Months Later, RinkoMonths had passed since the incident with the bandits and Jacques Schnee, and life at Beacon Academy had settled back into its familiar rhythm.Rinko Schnee, however, was far from the ordinary student.Since arriving at Beacon, he had steadily carved a reputation for himself-not just as a talented young Huntsman-in-training, but as one of the academy's finest.He was held in the same esteem that many reserved for Pyrrha Nikos; his peers spoke of him with respect, admiration, and perhaps a touch of envy.Despite being the only student in Beacon's history granted permission to operate as a one-man team, Rinko handled the challenge with such skill that it left little room for doubt.Rinko had a unique blend of talents, something Ozpin recognized almost immediately. It wasn't just his intellect or his combat skills-though both were impressive-it was his adaptability, his resourcefulness, and his uncanny intuition.He could read situations, people, and environments with a precision that seemed beyond his years.To Ozpin, Rinko was like a team of four all rolled into one: a strategist, a warrior, a scout, and a diplomat, each with their strengths and combined with his wisdom and insight.Of course, this is all Kakashi's doing. The original Rinko Schnee isn't in his body... Probably died.But Kakashi doesn't have the energy to care to find out why or how.Still, while others at Beacon were eagerly training for the Vytal Festival, Rinko showed little interest in the grand event.While other students buzzed with excitement at the thought of the matches, he treated it with a reserved indifference.Rinko had no desire to prove his skills through spectacle; he'd rather spend his energy elsewhere.These kinds of events are for the young and the hungry, and for Kakashi-he's too old for these such events but he understood it's significance within Remnant.And he respected that.His real passion wasn't in fighting for the crowds; instead, it lay in something simpler, something that had nothing to do with huntsmen or combat.It was a series of books he'd come to adore-Ninja of Love.But to his heart, Icha Icha will always be the number one.That day in Beacon's grand library, Rinko was seated by himself, leaning forward as he read the final pages of Ninja of Love, Volume 5.His eyes darted eagerly across the text, and the tension in his expression melted into sheer satisfaction as he closed the last page. He looked up, a rare, wide smile breaking across his face."This.. is so good." he muttered to himself quietly.But no sooner had he quieted himself than his gaze shifted to the bookshelf.There it was-Ninja of Love, Volume 6, gleaming with promise. He reached out for it, his fingers almost trembling with excitement as he pulled it from the shelf."This must be heaven..." he whispered to himself, cradling the book as if it were a treasured relic. For a moment, he was completely at peace, lost in his own little world.Despite his formidable reputation and the intensity of his training, moments like these revealed the side of Kakashi.An old man within a young man's body.Beneath the titles and talents, he's a type of man who cherished the simple things.He could live like this.. Forever.Kakashi soon left to the library while holding his favourite novel as he headed to the dorm building.Rinko was so engrossed in the first few pages of Ninja of Love Volume 6 that he barely registered his surroundings. Walking through the dormitory hallway, he turned a corner and collided with someone head-on."Oof!" a startled voice gasped as a girl hit the ground, clutching her head with a grimace. Rinko, hardly fazed by the impact, quickly closed his book and glanced down at her, momentarily caught off guard.The girl was a dark-skinned student with vibrant green hair, and she seemed disoriented, rubbing her head as she muttered, "Ow..." Beside her standing another student, a young man with silver-grey hair, who looked at Rinko with mild surprise.Rinko quickly knelt, offering her a hand. "I'm really sorry about that. I didn't mean to-uh, I was just... distracted." He gave her a sheepish smile, showing the book in his other hand.The girl took his hand with a huff, brushing herself off as she got to her feet. "Hey, it's cool. Maybe next time you stay put when you read instead of walking.""Maa... What can I say? This book is just that good." Rinko defended himself with a casual shrug and a grin.The silver-haired guy's eyes widened slightly, his expression shifting to recognition as he took in the sight of Rinko standing before them, book in hand."Wait... Are you Rinko Schnee?" he asked, pointing a finger with a mix of surprise and intrigue. "The Rinko Schnee? Top student at Beacon? I've heard a lot about you."Rinko gave a modest smile, clearly used to this sort of reaction. "Yeah, that's me," he said with a light chuckle. "Not sure I deserve all the hype, but I guess my sister might've had a little influence on that reputation."The green-haired girl, still recovering from the bump, raised an eyebrow as she glanced between Rinko and her