RWBY - Child Of Light

Chapter 10: Reflection

I roll into the first day of class riding on a passable six hours of sleep.

The buzz of dozens of students rolling into the classroom makes it easier to pretend this is just another ordinary day. No expectations, sense of pressure—just the murmur of strangers settling into seats, each one carrying their own uncertainties.

The morning unfolds predictably. Teachers take turns introducing themselves, each trying to balance authority with a hint of approachability. They explain the plan for the day: a whirlwind tour of subjects designed to assess where we stand academically and patch up any glaring gaps before the real grind of the school year begins. Eight hours of bouncing between topics and assignments—like trial by academic fire.

At the end of the reception, we're instructed to form groups of four to help each other navigate the day. Most students cluster instinctively into groups, gravitating toward familiar faces usually with one or two gold-band wearers at the center of it all.

And then I spot her. Pyrrha.

She's tucked into a corner, seated alone with an almost defiant stillness, like she's daring anyone to approach—or maybe hoping no one will. I hesitate a bit, caught between curiosity and apprehension. Whatever I expected to find today, Pyrrha sitting by herself wasn't it.

And seeing as how not even the most desperate-looking of students seem eager to approach the towering, shredded Faunus practicing her stealth three steps behind me, it seems a good a moment as any.

And apparently, I'm not the only one who noticed.

"Hey—" I start, stepping toward her.

"Pyrrha!"

The interruption comes from my right. I turn to find Weiss Schnee standing on Pyrrha's other side, her perfectly composed expression faltering as our eyes meet.

Weiss clears her throat, her voice crisp but wavering. "Ehem. I'm sorry, but we're both already swamped with offers from other teams. I just don't think we'll be able to attend to you today."

I glance at Rain. She looks around the room, her gaze bouncing from group to group before she shakes her head. "No... No one's coming."

Weiss bristles, her face reddening as she snaps, "That's because the two of you are standing there, making it look like we already have a team!"

Her loud voice draws a few curious glances from nearby students. I catch Rain's worried look, and instinctively I raise my hands, backing off. "Alright, alright... maybe we should—"

"Wait!"

Pyrrha's speaks up, and for the first time, she lifts her head fully. There's something in her expression—a plea that catches me off guard. "Since you're already here... I would be glad if we could count on your company. It's just an assignment, after all."

Her words linger for a moment and even Weiss doesn't complain, crossing her arms tightly but no longer objecting outright.

After a tense beat, Weiss sighs, clearly exasperated. "Fine. But we have to start looking for a real team after this, Pyrrha. I mean it. We're too good to risk being stuck with just anyone. The administration might even step in if we're not careful! Do you want them to think we're intentionally—" She's already moving to grab her chair, her voice trailing off into a muffled ramble.

I glance at Pyrrha, tilting my head slightly. "She's... got a silver band, doesn't she?"

Pyrrha flinches, her expression tightening with something like shame. "Please. Just... give us a chance. She's... Incredibly talented."