Adam's alarm clock went off at precisely 5:30 a.m., filling Team ALPN's dorm room with a loud, blaring ring. Nora groaned, doing her best to cover her head with a pillow and get back to sleep, but the noise was just too loud to ignore. Giving up, she tossed her pillow away and sat up, rubbing her blurry eyes as she took in her surroundings. The first thing she noticed was Adam standing at the foot of her beds, fully dressed in his school uniform, arms folded across his chest as he watched her, as well as Ren and Pyrrha, slowly stagger awake. The second thing she noticed was the complete lack of light filtering in through the window outside.
"What the-" Nora snapped to her feet, staring out at the dark sky, before turning towards the bull Faunus incredulously. "Adam, the sun isn't even up yet!"
"I am aware of this," Adam said calmly, adjusting his uniform's tie.
"So what are you doing awake?!"
"Getting ready for class," the bull Faunus replied, before tilting his head. "Well, actually, I just finished."
"What time is it?" Pyrrha demanded, groggily checking her Scroll. Her breath hitched in her throat "Five thirty-one?!" Then she realized that the bull Faunus was already awake and ready for class. "Adam, just how much earlier did you wake up?"
"Thirty minutes ago. My body is on a bit of a routine."
"What was the point of setting your alarm clock if you were just going to wake up before it anyway?" Ren asked, shaking his head in an effort to wake up.
"It wasn't for me, it was for you three," Adam told them. "Breakfast is in two hours. So I've given you plenty of time to shower, do your hair and makeup, and whatever other personal care you need to take care of before then." He gestured to the open door of the dorm's bathroom. "First come, first served. Don't worry, there should be plenty of hot water for all of you." Pyrrha and Ren stared at the bull Faunus in awe.
"You've really thought this through," Ren said finally, impressed by how quickly Adam had taken to his role as team leader.
"So, are we going to be waking up at the crack of dawn every morning from now on?" Nora asked, looking horrified at the very prospect.
"No, no," the bull Faunus scoffed. "There's no school on Saturday or Sunday, remember? You can sleep in as long as you want during the weekend."
"Oh, thank God," the ginger sighed in relief, before noticing Pyrrha making a beeline for the bathroom. "Pyrrha?"
"Hey, if you two aren't going to take advantage of this opening, then I will!" the redhead stated, gesturing to her eyes. "Do you have any idea how long it takes to apply eyeshadow?" Nora opened her mouth to reply, only to be cut off as the bathroom door slammed shut, the sound of the shower coming to life following a few moments later.
"She's got the right idea," Adam declared, before tossing Nora and Ren a piece of paper. "This is our schedule for this semester. Memorize it well. While you do that, I need to meet with Headmaster Ozpin and receive my Scroll, so we can keep in touch during training exercises. Please excuse me." And with that, the bull Faunus took his leave, exiting the dorm as he made his way to the Headmaster's Office. Ren and Nora watched their team leader disappear down the hallway, as the door to their room swung shut behind him, locking with a soft click. Only then did they look down at the schedule Adam had provided for them, then back up at each other.
"He does realize this a schedule for second-year students, right?" Nora asked.
"I must say, I am rather surprised to see you up and about so early, Mr. Taurus. Most of my first-year students would still be sound asleep at this hour," Ozpin commented, taking a sip from his mug of hot chocolate as he studied the bull Faunus, who stood in front of the Headmaster's desk.
"I had to keep to a strict schedule during my time in the White Fang," Adam said with a shrug. "Besides, the sooner I get my hands on a new Scroll, the better. I can't get back into my dorm room without one."
"No, that you cannot," Ozpin confirmed, reaching into his desk to pull out the communication device in question, holding it out for the bull Faunus to take. Adam tilted his head, recognizing the device.
"This is my Scroll," he stated, looking up at the Headmaster quizzically.
"That it is," Ozpin confirmed. "The Vale Police Department finished searching through it last night. I must say, they were quite disappointed in the lack of information the device provided them with."
"Well, it was my personal Scroll," the bull Faunus pointed out. "I mainly used it for communicating with my friends, among other things."