silver-haired friend. "You're telling me this is the famous Rinko Schnee?" she asked, still half in disbelief. "The guy everyone keeps talking about like he's Beacon's next legend?""Guess I am," Rinko replied casually. "Although I'm still figuring out why I get so much attention. But hey, you've got to enjoy the little things, right? Like Ninja of Love." He lifted the book with a grin.Emerald looked at him with a skeptical but amused expression. "I never imagined someone like you would be into cheesy romance novels. Looks can be deceiving, I guess.""Oh, trust me," Rinko replied, unable to resist the teasing, "if you gave it a shot, you'd get hooked too. The plot twists, the romance, the action... It's practically a strategy guide on relationships."The silver-haired guy, finally shaking off his surprise, smirked. "I'm Mercury, by the way, and this is Emerald. We're part of Haven Academy's team. Figured we'd be hearing about a Schnee around here, but you're definitely... different than I expected.""Well, nice to meet you both," Rinko said, extending a hand. "And if either of you wants to borrow the book after I'm done, you're welcome to it. Consider it a lesson in Beacon's taste in fine literature."Emerald rolled her eyes but couldn't help laughing. "Maybe next time we won't crash into you first. But who knows? We might just take you up on that offer."With a friendly nod, Rinko continued down the hallway, flipping open his book and smiling to himself. It wasn't every day he met someone who didn't expect him to be as, well, normal as he was.As he walked away, he thought about how funny it was-the most notable student in Beacon Academy getting wrapped up in romance novels and meeting new friends in the most unexpected ways.Mercury, Emerald"What an odd fella," Emerald scoffed, glancing back at Rinko's retreating figure as she continued down the hallway with Mercury. "Are you sure that was the Rinko Schnee?"Mercury smirked, shrugging slightly. "That's definitely him. Top student, unbeatable in combat class, Weiss's brother-the whole package."Emerald rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "He didn't feel like any top student to me. Here I was expecting some snobby, holier-than-thou type. Instead, we get..." She paused, struggling to find the right words. "...a guy who's totally obsessed with romance novels?""Yeah, kind of underwhelming," Mercury replied, his expression half-amused, half-puzzled. "You'd think with all the hype, he'd have more... I don't know, intensity?"Emerald huffed, shaking her head. "Right? He felt like a total weirdo. I thought Schnees were supposed to be all serious and proper, not... whatever that was.""Agreed," Mercury muttered, watching Rinko round the corner, already lost in his book again. "Guy's got all the hype and reputation, and he's just casually walking around with his nose buried in some cheesy romance novel."Emerald smirked. "Maybe it's a trick. He's pretending to be all harmless and relatable so no one suspects how powerful he really is."Mercury chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Or maybe he's just... actually that weird."Emerald let out a laugh, shaking her head as they continued walking. "Guess it doesn't matter. But, I gotta admit... I'm kinda curious to see him fight now. If he's as good as everyone says, he might actually be worth watching."Mercury gave a slight nod. "Yeah... just hope he doesn't try to smack us with a copy of Ninja of Love in the middle of a fight."They both shared a laugh, dismissing Rinko's strange behavior, but somewhere in the back of their minds, a sliver of intrigue lingered.For all his quirks, Rinko Schnee was still one of the most formidable students at Beacon, and they had a feeling they'd be seeing more of him soon enough.Later, One of Rinko's ClassesAs Professor Glynda called out their names, a ripple of anticipation spread through the class. "Pyrrha Nikos from Team JNPR and... Rinko Schnee," she announced, her voice clear and controlled.Students around the arena exchanged glances, whispering in excitement.This was a rare opportunity to watch two of Beacon's finest students in action-The Invincible Girl versus the White Devil.But Rinko had one more edge that not everyone knew: the spirit of Kakashi Hatake, the legendary shinobi, resided within him. With years of taijutsu mastery ingrained in his skills, Rinko brought an agility and finesse few others could match.Emerald, Cinder and Mercury watched them below as Rinko and Pyrrha entered the arena."Oh, this gotta be good!" Mercury slammed his fist to his other fist with excitement.Pyrrha and Rinko exchanged friendly nods, a hint of respect and excitement flashing in their eyes."You know the rules," Professor Glynda reminded them. "Aura at 15% or below will be considered a defeat. Begin!"Pyrrha moved first, her spear flashing as she lunged forward. Rinko didn't reach for his katana.Instead, he kept his stance loose, opting to rely solely on his hand-to-hand skills. He knew Pyrrha's polarity semblance could give her control over his metal blade, and he