A few weeks had gone by and since classes at Beacon had started. And as they started in full swing, so did a sparring match.

In the combat class, we now see the large arena bathed in bright artificial lights. On one side of the battlefield stands Team RWBY. On the other side, Team TNSD. The match is intense, both teams pushing themselves to the limit as they fight with everything they have.

Ruby darts forward, her red cape trailing behind her as she dashes toward Toby. His eyes flicker a vibrant red as his Red Sprite semblance surged to life, sparks of electricity crackling around his arms and the Crimson Talons. Toby lunges with a powerful swipe of his hard light blades. Ruby counters, using Crescent Rose to block the attack, the clang of metal resonating as they clash. She slides back slightly, bracing herself as Toby unleashes a series of rapid strikes.

Ruby uses her agility to her advantage, flipping over Toby's head with a burst of speed and firing at him from above. Toby, with his quick reflexes, generates a protective field of red electricity, causing Ruby's bullets to deflect harmlessly. As Ruby lands, Toby unleashes a volley of machine gun fire from his vambraces. She dodges, narrowly evading the projectiles, but the force behind them pushes her on the defensive.

On the other side of the battlefield, Nilak's ice katanas clash against Myrtenaster as Weiss weaves in and out of Nilak’s frosty strikes. The two seem like mirrors of each other, their weapons flashing in a flurry of movement as they fight. Every time Weiss tries to create distance with her glyphs, Nilak conjures frost beneath her feet, sending icy trails that disrupt Weiss' footing. Her Blizzard semblance allows Nilak to project shards of ice from her hands, which Weiss deflects with expert swordplay.

Weiss takes a step back, her blade glowing as she summons a glyph to launch herself at Nilak, aiming for a precise strike. Nilak responds by raising an icy shield from the floor, shattering Weiss’ trajectory and forcing her to leap back. But as Nilak presses the attack, Weiss deflects a blow, then sends a hail of icy shards from her rapier in return.

In another area, Yang’s punches echo throughout the arena as her gauntlets fire round after round of shotgun blasts. Simon meets her head-on, wielding his greatsword, Spine Mist, with fierce precision. Yang grins as she closes the distance, her semblance flaring, making her more powerful the longer she fights. Simon’s sword transforms into a chainsaw mid-swing, teeth whirring as it meets Yang’s Ember Celica. Sparks fly as the two collide, Simon holding his ground against the brawler's unrelenting force.

Yang, not one to let up, delivers a powerful punch aimed at Simon’s chest. But Simon activates his Ghosting semblance at the last moment, becoming intangible in an orange hue and letting Yang's fist phase through him harmlessly. Yang staggers as she tries to recover from the unexpected loss of contact. Simon's sword reverts to its greatsword form, and he swings it upward, creating a barrier between them before he re-appears just behind her, ready to counter with another strike.

Meanwhile, Blake dances around Daruna's attacks, her Gambol Shroud spinning in fluid arcs as she dodges his arrows and swift strikes from his naginata. Daruna moves with practiced precision, using his semblance, Howl, to throw off Blake’s senses. The battlefield is filled with strange echoes and sound waves, making it harder for Blake to focus on his exact position.

Blake, relying on her reflexes, creates shadow clones to avoid Daruna's attacks, using her agility to stay one step ahead. Daruna, however, isn't so easily fooled. His Howl semblance amplified, and the resulting soundwaves shattered Blake's clones, forcing her to take cover.

With a swift motion, Daruna launches another volley of dust arrows at Blake, the arrows exploding on contact with the ground and creating a barrier of dust and debris between them. Blake, slipping through the shadows, appears behind Daruna, swinging her sword in a quick arc.

The fight reaches a fever pitch, but both teams quickly adapt, switching strategies on the fly. Ruby, recovering from her clash with Toby, notices Nilak gaining the upper hand against Weiss. Determined, she dashes to Weiss' aid, launching herself at Nilak with a flurry of bullets and scythe strikes. Now facing Ruby and Weiss, Nilak holds her own, her twin ice katanas spinning to deflect attacks from both girls.

Toby, recognizing Nilak needed assistance, bolts to her side. With his vambraces charged, Toby unleashed a red lightning blast, forcing Ruby and Weiss to dodge. He positioned himself beside Nilak, the two Tungsten siblings now in perfect sync.

Simon, now double-teamed by Blake and Yang, switches his greatsword to its minigun mode, unleashing a barrage of firepower that forces both girls to scatter. But Blake and Yang are a formidable team, using their combined speed and strength to flank him. Daruna, seeing his teammate under pressure, sent a sharp, purple sonic wave toward Blake, giving Simon enough time to regain his ground.

The arena echoes with the sound of weapons clashing, ice shattering, and blasts firing as the fight continues. Just as both teams are preparing to unleash their final assaults, the buzzer rings, the lights come back on.

"Enough!" Glynda’s voice rings out, firm and authoritative. With a wave of her riding crop, the battlefield is reset. The ice, scorch marks, and debris from the heated battle vanish in an instant.

Both teams, panting and clearly exhausted, stand back, facing each other. There is no hostility between them now, only respect. They had given it their all. The audience, which had been holding its breath, erupts into applause, cheering for the incredible display of skill and teamwork.

"Excellent teamwork from both sides," Glynda praises, her gaze sweeping over the students, lingering a moment on each of them. "However, this match is a tie.”

