Chapter 9

Playful chatter could be heard between Yang and Ruby, the both of them sat on Yang’s bed, a poster for a band called the Angel Twins hung over the wall next to them. Waking up to the sounds of said chatter, Weiss pulled herself out of her sheets, her eyes baggy and her face blank. She turned over and looked at Blake, watching as the faunus woman had a video call on her scroll, the device projecting a holographic screen with both of her parents present in it. Sighing, Weiss stepped off of her bed, grabbing her school uniform and walking into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. Placing her clothes beside the sink, Weiss reached into one of its pockets, pulling out her scroll. It was an experimental model sold only to those who had contacts in Atlas, it bearing the sigil of the Schnee Company on its back. Opening it, Weiss went to check her notifications, seeing… absolutely nothing. She had not received a message or call from any of her family members since she departed from her home in Atlas, her eyes closing slightly while she shut the scroll off. Exhaling deeply, Weiss looked at herself in the mirror, a drained and sorrowful expression on her face. All that rang through her mind was a feeling of isolation and hopelessness, bowing her head down while her thoughts more painfully writhed around in her mind. “It didn’t even take a day for me to already garner the hate of everyone around me.” She thought to herself, burying her face in her hands while her undid hair spilled into the sink. “My team thinks I’m an angry brat, the headmaster and professors think I’m an incompetent idiot that got here on nepotism alone, I…” She pulled her hair back, hiccuping while whispering to herself. “I am, I’m… I’m worth nothing to anyone.” She stood silently for a moment, hovering over the sink while her hands rested on its marble top. Tears began to spill from her eyes, Weiss wiping at them while using her other hand to turn on the sink. After another second of being alone with her thoughts, Weiss broke down, laying her arms on the countertop and burying her face into them, crying profusely while her whole body shook.

Sitting with her legs crossed, Ruby inspected their schedule sheet, Yang sat next to her with her legs hanging over the bed. “So, where are we gonna go for our first class, leader?” Yang asked, pinching Ruby’s cheek, the younger sister swatting her hand away before answering. “It’s - ” Ruby was cut off when Yang jabbed her fingers into her side. Yang laughed out, Ruby yipping while pushing Yang away from her. “S - Stop! What’s the matter with you?” Ruby shouted, Yang grinning, sitting back down beside her. “Just a lil excited. Sorry.” The both of them shared a smile, Yang looking over as Blake walked towards the two of them. “Is that the schedule?” Blake asked, Ruby nodding and holding it up in front of her. “Yeah. Okay, so our first class is…” Ruby narrowed her eyes, bringing her finger up the words while she spoke. “It’s called ‘Grimm Biology’. Then the next one’s called ‘Remnant History’.” Ruby looked up, receiving an indifferent reaction from both Yang and Blake. “After that’s Lunch, then it’s Aura Training, Weaponsmithing, then Combat Training.” Pursing her lips, Ruby put the schedule down on her lap, meeting Yang’s gaze while her older sister spoke. “How long are all the classes?” “All of them are an hour, except for Combat Training, that one’s two hours.” “Makes sense.” Ruby and Yang stood off the bed, Ruby looking over towards the bathroom, grabbing her school uniform. “Is Weiss still in there?” Ruby asked, Yang shrugging her shoulders in response. Blake sighed, turning her head to Ruby while she answered. “She’s been in the bathroom for at least 30 minutes.” Blake stated, Ruby sighing, standing up and walking over to the bathroom door. “Hey!” Ruby yelled, knocking on the door, Yang snickering to herself and laying down on her back. “Can you hurry up? Class starts really soon, and - ” The door swung open, Weiss marching past Ruby with an irritated look on her face. Weiss didn’t speak a word as she stormed out of the front door, slamming it behind her. Yang raised her eyebrows, laying on her elbow while looking over at Ruby. “Bathroom’s open.” Yang plainly stated, Ruby slowly nodding her head. “Yeah, I - I noticed.” “Is it alright if I go first?” Blake asked, Ruby turning to her as she answered. “Sure. Go ahead.” “Thanks. Sorry, I have to go pick something up before class starts.” “It’s fine, don’t worry about it, Blake.” Ruby reassured, stepping out of the way as Blake went to enter the bathroom. “You think, uh… white haired chick’s name…” Yang stumbled over her words for a moment, snapping her fingers while trying to remember. “Weiss?” Ruby