wasn't about to give her that advantage.He sidestepped with ease, using the taijutsu skills honed through Kakashi's experience. Pyrrha's attacks came fast, her movements fluid and precise, but Rinko countered with a calm, measured response, blocking with an open palm and delivering quick, light strikes to her aura."You're not going for your sword?" Pyrrha asked with a smile as she adjusted her stance, switching to a defensive approach."Not this time. Let's keep it interesting," Rinko replied, his voice calm but focused.Rinko's agility and control were impressive, his hand-to-hand skills displaying a unique style that seemed foreign yet perfectly adapted to his movements. Every step was calculated, his strikes swift and precise as he evaded Pyrrha's attacks and kept her on her toes."Whoa, is he actually holding his own against Pyrrha without a weapon?" Ruby whispered, wide-eyed.Yang grinned. "I think he's more than holding his own. He's like a ghost in there."Weiss watched with pride and curiosity. "Yeah! You can do it, Rinko!" Weiss cheered, breaking her icy demeanor.As Pyrrha intensified her attacks, switching to more aggressive maneuvers, Rinko countered with an impressive array of evasive moves, blocking and redirecting her strikes with minimal effort.Thanks to his past life, Kakashi used his years of training that finesse often beat brute strength, and he was demonstrating that with every move.The students watched, mesmerized by Rinko's ability to keep up with Pyrrha's attacks. His movements were almost effortless, his calm, controlled demeanor a contrast to the intensity of the battle.Finally, Pyrrha managed to break through his defense with a quick feint, landing a solid hit to his shoulder. Rinko staggered back but quickly recovered, grinning. "Nice one," he admitted.Pyrrha returned the grin, breathing heavily. "You too. I haven't seen anyone fight like that-it's almost like you're anticipating my moves."Rinko gave a small smile, brushing the sweat off his brow. "Guess I've got a few tricks up my sleeve."In the audience, a mixture of murmurs and whispers buzzed among the students. Emerald, watching intently, folded her arms with a mixture of skepticism and reluctant admiration. She leaned closer to Mercury, who was also focused on the match, his face unreadable."I wonder when he'll finally use his weapon..." Emerald muttered, sounding both curious and slightly annoyed. "I mean, sure, he's got skills, but how exactly does he expect to beat someone who's armed without showing his full range?"Mercury smirked, noticing her mixed reaction. "Don't let it bug you, Em. He's obviously holding back-maybe he knows something we don't."Emerald scoffed lightly, but her eyes lingered on Rinko, studying the way he held himself. She'd seen plenty of fighters at Beacon, and even more outside it, but there was something about him that felt different.The way he moved was calculated, like he'd trained far beyond the usual Huntsman standards. And the fact that he'd gone up against Pyrrha, of all people, without a weapon? That demanded a bit of respect."Still," she said, sounding reluctantly impressed, "it's a weird strategy. Why not go all out?"Mercury shrugged. "Maybe for him, this is going all out. Or maybe he knows that by using his blade, he'd risk giving Pyrrha more control with her semblance."Emerald's eyes narrowed. "Hmph. You really think he's that careful?""Careful or not," Mercury replied, his gaze never leaving the fight, "he's been making a name for himself around here-and he's making Pyrrha work for it."As the audience watched, Rinko's posture shifted, his body relaxing but his eyes sharpening as he adopted a defensive stance. He knew Pyrrha wouldn't let him catch a break-this was a fight to the finish. Pyrrha's muscles tensed, and with a flash of movement, she charged toward him with speed that almost matched his own.Rinko's senses heightened, his body reacting without thinking. As Pyrrha closed the distance, her spear lashing out in a rapid series of strikes, Rinko deftly dodged and weaved around each attack, his movements fluid and calculated. His eyes tracked her every move, reading her like a book.Then, just as Pyrrha went in for a quick horizontal slash, Rinko spotted an opening-a moment of vulnerability. He immediately took action, darting in and attempting a powerful punch aimed at her side.But Pyrrha was fast. Her shield snapped up in a heartbeat, blocking the blow and pushing him back just enough to regain her footing.Rinko gritted his teeth, knowing she was adapting quickly. But he wasn't done. With a fluid motion, he ducked low, rolling under her next strike. As he came up, his leg shot out in a lightning-fast sweep, his boot connecting with her knee.Pyrrha stumbled slightly, her balance momentarily thrown off.That was all Rinko needed.Without missing a beat, he shifted his weight and launched forward, closing the gap between them. In a blur of motion, he landed a clean punch to her face. The blow was sharp, quick, and precise-a clean hit to her cheek.It all happened so fast that the