Last Day Before The Weekend

That morning Gray woke up with his face between a pair of boobs. The feeling was warm. Perhaps a little too warm. He could feel some sweat but honestly, he wouldn't be anywhere else.

The previous night came back to him, and he remembered Yang's big bouncy breasts as he fucked her. He nuzzled deeper into her valley and even suckled on what skin was right in front of his mouth. He also ran his hands along her back.

His penis was already hard from being pressed up against her leg. And the fact that her boobs were pressing against his face and smothering him probably wasn't helping either. He had the urge to start grinding against her soft, warm thigh.

But that would mean waking her up and getting ready for the day, and he was quite comfortable where he was.

He wondered how long until her alarm would go off. On the one hand, he was grateful for waking up early to be able to have the kinds of fun he could have. On the other, he really wanted to catch some more shut eye.

Well, whatever. He was up now, so he went looking for her nipple and nursed on it like he was a baby. Funnily, she didn't wake up from that.

This went on for some lazy minutes until Gray found himself waking up again with Yang's alarm. He had dozed off again.

Yang shifted around with a sigh and muttered something unintelligible. Her arm stretched away from him to grab her scroll and turn off her alarm. Then she brought her arm back and hugged Gray tightly into her bosom.

For a moment Gray thought she was going to doze off too, but she mumbled something to him.

"...Gray... we have to... get up..." Her sleepy voice cracked a little.

She actually sounded a little sexy like that. A little ****. A little cute.

But she was right, so Gray disentangled himself from her arms and crawled out of bed. He knelt at the foot of her bed and looked down at her. She lay there, still mostly covered by her sheets, except for her torso, and rubbed her eyes.

Her blonde hair was a mess, sticking out in all directions. It made her look cute. But her eyes were still shut.

"Sex in the shower?" Gray asked, knowing that it might get her attention.

Sure enough one of her eyes cracked open and found him. There was no expression, but she did raise her hand out to him. Gray smirked and took hold and pulled her up. She groaned a little in protest, but she held herself up and rubbed at her eyes.

Gray enjoyed watching her naked breasts while he waited for her to wake up fully.

"Are you gonna pounce on me or are you just going to stare?" She asked him while scratching her head and stretching a little.

Gray shrugged and said, "I was enjoying the view."

She snorted softly. "Whatever. Let's just get cleaned up."

With that she crawled over to him, and they climbed down the ladder. Gray was first down and watched as Yang's naked form jiggled its way down and off. He noticed that she had the towel from last night in hand and watched her throw it into a fold-able hamper, provided by Weiss.

Gray looked around at the sleeping forms of Blake, Weiss and Ruby.

"Should we wake them before we jump in the shower?" He asked.

Yang shook her head. "Nah, they'll be fine."

Gray nodded and followed her into the bathroom after they grabbed some fresh towels. He closed the door behind him and watched as Yang hung her towels on the rack by the shower. She then opened the glass door and turned on the shower. The water sprayed out in a warm mist, filling the air with its humid heat. Yang stepped into the shower first, letting the water cascade over her body.

She looked at Gray grinning in the middle of the room and pressed her naked butt against the glass panel. The pressed flesh looked really enticing and he fast walked to the shower. He quickly joined her in the steamy space.

The hot water was heavenly on his skin, and it felt even better when Yang wrapped her arms around him and kissed him deeply. Their bodies were pressed together, their skin slick and slippery from the water. Her breasts were squeezed between their chests, her nipples hard and poking against his skin.

He felt her hands roam his back, her fingers tracing patterns on his skin.

"So, about that shower sex?" She whispered with a low sultry tone.

Gray wasted no time and grabbed her by her waist, pushed her to the tile wall and pressed her against it. She yelped at the cold material on her skin, but any complaints died on her lips when Gray hungrily attacked her mouth, even as he grabbed one of her legs to move it aside and line up his dick with her entrance.

His cock found its mark and slipped in. Her walls clenched around him, the sensation sending waves of pleasure through his body. His hands gripped her hips tightly, his fingers digging into her skin. She moaned into his mouth as he thrust into her hard and deep, their bodies writhing against each other as they lost themselves in the ecstasy.

They moved together, their bodies in sync as they chased their release. The warm water and the searing heat of their combined genitals felt almost therapeutic, if not for the animalistic pace he fucked her at. All he cared about in that moment was fucking Yang until she came.

His thrusts became more erratic, and his movements lost their rhythm as his lust took over. Yang clung to him, her hands gripping his back as she moaned into his mouth. Her walls clenched around him tightly, the friction sending waves of pleasure through his body. All they did for the next couple minutes was thrust and fuck, losing all sense of time. Until Yang clutched him harder than before. Her nails grazed his back, but she still had the state of mind to hold back. Despite that he hissed and thrusted harder. Yang groaned and yelped and had to bury her face in the crook of his neck to muffle her noises.

Then she came, and Gray followed shortly after. Their orgasms seemed to last forever, their bodies wracked with pleasure as they surrendered themselves to the ecstasy. Gray came so hard that he felt some of his semen spill out from the seal of her vagina, but most of it went into her. He held her tight as he emptied his balls into her, the sensation of her walls gripping his cock intensifying.

