It was morning, and Royce Na was looking for a favor. That favor came by telling his cousin what went down the day before. "..., and then that sneaky fucker threw dirt into my eyes and smashed my right eye with his phone." "Then take Eddie Moore and others and Fucking Take Care of it," says Phillip annoyed. Royce looked down in embarrassment and shame as he said, "Actually, I was with Eddie and Cardin yesterday to beat him up as payback for Cardin." He didn't talk anymore as the implication of what happened was clear. He lost badly. "So you lost three on one?" Phillip said, mildly annoyed at that fact. "Come on, Phillip, we're cousins, aren't we? Help me out, will you? You have connections with the Union, don't you?! I don't want to look like a bitch, so please help me!" Royce beggingly said.
For Phillip Kim, he knew what power was. As a powerful real estate mongol in Vale, his father taught him that power is wealth. So, he used his wealth to take over his high school. Gaining the favor and subservience of those around him to take what he wanted and destroy those in his way. But there was someone he admired who went beyond the power of wealth, someone who was the epitome of power. He was the person who entrusted Phillip with conquering Beacon. The only obstacle that stood in his way was Ben Park. Once he fell, even the mighty Pyrrha Nikos would eventually fall in place. But for now, he had to be smart. Get accepted in Beacon and stay low so as not to cause any problems. So, for now, patience was something he could afford. After all, he was Phillip Kim, who conquered Imdo High and walked alongside the Union and Him. But there was that minor annoyance he could take off right now. After all, he's Phillip Kim.
The morning in the cafeteria hall was quiet except for one table where an orange-haired girl was talking her head off to her silent companion. Sitting at one table was Gray. Eating and studying at the same time. Next to him was Eugene, who was eating breakfast quietly. In Eugene's mind, however, he's freaking out since the day before he was talking his head off to Gray, acting as if he was this big help when in reality, Gray needed no help. So he sat in silence, eating and mentally preparing for the initiation into Beacon, whatever it may be. Their quiet morning gets interrupted by Phillip Kim's arrival, which makes Eugene freak out more. Phillip looks at Gray, trying to intimidate him with his goons behind him. Phillip speaks first, "You." Gray looks at him, unimpressed and uninterested. "What." He says. "I heard you beat up Cardin Winchester, Eddie Moore, and Royce Na at the bridge pass the other day. Then, you fled the scene. That true?" Phillip says coolly. Eugene reacts with surprise that Gray did that. "I could care less about that idiot Cardin … but one of the guys he brought over, Royce, he's my cousin. And you know. I want an apology, and I'll leave it as is. You should know who I am," Phillip says with his eyes closed and a calm, bravado attitude. 'Right, Phillip Kim conquered Imdo High School before coming here.' Eugene remembers feeling more queasy. "No. One, there's no reason for me to apologize," Phillip scowls in anger, clenching his teeth beneath his mask and having his forehead veins pop out. "And two, I have no idea no fucking idea who you are," Coldy says Gray. "Who The Fu–" Phillip's about to say when Ben comes by, laughing loudly and obnoxiously. Ben squeezes Phillip's left shoulder as he stands behind him. "I told you, dumbass. Imdo High is the weakest school out there. No cares about your status here, ya dodo." Then Ben's tone becomes threatening while still showing a happy demeanor, "And I told you. That I'd kill you if you act like you're all that, around here. So stop trying to act so tough with that raggedy mask at somebody's table." And then Ben's face becomes threatening, "And you extras in the back … get the fuck out." His reputation and threatening aura scared the crap out of Phillip's goons. Gray looked at him with confusion as to why he was doing this. "Oh, sorry for making a scene. We'll be gone now. Bye," Laughingly says Ben as he drags Phillip away. 'Wow, Gray is something. He's skilled, brave, and fortunate. I have a feeling this year will be extraordinary.' dumbly smiles Eugene at the fact that he just witnessed something extraordinary.
"Hey, why'd Ben go over there?" Asked Ruby with a mouth full of jammed toast from her breakfast. Gogo and Gerard stop eating and look at what Ruby is talking about. "Oh, that's Phillip Kim," Gogo spoke, stopped to swallow his food, and continued talking, "He's nothing but bad news, so you shouldn't interact with him. Plus, it looks like Ben's putting a stop to Phillip's bullshit." Yang then said, "I didn't know Ben was such a big shot to command others like that." "Also language." Said Ruby. "Sorry," sheepishly said Gogo. "On the streets of Vale, Big Ben is known as one of the strongest. And that's not to be taken lightly just because we never went to a combat academy. He's a real monster if angered. He'll no doubt be the strongest male student in Beacon," said Gerard. "That strong, huh," said Jaune with mild surprise. "Yup," Gogo said while drinking milk. They all continue eating as they watch Ben drag Phillip away.