audience barely had time to react. The sound of Rinko's fist connecting with Pyrrha's face echoed through the arena, and for a brief moment, Pyrrha seemed stunned.She staggered back a couple of steps, her hand reaching up to her face, but her eyes were fierce with determination.Rinko stood tall, his expression calm and collected.In the stands, Mercury and Emerald exchanged looks."Impressive," Mercury muttered, his eyes glued to Rinko. "I think we've been underestimating him."Emerald simply nodded, her arms crossed as she watched the fight unfold. "Yeah... I thought he was just some weirdo, but this kid knows his stuff."Jaune, who had been silently watching from the sidelines, couldn't hold back his surprise. "No way he actually managed to hit Pyrrha!" he blurted out, his voice filled with a mix of awe and disbelief.He had always respected Pyrrha's skill, and seeing someone land a blow on her was something that left him speechless.Ren, ever the observer, nodded thoughtfully as he leaned slightly forward. "Yeah... It was a very unique fighting style I've never seen before." His sharp eyes followed Rinko's every movement, trying to analyze the intricacies of his technique.The fluidity, the unpredictability, the precision-there was something about it that made Rinko's style hard to read, even for experienced fighters.Pyrrha herself, still recovering from the unexpected punch, took a step back to gather her thoughts.She wiped a trickle of sweat from her brow and looked at Rinko with a mix of disbelief and respect. "That... actually caught me off guard," she said, her voice still a little breathless.Rinko gave her a slight grin, his posture relaxed as he prepared for her next move. "Guess there's still a lot to be explored, but you better adapt quickly."Pyrrha's lips curved into a confident smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Oh~ I will!" she said with a playful challenge in her tone. Without another word, she lunged at him once more, her spear thrusting forward in a quick, fluid motion.Rinko met her with equal intensity, his body shifting and weaving to dodge her attacks. The arena seemed to pulse with the energy of their clash, both fighters feeding off the adrenaline and thrill of the battle.For both Pyrrha and Rinko, the fight had evolved into something more than just a sparring match-it had become a test of their skills, a chance to push each other to their limits.They could feel the excitement, the rush of combat surging through them. Pyrrha, as always, was a woman of precision and power, her movements calculated yet fluid, a master of her weapon. But Rinko-Rinko was something else entirely.His fighting style was unpredictable, an unorthodox blend of speed, agility, and raw power. The way he could seamlessly switch from defensive to offensive, the way he adapted so quickly to every strike-he was a fighter who didn't just rely on brute force.He used his mind, his instincts, and his reflexes to find openings others might miss.The two of them danced across the arena, their movements so fast that the audience could hardly keep up. Every time Pyrrha thought she had him cornered, Rinko would slip away, his body moving like water, avoiding her strikes with ease.And every time Rinko thought he had an opening, Pyrrha's shield would block him, forcing him to rethink his strategy.Jaune, still watching in awe, leaned over to Ren. "How's he doing that?" he whispered, his eyes wide.Ren didn't break his gaze from the fight. "It's like he's... anticipating her next move. He's not just reacting-he's planning every counter, every strike."Jaune nodded, trying to understand. "But... that's gotta be hard against someone like Pyrrha. She's practically invincible!"Ren's expression remained serious. "It's more than just defense. He's learning her patterns, adapting to her rhythm. It's the mark of a skilled fighter."Meanwhile, in the heat of battle, Rinko's grin widened. He could feel the rush in his blood, the thrill of the fight pulsing through him.Pyrrha wasn't holding back-she was giving it her all, and that made it even more exciting. With a quick feint to the left, he barely dodged a slash from her spear, countering with a swift low kick that forced her to jump back.Pyrrha grinned back at him, clearly enjoying the challenge. "This is what I've been waiting for," she said, her breath coming in shallow bursts as she adjusted her stance. "Let's see if you can keep up!"And just like that, they were off again, dashing toward one another with renewed vigor.Everything faded away as the two fighters locked in a high-speed dance. It was a battle of wills, and neither one was willing to back down.In the stands, the crowd was on the edge of their seats, their eyes glued to the two fighters.They had come to watch Pyrrha, the Invincible Girl, but now they were watching something entirely different-a fight that wasn't about winning or losing, but about testing the limits of what was possible.The arena buzzed with excitement, and in that moment, it was clear: this was no ordinary match. This was a clash of