Their high lasted a little longer and they kissed softly under the warm spray. They parted after a while and stared into each other's eyes before Yang got bashful all of a sudden. Her cheeks went red, and her eyes had trouble staying on his.

"What is it?" Gray asked her gently.

"N-No... it's just... I... It's dumb." Yang tried to say.

Gray wondered what she wanted to say and leaned in to kiss her cheek and press his lips to her ear.

"Tell me, what's dumb?"

She shuddered a little and hugged him tighter.

"...I... Well... you know how we've only been together for, what, a week?" Yang asked hesitantly.

"Yeah?" He nodded.

"I-I just... thought that I... I really like... this. A lot. That’s all." She mumbled as she looked away in embarrassment.

Gray smiled to himself. If he had to guess, she had suddenly felt a wave of emotion after they had fucked, and even after they had made love the previous night. In response he hugged her tightly himself.

"I really like this too, Yang. I'm really looking forward to spending these four years with you, and the rest, and hopefully after that too." He whispered into her ear. In the back of his head, he knew that this affection, and maybe even love, was born from his use of his Semblance and his selfishness, but he was still determined to give these girls love. Even as he altered their lives the way he was doing. He knew it wasn't good of him. He knew it was morally wrong. But he knew he was going to do it anyway.

She didn't respond but she did turn her head to kiss his neck and face. Her own face was kept away from him out of shyness. Gray let her hide.

They eventually washed up in silence and smiles. And lots of groping.

---

Gray didn't shower with the other girls that morning. He felt a little spent after fucking Yang that morning and last night. He did, however, kiss the others awake again. He particularly enjoyed Weiss's reaction. This time she couldn't help but glower at him harmlessly as she had trouble wiping away a smile.

She gently pushed him away so she could get up but kissed his cheek once she was on her feet. She then promptly took a towel into the bathroom.

Blake was next and Gray took the opportunity to make out with her on her bed. He had told her that Weiss was in the shower. Hearing that, she wrapped an arm around his neck and greedily, if still sleepily, devoured his mouth. He disengaged from her after carefully biting her neck and growling against her flesh. She gasped and shivered beneath him.

Gray nodded, satisfied with his work, and got up off of her. The look she gave him was needy and he was tempted to stay but Ruby was still sleeping.

Gray walked across the bedroom, slapped Yang's butt on the way, getting a giggle out of her, and climbed the ladder to Ruby's bed. He crawled up to her and leaned down to kiss her cute sleeping face. She mumbled something unintelligible in her sleep. Gray kissed her cheek and then her lips. She mumbled again and sighed.

Gray smiled before going in for the kill. He kissed her with more heat and felt her lips respond as she finally came to. He parted from her and smiled down at her eyes opening.

She blinked at him a few times as she woke up and looked at him with groggy eyes.

"Morning, Ruby." Gray said with a smile. He kissed her again.

"Mhm... mornin'..." She managed to respond even as she kissed him back sleepily.

"Weiss is in the shower and I think Blake is going next, so did you want to make out for a bit?" Gray asked.

She looked at him through bleary eyes and nodded. "Mhm."

Gray grinned and attacked her mouth with his own. She moaned softly as they kissed, her hands coming up to tangle in his hair. He nibbled her lip playfully, drawing another gasp from her. They lost themselves in the passion of the moment, their tongues twisting and dancing in each other's mouths.

Gray had pulled her cover off of her and had laid down next to her. He held her body close and gently caressed her back and also reached down to squeeze her butt over her pajamas. Ruby tensed a little but moaned softly into his mouth, encouraging him to keep going.

They were like that even as Weiss finished up in the bathroom and Blake took her place. By then Ruby was fully awake but not quite lucid after all that kissing. She was in a more dreamy state now from all his attentions.

"I'm going to lift your tank top, Ruby." He whispered to her.

She looked at him, her eyes swimming from the good feelings and her deep blush. She swallowed and nodded.

"Mhm... okay..." She mumbled back.

Gray smirked and then pulled up her top, exposing her bare breasts. The two orbs of flesh were lovely. He leaned down and sucked on one nipple, getting another gasp from Ruby. Her hands, still tangled in his hair, held him close as he feasted on her breast. His tongue danced across her hardened nub, sending waves of pleasure through her body.

Gray spent the next few minutes worshiping Ruby's boobs. Boobs that were bigger than Weiss's, which was always surprising to Gray. Somehow the petite and short Ruby had a rack on par with Blake. But then again, Yang is her sister. Apparently.

He played with Ruby's breasts until finally Blake left the bathroom.

"Looks like it's your turn to shower." Gray told her after sucking on one of her nipples hard one final time.

"Mmm!" She held back a moan. She was giving him a look of barely contained sexual frustration.

Gray smiled cheekily and sat up. He spanked her butt.

"Up you get."

Ruby grumbled but sat up, while pulling her tank top down.

"W-Will you sleep in my bed tonight?" She asked him with a blush somehow deeper than before.

Gray couldn't help but grin before leaning forward and kissing her once more.

"Deal."

---

The halls of Beacon Academy were loud with the voices of chatting students as Gray and his team made their way to Professor Yolande's Language class. Gray felt curiosity, having yet to meet the professor or attend one of her classes. His teammates had filled him in on the basics, like her Vacuon heritage, her engaging teaching style, and how detailed she gets with the languages she covers.

