Halo, it's time for the next chapter. Enjoy the reading.

Several months have passed since the school year started and most of the students have been improving. Team RWBY's knowledge and strength grew the most, Weiss learned to trust their leader, Ruby and accepted her as their leader.

Team JNPR also progressed well, except for their leader, Jaune. Jaune was both bad at most studies and had a very poor performance in combat and this slowly eroded his confidence.

The team LLMM on the other hand progressed much worse, Lance managed to become a more confident leader and Mandy also helps more to the team. Lynda and Mike were the ones who were very underdeveloped. Mike remained shy and awkward and Lynda still didn't hesitate to remind him that she saw him as nothing more than a burden on the team.

In the Combat Practice class taught by Professor Goodwitch there were now competitive fights where students presented their Semblance and fighting skills and fought each other in a non-lethal or dangerous duel. Of course, each team had to compete against another team.

Team JNPR got team CRDN while team LLMM got team RWBY.

JNPR did well against the CRDN except for the team captain Jaune who was given the other team's captain Cardin a large auburn-haired boy in gray armor who chose a large mace as his weapon of choice.

Jaune didn't pose much of a challenge to Cardin as the large boy's raw strength and stamina far surpassed Jaune's. Jaune was panting as he leaned on his sword as his other arm barely supported his shield.

- Come on… - Jaune gasped and almost collapsing from exhaustion.

Jaune mustered up all his remaining strength and charged at Cardin desperately who easily dodged him and before Jaune had time to turn around and react, Cardin's mace slammed into his face and sent him crashing to the ground.

That wasn't enough, Jaune dropped his shield, grabbed his sword with both hands and launched another charge at Cardin. Cardin fended him off and pinned him back with his mace.

- This is the part where you lose. Cardin threw it there with an evil smile.

- Over my dead… - Jaune couldn't finish when Cardin's knee hit him in the stomach and he fell to the ground.

Cardin raised his mace to deliver the final blow but a bell rang, signaling the end of the fight.

- Cardin, that's enough! - Professor Goodwitch stopped him. The teacher stepped between the two students and opened her Scroll. - Students, as you can see, Mr. Arc's aura has reached the red zone. In a tournament this would mean that Jaune was no longer in a condition to continue fighting and the fight was over for him. - Jaune stood up disappointed but the teacher still had a few words for him. - Mr. Arc, it's been months. Please try to watch your Scroll during the fight as it indicates your aura level which makes it easier to figure out whether you should figure out a defensive or offensive strategy. - Jaune angrily took out his Scroll and saw that the aura level was in the red zone. - We don't want a Beowolf eating him. Right?

- Speak for yourself. - Cardin whispered as he rested his mace on his shoulder and left the arena.

- The last two teams, - After Jaune also left the arena, Goodwitch continued the class. – RWBY and LLMM.

- Now comes the lamest team. – Cardin just laughed along with his companions when the team LLMM members left in front of them.

However, when they got to the arena to choose which team member would fight whom they noticed that the LLMM team was missing someone.

- Where is Ms. Forrester? - Goodwitch asked after noticing that Mandy was not present.

- She said she's sick, so she couldn't come. - Lance answered, and Goodwitch just narrowed his eyes.

- A true Huntress doesn't give up the fight, not even when she's sick. Please pass this on to your teammate.

- Yes, ma'am.

- Since there are one fewer people in the LLMM team, - Goodwitch turned to the strongest RWBY team. - Ms. Schnee, you're out now. - Weiss wasn't offended, she just grabbed her sword and walked off the battlefield. – The participants in the first fight will be Ms. Xiao Long and Mr. Birmingh. - She chose the first two parties. Mike swallowed nervously when he found out he had to fight Yang and began to sweat again.

Everyone left the arena and only the two duelists remained. Yang confidently piped Ember Celica while Mike nervously held What The Heck in front of him.

As soon as the bell rang signaling the start of the fight, Yang didn't hesitate and attacked Mike right away but the fat boy only activated his Semblance to defend himself against the blonde girl's attacks. Yang didn't give up, her eyes turned red and she beat harder and harder and shot Mike's shield who panicked and pressed What The Heck's buttons then an energy boxing glove came out with which he wanted to hit Yang in the face but she already knew this attack, so she fought back this attack with her fist.

