any skill, determination, focus, and even personality besides being a coward. Or is she into that kinda thing? Dominating her partner...? What is it called again? Domi-
"What are you thinking, Mr. Yussuf?" Pyrrha's voice stopped my train of thought, causing me to look in her direction who for some reason blushing with her partner looking scared beside her. "You are not thinking anything... weird, are you?"
"Of course not." I lied with an obvious grin, causing the redhead to blush further. "I was thinking how perfect you two are for each other."
"Yeah, Pyrrha is amazing. She is both strong and smart, I really depend on her a lot lately." The boy innocently said, but Pyrrha's reaction was the opposite as her face turned completely red hair.
"Hm, hm, you better cherish her. She has helped you a lot after all." I advise the boy, and he nods, looking at the blushing Pyrrha.
"Don't worry, sir. I've realized I have such amazing friends around me." Jaune spills such innocent and wholesome words that only feel painful for the redhead, I bet. Looks like the boy hasn't realized the feeling yet. "I promise I'll return the favor in the future."
"That's the spirit." I cheer the boy on, trying to hold my laughter from the painful word. "Anyway, how are you kids doing? Doing fine with the sap?"
"Yes, sir. We already have three jars full of it." Pyrrha answers, hiding her emotion before pulling the jars out of her bag.
"That's great." I smile, before checking the jars. I notice Jaune's expression change, probably remembering about the test he should take today.
"Um, Mr. Yussuf, sir?" Jaune asked nervously. "What about…. Y'know, the test? When are we going to do it today?"
"Hmm? Ah, don't worry. I'll tell you later. For now, just enjoy your time and bond with your partner." I wink at the redhead before walking away. I can feel Pyrrha's intense gaze, but I ignore it and continue looking for more students.
The last pair I want to talk to is the Brat and KItty. After our interaction is that rooftop, Kitty has become docile ever since. She has stopped prying on my past, at least for the moment. But it's obvious she barely trusts me, no, those eyes tell me she's wary of me. I watch as the two of them are engaged in a conversation, with the latter doing most of the talking while the former ends up listening with occasional sighs and eye-rolls, seemingly managing herself to take whatever her partner verbally threw at her.
"What's this, talking about boy and stuff?" I asked, approaching the two as I could hear the girl mentioning something about the boys they'd met.
"What's wrong with that?" The blonde girl retorted at me. "It ain't creepy for us to talk about boys! Eavesdropping on us is!"
"Hey, I'm not judging you. I know girls like that kind of talk." I said, raising both of my hands, trying to prove that I'm not gonna pick a fight with her. "So, who are you interested in? Cardin?"
I can see the two immediately throw up at the mention of that name, and I can't help but laugh.
"Eww, no way. Not in a million years." The blonde girl shake her head violently, disgusted by the idea.
"Why are you even mentioning him, sir?" The black-haired asked, raising an eyebrow. "We barely interact with him."
"Hey, the number of boys in your year is rather limited compared to the girls." I shrug, pointing out the fact. "So, I was just guessing."
"Not in a million years," Yang repeated, sticking her tongue out. "I'd rather die."
"The image is enough to send a shiver," Blake said, rolling her eyes. "No thanks."
"Oh, talking about boy and crush!" Yang's eyes gained a certain flash as she slowly danced her way towards me. "I think I'd like to have a word, after all."
I look at her partner who still kneeling beside the tree, questioning if she knows what the sudden change of attitude the blonde is showing. But Kitty only shrugs with an apologetic look, before continue collecting the sap. The blonde stood close to me, looking up at me with an expectant look in her lilac eyes.
"Go ahead, what do you wanna talk about?" I sigh, giving in to her curiosity.
"Is there anyone you fancy, sir? I'm sure a man like you is a hit with ladies, soooo~" The blonde smirked, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Fancy? Hmmm~" I rub my chin, before grinning and looking her in the eyes. "You, maybe."
"Huh?" Yang looked dumbfounded as her face turned bright red.
"Pft, HAHAHA!" I laugh, can't contain my amusement seeing her reaction. Oh, how easy it is to tease her back. "Y-you should've seen your face there! Hahahaha! So worth it! Pft, hahaha! Oh, gods."
"That wasn't funny! You're not supposed to answer like that!" Yang pouted, folding her arms.
"Awww, was little Miss Xiao Long flustered from being hit on by an old man?" I snickered, but I'm not gonna stop here. "You always tease others and yet, so easily fall for it! Pathetic! Hahahaha!"
"Tch, you're lucky I don't want to get into trouble or else I'll show you what's pathetic." The girl threatens, lifting her right hand in fury, her eyes flashing red, showing her rage.
"It's your own fault, Yang." Blake chimes in, shaking her head in disapproval. "This is what will happen if you keep teasing others. It'll bite you back eventually."
"Blakeee, come on. Not you too." Yang whines, but her partner simply shrugs. "Side with me here!"