titans."Holy shit... WEISS, YOUR BROTHER'S INSANE!" Yang elbowed Weiss, her excitement breaking through as she pointed at the fierce exchange below.But Weiss remained silent, her gaze fixed intently on Rinko. Even now, watching him fight so fluidly, with such confidence and precision, she could barely believe what she was seeing.This Rinko was such a stark contrast to the quiet, reserved brother she had grown up with.Back then, he'd been the one quietly reading in the corner, always keeping to himself, seemingly untouched by the rough-and-tumble world of combat. But here and now, he was someone entirely different—strong, adaptable, fierce.Weiss bit her lip, a strange mix of pride and amazement stirring within her.Here he was, going toe-to-toe with the Academy's "Invincible Girl," and not just holding his own-he was pushing her, challenging her in a way few could.Blake leaned forward, her usually calm expression softened with intrigue. "It's like he's studied Pyrrha's moves. Every counter, every dodge...he's learning as he fights."Ren nodded in agreement. "It's as if he's reading her. He knows when to move, when to strike. It's a skill honed through discipline—one I never would have expected."Ruby's eyes sparkled as she watched the intense exchange. "Weiss, did you know he was this good? Like, not just 'good' but this good?"Weiss blinked, shaking herself from her thoughts. "Honestly... no. This is-this is new to me too," she admitted quietly, almost in awe. Her mind drifted back to memories of a much younger Rinko, back before they'd grown distant.The brother she knew back then wouldn't have been capable of this; he was someone who despised working out or fighting-nothing like the powerful, focused fighter dominating the arena now in front of her.On the floor, Pyrrha let out a sharp breath, her eyes narrowing as she wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. She could feel her pulse quicken, her heart pounding in her chest. "You're good, Rinko. Better than I expected," she admitted with a challenging grin, her tone filled with respect.Rinko merely shrugged, a small smirk playing at his lips. "I'd say the same to you, but... I think we both already knew that." He readied his stance, gripping his fist tightly, his eyes sharp, his entire posture exuding a quiet confidence.Above them, Mercury leaned over shaking his head slightly. "Guy's got guts. But if he's hiding this much potential, then why the weird act before?"Emerald scoffed, crossing her arms. "I don't get it. First, he's this aloof guy wandering around with his nose in a book, and now he's pulling moves like he's been doing this for years? Talk about a 180."Cinder stayed silent but couldn't help but form a smirk. 'Impressive..'Yang grinned as she looked back at Weiss. "Guess your brother's full of surprises, huh?"Weiss allowed herself a faint smile. "Yeah... he certainly is."As Pyrrha and Rinko dashed toward each other once more, Weiss's heart pounded with the same thrill as the rest of the crowd.She felt something shift within her-pride, admiration, and maybe even a newfound respect for the person her brother had become.The clash continued with breathtaking intensity, every move calculated and every counter carefully executed.Pyrrha swung her spear with remarkable precision, but Rinko was just as quick, blocking and weaving, sidestepping her attacks with almost effortless skill.The crowd watched in stunned silence, enraptured by the elegance of their combat.Then, in a split-second, Rinko saw an opening. His eyes narrowed as he shifted his weight, launching himself into a low sweep that forced Pyrrha to stumble back.Capitalizing on her momentary imbalance, Rinko sprang upward with an incredible burst of speed, bringing his leg around in a powerful, spinning kick that connected cleanly with Pyrrha's jaw.The force sent her flying upward, and gasps echoed throughout the arena.Without hesitation, Rinko leaped after her, meeting her midair as she attempted to recover.Their eyes locked, a flash of competitive spirit passing between them. Pyrrha readied her shield just in time to deflect his next strike, but Rinko shifted his weight, moving past her defenses with a quick twist and delivering a precise kick to her side.Pyrrha winced, but she recovered quickly, using her semblance to redirect his momentum. She swung her spear around in an arc, forcing Rinko to dodge, and as he spun away, she threw her shield with perfect aim, aiming to knock him off balance.Rinko managed to sidestep at the last second, but the shield grazed his shoulder, almost made him lose balance briefly as he landed down the tiles of the arena.Pyrrha landed opposite him, breathing heavily, but with a grin of exhilaration spreading across her face."Impressive, Rinko," she managed between breaths. "It's been a long time since anyone's pushed me this hard."Rinko gave a small nod, returning her grin. "You live up to the title of 'Invincible Girl.'"From the sidelines, Weiss couldn't help but let out a small, breathless laugh. Her brother had just sent one of the most