A bit of time passed, and breakfast ended as everyone was in the lockers, changing their gear and prepping their weapons. Eugene wears casual clothes, a long-sleeved shirt, and light leather armor covering his arms. His weapons are a riot shield and a pistol. As Eugene preps, a commanding voice spooks him from behind. "Oi." Eugene turns around, and his surprise turns from fear to joy. He sees a familiar cat-eared face he thought he wouldn't have seen. "Eugene!" remarks Rowan Im in a joyous voice. "Rowan, it's you! How are you here?! I thought your family moved to Vacuo after your dad wanted to do some business there?!" Eugene exclaims, happy to have seen his friend after so long. "It's good to see you here in all places. After all, we did promise to go here. I returned just in time to try out for Beacon and got accepted. My dad's business didn't succeed in Vacuo, so we're back in Vale. I was worried I wouldn't know anyone here, but not anymore seeing you here," explains Rowan. He then shows off his weapons, twin tonfas, "These babies are my Echos. And yes, they're also guns." His gear consists of casual clothes, an orange hoodie, and shorts. "You've also changed Rowan; you're taller and more confident than before," comments Eugene. "Well, back in Vacuo, I was low-key popular. Plus, if you need anything, you can come to me, and I'm a real fighter now." Rowan comments as he mimics boxing jabs, "I might even be at Jake Ji's level now." Two intimidating initiates pass by, bumping into Eugene and calling him a peasant. Rowan was quickly opening his locker, acting as if nothing was happening. 'He's shameless,' thought Eugene. As he looked back at him, Rowan, smiling back at him, shamelessly said, "So I was saying you need anything. I'm your guy." Rowan and Eugene continued talking, with Rowan's big mouth doing much of the talking.
A yellow-haired boy with a girlish look and a dog's tail is changing into his gear. His gear consists of a red hoodie, casual clothes, and a pair of claw gauntlets. This boy is Teddy Jin, a boy with a personality that is like that of a demon. He was reported to have beaten a teacher from his time in high school for touching his prized backpack. He enjoys tormenting those he deems beneath him and a follower of power. "Hey Teddy, how do you think the teams will be made?" said Chad Jang, Teddy's friend and a fellow follower of power. "I don't care, but I hope we get with Phillip Kim. If we do, then our chances of getting into the Union are guaranteed," said Teddy, smiling.
"You know, Ben, you should consider getting a weapon," advised Gogo, his gear consisting of casual clothing and collapsible gauntlets that double as wristbands. "I'll be fine; my strength is enough for me to get through anything that comes my way," confidently said Ben. Ben merely wore casual clothing and chose not to have any weapon, deciding his semblance was the only thing he needed. "Well, aren't you mister confident?" jestingly said Gerard, who had finished changing. His gear consists of casual clothing and shoes that fire bullets. "Well, I am Big Ben after all," replied Ben. Then he asked, "Does anyone know how the team-forming process will be?" "Honestly, no idea, but I hope we get on the same team, Big Ben," cheerfully said Gogo. "And screw Gerard, leave him alone," said Gerard in a faux hurt tone. All three boys laughed, and then Ben said, "Well, regardless, we'll all still be friends even if we aren't on the same team." "Oh hey, Guys, I'm Jaune, by the way. I couldn't properly introduce myself the other day, but do you know where locker 636 is?" asked Jaune. "Yeah, it is down that way based on the map. Sucks for you, though, since it's far," answered Gogo. "Yeah, I thought so. Well, see you guys on at the cliff then," dejectedly said Jaune as he walked begrudgingly towards his locker with a map.
Gray quietly changed into his uniform, a modified casual tuxedo with a tie. His weapons of choice are a whip and a pistol. He had strategies and ideas on how to defeat the types of Grimm he might encounter in the Emerald Forest going through his mind while making sure he had everything ready and prepped. But something was bothering him a bit. His locker was, unfortunately, next to his cousin's. Tension has been there as Weiss has been displeased by Gray's recent actions and what he has done in the past. But both readied themselves quietly. The tension slightly dissipated when Jaune passed them, focused on his map, looking for his locker. Using this break, Weiss decided to spark a conversation with Pyrrha Nikos. Entertaining the idea that both should be paired up together in a team. Gray, however, was done preparing and had no interest in the conversation, so he decided to leave for the cliffs.
Author's Note: The hardest part of writing for this chapter was coming up with the weapons and gear they would wear. Gerard's weapon is a rip-off of Mercury's, but I couldn't think of something that would work for a guy whose main fighting style includes kicks. And what they usually wear is just either their school uniform or casual clothes, so their combat getup lacks detail.