finished. “Yeah, Weiss. You think she’s good? She was, like, extra pissed off ‘bout something.” Yang questioned, Blake looking back at her, standing in the doorframe while giving her thoughts. “Who cares? It’s not like she gives a shit about any of us.” Blake closed the door behind her, Ruby looking at her wide eyed while Yang laughed into her hand. “Pfft, what’s going on? We’re not even a day in, ‘n everyone’s already at each other’s throats.” Yang thought out loud, Ruby stepping over and plopping down next to Yang, sitting up against the wall while looking towards her. “You don’t think it’s because Ozpin made me the leader, right?” Ruby asked, Yang chuckling, shaking her head. “She’s jealous, Ruby. She’ll get over it.” “But, I… I dunno if I should even be our team’s leader.” Yang raised her eyebrows, listening while Ruby explained. “Cause, like you - like you said, Blake and Weiss are already really mad at each other. And I don’t even, like… know what to do, to fix that.” Gently laughing, Yang rubbed Ruby’s shoulder, smiling warmly while she spoke. “You’ll be a great leader, Ruby. All you gotta do is help us do everything we need to do to graduate. And being the, like…” Yang thought for a second, clicking her tongue before finishing her sentence. “The group therapist, or whatever, because people are getting asshurt over dumb shit, that’s not your job. They can deal with it themselves.” Ruby chuckled, looking over at Blake as she quickly marched out the bathroom and left the room. “I guess. Okay, class starts in like, fifteen minutes, so we should probably start getting dressed and stuff.” Ruby spoke, Yang nodding her head as she went to get up off the bed, Ruby picking up her clothes and heading into the bathroom.

“Pyrrha never told me she was a celebrity.” Jaune said, a hint of vulnerability in his voice while he lamented to Nora and Lie. “How’d you not know that? She’s like, everywhere here in Vale. Me and Lie, we’re from Mistral, and even we know who she is.” Nora replied, Jaune resting his cheek against his hand, slowly nibbling from a bowl of cereal. “I just - I just don’t really keep up with stuff like that.” Jaune explained, Nora giggling to herself, leaning her seat backwards while eating a hash brown patty, kicking her feet up onto the table. “People are prolly jealous, you get to be all partnered up with such a popular lady.” Moving his bowl away from Nora’s shoes, Jaune eyed her, pondering to himself for a moment before he spoke. “I mean, she can’t be that famous, right?” Nora spat out, not able to get a reply in before falling back in her chair, making a loud wooden impact sound from the other side of the table. Lie chuckled, pointing his finger at the back of Jaune’s cereal box. “Her face is literally on the thing you’re eating right now.” Lie spoke, Jaune grabbing the box with an expression of intrigued confusion on his face. He looked the portfolio up and down, seeing a red-haired young woman with her hair down in a white dress, holding the bowl of marshmallow cereal in her hands. “Are you sure that’s her?” Jaune questioned, Nora standing back up, grabbing the box from Jaune’s hands. “Her name’s right below it, dingus.” Nora spoke, holding the back of the box up to Jaune’s face, pointing her finger under a comment that read “Even Invincible Girl eats this every day!*”, with the footnote at the bottom of the box reading “*Pyrrha Nikos does not eat this every day”. “Huh. Always thought she was just some, like, pretty supermodel or something.” Walking around the corner in her uniform, Pyrrha smiled, walking past Jaune while she spoke. “Why, thank you. I liked how those photos turned out.” He jumped up in his seat, shoving the cereal box away as he corrected himself. “No, no, you’re not pretty - I mean! I mean you are, but…” Jaune sighed, putting his face into his palm, Pyrrha laughing out while sitting next to him. “Yeah. Morning, Pyrrha.” “Good morning, Jaune. Try not to ogle at the cereal picture for too long, we have class soon.” Pyrrha teased. Sucking his teeth, Jaune shook his head, rubbing his hand through his hair while Nora laughed out in front of him. “As leader, you’re all demoted.” Jaune stated, Nora snickering, reaching over the table. “Pff, to what?” Nora prodded, Jaune pushing his bowl into her. “To dishwasher.” Jaune answered, standing up from the table and turning around, presumably to go get dressed. Nora smirked, looking over between Lie and Pyrrha. “As if. Right, guys?” Nora asked, the both of them giving her a stern look. “Well, he is the leader, Nora.” Lie said, Nora blowing a raspberry while kicking her chair out behind her. “Ugh! Fiiiine.” Nora droned, grabbing the plates and bowls off the table and heading to the sink with them in tow.