Mike tried another attack, this time 4 arms came out of his weapon that tried to grab Yang but she easily dodged them and with her Semblance easily smashed all 4 attacking hands and then Mike who was so confused that a single punch sent him to the floor.

- The fight is over, with Miss Xiao Long won. - Goodwitch stopped the fight. - Mr. Birmingham, you and Mr. Arc are the two worst performances in a one-on-one so far. You are too easily confused, frightened and blocked in mind. This makes you a perfect target for the Grimm. I suggest you try to improve your melee skills.

Mike left the arena disappointed but Yang didn't really feel this fight was anything glorious.

- You were great Yang! - Ruby, her younger sister was happy for her big sister's victory but Yang just shrugged.

- It wasn't too difficult for me. I got the weakest.

Of course, this comment didn't help Mike's confidence but the lesson wasn't over there.

- The next contenders, - Goodwitch continued. — Lynda Dawn and Blake Belladonna.

- Finally! – Lynda was happy that she could finally participate in a real fight and doesn't have to pay attention to her teammates.

Blake entered the arena supported by her teammates while Lynda, hungry for a fight brought out her tri-blades, which she sharpened by rubbing together.

- I'll scratch you with my claw, - Lynda grinned evilly. – kitty-cat. - Blake raised her head at her last words but as soon as she looked at Lynda's white dog ears, she realized she couldn't fool another faunus with her headband.

- Will you just bark or bite too? - Blake didn't take the taunting, so she just bit back.

The bell rang and it was clearly Lynda who attacked first but Blake used the Semblance to change herself into a shadow clone, making it look like Lynda just cut the air. Blake fell from above and kicked Lynda in the head then jumped behind her.

Lynda spun quickly so she could slash around herself with her blades, but she didn't hit anything. She listened, heard that her opponent landed 4-5 meters behind her, so she activated the Semblance and dealt much faster to Blake who tricked her with another clone.

Blake used her weapon, Gumbo Shroud, to set up a rope trap which Lynda foolishly walked into. Lynda soon found herself face down on the ground and Blake, who had turned her sword into a pistol, shot at Lynda but her aura protected her.

The faunus girl quickly stood up, she also opened fire with the machine guns on the side of her blades but Blake outwitted her the third time with her clones and attacked her from behind again but this time, Lynda saw this and blocked Blake's attack with her blades and the claw blade of one of the bars and Gumbo Shroud collided.

Lynda was about to strike with her other tri-blade but Blake was faster, kicking her opponent in the knee bend, causing her to fall to her knees then pointed the Gumbo Shroud which had turned into a pistol again at her head.

The battle bell rang again.

- The fight is over and Miss Belladonna has won. - Goodwitch announced. Lynda punched the ground angrily and started cursing.

- That son of a…. – Many and ugly words left her mouth out loud.

- Miss Dawn, - Goodwitch stared sternly at her from behind her glasses. – I suggest you show some self-discipline and respect! As for your fighting strategy, you're too hot-headed and aggressive. Try to think with a clear head and do not underestimate your opponent because this can easily cause you to lose.

Lynda just left the arena and angrily returned to her team.

- Okay, - Goodwitch didn't really appreciate Lynda's style but continued with the lesson. – the final showdown of the day, Lance Monroe and Ruby Rose.

- Great! – The leader of team RWBY was happy that she could finally show what she was capable of.

- The best for last. - Seeing his team's performance so far Lance was a little afraid that he too would meet the same fate.

- Your team didn't do well. - Ruby reminded Lance.

- I'll try to fix it.

The fight began but Lance, unlike Mike, wasn't intimidated by his opponent and unlike Lynda, he didn't rush headlong into battle. He thrust his shield forward and held his sword forward in a defensive style as he approached his opponent.

Ruby raised Crescent Rose and tried to flank the red knight. Lance deflected this attack with his shield but Ruby transformed her weapon into a large caliber rifle and opened fire.

Lance deflected this attack as well and approached Ruby again. Ruby dodged again with her Semblance, slashed, shot but she couldn't break through Lance's shield. Lance on the other hand couldn't catch Ruby as he was too slow to do so, neither with his sword nor his pistol.

After 10 minutes Goodwitch stopped the fight, despite neither duelist being able to harm the other.

- The fight is over and Mr. Monroe has won. - Everyone, even Lance, was surprised by that.

- What?!

