After Weiss puts on her combat gear, Professor Port steps beside the iron cage, where the furious roars of a trapped creature echo from within.
Yang, Blake, and Ruby take turns cheering her on.
"Go, Weiss!"
"Fight well!"
"Represent Team RWBY!"
Still irritated by Ruby's antics, Weiss shoots her a sharp look. "Ruby, I'm trying to focus!"
Ruby stiffens, suddenly awkward. "Sorry..."
From the back of the room, Erik watches the interaction. "She's not going anywhere if she doesn't get that temper under control."
Pyrrha, standing beside him, nods in agreement. "You're right. With that kind of attitude, she'll only hold her team back."
Moments later, Professor Port swings his massive axe and cleaves open the iron cage.
The moment the door falls away, a Boarbatusk charges out with a furious roar, rushing straight at Weiss.
Weiss sidesteps quickly and slashes at the creature as it passes.
The strike barely fazes it.
The Boarbatusk snorts angrily and turns back toward her, the two facing each other once more.
Professor Port booms, "Wasn't expecting that, were you?"
"Come on, Weiss! Show him who's the boss!" Yang shouts.
Weiss glances toward Ruby for just a moment-but that moment is all the Boarbatusk needs. It lunges forward, smacking Myrtenaster from her hand and sending Weiss tumbling across the floor.
"Hoho!" Professor Port laughs. "Now what are you going to do without your weapon?"
As Weiss pushes herself up, she sees the Boarbatusk charging straight at her.
At the last second, she leaps aside and sprints for her rapier.
"Go for its belly!" Ruby calls out. "There's no armor underneath!"
Weiss grimaces at the sound of Ruby giving orders. "Stop telling me what to do!"
The Boarbatusk circles her, then suddenly curls into a ball and rolls forward at terrifying speed.
Weiss activates her Semblance, forming a glyph barrier in front of her and another glyph behind her head.
The Boarbatusk slams into the barrier and crashes to the ground.
Seizing the opportunity, Weiss jumps, uses the glyph as a foothold, and drives her rapier straight into the creature's exposed belly, finishing it in a single decisive strike.
"Bravo! Bravo!" Professor Port declares proudly. "It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress-in-training! Unfortunately, that is all the time we have today. Be sure to complete the assigned reading and stay vigilant! Class dismissed!"
Weiss storms out of the classroom, her expression still tight with irritation.
"At least she still listens to her teammates," Pyrrha comments.
Erik nods. "It's not as bad as it looks. She's just annoyed with Ruby."
The students slowly begin to file out of the room. Erik and Pyrrha pass by Team JNFR's table, where Jaune and Frost look completely exhausted.
"So," Erik says with a grin, "how's the front row, Jaune? Pretty nice, huh?"
Jaune drops his head onto the desk. "Ugh... it's terrible! Professor Port made us stare at him for over an hour!"
Frost, already face-down on the table, groans. "He forced us to concentrate on his face. Now we even know how many times his moustache twitches during class."
Erik laughs. "Sounds like you really love his moustache."
Jaune and Frost answer at the same time. "We don't!"
"Alright," Erik chuckles. "Enjoy dreaming about Professor Port's moustache. See you later."
He walks away with Pyrrha, leaving behind the sound of Jaune and Frost muttering curses at his retreating back.
Erik glances at Pyrrha. "How about you Pyrrha? Interested in seeing Professor Port's moustache up close?"
Pyrrha blushes faintly, remembering that she had suggested sitting in the front. "I think I'm fine watching from a distance."
Erik smirks. "Now you know why."
They head toward the cafeteria for lunch. On the way through the hall, they run into Team CRDL.
As the two teams pass each other, Cardin Winchester deliberately slams his shoulder into Erik's arm.
Erik stops. "Hey. What's your problem?"
Cardin halts and slowly turns, towering over Erik with a smug grin.
"Problem?" Cardin scoffs. "You're the one standing in my way, buddy."
Russel snickers behind him. Dove crosses his arms silently. Sky looks uneasy but says nothing.
"That was clearly intentional," Pyrrha says firmly, stepping forward. "An apology would be appropriate."
Cardin's grin widens. "Oh? And who's going to make me apologize? You?" His eyes linger on Pyrrha a moment too long. "Guess Beacon really is letting anyone in these days. Even an outsider can also get in here."
Erik's hand tightens at his side and his eye got sharper towards him.
"Are you looking for trouble, Cardin Winchester?"
Cardin laughs. "Look at that temper. Are you mad you got stuck in some forgotten corner dorm while real teams get the good spots."
Erik calm himself for a moment then tilts his head a little trying making a mocking posture. "I think this is where you're wrong, Cardin. Special dorms are for special teams. The Academy probably didn't put you there because you're too ordinary. Heck, they're probably worried that if they put you too far away, you'd wander into the Emerald Forest and end up in a Grimm's stomach."
Sky coughs. Russel bursts out laughing.
Cardin's smile twitches.
"You think you're funny?" he growls. "You and your little partner think you're special?"
"Yeah," Erik replies calmly. "Got a problem with us being special, Mr. Ordinary?"
The word ordinary lands like a slap for him because he have superiority complex. He will have emotional outburst if he got look down by anyone.
Cardin steps forward, shoulders squaring. "Careful," he snarls. "You're getting real confident for someone who-"
Click.
The sharp sound of heels striking marble cuts through the tension.
Once.
Twice.
The hallway freezes.
"Is there a reason," a calm voice asks, "that I can feel hostile intent echoing halfway down the corridor?"
Professor Glynda Goodwitch steps into view, posture immaculate, riding crop resting against her shoulder. The air itself seems to tighten around her presence.
Team CRDL stiffens.
"Professor Goodwitch! We were just-" Cardin starts.
"-Intimidating other students?" Goodwitch finishes flatly.
Her gaze sweeps over Erik, Pyrrha, and finally settles on Cardin.
"Mister Winchester," she says calmly, "you seem to believe Beacon Academy tolerates this behavior."
"I didn't start anything," Cardin mutters.
"Oh?" Goodwitch raises an eyebrow. "Then you won't mind explaining why several students witnessed you deliberately colliding with Mister Lioren."
Silence stretches.
"I believe Cardin have a clear intentions to provoked us professor," Pyrrha says evenly.
"I'm aware Ms. Nikos," Goodwitch replies.
Her voice hardens. "I have little patience for students who mistake size for superiority. And even less for bullies."
She turns to Erik. "Your restraint is noted. But verbal escalation is still escalation."
"I understand, Professor," Erik says.
Goodwitch faces Cardin again. "Mr. Winchester. You will apologize. Now."
"...Sorry," he mutters.
"Again."
"I apologize," Cardin says stiffly. "To both of you."
"Fine." Erik accept it nonchalantly.
"Apology accepted," Pyrrha replies.
"Tomorrow's combat class will include a supervised sparring evaluation," Goodwitch announces. "This is not a personal fight. Any foul play will result in disciplinary action. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Professor," Erik answers.
"Yes, ma'am," Cardin replies.
"Good. Now disperse."
As Team CRDL walks away, Cardin casts Erik one last look and no longer smug, but burning with fighting intent.
Pyrrha exhales softly. "You handled that well."
Erik smiles faintly. "Guess being 'special' comes with special homework too."
Pyrrha lets the tension fade before turning back to Erik.
"Come on," she says gently. "We were heading to the cafeteria before all of that happened."
Erik exhales, rolling his shoulder as if shaking off the lingering pressure. "Right. Lunch time almost became a combat exam."
To be continued...