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“The howls of the foulest of grimm could be heard in every direction! Me and my men, we thought ‘This is it. This is where we die.’ I even watched as some tried to flee, but they all stopped, when I stood high, and waved my weapon above my head. I shouted ‘Cowards shall die in shame, but those who press forward will know only victory!’” Ruby listened eagerly as their supposed Grimm Biology teacher told her exaggerated-sounding tales of war, her eyes fixated on the teacher, watching as she stepped one foot up onto a chair, leaning forward while resting her arm on her knee. “Heh, sorry, got a bit carried away. Anyways, allow me to introduce myself.” She began, marching back and forth in front of the room, resting her hands behind her back. The professor was a taller, muscular faunus woman, with two large canine ears poking out from her long, spiky gray hair. Her tanned skin was covered in scars and stitch marks, and her mouth had two fangs poking out over her bottom lip. “I am Warrant Officer Valko Roland, though simply ‘Mrs. Roland’ will suffice. In my class, you will be learning the strengths, weaknesses, and patterns of many different kinds of grimm beasties.” Yawning, Yang sat up in her seat, rubbing at her face. “Is she done talking about her dumb war stories yet?” Yang asked, Ruby frowning while she answered. “They aren’t dumb, Yang. She’s - she’s telling us about what she experienced as a huntress.” “Pff. C’mon, Ruby, you know she’s just making that stuff up. I doubt she’s ever ‘wrestled a cerberus to the ground’ before.” Pouting, Ruby silently dismissed Yang’s skepticism, looking back at Valko while she spoke. “Hope you all aren’t falling asleep already! To pass a class like mine, you need diligence, commitment, and perseverance.” Stepping forward, Valko grinned wide, placing her hands at her hips while standing tall before the students sat in the lecture hall before her. “For not only are those traits essential for surviving the classroom, but they are traits essential also for surviving the Divide. At every turn, there could be a grimm, an armed raider, or even an abandoned security automaton. If you are unfocused and hesitant in the Divide, then you might as well start writing your will and packing your coffin.” Valko explained, her long-winded way of speaking not faltering her in the slightest, her only having to take in another short breath before continuing. “Which begs the question; who here today considers themselves courageous? Who knows that once they step foot in enemy territory, that they will not falter?” After a brief delay, the class all began to raise their hands in response, Valko nodding her head. “Good. But it’s easy to say you’re courageous. Let us prove it.” Valko stepped back, raising her chin while standing at ease. “I want the one with the most vigor and determination in their heart, to step down here and present themselves.” The class as a whole hesitated for a moment for a variety of reasons, ranging from Jaune’s apprehensiveness of public speaking, to Blake being too busy browsing something on her scroll, to Cardin crafting paper airplanes in the back of the classroom, too distracted to even notice Valko’s request. The exception was Weiss, pushing herself out of her seat, stepping elegantly down the stairs and walking over in front of Valko. “Ah. Ms. Schnee. So you wish to prove yourself, then?” Valko asked, Weiss nodding. “Yes, ma’am.” Weiss answered, Valko humming as she turned around, stepping over towards a pile of wooden crates. “Good.” Reaching around, Valko pulled out a metal cage, Weiss eyeing it while Valko dragged it over to the center of the classroom. “Please, go retrieve your battle outfit and weapon.” Valko requested, Weiss raising an eyebrow. As Weiss was about to question why, she looked at what was inside the cage, watching as the boar-like grimm creature slammed itself into the iron bars. Biting her lower lip, Weiss nodded, turning around and quickly running back to her dorm room.