The students exchange looks, some smiling in relief, others already contemplating their next encounter. Ruby catches Toby's eye, and despite the sweat dripping down her face, she gives him a small grin. Toby, catching his breath, nods in acknowledgment.

He then approaches Ruby, who is still catching her breath, her hands on her knees. He offers her a hand to stand straight, and she accepts with a small grin.

"You're pretty fast, you know that?" Toby says, chuckling. "It's not easy keeping up with someone who can turn into a flurry of rose petals."

Ruby’s cheeks flush a soft red as she rubs the back of her head awkwardly. "Heh, thanks! You weren’t so bad yourself. That electricity thing you do? Super cool!"

Toby smirks but nods sincerely. "You did great out there, Ruby. Real impressive."

Ruby’s blush deepens as she mumbles a quiet, "Thanks," her silver eyes bright with shy pride as they return back to their seats.

Meanwhile, nearby, Nilak and Weiss walk together, still coming down from the adrenaline rush of their duel. Weiss, her posture prim and collected, gives Nilak a knowing smile. "You fought well out there. You remind me of our days back in Atlas, sparring after classes."

Nilak smiles, "Yeah, I remember. I always thought those sessions were more intense than this. You really pushed me back then."

Weiss nods, her expression softening as memories of their time in Atlas resurfaces. "You pushed me just as much. It's good to know that even after all this time, we haven’t lost our edge."

Nilak looked ahead, her icy blue eyes fading back to their normal brown. "Not even close.”

Over on the other side of the room, Yang is laughing as Simon tries to act nonchalant, but the heat in his face betrays him. Yang playfully nudges him with her elbow. "You know, Simon, you put up quite a fight out there. Gave me a run for my money." She gives him a wink that only made Simon more flustered.

Simon, usually composed, is at a complete loss for words. His greatsword, Spine Mist, had felt light in his hands earlier, but now he wished it were a shield he could hide behind. "Uh… well… I just…" he stammers, his words getting tangled in his throat.

Yang grins even wider, clearly enjoying the effect she was having on him. "What’s the matter, tough guy? Cat got your tongue?”

Simon chuckles nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "N-no… I, uh… it was just… you're really strong, Yang."

"Aw, you're too sweet!" she says, giving him a playful punch on the arm. Simon practically melts under her gaze, his thoughts a jumble of admiration and nerves.

Blake and Daruna, on the other hand, exchange calm, respectful nods as they walk back to their seats. "You were impressive out there," Blake said, her voice quiet but sincere.

Daruna nods in acknowledgment. "Thanks. You're incredibly fast, and your clones were tricky to deal with."

Blake offers a small smile. "You were tough to pin down yourself. Your semblance… it’s got a certain elegance to it."

"Likewise," Daruna replies. They fall into a comfortable silence, both appreciating the skill they had seen in the other.

As the two teams settle back in, Glynda Goodwitch’s sharp voice cuts through the room. "Now that the match has concluded, I’d like to hear what the class has learned from observing the battle."

Several hands go up as students eagerly share their thoughts. Some praise the teamwork, others the adaptability of both teams. Glynda listens carefully, her usual stern expression in place, nodding at certain points.

After taking a moment to survey the room, she adds, "It's important to note that even though the match ended in a tie, the lesson here is not about winning or losing. It's about learning from your opponent and improving as Huntsmen and Huntresses. Combat isn’t just about power or speed; it’s about strategy, flexibility, and understanding your own strengths and weaknesses. This is why we have these matches – to grow.”

The class nods in understanding, some students taking notes while others reflect on the battle.

Glynda then turns her attention to two students who had remained notably quiet throughout the match. "Now then, for the next combat exercise…" Her eyes fall on Jaune Arc and Cardin Winchester. "Jaune, Cardin. You two will be next."

Jaune’s eyes widen in alarm, while Cardin smirks, clearly looking forward to the match.

As the students  prepare for the next match, Simon and Daruna exchange confident smirks, their competitive spirits rising.

Simon, leaning back in his chair with an easy grin, glances over at Daruna. "A hundred lien says Jaune's gonna win this one."

Daruna, his tail swaying lazily behind him, raises an eyebrow, amused by Simon's faith in their friend. "Two hundred says Cardin’s gonna wipe the floor with him," Daruna replies with a snark, crossing his arms confidently.

"You're on," Simon grins, knowing it’s a long shot, but never one to back down from a bet.
______________________________________________

Later during a rather one sided fight, we see Cardin Winchester with The Executioner perched on his shoulder and Jaune Arc opposite him with Crocea Mors drawn, leaning on his weapon as if exhausted, in the spotlight shining on the Beacon Academy auditorium stage.

He looks at Cardin, who laughs at his opponent's tiredness, and Jaune gathers his strength to charge forward and swing his blade at Cardin, only for him to jump out of the way. Jaune looks back, surprised, as The Executioner sends Jaune's shield - and himself - flying back. Now only armed with his sword, Jaune continues to try and attack, but is blocked by the mace's hilt. Their weapons locked, Cardin forces himself up, towering over a struggling Jaune.

"This is the part where you lose," Cardin sneers, his voice dripping with confidence.

"Over my dead—!" Jaune begins, but before he can finish, Cardin drives his knee into Jaune's gut with brutal force.

