We made it back to the cliffside without running into any more boss-level Grimm.
The trip was actually peacefully quiet, mostly because I think the Death Stalker and the Nevermore had scared off every other monster in a five-mile radius.
We walked up to the makeshift command tent where Professor Goodwitch was waiting and placed our white Knight piece on the table. She gave us a curt, approving nod, marking something down on her scroll.
"Well done. You two may wait with the others until the remaining pairs return," Glynda instructed.
I nodded, rolling my shoulders as Pyrrha and I walked over to the edge of the cliff to watch the tree line. Several other students had already made it back, standing around in small clusters. I casually scanned the crowd, trying to match faces to the show's background cast.
I didn't recognize most of them, but my eyes landed on a tall, bulky guy with copper hair and smug expression, holding a massive mace. Cardin Winchester.
In a flipped society, a guy like Cardin acting like a stereotypical jock bully was a strange anomaly.
I let out a long, heavy sigh.
Pyrrha, who had been standing quietly beside me, immediately turned her head. "Is something the matter, Katsuya? Are you experiencing aura exhaustion? We ran quite fast."
"No, I'm fine," I said, offering her a reassuring smile. "Just thinking about the future, that's all."
She seemed to accept that, turning her green eyes back to the forest. As she did, the familiar ping of the system echoed in my head. I swiped my hand to open the translucent blue screen.
[Maka]: Hey, Katsuya! Since the chat is quiet right now, I wanted to ask more about everyone. It's so weird knowing we're technically the 'same person' but we've all lived completely different lives and have different memories.
That was one way to put it. They all had decades of established backstory and deep lore in their respective universes. I, on the other hand, had literally gained consciousness and a physical body about three days ago.
[Katsuya]: Yeah, it's definitely a trip. I'm Katsuya Akiya, currently surviving in the world of RWBY. I'm basically a first-year Huntsman student right now, just trying not to get eaten by Grimm.
[Maka]: RWBY! Do you want me to send you Excalibur? I know where his cave is.
I felt a violent, visceral shiver run down my spine. The image of a weird, white, cane-wielding creature singing 'FOOL!' flashed through my mind.
[Katsuya]: No way in hell. Keep that annoying thing as far away from me as physically possible. I would rather punch a Death Stalker to death with my bare hands.
[Maka]: Haha! I totally agree! Good call. I wouldn't wish him on my worst enemy.
[Katsuya]: Wait, if you know where he is, what point of the timeline are you at? Have Death the Kid and Black Star encountered him yet?
[Maka]: Nope. Soul and I are actually just about to start our very first extra-curricular lesson together. We're going after Blair the 'witch' tomorrow. So, technically, it's the very first episode.
I nodded to myself. So Maka was right at the beginning of Soul Eater. That was good to know.
Before I could ask her anything else, another name popped up in the chat, accompanied by an audible, digital sigh.
[Scathach]: I am profoundly bored.
[Katsuya]: Uh oh. What are you doing?
[Scathach]: Since I cannot engage in combat, and my forge is currently denying you high-tier weapons until you pay off your debt, I have turned to tailoring. You are in desperate need of better attire than that casual jacket.
[Katsuya]: Tailoring? You know how to make clothes?
[Scathach]: I am a Queen and an immortal master of all arts. Of course I can tailor. Your fave gives off a very strong Ken Kaneki aesthetic. I am currently finishing a custom, formal combat suit tailored to your exact measurements to match it. Try it on when I send it over. Do not complain about the fit; my measurements are flawless.
I blinked at the screen, a mix of apprehension and genuine excitement bubbling up. An immortal Celtic warrior queen was currently playing dress-up because she was bored.
'How does she...?'
[Katsuya]: ...I'm honestly afraid to ask, but I can't wait to see it.
The ride back to Beacon Academy on the transport airships was a blur. The adrenaline from the forest had completely worn off, leaving me feeling mechanically exhausted.
My body was operating on autopilot as I walked off the landing pad and followed the crowd of initiates through the school's massive courtyard, my eyes completely glazed over as I focused entirely on the system interface hovering in my peripheral vision.
> [System: You have received 'Formal Combat Suit' from Scathach.]
> [System: You have received 'Casual Streetwear Set' from Scathach.]
