21

Weiss was closing in on the elevator that would take her to the headmaster. Selecting a child as a leader when both her and Pyrrha were much more appropriate choices, was simply wrong, hopefully he would see the reason.

She was about to press the button when a familiar voice interrupted her.

"Miss Schnee, shouldn't you be getting ready for your next class right now?" Professor Goodwitch was walking towards the elevator with a stack of papers in her hands.

"Professor Goodwitch!" Weiss slightly jumped up. "Well, I wanted to talk with the headmaster about some questionable decisions when it came to our team." She stated confidently. "I also apologize for my behavior in the morning. I was out of line." She said, to make sure Goodwitch wouldn't hold a grudge.

She gave the girl a look over before speaking. "Apology accepted. I understand that moving from Atlas to Beacon must have been trying but" she gave Weiss a sharp glare "such behavior will not be tolerated. You are here to learn and train, not for a vacation." Letting the warning settle in, she continued. "Ozpin is most likely having a walk through the school right now but I believe that as the headmistress of Beacon I can answer any of your questions."

Weiss took a moment to compose herself, she needed to present a strong case. "Thank you for your time, I appreciate that you would give me some of your time." She started, not noticing Goodwitch rolling her eyes. "I believe that headmaster Ozpin may have made an error when choosing the leader of our team. Ruby Rose is simply not mature enough. I think that either Pyrrha or myself would be much better candidates." She finished and slightly puffed out her chest.

Unfortunately for her, Glynda had to agree with Ozpin when it came to Weiss being unfit for a leadership role. Now how to tell her that without her storming off…

"Coincidentally, I asked him the same thing." She started.

"So you agree with me!" Weiss almost lit up.

"No, but I'll give you some explanation. Miss Schnee, what do you believe a team leader to be?"

"Well, the leader has to obviously be the example for the rest of the team to follow. The leader has to be the one to take charge and-"

"And you believe yourself to be the perfect fit?" Glynda decided to interrupt, already seeing where she was going.

"Of course! I studied and trained hard exactly for that role."

"Very well, and how would you resolve the situation that happened this morning?"

"I would tell Ruby to get her weapons back to the storage and only leave the bare necessities so as not to waste space."

"So you would just order her around."

"She is just a little kid that didn't want to let go of her toys, if it was something more important we would of course have a proper discourse."

"And yet this child was able to come up with a compromise that allowed both of you to keep your 'toys'."

Weiss barely restrained a venomous retort. "That was mostly thanks to Pyrrha anyway."

"The point still stands. Besides, this is a school, if you are already a perfect leader, the position would be wasted on you for you would learn nothing new. Miss Rose on the other hand could learn quite a lot, so instead of trying to get a position you don't need, you should strive to enlighten her."

"B-but I-"

"Now, you should go to your class, Bart has a very demanding schedule. If you still have questions, you can visit me in my office after the classes." She walked into the elevator and left a very bewildered Weiss alone in the hall.

-BBW-

Profe-doctor! Oobleck's class was indeed on a tight schedule, mostly due to the teacher firing off the lecture at a ridiculous pace that only Ruby seemed to follow. She was actually taking notes, hopefully she would share later. Weiss showed up less than a minute before the class started, Ruby tried to ask her if she was okay but she brushed her off and told to focus on the class. Thankfully he seemed more focused on figuring out where his new students stood in terms of knowledge.

Pyrrha understood where she was coming from. Somewhere deep in her mind she was also a bit baffled at the notion of a fifteen year old being in Beacon, much less a team leader. There had to be a story somewhere. But a significant portion of these doubts was silenced by their battle during the initiation. She clearly had a lot of knowledge and skills when it came to fighting grimm and was more than willing to share it.

And her sister… Pyrrha couldn't wait for combat class. She despised the fame and isolation her career caused but she would be delighted to face a strong opponent. And Yang, who stopped a giant grimm mid-charge with her bare hands definitely qualified as such.

Most of all, she was happy that she could be herself and not to be the champion everyone expected. Weiss kept treating her like one during the initiation but after they were done, she seemed too tired for all the fanfare. She would love to have a genuine friendship with her but due to the small amount of experience she had with people, she realized she had forgotten how to do so.

Nothing of interest happened during the history class and soon it was time for lunch. Cafeteria was almost full, new students still trying to figure out where and with whom they would sit and where exactly does the line start. By unspoken agreement they sit down at the end of one of the long tables with team BLAN sitting down opposite of them. Weiss had almost started a fight when she tried to go straight for the food and ignored the line. The team of boys they saw after the initiation tried to approach them but two of them apparently knew Yang and convinced the rest that it wasn't a good idea.

Ruby brought a small plate with something that looked like a proper lunch and a big one filled with every type of sweets she could get her hands on. As soon as she sat down, Yang took it away despite all of her whining. She gave her one of her plates, rich in vegetables and fruits. Her own plate was mostly meat heavy but it seemed like something her dietologist could agree on, even if begrudgingly.

