Days passed, and the weekend finally arrived. Jaune, Yang, and Ruby found themselves at an ice cream parlor at 11 a.m., the sun blazing down with a relentless heat.

"Ugh, what a terrible heat. Ice cream is a lifesaver at times like this," Yang groaned.

A girl approached their table, carrying their ice cream orders. "Here you go! Thanks for your... oh, it's you guys!" Jaune looked up and recognized the girl handing out their ice creams. She wore dark sunglasses, her presence strikingly attractive even in the modest ice cream parlor uniform—a sleek black and white ensemble that hugged her form, paired with a neat apron, and her long hair pulled back in a polished ponytail. More importantly, however, he realized, "Wait, weren't you the girl with Mercury?"

The girl, Coco, flashed a confident smile upon being recognized. "That's right, Blondie. Coco Adel, queen of fashion at your service. Guess it's time for a proper introduction."

Yang grinned, raising a brow. "So, how's that idiot doing?" Of course, she meant Mercury, who'd ended up in the hospital thanks to her.

"Well, from what I hear, he's going to need a few weeks to recover. You're pretty ruthless, I'll give you that," Coco replied, amused. "Still, it was impressive. I wouldn't be surprised if the other Pillars start paying you more attention. You might want to keep an eye out."

Jaune paid for their ice creams, and Coco moved on to serve other customers.

"She's right," he remarked. "Taking down Mercury was a direct hit to the Beacon hierarchy. But that's convenient for us. I'm still gathering information, but if they come to you first, it makes things easier."

"Hey, you guys, that girl is pretty strong," Ruby pointed out, nodding at Coco, who was now busy with customers.

"Really? But she was with Mercury's crew; I figured she was just a subordinate," Jaune replied, though Ruby was unfazed.

"That's irrelevant, Jaune. I can tell she's much stronger than Mercury. I just can't quite gauge how strong yet." Yang's interest was immediately piqued. "Oh, that's interesting," she said, leaning forward.

Before she could do anything rash, Jaune placed a hand on her shoulder. "Forget it, you're not challenging her to a fight while she's working. Besides, she's not even one of the Pillars, so she probably isn't all that strong. If you really want to fight her, do it at the academy, but I'd suggest you focus on the Pillars first."

Yang wanted to call him a buzzkill, but she knew he had a point. Coco was working, and it would be a pretty low to bother her now. "Fine, let's just enjoy our ice creams."

Taking advantage of the quiet moment, Jaune decided to ask something that had been on his mind. "This reminds me, Ruby, I know all this is because you need a contractor, but… why do you need one in the first place? You can turn people to stone, and Miss Neo is incredibly strong. I don't see the point."

Ruby's smile turned from cute to something more mysterious. "You're smarter than Yang, that's for sure. Though, I know she probably hasn't brought it up simply because she isn't interested."

Yang smacked her sister on the head. "Hey, hey, Rubes, show some respect! I am the older sister, after all." Ruby stuck her tongue out at Yang before turning her attention back to Jaune.

"Basically, a contractor acts as a conduit for us demons. It's how we can fully manifest our demonic power outside of the underworld. That's the basic reason a demon needs a contractor—no matter how much power you have, you need a channel to release it, right?"

"That makes sense," Jaune replied. "But that's not all, is it?"

Despite appearances, Jaune was perceptive. Ruby laughed softly. "Heh, you're right. A contractor also helps a demon develop their powers further. In essence, it's a way to evolve and increase our strength. The more in sync a demon is with their contractor, the stronger they become. Having a contractor will allow me to refine and grow my demonic power, which is essential since I aim to become the next Demon Lord someday. Strong humans make the best contractors; a weak one wouldn't be able to withstand demonic power, though I hear there are certain exceptions."

"Got it. And I'm guessing the way to strengthen that power is by fighting?" Ruby nodded, her eyes sparkling with pride in Jaune's understanding. "Yes, we're demons, after all. The more our contractor fights, the stronger our connection grows, and eventually, my power will be easier to manifest. Actually, even though Neo wouldn't admit it, Yang is an excellent contractor. I'd rather we don't search for a substitute. She's perfect for me—like a wild animal and fierce. It's rare to find someone like her."

