Another day in Beacon Academy, another day that Weiss Schnee gets closer to becoming a proper huntress. This day officially marks her first day as a third-year student at Beacon. Team RWBY's makeshift bunkbeds were remade, though reinforced and renewed for the obvious safety hazards that those ropes and books had suffered for the past years, and that's assuming that no one slept on them or tossed and turned, ever so slightly disturbing the weight of the bed.
New sets of uniforms were given to each student. Their old ones were getting worn and Weiss wasn't about to just keep wearing those. Her weapon was in her locker. She'd had two years' worth of experience in Beacon; only that time during her freshman year did combat matter, and that was because she volunteered.
Weiss chuckled internally. She couldn't believe the kind of person she had been then. One usually does in hindsight. She had been green, inexperienced, and so accustomed to the Schnee life that she forgot that going to Beacon meant that she had to rough it out a little. Sure, there were probably worse scenarios but relative to where she was, it was the closest she could get to roughing out.
Unlike years ago, team RWBY, along with their sister team, JNPR, weren't in a rush to get to class. Weiss' own team leader managed to pick up on that scheduling problem and without the renovation on their room being done on that first day, that gave them more time to prepare for classes.
Their first class for that day was Grimm studies with professor Port, yet another reason neither team was in a rush. There may have been a time when Weiss would complain about being late, but going three years into Beacon had informed her that Port's classes gave extra time. Students actually liked having Port's class be the first one if only because they'd have more time to sleep in, not that Weiss would sleep in herself, of course.
Walking down the familiar hallways, there was a time when Weiss, like any other student, would have beheld in amazement the colors of Beacon Academy. Now that she was in her third year, she could see the different cracks and faded colors of Beacon's age. A few stains in the carpet here and the peeling of colors there, Beacon was still pleasant to look out but she had grown accustomed to it.
Another thing that she had grown accustomed to was teams RWBY and JNPR going to classes together. She took a deep breath and waited for the inevitable attempt. Few seconds passed and Weiss was already dreading what that dork had planned.
Teams RWBY and JNPR were getting closer to Port's class. Did he become bold enough to try it during class? Port wouldn't allow it, that much Weiss was sure. Right?
They made it to class and they took their seats. Port was late as always. Still, the blonde didn't try anything, not even a casual greeting.
More seconds past and Weiss deliberately slowed down her usual setup. The scroll was placed more delicately than she normally would have for Port's class. Each movement of her hands and face gave too much of an opening. The scroll was set and she was now idle with nothing to do.
Still, there was nothing. No one liner, no poor attempt at a compliment as an ice breaker, no asking about the weather, Jaune Arc wasn't making any attempt in the slightest. Granted, he had slowed that down after last Vytal dance but that didn't mean he didn't stop. Every once in a while he did that.
She couldn't take it anymore. Weiss turned to see Jaune just being a student, fumbling his way as he too set up his own scroll. After he was done, he didn't even point to her for any sort of similarity. He might have been influenced by Weiss there but that was as far as it went. With him was his partner, Pyrrha Nikos. There were moments of redness between them and Weiss caught Nora being happier than usual. Even Ren showed a rare smile.
Pyrrha's green eyes caught Weiss staring. "Weiss? Is anything wrong?"
"Nothing," Weiss said quickly. She thought just as fast. "Just that you guys seem really happy today."
Finally, she heard the voice of Jaune Arc. But he wasn't looking at her direction. "Ah… well, just… really excited to get back into class, you know?" Even Pyrrha was looking away.
Rather than press further, Weiss let it go. If this was going to be a sign of days to come, she'll take it. That meant peace. Peace. She had found peace. She'll cherish it for however long it would last. If it would keep going, she'll be especially grateful.
Port came in and class went on as usual, like they hadn't just come from break. But with Port, this might as well them readjusting to the school life again since most weren't used to sitting still for hours at a time anymore. Part of Weiss still expected something but no, it didn't happen. Jaune Arc wasn't making any attempt at asking her out. He wasn't paying too much attention, like everyone else in class, but he wasn't too idle either.
Weiss caught him doodling and writing some notes on his notebook. His handwriting wasn't much to note but it was legible. He was making strategies and those doodles were vague representations of something; Weiss guessed that those were his teammates.
Even after he put down the pencil and gave half an attempt to listen into Port's lectures, Jaune didn't do anything to Weiss, not that she was worried for her safety. Jaune and dangerous did not go well together unless there was a is not somewhere in the middle
He was a good friend, Jaune Arc. He has grown to be a capable huntsman, she'll admit. But she would still not quite go there with him. Weiss simply doesn't see him that way. Neptune didn't work out and Weiss would rather just focus on being a huntress at the moment.
Instead, another blonde slid her way next to her. "Jealous, ice princess?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Xiao Long." It didn't matter how Weiss responded, Yang was on the hunt for entertainment.