Stepping into the classroom, Gray's eyes were immediately drawn to the Professor. She stood at the front of the room, her long, dark hair braided and draped over one shoulder, shimmering under the classroom lights. Her chocolate brown eyes scanned the room with a warm, welcoming gaze, and her pretty smile seemed to light up the space. She wore a formal dress that hinted at her Vacuon heritage, the fabric flowing gracefully as she moved. Her dark skin did more than hint at her ethnic origins as well. Gray couldn't help but notice the admiring glances she received from many of the students.

Gray also had to admit that she was incredibly attractive. She might not be showing it off with that traditional outfit, but her body had some great proportions. Especially her hips. He couldn't see her ass from where he stood but he could imagine it being enough to fuel any young man's fap sessions.

As Gray and his teammates found their seats, the classroom began to settle. Professor Yolande's eyes roamed and scanned over the class.

Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she began the day's lesson. "Good morning, class," she greeted warmly, her voice carrying a melodic quality that captivated the room. "Today, we’ll be carrying on from where we left off. This time we're diving into the fascinating languages and cultural nuances of Mistral and Vale. Now, as you know, Mistral is a land rich in history and tradition."

She clicked a button, and a holographic display flickered to life behind her, showcasing a map of Mistral with various regions highlighted. "Let's start with some interesting tidbits about the Mistral people and their unique speaking styles."

Professor Yolande pointed to a region on the map. "In Mistral and in the eastern provinces of Anima, it's customary to address elders and those of higher social standing with honorifics."

She showed a chart of the various honorifics used and what they meant. Then she moved on to another region. "In the western plains, south-west of Lake Matsu, the people have a unique way of expressing gratitude and apologies. They often use indirect phrases to convey their feelings, rather than direct statements. This reflects a cultural emphasis on humility and harmony."

Professor Yolande's eyes twinkled as she shared another quirk. "And let's not forget the southern coastal areas, along with the islands, where the language is infused with a musical quality. The intonation and rhythm of their speech can change the meaning of words. This makes their conversations sound almost like a melody, adding a layer of beauty and complexity to their speech. Also, many of their idioms and proverbs involve fishing or something to do with the sea."

Gray listened intently and tapped away on his scroll, making notes, as well as eyeing the professor up. As she moved, he got a better idea of her body shape. Plus, there was something about her darker skin that made him a little curious to lick all over her body. He had felt the same way about that Emerald girl from Cinder’s group.

The Professor gave some examples of the languages spoken on the continent of Anima using some popular phrases from the region. She even had the class recite and practice some common words often used in greetings. Or transactions, since the students were likely to do business as Huntsmen if they ever traveled there.

After some minutes of this, the Professor shifted the focus of the lesson to the language of Vale. She clicked a button, and the holographic display behind her transitioned to show a map of Vale and the surrounding lands, as well as a timeline, stretching back to the ancient days of the Valley Lords and their wandering clans.

"Now, let's delve into the rich linguistic history of Vale," she began. "The language of Vale has evolved significantly from its early iterations, shaped by the diverse cultures and historical events that have unfolded over centuries."

She pointed to the earliest markers on the timeline. "In the days of the Valley Lords, the language was deeply rooted in the nomadic lifestyle of the wandering clans. These early peoples had a unique way of communicating, influenced by their constant movement and interaction with various environments and other tribes."

Professor Yolande paused, her gaze sweeping over the classroom as she painted a vivid picture with her words. "Imagine a language that was fluid and adaptable, much like the people who spoke it. It was a blend of practicality and poetry, with words that could describe the landscape, the weather, and the emotions of the journeyers with equal elegance."

She moved along the timeline, highlighting key points of evolution. "As the clans began to settle and form the foundations of what would become Vale, their language adapted to reflect their new, more stable way of life. The dialects began to diverge from those that still lived outside of the capital, and the outliers also diverged as each settled in their more permanent places. These dialects and accents were influenced by the unique experiences and environments of each settlement."

Professor Yolande's voice took on a wistful tone as she continued. "Sadly, much of the early language has been lost to time, with only fragments of ancient texts and oral traditions remaining. But these remnants offer us a glimpse into a fascinating culture, one that valued storytelling, community, and a deep connection to the natural world."

Gray wondered what the language must have sounded like, all the way back then.

“Now, this next part in history is very exciting.” Professor Yolande's eyes shimmered with said excitement of sharing a pivotal moment in history, as she delved into the era when the continents of Remnant became fully aware of each other. She paced slowly in front of the class; her voice filled with the gravity of the events she was about to describe.

"Imagine a time when the world was vast and unknown, when each continent existed in relative isolation," she began, her gaze sweeping over the captivated students. "This was an era of exploration and discovery, marked by daring expeditions and, regrettably, conflicts and wars as different cultures clashed and intermingled."

She paused, allowing the weight of her words to settle over the classroom. "It was during this tumultuous period that the island of Vytal emerged as a beacon of understanding and cooperation. Situated at the crossroads of the world, Vytal became a cultural hub, a place where people from all corners of Remnant could meet, trade, and learn from one another."

