The Following Day

Beacon Academy

Yang: *yawn*

Ruby: You should really stop sleeping in class, Yang.

Yang: Can you blame me?

Weiss: Yes, we can.

Team RWBY had just finished another class and were leaving the classroom.

Blake: You know, when a test comes around, you're going to fail it.

Yang: Ugh. Fine, I'll read the book later. But the next class is one I'm sure to ace!

Yang cracked her knuckles.

Yang: "Combat Training"

Blake: If you put as much effort into your other classes as with Combat Training, you'd probably be a top student.

Yang: Nah.

Weiss: All the meat that should have gone to her brain went to...

Weiss looked at Yang's chest.

Weiss: ...somewhere less important.

Ruby giggled and gave Weiss a subtle high-five.

Yang: Hey! What's that supposed to mean?

Weiss: It means that we'd better get to class, Professor Goodwitch doesn't tolerate tardiness.

Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang, made their way to the combat training hall. After changing out of their school uniform and into their combat attire, they entered the combat classroom.

Yang: This is going to be awesome! Today's lesson will be dueling! One-on-one sparring!

Yang slammed her fists together.

Yang: This is going to be good.

Blake: Your opponent doesn't stand a chance.

Weiss: Unless she fights me.

Yang: Oh? Is that a challenge, Weiss?

Weiss: Well, at least I don't have to explain that to you as well.

Ruby gave a dry laugh.

Ruby: You two should relax...

As the other students began to shuffle in, they ran into team JNPR.

Pyrrha: Hey guys, you ready for today's class?

Ren: I think they're more than ready.

Ren noticed the electricity between Weiss and Yang as they glared at each other.

Ruby: Yeah, today's going to be quite a day.

Weiss and Yang's glaring contest was interrupted when Nora jumped in-between them.

Nora: You guys! You can't risk your friendship over a simple duel!

Yang: Don't worry Nora, it's just a practice due-

Nora: Because I'd kick both of your butts with both of my hands tied behind my back!

Yang: Oh yeah!?

Weiss: You must be joking.

The electricity spiked up again, this time between all three of them.

Jaune shrugged.

Jaune: This isn't looking good for me.

Pyrrha patted Jaune on the back.

Pyrrha: You'll be fine, Jaune.

Ruby: We'd better find our seats.

As she looked around for a seat, Ruby noticed a familiar person sitting alone.

Ruby: Hey, Y/N!

Y/N's attention was brought to the two teams that were approaching him.

(Y/N): Oh, hi guys.

Ruby: What are you doing here?

Weiss: Yeah, I thought you said that you weren't taking any combat classes.

(Y/N): I said I wasn't technically taking any combat classes. I'm here to observe the fights and take notes.

Weiss: An observer, huh?

Yang: Well you can observe me beating the tar out of Weiss and Nora!

Weiss: In your dreams! I will show, Y/N here, the superior training of a Schnee.

Nora: Ha! I will be the victor today!

As the three girls stared each other down, Y/N leaned back.

(Y/N): Could this building survive such a fight?

Ruby: Well, this arena was built to train Huntsmen...

(Y/N): So...?

Ren: Don't sit in the front row.

(Y/N): Gotcha.

After making a quick seating adjustment, Y/N and teams RWBY and JNPR sat together in one row of seats. After the other students found their seats, Glynda stepped forward into the center of the arena and addressed the class.

Glynda: Alright, class, I hope everyone is ready for today's training exercise. Duels.

The reaction from the students in the class were mostly cheers, save for Y/N and Jaune who both shrugged.

Glynda: I'm pleased to see that all of you are so enthusiastic about today's lesson. Then, let us begin.

The large screen above the arena turned on showing Beacon Academy's symbol.

Glynda: The first pair shall be...

The screen began to cycle through the student pictures until it came to a stop.

Glynda: Yang Xiao Long and Weiss Schnee.

Yang: Hell yeah!

The two girls entered the arena on opposite sides.

Yang slammed her gauntlets together.

Yang: You ready to lose, Weiss?

Weiss readied her rapier.

Weiss: I was about to say the same to you.

Glynda: This match will follow the same rules that will be used at the upcoming Vytal Festival.

The screen showed both Yang and Weiss's pictures and beneath each one was a green bar.

