Neither RWBY nor Bloodborne belongs to me
This wouldn't be the first time a student had been called to Ozpin's office. Almost always, they were nervous. However, such a cheerful attitude as Vilhelm displayed was a first.
"Mr. Vilhelm," Ozpin began. "Do you perchance know why you are here?"
"Hmm, while I can only guess, I believe the three wannabe Huntsmen currently in the medical wing may be a reason," Vilhelm answered.
Ozpin sighed. "Indeed. And may I know why they are in the medical wing? And how?"
"Well, they bullied Miss Scarlatina," Vilhelm continued. "And as for how… their faces accidentally collided with my mug."
"Vilhelm, violence is not the answer to these kinds of situations," Ozpin tried to reprimand.
"I agree, Headmaster. It is the question. And the answer is yes."
Ozpin sighed again. "I doubt that I can bring you to regret your actions, now can I?"
"I doubt it, Headmaster."
"Very well, I do not have enough time at the moment to deal with this. Return tomorrow after classes," the Headmaster stated with finality.
"Very well, Headmaster."
"Ah, and Vilhelm?"
"Yes, Headmaster?"
"Please don't injure any more of my students, no matter how much they might deserve it."
"Understood. Ah, Headmaster?"
"Yes, Mr. Vilhelm?"
"I noticed that the walls of my chamber were particularly empty, so I was wondering if you could procure me a canvas and a few paints?" Vilhelm asked hopefully.
"Let me get this straight," Ozpin said. "You beat the brakes off an entire team with a mug, came into my office making such a terrible joke that Miss Xiao Long would be proud, and now you ask me for paint and a canvas to decorate your room?"
"That would be correct, Headmaster."
"Very well, I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you, Headmaster."
"Humankind was quite, quite adamant about centralizing the Faunus population in Menagerie," Dr. Oobleck continued.
"Pfft, how distasteful," Vilhelm thought while effortlessly keeping up with the prof—Dr. Oobleck. "To call the continent where the Faunus are supposed to live a private zoo is horrendously racist."
With glee, Vilhelm noticed that Velvet had indeed brought her new cup to the lecture, which made Cardin eye her warily. Yet his smile almost immediately disappeared when he saw Jaune taking a nap mid-lesson.
"My god, not only do his grades leave a lot to be desired, now he is even sleeping in class. He's lucky my old teacher isn't here—after all, he didn't earn the moniker 'Bloody Crow of Cainhurst' for nothing."
"Now," Oobleck continued. "Have any among you been subjected to discrimination because of your Faunus heritage?"
Vilhelm noticed Velvet looking around before fully raising her hand.
"Truly a shame," Vilhelm thought. "It seems that she is lacking in confidence. Maybe I could—" He immediately reprimanded himself. "What am I even thinking? I should only stay as long as the Headmaster is searching for a way to return me to Yharnam. I don't have time to do that."
"Dreadful, simply dreadful," Oobleck continued. "Remember, students, it is precisely this kind of arrogance that breeds violence."
Oobleck paused for a few seconds to drink from his thermos, giving the desperate students—who were fortunate enough to have never suffered under a Cainhurst knight-turned-teacher—a moment to write a few notes.
"I mean, I mean, I mean just look at what happened to the White Fang!" he exclaimed before teleporting again. "Now, which one of you young scholars can tell me what many theorists believe was the turning point in the third year of the war?"
Next to Vilhelm, Weiss's hand shot up. To Vilhelm's surprise, she had miraculously managed to keep up with the professor while taking notes.
"The battle at Fort Castle," she answered, leaving Vilhelm to wonder who not only came up with such an egregious name but also had the audacity to give it voice.
Noticing Cardin readying a paper ball, Vilhelm caught his attention, pointed at his new cup, and dragged his thumb across his throat.
"Precisely! And who can tell me about the advantages the Faunus had over General Lagune's forces? How about you, Mr. Vilhelm?"
After a quick consideration, Vilhelm answered, "There are many advantages a Faunus has over a normal human, some of them being better hearing, night vision, and whatever trait their heritage may grant them."
"Correct!" Oobleck exclaimed. "Faunus have many advantages, and General Lagune failed to account for them. As he tried to ambush the Faunus forces, it became one of the greatest failures of the Faunus Rights Revolution and marked the turning point of the entire war."
"What are your thoughts on the matter, Mr. Winchester?" Oobleck asked Cardin, who unsuccessfully tried to hide the paper ball.
