The first week at Beacon fell into a rhythm. Morning classes with Port's rambling stories and Oobleck's caffeinated lectures. Lunch with Teams JNPR and RWBY. Afternoon combat training with Goodwitch. Evening study sessions and team bonding.
Jaune found himself adapting faster than expected. His enhanced stamina meant he could train after classes without exhaustion. His danger sense helped him predict attacks during sparring. And his six months of brutal preparation with his father meant he was consistently one of the top performers in combat class.
Which was apparently causing problems.
"Mr. Arc," Glynda called after combat class on Friday. "A word, please."
Jaune approached while his team waited by the door. "Yes, Professor?"
"You've been at Beacon for five days. In that time, you've won every sparring match, often without your aura dropping below eighty percent." She studied him over her glasses. "Your transcripts indicate you attended a small combat preparatory program. Forgive my skepticism, but your skill level suggests significantly more extensive training."
'Ah. There it is. Too competent too fast. Knew this would happen eventually.'
Careful. This was dangerous territory.
"My father's a retired huntsman," Jaune said. "He spent six months training me personally before I came here. Very intensive program."
"Intensive enough to make you competitive with students who've attended four-year combat schools?"
"He was very thorough. And very strict."
Glynda regarded him for a long moment. "I see. Well, whatever your preparation, you're clearly ready for Beacon's curriculum. However, I'd like you to consider joining the advanced combat seminar. It's an optional class for students who demonstrate exceptional capability."
"What does it involve?"
"More challenging opponents. Tactical scenarios. Team coordination exercises against senior students and occasionally faculty." She tapped her tablet. "It meets Wednesday evenings. I think you'd benefit from the challenge."
Translation: you're too good for the regular curriculum and I'm concerned you'll get complacent.
"I'll think about it," Jaune said.
"Please do. Talent without challenge breeds bad habits." She dismissed him with a nod.
Back in the dorm, Nora was hanging upside down from her bunk, tossing Magnhild between her hands.
"So what did Goodwitch want?" she asked.
"Wants me to join some advanced combat class."
"Ooh, fancy! You gonna do it?"
"Maybe. Depends on if it interferes with team training."
"We should all join!" Nora flipped down from the bunk, landing perfectly. "Advanced combat sounds fun!"
"It's invitation only," Ren said from where he was organizing their bookshelf. "Based on demonstrated skill."
"So Jaune and Pyrrha could probably get in," Nora said. "That's not fair. We should all be challenged equally!"
"We can train together outside of classes," Pyrrha said diplomatically. "If Jaune joins the seminar, he can share what he learns."
A knock on the door interrupted the conversation. Yang poked her head in.
"Hey neighbors! We're doing a joint team study session for Oobleck's test on Monday. You in?"
"Absolutely!" Nora bounced toward the door. "I need help. History is hard when the professor moves faster than sound."
'Accurate description of Professor Oobleck.'
Team RWBY's dorm was identical to theirs in layout but completely different in decoration. Ruby had weapon schematics on the walls. Weiss's corner was immaculate. Blake had books everywhere. Yang had posters of huntsmen and huntresses.
They spread out around the room with notes and textbooks. Weiss immediately took charge of organizing the study session.
"The test covers the Faunus Rights Revolution, with emphasis on key battles and political outcomes. We should divide the topics and quiz each other."
"Or," Yang suggested, "we could just watch the documentary Oobleck recommended and call it studying."
"That's not studying, that's procrastinating with educational content."
"Best kind of procrastinating."
Blake spoke up from her spot by the window. "The documentary is actually well made. It covers information Oobleck glossed over in class. Could be useful."
They compromised. Documentary first, then quiz session. Ruby made popcorn using what appeared to be a tiny heating element built into Crescent Rose's maintenance kit.
"You built a popcorn maker into your weapon?" Jaune asked, impressed despite himself.
"It's just a heating element! Useful for lots of things!" Ruby defended. "Like making popcorn."
"And burning through metal if you need to escape somewhere," Yang added. "My sister's a genius."
'Weaponized popcorn maker. That's a new one.'
The documentary was actually interesting. It covered the systematic discrimination against Faunus, the peaceful protests that were ignored, and the eventual armed conflict that forced change. Blake paid particularly close attention, her expression tight.
After the video, Weiss started the quiz session. She was merciless, firing questions rapid-fire.
"Name three key leaders of the Faunus Rights Movement."
