Simin dozed off during class, half listening to what the teacher was teaching.

Simin:(mind) Brandon... Brandon, Brandon, Brandon....

Simin:(mind) Brandon... The pizza guy! No, I tip too well to make a pizza guy evil.

Simin:(mind) Brandon the.... Ex boyfriend of the girl I dated?

Simin:(mumbles) Nah...

Vella:(whispers) What's wrong?

Simin:(whispers) Huh? Oh, just trying to figure out who Brandon is... I feel like I know him from... Somewhere... Maybe...

Teacher: Mister Megistus. Miss Moisia. Is there something you wish to share with the class?

Simin: Yes. Uhm... Why is the X still squared? Shouldn't it be cancelled out?

Teacher: Hm? No, because you see...

Simin:(whispers) We'll chat after class.

Vella:(awkward chuckle)

(Opening Theme)

Team SLVR left the class towards lunch. Simin had his hands firmly dug into his pockets with a drowsy look. Lycan was no better, with his arms behind his head.

The girls at least hid their tired moods.

Lycan: Only a few more lessons and the weekend will be here.

Ragora: If money wasn't involved, I would sleep in class...

Vella: Combat class is next, so thing should get more interesting.

Lycan:(yawn)... Hey, leader. You're pretty smooth, can you maybe convince the teacher to give us an interesting lesson?

Simin: Define "intresting lesson".

Lycan: I dunno... Big Grimm fight?

Simin:(sigh)

Once they arrived at the cafeteria, the team got themselves lunch. Simin was first thus he went ahead to secure a table. Finding a spot with team BROZ.

Oscar: Hey, how are you?

Simin: Hm? Oh, fine, I guess.

Taking a seat he began eating, soon joined by the rest of SLVR.

Romeo: So... What are we going to do about GOLD?

Lycan:(munch, munch) Beat them. (Munch, munch)

Romeo: My man!

Romeo: So we're going to form an alliance right?

Oscar:(awkward chuckle)... I don't know if an alliance is necessary. We simply need to do our best.

Gin: Hmph. If we want the mula-la-la, then we need to do more.

Vella: Perhaps... But I don't really want to go out of my way to attack someone.

Romeo: No, no. You misunderstood. When I say an Alliance, I mean... In certain situations, where we can secure points...

Romeo: We screw them over, not each other.

Ragora: Heh. I can get behind that.

Vella: I-It feels a little dirty... (Smile) but I'm okay with that.

Lycan:(gulp)

Lycan: You all are getting ahead of yourselves.

Lycan: Our leaders are the ones who decided whether or not we are going to be in an alliance.

Oscar/Simin:?

Simin: Seriously...?

Oscar: Well... What are your thoughts?

Simin:...

Simin: How long will this alliance last? How much are we actually going to help each other. Do we keep this a secret?

Oscar: Uhm, well-

Simin: How far are we supposed to go for each other?

Simin: Making such dealings requires contracts, Lawyers and agreed upon details 'else we'd end up as enemies once there's a small lead.

Lycan: There you have it.

Ragora: Did you understand his point?

Lycan: Of course I understood it! I'm not an idiot!

Ragora:....

Lycan: You wanna say something!?

(Combat class)

Today in class the professor promised a special surprise, but before that, was normal sparring.

Lycan was up against team GOLD's golden leader, Gerald. The rest of their teams watched with great interest, at least most of them. Simin laid back, casually watching.

Lycan: Hrah!

With his claw gauntlets, Lycan swung at Gerald who raised his sword to block the attack.

(Clang)

The two stood trying to overpower the other.

Ragora: Oi, no sleeping.

Simin: I'm not sleeping, I'm napping. There's a difference.

Vella: Come on, he's your partner. You should watch this.

Simin:(yawn)

Ragora's semblance, the summonable monster head, headbutts Simin in the back to force him to sit up.

With a heavy sigh, Simin leaned forward. Elbows on his knees, Simin rests his head on his hands, watching as Lycan creates an afterimage clone to kick Gerald back.

Throwing the daggers on his gauntlets, Lycan watches Gerald deflect them upwards. Lycan rushes forward, pulling out two daggers he holds in a reverse grip. Activating his semble, an afterimage appears and propels Lycan forward.

(CLANG)

(CLANG)

(CLANG)

(CLANG)

Using his semblance, Lycan bounced past Gerald in quick succession before leaping in the air and attaching the daggers in the air back to his gauntlet.

Lycan: CLAW SANDWICH COMMIN' RIGHT UP!

