"Rghh-!" Raven grimaced, sweat beading on her brow as she slumped against the rough wooden frame, every inch of her body throbbing from the fight. Her breath was labored, her chest rising and falling as she reached for a roll of bandages with trembling hands. She clenched her teeth as she wrapped her fingers around the hilt of the short blade embedded in her side.With a sharp tug, she pulled it free, and a fresh wave of agony shot through her."AHH-!" Her scream cut through the silence of the tent as blood started to gush from the wound. She quickly pressed a clean towel over the injury, applying as much pressure as she could manage, her vision blurring slightly."Damn it," she muttered, tying the bandages tightly around her waist, "maybe I should've taken him instead of that cowardly politician..."Slowly, she began to focus her aura, coaxing it to accelerate her healing, though she knew it would take time-more than she would ever admit. Just then, a voice called out from outside the tent, frantic and worried."What the hell happened here?!" The familiar voice of Vernal, her most trusted follower, rang through the camp. Heavy footsteps rushed toward the tent, and before long, Vernal burst through the entrance, her eyes wide with shock."Raven!" she gasped, her gaze flickering from the blood-stained towels to the weary, bruised form of her leader. "What happened? Was there a Grimm attack?" She quickly knelt by Raven's side, reaching out to examine the crude bandaging Raven had managed in her condition.Raven grunted, leaning back against the frame as Vernal's hands carefully prodded around the wound. "It was that little Schnee brat, Rinko," she replied through clenched teeth. "He tackled me... right through my own portal. I tossed him back where he came from, though." She winced as Vernal adjusted the bandage, trying to secure it better."Hold still," Vernal said softly, her voice laced with concern. She tightened the bandages around Raven's midsection, noticing the faint trickle of blood seeping through. "The wrapping wasn't tight enough... it's still bleeding."Raven sighed, her pride bruised as much as her body. "That kid... he's stronger than I gave him credit for. It was like fighting a storm. He wouldn't back down."Vernal's expression darkened, anger flashing in her eyes. "If he's that much trouble, we should just put him down before he causes any more problems for us."Raven shook her head, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Rgh.."She leaned back, her eyes narrowing as if already plotting her next move. "I'll deal with him in my own time. Right now, he's back at Beacon, licking his wounds just as I am."Vernal nodded slowly, though the worry hadn't left her face. "Then rest up," she urged. "I'll keep the others away and handle anything that needs doing. You've already done enough."Raven gave a weary nod, leaning back as she allowed herself a rare moment of vulnerability. "Did you finish the assignment I gave you?""Yes," Vernal replied. "The negotiation with Adam will be happening soon. I made sure his faction understood our terms."Raven's eyes flickered open slightly, a glint of satisfaction visible despite her exhaustion. "Good..." Raven said as she laid on her bed and closed her eyes.Beacon Academy, Early MorningRinko stepped out of the dorm building, the crisp morning air filling his lungs as he began his daily routine.The campus was quiet, with only the faint rustle of leaves and the distant hum of early risers moving through the grounds. As he stretched, preparing for a run, he noticed someone else at the entrance.Yang was already there, leaning casually against the doorframe, an amused smirk on her face. She looked as though she'd been waiting for him."Oh? Out for a morning run, huh?" she teased, flashing him a playful wink. "Didn't know you had it in you this early!"Rinko couldn't help but return a small, knowing smile, even though it was far too early for banter. He simply nodded, falling into step beside her as they both started their jog, moving in sync through the quiet paths that wove around Beacon's campus.For a while, the two ran in comfortable silence, the rhythm of their footsteps blending with the morning sounds around them. Yang kept up effortlessly, her athletic frame moving with ease beside him, her blond hair catching the first rays of sunlight.After a few laps around the campus, they finally slowed as they reached the courtyard, both pausing to catch their breath and take a quick break."Phew!" Yang sighed, grinning as she reached for her water bottle. "Didn't know you had it in you, Rinko! I thought I'd be the one showing you up." She took a swig, still eyeing him with that curious smile. "And here your sister was telling us just yesterday that you hated working out. I'm starting to think she's got you all wrong."Rinko smirked, a hint of mischief flickering in his eyes. "Guess I'm full of surprises."Yang laughed, punching him lightly on the arm. "Well, keep 'em coming. It's nice seeing you loosen up a bit. You've got this whole mysterious aura thing going on, but maybe we'll crack it eventually."Rinko raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "Good luck with that."Yang gave him a playful roll of her eyes as they began walking back toward the dorms.Rinko could sense her curiosity, the same curiosity shared by her teammates and almost everyone at Beacon. And while he didn't mind the company, a part of him enjoyed keeping a few secrets.As they parted ways, Yang shot him one last wink. "Don't think this means I'm gonna go easy on you in sparring."Rinko chuckled, his smirk returning as he replied, "Wouldn't expect anything less."LaterAs Dr. Oobleck animatedly paced the room, his voice racing through centuries of Remnant's history, Kakashi found himself drawn deeper into the story of a world he was still coming to understand.Despite the brisk pace of Oobleck's lecture, every detail seemed to spark something in him.His sharp mind caught on to each fragment of Remnant's past-the Great War, the formation of the Kingdoms, and the complex dynamics of Dust and Grimm.For Kakashi, the history of this world was not just another subject. It was a critical layer to uncovering Remnant's truths, its conflicts, and the powerful forces at play.With each lecture, he saw parallels to his own world-the power struggles, alliances, and betrayals, albeit in a setting vastly different from the shinobi life.As he glanced around the lecture hall, he noted that most of the students were either struggling to stay awake or entirely disengaged.It didn't surprise him, though he raised an eyebrow at Jaune, whose head was bobbing as he drifted in and out of sleep, muttering something about pancakes.But then Kakashi's gaze shifted to those few who were equally focused.Pyrrha sat forward, brows knit in concentration as she took diligent notes, her intensity a testament to her dedication.Beside her, Ren maintained his usual calm composure, but his eyes were fixed on Oobleck, absorbing every word.His eyes finally landed on Weiss, whose focus on the lecture seemed almost personal.Rinko recognized that look-someone who saw their place in history as a continuation of their family's legacy.Blake, too, listened closely, her posture tense yet attentive, as though this lecture held the key to understanding both the world around her and the one she once fought against.As Dr. Oobleck rambled on about the vital alliances between the Kingdoms following the Great War, Kakashi couldn't help but feel a strange camaraderie with those few who shared his focus. In this diverse world of Hunters and Huntresses, he found himself connecting to the same drive for knowledge and understanding that had always guided him."Now," Oobleck continued, his voice filled with excitement, "can anyone tell me the significance of the Vytal Festival and its impact on the peace agreements between the Kingdoms?"Kakashi raised a hand, surprising both Oobleck and the other students around him. The doctor's eyes lit up, thrilled to have a response from an unexpected source."Ah! Mr. Schnee, please, enlighten us!"Rinko cleared his throat. "The Vytal Festival was established to foster unity and mutual respect among the Kingdoms. It's a celebration, but also a symbolic reminder of the peace they share-reminding everyone of what could be lost if conflict arises again."Dr. Oobleck beamed. "Precisely! An astute observation! The festival is both tradition and necessity, reinforcing the values of camaraderie and peace through competition rather than war!"As Kakashi settled back into his seat, a few of the more alert students glanced at him in surprise. Weiss gave him a small, approving nod, clearly impressed, while Blake's curiosity seemed piqued.Oobleck continued on, as fast and lively as ever, but Kakashi couldn't help but notice a few more attentive listeners now.Perhaps his interest in this history had made an impression. He let a small smile show beneath his mask-maybe, just maybe, he was starting to find his place among them.[End]