Professor Yolande clicked a button, and the holographic display behind her shifted to show a map of Vytal, with various symbols representing different cultures and languages converging on the island. "The old Vytal Council was formed during this time, comprising representatives from each continent. Their goal was to foster peace and mutual understanding, to bridge the gaps that had led to so much strife. From this melting pot of cultures, a new language began to take shape. It was a tongue that borrowed aspects from all the mother languages of Remnant, a unifying **** that allowed people to communicate more effectively despite their diverse backgrounds."

The students were enraptured by her words, and their minds painted a vivid picture of this historic convergence, where language became a tool for unity and progress. Gray could almost hear the bustling markets of Vytal, and the lively exchanges between vendors and customers, all speaking this new, universal tongue.

"This new language," Professor Yolande explained, "quickly gained popularity among traders and merchants, who found it invaluable for their interactions with people from different regions. It spread like wildfire through the cities and hubs of trade and commerce, becoming the lingua franca of the modern world."

She smiled, her eyes reflecting the pride and accomplishment of this linguistic evolution. "And so, the language we speak today was born. Of course, the older languages did not disappear entirely. They are still spoken and cherished in rural towns and villages, preserving the rich cultural heritage of each region."

Professor Yolande's voice took on a wistful tone as she concluded, "This journey of language is a testament to our shared history and the enduring spirit of humanity. It’s evidence that, despite our differences, we have the power to come together and forge a common understanding."

The student's attention was held so completely by her weaving of this linguistic history. Gray had to hand it to her. She was a good storyteller. She could have been a history teacher.

She spoke a little more on the histories, and the developments, of the other languages. She briefly described the number of different dialects of the common language and how they had been affected by their respective older languages.

As the lesson drew to a close, Professor Yolande's voice took on a warm, encouraging tone. She stood at the front of the classroom, her eyes scanning the attentive faces of her students, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "Alright, class, that brings us to the end of today's journey through the fascinating world of languages," she said, her voice filled with a sense of accomplishment. "For the remainder of this semester, our focus will be on the language and dialects of Vale. As you know, your first practical missions during your second year at Beacon Academy will take place within this diverse and vibrant kingdom."

Professor Yolande continued, her voice steady and clear. "We will delve into the various accents and dialects of the rural places around Vale. Understanding these nuances will be crucial for smooth communication during your missions. You'll learn to recognize the subtle differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and cultural expressions that make each region unique."

She smiled, her eyes reflecting the pride and excitement she felt for her students. "By the end of this semester, you will be well-equipped to navigate the linguistic landscape of Vale with confidence and ease. Remember, effective communication is not just about speaking the language, but also about understanding the people and their culture."

With that the bell rang and the students began to gather their belongings. The spell was broken, and their murmurings filled the air on their way out.

---

Gray and his teammates made their way through the crowded hallways of Beacon to their next class. The energy from Professor Yolande's Language lesson still lingered in the air, and Gray couldn't help but express his thoughts as they walked.

"That was an interesting lesson," Gray said. "Professor Yolande knows how to keep a class's attention."

Yang nodded in agreement, a playful smirk on her lips. "She's got a way of making even the driest subjects interesting. And who knew learning about dialects could be pretty cool? I didn’t."

Ruby bounced along beside them, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I wonder if she'll cover weird sayings and phrases, like some of the funny phrases from our hometown. Remember that one about the 'rain dancing on the rooftops'?"

Gray chuckled, recalling the quirky sayings from his own upbringing. "Oh, right. I remember a few from my hometown. Have you heard, 'as busy as a bee in a bonnet'? I never understood what that one meant."

Yang laughed, her voice warm with nostalgia. "Patch had some interesting phrases. Ruby, remember that old guy in town that would always say random things that we and the other kids didn’t get, like 'swimming with the fishes' when someone was in over their head."

Ruby giggled, her cheeks flushed with amusement. "Or 'chasing the sunset' when someone was running out of time! That guy was like an encyclopedia of old phrases."

Weiss, walking beside Blake, chimed in with a thoughtful expression. "It's fascinating how language can vary so much, even within the same region, but also have similar phrases. I swear I’ve heard some like those ones in Atlas."

Blake nodded, her eyes reflecting her own interest.

Team JNPR was a couple steps behind them and was engrossed in their own conversation about the lesson.

As they continued their walk, Gray couldn't help but mentally add the language professor to the list of potential harem acquisitions. He already had Glynda Goodwitch. Then there were the potential additions of Professor's Peach and Blewett. He should focus on his team and Juniper, but he couldn't help but imagine having all the female teachers to himself.

Patience, Gray. Patience.

---

They reached the next classroom and sat down with anticipation as Professor Peach stood at the front, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"Today, we're diving into the essentials of camping," she began, her voice warm and inviting. "Next week, we'll be setting up tents in the field behind the school, so it's crucial to understand the basics."

Gray listened intently, his mind already picturing the practical lesson. Professor Peach described the importance of selecting the right campsite, setting up a tent, and ensuring safety in the wilderness. "Remember, the key to a successful camping trip is preparation and adaptability," she emphasized.

Gray nodded, jotting down notes as Professor Peach continued. He was actually looking forward to the practical next week.