> [System: You have received 'Stealth Operations Trench' from Scathach.]
[Scathach]: I expect visual confirmation of the fit later. Now that you are properly outfitted for both combat and casual encounters, my boredom has been momentarily sated.
[Katsuya]: Holy crap, Scathach. You made all of this in like, an hour? Thank you! These actually look incredible.
[Scathach]: Do not let it go to your head. Consider this your second tab. As of this moment, both the forge and the tailor shop are officially locked. I will not lift a single needle or hammer until both of your debts to me are paid in full.
[Katsuya]: Right. The incredibly ambiguous multiversal debt. Don't worry, I will... inevitably pay you back. Somehow.
I closed the chat with a heavy sigh, dismissing the blue screen as we finally filed into the massive auditorium.
The room was dimly lit, save for the bright spotlights illuminating the stage where Headmaster Ozpin and Professor Goodwitch stood. The atmosphere was a mix of nervous tension and sheer exhaustion. I found myself standing in a loose cluster with Pyrrha, Nora, and Ren, watching as Ozpin began calling students up to the stage in pairs to form their four-person teams.
Cardin Winchester and his group went up first, officially forming Team CRDL. I paid zero attention to them, my eyes instead drifting over the remaining students.
Since Jaune wasn't here to forge his transcripts and take the initiation, our group dynamics were completely thrown off. Pyrrha and I had our relics. Nora and Ren had theirs. There were a couple of other random background students nervously holding chess pieces, but it was obvious who the narrative was pushing together.
"Blake Belladonna. Ruby Rose. Weiss Schnee. Yang Xiao Long," Ozpin's voice echoed through the microphone, smooth and authoritative.
The four girls walked up to the stage. Blake looked completely apathetic, Weiss looked like she had a migraine, Yang was aggressively pouting, and Ruby looked like a deer caught in headlights.
"The four of you retrieved the white Knight pieces," Ozpin continued, giving them a small, approving smile. "From this day forward, you will work together as... Team RWBY."
The screen behind him flashed with their team name.
"Led by... Ruby Rose."
Ruby's silver eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. "L-Led by me?!"
Weiss immediately stiffened, her jaw dropping in absolute horror. "Her?! But I—She's a child!"
Ozpin ignored the heiress's protest, taking a sip from his mug. "Congratulations, Team RWBY. You may step down."
As they turned to leave the stage, the reality of their situation seemed to crash down on two of them at the exact same time. Ruby realized she was going to be bossed around by Weiss for the next four years without a cool older guy to act as a buffer. Yang realized she was partnered with a quiet bookworm and was completely separated from the only guy she had actively tried to flirt with all day.
They locked eyes with each other, then looked down at me standing in the crowd with Pyrrha, before both sisters dropped to their knees on the stage.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
I watched Yang and Ruby dramatically sobbing on the stage floor, completely baffled by the sheer theatricality of it.
I leaned over slightly, keeping my voice low. "Why are they screaming?"
Pyrrha, who was standing beside me with her usual perfect posture, just offered a very polite, elegant shrug. "I believe they are experiencing an emotional adjustment to their new team dynamic."
"Right. Dramatic," I muttered.
"Pyrrha Nikos. Lie Ren. Katsuya Akiya. Nora Valkyrie," Ozpin's voice called out, cutting through the murmurs of the auditorium.
The four of us walked up the steps and took our places on the stage. Nora was practically bouncing on her heels, Ren looked as stoic as ever, and I just tried to stand up straight despite the lingering fatigue in my muscles.
"The four of you retrieved the white Rook pieces," Ozpin said, his eyes scanning the four of us over the rim of his mug. "From this day forward, you will work together as a team. And you shall be led by... Pyrrha Nikos."
I nodded, perfectly fine with that outcome. But to my surprise, Pyrrha actually stepped forward, raising her hand slightly.
"Headmaster, if I may," Pyrrha spoke up, her voice clear and respectful. "I am honored by the assignment, but I must voice an objection. During our engagement with the Death Stalker in the forest, it was Katsuya who provided the tactical coordination and strategy that allowed us to defeat the Grimm. He organized our strikes perfectly."
"She's right!" Nora chimed in, pointing a thumb at me. "He basically played us like a video game! It was super effective!"