Yang laughed, though she wasn't sure if she felt flattered or annoyed. "Gee, Rubes, I can't tell if I should feel complimented or kick your butt for that." Ruby simply laughed, and Jaune sighed.

"Just to clarify… demons don't actually want to destroy humanity or anything ridiculous like that, do they?"

Ruby understood his concern. "Well, I thought the answer would be obvious after everything we've discussed." Jaune realized it, too. "Right. If you rely on contractors, it wouldn't be in your interest to destroy humanity."

Finishing her ice cream, Ruby licked her lips. "Well, I suppose enslaving them all has crossed our minds. Hahaha!"

Jaune turned pale at her joke, while Ruby just kept laughing. "You scare way too easily, Jaune. Don't worry—my mother, the current Demon Lord, actually has a soft spot for the human world, and I have no intention of doing anything horrible. Though, I can't speak for other demons. Another reason for me to become the next ruler of the underworld—I hope I have your support, Jaune."

Jaune knew this had the potential to be a serious matter. "I'm not sure knowing about demons was a good idea… what a headache."

(…)

"Huh. Who's this fellow?"

Henry Marygold lounged with self-satisfied elegance on a plush red sofa, holding a photo loosely in his right hand. He was flanked by three beautiful women with a provocative air about them—two had draped themselves around him possessively, while the third was massaging his feet with deliberate care.

A large table stood nearby, and the room was expansive but draped in an eerie silence, fitting for the decayed grandeur of the building. Once a bustling headquarters for a major company, the place was now little more than an abandoned skeleton with heavy blue curtains cloaking its windows.

The men posted at the entrance all looked like hardened criminals, each more suspicious than the last. But Marygold stood out among them: dressed sharply in white trousers and a bright red shirt, he exuded a refined confidence that his black tie only enhanced. He was calm, but his presence demanded attention.

"That's the rookie who's been sniffing around for information on the Pillars. John Arc, or something like that—not exactly sure" one of his bodyguards said.

"Ohh, he's rather cute," One of the women remarked, looking at the photo with a sly smile. "Looks naïve, too. I could probably make him scream."

The other two leaned over to look, breaking into soft laughter. "Well, an inexperienced boy isn't so bad once in a while," one teased.

Their banter only stoked Marygold's irritation. "You whores don't know when to shut up, do you? Brazen enough to talk about other men while you're in my company."

"Ooh, I didn't know you were the jealous type, Henry," one of them chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Hmm, a man who defends what's his—that's kind of hot."

Ignoring them, Henry rose, made his way to the nearby table, and poured himself a glass of red wine, downing it with satisfaction. He glanced at the man who'd handed him the photo. "Is the boy in the picture friends with Yang Xiao Long?"

The man nodded. "From what I hear, yes. He's often seen hanging around with her."

Henry grinned, clearly pleased. "Perfect. Word is, she took down Mercury quite easily, which makes her…interesting. We'll do this my way, then. I'll pay handsomely to anyone who brings me the boy in the photo—he'll be useful if I plan to get to Yang Xiao Long."

Meanwhile, across the city, the demon Neo sat at a sleek bar in a large, dimly lit club. Though it was early for drinking, she decided to indulge in a rare visit. "Things seem to be going well," she mused, swirling her glass. "Yang's emblem reflects a stable contract. But I still question if she's truly suited to someone as important as Lady Ruby. Hell needs a leader of extraordinary strength, and that can't happen without an appropriate contractor."

The bartender, a rough but charming figure who went by "Junior," nodded as he poured himself another shot. "She's Taiyang's daughter. That's enough for me. I'd say things are going perfectly, Neo." They both took a drink of vodka from a nearly empty bottle.

"I admit, Yang possesses what's most critical—strength is essential to form a contract with the royal family. But besides that, she's not especially remarkable. She has no self-control, no intelligence, and lacks wisdom entirely. If only Jaune had her strength, he'd be the perfect contractor for Lady Ruby."

"Well, they're searching for another contractor, right? Maybe they'll find someone who meets your standards, but I stand by what I said: Taiyang's daughter should be enough for Lady Ruby to become an exceptional Demon Lord," Junior said with a confidence that showed he had no doubt in his judgment.