"Ruby, I wanted to ask, why did you have those metal spikes just lying around?" Pyrrha tried some small talk when everybody settled down.

"Oh, twat wash ammo!" Ruby answered with her mouth full, earning her a glare from Weiss and a sign from Yang.

"Like a javelin?" Blake asked, seated opposite of Ruby.

"Well… you could use it like that but the surface is too smoothed out to get a proper grip. It's for a railgun." She said after Yang stopped threatening her sweets in case she decided to talk with full mouth again.

There was a moment of silence before Nora and Weiss exploded.

"Awesome!"

"That's ridiculous!"

Pyrrha's reaction was more restrained. She knew what kind of weapon it was but she only heard of them when it came to giant battleships, not something that could be used by one person.

"Why didn't you bring it to the initiation?" She wasn't a weapon expert but she knew the importance of one's equipment when it came to fighting, mostly because one of her instructors drilled it into her to the point that she could assemble it blindfolded.

Before Ruby could answer Weiss spoke. "Because whatever she built doesn't work! The best engineers in Atlas are still trying to figure out how to put it on a spider droid! There is no-"

"Don't you dare badmouth my babies! It works! It's just a bit hungry when it comes to lightning dust." Ruby fired back, defending her creations.

"Recoil was a bitch." Yang added as well, only for Ruby to chastise her for a 'bad word'.

"Well, if it really works I'm willing to pay for any expenses a demonstration may need." Weiss said, in what she assumed, was a very gracious gesture. "I'm sure the SDC has any type of dust you may need."

"Eh… I've been mostly buying from Licht inc…" Ruby said back.

"From them?! But they are so overpriced!" Weiss, apparently, took an insult in that. Pyrrha was almost certain she heard Blake and Ilia snicker.

"Maybe? But their dust is more refined." Ruby shyly looked away.

"What kind of dust are you even using?" Weiss exasperatedly asked.

"Well, for the railgun I use C8 lightning, for rockets mostly C10s."

While Weiss was slowly becoming paler and paler, Blake decided to ask. "Can you explain for those who don't use dust that much?"

Once again, before Ruby could answer, Weiss spoke up. "You have rockets filled with C10 dust."

Ruby nodded.

"In that big box."

She nodded again.

"In our room."

Another nod, albeit a bit slower.

"I still don't understand…" Pyrrha spoke up. Weiss, her partner, was becoming more and more distraught and she had no idea what was going on.

"She brought enough explosives to level a building into our room!" The outburst turned a few heads but considering that most of the huntsmen could level a small building with one hit, they didn't pay much attention.

"So what? Nora brought her grenade launcher into her bed and nothing happened." Ilia spoke in Ruby's defense. Or rather against Weiss.

For a second Ruby's eyes lit up, just so Yang could squash her hopes.

"No, you are not allowed to sleep with Crescent Rose."

Ruby deflated and continued to slowly pick at her food.

-BBW-

She expected more out of the combat class…

Sure, it was their first day but still. They were only shown around the arena, changing rooms, showers, weapon lockers and all the other adjusted facilities. The gym clearly got quite a bit of interest but it wasn't her thing. The only 'fight' they've got to witness was when professor Goodwitch asked for challengers and Cardin Winchester confidently walked up to the arena. Only for the 'match' to end five seconds later when Goodwitch levitated him out of bounds.

That marked the end of classes for today. At least for the rest of her team. She and Ruby still had a special leadership seminar to attend.

"Not that bad as the first days go…" Ilia remarked as they were walking back to their dorms. And compared to their first infiltration mission, which ended in the sewers, this was a breeze.

Blake gave her an affirmative nod and continued to walk along. When she saw team RWPY close the doors into their dorm she asked Ilia a more important question.

"Not even going to talk to your crush." She teased.

In the privacy of their dorms, Ilia's skin changed to pink. Thankfully Nora dragged Ren to the kitchen and they were most likely feasting on pancakes. Hopefully they will admit their feelings… they may have been a team for only a day but it was way too obvious.

"It's not like that! And how was I meant to do it when she is almost glued to that Ruby girl!"

"Well, Ruby and I are going to have leadership lessons so you can try to talk to her while we are away. Just send me a message in case you will need our dorm empty." She finished with a wink and left her stammering friend in the room. She still wanted to pick up her fellow team leader.

After softly knocking on the door, it was Pyrrha who opened the door.

"Yes?" The everpresent polite smile on her face but the most of the school uniform was down. She had to admit that the photos she found weren't doing the girl justice.

"I'm here for Ruby. I thought we might go together to the class."

"Coming!" Came a reply from behind the door and a moment later a red blur flew past Pyrrha.

"I thought the classes had ended." Yang, who was in very tight gym clothes, was giving her a curious and slightly threatening look. Right, protective big sister. Although, she will really root for Ilia, seeing her out of the uniform…

"We still have classes for team leaders!" Ruby came to her rescue. She may have been enjoying the view a bit too much. "You know, tactics, team-building ideas and that kind of stuff."