Ren gave a small, affirming nod. "His battlefield awareness is highly advanced."
I felt my face heat up as the entire auditorium, including Ozpin and Glynda, suddenly locked their eyes on me. A guy displaying advanced tactical leadership was apparently a huge deal in this flipped society, and I could already hear the whispers starting in the crowd.
"Whoa, hold on!" I said quickly, waving my hands in surrender and taking a step back. "Let's not get crazy here. Pyrrha, you literally have four regional combat championships under your belt. You are a certified prodigy."
I lowered my voice a bit, giving them an honest, sheepish look. "Honestly? That was my first actual time fighting a monster. Ever. I just shouted out a few ideas because I didn't want to get squashed. I am way more comfortable with you being the leader."
Pyrrha looked at me, her eyes softening with a mix of surprise and genuine respect. In a world where people constantly vied for power and recognition maybe even more so because of the swap, willingly stepping down and admitting a lack of experience was probably not something she saw often.
"If you are certain, Katsuya," Pyrrha smiled warmly. "I accept."
Ozpin hummed, looking mildly amused. "Very well. Led by Pyrrha Nikos... the four of you shall be known as Team PRKN."
The letters P-R-K-N flashed on the massive screen behind us in bold font.
"Team Perkins," Ozpin announced.
I immediately slapped a hand over my mouth.
I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek, my shoulders shaking as I desperately stifled a laugh.
As we walked off the stage, Nora cheering about our new team name, I couldn't hold it in anymore. I flicked open the system interface with my left hand and brought up the multiversal chat.
[Katsuya]: Okay, you guys are not going to believe this.
[Lightning]: Did you get expelled for using the gunblade?
[Katsuya]: No, I survived!
[Maka]:What's your team name?
[Katsuya]: I am partnered with Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora. Our team is PRKN.
[Lightning]: Wait. PRKN? Like... Perkins?
[Katsuya]: Yes. We are Team Perkins.
[Maka]: Oh my god, no way! I remember going there at 2 AM after college exams before we died! The Tremendous Twelve platter!
[Koneko]: lmao. the memories of those potato pancakes are flooding back. truly peak late-night depression food.
I closed the system interface with a heavy, amused sigh, wiping a stray tear from my eye. God, it was weird sharing a brain with them, but it definitely helped keep me sane.
I decided to focus on my actual, physical teammates. We were going to be living and fighting together for the next four years, so it was probably a good idea to build some positivity. Pyrrha was walking a little ways ahead, politely asking a passing upperclassman for directions to the dorms, leaving me walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Nora and Ren.
"So," I started, clapping my hands together lightly to break the silence. "Team building time. You two obviously know each other pretty well. What's the story? You guys childhood friends or something?"
Nora perked up instantly, practically vibrating with excitement at the chance to talk.
"Yep! We've been together forever!" Nora chirped cheerfully, marching alongside us with exaggerated swings of her arms. "We're basically inseparable! We survived a Grimm attack on our village when we were kids, and we've been traveling and training together ever since! But we are absolutely not 'together-together', if that's what you're thinking!"
"Oh, really?" I asked, genuinely trying to follow the conversation, though my meta-knowledge of canon told me they were basically destined to be a couple.
"Nope!" Nora declared loudly, grinning from ear to ear. "Because Ren likes other boys!"
I stopped dead in my tracks.
My boot squeaked against the polished academy floor. My brain completely stalled out.
I slowly, very slowly, turned my head to look at Ren.
The usually stoic, unshakeable ninja had also stopped walking. He wasn't looking at Nora, and he definitely wasn't looking at me. Instead, he was staring intensely at a nearby stone pillar. His hands were clasped together politely in front of him, and a very visible, very deep blush had spread across his pale cheeks, reaching all the way to the tips of his ears.
He looked incredibly timid, shifting his weight awkwardly from foot to foot like a startled deer.
"Nora..." Ren muttered softly, his voice barely above a whisper, laced with absolute mortification. "You did not have to... share that so abruptly."
I stood there, completely bewildered, staring at the shy, blushing boy in the green tailcoat.
Wait. What?! Was Ren actually gay, or was he just acting like a stereotypical, bashful maiden because another guy was looking at him?