"Hello again, Class," Professor Alder said. "Today we are going to discuss a certain topic that I feel will be of great interest. You all know the principles of reinforcement, but do you know about Transmission?"

A confused murmur went throughout the class.

"It seems complex, but I assure you that it is much simpler than it seems. It is the act of forcing your aura into your opponent's body. With this technique you can deal an immense amount of damage. It is difficult to explain, but try to imagine your aura flowing throughout your body. Imagine guiding it to a specific point and releasing it."

Professor Alder punched at a wooden post. The post seemed to warp and bend before exploding into thousands of splinters.

Alder turned back toward the class. "Something like that. All of you are to attempt this to the best of your ability, though I understand if you do not learn something like this in a single day. Whoever can show me the highest mastery of this technique will receive extra credit for this assignment."

The students all broke off into groups and studied amongst themselves. In time it became apparent that some students were far ahead of the others. Ren, Giallo, Nigel, Lotus, and Blake had already mastered the technique. Pyrrha, Lucia, Yang, and Yasmin were on the verge of learning it, and everyone else was completely lost.

And at the very bottom of the pile was Rock. He knew nothing of even basic combat tactics, let alone aura. He tried to imagine the aura flowing through his body, guiding it to his fist. He swung his fist, and the air cracked. Rock felt a stabbing pain in his fist and was blown off his feet.

"Another misfire," Nigel remarked. He extended a hand and helped Rock to his feet.

Rock brushed the dirt off of his clothes. "Almost had it that time."

"Maybe you should give it a rest," Giallo said. "I'm surprised you haven't blown your arm off."

Lucia yawned as he sat on the floor, having already completed the assignment. "Anything is possible. I for one would love to see that."

"Shut the fuck up," Rock snapped. He inhaled and tried again, with the exact same result as before.

Rock grumbled to himself and walked to a different area of the classroom. He saw Yasmin with her sword. The blade flashed from its sheath too fast for him to see. His eyes went to Yasmin's target on the other side of the room, split in two.

Rock whistled. "You're pretty good. Where'd you learn to use a sword?"

Yasmin turned to look at Rock. "I had a teacher. They taught me the way of the sword."

"You pick up on this aura shit pretty fast, huh?"

Yasmin sheathed her sword. "If you need some help I would be willing to assist you."

Rock waved dismissively. "Nah, I'll figure it out myself."

Yasmin sighed and resumed her training. "If you insist."

Rock watched Yasmin as she attacked her target over and over, each time shaving off a small portion of the stone pillar.

There was no doubt about her skill with her sword. It took all of Rock's concentration just to see her attack. The blade flashed out in the blink of an eye, and was sheathed just as quickly. But as he watched her, Rock's attention began to drift.

He had realized it just now, but Yasmin wasn't a bad looking girl. Her arms and legs were toned and muscular, her round ears and pointed nose gave her a cute mouse-like appearance, and he couldn't help but notice the way her skirt flew up a little every time she swung her sword. Not enough to actually see anything other than her thighs, but the tease was enough for him. He stared intently, wondering when the magic would happen.

Yasmin was so deep in her concentration that she didn't notice Rock staring at her. She swung her sword again, flashing the faintest hint of her white panties.

Nice Rock thought.

"They are lovely, aren't they? Most believe that plain white is boring, but I find it elegant in its simplicity," Lala said, smiling.

Yasmin stopped her attacks and looked at Lala. "What are you talking about?"

"Mr Rock and I were discussing your taste in underwear. He is quite a fan of yours."

Yasmin's eyes went wide as her face turned a deep red. Scowling, she placed a hand on her sword and swung at Rock's neck.

Rock jumped back and put his hands up. "What the hell was that for?"

Yasmin ground her teeth together. "You have the nerve to use me for your prurient interests?"

"You were right there. What was I supposed to do, not look?"

