AN: First things first, an explanation of the changes to the previous chapter.

If the relics are as crucial as they later become, then they should at least be hinted at from the very beginning. I'm also going to try and do the same with the Maidens as well.

I also wanted to give a little more insight into Roman, flesh him out a little more, and give him a semblance. As for that brief mention of the thugs having Aura, it doesn't make sense for ANYONE in Remnant to not have Aura, but even less sense for professional criminals to not have it. Also, we're treating the dust robberies like they have consequences, like Ruby needing to conserve dust.

I hope I did a good job of giving a better explanation of what being a huntsman entails, and also alluding to the idea that the huntsmen are beginning to be seen as superfluous and overrated (think the Knights Watch or the Survey Core).

And with that little bit of dialogue between Ruby and Yang, I've answered two of the biggest questions the audience had after Volume one. Also, I am omitting Jaune throwing up on the ship because if you want the audience to like and take a character seriously, it's probably not the best idea to throw him under the bus before you've even told us his real name.

Moving on, I know this is another short chapter. And this one covers both "The Shining Beacon" and "The First Step" because there's only one scene in "The First Step" that I take issue with. What can I say, these first three episodes were pretty solid.

Jaune Arc emerged from the bullhead and steadied himself against the nearest trash can, desperately hoping he wouldn't need it.

"But... why would I need friends if I have you?"

"Well..." Yang pretended to start waving to an invisible group, "ActuallymyfriendsareoverthereGottagocatchupKayseeyabye!" She took off in the direction of some upperclassmen, hoping the element of surprise would keep Ruby from following.

"Wait a minute. You know barely anyone here, same as me!" Ruby shouted, too late.

"This isn't your ordinary combat school. It's not just sparring and practice, you know! We're here to fight monsters, so... watch where you're going!" The girl in white continued to rant.

Ruby finally lost her temper. "Hey, I said I was sorry, princess!"

"If you're going to lecture others about mishandling dust, maybe try following your own advice and don't blow yourself up."

Ruby jumped. The black-haired girl had come out of nowhere.

The girl in white fumed, "I know how to handle my dust, I'm…"

"Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, one of the largest producers of energy propellant in the world." The girl in black's eyes narrowed, and her tone darkened. "The same company infamous for its controversial labor forces and questionable business…"

She suddenly paused, her eyes darting around. "Look, just don't go blaming others for your own carelessness" she quickly shoved the bottle of dust into Weiss's hands and hurried off.

Ruby expected the girl in white to lash out, but when she looked back at her, she seemed almost ashamed before she turned and stomped off.

"I promise I'll make this up to you!" Ruby called out feebly, before sinking to the ground, "Welcome to Beacon..."

A shadow suddenly past over her. "Hey... I'm Jaune."

Ruby took the blond boy's hand before getting slightly apprehensive. "Are you okay? You looked like you were going to vomit the entire time on the ship."

The boy hung his head in embarrassment. "Nah, it was just motion sickness. Fortunately, I kept it all down" He winced at the awkward progress report.

Ruby giggled a little. "Well, good, it'd be pretty hard for people to take you seriously in the future if their first impression of you was 'vomit boy.'"

"Hey, watch it, or I might start calling you 'crater face'.

"Hey, that explosion was an accident!"

"Well, the name's Jaune Arc! Short, sweet, rolls off the tongue - ladies love it!"

Ruby raised her eyebrow, "do they?"

"I dunno," Jaune wagged his eyebrows up and down, teasingly, "do they?"

Ruby continued to giggle as silence fell between the two. "So... I got this thing!" Ruby quickly unfolded Crescent Rose.

Jaune's surprise at the sudden reveal was quickly replaced by interest. "Whoa! Is that a scythe?"

"It's also a customizable high-impact sniper rifle!"

"A-what...?"

"It's also a gun."

"Ah," Jaune replied, "But wouldn't a scythe require you to get pretty up close to your opponent? Isn't a Sniper rifle function kind of contradictory?"

"Yeah, it took me a long time to master it and find a style that worked for me, but my semblance is speed, so the transitions between the two aren't too difficult for me. Plus, the scythe function helps take some of the kick off my shoulder when I fire."

