Time for Hedge to voice his wisdom of leadership.

It's the first official day of classes and Hedge is in the same class as Team RWBY, taught by Professor Port. Or rather, he decided to join the class to see what type of teaching the professors here at Beacon brought to the table, since he already knew a lot about the Grimm. After the last interaction he had with the team, or rather more specifically with Weiss, Hedge decided to sit on the other side of class from them. Hedge does take notice that Ruby was acting silly during the class, causing Yang to snicker and even got him to smile, but he could notice that Weiss wasn't happy. When Professor Port brought out the cage containing a boarbatusk and asked if anyone wanted to test their skills, Weiss jumped to the opportunity. "This should be interesting." Hedge says to himself.

Hedge starts to sit up in his seat and looks over at the rest of Team RWBY cheering on Weiss. The boarbatusk puts up a good fight against her, even knocking away her rapier. Weiss then starts to get irritated at Ruby for yelling things at her, even if they were helpful information to fight against the Grimm. She manages to get her rapier back and successfully dispatches the Grimm. She notices Hedge in the seats looking at her, even showing a nod of approval, but is irritated again once Ruby congratulates her. She storms out of the classroom once Professor Port states that was all the time for the class and Ruby follows her.

Hedge follows behind them as well and overhears Weiss saying that Ozpin chose wrong for the leader position of Team RWBY, which demoralizes Ruby. Professor Ozpin appears behind Ruby and tries to comfort her.

Ruby asks him, "Was she right? Did you make a mistake of making me team lead?"

"That remains to be seen."

Ruby ponders, "What do you mean?"

"Well it's only been one day. I've made more mistakes than any man, woman, and child on this planet. But at this moment, I would not consider your appointment to leader to be one of them. Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Badnic?" Hedge realizes his presence was known and appears from around the corner.

"Well I can definitely say the way you led the rest of your team back during the initiation was one reason you became team lead, but Ozpin here can probably provide more reasons as to why that was."

Ozpin chuckles, "Being a team leader isn't a title you carry into battle, but a badge you wear constantly. If you are not always performing at your best, then what reason do you give others to follow you?" Hedge turns his head away at the sound of that last sentence from Ozpin, remembering what Anne had said to him yesterday. Ozpin continues, "You both are burdened with this responsibility, I advise you both take some time, to think about how you can uphold it." Ozpin leaves them, they both look at each other. They then see Professor Port leaving Weiss.

Hedge advises Ruby, "I know it may not seem like Weiss appreciates you being the leader of your team, Ruby. Give her some time, she'll come around."

Hedge starts to walk away. "Hedge?" Ruby asks. Hedge stops and turns back to her. "How did you feel becoming the leader of Team HAZL? Did any of your teammates feel they should've been the leader?"

Hedge chuckles, "You know, I don't think any of them were surprised by me becoming the leader, given the skills I portrayed during our initiation. To answer your other question, it didn't feel like an accomplishment to be honest. You already know I'm a Faunus, and Weiss gave a hint to my backstory. That scientist she mentioned, Doctor Badnic, he wasn't my father. He kidnapped me from my birth family and forcibly unlocked my semblance when I was 5. But that wasn't all he had done."

Ruby seems confused by what Hedge said. "Wasn't? What do you mean?" Hedge looks back out to the opening where Weiss was, her being gone now. They walk out to the balcony.

"I learned he had wiped my memory while he experimented on me to unlock my semblance. I never knew exactly the reason I was the way I am until 5 years ago what he had done to me, and that he was going to use me like a weapon to get his revenge on the people of Atlas. So I did the one thing I knew would stop him." He turns around to Ruby. "I killed him, and took up his sword Destruction, the black sword I showed you and Yang back on the airship, and vowed to become a Huntsman." He turns back to look at the CCT. "To use my powers for good, not for means of revenge. But as of late, I've had the feeling that I might not be able to uphold those goals. Always being reminded that I was groomed to be a weapon."

Ruby walks up to Hedge and places her hand on his back. "Hey, I know things may look bleak, but look how far you have gotten. I've seen some of your skills over the past few years of the Vytal Festival. You guys are so cool. I can see why your teammates have chosen you for the past years to go into the 1-on-1 finals. Though I'll admit, you do get a bit of an ego in your fights."

Hedge laughs. "Thanks Ruby. I needed that." They both look out to the CCT.

"How about this?" Ruby turns to Hedge. "I'll work things out with Weiss, and then we'll challenge you to spar. Deal?" She extends her hand to Hedge. Hedge turns to her and smiles. He shakes her hand back.

"Deal."