Yasmin turned an even deeper shade of red. She kept swinging her sword, but her anger made her swings sloppy. Rock easily dodged her attacks. Yasmin swung her sword again but felt it get caught on something. Professor Alder had caught the blade's tip between his fingers. He had traveled to the other side of the training hall in the blink of an eye, but he still had that same tired expression.

"This is no place for roughhousing," he said.

Yasmin bowed her head, her cheeks burning. "Please forgive me, Professor."

Professor Alder flicked Yasmin on the forehead. An audible crack was heard and Yasmin fell to the floor clutching her head.

Alder looked down at Yasmin writhing on the ground. "In the future, I would suggest you put that energy towards your education."

Faster than anyone could have realized, the professor buried his fist in Rock's stomach. Rock's vision went white. His stomach burned and his mouth filled up with bile.

"Why me?" he complained.

"I believe in doling out punishments fairly, Mister Rock. Next time it will be detention."

Watching all of this, Nigel shook his head. "I wish he'd take this more seriously."

He turned toward Ruby and watched her swing her scythe, trying and failing to apply the technique herself. She swung her weapon over and over and didn't come any closer to figuring it out. He took a step forward but felt a hand on his shoulder.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Nigel bristled at the familiar sound of his friend's voice. "What, Brook?"

"I thought I saw you about to inflict yourself upon that poor girl and I wanted to know what she did to deserve that."

"I'm offering to help her. What's wrong with that?"

"What's wrong is that you'll infect her with you asshole virus. Under your wing she'll be just as weak and worthless as you. Are you trying to get her killed? Wait, maybe you are. Is that what gets you off? Making everyone else as pathetic as you?"

"What about you?" Nigel snapped. "Do you get some kind of pleasure out of doing this?"

"You already know why I do this."

"Yo, Nigel, what's up?" Rock said.

"Huh?"

Nigel looked around and saw that a few of the other students were staring at him. He looked down and saw that his aura had grown so large that it was visible. Large cracks gouged the floor beneath his feet.

"Oh. Nothing's wrong, I was just thinking about something."

Nigel raised his fist and aimed it at his target, a massive stone pillar. He punched at the air, and in the next instant the pillar was shattered into tiny fragments.

"That's worth extra points, right?"

XxX

The next class was Weapon Crafting and Upkeep. Of course, no one on Team VNGR used a weapon, so to them this was a glorified break time.

Giallo was napping at a workbench while his teammates milled about the workshop. Lucia was studying Jaune's sword, and Jaune, Nigel was trying to understand how Ruby's scythe worked, and Rock was sitting in a chair browsing the internet on his scroll.

Nigel hefted Crescent Rose. "This is way heavier than it looks. You carry this around all day?"

Ruby nodded enthusiastically. "Yep. It's got a scythe mode, rifle mode, and a war glaive mode. I'm not one to toot my own horn but I think I did a pretty good job on this. Oh, don't press that button if you're holding it like that, it'll cut off your fingers."

Nigel whistled. "You're some kind of genius. This weapon crafting stuff makes my head hurt. I tried making my own weapon back at Signal but I could never get my head around it."

"Why don't you ask Ruby to make you a weapon?" Yang said while fiddling with her gauntlets.

Ruby's eyes lit up. "Omigosh I'd be happy to!" She darted all around Nigel imagining all of the things she could equip Nigel with.

"How about some gauntlets like Yang's, or maybe some greaves for your feet? Oh, what about armor? Maybe something to protect your joints? I've seen you use your elbows a lot. I know, how about some brass knuckles that turn into swords?"

Nigel held out his hand. "Ruby. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I'm good. My hands are the only weapons I need."

Ruby's face fell. "Oh. Okay."

Shit Nigel thought.

"Actually, there is something you could help me with. I've been thinking about getting some armor, something that'll protect me but let me keep my mobility. Think you could whip something up for me?"

Ruby whipped out a notebook and started sketching. "Hmm, how about some steel fibers? No, that would make it harder to move. Wait, I've got it! I could weave some chain-mail into your gi. Just give me a few days to get the materials and I'll have it done in a flash."