Port kept going with his stories. Some of the other students have already begun to recover and readjusted to the school life. Others are using it to cherish their loss of sleep time. Though, with Port as the first class, Weiss wasn't sure just how much those people sleep in. Even her own team on an exhausted day wouldn't sleep in that much.
"Don't lie," amusement colored Yang's voice. "You were expecting tall, blonde, and scraggly to try his luck again. What? Finding it precious now that it's gone now?"
Weiss rolled her eyes and shook her head. It didn't matter much for Port had quickly descended to his tall tales again. It took a while but there was some wisdom in Port's tales. It was mixed in with exaggerations and unnecessary tangents, but they were there. It is just that Weiss wasn't about to sit through them live.
Classes ended and the recording stopped. It would take time before the entire lecture would be rendered but Weiss had time. Thank the Brother gods that scrolls didn't burn through the batteries. Otherwise, she would have spent more time charging them than getting to class.
She heard Jaune's voice amidst the irritating sound of dragging chairs. "I can handle it, allow me."
"Jaune, I can carry my own things myself," Pyrrha replied. "You don't have to."
"I want to," Jaune insisted. "What are partners for?"
"If that's what partners do, then at least let me carry some of yours."
"That defeats the purpose!"
"What are partners for?" Pyrrha returned.
"E-hem!" Nora coughed. "Just reminding you two that we still have classes to go to." Nora couldn't hide that smug grin if she wanted to.
"Ah," Weiss said. "I see now." She leaned closer and asked Ren, "recent?"
"Not ours to tell." Ren shook his head. "If it's of any consolation, we haven't been told yet either."
"They're not subtle, are they?" Weiss could feel the peace washing over her. The only thing she would dread was just how public they would be if this was them being subtle.
Ren smiled wider. First day of third-year Beacon and already things aren't normal anymore. Was their second year going to be the only normal school year they would ever have?
The rest of Team RWBY either didn't notice or didn't pay it any mind. Scratch that. Yang teased as she normally would but chose a specific topic of concern. It got the expected reaction. Jaune was an open book and while Pyrrha managed to reign herself in, she had her tells and Yang, Weiss would begrudgingly admit, had one of the best eyes for openings that Weiss ever knew.
The two of them tried. They really did. But nothing could stop everyone from thinking it. Even the least observant one among them would notice something. Jaune and Pyrrha insisted otherwise though. Eventually, Yang did back off, mostly due to Ren.
If there's one thing that Weiss learned from Blake, it is that once the silent one's speak, everyone should listen. There's a reason they're usually so silent: they'd only speak if they have something to say.
Next had been doctor Oobleck's class. Ever the gentleman, Jaune made sure that Pyrrha sat first. Pulling the chair back and pushing the chair in timing with Pyrrha's sitting, it was like watching a demonstration of those old etiquette lessons that had been drilled into Weiss. She'd give it a six out of ten. Good enough to pass, but definitely had more to improve on.
Recent, Weiss concluded. It had to be. Unsure, uncertain, and going through every trope and probably making their own, at this point, Weiss was agonizing just waiting for them to come out already.
Doctor Oobleck went through the introduction, the reminders for the class, and the expected performance of each student by the end of the school in the span of one minute. Picking up his words was training on focus. Any moment's distraction would result in them being lost forever. Not even recordings of the lectures did it well.
Weiss caught Pyrrha winking at Jaune as she managed to keep up with the notetaking. It was a trick that many students learned after Oobleck's first class. Thankfully, it was the first day. Doctor Oobleck doesn't start his lectures on the first day. Though it felt like one, these were more reminders and refreshers of the lessons of the previous year
It was something that Ruby appreciated with her having advanced two years. But now that she'd caught up, Ruby was treated as any other student.
Weiss lazily took down notes. Her recordings this time may not be much right now, but doctor Oobleck wasn't about to delve into lectures. It was still good to be prepared for any reminders; those were usually prerequisites and Weiss knew enough from her second year that the caffeinated doctor had issues with students who didn't review previous lectures. The future's foundation is built upon the present and the present is built upon the past.
Instead, Weiss was finding entertainment in team JNPR. Said feeling of entertainment was gone the moment she heard a cough from Yang. Her smug grin only brought disappointment to Weiss' face. It wasn't the case. It wasn't. If anything, Weiss was happy for the two. Her reservations about the blonde dork aside, she'd at least give that Jaune was a nice guy. Pyrrha would be treated right, Weiss was sure of that.
It also served to keep reminding her that there won't be any further attempts at flirting anymore. Weiss would have to get used to this feeling, having been accustomed to it during her first year. There was less of it in the second year but it was still there.
When classes were dismissed for that one, Jaune did the same as he did with Port's class. Pyrrha carried her own notebooks though with Jaune carrying most of the other weight without much effort.