"So they found out," the Headmaster said with a chuckle. "I told them not to expect anything of importance to be found on your device, but they went poking around in there anyway, hoping to at least glean the location of White Fang bases in Vale, or like the like. Instead, all they found were some rather touching conversations between you, Ms. Belladonna, and other friends of yours, as well as your preferred taste in-"
"All right!" Adam said heatedly, snatching his Scroll out of Ozpin's hand. "I hope they enjoyed themselves, poking through my private business." There was a moment of silence as the bull Faunus shoved his device inside his jacket pocket. "So is there any specific app I need to open to unlock my dorm room, or..."
"No, simply hold it up in front of the scanner, and the door will unlock for you," the Headmaster told him, before tilting his head. "By the way, did I see Professor Greene hand you a schedule last night?"
"Yes, you did," Adam confirmed. "Why, is there a problem with that?" Ozpin chuckled.
"Well..."
""Monsters! Deeeemons... Prowlers of the night! Yes, the Creatures of Grimm have many names, but I merely refer to them as PREY! Ha-ha!" After a sheepish apology for waking his friends up three-and-a-half hours before their first class, and a promise to change the alarm to a more reasonable time of 6:00, Adam had led his team to the cafeteria, where they had remained until 8:45, at which point they headed to their first class- Grimm Studies with Professor Port.
A rather fitting name, the bull Faunus thought to himself, as their instructor was a rather rotund man, with a big, bushy mustache and a rather boisterous personality, based on the fact he had his weapon -a blunderbuss with a pair of axe blades jutting out of the stock and butt- as well as the sculptures of various Grimm heads mounted on his wall. Apparently, he also thought himself a comedian, although he seemed to realize nobody was going to laugh at his attempt at humor besides himself. Port cleared his throat.
"Uhhhh... And you shall too, upon graduating from this prestigious academy!" the professor continued, cutting his losses. "Now, as I was saying: Vale, as well as the other three kingdoms, are safe havens in an otherwise treacherous world! Our planet is absolutely teeming with creatures that would love nothing more than to tear you to pieces! And that's where we come in. Huntsmen! Huntresses..." He winked at Yang as he said this, causing the blonde girl to groan uncomfortably. "Individuals who have sworn to protect those who cannot protect themselves! From what, you ask? Why, the very WORLD!"
"Ayyyy-yep!" one student cheered, standing up and throwing up a fist. Everybody, Port included, proceeded to awkwardly stare at him until he finally sat back down, embarrassed.
"That is what you are training to become," the professor concluded, dismissing the incident. "But first: A story. A tale of a young, handsome man... Me! When I was a boy..." Realizing that his instructor was not going to return to the actual lesson for the foreseeable future, Adam rested his head on one hand, surveying his classmates surrounding him while lightly tuning into Port's story. Ren, Pyrrha, and the Schnee all seemed to be paying apt attention to the professor, probably expecting his tale to have some sort of moral to learn from. "...Despite smelling of cabbages, my grandfather was a wise man. 'Peter', he told me..."
"Hang it there, guys," the bull Faunus mouthed to them, before scoping out the rest of them. Yang was resting her chin in one hand, looking like she was about to nod off any moment. Nora was staring blankly ahead, a small line of drool leaking out of the corner of her mouth. Blake was writing something down in that journal of hers, and Ruby... Well, it was impressive how she managed to draw a crude picture of Professor Port (or as she named him, Professor Poop), goof off with her materials, pick her nose, and fall asleep twice in the span of forty-five minutes. Adam had to hide his smile behind a fist as he watched the Schnee's annoyance steadily rise at her team leader's antics, her pale cheeks turning increasingly more red as her frustration mounted.
"Ah-heh-hem!" Port cleared his throat, bringing everyone's attention back to the classroom. "In the end, the Beowolf was no match for my sheer tenacity, and I returned to my village with the beast in captivity and my head held high, celebrated as a hero!" The professor bowed, receiving a half-hearted round of applause from the students. "The moral of this story? A true Huntsman must be honorable! A true Huntsman must be dependable! A true Huntsman must be strategic, well-educated, and wise! So, who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these traits?"
"I do, sir!" the Schnee declared, raising her hand, no doubt driven by the need to prove herself more capable than Ruby.
"Well, then, let's find out!" Port decided, pushing his desk aside to reveal a thick, metal cage behind it, in which two pairs of red eyes could be seen glowing out of the darkness behind the bars. "Step forward, and face your opponent!"