Yang gave a small nod. "Good luck then. I'm going to see what the gym has to offer."

Pyrrha looked like she wanted to say something as well but after casting a glance at the bathroom she decided to stay silent.

They walked to the class together, just like Blake wanted. She even managed to send Ilia a short message, telling her that Yang would be in the gym.

Honestly, she didn't know what 'scaly' or 'lizardy' she sensed from Yang but Ruby was definitely a little overexcited puppy. At least mentally. A small puppy that was building weapons of mass destruction in her spare time. Maybe she would be able to keep her occupied a bit longer for Ilia to make her move.

I wonder what books she likes.

-BBW-

She really needed that shower.

Despite the bathroom in their dorm being much smaller than the ones she was used to, it did help Weiss relax after an emotionally exhausting day. First the very rude awakening, although she was willing to forgive it if Yang continued to make them breakfasts.

Then came that joke of a grimm class where that little brat kept distracting her only to interfere with her fight. She would definitely win on her own!

What was wrong with this school anyway?! Wild grimm during classes, history lectures needed to be recorded and then slowed down to be understood, people carrying explosives everywhere they went and the headmaster giving out important positions on a hunch. She dreaded the combat class now, should she be injured and taken to the infirmary…

She had to have a word with Pyrrha! She would definitely understand! She was her partner too, it was obvious she would be on her side! And the other team leaders too! What does it mean for them if a child can stand as their equal?

She walked out of the shower and started drying her hair, only to be reminded of another annoyance in a rather disturbing fashion.

Her 'reflection' was currently posing in the bathroom's mirror. Completely naked and covered in droplets of water.

"I know that I look great, my dear, but unfortunately, looking is the only thing you can do." She started teasing.

"Damn it all…" Weiss muttered under her breath. That thing hasn't shown up since before the initiation, couldn't she just stay away?

"It was quite a tiring experience, you know? Shouldn't you be thanking me for ensuring your partnership with the champion?"

What are you even talking about?! Then Weiss remembered. Summoning glyph, white paw smacking her sideways. "That was you?!" She exclaimed out loud.

"Indeed. It took a great effort on my part so I had to take a nap for some time. Could you tell me what I missed?"

You are in my head. You hear my thoughts. Can't you just look at the memories on your own? She put away the towel and started dressing, her 'reflection' merely changing into her usual clothes with a shimmer.

"It doesn't work like that. While we do share our memories up until the… incident, everything afterwards is yours."

Then how did you use MY semblance?!

"I am a soul. I have an aura. Semblance is an extension of one's aura, thus I am capable of using glyphs."

But I can't summon! How can you do it?! Now fully dressed she gripped the sink and glared into the mirror.

"While you needed to train your swordsmanship and attend to your physical needs, my soul, aura and semblance are the only thing I have." She huffed out and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Now, I would be more than happy to give you a hand but I doubt the bathroom is a proper place for training, so why wouldn't you tell me how you have been? Who are your other teammates?"

It's the two you have been weird about… and one of them is the 'leader'. Weiss begrudgingly gave her an answer.

"Hmm… I suppose there could be worse outcomes."

Are you okay with a child being made leader?!

"It's better than you being one. The two of them can barely control themselves, imagine how they would react, if controlled by another. I think you avoided a lot of unnecessary troubles."

What do you mean control themselves? Yang seems fine and Ruby is just childish.

"Ahahaah, that was a good one. Truly."

Well, sorry that I can't spy on people from the mirrors!

"Do not fret, my dear twin. There seems to be something else that is worrying you. Please, do tell."

It isn't of concern

"Do you worry I might tell somebody else? I would never. You are my precious sister, why would I ever betray your confidence."

They are all so strong… Pyrrha is a champion, Yang stopped a deathstalker with her bare hands and Ruby pretty much tore it apart with one attack… while I can't even use my own semblance properly.

'She' reached out towards Weiss, as if to pass through the mirror and caress her cheek.

"Do not worry. Observe. Learn. Surpass. And I will assist you with everything I've got."

With those words her reflection became normal again. She washed her face and exited the bathroom. Strangely, she felt slightly better.

/

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Infodump

The Divine War

In times before Remnant , the brother gods waged a war against one another. The dark brother created grimm. An abomital creature that knew nothing more than to destroy. The light brother created guardians. Being of stone and light that protected his domain from wave after wave.

Then humankind was made, the brothers came to a fragile ceasefire but it didn't stop the proxy war. Hordes of grimm assaulted the early settlements and guardians protected them and helped them raise. Soon, the dark brother chose its first champions, warlords, powerhungry maniacs and all those who would be willing to tear down the order in his name. The light brother cried at the slaughter of his worshipers and from his tears, their salvation was born. Warriors with silver eyes, survivors of the massacres blessed by the god to be protectors of humanity.

After Salem's rebelion, the grimm continued its hunt following their only instinct. The guardians became statues, no longer given power or purpose by their master; they were either destroyed or still slumber awaiting the return of their light