Then, Weiss thought she heard someone call out a name. She saw doctor Oobleck closing a window. With the amount of words per second that came out of his mouth, Weiss concluded that it must have been the professor who said a name, likely a minor character from the plethora of historical references that the doctor drew from. He was probably commenting on the windows being opened and mentioned a name.
Third class was going to be the most interesting for Weiss. Not only did it mark the first day of doctor Jekyll's return to Beacon Academy, it was also the time when Weiss especially had to watch herself. She couldn't just refer to him as Jekyll anymore and had to address as professor like any other student.
All the other students could do so easily. Ruby had to restrain herself from calling him uncle so suddenly, at least during class hours. Jekyll may not be their professor in a literal sense but proper etiquette still demanded that they address the man with proper respect during school hours.
Not like that mattered since professor Peach, doctor now though she didn't mind either way, was still their professor for Plant Science. Though, into their third year, it was more accurate that she was their nature survival professor. With emphasis on survival, plant life, navigation on the chance they lost their scrolls, means of desalinating salt water, and many others.
A few stone and wooden tools were brought to class as samples. Not every student could rely on their weapons. While some chose to answer this possibility with martial arts, professor Peach put emphasis that a simple stick could be an effective weapon. Even a small stick put more distance between themselves and the Grimm than their own arms and legs.
Professor Peach wasn't the fanciest of teachers. She certainly doesn't have the fanciful but made-up tales of Port, the details of doctor Oobleck, nor was she handling combat class which generally had the most excitement, but Peach's lessons had a subtler approach.
While most huntsmen and huntresses focused on the combat and Grimm, Peach spent more time on the less exciting but still quite essential part of being a huntsman: surviving. Not every huntsman could just drop in and start killing the Grimm like there was no tomorrow. Some would have to travel great distances and for long periods of times before they could even start to hunt down the Grimm, and that's assuming the Grimm didn't move to another place.
Not every mission was going to be Grimm excursion either. Some were escort missions with expected Grimm and/or thieving bandits. Others were gathering quests for certain materials too difficult to obtain for anyone else. On the chance that they would be dealing with Grimm, huntsmen and huntresses were also expected to stick around in damaged settlements and villages to help in the rebuilding process since communications with the main cities weren't always going to be swift. That's where Peach's lessons really shine.
There was going to be less laboratory this time. They still would if only to introduce them the principles and within the safe environment. In future lessons, they would have to do so out there in the field, using only what they could find.
Peach looked absolutely lively today. Her wings were fluttering about as she went through the expected outcomes for this school year. Weiss then remembered that the lesson outcomes were lax this year as well.
This year would hold the Vytal Festival. Memories of the last one still played back in Weiss' mind. Everything that went wrong that time that ruined much of the festivities. Thankfully, Beacon was able to handle it as well as it could. This year though, it would be held in Atlas.
Unlike the previous year, Beacon would be sending fewer representatives and the selection process would be tougher. Weiss made a mental note to remind Ruby if she hadn't already made her own plans. The winner was essentially undecided last in the Vytal Tournament; Weiss intends to have team RWBY definitively win it this year.
Putting her attention elsewhere, Weiss noticed that Jekyll was doing his usual rounds on checking on the different tools and equipment that they would be using for class. Then, something must have caught his attention as he moved out of sight and towards where the windows would be. He came back into sight a minute after but his eyes would occasionally trail back to the windows.
Jekyll moved with familiarity that it didn't appear that he left Beacon at all. No need for a refresher nor a need to be oriented again. Professor Peach didn't even have any words for Jekyll like she had for that Amber person that had replaced Jekyll in the previous year.
With the third class done for the day, lunch hour was coming for them.
For students, this was a time for them to relax or even to catch up with old friends. With team RWBY and JNPR, being dorm neighbors meant less time for catching up. For team RWBY specifically, that was hardly needed since they spent the vacation period together to begin with.
For team RWBY, along with Ren and Nora, it was the most entertaining thing that they could ask for. Nora didn't even bother to tell them about any dreams she had nor did the two teams catch up on anything that they missed out on.
Yang especially was just enjoying listening in.
"… and Adrian is really looking forward to seeing you again," Jaune said.
"Well I don't suppose I could deny such a request," Pyrrha replied.
"You're practically family already," Jaune said.
It's like they're in their own world and completely forgot that everyone else exists.
Nora decided to bring them back to reality. "So, anything cool happen during break for you guys?"
That did the trick as Jaune and Pyrrha were jolted back into the present. It did little to hide away the redness that painted both of their cheeks.
"So," Nora asked again. "I'm sure they're asking: whose Adrian?"
It was safe. It was normal. It was a ley line that Nora threw their way.