(…)

A week passed, and events had set Beacon abuzz. "Did you hear? Apparently, Mercury got quite the beating last week—they say he'll be in the hospital for several weeks," whispered a group of students in the halls of Beacon, gossiping about the latest news.

"One of the Pillars did that?" Someone guessed incorrectly.

"No, you idiot, it was Yang. You know, the dragon beast from Signal. That brute's threatening Beacon's hierarchy," another sneered, but then fell silent as the group caught sight of a pretty girl who looked lost—Neo, the demon, was searching for her mistress.

"Hey, babe, what are you doing here? This isn't really a place for someone like you. How about you come along with us?" One of the boys offered with a sleazy grin. Neo shot them a look of pure disdain, but before she could do anything, one of the boys spotted Yang barreling down the hallway.

"Oh, hell, idiots! Here comes Yang!" The blonde stopped next to Neo. "Oh, thanks for bringing lunch," she smirked. The boys quickly went pale, realizing that the strange girl was apparently Yang's friend. "Sorry, Yang—we didn't know she was with you!" they stammered, backing away. Yang barely looked at them, but Neo was not inclined to let it slide.

"You filth," she sneered. "I know exactly what you were thinking when you spoke to me. Don't think I'll just let it go."

At that moment, Jaune was strolling down the same hall, sipping a soda, when he spotted several students unconscious on the ground, terror etched into their faces. "Uh…that's quite the sight, but now I understand why," he muttered, taking in the sight of Yang, Ruby, and Neo standing nearby. "It's rare to see you at Beacon, Miss Neo." Neo turned and gave the boy a playful smile.

"Hello, Jaune. I simply brought lunch for Lady Ruby. How's your progress going? I hear you've been searching for the strongest around here."

"Yes, the Six Pillars. I actually found some information and was just planning to verify it now that it's lunch time," Jaune replied. Neo quickly interrupted before Yang could say a word. "Sounds good. Do you mind if I join you? I'd like to help."

Jaune, clearly flustered by the offer from such a beautiful woman, stammered, "Uh, sure…" Neo merely smiled. "You keep forgetting I can read your mind, Jaune," she teased, making the poor boy blush, wishing he could vanish into the floor.

Neo then turned to Yang with a slight frown. "Go have lunch with Lady Ruby. I'll assist Jaune with this."

Yang rolled her eyes and waved goodbye to Jaune, Ruby following suit as they likely headed to the rooftop again. "Very well, Jaune, tell me where you were planning to go," Neo asked as she began to walk alongside him.

"There's a small, abandoned building not far from Beacon, one that used to belong to a small company that went bankrupt. Apparently, one of the Pillars hangs out there. His name is Henry Marygold."

(…)

After hours of class, Yang finally stepped out of the freshman building alongside her sister, stifling a yawn.

"Ugh, Yang, your classes are so boring!" Ruby grumbled, clearly less than thrilled with academy life. Yang, however, seemed lost in thought.

"It's weird. Jaune didn't come back after lunch. A nerd like him would never skip classes unless something happened," she muttered. Just then, her scroll buzzed. When she answered, though, it wasn't Jaune's familiar voice on the other end.

"Who the hell are you?" She demanded.

"Heh, maybe show a little respect if you want your friend to stay in one piece. Go to the abandoned building near Beacon—and come alone, or Jaune pays the price," the voice sneered before abruptly ending the call.

Yang's expression turned deadly serious.

"What's wrong?" Ruby noticed her sister's shift in mood immediately.

"Some idiot's got Jaune. I can only imagine he got into trouble when he went to investigate during lunch."

"That's strange. Neo was with him, so he shouldn't have been captured that easily." Ruby narrowed her eyes. "We'd better be careful." As Ruby was under a spell to remain undetectable by others, she could easily slip along with Yang undetected.

(…)

Jaune woke up with a pounding headache, realizing his arms were bound behind his back. Glancing around the large hall, he saw several thugs loitering about. In front of him, lounging on a red sofa, was an impeccably dressed young man.

"Hello, Jaune," the man said with a smile that dripped with sarcasm. "Glad you're finally awake. Care for a drink? Hey, idiots! Bring our guest something to drink," he snapped at his lackeys.