Weiss had quickly changed back into her combat attire, then made her way back into the classroom to the bottom of the amphitheater, where Port, now holding the blunderbuss in his hands, and the beast he had captured were waiting.
"Goooo, Weiss!" Yang whooped, throwing a fist in the air.
"Fight well!" Adam called to her. "And if that doesn't work, just die quickly!"
"Adam!" Blake scowled at the bull Faunus.
"Yeah, represent Teeeeam RWBY!" Ruby cheered, her voice echoing throughout the room. Sighing, the heiress lowered her arms, allowing Myrtenaster's blade to cling against the floor as she turned to address her team leader.
"Ruby! I'm trying to focus!" she growled. The silver-eyed girl withered under her glare.
"Oh, um... Sorry..." she cringed.
"Allllright!" Port announced, approaching the cage. "Let the match... begin!" He swung his weapon down upon the cage, slicing off the lock with an axe blade. The barred door fell open, and out stormed a Boarbatusk, charging at Weiss with its large tusks aimed at her chest, hooves clomping heavily on the ground. The heiress flicked Myrtenaster in front of her, deflecting the Grimm's tusks and allowing her to roll safely away. She quickly stood, preparing for the Boarbatusk's next move. The Grimm chose to take a couple steps away from its quarry, studying her with its four eyes. "Ha-ha! Wasn't expectingthat,were you?" Port mocked the Grimm, standing safely behind his desk and the cage.
"Hang in there, Weiss!" Ruby called. In an attempt to drown her leader out, Weiss charged the Boarbausk, plunging her rapier straight towards the center of its plated face. At the last second, the Grimm turned its head, managing to catch Myrtenaster with its tusks and pulling the heiress into a slam with its large teeth, causing her light blue Aura to ripple over her chest. Weiss struggled to pull her rapier free, as the Boarbtausk tossed its head back and forth, throwing her around like a rag doll.
"Bold, new approach. I like it!" Port commented.
"Come on, Weiss, show it who's boss!" Ruby called. Weiss turned her head to glare at her leaders, but unfortunately for her, the Boarbatusk used her momentary distraction to jerk its body backwards, ripping Myrtenaster out of her grip. The heiress gasped as her rapier flew away, and then was sent sprawling as the Grimm jabbed its tusks into her stomach, her Aura flashing a second time.
"Oh-ho! Now what will you do without your weapon?" Port questioned her, intrigued by this new development. Weiss lifted her head in time to see the Boarbatusk barreling towards her a third time. Gasping, the heiress rolled away, allowing the Grimm to rush by, then stood and ran for her weapon. She dove to the ground, snatching Myrtenaster up into her hand, then stood to face the Boarbatusk, who was hanging back, studying her again.
"Weiss! Go for its belly!" Ruby called. "There's no armor underneath-"
"Stop telling me what to do!" Weiss snapped at her. Surprised, Ruby fell silent, a pained frown on her face. The Boarbatusk squealed, then leapt into the air and curled up into a ball, rapidly spinning its body. As soon as the Grimm landed, it shot forwards, rapidly approaching Weiss, and then leaped into the air, its tusks aimed at her head. The heiress calmly raised Myrtenaster in front of her, summoning a large glyph that the Boarbatusk slammed into, sending it rolling over backwards. Seizing her chance, Weiss used a second glyph to leap over the Grimm, and plunge her rapier into its unprotected chest. With a final squeal, the Boarbatusk went limp, and dissipated into smoke. The heiress gasped in relief.
"Bravo! Bra-vo!" Port clapped. "It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress-in-training!" He took a quick look at the clock. "I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings, and... stay vigilant! Class dismissed!" With a huff, Weiss turned and stormed out of the classroom, not even bothering to acknowledge her teammates.
"What was that about?" Nora wondered, noticing the bewildered expressions on Blake and Yang's faces and a sulking Ruby.
"Oh, nothing really," Adam shrugged. "It's just a Schnee thing. Their entire family have hearts of ice, you know."
"Adam," Pyrrha scolded. "Be nice."
"I feel bad for Ruby," Nora admitted, as Team ALPN made their way to their next class after lunch, during which Weiss had neglected to sit anywhere her team. She had not sat with them either, but given her and Adam's mutual dislike for one another, that had made more sense. "I get Weiss is upset she wasn't made team leader, but when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, you know?"