Jaune gasps, his eyes wide with pain as the air is knocked out of him. He drops Crocea Mors, falling to the ground in agony, clutching his stomach. Above him, Cardin raises his mace, ready to bring it down on Jaune with a finishing blow.

Jaune looks up, panic flashing across his face as the heavy weapon looms over him.

Just then, the buzzer rings, and the auditorium lights flicker back on, and Glynda Goodwitch's voice causes him to stop.

“Cardin, that’s enough.”

Cardin lowers his mace, giving a disappointed scoff as he walks away.

Glynda strides onto the stage, her stern expression unchanging as she taps at her tablet.

“Students, as you can see, Mr. Arc’s Aura has now dropped into the red. In a tournament-style duel, this would indicate that Jaune is no longer fit for battle and that the official may call the match.”

Jaune remains on the ground, breathing hard, his face flushed with both exertion and shame. He pulls out his Scroll, glancing at the blinking red numbers indicating his dangerously low Aura levels. Nearby, Pyrrha Nikos watches with a sad expression, clearly worried for her teammate.

Glynda continues, her voice sharp but instructive. "Mr. Arc, it’s been weeks now. Please try to refer to your Scroll during combat. Gauging your Aura will help you decide when it’s appropriate to attack or when it is better to move to a more… defensive strategy. We wouldn’t want you to be gobbled up by a Beowolf, now would we?”

In the background, Cardin mutters under his breath, "Speak for yourself..." but Glynda ignores him.

She turns her attention back to the seated and standing students, such as: Yang and Toby punching the air in anticipation; Weiss and Nilak shaking her fists with an excited smile; Daruna chuckling with a predatory grin; and Ruby shaking her entire body with enthusiastic energy while squealing softly. "Remember, everyone, the Vytal Festival is only a few months away! It won’t be long before students from the other kingdoms start arriving in Vale, so keep practicing! Those who choose to compete in the combat tournament will be representing all of Vale!"

The bell rings, signaling the end of class. Students begin filing out of the auditorium, some chatting about the match, while others look forward to the next lesson. Pyrrha approaches Jaune, a concerned look on her face as he continues to sit on the floor, his head hanging low in defeat.

At the same time, Simon, still seated, looks worriedly toward Jaune, though he tries to hide it. "Man… he almost had it," Simon murmurs under his breath.

Daruna, however, stands smugly beside him, holding out his hand. His tail sways lazily behind him as he grins. "Looks like you owe me two hundred lien, Si."

Simon groans, reaching for his wallet while Daruna chuckles, clearly enjoying his victory.
______________________________________________

Team TNSD are seen arriving at the cafeteria alongside RWBY and JNPR. While eating their lunch, Nora tells an unbelievable story to her audience…

"So! There we were, in the middle of the night..." she begins, her voice loud and dramatic, drawing the attention of most at the table.

Ren, sitting calmly beside her with a cup of coffee in hand, barely lifts his gaze as he corrects her. "It was day," he says flatly, clearly having heard this story more times than he cares to count.

But Nora, as usual, is completely undeterred. She leans forward, eyes wide and locked onto her captivated audience—well, some of them. "We were surrounded by Ursai!" she exclaims, voice rising as if she’s recounting an epic battle.

Ren, still as calm as ever, takes another sip of his coffee. "They were Beowolves," he corrects again, but his input is, of course, completely ignored.

At the table, the reactions vary. Blake is completely absorbed in her book, her eyes not lifting even as Nora waves her arms dramatically. Yang, on the other hand, is hanging on Nora's every word, her hands cupping her face, fully invested in the story with a grin of excitement.

Nilak sits with her headphones on, tapping her fingers on the table to the beat of whatever she’s listening to, oblivious to the scene. Across from her, Weiss methodically files her nails, clearly unbothered by Nora’s outburst. Simon and Daruna, meanwhile, are content with their food, Daruna occasionally glancing at Nora with mild amusement, while Simon seems more focused on his plate.

Ruby, Toby, and Pyrrha, ever polite, sit attentively, though their expressions range from polite interest to genuine concern. Ruby’s wide eyes reflect a mix of fascination and confusion as she follows along, while Pyrrha’s usual grace is maintained, though she occasionally glances at Jaune, who sits further down the table, absently poking at his food with his fork.

"Dozens of them!" Nora screams suddenly, rising from her seat as if the sheer intensity of the battle demands her to stand. Her voice echoes across the cafeteria, causing a few heads to turn.

Ren doesn’t even flinch. "There were two of them," he mutters under his breath, his patience unwavering.

Simon, Ruby, and Pyrrha glance over at Jaune, their concern growing as they notice his distant expression. He’s been quiet all lunch, still clearly affected by the earlier fight with Cardin. His fork moves lazily through his food, but he’s not really eating, his mind somewhere else entirely.

Nora, however, is oblivious to all of it. Her energy continues to rise as she reaches the thrilling conclusion of her story. "But they were no match for me and Ren!" she exclaims triumphantly. "And in the end, we took them down and made a boatload of Lien selling Ursa skin rugs!"

Ren sighs, setting his coffee cup down. "She’s been having this recurring dream for nearly a month now," he explains calmly, though there’s a trace of resignation in his voice, as if he’s come to terms with Nora’s endless embellishments.

