RWBY: The Child of Grimm. Volume 1 (complete)

Chapter 14: Jaundice

[Oobleck] "This is prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution, more popularly known as the Faunus War! *zooms up to the front of the class and the map covered in papers behind his desk* Humankind was quite, quite adamant about centralizing Faunus population in Menagerie. *points at the map of said-area with his stick, then zooms off to the side for a sip of his coffee before appearing in front of the desk* Now! While this must feel like ancient history to many of you, it is imperative to remember that these are relatively recent events! Why, the repercussions of the uprising can still be seen to this day! *zooms around the classroom more, sipping his coffee again before continuing to zoom and talk* Now! Have any among you been subjugated or discriminated because of your Faunus heritage?"

This guy always makes my head spin when he talks. Though, it's interesting that we would learn about this the day after Blake revealed to me that she was a Faunus herself. I looked over to her as she continued to behave as normal during class. I also noticed that a few Faunus raised their hands in response to professor Ooblecks question, including the rabbit eared girl from before whose name I found out was Velvet.

[Oobleck] "Dreadful, simply dreadful! Remember, students, it is precisely this kind of ignorance that breeds violence! *takes another sip of his coffee *I mean, I mean, I mean just look at what happened to the White Fang! Now, which one of you young scallions can tell me what many theorize to be the turning point in the third year of the War? *a hand is raised* Yes?"

[Weiss] "the battle at Fort Castle!"
[Oobleck] "Precisely! And, who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagune's forces?"
[Jaune] "Hey!"
[Oobleck] "*zooming over into Jaune's face* Mr. Arc! Finally contributing to class! This is excellent! Excellent! What is the answer?"

Jaune looked towards Pyrrha who had her hands cupped around her eyes.

[Jaune] "Uhhhh... The answer... The advantage... of the Faunus..had over that guy's stuff...Uhh... Binoculars!"

I could hear multiple face palms ring out through the classroom including my own while others laugh at him and Cardin slams his fists on the desk while letting out a disgusting chortle.

[Oobleck] "Very funny, Mr. Arc! Cardin! Perhaps you would care to share your thoughts on the subject!"
[Cardin] "Well, I know it's a lot easier to train an animal than a soldier."

I send him a stare filled with killing intent that causes him to start sweating and slink back into his chair.

[Pyrrha] "You're not the most open-minded of individuals, are you, Cardin?"
[Cardin] "what? You got a problem?"
[Pyrrha] "No, I have the answer! It's night vision. Many Faunus are known to have nearly-perfect sight in the dark."

Cardin growled at Pyrrha for getting the correct answer.

[Blake] "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. *turns to Cardin* Perhaps if he'd paid attention in class, he wouldn't have been remembered as such a failure."
[Ryu] "*snickers*"
[Oobleck] "*as Cardin gets up from his seat, fist clenched* Mr. Winchester! Please take your seat. *when Jaune laughs at his tormentor's embarrassment, zooming up to him* You and Mr. Arc can both see me after class for additional readings. *takes yet another sip of his coffee*"
[Jaune] "*shoulders slumping* Ooohhhh..."
[Oobleck] "*zooming away* Now! Moving on!"

-

As we are all leaving the classroom Pyrrha stops near the doorway.

[Pyrrha] "You go on ahead. I'll wait for Jaune."

Nora and Ren both nod after looking into the classroom and left while I went with them for a little bit before stopping a little further up the hall, far enough that I couldn't be seen but close enough to eavesdrop.

Soon enough, Oobleck came speeding out of the classroom followed by Jaune and Cardin who pushed Jaune to the ground as they exited the room.

[Ryu] "you know this is gonna come back to bite you."
[Cardin] "tch, if I had my weapon you wouldn't stand a chance."
[Ryu] "please~ you couldn't even handle an Ursa."
[Cardin] "*mumbling as he walks away* yeah we'll see who can't handle an Ursa..."

Looking back towards Pyrrha and Jaune, they seem to be walking off in another direction as she drags Jaune by the arm. I think I might follow them. I mean, I've eavesdropped this far. Might as well go all the way.

-

In the end, I overheard a rather revealing conversation between Pyrrha and Jaune on the rooftop. Turns out that Jaune faked his transcripts and now he won't accept any help because he wants to be a hero like his parents and their parents before them... so stupid.

Pyrrha left the roof with a downcast expression on her face. I walked out towards him to his surprise.

[Jaune] "Oh! Uh, Ryu... wh-what are you doing here?"
[Ryu] "you're a goddamn idiot you know that?"
[Jaune] "what?"
[Ryu] "you won't accept help because you want to be a hero? What kind of childish excuse is that!"
[Jaune] "I-I know but-"
[Ryu] "Jaune. Have you actually ever read the backstory behind any past heroes? Or did you just read about what they did?"
[Jaune] "huh? I-"
[Ryu] "Every. Single. One of them. Had people who helped them along the way. They would have died 100 times over if they tried to do everything alone and that's not to say they never failed even then!"
[Jaune] "that's..!"
[Ryu] "Jaune. You aren't a good huntsmen. But you are a good leader."
[Jaune] "how would you possibly know that."
[Ryu] "I was there at the initiation remember? I saw you giving commands to take down the death stalker. Have more faith in yourself, you're team Jnpr's leader. Act like it."
[Jaune] "...but what if I fail?"
[Ryu] "you've got a team counting on you. you're not allowed to fail."
[Ryu] "oh, and one more thing. Who your parents are doesn't decide who you are."
[Jaune] "easy for you to say when you don't have any...Ah! I'm sorry!"
[Ryu] "it's fine. I did have a father, though he died about a year ago. He was the best example of being able to choose who you want to be. After all, who would expect a Grimm to raise a kid."
[Jaune] "what!?"

-

Hopefully that helped him figure something out. Telling him about my father was probably a big risk as well but... I've grown to trust these people, and I learnt about his circumstances so it's only fair. After I left I could swear I felt a lot of negativity up on the roof but I reeeally hope it turns out to be nothing.