Seth lifted his upper body from his dorm bed, but his eyes were noticeably clamped shut.

He grew adjusted to being in a room with three girls quite easily.

His process was to just wake up before them, do his business, and act as calm and casual as possible. It was obvious it was an act since his hands would fidget at the slightest mention of something involving their routines and the like.

•

He exited the dorm bathroom in his school uniform and a yawn, walking over to his bed and grabbing his cap.

He placed it snugly on his head and placed his sunglasses on the brim, before smiling.

With that, he checked his scroll for the time, and sighed, seeing that they were cutting it close.

'How am I gonna wake them up...?' He wondered.

The time was 8:25, and he took into account how long it would take them to get ready— in an assumption of course.

"Maybe a loud noise..." he wondered.

He grabbed Burden and lifted it towards the ceiling, before letting it plummet. It struck the ground with a loud thud, sending a vibration through the room.

Laura was the first to groan awake as it hurt her ears the most.

"Ugh! Why didn't you shake us awake...?" She spat. "Boundaries." He answered with a shrug. "Help?" He asked, and she sighed, frowning.

Seth looked for the magnetic compartment where he usually kept his sword, and found it at the base of his bed.

His bed was tucked into the corner since he didn't bring an miscellaneous items like the others, and they needed the space for theirs.

Laura quickly woke up the others, and Seth just minded his business and drifted off into his thoughts as they all got ready in turn.

'So far so good. They're a bit behind if we want to make it to class. Disadvantageous since we're at the end of the hall...' Seth thought, hand on his chin as Kaitlyn left the bathroom.

"Yo, captain. Time?" She asked with a smirk.

"8:51. Nine minutes to make it to class. It's on the first floor of the academic wing so we should be good." Seth said, making the other two shocked at his response.

"You're a lot more coordinated than you seem." Laura commented.

"I just want to take the role gifted to me seriously. I like to think I'm here because I earned it, but it doesn't feel that way just yet." Seth said with a determined stare.

"Ambitious. Shouldn't we get moving?" Kaitlyn asked, ushering the three to leave as she opened the door.

Seth flicked Burden into its slot at his hip and let the others leave, then himself and Kaitlyn.

•

"Monsters! Demons! Prowlers of the night! Yes, the creatures of Grimm have many names. But, I, merely refer to them as prey. Haha!" Professor Port, the Grimmology teacher, joked.

Silence.

"Uh... And you shall too upon graduating from this prestigious academy." He recovered. "Now, as I was saying, Vale, as well as the other three kingdoms, are safe havens in an otherwise treacherous world." Professor Port began.

"Our planet is absolutely teaming with creatures that would love nothing more than to tear you to pieces! And that's where we come in," he took a breath. "Huntsmen! Huntresses! Individuals who have sworn to protect those who cannot protect themselves. From what, you ask?" He paused for suspense.

"Why, the very world!" He shouted with excitement. "That is what you are training to become... but first, a story—"

'Alright I've heard enough. Thought this class would be useful, and hear I am learning his backstory.' Seth thought propping his head in his palm.

He was seated two rows above Team RWBY, his three teammates seated all to his right as he was the first seat in the row.

Among them, Seth was paying attention, but the moment he said story he gave up. Kaitlyn was already dozing off, but she had only just begun as he started. Maia, the more silent and aloof of the team was just sitting still, staring down at the Professor, likely paying attention.

Laura was awake, but in the same position as Seth, head in her hand.

The class went by, with none of the four reacting to the spar with a Boarbatusk, and the spiel between Ruby and Weiss after class.

~•~

Seth blocked the rough swing of a mace with his sheathed sword with focused eyes.

The strain he was feeling from having to be extremely cautious was making his anxiety flare.

He blocked another horizontal swing and kicked back the bulky body of Cardin Winchester, doing little to no damage to his Aura.

Cardin laughed off the hit as he slid back, and ran at Seth again. Seth was getting nowhere by playing defensive, and ran at Cardin as well.

Being the more nimble between the two, Cardin was a bit shocked at how fast Seth closed in.

Seth thrusted his sword towards Cardin's chest, knowing he'd attempt to block with the handle of his mace.

True to his prediction, Cardin watched as the sheathed blade scrapped off his round hilt and jab his chest with heavy force. The weight of Burden was strong enough to deal a quarter of Cardin's Aura, and it didn't stop there.