- Miss Rose, you did nothing but fly around your opponent which only drains your own aura, on the other hand you were not able to fight Mr. Monroe in close combat and you were not able to break through his defense either. He would definitely be unable to defeat him after your aura and ammo ran out.

- You fought well. - Lance encouraged. - At least your team did better than mine."

- Thanks. - Ruby was delighted by his encouraging words.

- I would remind everyone, - Goodwitch gave another speech at the end of the class. – the Vytal Festival is only a few months away. – Many people were excited by this news, especially the RWBY team. - Students from other kingdoms will arrive in Vale soon, so practice a lot if you want to participate in the fighting tournament because you will represent Vale. But remember, only those teams who have passed all subjects can participate.

The bell rang, signaling the end of class.

While most of the students left the gym, Mike and Jaune just clucked in frustration at the end of the line.

Neither of them improved their mood during lunch. However, one of the team JNPR member, Nora was telling a story about a shared adventure with Ren.

- …and there we were… - She took a dramatic pause as he looked over her audience, her own team and the members of team RWBY and LLMM. - in the middle of the night.

- It was daylight. - Ren interrupted.

- Completely surrounded by the Ursa. - That didn't stop her from continuing, Yang and Ruby stared in amazement, Blake was just lost in her book while Weiss was just filing her nails.

- They were Beowolves. - Ren corrected her again.

- BUT A DOZEN! - Nora finally exclaimed.

- Only two.

- But they had no chance! And in the end, Ren and I beat them down and made a bunch of money selling their skins!

- Oh, - Ren just lowered his head. - she has this recurring dream for almost a month now.

- Jaune, Mike, - Pyrrha turned to the two smeared boys, mostly Jaune. - are you all right?

- What?! – Jaune, who until now was just brooding and poking at his food came to his senses and answered quickly. - Yes! Why?

- I am well! I don't understand the question. - Mike wasn't much happier than Jaune either.

- Because a little... - Ruby tried to put it delicately. - you don't seem okay.

- You play with the food. - Lance spoke to his teammate. - You never play with food.

- Guys, - Jaune tried to sound confident, as did Mike but they weren't convincing anyone. - seriously, I'm fine.

At the next table a group of derisive laughter could be heard, the source of it was that the entire CRDN team and of course Lynda were teasing a faunus girl who, like her hair had brown bunny ears.

- Jaune, Mike, Cardin, and Lynda have been teasing you all the time since we first arrived. - Pyrrha reminded the two boys of the two bullies.

- What? - Jaune got a little angry by the other boy's name. - Cardin Winchester?

- And Lynda Dawn? - And Mike from the girl's name.

- No way! - Jaune tried to deny it. - They just like to have fun!

- Yes! – Mike too. - Besides, Lynda is my teammate! I'm sure she's just playing.

- Both of them are jerks! - Ruby spoke the truth.

- Yes, - Lance agreed with the red girl. - I've tried to talk to Lynda a thousand times but it's in one ear and out the other.

- Honestly… - Mike scratched the back of his head a little and looked back at the faunus girl on the other side who was pulling one ear of the bunny girl while Cardin was pulling the other ear. - I feel a bit like she wants to get rid of me.

- Come on, Mike! - Jaune continued to deny. – Anyone, tell me a single time when they messed with us.

- Last week, when he knocked your books out of your hands in the hallway.

- When she put a farting pillow under your chair in history class.

- When he opened your shield and you got stuck in the door.

- When she sprinkled your bed with her dog hair and you had an allergy attack.

- When he locked himself in your closet and shot out in a random direction.

- When she pushed you down the stairs into a pre-set trap that almost broke something in you.

Jaune and Mike were still in denial.

- Come on, I didn't fly that far from school.

- Rolling down the stairs was like a roller coaster.

Both boys were angry at their bully but they didn't want to admit it.

- Guys, you know that if you need help you can tell us, your teammates and your friends.

- I know! - Nora jumped up. - We'll break their legs!

- Guys, seriously, - Jaune just stood up from the dining table with his tray in his hand. - everything will be fine.

- Jaune is right, - Mike still stayed there. - Lynda and Cardin aren't messing with us only.

- Yes, for example with her. - Jaune just pointed to the other table where Lynda and Cardin were still teasing the bunny girl but after they released her she left the dining room crying.

- They're so mean. - Pyrrha, who had always been kind and compassionate to everyone now looked very angry. - I hate people like them.