One of them hesitantly approached with a glass of juice, untying Jaune's hands just long enough to let him take the drink. Jaune didn't want any trouble, so he accepted it without resistance. "Uh… thanks, I guess," he murmured, though it did little to clarify the situation.

The well-dressed man leaned forward. "Do you know who I am?" he asked.

Despite his throbbing headache, Jaune's mind was sharp enough to recognize him. "Henry Marygold, right?"

The man clapped slowly, smirking. "Correct. One of Beacon's six pillars, son of the great Marygold family. I'm pleased even a newbie knows who I am. Although you're no ordinary newbie, are you, Jaune? You've been sniffing around for information about the pillars. And since your friend Yang defeated Mercury, I'm guessing you're planning to challenge all of us and take over Beacon. Isn't that right?"

"Yang's too much of an idiot to take control," Jaune replied dryly. "That's not her motive. Although… yeah, she does want to challenge all of you, but for reasons I can't disclose."

Henry raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh, now you've piqued my interest. I was already keeping an eye on Yang before she pummeled Mercury—she's built quite a reputation as the Signal Dragon Beast, after all."

Jaune nodded, thinking back to their days at Signal. Yang had indeed left chaos in her wake back there.

"I assume you brought me here as bait, then," Jaune said, sighing. "After all, I'm not particularly important—a side character at best."

Henry laughed at Jaune's blunt self-assessment. "You're the first person I've met who belittles himself so openly. As far as I can tell, you're actually quite clever. And believe me, I did my research on you. You're the one who always hangs around Yang. An exemplary student, from a good family… but basically sacrificed so that your sisters could attend the other academies. Your parents couldn't afford to send you anywhere but Beacon."

For the first time, Jaune's expression darkened, but he remained silent. He loved his family—his parents and sisters meant the world to him—but he'd been undeniably disappointed when his parents had told him he couldn't go anywhere but Beacon due to finances.

After a deep breath, Jaune finally spoke. "Yeah, I admit it hurt a little, but at the end of the day, I love my family. And I'm not alone here… I've got a terrible friend I care about after all"

The doors to the room burst open with a powerful kick. "And you'd better not forget it, Jaune!"

Jaune looked up, smiling as Yang strode in confidently. "Took you long enough," he teased.

"Idiot," she huffed, cracking her knuckles. "We wouldn't be here in the first place if you were more careful."

Ruby, who stood beside her sister, waved at him cheerfully. "Hey, Jaune! I see Neo isn't with you."

Henry rose from his sofa, clapping slowly, clearly impressed. "Not bad, Blondie—smashing down the door like a true badass. Well then, let's get down to business. How much would you say is a good price?"

Yang blinked in surprise. "What?"

Henry chuckled, crossing his arms. "How much, Blondie? I mean… how much Lien would it take for you to work for me? You're strong, and I'm sure with your help, taking control of Beacon would be a breeze. What do you say? I can pay you handsomely—I'm a generous man."

Yang sighed, looking unimpressed. "It's tempting, but I can't work for someone weaker than me."

Henry smirked, while his lackeys bristled with anger.

"You stupid bitch! Show some respect—you're in the presence of a Beacon pillar!" Two henchmen charged at Yang, only to be kicked out through the nearest window.

"The last pillar I ran into got sent flying through a window, too," she quipped.

Henry, unfazed, thought to himself "Heh, this girl is incredible. No wonder Mercury got his ass handed to him. I have to recruit her no matter what."

He stepped forward, standing directly in front of her. "Fine, if strength is what you value, then let's settle this with a fight."

Yang raised an eyebrow. "And Jaune?"

Henry shrugged dismissively. "I like him but he's served his purpose bringing you here. I don't need him anymore now that I have you."

Yang's gaze narrowed. "Pretty full of yourself, aren't you? What's a spoiled brat like you even doing at Beacon?"

Jaune had to admit he was curious too. The Marygold family owned one of the largest corporations in Remnant. Why would the heir waste his time here?

"This place suits me," Henry replied with a smirk. "Here, I'm king. The lower-class trash does whatever I want for money. I have all the power I want, and it's good practice for learning to control people. It'll serve me well when I take over my father's corporation. Beacon's just my little playground, and you're all my toys."

Those words ignited a fire in Yang. She delivered a powerful kick that sent Henry stumbling back several feet, arms raised in defense but still shoved back from the impact.