respected fighters in Beacon flying-something she never thought she'd witness.Around her, the other students were just as captivated, watching the two with wide eyes and bated breath.As the bell rang, signaling the end of the match, an audible groan of disappointment rose from the students gathered around.Everyone had been on the edge of their seats, hoping to witness a decisive conclusion to the clash between the "Invincible Girl" and the "White Devil." Rinko and Pyrrha shared a glance, both still energized, still eager to see the battle through to the end.Professor Glynda stepped forward, her expression both stern and approving. "That's enough, you two," she announced, her voice cutting through the buzz of the crowd. "You've both shown exemplary skills already-skills more than fitting for the upcoming Vytal Festival."Pyrrha and Rinko took a step back from each other, bowing slightly in respect.Pyrrha's cheeks were flushed, her breathing heavy, but her eyes sparkled with the thrill of the fight.Rinko, though calm, couldn't hide a slight smirk as he ran a hand through his hair. They both knew they'd given it their all.Pyrrha extended a hand to him, still catching her breath. "I haven't had a fight that exciting in ages, Rinko. You really know how to keep someone on their toes."Rinko chuckled, accepting her handshake. "The feeling's mutual, Pyrrha. I'm sure we'll have another chance to settle this-properly next time."Around them, their classmates buzzed with chatter."That was incredible!" Jaune exclaimed, still wide-eyed. "I've never seen Pyrrha pushed like that!"Nora grinned widely, almost bouncing with excitement. "She's loving it! Look at her face-she's having the time of her life!"Ren nodded thoughtfully, a rare smile on his face. "It's a good reminder that even the best can still find a worthy opponent."Yang elbowed Weiss, her grin stretching from ear to ear. "See? Your brother's got serious moves, Ice Queen! Guess that fighting spirit runs in the family."Weiss couldn't help but smirk, pride flickering in her eyes. "Sure, Yang." Weiss couldn't help but smirk to Yang's teasing.Ruby, however, was practically vibrating with excitement. "Did you see how fast he was? He was like-whoosh! And Pyrrha was like-bam! I can't wait to see him at the Vytal Festival!"The arena slowly cleared, but the energy from the match lingered as Rinko and Pyrrha made their way off the platform.They exchanged a few more words as they walked, laughing and recounting moments from the fight where one of them nearly had the other.As they parted ways, Glynda's voice called out one last time, reminding the students of their goals. "I expect each of you to be at your very best for the Vytal Festival. Use today's match as inspiration to push yourselves even harder."The class dispersed, students chattering excitedly about what they had just witnessed.As the arena cleared, in the shadows near the back, Cinder observed the entire match with her usual calculating gaze, her expression unreadable. She had been watching Rinko with growing interest, though she'd kept a low profile among the other spectators."Interesting," she murmured, crossing her arms as she watched him laugh and talk with Pyrrha and the others. "So, that's Rinko Schnee..."Emerald's expression, a mixture of curiosity and annoyance. "He's tough, I'll give him that. But he doesn't seem like much of a threat. Just another Schnee with a fancy title."Cinder's eyes narrowed slightly as she continued to watch Rinko. "Don't underestimate him, Emerald. He held his own against Pyrrha Nikos, and he did it without his weapon. That shows discipline-and skill."Emerald huffed. "Still, he doesn't seem like someone we need to worry about."Mercury glanced over with a smirk. "Maybe not, but he's got potential. He might even give us a good challenge at the Vytal Festival."Cinder's gaze remained fixed on Rinko, a thoughtful glint in her eyes. "Potential indeed. The Schnee family has always held influence and power-perhaps this one is no different. But we'll see soon enough."Emerald raised an eyebrow, noticing the unusual interest Cinder was taking. "So... are we adding him to the list of threats to keep an eye on?"Cinder finally looked away from Rinko, a sly smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Not just yet. But he could be a useful asset-or obstacle. If he's as talented as he seems, he may be worth testing... or manipulating."With that, she turned and walked away from the arena, her mind already crafting strategies and plans for the young Schnee.Emerald and Mercury exchanged glances, uncertain what Cinder intended, but knowing better than to question her.As they followed her out, Cinder gave one last, fleeting look at Rinko, her smile growing colder.She could already imagine the ways she might bring him under her influence-or crush him, should he stand in her way.As Rinko joined his friends, he felt their supportive slaps on the back, their cheers, and the admiration in their eyes. He knew he'd left a mark today, not just with Pyrrha, but with everyone watching.[End]