Glynda: The bars overhead shall display your Aura levels, as the fight goes on, your Aura level shall deplete. When one of the combatant's Aura level becomes too low, the match is over and the victor is decided.

After explaining the rules Glynda stepped off the arena.

Glynda: Ready?

Yang: Hehe...

Weiss: Hmph.

Glynda: Begin!

The two combatants instantly launched at each other and began their, rather explosive, duel.

Ruby: Go Yang!

Blake: You can do it, Weiss!

Ruby and Blake weren't the only ones enjoying the duel, a lot of the students in the class were cheering as the duel unfolded in front of them.

Jaune: Wow. I can barely keep up with them.

(Y/N): *sigh* The more things change...

The duel between Yang and Weiss was a spectacle to behold. Yang would charge at Weiss, trying to overwhelm and overpower her. While Weiss would use her speed to try and out maneuver her opponent.

Ruby was particularly glued to the fight.

Ruby: This is so cool! Yang is all, boom, boom! and Weiss is going, swish! Oh this is so cool! I can't wait for my turn!

Pyrrha: Yeah, this is very exciting!

Ren: Who do you think will win?

Pyrrha: It's hard to tell. They're both so evenly matched.

Jaune: I'm more concerned if the glass between us and the arena will hold...

After another major explosion in the center of the arena, Yang and Weiss found themselves on opposite sides of the arena.

Yang clenched her fists and her eyes went red.

Weiss aimed her rapier.

For the last time, Yang and Weiss dashed at each other. Yang threw her fist forward while Weiss lunched with her blade. Time seemed to slow down as the two closed in on each other.

(Y/N): ...Yang got it...

Yang's fist went slightly faster and collided with Weiss, sending her skidding across the arena.

Yang: Ha!

Weiss: Argh!!

After coming to a halt, Weiss was on the ground and Yang was the victor.

Glynda: Stop! The victor is Yang Xiao Long!

Yang: Yeah!

There was a mixture of cheers and boos coming from the audience, clearly everyone had their own idea of who'd win.

Yang wiped her nose.

Yang: Told you I'd kick your butt!

Weiss stumbled to her feet.

Weiss: A lucky shot!

Yang: Sore loser huh?

Glynda approached the two combatants.

Glynda: Well done, both of you. The two of you show clear excellence in combat.

Yang: The other schools don't stand a chance!

Glynda: I am glad you are confident in yourself, Ms. Xiao Long. However, there is always room to improve. For example, this match was closer than you might think.

Glynda gestured to the large screen above, showing the Aura levels of Yang and Weiss. Weiss's Aura was depleted, but Yang's was just as close to being depleted as well.

Yang: Oh.

Glynda: The two of you are very evenly matched in terms of skill, the match could have gone either way. Both of you should be proud and humbled at this outcome.

Weiss and Yang: Yes ma'am.

Glynda: Very good. Head back to your seats and we can start the next match.

Weiss and Yang nodded and made their way back to their seats.

Ruby: That was amazing you guys!

Ren: That's a tough act to follow.

(Y/N): Yeah, that was a good match.

Nora: You think we can get an encore?

Yang: Thank you, thank you! I'll be here all week.

Weiss: You heard Professor Goodwitch, it could have gone either way.

Yang: But today, it went my way.

Weiss rolled her eyes as she sat down.

Yang: Hehehe...

Glynda: That was a very good first match, let us move on to the next duo.

The screen began to shuffle through students for a few moments before coming to a stop once more.

Glynda: Cardin Winchester and Jaune Arc.

Jaune sank in his seat.

Jaune: Oh no...

Ruby: You can do it, Jaune!

Yang: Break a leg out there, "Vomit Boy"!

Jaune: *sigh* I think I actually will...

Pyrrha: Just do your best.

Jaune shrugged and made his way to the arena.

The audience wasn't as enthusiastic about this match than the one between Weiss and Yang.

Glynda: Are the two of you ready?

Jaune nervously gripped his sword and shield.

Jaune: Y-yeah...

Cardin slammed his mace on to the the ground, startling Jaune.

Cardin: This is going to be easy.

Glynda: Hm. Begin!

Ruby: Go Jaune! You can do it!