"Tsk. You rabid bitch," he spat, wincing. "My arms hurt just from blocking that."

Yang began walking toward him, the symbol on her right arm glowing faintly. Jaune noticed it immediately.

"The emblem of Belphegor… why's it glowing?" He murmured.

Her face was calm, but beneath that calmness simmered an intense fury.

"Oh no, she's really mad now," Jaune whispered, understanding the danger his friend posed.

Henry ducked under her punch, jabbing a taser into her stomach. "Stupid! You may be strong, but your moves are predictable. A shock like this should put you to sleep."

Contrary to his expectation, though, Yang remained standing. "Huh? That did nothing."

Ruby moved to stand beside Jaune, explaining with a smirk. "Heh, of course it didn't. When a contractor is infused with demonic energy, they awaken something called 'aura.' It shields the body from damage. Not invulnerable, but it boosts human resilience immensely. A little shock like that won't faze Yang."

Jaune's curiosity was piqued. "Is it like a force field or something?"

Ruby chuckled. "Yeah, you could say that. It covers the entire body, linked to the soul. It isn't unlimited, but it does recharge with rest."

"What the hell?!" Henry stumbled back, clearly rattled. "Idiots! Use Jaune as a hostage!"

His henchmen rushed at Jaune, but his right eye suddenly shifted to a bright pink.

"Ugh, disappointing. I hope the other pillars aren't this pathetic." Neo materialized in front of Jaune, quickly dispatching any thug that came near.

"Where the hell did she come from?" Henry shouted, utterly bewildered. Yang and Jaune shared his confusion.

Neo chuckled, looking back at Jaune with a slightly flushed expression. "Sorry, Jaune. I used you as bait to gauge this guy's worth. I allowed them to capture you and hid within your mind. Gotta say, you have some… intriguing thoughts. I had no idea you'd already imagined me in one of your little fantasies," she teased.

Jaune turned beet-red, covering his face with his hands. "Please never mention that again…"

"Don't do that again, Neo," Ruby warned seriously. "I don't want Jaune put at risk unnecessarily."

Neo nodded, guilt briefly flickering across her face.

"Seems like there's only one thing left to do," Yang said, rolling her right arm as the emblem of Belphegor glowed brighter, beginning to spread up her arm like branching vines. As the symbol expanded, everyone could sense the raw energy building within her. Henry, now backed against the wall, looked utterly terrified.

"Wait! I can pay you—a lot—if you stop!" he pleaded desperately. But Yang was unmoved. Her fist slammed into his gut with unrestrained fury.

"Go to hell, you rich scum!" She spat.

A blinding red light illuminated the entire room, and a deafening explosion left them all momentarily stunned. When Jaune opened his eyes, he saw that the building's roof was gone, completely blown away, leaving the twilight sky visible above them. "Holy shit," he breathed, staring at the wreckage. On the ground before him, Henry lay unconscious, his face twisted in an expression of sheer terror.

Yang turned to Neo, her gaze sharp and unforgiving. "You little bitch—I should beat you senseless for using Jaune like that. Do it again, and you'll regret it."

Neo nodded, her usual smugness replaced by a more subdued acknowledgment. "Understood. Let's return home, Lady Ruby."

Ruby joined Neo with a quick nod, and together they slipped away, leaving Yang to help Jaune to his feet.

"How are you holding up?" She asked, her tone softer now.

"Don't worry. They didn't really hurt me that much, though my legs are sore. I guess they must've roughed me up a bit when they took me," he replied, draping his right arm around her shoulders for support as they started walking. Then, he looked at her arm, noticing the symbol now stretching even further along her skin. "That emblem of Belphegor—it's spread even more."

Yang looked at it with annoyance. "Don't get me started on that. Now it looks like I have some weird tattoo."

Meanwhile, Ruby and Neo, walking ahead, were deep in conversation about the recent encounter.

"Even if Yang didn't appreciate my methods, they yielded results," Neo remarked. "The bond between you and her has clearly strengthened, and her emblem has progressed. It's clear she genuinely values Jaune."