Using the gifted weight from his blade, Seth grunted as he threw a left, overhand hook at Cardin's face, making him stumble back in a daze.

Seth went to finish the job, but his reaction his punch fooled him. Aura takes the blow, but not the reaction, so he was shocked when Cardin swung his mace mid-stagger.

Seth barely blocked the blow to his side and had to parry the mace away. In between this, Cardin kneed Seth in his stomach, and kicked him away, making him roll over in pain.

Cardin went to end the match by slamming his mace down, and Seth threw his sword up to block with gritted teeth, but the match was stopped when the lights of the small stage turned on, and Glynda used her Telekinesis to stop Cardin's mace's descent.

"That's enough." She said with a sigh, a bit disappointed in how slow Seth was to adjust to fighting a person.

"As you can see, Mr. Evans Aura has now dropped into the red. In a tournament
-style duel, this would indicate that Seth is no longer fit for battle, and that the official may call the match." Glynda announced.

"Mr. Evans, it's been a few weeks since your Aura was unlocked, and I understand it's below average. That is why you should refer to your scroll, during combat." Glynda scolded.

"Yes, ma'am." Seth nodded, not upset by the loss.

"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." Glynda began as everyone began to clap. "Those who choose to compete in the combat tournament will be representing all of Vale." Glynda added, making Seth begin to think about his progress.

Neat the first week of school, upon finding out he hadn't unlocked his Aura, Laura helped him and revealed that his was surprisingly low, saying that, "It didn't even take ten percent of my own to fill yours."

Seth hummed in thought from the floor, even as everyone began to leave after the bell rang.

'Maybe I should just find some ranged away of attack. I need to figure out how I did it... what conditions was Burden under...?' Seth thought, not realizing he was placed over Laura's shoulder as they went to Lunch.

•

"You so unpredictable." Maia commented, referring to Seth.

"What makes you say that?" He asked, writing down something within a notebook.

"You're everything you need to be to be a leader, just not good enough at being those things." She explained.

"My feelings." Seth said with a sigh.

"I wouldn't word it like that, but you certainly misled us during initiation. You took out Grimm like it was nothing— and handled that Nevermore with Ruby." Kaitlyn said with a shrug.

"...Would you believe me if I said it was luck and convenience?" Seth asked.

"Well, with you almost losing to even Sky Lark, yeah." Laura said making Seth drop his head at the mention.

"It's as I said. I definitely didn't earn my spot here. All I did was take out four Beowolves and fall." Seth said with a sad smile, happy to be here, but sad that it wasn't on his terms.

"I've noticed you don't really need physical help. It's more if your mentality and mindset that needs work." Maia stated.

"Yeah... I tend to hyper-stimulate my nerves when I fight a real person, because I never know what they'll do, and they're not easy to predict." Seth agreed.

"Basically... you need to learn to calm down?" Laura asked.

"I guess. I'm usually paranoid so it makes sens—" Seth was cut off when a tray of food was dumped on his head, a red sauce dripping down his hat and into his hair.

"Oops." Was all Cardin said as picked up his tray, having acted like he tripped.

"What the hell is your problem?" Laura asked standing up, balling her fists.

"It was just an accident. He can get it cleaned up later in the girl's locker room like the pansy he is." Cardin said trotting away with a laugh, his teammates snickering as they walked after him.

"...Well, that was unfortunate." Seth said with a sigh, not bothering for remove anything.

"Captain, that was deliberate. Nothing unfortunate about it. Fucking prick." Kaitlyn scoffed. "Ugh. I can't stand that guy... I wish I get paired with him combat class." Laura murmured.

"Shouldn't you get cleaned up?" Maia asked stoically.

"No, I don't have the time, otherwise I'd miss History. I can wait." Seth said with a shrug, making Laura shake her head.

•

"Yes, yes, prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution, more popular known as the Faunus War, human kind was quite, quiet adamant about centralizing the Faunas population in Menagerie." Professor Oobleck, the history teacher began.

"Now, while this must feel like ancient history to many of you, it is imperative to remember that these are relatively recent events. Why, the repercussions of the uprising can still be seen to this day." Professor Oobleck stated, taking a sip from whatever liquified drug was in his cup.

"Now, have any among you been subjugated or discriminated because of your Faunus heritage?" Oobleck asked, several people raised their hand, and Seth counted about six.