Seeing Ruby smile lifted Nigel's spirits. "Thanks, I really appreciate it."

Elsewhere in the room, Lucia held up Jaune's sword, admiring the weight and edge.

"This is an impressive blade. Who did you say this belonged to?"

"Technically it's my dad's, but it used to belong to my great grandfather. That sword goes all the way back to the Great War."

"I can tell. This is a warrior's blade. This has taken many lives on the battlefield."

"You can tell something like that?" Pyrrha asked.

"Of course I can. I am a weapon as well, after all. I can recognize when a blade has seen battle, and when it has been well cared for. You are a good owner, Jaune."

"Thanks," Jaune said. "But what do you mean that you're a weapon?"

Lucia stared into the blade. "It is what it seems. I was made to fight from a very young age for a variety of evil and cruel men. After a time, I realized that I was merely a tool to them. But, that is in the past. I am my own man now, and I fight only the battles I choose."

Lucia leaned over, resting his head on Jaune's shoulder. "Although, I wouldn't mind if you were my owner."

Jaune laughed. "Thanks, but I've got a sword already."

"So what happened to the men you were working for?" Nora asked.

"I informed them that I wished to pursue my own ends. They disagreed with my decision, and we came to blows. I won."

Nora stared blankly at Lucia. No one on Team JNPR knew what to make of him. He was clearly a a dangerous man with an army of skeletons in his closet. But, Jaune liked him, and any friend of his was a friend of theirs. At least, that was true for Ren and Nora. In a way, they understood Lucia. Seeing him was like looking into an alternate reality. How close were they to ending up like him? Were they luckier than they initially thought?

Lucia sighed happily as he watched Jaune sharpen his sword. He was something special, that was for certain. Jaune was nothing like the men Lucia had known. He was a kind, upstanding individual. There was no hate, no malice, he was genuine in everything he did. This was uncharted territory for Lucia.

But it wasn't bad. Being around Jaune put him at ease. He didn't feel the urge to hurt anyone around him, he didn't smell blood, he could actually relax.

It felt nice.

Of course, not everyone was able to do the same.

"Give that back, Cardin," Iris pleaded.

Cardin grinned and hefted Iris' axe.

"Why? What does an animal need a weapon for anyway? You're just gonna get slaughtered like cattle in a real fight."

Cardin's disdain for weaklings and Faunus was well known throughout Beacon, and Iris was both. Of course, he would never think of picking on Iris if Lotus and Yasmin were around, but Lotus had ditched class and Yasmin was with Lala, so Iris was left to deal with the bully on her own.

Cardin tossed the axe to his teammate. "Hey Sky, catch."

Sky caught the axe. It crashed into him and sent him to the floor. The massive weight pressed down on his chest, choking him. He struggled to lift the weapon off of him.

Watching this, Cardin doubled over with laughter. "Man, you suck."

"What's wrong with you?" Iris said.

Cardin grinned. "There's nothing wrong with me. I just know the way things work. You're either on top, or you're on the bottom. The world is built for guys like me. We lead armies, rule nations, conquer worlds. But people like you, you're only good for cannon fodder, or in your case, a bed warmer."

Iris balled her fists. In truth, she was just as strong as Cardin, maybe even stronger, but she hated fighting. She would only raise her fists if she absolutely had to, and to her Cardin wasn't worth it. Cardin knew that, and exploited it for all it was worth, and since there was no one around to rebuke him, he took the time to enjoy himself.

Cardin grabbed Iris by her horn. "Honest question, why are you even here? You should know better than anyone that you don't belong here. You'd be better off grazing with the other cattle. Hey, do you moo? I really wanna hear that."

Iris groaned in pain. "Stop that."

Cardin ignored her, laughing all the while. He stopped when he felt someone grab his arm. Rock had his fingers dug into Cardin's forearm, an intense glare on his face.

Cardin let Iris go and turned toward Rock. "The hell do you want?"

"How big's your dick, Cardin?" Rock asked.