---

The backdrop of students yapping around them accompanied Teams RWBY and JNPR as they gathered during the break. Yang and Ruby stood at the center, their voices filled with nostalgia as they recounted their camping adventures back home.

"Remember that time we got lost in the woods, and Dad had to come find us?" Yang laughed, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Ruby giggled, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "How could I forget? We thought we were such expert navigators. Or, at least, you did."

Yang smirked at her sister. "Hey, it wasn't my fault you got us turned around. You're the one who insisted on taking the shortcut."

Gray listened with a smile as he imagined the scene. "Sounds like you were lucky the Grimm didn't show up."

"Oh, no, this forest is always patrolled by local Huntsmen. So, there was no danger." Yang told him.

"Oh, that's good then."

"What about you, Gray? Ever gone camping?" Ruby asked him.

"I've gone with my dad and went on a school trip. Never by myself though."

"Hey, maybe for the summer break we could all go to our home on Patch and camp out in the wild. For fun and for practice, you know?" Yang asked the group.

"Ooh! That sounds fun!" Nora exclaimed. Ren nodded besides her.

"Yeah, I'd like that." Jeanne agreed.

"Hm... It's possible I might have to visit home over summer, but otherwise I'd love to." Weiss said, wondering about her family obligations.

"I'm free to go." Blake added her assent.

"What about you, Pyrrha?" Jeanne asked her friend. "Your folks want you to visit over the summer?"

"I'll ask but I'm sure they'll be alright with it. Plus, I'd love to see your home, Yang, Ruby." The red headed Amazon agreed.

"Great! So, everyone's on board with it if their families are okay with it?" Ruby asked to finalize. Everyone nodded. "Awesome! Dad's gonna be so excited for a good camping trip."

Their large group had just made plans for the summer and everyone felt excited. Especially Gray, as he would get to spend some time with eight girls out in the woods... With only Yang and Ruby's dad there... Yeah, no. Maybe he could arrange for them to go without him?

Gray would have to think it over and maybe even find a way to distract him. But first he'd have to meet him. Who knows? Maybe they'd get along?

---

The classroom was silent as Professor Port stood at the front, his expression serious and focused. "Today, we are looking over the behaviors of Beowolves," he began, his voice commanding the room's attention. "As one of the most common Grimm in Vale, understanding their habits and tactics is crucial."

Gray watched intently as Professor Port demonstrated the pack mentality of Beowolves, their sharp bone white teeth glinting on the holographic display. "They may be of a similar size to us, but their strength lies in numbers," Professor Port emphasized.

Gray nodded as he thought back on his own encounters with the shadowy bipedal wolves. He had faced quite a lot of them on his prowls around the outskirts of his hometown, but they were young ones with no real experience. He had faced some older ones but always avoided larger packs unless it was a school excursion.

Some of the strategies Professor Port was describing made Gray think of packs larger than ten. Gray wondered if he could face off against a pack that large unscathed. He had faced against some nasty stuff in the Emerald Forest during the initiation, but there weren't many at the time.

Then he remembered Ruby and the others talking about fighting some of the biggest monsters, like a Nevermore and a **** Stalker. Though, they had eight people to fight with.

Suddenly, Gray felt more than a little... inadequate. And a little restless. He wanted to see how he measured up to creatures like his team had faced.

---

The class was silent with curiosity as Professor Blewett stood at the front, a water Dust crystal glinting in her hand.

"Today, we're focusing on the fine control of water Dust," she began, her voice clear and steady. "Unlike wind or fire Dust, water requires a gentle touch, reflecting the fluid nature of the element."

Gray watched as Professor Blewett demonstrated the technique, the water Dust shimmering as she manipulated it with her Aura. The crystal glinted and shimmered with light in her hand.

"Remember, each element has its own unique characteristics," Professor Blewett emphasized. "Understanding and adapting to these nuances is key to mastering Dust. Now, does anyone want to come forward and try their hand?"

Gray saw Blake's hand shoot up and was surprised at the Faunus' enthusiasm. He actually expected Weiss to volunteer, considering Dust was her focus in combat. He looked over at the white-haired heiress and saw surprise on her face and a half-raised hand. Oh, so she was about to volunteer but Blake got there first.

Professor Blewett nodded and motioned for Blake to come forward. Blake got up and made her way to the front. The black-haired girl seemed oddly excited as she reached out for the Dust crystal in the professor's hand.

"All right, now, remember to focus your Aura and direct it into the Dust crystal. From there, imagine that flow like a channel of water. Let the “water” flow through you and into the crystal."

Blake closed her eyes, her expression focused as she channeled her Aura into the Dust. The crystal began to glow softly, responding to her energy. Gray watched intently as the water Dust shimmered with power, flowing and swirling within the confines of the crystal.

"Excellent, Blake," Professor Blewett praised. "Now, try and direct a flow out of the crystal. The crystal will turn the air to water, but you need to guide it."

Blake nodded, her brow furrowed in concentration as she worked to direct the energy. The crystal continued to glow, but no water emerged. Gray could sense confusion in the room, his own included. This kind of task required a fine touch, something that wasn't easy to master, but he had seen Weiss use Dust well before, so he knew it was possible.

The frown on Blake's brow was becoming more pronounced as she had trouble making something happen.