Jaune listened in genuine interest, "fair enough if it works for you."

Ruby smiled, liking where this talk was going. "What about your weapon?"

Jaune suddenly became a little sheepish as he revealed a simple hand-and-a-half sword. "Oh! I, uh... I got this sword!"

Ruby felt her interest begin to wane a little "Ooooohh!"

"Yeah, and I've got a shield, too!" He produced his scabbard, which quickly expanded into a kite shield.

Ruby's curiosity continued to fade. "So, what do they do?"

Jaune detected the wavering interest and sighed, "honestly, not much. The shield doubles as a scabbard, which makes them easier to carry."

Ruby realized she must have been making him feel self-conscious. "Well, I'm kind of a dork when it comes to weapons, sooo... I guess I did go a little overboard with Crescent Rose. More style and a little less substance."

Jaune smiled. "Yeah, I might make some adjustments to Crocea Mors in the future, maybe add a side-arm, but for now, it works for me. Plus, it's a family heirloom, so it'd be disrespectful not to use it."

Ruby felt her curiosity begin to spring up again. "An heirloom? So it's a classic?"

"Yeah, my Great-great-grandfather used it to fight in the war."

"And it's still usable?" Ruby squealed, her excitement back "That's amazing! What kind of steel is it? What kind of crafting process did they use? Is it damascene?!"

Jaune laughed as he began discussing his swords composition. He couldn't help but feel better talking to this girl. Maybe he wasn't so out of place after all.

It was ten minutes later that the two remembered they were supposed to be at orientation.

"You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far." Ozpin continued his solemn speech to the gathering of fewer than 20 students. "But that said, the Kingdoms still need you. The number of students enrolling at this and other academies is rapidly dwindling. For many, this time of peace has led to complacency. For others, the risks and mortality rates that come with the work frighten them away. All of you have a role to play." With those final words, his eyes scanned each student, his eyes seeming to pierce each of them as if reading their minds. "It is up to you to take the first step."

"Aw, that's so cuuuute!" Yang's cooing was quickly interrupted by a pillow.

"Shut up! I'm not as good at making new friends like you! I can't just ditch my sister and immediately have new ones."

Yang grew a little more somber. "Hey, I'm sorry about earlier. But you can't just rely on me to be your only friend here. And you already made friends with that Jaune guy! Assuming that onesie isn't a deal-breaker and you didn't scare him off nerding out over weapons." She ducked the second pillow.

"Look, I'll always have your back, but I can't always be there to protect you. That's why Beacon assigns us, teams of four, so you can find at least three more people to have your back. Trust me; you've got friends all around you! You just haven't met them yet!"

"So… what's your name?"

"Blake. Blake Bellamy."

"Well, Blake, I'm Yang, Ruby's older sister!"

Blake arched her eyebrows, "You two are sisters?"

"Half-sisters"

"The same dad, different moms."

The two quickly responded, having heard the question before.

"Sounds like Pyrrha's on board for Team Jaune." Jaune continued to boast at Weiss while keeping a respectful distance, "Spots are filling up quick! Now, I'm not supposed to do this, but maybe I could pull some strings, find a place for you. What do you say?"

Weiss smirked, "You think you're cut out to be a leader?"

Jaune recognized the challenge and grinned back. "Well, I am a pretty good strategist. Give me a chance. I might surprise you."

"Well then, let's see how fast you can think. Pyrrha?"

Jaune barely had time to turn before the lance speared his hoody to the locker.

"I'm sorry!"

Goodwitch's voice rang over the intercom, "Would all first-year students please report to Beacon Cliff for initiation? Again, all first-year students report to Beacon Cliff immediately."

"It was nice meeting you!" Pyrrha offered as she retrieved her weapon.

"Likewise…"

Yang couldn't pass up the opportunity to give the blonde boy a hard time, "Having some trouble there, lady-killer?"

Jaune looked up sheepishly, "Guess I went a little overboard with the whole confidence thing."

''Snow Angel' probably wasn't the best start either."

Ruby offered her friend a hand. "Come on, Jaune, let's go."