“Yeah, Weiss!” Ruby cheered, Weiss narrowing her eyes while readying her weapon. “Kick its ass!” Yang proclaimed afterwards, Valko pointing a finger at Yang. “No profanity! This is a place of education!” Valko warned, Yang shrugging as she leaned back in her seat. “You got this, Weiss!” Ruby proclaimed, Weiss looking over at her. “Please be quiet.” Weiss asked, her voice with a hint of annoyance, Ruby frowning while nodding her head in response. “Without any further delay,” Valko began, taking out her weapon, a bolt-action rifle with a double-headed ax on the barrel. “Let us begin!” Firing a bullet into the lock, the cage’s door came flying off, the boarbatusk immediately sprinting out of the cage and towards Weiss. She managed to barely dodge out of the way, gracefully landing on her feet and pointing the end of her Myrtenaster at the creature. When it came to charge her again, Weiss simply thrusted the end of her weapon into its skull, becoming visibly surprised when the blade deflected off of its natural armor. “How bold!” Valko cheered, Weiss grunting while trying to pry the blade of her weapon from the grimm’s tusks. “You got this! Just hang in there!” Ruby yelled out from the stands, Weiss glaring at her for a second, before managing to pull her weapon away. Immediately riposting forward, Weiss slid the edge of her blade along the creature’s side, only for it to also fail to penetrate. “It seems impenetrable from every angle! Except, perhaps, one not seen yet…” Valko hinted, Ruby’s eyes lighting up while pointing a finger at the boarbatusk. “It’s belly! Weiss, you have to hit its belly!” Ruby rationalized, Weiss muttering something to herself, lowering herself down and creating a glyph from under her feet. She boosted herself forward, stabbing her blade under the creature’s chin, only for the grimm to block it with its tusks. “Weiss! Did you hear me, you have to - ” “Can you shut up?!” Weiss yelled, grimacing while turning back around to the boarbatusk. It formed into a ball, spinning in place for a moment before quickly rolling towards Weiss. In response, Weiss switched the revolver in her weapon to gravity, pulling the trigger and swinging the blade as hard as she could manage into the creature’s trajectory. A strong, gravitational implosion spawned on top of the boarbatusk, it squealing out as it was crushed into the ground with its stomach exposed. Valko stepped back, trying to keep the nearby furniture from falling down, a few wooden crates spilling onto the ground and breaking apart. Weiss walked over next to the grimm, reeling her weapon back and hammering its point into its stomach, its body going limp and leaving a pool of black blood under it. “There, it’s dead.” Weiss declared, stepping over to face Ruby, pointing a finger at her while she yelled out. “You! I asked you to be quiet, and you kept yelling idiotic commands at me! Even if you’re the leader of our team, that doesn’t mean you can tell us around like we’re your servants!” “I - I wasn’t trying to do that, Weiss, sorry.” Ruby averted her gaze from Weiss, visibly saddened by the outburst. “Yes, uh… good job, Ms. Schnee. Class ends in only a few minutes, so you’re all free to leave.” Valko spoke, watching wide-eyed as Weiss marched up the stairs and towards Ruby, a scowl on the young woman’s face while she stood over the younger girl. “You’re not my leader, even if our senile headmaster says otherwise.” Weiss spoke in a harsh whisper, poking her finger into Ruby’s chest. Ruby only turned her head away, pursing her lips and squinting her eyes while Weiss continued. “You’re not even my equal. You’re only a child who cheated her way in here.” “You better calm the fuck down.” Yang threatened, grabbing Weiss’ hand and shoving it away. Weiss slowly backed away, Yang narrowing her eyes and cracking her neck while staring down at Weiss. “Cat fight! Cat fight!” Cardin began cheering repeatedly from the other side of the room, his teammates following shortly after. Ruby stood up, grabbing Yang’s arm and pulling her away. Weiss winced with tears growing in her eyes, spinning around on her heel and running out of the classroom. This was met by booing and jeers by team CRDL, Cardin throwing a paper airplane in Weiss’ direction, only for it to aimlessly spin in the air just a couple meters in front of him. Valko sighed, watching silently as Weiss stormed out of the doorway, Cardin giving a “You suck, Schnee!” as she slammed the door behind her. Standing up from her seat, Ruby went to follow her, quickly stepping down the staircase and running out the same entrance Weiss had.