Pyrrha looks at her leader. "Jaune? Are you okay?"

Jaune snaps out of his daze, turning to face her with a start. "Huh? Oh, yeah!" He forces a smile, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. "Why?"

Ruby frowns slightly, leaning in from the other side. "It's just that you seem a little... not okay," she says softly, her voice tinged with concern.

Simon, catching onto the mood, looks up from his food. "Is it because of Cardin?"

Suddenly, the table falls quiet. The previous distractions—Nora’s wild storytelling, the clink of cutlery, and the casual conversations—fade into the background as the rest of the team turns their focus on Jaune.

Jaune, feeling the weight of all their eyes on him, forces a laugh, though it comes out strained and nervous. “Guys, I’m fine. Seriously! Look!” He holds up a thumb, trying to appear cheerful, but the laughter sounds hollow.

The atmosphere shifts suddenly when Jaune’s eyes are drawn to a different part of the cafeteria, where Cardin and his teammates from Team CRDL are standing. They surround a Faunus girl with brown rabbit ears, and Cardin’s mocking laughter carries over to their table. Sky Lark holds his hands to his head, fingers splayed out in a crude imitation of the girl’s ears, while Cardin continues to snicker, clearly enjoying himself.

A flash of something dark crosses Jaune’s face, but before he can say anything, Daruna, who had been observing quietly, leans forward slightly. His voice is calm, but there’s a knowing edge to it. “Your heartbeat says otherwise.”

Jaune looks at him, confused and somewhat defensive. “Please, how do you know that?”

Daruna’s eyes flicker, his swaying tail now more noticeable. “Faunus hearing,” he says with a smirk, tapping his ear lightly. “I can hear the rhythm clear as day. It’s racing.”

Jaune opens his mouth to protest, but the words falter.

Pyrrha leans in further, her voice gentle but firm as she says, “Jaune, Cardin's been picking on you since the first week of school!”

Jaune, visibly uncomfortable, brushes it off with a scoff. “Who? Cardin Winchester? Nah...” He waves a hand dismissively. “He just likes to mess around! You know, practical jokes!”

Ruby narrows her eyes, crossing her arms in disbelief. “He's a bully, Jaune.”

Jaune, clearly trying to save face, chuckles awkwardly. “Oh, please! Name one time he's bullied me.”

Without missing a beat, Nilak, who had been quiet up until now, pulls off her headphones and leans back casually. “Do you want us to say it alphabetically or chronologically?”

Toby leans back with a smirk, crossing his arms. “I can think of a few,” he says, his tone casual but knowing. He pauses, glancing at Jaune, who looks a little sheepish. “Like that one time…”
______________________________________________

Jaune walks down the crowded hallway, his books stacked in his arms as he makes his way to class. Up ahead, Cardin strolls in the opposite direction, a smug grin plastered on his face. As they pass, Cardin deliberately slams his arm into Jaune’s, causing him to drop his books.

Cardin, without even turning back, raises his hands mockingly as if daring anyone to challenge him.

Jaune, bending down to gather his scattered belongings, sighs in frustration. “Ah, come on!”

Just then, Nilak appears by Jaune’s side. Calmly, she squats down to help him collect his things, her eyes narrowing in the direction Cardin went.

“Want me to freeze his feet to the floor?” Nilak asks, her voice deadpan, though there's a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Jaune chuckles nervously. “I’m good, thanks.”

Nilak shrugs. “Suit yourself. But just say the word.”
______________________________________________

Jaune and Cardin approach a doorway, Jaune walking ahead with Crocea Mors in its sheath at his side. As Jaune steps forward, Cardin taps the release button on his sheath, making the shield suddenly spring open.

With a loud clang, Jaune crashes into his own shield, blocking the door entirely.

Jaune, gritting his teeth, struggles with the unwieldy shield. “Come on…!”

Standing nearby, Simon watches the whole scene unfold. Spine mist rests casually on his back, but he doesn’t need it for this. Instead, his semblance activates, causing his hand to glow faintly as he phases through the metal of Jaune’s shield, gripping it.

“Hold on,” Simon says.

With a subtle tug, Simon phases the shield slightly out of Jaune’s way, allowing him to push it back into place with ease.

Jaune lets out a breath of relief, rubbing the back of his neck. “Thanks, man.”

Simon smirks. “No problem. Maybe next time don’t let Cardin mess with you so much.”
______________________________________________

In the bustling locker room, Glynda Goodwitch stands before the students, explaining the mechanics of the rocket-propelled lockers.

“Each of you will be assigned one rocket-propelled locker to store your weapons and extra armor,” she says, her tone crisp. “Additionally, your locker can be sent to a custom location based on a six-digit code.”

Meanwhile, Cardin eyes Jaune, who happens to be standing in front of the only open locker in the room. Without warning, Cardin shoves Jaune into the locker and slams the door shut before Jaune can even react.

Jaune, inside the confined space, bangs on the door, panic in his voice. “What?! No, wait, wait! You’ve gotta get me out of here! Please! Don’t! Don’t! Don’t do it!”

Ignoring Jaune’s pleas, Cardin presses a random set of buttons on the locker’s keypad. With a low rumble, blue flames erupt from the locker’s base as it launches into the air, Jaune’s voice trailing behind it.

“Aaah, coooome oooon…!”