"What? Oh, uh… well, I know that it's a lot easier to train an animal than a soldier," Cardin answered, barely paying attention.
Hearing that, Oobleck shook his head in disappointment. Yet before Vilhelm could repeat his actions from the lunchroom, Pyrrha beat him to a response.
"You're not the most open-minded individual, are you, Cardin?"
"What? You got a problem?"
"Well, I do," Vilhelm answered while weighing his new mug.
"Mr. Vilhelm," Dr. Oobleck cut in. "While your skills in repairing mugs"—he shot an almost approving glance at Velvet's new cup—"are without a doubt impressive, I kindly ask you to abstain from harming someone with your mug… again."
"Understood, Doctor," Vilhelm answered while still eyeing Cardin.
"Meanwhile, you and Mr. Arc can both see me after class for additional readings," Oobleck said, to a now fully awakened Jaune and a significantly less enthusiastic Cardin.
Ahh, Mr. Vilhelm, please take a seat, Ozpin began. "Now then, first, I want to inform you that my search regarding Yharnam has yet to bear fruit. Nevertheless, I am certain I can scrounge up at least a bit of information regarding it. As for the canvas and paint, I have already delivered them to your room. I see you have a couple of questions."
"Indeed, Headmaster. I came here expecting to be told what my punishment would entail, not to be granted freedoms and good tidings," Vilhelm said, surprise evident in his tone.
"Well, you can see it that way. You will have the chance to make amends later. Additionally, you will remain here during the duration of the trip to Forever Fall. But first of all, I have heard that you quite enjoy moongazing."
Immediately, Vilhelm went on the defensive. "Yes, I quite enjoy looking at the moon. What about it?"
"Oh, nothing," Ozpin replied with a smile. "I simply heard that the moon will be especially beautiful tonight. You should get the best view atop your dorms. Now, I wish you a good night, Mr. Vilhelm."
As a befuddled Vilhelm left the office, Ozpin smiled his knowing smile—knowing how easy it was to manipulate certain individuals into growing beyond what they believed possible for themselves, especially with two great teachers.
When Vilhelm arrived at the roof, he immediately hid to the left of the entrance, hanging upside down from the overhang. So, he thought. Now I can quickly escape. Hm, it seems the Headmaster was right. The moon is quite nice tonight.
After a couple of minutes, Pyrrha and a very depressed-looking Jaune entered the rooftop.
What exactly is the Headmaster planning? Vilhelm thought. I doubt he wants to get rid of me, and if he did, he wouldn't send Jaune and Pyrrha. Unarmed as well. What are you planning, Ozpin?
"Pyrrha, I know I'm going through a hard time, but I'm not that depressed. I can always be a farmer or something," Jaune said while looking down.
"NO!" Pyrrha shouted, shoving Jaune to the side. "That's not why I brought you up here. Jaune, I know you're having a difficult time in class and that you're not the strongest of fighters, so I want to help you."
"What?" Jaune asked.
"We can train up here after class, where no one can bother us."
"You think I need help?" Jaune asked, clearly hurt.
"Yes," Vilhelm thought. "Yes, you do."
"N-No! That's not what I meant," Pyrrha said quickly.
"But you just said it."
"Jaune, everybody needs a little push from time to time. It doesn't make you any different from the rest of us. You made it to Beacon—that speaks volumes about what you're capable of," Pyrrha continued.
"You're wrong. I... I don't belong here."
"That's a terrible thing to say. Of course you do."
"NO! I don't!" This time, Jaune almost shouted.
Oh god, did the Headmaster only send me up here so I could protect the secret of one of his students? Vilhelm thought. Very well, at least he did bribe me with the canvas and paint, so I suppose I can overlook it.
Before Jaune could say anything else, Vilhelm interrupted. "I am sure, Jaune, that whatever you want to tell Pyrrha will be an extraordinary secret, but do you truly believe this is the best place for it?"
With wide eyes, Jaune and Pyrrha turned around to see Vilhelm hanging upside down—only for him to drop and perfectly turn midair, landing on his feet.
"So," Vilhelm continued as if nothing had happened, "why not follow me? I know a nice place where nobody can listen in on your private conversations."
"W-What are you doing here?" Jaune was the first to speak.
"I was moongazing," Vilhelm answered. "Like almost every night," he continued.
"You said you know a place where we could talk in peace?" Pyrrha asked.
"Of course. My room is soundproof, and given that I am its sole inhabitant, you don't have to worry about anyone eavesdropping."