"Dreadful— Simply dreadful! Remember students, it is precisely this kind of ignorance that breed violence." He took another sip.

"I mean, I mean... I mean just look at what happened to the White Fang! Now, which one of you young scholars can tell me what many theorists believe to be the turning point in the third year of the war?" Oobleck asked.

Weiss raised her hand, and answered.

"The Battle at Fort Castle."

"Precisely. And, who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General LeGume's forces?" Oobleck continued.

Seth suddenly was hit by the flick of a paper football from above him, and caught it with a hum.

"Mr. Evans? It seems you know— what is the answer?!" Oobleck asked, appearing at his seat.

"Night vision." Seth replied, making Cardin scoff. "Statistically, 89% of Faunus have nearly perfect vision in the dark. General LeGume was unbeknowning of this variable, and made the mistake of attempting an ambush on the Faunus forces in their sleep. He was outmatched even with his numbers, and was ultimately captured." Seth answered.

"Excellent! Excellent answer, Mr. Evans!" Oobleck praised, but Cardin was annoyed by his triumph despite not paying attention.

"Now, moving on!" Oobleck started again, zipping around the classroom.

•

Seth walked out of class with Cardin conveniently behind him.

Cardin attempted to shove him as soon as they walked out of the room, but his hands were grabbed by Laura, who was glaring at him.

He scoffed and pulled his arms away, stomping away.

"Thanks." Seth said with a smile.

"Let's get you cleaned up... you still have tomato past in your hair." Laura said in disgust.

~•~

Teams RWBY, JNPR, SKIL, and CRDL were being escorted by Glynda through the forest of Forever Fall, where the trees were complete shades of red all year round.

"Yes, students, the Forest of Forever Fall is indeed beautiful. But we are not here to sight see. Professor Peach has asked all of you to collect samples from the trees deep inside this forest, and I'm here to make sure that none of you die while doing so." Glynda informed.

"Each of you is to gather one jar's worth of red sap." He stated, but added on: "However, this forest is full of Grimm. So be sure to stay by your teammates." She warned.

"We will rendezvous back here at four o'clock." She said with a nod.

Seth noticed Jaune carrying six jars of sap, and was buddied up with Cardin's team. The five separated, going up a hill just a few meters away, while Team SKIL trudged just past Glynda, fortunately beside Team RWBY.

Seth was quick to take his sword and stab it into a tree, hurrying to place his jar under the cut.

A red-violet sap ran down the bark like syrup and into the jar, making Seth smile at the scent.

'I can't tell what it smells like, but it's pleasant...' He wondered, before placing his sword under the jar to keep it in place as the sap slowly leaked in.

He turned around and saw his teammates doing the same with ease with their bladed weapons, excluding Kaitlyn.

Seth held his jar with one hand, scooped up his sheathed sword in the other, and threw it at the tree she stood at.

Kaitlyn watched the sap slowly leak down as the sword plunged into the bark.

"Thanks, Cap!" She shouted.

Now with out his sword to keep the jar up, Seth sighed as he looked around.

While the forest was pretty, it was pretty stagnant in terms of scenery. Pure crimson red as far as the eye could see, would eventually get boring, especially on a partly cloudy day.

While gazing at the scenery, Seth's eyes sharped as he spotted Jaune with a jar of sap, reeled back in his general direction.

Luckily, Jaune came to his senses and dropped the jar, but of course the culprit of this set up wasn't having it. Cardin shoved Jaune to the side and picked up the sap, before hurling it towards—

"Yo, you done, Set—" Laura turned around and watched as the jar that would've hit her collided with Seth's head, seeing as he stepped in the way.

The glass of the jar cut the back of his head back, and his lack of control over his Aura made him unable to heal it.

Blood ran down his face and neck as everyone looked at where the jar came from.

In his fit of rage, Cardin was too busy stomping his foot in irritation to hide after doing the deed.

Seth on the other hand, slowly walked over to Burden, and ripped it out of the tree.

The moment his sword was set at hip per usual, Seth was gone.

•

Cardin was punted to the ground with a grunt, and Jaune watched Seth land where he previously stood.

The box of Rapier Wasps in Cardin's other hand opened, but they didn't get a moment of shine as each one was slice in halves, landing at Cardin's feet as well.

'I truly believe it's because I don't want to hurt anyone that I lose when I fight people...' Seth thought amidst his anger.