"Ghira Belladonna, Sienna Khan, and uh..." Jaune searched his memory from the show. "The third one escapes me."
"Marcus Rourke," Blake said quietly. "He led the diplomatic efforts while the others organized direct action."
"Correct. Next question: what year did the Faunus finally achieve legal equality?"
They went through dozens of questions. Weiss knew everything. Blake knew almost as much. Pyrrha had clearly read ahead. Everyone else struggled to varying degrees.
"Okay, break time," Yang declared after an hour. "My brain is full. If I learn one more date, something important is gonna fall out."
"Like your common sense?" Weiss muttered.
"Hey! I resent that. My common sense is very well developed. It just takes breaks sometimes."
Nora raided Ruby's popcorn supply while everyone stretched and chatted. The two teams were starting to bond, finding comfortable dynamics. Ruby and Nora had become fast friends, both sharing that chaotic positive energy. Yang and Pyrrha had started training together in the mornings. Ren and Blake discovered a mutual love of quiet tea and reading.
Jaune found himself talking with Weiss about combat theory, surprisingly. She had a tactical mind when she wasn't being prideful.
"Your shield work against Cardin was efficient," Weiss said. "Most people treat shields as purely defensive. You use yours offensively."
"My dad drilled that into me. A shield is just another weapon. If you're only blocking with it, you're wasting potential."
"Interesting perspective. Schnee combat doctrine emphasizes glyphs and mobility over close quarters defense. I've never really considered shield tactics."
"You could probably do something interesting with time dilation glyphs and shield charges. Speed up your shield bash right before impact. Probably hit like a truck."
Weiss's eyes lit up. "That's... actually brilliant. I'll have to experiment with that."
Ruby appeared between them suddenly. "Are you guys talking about weapon tactics? Can I join? I love weapon tactics!"
They spent another hour discussing combat theory before Glynda's curfew message appeared on everyone's scrolls.
"All first year students must be in their assigned dorms within thirty minutes. No exceptions."
"Slave driver," Yang grumbled. "It's only nine PM."
"Rules are rules," Weiss said, already cleaning up their study materials. "Same time tomorrow for the second half of the material?"
Everyone agreed. Team JNPR headed back to their room while Team RWBY prepared for bed.
In their own dorm, Jaune pulled out his scroll and checked messages. One from his father.
"How's Beacon? Your mother wants to know if you're eating properly. Your sisters want to know if you've impressed anyone yet. I want to know if you're training hard enough. Call when you can."
Jaune smiled and typed back. "Beacon's good. Team is solid. Still training. Tell everyone I'm fine. Will call this weekend."
He set his scroll aside and pulled up the system privately.
[Days since Quest 1: 12]
[Estimated time until Quest 2: 4-52 days]
[Current status: Stable integration at Beacon]
[No immediate complications detected]
Four to fifty-two days. His next quest could trigger tomorrow or not for another two months. The uncertainty was frustrating, but at least he was established at Beacon now. He had a team, friends, a cover story that held up to scrutiny.
When the system pulled him away again, he'd be able to explain it as family emergency or special training or something vague enough to work.
'Just need a good excuse for randomly vanishing mid-semester. "Sorry Professor, dimensional quest emergency" probably won't fly.'
"Jaune?" Pyrrha's voice came from the bunk above. "You okay? You've been quiet tonight."
"Yeah, just thinking about that advanced combat class. Trying to decide if it's worth the time commitment."
"You should do it. The challenge would be good for you. And like I said, you can teach us what you learn."
"What about you? Goodwitch would probably let you join too."
"Maybe. But I'm content with the regular curriculum for now. I spent years in advanced training and tournaments. It's nice being in normal classes for once."
Nora's voice came from across the room. "Can you guys whisper quieter? Some of us are trying to sleep!"
"Nora, you're literally talking right now," Ren pointed out.
"That's different! I'm asking you to be quiet, which is different from being loud myself!"
"That logic makes no sense."
"Your face makes no sense!"
"Nora."
"Fine, fine, I'm going to sleep. But only because I want to, not because anyone told me to."
The room settled into quiet. Jaune lay back, staring at the ceiling. One week at Beacon complete. His team was solid. His cover was intact. Training was progressing.
Everything was going according to plan.
Which probably meant something was about to go wrong.
'Murphy's Law. The universe's favorite rule. At least I'm prepared this time.'
But for tonight, he could enjoy the peace.