Ruby let out a sigh, concern flickering in her eyes. "True, but that doesn't mean I approve. Refrain from using those tactics again. And as for Henry Marygold… he got lucky. The demonic energy unleashed by Yang's strike was absorbed by the building—otherwise, that fool would have been dead. But even if you don't like Yang, she's definitely got what it takes to be my contractor."

(…)

The weekend had arrived, and Jaune Arc seized the opportunity to get some studying done. Though he had a computer at home, he preferred to go to the library, knowing that he'd likely get distracted with games if he stayed in. The Grand Library of Vale was an impressive place, vast and filled with shelves upon shelves of books. It had two levels: the ground floor, where numerous study tables stood, and an upper floor lined with soft couches along some of the aisles, inviting visitors to relax with their reading.

"Well, today should be a productive day," he said to himself, having come straight here after lunch with plans to study through the afternoon, sitting at a small table. He hadn't even bothered to invite Yang along, knowing how much she hated studying, and Ruby didn't seem to enjoy it much either. "Sometimes I wish I had a friend in a similar situation," he muttered. He felt relatively normal and didn't belong to a place as wild as Beacon.

"I admit, if Yang weren't around, Beacon would be a nightmare." Although he had learned to navigate around juvenile delinquents and avoid bad situations, Yang had been a huge help, shielding him from particularly awful experiences. He'd witnessed severe cases of bullying there, and while he'd been a victim a few times himself, he'd managed to avoid the worst thanks to her. "Those who don't have someone like Yang by their side must suffer even more," he mused, though he knew the ones who suffered the most abuse were often the Faunus.

Faunus were essentially people with certain animal traits, and even in society, they were often viewed as inferior to humans. History hadn't treated them kindly, but in the current age, acceptance was gradually growing—though discrimination still persisted. Since academies were filled with young people, bullying was sadly common, and Faunus often bore the brunt of it. "Even back at Signal, I saw a lot of Faunus treated poorly. But I haven't noticed as many cases at Beacon, which seems odd," he thought.

His recent interest in the Faunus stemmed from his history class; he'd come to the library to study for an exam on the Faunus, sparking his curiosity about their current situation at Beacon. "Excuse me, I hope I'm not bothering you—may I sit with you? It looks like it's quite full today, and I can't find a place to read," asked a girl who had caught his attention. She had short, jet-black hair, wore a black blouse and a white skirt, and had a black bow atop her head. Her glasses gave her a slightly intellectual look.

"Sure, no problem. Enjoy your reading," he replied. She placed a couple of books on the table along with a water bottle. "Thank you." They each then delved into their respective books for a few hours. Eventually, Jaune sighed, closing his book with a tired expression. The more he read about Faunus history and the injustices they'd faced, the more he felt a tinge of sorrow. "It's surprising to see someone reading about the Faunus history," the girl commented, sounding intrigued.

"Why do you say that?" Jaune asked, honestly not understanding what was so unusual about studying history.

"Well, despite the fact that times aren't as horrible as they once were, Faunus still face discrimination. It's rare to see a human showing an interest in their history. Even if you're doing it as an assignment, you've been at it for hours," she said.

Jaune looked at her, still not quite understanding. "I don't see what's odd. I'm sure I'm not the only one who spends hours reading to learn."

"You're not one to read between the lines, are you?" she teased, raising an eyebrow, and then she chuckled. "What I meant is, it's rare to see a human so genuinely interested in something related to the Faunus." Finally, he understood her point.

"I don't have any issues with the Faunus. Bullying in general disgusts me, and I know what it's like to feel weak, oppressed, and humiliated, so I can empathize with certain things. Of course, if a Faunus tried to hurt me for no reason, that'd be a different story. But I wouldn't judge them all for the actions of one, just like I wouldn't want to be judged for the actions of some humans who are bad," he explained.

The girl seemed pleasantly surprised by his response, a smile spreading across her face. "I see, you're not like most people. That's good," she said, her tone approving. Jaune, however, was still reflecting on the book he had just finished. "I mean, I can understand if Faunus harbor resentment. The Great War of the past wasn't exactly a friendly time—they were treated pretty badly."

"Resentment remains, no doubt about it," she said with a small nod. "But little by little, equality might come. In the meantime, all Faunus can do is defend themselves against mistreatment and show they won't be oppressed. Thankfully, the government is making strides toward equality, but youth are always the most problematic, and there's still a lot of racism in the academies." She seemed well-informed on the topic, which made him curious.