Cardin chuckled.

Cardin: No you can't.

Cardin charged forward and swung his mass directly on Jaune's shield.

Jaune: W-waaaah!

Jaune tumbled to his back as the sheer force behind Cardin's swing overwhelmed him instantly.

Ruby: Y-you can... do it... Jaune...

It was blatantly clear who was the better fighter in this particular duel. Cardin simply used brute force to knock Jaune around the arena, taunting him as he did so.

The rest of Jaune's team and RWBY all felt bad for him, who was clearly out-classed.

(Y/N): Is Jaune going to be okay?

Nora: Yeah! He'll be...-

Jaune was sent flying across the arena.

Nora: Uh... He'll still be here!

The fight lasted barely a fraction as long as the previous duel as Cardin landed a final hit on Jaune causing him to lose his weapons and tumble across the arena.

Glynda: Enough. The victor is Cardin Winchester.

Cardin: Heh. Obviously.

The class clapped while the rest of team CRDL cheered at their leader and laughed at Jaune.

Jaune shakily climbed to his feet.

Glynda: Mr. Arc, you will need to try harder next time if you wish to improve.

Jaune: Yes ma'am...

Jaune retrieved his weapons limped his way off the arena and back to his seat.

Ruby: You'll get him next time, Jaune.

Jaune sighed.

Pyrrha: Don't worry Jaune, you'll get better.

Glynda kept Cardin in the arena.

Glynda: Seeing as how this fight was done rather quickly, I'll give you another opponent Mr. Winchester.

Cardin: I have one in mind actually.

Glynda: And who would that be?

Cardin lifted his mace toward Y/N.

Cardin: Him. The new guy.

Glynda: I'm sorry Mr. Winchester, but you will have to choose another.

Cardin: Why!? That weasel over there got into this academy by taking a shortcut and now he doesn't even have to fight!?

Glynda: I will not repeat myself Mr. Winchester.

Cardin: Tch. Hey! Loser!

Cardin yelled at Y/N.

Cardin: Why don't you show us what you can do, huh!? Everyone here knows that you got in to Beacon only because Ozpin made an exception for you, so why don't you prove that you deserve to belong here?

(Y/N): -_-

Everyone in the audience quietly mumbled to each other as they looked at Y/N, who was still sitting in his seat. Teams RWBY and JNPR looked at Y/N, waiting for his response.

After a moment, Y/N stood up from his seat.

(Y/N): I...

Cardin smirked. Glynda raised her eyebrow as she herself was interested in Y/N's response.

(Y/N): ...would like to use the bathroom.

Cardin: What!?

(Y/N): Professor Goodwitch, can I be excused to use the bathroom?

Glynda: Very well, you may.

Y/N began to make his way out of the class room.

Cardin: Hmph. I knew it. You're not just a weasel but a coward!

Y/N left the classroom, ignoring Cardin's taunts.

Cardin: You see this, people!? This proves that, that weasel doesn't deserve to be here!

The audience began to talk with themselves, many of them agreeing with Cardin's statement.

Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang, narrowed their eyes at Cardin as he basically began to ruin Y/N's reputation.

Glynda: That's enough Mr. Winchester. Do we have any volunteers to duel?

The crowd went silent at Glynda's question.

Pyrrha: That jerk...

Ruby was about to raise her hand when someone else beat her to it.

Nora: I'll fight!!!

Cardin's confidence instantly fell as Nora jumped out of her seat.

Cardin: W-wait... uh...

Glynda: Very well, Cardin Winchester vs. Nora Valkyrie.

Nora unsheathed her massive hammer and spun it around like it was a baton, before slamming it into the ground, shaking the arena.

Nora: Ready, Cardin?

Cardin: H-hold on, I change my-

Glynda: Begin!

Nora: Yeaaaaaaah!!!!!

Nora rushed Cardin like a tsunami and the whole audience watched as Cardin fruitlessly attempted to fight her.

Ruby, on the other hand, turned around and looked in the direction Y/N left in, with a worried look on her face.

_____

_____

After School, Early Evening

Beacon Academy Dormitory

Yang: Phew! What a day!

Yang threw herself onto her bed.

Blake: Yeah, those duels were very fun.

Weiss: I'd say today was very educational.