"Blake, would you like a hint?" Professor Blewett asked, noticing her student's difficulty.

Blake sighed and nodded. “Yes please.”

Professor Blewett smiled encouragingly. "I understand it can be difficult to control Dust. It requires a lot of practice. But there are some techniques that can help. One thing you can do is focus on a point where you want the water to emerge. Another is to visualize the water moving through you, as I already mentioned. And another is to imagine the particles around the crystal... condense. Turning from a gas into a liquid."

Professor Blewett nodded and stepped back to give Blake some room. Blake took a breath and focused once more. This time, the air around the crystal seemed to shift, the molecules compressing as Blake channeled her Aura. The water Dust began to glow brighter, and suddenly, a small stream of water shot out, flowing like a fountain.

The class gasped in awe as Blake directed the water around the room. Her expression was wide-eyed with wonder as she manipulated the Dust, the element dancing to her will.

"Well done, Blake," Professor Blewett praised. "You've got a knack for Dust manipulation."

"Thank you," Blake said, a smile tugging at her lips.

As the class applauded, Gray couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.

"Now, how many of you use Dust in your weaponry?" Blewett asked the class after sending Blake back to her seat. Gray saw Yang pat her on the back. The cat girl thanked her and settled in... and then furiously began writing notes onto her scroll.

Pretty much everyone raised their hand at the professor’s question.

"Right. Now, how many of you use Dust in a bullet form, or in other words, an encased reactive solution?"

Quite a lot of the students raised their hand, except for Weiss and a couple others. Gray wasn't sure what that meant but he certainly used bullets and grenades.

"When Dust is in a form like that, it doesn't really require you to use your own Aura on it to get the results you desire. You just point with your gun and shoot." She raised her pointer finger and pretended to shoot. "Bang, there's an explosion, or the enemy freezes and such and so on. But when Dust is in a natural form like a crystal, refined or unrefined, it does require some Aura effort on your part."

The class was following along so far.

"So, considering that many of you use weapons that bypass the need to use your Aura like this, then I'm not surprised that many of you don't quite know how to bring out a crystals potential. That's what we will be doing today."

With that, the Professor went over to her desk and picked up a light green crystal and made it glow with her Aura. Next, a few piles of small bowls that were on her desk began floating through the air and over to the rows of desks in front of each student. Everyone watched in awe as a bowl was placed in front of them. Next came a cloud of small blue crystals, each one falling softly into each bowl.

"For this exercise, you will be attempting to fill your bowl with water. There's no time limit and no set amount you need to fill. The goal is just to get a feel for the method. And for those of you that already know, like you Weiss and Opal, and now Blake too," She smiled at the heiress and Blake and another girl. "If you can help your fellow students understand, I would very much appreciate it."

Weiss and Blake nodded.

What proceeded from there was a test in patience for some. It was actually quite funny to watch as some students grew frustrated. Most of them got it, though it did take some time. A lot of people needed guidance and Professor Blewett floated around answering questions and offering advice.

It took Gray fifteen minutes to get his bowl of water filled, with some help from Weiss. Blake had gone to help JNPR since they didn’t have someone like Weiss on their team. Ren was the closest, but she focused on Aura control and using her twin guns in a fight.

So, Weiss stood by Yang and Gray and helped them get the hang of it. Gray also had to hold back his chuckles when Yang groaned and complained about her crystal not “taking a piss already!”

Gray himself had never used Dust quite like this. He had always used the "reactive solution" version. Whether bullets or grenades. They had all used Dust in fine granular specks inside some sort of container. So, this was a fascinating lesson for him. He did eventually get it though, and Yang, despite grumbling some more and almost snapping at Weiss.

“Don’t you remember when we meditated together?” Weiss asked her with some exasperation. “You were able to be calm then, but not now?”

Yang could only scowl in response before trying again. This time, after a quiet few seconds where Gray could watch Yang's brow softening, her crystal shimmered and, a beat later, began to sprinkle water into her bowl.

“Finally, he’s taking a piss.” The blonde girl sighed in relief.

“There, see, you can do it.” Weiss said encouragingly. She nodded with satisfaction. She then glanced at Gray’s bowl, saw the water filling up and nodded again.

“Yeah, thanks Weiss.” Yang said, now contrite and sheepishly scratching her head.

Weiss then went over to Ruby to check on her progress. Her issue seemed to be keeping her focus on the task. Every now and then she would slip up and her crystal would stop its flow, and she would have to start over again. But eventually her bowl had filled.

By the time the lesson had drawn to a close Gray had gotten the hang of using the water Dust crystal to condense the air into water molecules. With Weiss’s help.

When everyone was getting up to leave after the bell rang, Gray took it upon himself to thank the Heiress.

"Thanks for the help, Weiss."

She turned to respond but everyone in team RWBY minus Blake chimed in.

"Yeah, thanks Weiss!" Said Ruby.

"Same and sorry for getting a little frustrated." Yang thanked and apologized.

"That's quite alright. You're all welcome." She said, while her pale cheeks seemed to warm from the attention.

Team JNPR also turned to Blake and thanked her for her part.

"You were a big help, Blake." Pyrrha said.