"You found it odd that I'd read that book, but you're human too, and you know quite a lot about this," Jaune noted.

The girl paused thoughtfully before answering, "Yes… human." Jaune raised an eyebrow at her once more, still unable to figure her out. She was charming, but a bit peculiar.

"Forgive me if I seem a bit off—it's just refreshing to meet someone who's open-minded and empathetic towards Faunus." Her warm smile seemed enough to put him at ease, and he replied, feeling more comfortable, "No worries. It seems like you're passionate about the subject. I'm guessing you're close with some Faunus?"

"One could say that, yes. I despise discrimination."

"Who doesn't? I'd like to believe there are more people like us out there," he said, though he felt that was probably a bit optimistic. His comment made the girl smile again, but with a tinge of sadness this time. "Apparently, much of society doesn't mind it, or else we wouldn't even be having this conversation," she replied, sounding slightly melancholic.

The thought made Jaune uneasy; Beacon wasn't exactly a friendly place for the weak, and it was even considered the worst of the academies. The students there gave it a bad reputation, and it was already looked down upon compared to others.

She seemed to notice his shift in mood. "You're from Beacon, aren't you?" she asked, taking a sip from her water bottle.

"Yes, so I assume you are too, though I've never seen you at the Academy."

"I'm a second-year student," she explained.

Jaune immediately understood why he hadn't seen her before. "Ah, I see. I'm a first-year. Right, how rude of me—my name's Jaune Arc." He offered his hand, and she accepted it with a gentle shake.

"Blake. Pleased to meet you." But before they could say more, the girl's Scroll rang, and she took the call.

"Oh, Trifa, sorry! I got so distracted reading at the library, I completely forgot about the meeting. I'll be there in thirty minutes." She sighed tiredly and stood up, gathering her things. "It seems I have to go"

"No problem," Jaune replied with a smile. "I was about to head out soon myself, just a bit more to go over. Nice meeting you, Blake." She returned his smile before leaving Jaune to wonder to himself, "She seemed nice. I hope things go well for her at Beacon. She didn't seem particularly strong—I hope she doesn't have any trouble," he was unaware of the true nature of the girl he'd just met.

(…)

"Oh, Blake, dear, I'm glad you're here. Everyone is waiting for you in the dojo. I'll bring some food over shortly," called Kali Belladonna, busy in the kitchen preparing a feast. The Belladonna household was large, with an expansive courtyard and a grand dojo used for training.

"Thank you, Mom. I'll go change first," Blake replied, heading to her room to change into her meeting attire: fitted black pants, a sleeveless white shirt, and a black cloak adorned with the symbol of her group, and she took off her glasses. She left her room and walked across the courtyard toward the family dojo. The dojo was spacious, and when she slid open the door, she saw a large group of Faunus sitting on the floor, talking amongst themselves.

"Oh, you're finally here, Blake," someone called.

She made her way to a chair at the front and took her place before them, standing beside her closest friends, Illia and Trifa. "Sorry to keep you waiting, girls," she said, settling in.

Illia addressed the group loudly, "The leader has arrived—let's begin this White Fang meeting!" Blake Belladonna, one of the six at the top of Beacon's hierarchy and leader of the White Fang, she was a powerful figure in her own right. She had created the White Fang to support Faunus students at Beacon who faced abuse. By uniting them, cases of bullying against Faunus had diminished—no one wanted to challenge such a strong group. A significant number of Faunus students attended Beacon.

"The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the new threat at Beacon—the Dragon Beast of Signal, Yang Xiao Long. Now that we've returned from our trip in Mistral, it's time to restore order at Beacon," Trifa announced, her tone firm. Apparently, Yang had attracted the group's attention.

"Were Black and Marygold defeated?" Blake asked, intrigued.

"Yes, according to rumors, she defeated them with ease."Blake's interest was piqued. "It might be wise to pay her a visit. I'm curious to see what kind of person she is."

Hello everyone, thank you for all your reviews. and it is Beelzebub, although I'm starting to read the manga again because I forgot many things about the story, Well i do remember that there was an arc that I didn't like at all, in any case I'll probably publish a chapter whenever I can