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The young Roman ventures the halls, relying on his disguise to fool everyone. It was still early, so he wasn't exactly bumping into massive swathes of people. However, that seemed more disconcerting to him; as he passed people in the corridors and food halls, he couldn't blend into a crowd or run; he had only the words of his book to trust. He did trust the book to be real and, should he be found out, he could always run or use the book again. However, his stomach felt tense with anxiety and he wanted to close in on himself the further he walked.

Second guessing himself, Roman almost took the book out to reverse this all when, suddenly, he felt a **** on his back and was knocked over and lands unceremoniously to the ground.

"Woah. You best be careful there, Pal," a voice came from behind him, "This school doesn't need kids who trip over their own feet."

Roman turned his head, glaring up at the source of the voice. He was a male teenager, already clad in armour despite the situation not calling for it. His hair was a short brown. He seemed brutish, by Roman's estimate, considering his build and the fact that he had clearly just pushed him over for no reason.

"'Tripped?' You pushed me," Roman protested, getting up.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" the other teen asked, staring down and closing in on Roman.

It was only at that moment that Roman realized just how small he was. This guy towered over him and it was becoming incredibly noticeable who was of greater strength. Roman, by comparison, seemed almost weedy and geeky. Not unathletic but not physically impressive: almost as though he were a couple years too young.

If only he had Melodic Cudgel, he would be able to stand his ground better. Of course that was left back where he had left it. Still, that's something for the book later.

"I-uh," Roman... was actually getting nervous.

He had no idea why. He had faced fiercer people and this guy was just a run-of-the-mill school bully. He should take him in a fight or at least weasel his way out of a conflict. Yet, his mind was fogged with worry, discomfort and lack of confidence, halting him from taking any action beyond staying planted and stammering to find words.

"G-go a-way," Roman said, pitifully, angering himself. What was wrong with him? Why was he acting just like a teenager? Was he actually that pathetic at that age?

The larger teen responded promptly:

"Go away, huh? Nah. I don't think I will. Are you new or something? I haven't seen you around before. Aren't you a bit young for this school? You actually go here or are you just playing dress up?"

The bombardment of questions, as innocent as they seemed, held a bully's venom. So much so that Roman actually had to hold back tears.

"I-I don't... P-plea-se go away."

Roman couldn't bare much more of this. In a moment he was actually going to start crying and he would never be able to live that down.

Please let this end.

"Hey, Cardin! What are you doing to that guy?"

Roman and Cardin both turned to see where that voice came from.

Roman's eyes widened, as he saw the four girls that he had been looking for all morning.

"Leave him alone. He's clearly upset," Red called.

"Are we going to have to report you again?" the Schnee said.

"Remember what happened last time, when we stopped you bullying Velvet," the Cat Faunus joined in.

"Why don't you pick on someone your own size, you pussy?" Blonde yelled, closing the distance.

Cardin backed away from Roman and threw his hands up defensively.

"Hey. It's all good. We were just talking. Not my fault this guy's so sensitive."

Cardin began to make his way down the hall but looked back to Roman.

"Needing a gang of girls to help you. Hope you can live that down. Welcome to the big boy's school, kid."

With that, he left.

Roman had to gather his wits for a second. What had that all been about? If he had known that becoming a teenager meant he'd have to be weak and awkward, he'd have gone for the teacher route.

Now he had to be saved by the very people he came to take **** on.

The girls in question were gaggling around him.

"Hey are you okay?"

"Was he bothering you?"

"You aren't hurt, are you?"

He wished this day would end.

Working up the courage just to look at them, he noticed Red lingering too. Her silver eyes held concern and also subtle interest. Why? Did she recognize him?

"Are you a new student here? What's your name?"