(CRASSSSHHH)

Gerald leaped away just in time, however the impact was so powerful, the shockwave caused him to go stumble, eventually leading him to roll across the ground and almost out of the arena.

Gerald:....

He stands up, holding his blade in a quick draw stance.

Lycan: Hehe... Ready to give it up?

Gerald: Far from it. I'm gonna give you a taste, of ultimate swordsmanship.

Lycan:(scratches head) What's that mean?

Lycan:(looks at hand) Crap, I cut myself again...

Gerald:(inhales)

Lycan: Hm?

Lycan dashes towards Gerald but even with his speed, the distance was too far.

(WOOOSH)

Lycan:!?!

With a mighty swing, Gerald launch a wave of air that was so powerful it launced Lycan out of bounds.

Qrow: And the leader of Team GOLD wins.

Lycan: Ugh! Damn it! You're one of those punks with an overpowered semblance aren't you!?

Gerald: Semblance? Hmph. Sure, why not.

Qrow; Alright, alright. Clear the stage. It's time for a special event as promised.

Qrow: If you would...

The Vytal festival champion and the currently strongest student in the academy, in her golden armor and crimson hair came on the stage.

Awe struck first before dread choked most of the others.

(Vytal Champion; Pyrrha Nikos)

Pyrrha:(smiles) Hi!

Simin: Well this ought to be interesting... Wonder who's the sorry sap who's going to fight her.

Qrow: Miss Nikos is here too... How should I put it.... "Put things into perspective".

Qrow: Heavy bets have been placed onto you first-years. Investors wanna see some insurance.

Qrow: Who do you think needs a wake up call, miss Nikos.

Looking around, Pyrrha raises her hand, pointing at a raspberry haired boy in silver.

Simin:(mumbles) Ohhh... I'm the poor sap...

Pyrrha: I think the one who was napping in class.

Qrow: Oh. I couldn't agree more. Come on up here!

Ragora: I told you...

Vella:(awkward chuckle) G-Good luck...

Simin:(sigh)

Simin quickly found himself up against the invincible huntress Pyrrha Nikos who won the Vytal festival and many tournaments before and after.

Yet her most threatening feat...

Being on a cereal box.

In a way, she was Simin's goal here in Beacon. Yet not for a second did he seem like he was taking this seriously.

Simin:(mind) Pyrrha Nikos... Probably the most experienced one here minus B-

Qrow:(burp)

Simin:(mind).... She's the most experienced one here.

Simin:(mind) Direct combat isn't  optimal. Though... It won't hurt to test the waters...

Creating ice boxing gloves, Simin dashes forth, and attacks. He immediately felt something was wrong. Not a single attack hit its mark, as Pyrrha Perfect dodged, blocked then tripped Simin past her.

With a thud, he was made a fool by the upper classmate.

Quickly getting up, Simin tried again, but the result was the same.

(Shhh)

Turning his ice into steam, Simin blinded her to try and land a hit, yet still he failed to even touch her.

(Wooosh)

Simin:!!

With the butt end of her spear, she knocked him across the arena.

Pyrrha: Perhaps you should learn more and nap less.

With a hand on his stomach, Simin got up.

Simin:....

Simin:(smiles) Hahaha. Maybe you're right. So is that it?

Pyrrha: What are you talking about? You're still in the battle. Unless you wanna waste points to give up.

Simin:(smiles)

Simin:(mind) You wanna play it like that, huh?

Pyrrha: Are you ready? Because the warm up is over! I'm sorry, but I'm coming at you with full force.

(Chink)

The dial on Simin's back lands on the green orb, allowing him to create a two boomerangs of air. Throwing them, Simin generated two tornados. Creating two more, and two after that, Simin depleted all his air dust, but left six small tornados in the arena which threatened to blow Pyrrha out of bounds.

Or should have in theory.

Standing her ground, Pyrrha begins shooting at Simin who dodges the first few bullets thanks to the wild air currents messing with her trajectory. An ice shield was created for when she figured out how to fire in this indoor storm.

(Clang, clang)

Calming walking along side the edge of her arena, Simin studied her.

Pyrrha then noticed she was being cut. Looking around, ice shuriken's had been sucked up by the tornados surrounding her. These snow flake shurikens were being tosses between the tornados. Pyrrha immediately pieced it together and looked at Simin's off hand which was dropping shurikens for the tornados.

Pyrrha:(smiles) Much better!