Yang: Yeah...

Yang smirked.

Yang: We got to learn that in a fight between me and Weiss, I'd win.

Weiss: Hmph. You won, barely.

Yang: A win is still a win!

Weiss: It won't happen again.

Yang: Suuure.

Ruby wasn't really paying attention since her mind was else where.

Blake: Something wrong, Ruby?

Ruby: H-huh?

Yang: Yeah, you've been pretty quiet. I thought you were the most excited for today.

Ruby: Sorry guys, I had a lot of fun today, really, but I just can't get over what Cardin said about Y/N...

Yang: Cardin is just a bully, you should just ignore him.

Blake: Besides, it didn't seem like Y/N let it get to him.

Ruby: Still...

Weiss: I think Cardin has a point.

Ruby: What!?

Ruby, Blake, and Yang, looked at Weiss in disbelief.

Blake: Please don't tell me you're agreeing the Cardin Winchester.

Weiss: Now hold on. I find Cardin Winchester to be the most detestable person I've ever had the displeasure of knowing, but you can't just say he was wrong.

Ruby: How can you say that!?

Weiss: Everyone in the academy knows that there was a new student enrolled here at the behest of Professor Ozpin. A lot of the students here, myself included, find it unfair that someone was just, let in.

Yang: Ruby was let in, and she never finished her time at Signal!

Weiss: Ruby is different! At least she participated in Initiation, she was even made the leader of our team! But Y/N. He was just let in, and everyone else is just supposed to accept that!?

Blake: Not everyone attended a combat school before this, Weiss.

Weiss: Beacon Academy rejects hundreds of prospecting students, all of them went through so much to just get the chance to be here. And out of no where here comes a student that didn't take any combat courses, didn't get assigned to a team, didn't complete Initiation, and he doesn't have to take any combat oriented classes? How is that fair!?

Ruby: Isn't Y/N under witness protection!?

Weiss: Then why not give him to the local authorities? That's what they're there for!

Blake: To be fair, an academy that trains Huntsmen would be a good place to protect someone.

Weiss: It just doesn't seem fair is all. We all went through so much to get here, and Y/N just gets a free pass.

Yang: So then, what should he do, then?

Weiss: I've said what I wanted to say, and it's very likely that a lot of other students think the same way.

Ruby: But he isn't a bad person...

Weiss sighed.

Weiss: I don't hate him Ruby, he really does seem like a good person. But that doesn't mean all good people should just have it easy.

Ruby grew more disheartened by the moment.

Yang: So, all he has to do is prove he can stay here?

Weiss: Well... yeah.

Yang had a devious smile on her face.

Yang: Girls, I have an idea.

_____

_____

Y/N's Room

Y/N was currently finishing up his homework.

(Y/N): Aaaaaand, done. Phew!

Y/N grabbed his books and set them aside as he leaned back in his chair.

(Y/N): *sigh* I think Professor Goodwitch is trying to kill me with homework.... It might actually work...

Y/N got up from his chair and began to get ready for bed when he heard a knock at the door. Y/N walked to the door and opened it to see team RWBY outside.

(Y/N): Hello?

Yang: Hey Y/N! We heard you have an image problem!

(Y/N): I do?

Weiss: Yes, you do.

Yang: The whole school thinks you're a cheating coward that got in to Beacon because Ozpin made an exception!

(Y/N): The whole school!?

Ruby: But we're here to change that!

Yang: Yep! Starting tomorrow, you're looking at your newest Combat Tutors!

Ruby: Ta-dah!

A small amount of confetti fell from the ceiling.

(Y/N): ...Hold that thought....

Y/N closed the door, leaving team RWBY just waiting in the hallway.

Weiss: What's he doing in there?

Yang thought for a moment.

Yang: Wait a minute!

Yang kicked the door down just in time to see Y/N trying to jump out the window.

(Y/N): I can't handle this anymore!

Yang: Hey! Get back here!

(Y/N): AAAAAAHHHH!!!!!

Yang dashed forward and grabbed Y/N before he could jump out.

(Y/N): Help me!!! Some one help me!!!

Yang: Stop crying for help! This is for your own good!

Y/N's nails dug into the floor as Yang dragged him out of his room.