"Thank you, Vilhelm," Pyrrha said, while Jaune did not look thankful at all.
"Hm, it seems the Headmaster made good on his promise," Vilhelm said while inspecting the canvas, which was a bit taller than two yards. "Now then, Jaune, you have my word that nothing you say will ever leave this room without your explicit permission."
"Thanks… I guess," Jaune said quietly.
"Now, Jaune," Pyrrha continued, "you belong here. You made it to Beacon."
"N-no, Pyrrha, I didn't make it."
"That's not true, you—"
But Jaune immediately interrupted her.
"I faked my transcripts! I lied because this was what I always wanted to be, and now—" Jaune stretched his arms out. "I'm here. Suffering alongside you, Pyrrha and Vilhelm. Both of you could probably take on hundreds of Grimm, and Vilhelm actually fought an entire team with only his mug. I even stole my family's heirloom sword just to have a weapon. I don't belong here."
A stunned silence filled the room, broken only by the sound of Vilhelm sketching something on the canvas.
"You know, beforehand, I thought little of you," he said. Ignoring Jaune's hurt expression and Pyrrha's disbelief, he continued, "I thought you were a nobody who wanted to be a hero at all costs, not knowing the price—and somehow, you bypassed the Academy's controls. And in a way, that's still true. However, you saw your destiny flying past you and had the courage to grab it by its tail. Heck, even stealing your family's sword demands some level of respect. I know what it feels like to be completely hopeless, and if it weren't for my aunt, Queen Annalise, I would—"
"Wait!" Pyrrha interrupted. "You're royalty?!"
"No," Vilhelm answered. "I'm high nobility. I would be royalty if one of my parents were a monarch. Anyway, like I was saying, if it weren't for my aunt, I would still be a wannabe noble making arts and crafts because that was the only part of my life my parents had no control over. But Her Majesty listened to my woes and trained me to become one of her knights.
"In short," he added, seeing the empty gazes of both Pyrrha and Jaune, "you did the very thing I was too weak to accomplish. And if you're having trouble, I would love to help train you alongside Pyrrha."
"Look, guys, I really appreciate it, but—"
"Jaune!" Vilhelm interrupted. "I'm a trained knight, and Pyrrha is a regional champion. We are both offering to train you, and you have the audacity to decline? Even with your current predicament?"
"Well…"
"Jaune!" Pyrrha shouted.
"Okay, okay, fine! I accept," Jaune relented.
"Wonderful!" Vilhelm continued. "So, do you remember my critique after you fought Cardin?"
"How could I forget?" Jaune mumbled.
"Great! So, here's my gift to you," Vilhelm said, handing Jaune a strange double-barreled gun.
"What is this?" Pyrrha asked.
"That, my friend, is a repeating pistol. It's small enough to be concealed behind your shield and packs a serious punch. And here is its ammunition," Vilhelm said, handing Jaune a bunch of silver bullets that seemed to be dripping.
Noticing Jaune's confused expression, Vilhelm elaborated, "They're mercury bullets, stabilized with my blood. They can punch a hole through a Grimm. And you can't refuse, because I can get as many as I want."
He still wondered where the little ones got their weapons from.
"That's wonderful, Jaune!" Pyrrha exclaimed, hugging her partner. "Don't worry, with the two of us helping, you'll be a great Huntsman in no time!"
"Ye-yeah, thanks, Pyrrha."
Oh God, Vilhelm thought. She actually likes him, and he's too dense to realize it. Well, not my problem.
"Now, if you'd excuse us, Pyrrha," Vilhelm said calmly, "I want to give Jaune a few tips on how he can improve in combat class."
"Of course," Pyrrha said. "No problem."
As she left, she could have sworn she heard Vilhelm monologuing to Jaune:
"This is a technique from a professional fencer called Michael Hundt. First, you say, 'I will fight you, good sir, but not the man behind you,' and as they turn around, you stab them in the back."
Author's Note
So here we are. Through Ozpin's direct interference, Jaune now has two teachers, and Cardin has nothing on him. Additionally, there was a little lore about why Vilhelm is so talented when it comes to artwork.
And yes, Michael Hundt actually existed, and yes, he was such a meme.
Now, the next chapter may take a little longer, as I'm still unsure how I want to write it, but I will try to publish it within a week. I bet some of you have already guessed why I'm having difficulty writing it.
Take care of yourselves, and we'll see each other next time.