“Yeah, thanks Blake, and sorry for splashing you. Didn’t think it would erupt like that.” Jeanne apologized.

“Thank you, Blake!” Nora yelled. Because of course Nora yelled.

Both Weiss and Blake now stood there with bashful blushes from all the thanks. To escape the moment, they both hurriedly packed up and went ahead together. Their friends followed after with amused smiles, even as Blake and Weiss stayed ahead and fell into conversation. It seemed the disguised cat girl had some questions about Dust that Weiss was all too happy to answer.

---

Teams RWBY and JNPR gathered for lunch in the dining hall. The conversation had been a natural continuation of their Dust lesson with Blake asking Weiss about other Dust crystals and how to use them. Weiss looked quite pleased with all the attention she had gotten from her team and friends but seemed to be trying to hold herself back a little. The grin was hard to miss though.

That Schnee pride was out in full ****. Or maybe halfway.

She answered as many of Blake's questions as she could and the conversation had pulled in the others.

"So, how do you use fire Dust crystals? What sort of feelings or methods go into that?" Blake asked.

Weiss tapped her chin in thought. "It's actually quite different from water Dust, since fire is more... direct."

"What do you mean?" Blake asked.

"Well, with fire Dust, you don't need to focus on condensing the air around you, since that's already done inside the crystal. So, instead, you just need to focus on, well, what fire Dust does."

"Burn?" The usually quiet girl asked.

"Combust." Weiss corrected. "Fire is combustion, which is when you create a really hot chemical reaction inside something. If it's not hot enough, it won't do anything, but if it is... Boom! Fire Dust. Or whatever the result of that kind of reaction is. It can vary depending on what gases and chemicals are nearby."

Blake nodded in understanding. "And with the other Dust? Like earth and wind?"

"Wind Dust is basically condensed air. But not done in the same way as water. It's a little more chaotic, if that makes sense. And earth Dust... That one is kinda tricky."

"How so?"

Weiss paused for a moment before answering. "Well, earth Dust can be used in two ways, depending on how you want to use it. One is to create an earthen structure of sorts. A wall or a pillar, you know? That means pulling solid matter towards a point to make a larger shape. The other method is to... Well, destroy things. In other words, pull matter apart."

The group looked at her with curiosity, eager to hear more.

"You see, earth Dust can be used to break things down, much like how fire Dust can be used to cause combustion. So, if you focus on breaking things down, then earth Dust can do that. I don’t know if any of you have seen someone use earth Dust, but they can create fissures in the ground or break walls apart. The Schnee Dust Company often uses earth Dust when mining, though that requires very fine control, so as to not collapse a tunnel on workers heads."

Gray was quite intrigued by the lunchtime lesson. He wondered if he would ever incorporate these things into his own fighting style or if he would ever need to use these techniques in the wild. Though, carrying crystals on his person might take up some space. He was more used to the usual ammunition types. This other method of use would take getting used to since it was more intuitive rather than... how would he describe it? The ammo in his quarter staff, Obscurity, used Dust clips and he still needed to use his Aura at times to get the desired effect from them, but it was more like... auto-pilot? Like the type of effects he could make were pre-made?

His descent into the Emerald Forest may have looked cool and controlled, but he wondered if he could have had a smoother landing if he had wind crystals and a fine control of them like Professor Blewett or even Weiss.

"Then how do Dust-infused clothing and armor work?" Yang asked, now bringing a new voice into the conversation.

"Yeah! I've seen Huntsmen on TV wearing some cool armor that glowed just like Dust. How does that work?" Ruby asked with stars in her eyes. Gray imagined the girl drooling over such armor just like she did over weapons.

Weiss smiled at the two girls. "Well, first off, Dust-infused clothing works similarly but also differently, since it doesn't have a whole crystal inside it. Instead, the fabric itself is made from a mix of crystal fibers and regular fibers that are made to be resistant. So, when you activate your Aura, the Dust in the fabric reacts to it, and you get similar results as if you were using a crystal. But most Dust infused armor or clothing are made with defensive capabilities in mind. Or movement and speed. Or all of the above."

Ruby's eyes widened at the revelation, her mouth hanging open in awe. "That sounds amazing! That means I can be even faster than I am now. Can we make our own?"

Weiss chuckled and shook her head. "Not without a lot of resources, but there are plenty of shops that sell Dust-infused armor and clothing. It's quite popular among the nobility. I've met aristocrats in Atlas who spent eye-watering amounts of money on Dust-infused armor," she said, her voice filled with a mix of awe and disbelief. "The craftsmanship and precision required are astounding."

Gray listened, his mind racing with the implications. Could he somehow get access to such things with his powers? If he could acquire Dust infused armor and clothing, and not just for himself but also his friends, then wouldn't he be unstoppable?

Yang chuckled, shaking her head. "Leave it to the rich to turn everything into a status symbol. Though, it would be nice to have a cool duster jacket that worked with my Semblance."

She said that last part wistfully.

---

Metalworking class was the last lesson of the day, and the room buzzed with the hum of machinery and the clatter of tools as Teams RWBY and JNPR gathered at their workstations. Professor Argyris stood at the front; his voice filled with encouragement.