- I understand Cardin, - Blake, who had been silent all this time, spoke up. – but Lynda is also a faunus.

- I thought they would at least stick together. - Yang also spoke.

Of the two bullies, Cardin's next pick was by definition Jaune, while Lynda's was Mike. They both wanted to get rid of them.

The next class was history, where Professor Oobleck, a scrawny, green-haired, bespectacled teacher, explained at length the history of the Great War and its causes while sipping his coffee. At the back of the room, a map of the entire Remnant was visible, filled with stapled study materials and matching parts connected with red strings.

- Yes! Yes, the Faunus Legal Revolution, often referred to as the Faunus War, saw humanity quite adamantly surround the Menagerie faunus population. - He took another sip of his coffee and ran from place to place as fast as lightning while talking just as fast. – Well, this must seem like ancient history to you, it is incredibly important to remember the events of the relatively recent past! Why it is possible to feel the aftermath of the uprising even today. - He took another sip. - Well, have any of you ever been a victim of bullying, ostracism or any negative discrimination because of your faunus heritage? – Two raised their hands, Velvet, the bunny girl, and Mandy. - It's just terrible! Remember students, it's exactly this level of violent and ignorant behavior that could one day lead to a race war. - He took another sip. - I mean, can you see what happened to the White Fang organization? Now, which young one of you can tell me what many theologians believed what they think was the turning point in the 3rd year of the war? - A few people applied but he called Weiss.

- Battle of Fort Castle.

- Exactly! And… who could say the advantage the faunus had over General Lagune's forces? - During class Cardin threw Jaune with a piece of crumbled paper which made him shook up suddenly. - Mr. Arc! Finally show interest in the class! – Oobleck immediately appeared in front of the boy as if he was very happy that he was finally trying to answer. - This is simply excellent! So, the answer?

- Um... - Jaune shocked, his mind completely emptied and since he was only sleeping until now he didn't have the faintest idea of either the answer or the question. - The answer... - He tried to look for help while Oobleck focused on him with every nerve, still waiting for the answer. - The advantage... that the faunus had... against that guy... - Pyrrha tried to sign and helping but she couldn't whisper because she was sitting too far from her teammate. - With binoculars! - He said with complete confidence as everyone started laughing except for the teacher who took another sip of her coffee in frustration and of course Pyrrha who just rubbed her forehead.

-Very funny, Mr. Arc, - Oobleck returned to the teacher's chair and called out to another student. - Mr. Winchester, perhaps you could share your thoughts on the subject.

- Well, - Cardin just sat obliviously in his chair while resting his legs on the table. - it is a fact that animals are easier to train than soldiers. - Lynda was the only one who laughed at this and shared his opinion.

- Or simply the opponent was full of fat, soft, whining boys, - She grinned and looked at Mike whose blood got cold. – those who cr*pped themself and betrayed their position with the smell of sh*t.

- Aren't you open-minded, Cardin, Lynda? - It was Pyrrha who stood up and spoke.

- Maybe you have a problem? – The boy shot back.

- No, just the answer. Which is nothing more than night vision, sensitive hearing and the ability to smell. Many faunus see perfectly at night, and their hearing and sense of smell are superhuman.

- General Lagune was inexperienced and made that mistake, - Blake continued. - that he wanted to attack the castle's defenders at night. His large army was easily outmaneuvered and the general was also taken prisoner. - Blake now looked at Lynda with a sneer. - Maybe if he had paid attention in class, he wouldn't have made such a dumb mistake. - Lynda growled and stood up but Oobleck immediately spoke to her.

- Ms. Dawn, sit down, please! - He towered over the giggling Jaune. - You, Mr. Arc, and Mr. Winchester are staying after class for some extra homework.

The clock, like Oobleck's words, flew by and everyone except Jaune, Cardin, and Lynda were relieved when they heard the doorbell ring.

- The three of you seem to have serious difficulties in my classes right from the first day. I don't know if it's because of lack of interest, weak-mindedness, or your stubborn nature but whatever it is, I want it to end now. All three of you have worked hard to gain admission to this school and we only accept the very best. Therefore, we expect only the best from you. History is very important, lady and gentlemen. Those who don't learn from it… are doomed to repeat it. I am waiting for an essay for the next class, from pages 51 to 91. That is all. – With that he left the room in a flash.