Cardin was taken aback. "What kinda question is that?"

"I just wanna know if you've got a fat cock or not, answer the question. I'll have you know I'm pretty hung myself."

"Yeah I got a big dick, big enough to fuck you in half with."

Rock nodded. "Oh, that's great." Then, without a word, he kicked Cardin hard in the groin. The impact could be heard over the whirring machinery. Cardin fell to the ground wincing.

Rock leaned over and looked down at Cardin. "Next time you're jerking off, think of me, won't you?"

"You are fucking dead," Cardin said through clenched teeth.

Rock's face broke into a grin. "Maybe, but I know you're not having any say in it. You're just another two-bit asshole. I've seen a hundred just like you, and every last one of you hasn't ever amounted to shit. Get used to that, by the way. I get the feeling you're gonna be spending a lot of time on your knees."

Cardin stood up and grabbed Rock by his shirt. With next to no effort, Cardin lifted him up and punched him square in the face. A trail of blood flew across the room as Rock went flying.

Cardin laughed. "Is that all you've got? I guess you're only good at talking shit."

"Mister Winchester," the professor said.

"What?" Cardin said. "He started it. I was only defending myself."

"My classroom is no place for violence. Behave yourself, or I will have to inform Professor Goodwitch."

Cardin frowned. "Fine, whatever. I'm getting bored anyway."

Cardin stepped over Rock and left the classroom.

Rock laid on the floor and groaned. "Did anyone get the number of that bus?"

Iris rushed over and helped Rock to his feet. "I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

Rock wiped the blood from his face. "Don't worry about it. I've been hit harder than that."

Giallo yawned, the noise finally waking him from his nap. "Why'd you even get involved? Not like she was in danger or anything."

"I kinda got a zero tolerance policy for assholes."

"Whatever. You know he's gonna be after you now, right?"

"Then I guess I'll have to teach him not to fuck with me."

The bell rang and the students slowly filed out of the classroom. Rock walked next to Iris, repeatedly reassuring her that he didn't blame her for what happened. He had no idea how to deal with her. Nice people always tripped him up.

Thankfully, there was no shortage of assholes at Beacon.

They both heard Lotus stomping down the hallway before they saw her. Rock opened his mouth to speak before Lotus bodily shoved him aside. Lotus grabbed Iris by her nose and pulled her close.

"You. How many times have I told you to stand up for yourself? You wouldn't be having so many problems if you fought back for once."

Iris flailed helplessly. "I don't want to fight anyone. Besides, Cardin's mostly harmless, I can handle him just fine."

"There's nothing noble about letting people walk all over you. Quit being such a doormat."

"How about you lay off her?" Rock said.

"Stay out of this, pissant," Lotus barked. She pointed at Iris. "If I hear that you let one of those jagoffs give you shit again, I'm kicking their ass, and then I'm kicking yours. You got that?"

Lotus turned and walked away, making no attempt to keep from knocking into students in her way.

"She's nice," Rock said.

"Don't think too badly of her," Iris pleaded. "She's... a bit abrasive, but she's nice once you get to know her."

"What? No she isn't."

Iris sighed. "You're right, but it's not that simple. She's been through a lot, and this is just her way of coping."

"Yeah, yeah. We've all got problems, I've heard that one before. You've got to have the patience of a saint to put up with her."

Iris laughed. "Well, I used to babysit kids in my village before I came to Beacon. Children are all the same no matter how old they get. It's all in how you manage them. Oh, please don't tell her I said that, she'll get really angry."

Iris picked Rock up by his waist and wrapped him up in a tight hug. "Thanks again. See you tomorrow."

Iris ran off as Rock waved her goodbye. He was still waving several seconds after she had gone.

I love Beacon.

XxX

At the end of the day, Glynda stood on the stage tapping her foot in frustration. There were multiple bulging veins visible in her face. It was incredibly obvious that she was angry about something, and it didn't take long for her to find the source of her anger.

