A month Later...
A month has passed since his defeat at Erik's hands. Cardin Winchester no longer dares to openly pick fights with Erik, but his attitude does not change-only his targets do. He shifts his attention to those who cannot fight back, people like Jaune.
Fortunately, Jaune spends much of his time with Frost, which makes the bullying far less frequent. Frost's massive build-far larger than Cardin's and resembling that of a bodybuilder-makes Cardin think twice about confronting him directly.
Still, Cardin always finds other victims, especially Faunus.
Team RWBY, JNFR, and PNEL sit together at a long table in the cafeteria, enjoying their lunch.
Nora suddenly begins speaking in an exaggerated, dramatic tone.
"So there we were, in the middle of the night."
Yang listens attentively, clearly invested in the story. Blake is focused on her book, barely reacting. Weiss files her nails with an air of disinterest. Ruby has a plate full of cookies and a glass of milk in front of her, happily munching away. Jaune flips through a comic book. Frost flexes his massive arms, proudly showing off his muscles like a true bodybuilder. Erik eats slowly and calmly, while Pyrrha watches him with quiet attention.
Ren sighs and corrects Nora.
"It was day."
"We were surrounded by Ursas."
"They were Beowolves."
"Dozens of them!"
"Two of them."
"But they were no match for us! In the end, Ren and I took them down and made a boatload of lien selling Ursa skin rugs!"
Erik raises an eyebrow.
"I don't think you can even sell Ursa skin rugs in the first place."
Ren exhales softly.
"Don't mind her. She's been having this recurring dream for nearly a month now."
Erik chuckles.
"Let her keep dreaming, Ren. It keeps us entertained, anyway."
Suddenly, a sharp cry cuts through the cafeteria.
"Ow! That hurt!"
Every head at the table turns.
Team CRDL stands nearby, surrounding Velvet Scarlatina. Cardin roughly grips one of her rabbit ears, yanking it without care. Velvet winces, her face burning with embarrassment and pain.
"Please... stop."
Cardin laughs loudly, holding up Velvet's ear for his teammates to see.
"I told you it was real."
Dove snickers.
"What a freak."
Team CRDL laughs together before Cardin finally releases her. Velvet lowers her head and hurriedly leaves the cafeteria, humiliated.
Pyrrha's expression twists in disgust.
"Atrocious. I can't stand people like him."
Blake's face darkens as she watches Velvet leave.
"He's not the only one."
Yang clenches her fist, sympathy clear in her eyes.
"It must be hard to be a Faunus."
Erik finishes his meal and sets his spoon down.
"Speaking of Cardin, I really wonder if his brain is just decoration inside his head. He actually dares to bully Velvet from Team CFVY, one of the best second-year teams. Is he really not afraid of getting beaten?"
Jaune looks up from his comic.
"Like a kitten picking a fight with a tiger?"
Erik smirks.
"Something like that."
Weiss scoffs and joins in.
"With his performance summary in every class, let's just say he really is brain-dead."
Everyone at the table silently agrees with her.
Professor Oobleck Class
Professor Oobleck continues pacing back and forth across the classroom at an alarming speed. His movements force the students in the front row to constantly turn their heads, some already looking dizzy.
"Yes! Yes! Prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution-more popularly known as the Faunus War-humankind was quite, quite adamant about centralizing Faunus!" Oobleck says rapidly. "While this may feel like ancient history to many of you, it is imperative to remember that these events are relatively recent! Why, the repercussions of the uprising can still be seen to this very day!"
He stops just long enough to take a loud sip from his mug.
"Now! Have any among you been subjugated or discriminated against because of your Faunus heritage?"
Velvet slowly raises her hand, joined by several other Faunus students scattered throughout the room. Blake hesitates for a moment before lifting hers as well.
Oobleck's expression darkens.
"Dreadful. Simply dreadful!" He shakes his head vigorously. "Remember, students, it is precisely this kind of ignorance that breeds violence!"
He takes another sip.
"I mean, I mean, I mean-just look at what happened to the White Fang!" Oobleck suddenly pivots. "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?"
Weiss raises her hand immediately.
"The battle at Fort Castle."
"Correct!" Oobleck exclaims, already moving again. He takes another sip. "And who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagune's forces?"
Erik raises his hand.
"According to the report from General Lagune during his planning phase," Erik says calmly, "it was estimated that most of the opposing force consisted of cat Faunus, who are widely known to possess natural night vision."
Oobleck pauses mid-step, eyes widening.
"A very detailed explanation, Mr. Lioren!"
He sips his drink again before continuing.
"So, does anyone know the reason for General Lagune's failure?"
Blake raises her hand.
"General Lagune was inexperienced and made the mistake of trying to ambush the Faunus in their sleep. His massive army was outmatched, and the general was captured."
Erik suddenly smiles.
"Blake, hearing your answer reminds me of a certain person who closely resembles General Lagune. Would you like to say something to him?"
The corner of Blake's mouth lifts slightly as she decides to play along.
"I just want to remind him to pay attention in class, so he won't be remembered as a failure like that."
Laughter erupts across the classroom.
Cardin stands up from his seat, enraged by Blake's remark.
"Mr. Winchester, please take a seat," Oobleck says sharply.
Cardin sits back down, his expression burning with anger.
Oobleck nods and continues his rapid lecture.
"Moving on!"
After Class
The bell rings.
Students begin packing their bags and filing out of the classroom. Jaune exhales in relief as he stands.
That relief does not last.
As Jaune steps into the hallway, Cardin Winchester appears in front of him, blocking his path. Sky and Russel flank him from behind, cutting off any easy escape.
Cardin cracks his knuckles.
"Well, well. Looks like you're getting pretty comfortable, Arc."
Jaune forces a nervous smile.
"Hey, Cardin. I-I'm kind of late for my next class."
Cardin shoves him lightly, but hard enough to make Jaune stumble back.
"You think I care?"
Before Cardin can say more, a massive shadow looms beside Jaune.
Frost stands there silently, arms crossed. His sheer size makes Cardin hesitate, his expression tightening.
"Tch." Cardin clicks his tongue. "Lucky you."
He steps back, motioning for his team to follow.
"This isn't over, Arc."
They walk away.
Jaune lets out a shaky breath.
"Thanks, Frost."
Frost grins, flexing one arm slightly.
"No problem. Try not to get crushed without me around, yeah?"
Jaune chuckles weakly.
"I'll try."
To Be Continued...