Watching from nearby, Toby sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Seriously?” he mutters, shaking his head. His eyes flash red as he quickly generates a small spark of Red Sprite, his semblance striking the locker and short-circuiting the rocket system.

The locker sputters and, with a slow descent, it comes back down.
______________________________________________

Back in the present, Toby leans back, crossing his arms. “See? He’s always messing with you.”

Jaune shrugs awkwardly, trying to downplay the incidents. “Okay, okay… maybe you guys have a point…”

“Jaune, you know if you ever need help, you can just ask.” Pyrrha says

“Ooooh!” Nora gets up from the table and presents her diabolical plan with a not-entirely-sane grin. “We'll break his legs!”

“Guys, really, it's fine! Besides, it's not like he's only a jerk to me; he's a jerk to everyone.” said Jaune.

They all look over as the laughing grows louder, mixed in with cries of pain from the rabbit girl when one of her ears is tugged on by Cardin.

“Ow! That hurts!” she stops struggling and grimaces as she says, “Please, stop…”

Cardin continues laughing as he turns to his cronies, “I told you it was real!”

“What a freak!” says Russell with a guffaw.

Just then, Daruna gets up while excusing himself, “I’ll be back.”

Toby and Simon exchange glances, recognizing Daruna's serious tone. They know what’s about to happen, but none of them intervene just yet.

“BREAK HIS LEGS!!” Nora calls out after the faunus who dismisses it. He then approaches Cardin's table, keeping his polite demeanor intact.

"Cardin, you might want to stop. She's done nothing to deserve that."

Cardin barely acknowledges him, tightening his grip on Velvet's ear.

"Oh, what’s this? A Faunus lover here to play the hero? Why don’t you mind your own business?" Cardin says with a grin

"Sorry, but it kinda became my business now." Daruna snarks.

The boys from CRDL all laugh, but Daruna doesn’t flinch. Instead, he stands taller, his gaze unwavering.

"Look at him, trying to act tough." mocks Russell

"What are you gonna do, mutt?" jeers Sky

The mockery continues until Cardin scoffs, dismissively waving Daruna away with his hand.

"Why don’t you crawl back to your table before I make you regret it?” says Cardin.

The shift in Daruna is almost imperceptible, but his team knows what’s coming next. His purple aura flares subtly, and his semblance, Howl, begins to activate. A low, ominous hum fills the air, growing louder. The sound reverberates through the room, a painful, disorienting noise that sends CRDL into a state of discomfort.

Cardin’s mocking grin falters as he holds his head, the sound echoing in his skull, getting louder and sharper.

Daruna’s voice is now warped by his semblance as it echoes darkly, "If I ever see any of you lay a hand on a Faunus again… I will make sure your screams are heard across Beacon. I’ll broadcast them for every disrespectful human who thinks it's okay to treat Faunus like this. And I’ll tear you apart, piece by piece, while everyone watches."

His voice, amplified and distorted by his semblance, carries a weight that sinks deep into CRDL's bones. The sound alone is enough to make Russel and Sky wince, their faces contorted in pain. Dove covers his ears, trying to block out the unbearable noise.

Cardin stumbles backward, fear flickering in his eyes. He releases Velvet, who quickly moves away, clutching her ear. The entire cafeteria seems to freeze, as students turn to see the confrontation unfold.

"Y-You wouldn’t dare.” said Cardin, his voice shaking slightly.

The hum intensifies as Daruna takes a step closer, his eyes burning with quiet sadism.

“Try me,” he says with a grin.

The atmosphere grows heavier with tension. It’s clear that if Cardin or any of his cronies make a move, Daruna won’t hesitate to follow through with his threat.

For a moment, Cardin looks like he might try to push back, but the ominous, torturous sound coming from Daruna’s semblance causes him to hesitate. Russel elbows Cardin.

"C-Cardin, let's just go." he says.

Reluctantly, Cardin backs off, his bravado visibly shaken. He motions for his team to leave as he mutters, "This isn't over."

As CRDL retreats, the oppressive hum from Daruna’s semblance fades, leaving the cafeteria in an eerie silence. He turns back to the girl with rabbit ears, giving her a respectful nod.

"You alright?” He speaks normally.

"Yes. Thank you." she says softly.

“What's your name?”

“Velvet Scarlatina.”

“I'm Daruna Acero. I'll see you around,” he says with a smile before returning to his table, the tension in his shoulders slowly easing.

“Bye. Thanks again,” she says back to him.

But as he sits down, he immediately notices the looks from his teammates and friends—shocked, horrified, and uneasy. Blake keeps her head down, pretending not to notice, while Nilak’s expression has shifted into a look of quiet disturbance. Weiss, meanwhile, stares at him, her eyes narrowing slightly with wariness.

She’s reminded of the White Fang—those same intimidating tactics, the same threatening presence—and though she says nothing, the tension is palpable.

Daruna blinks, looking from one person to the next.

“What?” he asks, confused.

Nobody speaks at first, the silence thick. Eventually, Toby clears his throat, breaking the tension with a light chuckle. “Well, that was... something.”

Ruby, usually the one to lighten the mood, bites her lip, her gaze flicking nervously between Daruna and the others. “You, um, really went hard on them, huh?”

Daruna tilts his head, still not quite getting what the issue is. “They deserved it. They were harassing her. I just... made sure they wouldn’t do it again.”