"I don't know, to an extent, I can see things from Weiss's perspective," Pyrrha admitted. "Ruby's got passion, but she's also a little naive, and I don't get the feeling that she was allowed to join Beacon two years early due to her skill level." She turned towards Ren, who was trailing behind the other three, seemingly lost in thought. "What do you think, Ren?" The quiet boy closed his eyes, and let out a soft sigh.
"I think it's on both of them," he said finally. "Ruby is a bit... behind, when it comes to the rest of us, but Ozpin chose her to be the leader of Team RWBY for a reason. As such, Weiss will simply have to accept that."
"Huh. That actually makes sense," Nora hummed, stroking her chin with one hand, before turning to Adam. "Adam? What about you?"
"You already know my opinion on the Schnee," the bull Faunus said bluntly, not even bothering to turn around. "However, I also think Team RWBY's problems are Team RWBY's problems. My only concern is for problems that arise for our team specifically. And seeing how none of you have a problem being on a team with, let alone being led by a Faunus, then I have no complaints."
"Was that supposed to be a compliment?" Pyrrha asked, causing Adam to turn his head just enough to glance back at her from the corner of his eye, the slightest trace of a smile visible.
"Take it however you want," he told her, before pushing open the doors to Beacon's amphitheater, where Ms. Goodwitch stood waiting for them.
"Team ALPN," she greeted them. "You are five minutes early."
"What can we say?" Nora said, grinning cheekily, putting a hand on the bull Faunus's shoulder. "Our leader knows how to manage time."
"So I see," the blonde teacher hummed, before gesturing to the empty amphitheater. "Very well, then, take your pick of the seats. Class will begin shortly."
Nodding, Adam led his team up to one of the middle rows of the amphitheater, where they sat down, waiting patiently. Slowly but surely, more students began to trickle in after them. Team RWBY joined them, all together again, though there was still a noticeable amount of tension between them. Weiss still seemed indignant, which in turn set Yang on edge, while Blake seemed apathetic to the situation. Ruby, however, surprised the bull Faunus. He had expected her to be sulking, or at least visibly upset, but instead, she was calm and collected, perhaps even a tad thoughtful. Ms. Goodwitch waited patiently for all the students to filter into her room and take their seats, before addressing them.
"Good afternoon, students. As you know, my name is Ms. Goodwitch, and I am the combat instructor for Beacon Academy. It is my job to shape you all into the future Huntsmen and Huntresses you all wish to be, by gauging the strengths and weaknesses of your signature combat styles through one-on-one sparring with your fellow peers. Alongside helping me give proper feedback on how you must improve yourselves, this also gives you the practice necessary to defend yourself from any threats you will face in the line of duty. Because make no mistake- while the Creatures of Grimm are the single greatest threat to the Kingdoms, there are just as many monsters that seek to do you harm while hiding behind the mask of humanity and Faunus-kind." Her eyes lingered on Adam for a moment as she said, which did not go unnoticed by Pyrrha, who gazed back at their teacher with a suspicious glare. "Are there any questions?" Ms. Goodwitch asked. Nobody said a word. "Then let us get right into it," the blonde teacher declared, pulling out her tablet, causing the large overhead screen in the amphitheater to turn on. "Matches between students will be determined at random, in order to keep you from growing too accustomed from fighting one of your peers in particular. Now, let us see who the first matchup of the year will be..."
The screen displayed a series of pictures depicting all of the first year students attending Beacon, swapping one out for the other almost too fast to to keep track of. As the roulette ran its course, a nervous murmur sprang up amongst the class. The first matchup of the year was an exciting prospect for some, and a horrible nightmare for others. Depending on who won or lost, it could set the tone for the entire semester. Finally, the first picture came to a stop, depicting a familiar pink-eyed boy with long, black hair.
"Look, Ren! You're up first!" Nora squealed, grinning from ear-to-ear.
"I can see that," Ren said, turning towards his teammates with a nod. "I can't promise I'll win, but I'll do my best to represent Team ALPN."
"I don't think you'll need to worry about that, Bake said drily, pointing up at the screen. Everyone turned their attention back towards it, and then Nora began to laugh. Depicted onscreen, across from Ren, was Adam Taurus.