Red (And Blue) Like Roses: Volume 1

Words Of Wisdom

Five weeks into beacon and Weiss Schnee was doubting her decision to enter said academy.

When she had been made team leader Weiss had expected that things would go quite smoothly. it didn't turn out quite like that.

The first problem was her teammates. While Jaune and Ren were decent and willing to study, Nora Valkyrie was an energetic child in Weiss's opinion. Unable to focus on anything for more than a minute, and she had antics that made her clearly unsuited for life at beacon. Worse was her influence on Ren, the best of Weiss's teammates, as she would often make him take her side in arguments rather than Weiss's. This was unacceptable. As team leader they should both automatically be folding to and trusting her opinion and following her orders above all else.

Secondly was her partner. He had been passable and unoffensive in the initiation, but when they finally entered beacon proper, he proved himself incompetent, both academically and in combat. He had seemingly never picked up a book before entering beacon, even Ruby who was skipped forward by two years was doing better with her tests than him.

Watching Jaune in combat was also a painful experience. His form was sloppy and his technique nonexistent. His only saving grace was his massive aura, second only to Ruby's (who had enough aura for three additional fully trained huntsmen), that allowed him to tank a good bit of damage.

Needless to say she had snapped at her teammates a few times over the past five weeks.

This Tuesday proved a great example for this.

Weiss could only sit in embarrassment as she watched jaune be pummelled by Cardin Winchester of all people.

Jaune had just been sent to the ground by Cardin delivering a decent jab to Jaune's gut. A buzzer rang out and Weiss checked her scroll. Jaune's aura was in the red. Again.

Winchester backed off and Jaune got roughly back on his feet.

"Students, as you can see, Mr. Arc's Aura has now dropped into the red." professor goodwitch told them. "In a tournament-styled duel, this would indicate that Jaune is no longer fit for battle, and that the official may call the match."

The professor turned to Jaune. ""Mr. Arc, it's been weeks now. Please try to refer to your scroll during combat. Gauging your Aura will help you decide when it's appropriate to attack, or when it is better to move to a more... defensive strategy. We wouldn't want you to be gobbled up by a Beowolf, now, would we?"

Those word filled Weiss with something akin to anger and irritation. Weeks in and her partner still hadn't improved.

How was she supposed to cope with a partner like this?

"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! Those who choose to compete in the combat tournament will be representing all of Vale!"

The announcement from Professor Goodwitch calmed Weiss's temper somewhat.

The Vytal festival and tournament was something Weiss really wanted to win.

But she knew that it wouldn't be easy, as she would most likely be in conversation with team RPBY who had the best combat rankings in first year.

For good reason as, the leader Ruby, had enough aura for herself and an additional 3 huntresses which was combined with some truly great combat techniques that made it clear why she was currently at the top of first year combat rankings. Of course ruby's partner Pyrrha Nikos, was a very close second in said combat rankings, being a famous tournament fighter and undefeated in the mistral regional tournament. Yang was the equivalent of a tank and wrecking-ball combined and Blake was a fantastic support that knew where and when she was needed.