"But you should really stop acting like that, doesn't fit your age, really," I added, earning a glare from the blonde.
"Hmph, you say that but my body is of a ripe young woman," Yang smirks, posing sexily in front of me, and I have to admit that pose is not bad. "Maybe you should consider your answer from before."
"Hm, you do have a great figure, no doubt about it." I nod, looking at her body from top to bottom. "But you don't know the greatness that comes with an adult and mature woman, especially when they reach their golden age."
"Eh, ewww." The blonde girl grimaced, shaking her head in disgust. "That's just gross, Teach. Just gross."
"I know, right." I grinned back at her. "So, keep that act of yours and I'll make sure to tease you back harder."
"Ugh, just because you're my teacher doesn't mean you're safe from me!" Yang threatened, but I only shrugged.
"So, you like older women, sir?" Blake unexpectedly asked. "How old are you, anyway?"
"Hmm~" I smirk at her question, she has been waiting for the chance. That's why she let her partner go that far to tease me, their teacher. "It rude to ask a man aged, you know?"
"Isn't that supposed to women's thing?" The blonde chimes in.
"Yeah, and that's not an answer," Kitty adds, hasn't given up on her question yet.
"Remember girls, emancipation. We're equal, hence why I can use your phrase too." I said, before chuckling. "But seriously, it's not something you should be concerned with."
"Why? It's not that you're that older than us." Yang retorted, raising an eyebrow.
"Whatever, I won't answer. That's my final verdict." I said, turning my back to the duo. "So, let's go. We've got the sap, let's move."
"Hmph, so childish." Yang pouted, crossing her arms.
"Yeah, that's childish. And you're the one who saying that, really?" I smirk in her direction, before walking away. Looks like I have left them alone long enough, it should have all started.
Pyrrha Nikos looks around the forest in search of her partner. It has been half an hour since he left her, saying he need to go to the bathroom. She can't help but feel worried. Today is supposed to be the day Mr. Yussuf tests her partner, determining if he is fit to stay in Beacon.
She knows she won't be able to help him when the test begins. She also won't be able to have a say in their teacher's decision. She knows that, and that's why she is determined to at least stay by her partner's side till the end. But now he is nowhere to be found.
She continues to wander around before her eyes fall on the said teacher, sleeping on the makeshift hammock right among the trees. She freezes from the shock for a second, her mind wrecking for an answer. She thought her partner had disappeared because of the test. Yet, here's the teacher who is supposed to carry out the test.
"Uhm... Mr. Yussuf?" Pyrrha calls out as she approaches the sleeping teacher. The man twitched on his hammock before rubbing his eyes while looking in her direction, yawning.
"Hmm, Pyyrha? What's wrong?" The man asks, his tone sleepy and drowsy.
"I... was just wondering about Jaune. Have seen him anywhere?" Pyrrha asks, looking around again, hoping to see the blond somewhere. "I thought he was with you to do... the test..."
"Hmm? I haven't called him for that. There's too many people if I did it now." Mr. Yussuf explained, scratching his head. "I was thinking it after we had lunch later."
"If... he is not with you, then where is he?!" Pyrrha's panic rose. Not that it is clear her partner was not with their teacher, but other possibilities filled her mind, especially related to the Grimm. Sure, their instructors said they had cleared the area from any Grimm, and yes, she hadn't seen one. But she knows how unpredictable the creatures are.
"Calm down, calm down." Mr. Yussuf jumps off from his hammock, approaching her, urging her to relax. "Let's search for him together for now. I'm sure he is fine."
"A-alright." The girl nodded as she followed her teacher around. They search every place they can, approaching any other students and asking them for any information they may have. All the clues and signs lead them deep into the forest where the two can hear someone shouting.
"-hitty teacher right, I want you to throw this jar at him." They can hear the voice and it is unmistakably someone's voice they have heard before. The girl runs forward, her teacher not that far behind, to find the source of the sound. Her eyes widen when she sees Jaune surrounded by team CRDL. Pyrrha can see Cardin handing a jar to Jaune, who looks filled with a swarm of insects. "Either that, or I'll have a chat with Goodwitch about your fake transcript, and you'll be on the first airship out of Beacon."
She gasps at the mention of the fake transcript. It was supposed to be a secret, even among the teachers so how come team CRDL know about them. Pyrrha looks at the man, but to her surprise he looks uninterested, not even reacting to the mention of the fake transcript.
"Jau-" She tried to call out to her partner but was stopped by her teacher. Sealing her mouth with his hand, his eyes sealed on the spectacle in front of them. Jaune looks down at the jar of bees in his hands and then up at the four grinning students, waiting for his answer. Jaune turns towards the direction where most of the first year is, right in her direction. He seems to not notice her presence before he looks at the jar in his hand.
"NO!" The blonde suddenly shouts out, catching everyone's attention.