Using her shield and spear, Pyrrha began to shatter the ice shurikens, allowing the leader of SLVR to plot.

Ragora: He's doing surroundingly well.

Lycan: Man... Lucky guy, gets to fight THE Pyrrah.

Vella: How is this lucky? We saw at thr beginning, Simin couldn't lay a finger on her. That's why he's at a distance.

Vella: And using tricks...

Ragora: Is that a bad thing? What works, works.

Lycan: Nah, nah! She's got a point.

Vella: Sponsor are supposedly watching, so it's a matter of whether they are impress by it.

(TSSSSS)

Creating mist, the tornados quickly spread it, putting Pyrrah to the test.

(BANG)

(SMASH)

(BANG)

(SMASH)

Noticing the number of shurikens dropping and the tornados fading.

Pyrrah: You aren't the only one with dust.

Loading wind dust, Pyrrah dispersed the mist in her immediately area. However, the arena edges were still covered in mist.

Ice statues off Simin then slide towards her from multiple directions.

Pyrrha: Your tricks are quite effective. However, I'm dissapointed in your combat skill.

Leaving the statues alone, Pyrrah sensed something, and turned around and fired.

(BANG)

(SHATTERED)

Pyrrah: Huh?

Shattering a statue, Pyrrah watches as Simin's jacket fell with it.

Pyrrah:(mind) His jacket? Wait, did he figure it out-

(SHATTER)

(POW)

Pyrrha/Everyon:!?

Feeling the impact of a fist on her cheek, Pyrrah's eyes dart to the side following the arm which led to a jacketless Simin with shards of ice flying off of him.

Simin had put a layer of ice on himself and hid amongst the statues.

Simin: With all due respect... Kiss my ass.

Simin: And if you keep using your trick, I might as well take off my pants so you can do it.

Walking up to his jacket, Simin picks it up, finding the green and blue orbs on the dial to be dull, with a sigh, he flings it over his shoulder.

Simin: I'm at a major disadvantage... If this continues, I could probably only land a few more good hits before I'm out of dust.

Simin:(chuckles)

Simin: Miss Nikos, you really are something. (Sigh)... So let's get this over with.

Rushing towards her, Simin allowed Pyrrah to win and knock him out of bounds.

(Thud)

Simin:(mind) The reason I couldn't touch her is because her semblance is magnet based.

Simin:(mind) And since all my clothes have metal in them, she could bind me and end the fight at any time...

Simin:(mind) Same thing with anyone with armor or a weapon...

Simin:(mind) She's perfectly blend all the aspects a Huntsman should know. No wonder she's so renown.

Pyrrah leans down and offers him a hand. Simin smiles and is helped up by the great Pyrrah Nikos.

Simin:(mind) But I've already come up with a way to beat you.

Pyrrah: You really surprised me. Though I still have to tell you that you shouldn't nap in class.

Simin:(yawn)

Simin: But if taking naps means I get to meet you more...(Awkward chuckle) Sorry, nevermind.

Simin: So teach! Did my team lose points? Or gain some for landing a hit on the invincible Nikos?

Qrow: Let's say you break even.

Qrow: As for the rest of you, I have plenty of third years ready to bully you all.

Qrow: We'll see if you'll get the Nikos punishment...

Invited to BROZ room, only Simin and Lycan decided to go. Finding their only girl leaving the room, SL entered to find a bizzare scene.

(TAP, TAP, TAP)

Romeo: Cort is now in session! Please take your seats as we discussed the subject of an alliance between team SLVR and BROZ.

Sitting behind a desk, Romeo played a judge. Oscar sat awkwardly in a chair with Gin standing beside him as muscle.

Simin/Lycan:....

Grabbing a chair, Simin takes off his jacket and sits across from Oscar, Lycan crossing his arms and glaring at the opposition.

Simin: So... You wish to make an alliance. Very well. I'll hear you out.

Oscar: Uhmm...(Clears throat)

Crossing his legs, Oscar suddenly gains a much more composed aura.

Oscar: Team GOLD is clearly a threat. An alliance will make our lives easier in the long run.

Oscar: I propose, during situations where it's possible, we team up against them.

Simin: That's IF such a situation awaits us.

Oscar: I have reason to believe it does.

Simin: What's your source.

Oscar: I-I cannot say.

Simin: Oh... What a shame.

Simin: Because, as I see it.... Your team benefits more than our in this alliance.

Simin: So you are going to need to sweeten the deal.

Oscar: I'm not asking for general help.

Simin: What are you asking then.