Simon nudges him with his elbow, trying to ease the mood, but even he seems a bit uncertain. “Yeah, but... broadcasting their screams to everyone?”

Jaune laughs nervously. “That was kind of... intense.”

Pyrrha watches him closely, concern evident in her eyes, “We appreciate you standing up for Velvet, but... it almost sounded like a threat.”

Daruna frowns, looking between his teammates and the members of Teams RWBY and JNPR. He hadn't thought much about it—he just wanted to protect Velvet, to make sure those bullies knew they couldn’t get away with what they were doing.

Blake, who had been silent, sighs as if what he did wasn't new to her, “You meant well, but... sometimes fear isn’t the best way to handle things.”

Daruna's frown deepens, but before he can respond, Nilak sighs and takes off her headphones. “That was... a lot, Daruna. Even for you.”

Weiss stays silent, still watching Daruna with a wary look. She doesn't say anything, but it’s clear what’s on her mind. His methods reminded her far too much of the White Fang—violence and intimidation to send a message.

The realization hits Daruna, and his grin fades. He rubs the back of his neck, awkwardly looking down at his plate as he says softly, “I just didn’t want them to hurt anyone again.”

There’s a brief silence, but then Ruby speaks up, her voice gentle. “We know. And you did help... but maybe next time, just tone it down a little?”

Nora then grins, breaking the tension. "I thought it was awesome! We should team up sometime, Daruna. We’ll put all the bullies in their place!"

Ren sighs, "Nora, no more plans involving broken limbs, please."

Toby speaks up with understanding, "Hey, I’m with Daruna on this one. Cardin needed a wake-up call, and he sure got one. Plus, it could've been worse.”

The others agree with him as the tension starts to ease a bit, though Weiss still keeps a wary eye on the wolf faunus.
______________________________________________

Timeskip

Jaune sits slumped over his desk, his head resting in his hands, uniform wrinkled, and soft snores escaping his mouth. He's fast asleep, oblivious to the whirlwind of energy that is Professor Bartholomew Oobleck zipping around the front of the classroom, his voice a constant rapid-fire barrage of information.

This guy has messy green hair and his attire is disheveled: his white shirt partially tucked into his dark-green pants and its collar raised, showing a slack yellow tie, along with mismatched brown and black shoes. He also has round glasses that appear to be opaque.

Oobleck darts to the front of the class, his pointer stick tapping furiously at a large map behind his desk, which is plastered with papers and notes.

“Yes! Yes!” he exclaims, his words tumbling out in quick succession. “Prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution—more popularly known as the Faunus War—humankind was quite, quite adamant about centralizing Faunus population in Menagerie!”

He emphasizes the point by jabbing the stick at the map, which shows the location of Menagerie, the Faunus homeland. Before anyone can even blink, Oobleck is off again, zooming to the side of the room to take a quick, fervent sip of coffee before appearing in front of the desk once more.

“Now!” he continues, his voice rising with excitement, “While this must feel like ancient history to many of you, it is imperative to remember that these are relatively recent events!” His green eyes sparkle as he points toward the students. “Why, the repercussions of the uprising can still be seen to this day!”

He dashes back and forth in front of the classroom, his rapid movements almost a blur, punctuating his words with more sips of coffee. The students follow his motions with their eyes, though some struggle to keep up with the speed of both his movements and his lecture.

“Now! Have any among you been subjugated or discriminated because of your Faunus heritage?” Oobleck asks, slowing down only slightly to give his students a moment to respond.

Several hands tentatively rise into the air. Velvet hesitates, glancing around nervously, before slowly raising her hand as well. Daruna, however, remains still, his hand firmly down on the desk, though Weiss catches this, her eyes narrowing slightly at his lack of response.

Oobleck, not missing a beat, shakes his head in dismay, his expression serious for a brief moment. “Dreadful, simply dreadful!” he declares, pacing in front of the class. “Remember, students, it is precisely this kind of ignorance that breeds violence!”

He pauses for another sip of coffee, his eyes darting across the room. “I mean, just look at what happened to White Fang!”

The mention of the White Fang causes a ripple of unease to pass through the students. Blake stiffens slightly in her seat, but her reaction goes unnoticed by most.

Oobleck, however, is already charging ahead with the lesson. “Now, which one of you young scholars can tell me what many theorize to be the turning point in the third year of the Faunus War?”

A hand shoots up, Weiss Schnee’s. She answers confidently, “The battle at Fort Castle!”

Oobleck snaps his fingers, beaming. “Precisely!” He turns toward the rest of the class. “And, who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagune’s forces?”

Unseen by Professor Oobleck, Cardin, sitting behind Jaune, flicks a paper football straight at the back of Jaune’s head, jarring him awake.

“Hey!” Jaune blurts out, still groggy.

Before he can process what’s happening, Oobleck zips across the room, stopping inches from Jaune's face. “Mr. Arc! Finally contributing to class! This is excellent! Excellent! Now, what is the answer?”

Jaune, startled and panicking, stares wide-eyed at the professor. “Uh... The answer... the advantage... that the Faunus...” His eyes dart around desperately before landing on Pyrrha, who’s mouthing words to help him. She motions to her lips, giving him a hint, but in his flustered state, Jaune barely registers it.