"Today, we're continuing from our last lesson," he began, his eyes scanning the room. "Those of you who came after school yesterday and finished your screw can move on to recreating a larger piece in your weapon, preferably a piece that your new screw would be used for."

Gray nodded, his eyes roaming over his various weapons already. The screw he made was able to replace one already in his quarterstaff. So maybe he should make a piece from his staff, like the pommel or one of the collapsible metal tubes of the shaft. He picked up the staff, in its collapsed state and eyed it up. Which would be easier? Or should he just go for the hardest parts first? How would he even make the tubes though? He didn't know the methods used by the smith he and his parents commissioned to make the weapon. Perhaps he should take it apart and show the Professor.

Gray set about dismantling his quarterstaff again.

As he worked, he and his team would chat and banter, or he would just listen to his girls talk.

"Hey, Ruby," Yang asked her sister. "What are you going to make?"

"You see this panel here?"

"Yeah."

"It's one of the pieces that gets the most wear and tear. So, I thought it'd be a good idea to have extra pieces."

"That's... a good idea. Great job, Ruby."

"You weren't doing the same for your gauntlets, Yang?" Weiss reprimanded her. "Did you not think they might break in the future?"

"Uh, no...?"

Weiss sighed and face palmed.

"I'm guessing she didn't think about it much beyond how cool she thinks they are, then left it at that." Blake chimed in as she worked on her screw replacement.

"Hey, they ARE cool, and they're made of sturdy stuff." Yang pouted.

"Didn't uncle Qrow tell us that a weapon is like a relationship? That you needed to maintain it every day." Ruby said while smirking at her.

Yang's cheeks reddened and she glanced at Gray.

"Sure, but that's coming from a guy that can barely keep a girlfriend for longer than a few weeks."

"Heh, that's true." Ruby shrugged with a pitying look for whoever this uncle Qrow was. Gray was pretty curious now after hearing snippets of this uncle.

"You're not exactly painting this relative of yours in a good light." Weiss quipped.

"Nah, he's great, Princess. You'd love him. Or he'd get on your nerves. One or the other." Yang explained unhelpfully.

Weiss just raised a confused eyebrow.

"You mentioned you have a sister, Weiss. What's she like?" Ruby asked her.

Weiss turned to Ruby, her face losing the confused expression and taking on a softer look.

"Kind, beautiful, disciplined and no-nonsense. She works for the military, and I couldn't be prouder." Weiss almost beamed.

"Ah, yes, as Atlesian as you can get, but can she tell a joke?" Yang teased the girl.

"Joke? I... I'm sure..." Weiss blinked as if she had trouble remembering if her sister had ever had a humorous side.

"Do Schnee's even make jokes?" Yang poked her some more.

"Yang, all you have are puns." Weiss gave her a droll look.

"Ooh, she bites back."

Gray chuckled quietly as he picked up two pieces from his staff and excused himself from the table. He had taken his weapon apart and was now seeking advice from the Professor. He approached him as he was talking with one student and waited.

After a minute the student thanked the professor and went back to their workstation.

"How may I help you, Gray?" Professor Argyris asked.

"I've taken apart my quarterstaff and I wanted to make something out of these pieces." Gray explained while holding up the pieces in his hand. The professor took them and examined them closely.

"I see. One of these is going to be your next piece of the assignment then?"

"Yes, but I'm not sure which one would be the hardest to make." He pointed to the pommel piece where the screw would fit into. "This one connects with the screw I made. But this other one could replace a large section, but I'm not sure how to make a cylinder like this."

"Indeed." He said as he examined each in turn. He angled them this way and that and eyed the middle of the cylinder as well. "This one could take some more advanced techniques depending on the material, but in other ways it could also be the simplest. This other one though looks like it has a barrel as well as a connection for something else. That could make it more tricky."

"It's one of the ends of my staff and can shoot Dust ammo, as well as connect my daggers to make a spear." Gray informed him.

"Ah, yes, I see it. A very pertinent piece but I'd say the more complex of the two. The cylinder connections would likely take less time to make, and you could make a bunch of them as a batch, unless there are others of varying sizes?" He asked.

"There's four different sizes, I think."

"Okay, then you have the beginnings of a plan. Gather all the cylinders like this one of all the different sizes you have. Spend the rest of the lesson drawing up blueprints for each of them. It's fine if you don't finish during class. I'm sure I'll be seeing you and your teammates in my workshop often. Though, if you do finish before class ends for today, you could also get started on this pommel too." He said as he handed them back.

"Yes, Sir. Thank you." Gray said and went back to his station.

He got straight to it and put all the cylindrical pieces from his staff to one side and measured each one. He wrote as much detail as he could and managed to get through all of them. Without stopping he then studied the pommel, as well as the one on the other end of his staff to see if there were any differences. There shouldn't be since they worked the same as either end, but maybe the smith who made it did something Gray wasn't aware of.

So, he drew up plans and managed to get quite a bit of comprehensive data before the bell rang.

He looked up and noticed his team all look up at the same time.

They all smiled.

The school week was finally over, and the weekend had started.

---

<patreon.com/CandidBandit>

A/N: These last couple chapters have been a lot of exposition and lore dumps huh? Well the weekend has some cool stuff happening. Otherwise, please enjoy this long chapter.