Oscar: How about we go into great detail?

Simin: Very well.

(9 Hours later)

Lycan/Gin/Romeo: Zzzzz...

Simin:(yawn)

Simin: So we agree....? If we are in a race to take an object and we both arrive at the same time, the second one from our team to arrive first will be the deciding factor.

Oscar: Yes... (Yawn)...

Simin: And if someone from Team GOLD arrives...?

Oscar:(Heavy sigh).... I don't know...? Uhm... It's free for all?

Simin:(types on scroll)

Simin: How about we get some fresh air...?

Oscar: Yes!

The leaders leave the room, heading to the roof of the dorms. Where they found Gerald waiting for them.

Gerald:....

Simin:(yawn)... Spying?

Gerald:...

Oscar: Would you care to join our alliance?

Gerald: What would be the point if all three of us were in an alliance?

Simin: Worth a shot... Guess making an alliance is just impossible.

Gerald:....

Gerald: Simin.

Simin: Yes, I'm Simin.

Gerald: The next Vytal festival will occur at this year's end.

Simin: And?

Gerald: This game... These points used to threaten us... It's a bother. So why not settle things then?

Gerald: Winner takes all. After that, no more talk or plotting to win the graduation prize.

Simin: Fine by me.

Oscar: And me...?

Gerald:...

Gerald: You haven't proven to me that we'll meet on the battlefield.

Oscar:...

Simin stares up at the shattered moon. Lifting his hand, he attempts to grasp it, but it's distance made it obvious that all he did was obscure his own view.

There was this silence between the three leaders. Between them was only the cold breeze of the night.

Simin: The money... Something really stinks about it.

Gerald: They aren't lying. It would make no sense and create an uproar if it was some joke.

Oscar: But I don't think they are telling the whole truth. Each member gets THAT much?

Oscar: And the council decided this?

Simin: That type of money doesn't just get given to students... Only the military gets to taste that cheddar.

Simin: Something is special about this year's students. But what?

Oscar:...

Gerald:...

Simin:...

Simin: I'm going back to my room. Rather not spend the night with you two.

Leaving the two alone, Simin gets to his dorm, finding Lycan had gotten up from the sleep inducing talks.

But as he took his jacket off, Simin realized he was completely unsatisfied.

Ragora and Vella noticed Simin's hesitation after he took off his jacket and simply stood with it, glancing back at the door in thought.

Vella: Simin, are you okay?

Simin: Hm... You know what? Screw it, I'm going to ask the headmaster the deal with this freaking point system.

Vella: Now?

Simin: No better time like the present.

Swinging his jacket back on, Simin leaves the room.

Vella: W-Wait, you can't just ask her now of all times!

Ragora:(shrugs)

Ragora leaves to follow Simin, causing Vella to join. Lycan, still groggy, didn't notice they had left. Ragora's semblance, the monster head then artived and carried Lycan in its mouth to the rest of the team.

In the elevator, team SLVR waited as they were raised to Glynda's office.

Vella: We could have done this tomorrow morning....

Simin: No time like the present! And if I don't get some type of answer now, I won't be able to sleep.

Simin: Which means I'll nap in class.

Ragora: Then we definitely need to do this. Before they actually decide to dock points from us.

Lycan:... This isn't my bed...(Yawn)...

Ragora: Oi!

(Snap, snap)

Ragora: Game time, puppy pal!

Lycan: Eh?

(Ding)

The elevator doors slid open to the large office of the headmaster.

Bigger than the average class room with an especially epic architecture, team SLVR took several steps inside as they approch Glynda behind her desk, first not paying attention to them.

But taking a glance, Glynda's brow was raised.

They got their attention. Simin saw this and pounced with his question.

Simin: Headmaster. I won't beat around the bush. The money, what's the deal with it?

Simin: Hell, what's the deal with the whole points game.

Simin: EVERYONE knows that this is weird, and something must be going on.

Glynda:....

SLVR:...

Glynda: Qrow?

Their professor walks out from behind Team SLVR, surprising the team.

Vella: Where did you come from?!

Ragora: You were already here, weren't you?

Vella:(gasp) So scandalous~! What could you two possibly doing at this hour.

Simin: Probably waiting to go home together~

Vella: Awww! You two are very cute-

Glynda:(glare)

Vella: As colleagues...

Glynda:(sigh)

Glynda: Well...?

Qrow:....(Smirks) They have my vote. And like I've been saying, the councils way of things is a result of paranoia.