"It would appear that some of you have a bit of excess energy. I understand, I have the same problem sometimes. Sometimes I feel like I just have to break something, or someone. Luckily, my class offers the perfect opportunity to let off some steam."

Two screens slid down out of the ceiling. Glynda pressed a button on her scroll and selected two combatants.

"Oh my, what a coincidence," Glynda said, feigned shock hanging off of every word. "It would appear that our first combatants will be Mister Winchester and Mister Rock. Both of you, proceed to the stage."

Rock sighed and went up to the stage. He couldn't complain, Cardin was a problem that he'd have to deal with eventually, and now was as good a time as any.

He could feel his confidence fading as he saw Cardin walking up the other side. No longer dressed in his uniform, he wore a grey breastplate and combat boots. But what drew Rock's eye was Cardin's weapon, a cruel looking mace with a red crystal embedded in the head.

Cardin picked up on that. He grinned and hefted his weapon. "What's wrong? You're not scared, are you? You can always run away."

Rock scoffed. "I've never ran from anyone, and I'm not about to start today."

"It's your funeral."

"Begin!" Glynda shouted.

At the signal, Cardin swung downward at Rock. Rock jumped to the side as the ground exploded next to him.

Rock's fist flashed upwards, striking Cardin on the chin. Cardin didn't even flinch, batting Rock away with his arm. Rock gasped. Cardin's fist was as heavy as a Grimm's,

Rock had fought big guys before, but Cardin was a walking slab of muscle. He could take as much as he gave out. Trying to match him blow for blow would be a losing battle. There was another way, but he wondered if it would even work.

His thoughts were interrupted by Cardin's mace flying at his head. Rock ducked down and kicked out at Cardin's foot. Cardin was knocked off balance and fell onto his back. Rock climbed into a mount position and hammered Cardin's face with blows. Cardin's aura slowly trickled down, but it wasn't nearly enough.

Cardin started laughing. "Is that all you've got? Your weak-ass fists couldn't even kill a kitten."

Cardin hooked his fist into Rock's ribcage. Rock gasped and rolled over clutching his side when Cardin's boot crashed into his face.

Cardin looked down at Rock. "Get up. I'm not done with you yet."

Rock crawled to his feet and shook his head. He took a deep breath and drew back his fist. The air surrounding him gathered around his fist. Powerful gusts of wind blew across the stage. Rock could feel the power. He unleashed his attack, but it misfired, destroying the stage in front of him but failing to reach Cardin.

Rock looked down at his hand. "A misfire? Shit, I thought I had it that time. I did it just like the book said."

He looked at his aura reading on the screen. That attack had taken a lot of energy. At most, he had two more before he was out of the fight. He grumbled and kicked a rock. He was on the verge of losing, and it was all for nothing.

Rock decided to go on the offensive, peppering Cardin with punches and kicks. Knocking him out wasn't an option. He didn't have enough strength to break through his defenses. The best he could hope for was to win by decision.

Cardin took the blows, waiting for the right moment. There was a small gap in Rock's attacks. That was the moment he was waiting for. Cardin swung his mace with all his might. Rock's eyes went wide. He put up his arm to block, but it wouldn't be enough. Defending would take too much aura.

There was an audible pop as Rock's aura disappeared, followed by the sound of his arm breaking as Cardin's mace struck him.

A loud gasp echoed through the theater. A few students looked away, some turned green, and a few smiled at Rock's injury.

Rock's body was sent flying. He propped himself up with his good arm, grinding his teeth to keep from screaming. He panted heavily, struggling to stand up. The pain made him want to pass out.

"That's enough," Glynda shouted. "Both of you, stand down this instant."

For a moment, Rock considered giving up. He wanted to run, to not have to fight someone like this. He had never had to. If he were back in Mistral, then anyone who gave him a problem would end up stuffed in the trunk of a car and sent into a lake. That wasn't an option anymore. He decided to become a Huntsman, and he intended to beat Cardin like a Huntsman.

Rock chuckled and pointed at the monitor. "Look at the screen. I haven't lost yet."