“Had over that guy’s stuff...” He squints at Pyrrha, who cups her hands around her eyes in an exaggerated gesture. Jaune’s brain latches onto the most obvious conclusion.

“Uhh... Binoculars?”

The room bursts into laughter. Jaune, for a moment, looks proud of his answer, but the snickers and giggles from his classmates quickly deflate him. Even Oobleck, back at the front of the room now, takes a long, steady sip of coffee, the faintest hint of amusement on his face. Pyrrha groans quietly and covers her face with her hand. Meanwhile, Cardin pounds his fist on his desk, laughing boisterously.

Oobleck, unfazed, zips behind his desk again, adjusting his glasses. “Very funny, Mr. Arc!” His focus shifts. “Cardin! Perhaps you would care to share your thoughts on the subject!”

Cardin leans back in his chair with a smug grin. “Well, I know it’s a lot easier to train an animal than a soldier.”

Pyrrha, glaring at Cardin, speaks up, her voice steady. “You’re not the most open-minded of individuals, are you, Cardin?”

Cardin’s grin vanishes. “What? You got a problem?”

“No, I have the answer,” Pyrrha responds coolly. “It’s night vision. Many Faunus are known to have nearly-perfect sight in the dark.”

Cardin seethes as Pyrrha gives the correct response. Blake, sitting a few seats away, adds, “General Lagune was inexperienced and made the mistake of trying to ambush the Faunus in their sleep. His massive army was outmatched, and the general was captured.” Blake turns to Cardin with an icy stare. “Perhaps if he’d paid attention in class, he wouldn’t have been remembered as such a failure.”

The biting remark causes Nilak and Daruna to wince at the same time before sharing a quick, low five. The tension in the room spikes as Cardin stands from his seat, fists clenched, glaring daggers at Blake.

“Mr. Winchester!” Oobleck’s voice cuts through the rising tension as he gestures toward Cardin. “Please take your seat!”

Cardin grudgingly sits down, his face still burning with anger. Jaune, having witnessed the scene unfold, can't help but laugh quietly at Cardin’s embarrassment.

That laugh, however, doesn't go unnoticed by Oobleck. In a flash, the professor zooms right up to Jaune again. “You and Mr. Arc can both see me after class for additional readings.”

Jaune's shoulders sag, his earlier amusement now replaced with dread. “Ohhh…”

Oobleck zips back to the front, taking yet another sip of coffee, already moving on. “Now! Moving on!”
______________________________________________

When the lesson ends, Pyrrha, Nora, and Ren exit the classroom, but Pyrrha pauses near the doorway, glancing back.

"You go on ahead," she says to Nora and Ren. "I'll wait for Jaune."

They both give her a nod before walking down the hallway. Pyrrha stays put, watching as the after-class talk between Jaune and Cardin unfolds inside.

Oobleck, sipping his ever-present coffee, stands before the two boys. “You two have been struggling in my class since day one! Now, I don’t know if it’s a lack of interest, or just your stubborn nature, but whatever it is…” He takes a longer sip, his gaze sharp despite the caffeine-induced blur of his movements. “It stops now! You’ve worked hard to gain entrance to this school, and we only accept the best of the best, so I expect you to act like it. History is important, gentlemen! If you can’t learn from it... you’re destined to repeat it.”

Jaune fidgets nervously while Cardin, arms crossed, glares as Oobleck continues. “Pages fifty-one to ninety-one! I want an essay on my desk by next class! Now! Run along.”

With a blur of green and white, Oobleck zips out of the classroom, passing Pyrrha without a second glance. Jaune emerges first, his shoulders slumped, and before he can even register the presence of his teammate, Cardin shoves him from behind. Jaune stumbles forward, crashing to the ground with a pained "Ow!" as Cardin chuckles menacingly and strides away.

Pyrrha rushes forward, immediately helping Jaune to his feet. "You know," she says, a deadly calm in her voice, "I really will break his legs."

Jaune sighs, dusting himself off, though the frustration is clear in his expression. "Thanks, Pyrrha, but it's fine—"

Pyrrha’s eyes light up with sudden inspiration, cutting him off. "I have an idea!" she says, grabbing Jaune by the arm with surprising excitement. "Come with me!"

Jaune blinks in confusion as she starts dragging him down the corridor. "Wait, what? Where are we going?"

"You'll see!" she says, her determined grin leaving no room for argument.
______________________________________________

A dejected Jaune steps onto the rooftop, Pyrrha following close behind, both carrying the weight of the earlier conversation. The dim glow of Beacon’s central tower casts long shadows over the rooftop, its glowing green orbs reflecting in the distance. Simon, already waiting for them, greets them with a serious look.

“It’s time,” Simon says, his voice steady and encouraging.

Jaune, still frustrated, lets out a sigh and walks toward the edge of the roof. "Guys, I know I’m going through a hard time right now, but I’m not that depressed." He glances over the edge, the height sending a chill through him. "I can always be a farmer or something…”

Pyrrha’s eyes widen in horror as the realization hits her. “N-no! No, no, no!” she stammers, rushing forward to push Jaune back from the edge. “That’s not why I brought you up here!”

Jaune stumbles a bit, looking at her, baffled.

“Jaune,” Pyrrha says, catching her breath, “I know you’re having a difficult time in class and… well, you’re still finding your way as a fighter. So…” She hesitates, trying to find the right words. “We want to help you!”