Glynda: I know... (Sigh)... Team SLVR you truly wish to know what your prize is?

Ragora:(sarcastically) No, we change our mind.

Vella:(awkward chuckle)... Knock it off Ragora...

Glynda: Qrow.

Qrow: Come on kids. Time for a midnight lecture.

Grabbing a tablet from Glynda's desk, Qrow leads his gaggle of students to the center of the office as all the windows suddenly shut.

With a flick of the tablet, team SLVR was shown a large holographic image of a silver gem.

Qrow: Behold. The winning teams prize.

Lycan: So it ain't cash.

Simin: It's cut and color is peculiar...

Qrow: This is the "Silver Star". A one of a kind gem worth... Well I think you already know.

Simin: And the Vale council just wants to hand it to the first year team who graduats with the most points?

Qrow: No. They want to pay the team that graduates with the kost points to transfer it so it can be used.

Ragora: Used for what?

Qrow: Let's just say, a weapon to kill a lot of Grim.

Lycan: I ain't getting it... What the hell is the point of this point system? Just get a bunch of Huntsman to do it.

Qrow: The point is trust.

Qrow: You see, several incidents have made it so, we don't know who to trust.

Qrow: There's only a hand full of people skilled enough to do the mission, and even less who can be trusted...

Qrow: So it had been decided to start from the ground up. To train you first years into becoming a competent team for this gem.

Qrow; It was sudden and last minute... But that's what made it perfect.

Qrow: No enemy of ours could predict this plot. Which means they couldn't hide spies like before.

Simin: Before!?

Qrow: We only have to train you all and find the wizard.

Glynda: Qrow!

Ragora: Wizard?

Qrow:(smirks) I've said too much.

Simin: Alright... I'm starting to get it.

Simin: To ensure a team that is both skilled and trustworthy delivers the gem, they decide to just make one.

Qrow: Bingo.

Simin: And you decide to tell us...

Qrow: Because I have my money on you four.

Vella: On us?

Qrow: Team GOLD might look like the obvious choice... But they don't have the heart, the humanity that can get me to trust them.

Qrow: BROZ has the heart, just not that stopping power in a fight.

Qrow: But you four have a good middle ground. And with some time...

Qrow: Maybe you all can be Silver like Platinum.

SLVR:(Mind) Silver, like Platinum?

Qrow: But time will tell... And now that you four know of this. We'll know who leaked the info.

Lycan: Crap...

Vella: What he means is, thank you for trusting and believing in us. We'll do our upmost to not let you down.

Ragora:(stretches) Yeah... This doesn't feel like a stupid game anymore.

Lycan:(shadow boxes) Now this more like it! A real challenge.

Simin: I'll attempt to nap less in class.

(Thud)

Simin:(rubs sides) Hehehe...

Vella/Ragora:...

Simin: But honestly. Thanks for the truth. It's refreshing. I'll pay this back.

Simin: We won't bother you any longer, enjoy your night together.

Glynda: Thank you. You as well-

Simin:(snickering)

Glynda:(glares)

Vella:...

Vella:(whispers) I ship it...

Simin: Thanks professor. We'll be off.

Team SLVR headed to the elevator.

Qrow: Don't thank me yet. Though my money is on you four... You still have to win.

SLVR:(nods)

Qrow: And one more thing raspberry.

Simin:?

Qrow: Next time I expect one of you to make Pyrrha break a sweat.

Lycan:(pounds chest) I'll do you one better and beat her!

The doors shut and team SLVR were lowered out of the office.

Glynda: Now that they're gone, what's their negative side?

Qrow: Raspberry is unmotivated. Highly intelligent.

Qrow: Still trying to figure out why he even decided to switch careers like he did.

Qrow: Banana, is hot headed. Once he loses his cool, things will get rough for everyone involved.

Qrow: Blueberry, is a bit undercooked, she could use a hard boiling.

Qrow: Grape is a loner. They'll never unlock the true depth of teamwork without melting that icey heart.

Glynda: Hmmm... To be honest, team GOLD has my vote.

Qrow: Tsk, tsk, tsk... They might be talented and have good teamwork...

Qrow: But it's all professional. If you remember my team, then you should remember how we proved it...

Qrow: A team that's like a family is a force to be reckoned with.

Glynda: I remember... That's why I allowed you to tell them.

Qrow: Heh...

Qrow: I best be off... Unless you wanna make a few rumors come true, I'll be getting a drink.

Glynda: A, as in single?

Qrow: Hmm... You're right. I should get more.

To be continued...