Glynda looked at the monitor. True enough, Rock's aura was above the limit for elimination.

Glynda ground her teeth. "This is no time for bravado. Go to the infirmary this instant."

Rock shook his head. "I'll take whatever punishment you give me, just let me finish this fight. Please."

Glynda sighed. "Do as you wish. The match will continue."

Cardin had long since stopped smiling. He looked into Rock's eyes, his spirit hadn't flagged yet.

"All right, I admit. You've got balls, but you need more than that to beat me."

Rock smiled. "Yeah, you're definitely stronger than I am, but that doesn't mean shit. I'm gonna win, just watch."

Rock ignored the bone stabbing into his flesh and charged in. Cardin swung down with his mace. Rock dodged and kicked Cardin square in the face. Cardin stumbled backwards. Rock grabbed Cardin's wrist. A high pitched whine sounded from his body. Cardin's fist flew into Rock's face. Rock refused to let go. Cardin began to pummel Rock's face, bruising his flesh breaking his bones. Still, Rock refused to let go. Cardin threw another punch, but the stage was engulfed by an explosion. Dust, smoke, and debris flew in every direction. The buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the match.

When the smoke cleared, Rock alone was left standing. His right arm was mangled, he was covered in burns, and the ground was stained with his blood. A look at the monitor showed that both his and Cardin's aura was completely depleted.

Glynda sighed. "This match has ended in a draw. A suicide attack does have its uses, but that you were forced to resort to such a tactic is merely proof of your inadequacy."

Rock nodded, right before he passed out.

XxX

When Rock opened his eyes he realized that he was in the sterile white infirmary. His arm was in a cast and there were bandages covering his face and arm.

"You're an idiot, you know that?" Giallo said.

"Don't be like that," Lucia said. "Rock did his best, and he did seize victory."

Lucia turned to look at Rock. "I apologize for calling you a coward. You are more courageous than I thought."

Lucia leaned forward and planted a kiss on Rock's cheek.

"You have done well," he said with a smile.

Nigel grabbed Rock's good hand and examined it.

"Good, nothing's broken."

"What's up?" Rock asked.

:That technique you used, where did you learn that?"

"Huh? We went over it in class earlier."

Nigel shook his head. "There's no way you could have done that following the book. Be honest, what did you do?"

Rock paused for a moment. "Well, I thought about what Gramps said about feeling the flow of aura, but then I thought 'what if it spun?' I mean, spinning makes things more powerful, doesn't it?"

The mood in the room changed in an instant. Lucia, Giallo, and Nigel all exchanged a look.

"Rock, do you understand what you did?"

Rock shrugged. "Not really. Fucking thing didn't even work."

"That was an advanced technique," Lucia said. "And you said that you did it without even trying?"

"I'm gonna be honest with you, I got bored reading the book and just did whatever. It just felt right."

"You are something else," Giallo said.

"I guess I'm pretty amazing, huh?"

"Don't get conceited," Nigel snapped. "You just got lucky. If that misfire happened a second earlier you would have lost that hand. Why would you even try something like that on Cardin anyway? If you actually knew how to fight, you wouldn't have had to rely on such suicidal tactics."

Rock sighed. "Can't let me have a single moment, can you?"

"No. I'm your partner, and that means that I look out for you."

Nigel paused for a moment. "All right, I've decided. From now on, you're my disciple."

Rock stared at Nigel. "That is uncharacteristically assertive of you, Nigel. Why even make me your student?"

"Because you've got a long way to go. Right now, you're a D. Cardin was a C, Lucia and I are both A, and Giallo is... Giallo. You've got what it takes, I see that now, but you need a good teacher, someone to show you how to use the power you have."

Rock pondered the idea. Nigel was right, he needed far more power than he had now. If he struggled this much against Cardin, taking down his mother was out of the question.

"Okay. Looking forward to working with you, boss."

"First of all, you call me 'sensei' from now on," Nigel snapped.

Rock sighed. "Fine, sensei."