'A simple solution really, is to no longer see them people.' He finalized.

A loud roar caught the other five's attention, and even those down below.

Seth dull grey eyes lazily glanced at the monster, and he looked at Jaune. Jaune nodded and the two faced the Ursa Major instead.

Seth ran in first, nearly disappearing with the nimbleness gifted from Burden.

He slashed upward, jumping off the ground and tearing up its stomach as it reeled its claw back. Unfazed, it brought its claw down, but Jaune blocked the blow with his shield, also letting Seth land on it.

Seth jumped at the Ursa Major again and thrusted his sword in its mouth, but it sent a headbutt down to the ground— slamming him down.

Seth was too enraged to react and rolled away as it swiped at him again.

Jaune charged in with sword reeled behind him, and the Ursa Major lunged with another slash. Seth threw himself in front of Jaune with Burden horizontal in his hands, blocking the blow with increased weight.

Jaune spun around Seth and slashed upward along the Ursa Major's jaw, making it recoil back and stumble.

It retaliated by slammed both fists toward the two, and both jumped back, only for it to spin and slam its massive limbs into the two.

The two flew back and into trees, and fell to their knees.

Seth tapped his sheathed sword against the ground and Jaune felt himself grow much lighter.

The two ran at the Ursa Major again, and this time both were much faster.

Jaune slashed at the Ursa Major's hind legs and rolled away from another slash of its claws. With its claws on the ground, Seth flew forward and rigidly spun around and slashed both with a small grunt, putting all of his power and weight into the swings.

The Ursa Major staggered on its wounded legs, but continued to fight, lunging at Seth with another roar.

Seth turned on his heel as he slid to a stop and watched Jaune do the same from behind the Ursa Major. The two's determination triumphed over the menacing creature of Grimm as they ran at the Ursa Major once more.

With battle cries, they both charged at the Ursa Major recklessly, only worrying about their swords.

The two slid past the Ursa's two slammed claws and turned, Jaune to its face, and Seth to its back, reeling back their swords with anger filling their eyes.

The Ursa threw both its claws at the two in a last ditch effort, and both males didn't care.

The two swung their swords as they dashed forward, disregarding all means of defense as they went for the killing blow.

With assistance from the spectators, the two yelled as they cut the Ursa Major into four pieces.

A vertical slash from Jaune, and a horizontal slash from Seth, squarely lacerating the Ursa Major as it dispersed into black particles.

During the last stretch, Jaune's shield was magnetically pulled up by Pyrrha so he could block the first claw of the Ursa, and still finish the job.

On the other hand, Maia sent a bolt of lightning towards the Ursa's other claw, making it only 'graze' Seth's cheek so he could also finish the job.

Seth fell to his knees and felt the large gash on his cheek, dropping his sword I pain, while Jaune was only exhausted from the battle.

Seth grit his teeth and ignored it all so he could hurry and do as he planned.

He and Jaune stood up and walked over to Cardin, both wearing irritated expressions.

"Don't ever mess with my team— my friends, ever again..." Jaune ordered, helping Cardin up. Cardin gave a guilty look, and nodded his head with a frown.

Jaune walked away, and Seth just stood their with a straight face.

"...Please stop bullying me."

That was all he said, before walking over to Burden, and picking it up, exiting the small clearing.

~•~

Seth sat on his bed with Laura beside him, her hands holding his head as she used her Aura to fill his.

"Everything hurts." He commented.

"Whose fault is that?" Kaitlyn asked with squinted eyes.

"I don't know how it's mine." Seth said closing his eyes in defiance.

"What you did was respectable..." Maia began making Seth smirk. "But incredibly stupid. I've lost hope." She added.

"Fair enough." He said with a shrug.

"You sure you don't need a shield like Jaune?" Laura asked as she shook her hands, finished with using her Aura.

"No... shields are lame." Seth replied.

"Pfft. And you are too." Laura said ruffling his hair, since his hat was off.

"I am not. I beat an Ursa Major." Seth said crossing his arms. "With Jaune." Kaitlyn added. "With help from Pyrrha." Maia added. "And Maia." Laura added.

"I get it. I still suck." Seth said with a sigh.

"It was still cool. Thanks for taking the blow for me." Laura said with a smile.

"Anytime." Seth said with a shrug, rubbing where his cut used to be.