Jaune answered first. "Oh, Adrian's my nephew. See, over the break, I… I actually went to Argus and visited Saph—my sister—and Terra—my sister-in-law. I invited Ren and Nora to go along and thought Pyrrha couldn't join in since she had her own family to go back to. We had a bit of a family reunion, and well…"
Pyrrha completed it for Jaune. "I happen to live in the area."
While everyone else made sounds of understanding, Weiss could only form wrinkles on her forehead. It wasn't a pleasant memory, that very first day of Beacon, but she remembered one specific detail.
"Jaune." Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose. "Argus is home to Sanctum Academy."
"Yeah and?" He realized soon after. He too cringed at the memory. "Oh… right."
"It's fine!" Pyrrha insisted. "Sanctum doesn't exactly advertise themselves!"
"So would it be a fair assumption that the two families met?" Yang asked. Had she had a notebook with her, Yang would be taking notes more furious than anyone trying to keep up with doctor Oobleck.
"We did," Pyrrha replied. "It was awkward, having just me and my mom while Jaune had his entire family there. Sure Ren and Nora were there, but our families just kidnapped them away from us. We were welcomed and spent the holidays together."
"Sounds romantic," Blake commented in the most neutral tone that Weiss had ever heard, not even putting down her book.
"Minus anything and everything that had to do with babysitting Adrian," Jaune said. "I swear he needs his diaper changes only when we're around, and it's always like he ate spicy food!"
By instinct, Jaune covered his nose as the memory of that scent filled his brain.
Pyrrha clearly had something else in mind. "I mean," she said. "It was still mostly fun and it wasn't that bad. I'm just glad Jaune's family likes me enough to welcome me."
"That's was so cool!" Nora said. "Ren! I know where we're going after the school year ends!"
"Only if it is okay with them," Ren replied. There was a genuine joy there.
Nora gave the best puppy dog eyes that she could. Ruby does it better that Weiss was immune. The same cannot be said for Jaune. "I'll tell Saph ahead of time to prepare the rooms. Maybe you two should get your own too. Remind me before the school year ends."
"You got it boss!"
They resumed to eating their lunches. It was clear that there was more that was going on for Weiss saw the relief on Pyrrha and Jaune's expressions. Were they? Or were they getting there? Weiss wasn't sure right now. She had been earlier, not so much now.
/-/
"Well," Yang said as she jumped onto her bed. "Today was a good day! Got to class on time. No lessons, no homework, and ice princess is jealous."
"I wasn't jealous, Yang."
"Yeah? You just spent a better part of today just staring at the two lovebirds looking like you were still expecting vomit boy to throw a one-liner your way."
"With how those two were acting?" Blake must have decided to throw her a lifeline. "How could anyone not pay attention?"
Yang brushed it off though. "Sure, anyone would have paid attention. But ice princess over here has been looking greener than Pyrrha's eyes."
First night of their third year into Beacon and Weiss was already engaging in Yang's antics. This was tame compared to everything else she would, nothing more than mere girl talk during sleepovers. Ruby was just happy that everyone got along and would be happy for Jaune and Pyrrha if that was the case.
Conversation and gossip was had that night. Mostly about the coming school year and their plans for the Vytal Festival. With team RWBY already having gone to Atlas, they already which places to go and which places they've been too.
It kept going until it had been late into the night. Weiss hadn't checked the time if it was the next day already. Either way, they had time. Port was the first class of the day to begin with.
She failed to notice the shadowy figure within perfect side of their dorm's window.
/-/
Weiss was awoken by what she had thought was someone singing a name. It wasn't her name, that much she was sure. Yet, it felt as though she was the one being addressed. Eyes readjusted for the darkness of their dorm room took a while for Weiss to realize that the window was open. Remnant's shattered moon was absent tonight and there weren't any stars.
All lights were closed save for whoever left the scroll overnight to charge. Weiss got up from her bed and closed the window. But before she could return to sleep, she went out of the dorm and searched for a glass of water. She was thirsty.
The sheer quietness of Beacon Academy must have had their own horror stories to tell. Weiss didn't believe any of it, of course. But that didn't mean that she too wasn't a little bit frightened by the strange shapes objects take when under darkness.
Once again, she heard a voice. It had a strange musicality to it that Weiss felt that it was the start of a song. Had it kept going she might have known just what key that source of noise had come from.
"I must be more stressed than I thought," Weiss said out loud. She shrugged. "Oh well, I'm sure it will be alright. Nothing to worry about."
Weiss returned to the dorm and slept soundly, waiting for the days to come.
/-/
"Jaune Arc," said Phantom. "Jaune Arc." He shook his head. Of course, if he found her, he would find him too. Much like her, he would have a different name. Like that, he too took her attention. "Does he believe that he could hide behind a saint's name?"
If Christine was here, so too would Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny.
AN: If we have Christine, now we have Raoul, and no, I make no plans on White Knight. At least not romantically.