The three students also left the room but Cardin, to vent his anger pushed Jaune up and Lynda just laughed and they left.

Pyrrha helped Jaune up.

- I'm seriously going to break one of their legs.

Cardin and Lynda, on the other hand, were angry.

- I can't believe this, - Cardin kicked a trash can. – just because I was being a bit silly that hyperactive four-eyes gives me extra homework!

- Yeah, who cares about a stupid war, a stupid mistake made in a stupid battle, because of that stupid guy was taken prisoner?!

Lynda has been spending quite a bit of time with the team CRDN lately, especially their leader Cardin, so it's no surprise that she's been going to the boys' room rather than her team's.

- Why don't you do it with the fat kid from your team? – Cardin just put his bag on the bed and took out his books, Lynda did the same.

- Sweaty? I don't think that's an option because Lance was very unhappy with it after the first couple of times.

- Afraid from Lance? - Cardin joked as he tried to pinch one of Lynda's dog ears.

- The hell! - Lynda firmly pushed the boy's hand aside. - But if we do he'll snitch us in class.

- Then... - Cardin just sighed tiredly. – we will be forced to… - Lynda quickly covered his mouth, indicating to keep quiet. Cardin saw her dog ears twitch and went to the open window himself. Cardin followed and they began listening.

- I would like to help you! - They both heard Pyrrha's voice.

- How? - Jaune was up there too. They were talking on the roof above the team CRDN's room.

- We can practice together here, no one will disturb us here. - Pyrrha was absolutely thrilled.

- Do you think I need help? - Jaune was more broken down.

- N-no! I didn't mean it that way!

- But that's what you said.

- Jaune, sometimes everyone needs a little help. This will make you no different from us. Getting into Beacon just proves what you're really capable of.

- You are wrong. I don't belong here.

- Don't talk nonsense. Of course, you do!

- No, I don't! – He sighed in frustration and continued after a short pause. - Actually, I didn't get accepted to Beacon.

- What are you talking about?

- I didn't go to combat school, not passing any tests and not earning my place here! I lied! I managed to get fake documents and I lied!

- What? But why?

- Because that's what I want to do! My father, my grandfather and his father were great warriors and heroes! I want to be one too! I was just… never good enough.

- Then let me help you.

- I don't need help! I don't want to be the idiot in trouble! I want to be a hero!

- Jaune, I…

- I'm tired of being the idiot stuck up in the tree while his friends are fighting for their lives! Do you understand this?! If I can't solve it on my own... then... what good am I for? Just… leave me alone.

- Fine. If that's what you want.

The two students, Cardin and Lynda, listened to the whole thing.

- Did you hear what I heard? - Cardin smiled with a devilish grin.

- We have our lackey. – They're thinking the same.

- Heh-heh, maybe it's not such a bad thing to be a faunus.

- Was that meant to be a compliment?

- Yeah, - Cardin climbed out the window and climbed onto the roof. - I'm full of romance. – As soon as he got up, he called the other boy. - Oh, Jaune…

- Cardin?!

- We couldn't help but hear your conversation from my room.

- We? - Jaune was slightly startled by the plural before Lynda climbed up as well.

- Lynda?!

- Yes, your little girlfriend is not here now, how will she hold your hand. - The two bullies grabbed and approached him menacingly.

- We sneaked into Beacon, huh? - Cardin continued. - I'll be honest, you just surprised me. I didn't think you were such a bad boy.

- Cardin, Lynda, please don't tell anyone! - Jaune pleaded in terror.

- Jaune, calm down. - Cardin approached him with fake kindness. - We wouldn't snitch on a friend.

- Especially a useful friend. - Lynda's voice also sounded fake.

- "Friend"? - Jaune worried in advance how this would end.

- Of course! - He wrapped one arm around his neck and began to rub his head with his other fist. - We're friends Jauney boy. - He held him tight so that he could hardly breathe. - And if we play our cards right, the three of us will be friends for a long time. - He finally let go and Jaune fell to the ground gasping for air. - For example, Lynda and I don't have much time or inclination to do the homework Oobleck gave us. - He stroked his head menacingly. - Could you handle it for us, friend? - Jaune didn't dare object as the two bullies crawled back into the room but Cardin shot him another evil, menacing look. - Don't worry Jaune, your secret is safe with us.

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