"What did you say?!" Cardin asks, his team looks equally shocked, along with the red-haired.
"I said... NO!" Jaune throws the jar far back into the woods, in the opposite direction from his friend. "I won't let you pushing me around bully me anymore!"
"Oh, you've done it now!" Cardin growled, drawing his mace from his back and swinging at the blonde. "You're dead!"
"Wha-" Jaune gasped, not expecting Cardin to charge at him with a weapon. Jaune was sent flying and crashing against a tree.
"Jaune!" Pyrrha screamed, unable to stand still. She draws her spear, but before she can even reach the four people who have hurt her partner, her teacher is already there.
"You're right, Cardin." The man grips on the boy's collar, lifting him up from the ground. His other hand gripped his mace tightly, stopping it from any resistance. "You've done it now."
"W-wait! T-this is-" The leader of CRDL stammers, trying to explain the situation. He looked dreadfully, afraid, and surprised at the man's sudden appearance. Pyrrha decides to approach her partner, checking on his condition.
"Are you alright, Jaune?!" She asked, her voice worried.
"U-un... yeah, I'm fine." The blonde replied, his expression pained. He got hit in the stomach by a mace, head-on. While sure, he wears his usual armor, it will be painful if not dangerous. "Just hurts a bit."
"Mr. Yussuf! We need to-"
"I thought I already tell you to stop this shitty game of yours, Cardin." Mr. Yussuf interrupted her, his voice filled with anger as he lifted the boy even higher. "And yet, here you are still doing the same shit."
"W-we are just-"
"Shut the fuck up!" The man suddenly punches the boy in the face, his head snapped and blood can be seen on his nose. "You're making me sick, you know. Enough playing, I'll end this shitty game."
Pyrrha can see Cardin gasping for air as Mr. Yussuf tightens his hold. His teammates around him try to set him free, even using their weapons to try to push the teacher away. But it is no use, all the attacks mean nothing as their teacher barely even flinches. His eyes set on Cardin whose face starting to turn blue. She can't help but feel he is going too far. She knows Cardin is a bully and he needs to be punished for what he did, especially to Jaune. But-
"P-please, stop! Mr. Yussuf!" Jaune suddenly called out, forcing himself to stand up and walk towards the man, holding his right arm.
"Stay out of this, Arc." His teacher ordered, doesn't even bother to look his way. "He needs to be taught a lesson."
"I-I know, but please, you're going too far. You'll kill him." Jaune urged, still trying to reason with his teacher.
"What's wrong with that?" The man replied, his tone cold and devoid of any emotion. "He is just another human, there's no problem with killing one or two of them. Not to mention, they just pick you up a moment before, you realize? No one will miss them, eventually."
"I-I know sir, but I don't think you need to go that far. Th-they have learned their lesson, right?" Jaune pleaded, his expression desperate as he asked the three boys around them. They nod at the blonde question, even the leader who has turned blue nods in agreement. "Right? So, can you please let him go, sir? P-please."
"Who says they won't repeat the same shit? They are that kind of trash after all." Mr. Yussuf replies, still doesn't let the boy go.
"Please, Mr. Yussuf! P-please, let them go." Jaune begged again, tears falling from his eyes as he did so. "Please sir, just let him go! I-I... I'll even give up on our deal, I'll leave Beacon! Please just drop him, sir."
"You dare to defy my order, Arc?" His teacher finally looks at him, his eyes filled with wrath as he throws away Cardin into the trees and crashes down on the ground. "Do you think all of this is a game, kid? If so, I'm gonna teach you a lesson myself. You'll be the one regretting this decision instead, kid."
"Sir-"
"Enough!" The man roars, taking out his sword with its scabbard. "You're pissing me off now, Arc. You dare to defy my order! Throwing away the chance I gave! When you're nothing! Fuck off before I also cut off that head of yours!"
The man turned away from him and started walking to Cardin and his team's direction. Jaune bit his lip, his mind in turmoil. He has caused this, because he let Cardin and his friends pick on him, and now they'll pay the price. He is more than happy to see them being punished but this is too far. He can't just let the man do whatever he wants or he'll kill them. He gulped before he decided to make his move.
"I'm sorry." He mumbled as unsheathed his Crocea Mors and pointed it at the man, determined.
"Jaune... no..." Pyrrha can only watch in horror, her eyes wide and her lips trembling.
"Tch, are you so full of yourself to challenge me, Arc? Do you want to get killed?" Mr. Yussuf spat, not even bothering to turn back.
"I'll stop you no matter what." Jaune declared, his voice firm, determined.
"Stop me? Hah, and how can a kid like you stop me?" The man finally turned and his cold sharp gaze sent shivers down Jaune's spine. "You? Who barely can hold your weapon? Don't make me laugh."
"I-I can and I will! I won't let you hurt anyone! No matter what!" Jaune declares, his hand gripping his sword tightly.