Jaune blinks in confusion. "Wh-what?"

Simon steps forward, grinning with enthusiasm. “Yup! Pyrrha and I talked about it, and we figured it’s time we helped you get stronger.”

Pyrrha nods eagerly. “We can train up here after class, where no one can bother us!”

Jaune’s expression hardens, his shoulders slumping. “You think I need help?”

“N-no!” Pyrrha stammers, backtracking, “That’s not what we meant.”

“But you just said it.”

Simon, his voice more sheepish now, admits, “Okay, maybe we did say it… but yeah, you do need help. Cardin’s been giving you hell. This way, he’ll think twice before messing with you again.”

Pyrrha tries to soften the blow. “Jaune, everyone 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 of what you’re capable of!”

But Jaune shakes his head, turning away from them, his voice growing quieter. “You’re wrong. I… I don’t belong here.”

Pyrrha’s face falls, and she takes a step closer. “That’s a terrible thing to say! Of course you do!”

Jaune spins back around, anger bubbling to the surface. “No, I don’t!” He stops, taking a deep breath, and when he speaks again, his voice is filled with resignation. “I wasn’t really accepted into Beacon…”

The silence that follows is deafening. Pyrrha and Simon exchange confused glances.

“What do you mean?” Pyrrha asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jaune’s confession spills out in a rush, his words frantic and desperate. “I didn’t go to combat school. I didn’t pass any tests. I didn’t earn my spot at this Academy!” He turns away again, unable to look at them as he finishes. “I lied. I got my hands on some fake transcripts, and I lied.”

Pyrrha stands frozen, struggling to comprehend his words. Simon, for once, seems at a loss, too.

"But... why?" Pyrrha finally asks, her voice soft and filled with disbelief.

Jaune’s shoulders slump even further. “Because this is always what I’ve wanted to be.” He gestures vaguely toward the distant lights of the tower. “My father, my grandfather, and his father before him were all warriors. They were all heroes. And I wanted to be one, too. But I was never good enough.”

Pyrrha steps forward, her hand resting on his shoulder in a comforting gesture. “Then let us help you.”

But Jaune recoils, turning on her with sudden, frustrated anger. “I don’t want help! I don’t want to be the damsel in distress! I want to be the hero!”

Pyrrha flinches at his outburst but stands her ground. “Jaune, I-”

“I’m tired of being the lovable idiot, stuck in the tree while his friends fight for their lives!” Jaune’s voice cracks, the weight of his insecurities finally surfacing. “Don’t you get it? If I can’t do this on my own… then what good am I?”

Pyrrha reaches out, trying to offer comfort, but Jaune steps back, shaking his head. “Just… leave me alone. Okay?”

Pyrrha bows her head, her heart heavy. “If that’s what you think is best…”

She turns and walks away, her footsteps growing softer with each step until she disappears from sight.

Simon lingers behind, giving Jaune a gentle, understanding look. “Jaune,” he says quietly, “you’re not alone in this. We all need help sometimes. Just think about it, alright?”

Jaune doesn’t respond, keeping his gaze fixed on the ground. With that, Simon turns and follows Pyrrha, leaving Jaune alone on the rooftop with his thoughts. Jaune paces back and forth on the rooftop, his mind racing with frustration and self-doubt. The cool breeze does little to calm him down, but then a mocking laugh cuts through the air, making his heart sink.

"Oh, Jaune…”

Jaune spins around, eyes wide with shock. "Cardin!"

Cardin steps out from a window just below the rooftop, pulling himself up with ease, his smirk as infuriating as ever. "I couldn't help but overhear you two from my dorm room. So, you snuck into Beacon, huh?" He chuckles darkly. "I gotta say, Jaune, I never expected you to be such a rebel!"

Jaune's heart pounds in his chest, panic rising. "Please, Cardin, please don't tell anyone!"

Cardin gives a mock look of surprise. "Jaune, come on! I'd never rat on a friend like that!"

"A... a friend?" Jaune stammers, the word foreign coming from Cardin’s mouth.

"Of course!" Cardin closes the distance between them, grabbing Jaune in a tight headlock before he can react. Despite Jaune's struggling, Cardin holds him firm, grinning as he leans in close. "We're friends now, Jauney boy! And the way I see it, as long as you're there for me when I need you, we'll be friends for a long time."

He finally releases Jaune, who gasps for air, stumbling to the ground as Cardin towers over him, still smirking. Jaune rubs his neck, feeling the humiliation burning inside him.

"That being said," Cardin continues, his voice dripping with fake sincerity, "I really don't have time to do those extra readings Dr. Oobleck gave us today. Think you could take care of that for me, buddy?" He leans down, ruffling Jaune's hair as if to mock him further.

Jaune winces but doesn't respond, knowing he doesn't have a choice.

Cardin straightens up, grinning wider. "That's what I thought." He casually walks to the edge of the roof, giving Jaune one last smug glance. "Don't worry, Jaune; your secret's safe with me."

And with that, Cardin swings himself over the edge, dropping back down into his dorm room. Jaune stays frozen for a moment, rubbing his neck, the weight of the situation crashing down on him. The mix of fear, shame, and hopelessness consumes him, leaving him feeling smaller than ever.