Glinda Goodwitch observed the sparring match between Ruby Rose and Casey from Team CAKK with an odd fascination. Ruby, who had once shown promising but not extraordinary combat ability, now moved with remarkable precision and speed, far beyond what Glinda had expected.
It wasn't just her natural talent, but something had clearly changed. Ruby darted effortlessly through the air with her semblance, easily dodging Casey's revolver shots, and striking with an almost overwhelming force.
Glinda had no idea that Ruby—and the other members of Shizuo's harem—had been training with the use of Shizuo's Strengthening Pills, boosting their stats to Rank B, or that they had been granted additional semblances through his Master and Disciple ability.
She wasn't part of the harem's inner circle, which included individuals like Ruby and Neo, so these developments were kept hidden from her. What was clear, however, was the sudden and immense growth in Ruby's fighting skills, a leap beyond what training alone could explain.
"Stand still, you jumping BEAN!"
Casey shouted, frustration lacing her words as she tried to land a shot on Ruby, whose movements had become almost impossible to predict.
Before Casey could react, Ruby reappeared behind her with a lightning-fast move, using the sniper rifle form of Crescent Rose to blast her point-blank in the back. The hit sent Casey flying through the air, her fox ears twitching in shock as she cursed in Spanish.
"Hija de puta!"
Despite the force of the attack, Casey managed to twist in midair and attempt to regain her footing, but Ruby was relentless. Her semblance activated again, sending her spiraling toward Casey, who barely managed to block with her revolvers crossed.
It wasn't enough. Ruby's scythe sliced through Casey's defense like a hot knife through butter, sending her crashing into the arena floor with a powerful blow to the chest.
Casey, ever resourceful, tried to use the recoil of her revolvers to launch herself back into the fight. However, Ruby's newfound speed was too much, and before Casey could even get a clear shot, Ruby had repositioned once more, landing blow after blow with her scythe.
The barrage was brutal, finishing with a final point-blank shot from Crescent Rose's rifle form, sending Casey tumbling across the arena.
"Ah, madre!"
Casey shouted as she hit the ground hard, skidding to a halt on the other side of the arena.
The buzzer rang, signaling the end of the match.
"That is enough, Miss Rose."
Glinda said, her tone sharp as she used her semblance to stop Ruby just in case the girl hadn't heard the buzzer. She had a tendency to get lost in the heat of battle, often pushing her semblance further than needed.
Fortunately, Ruby stopped of her own accord, collapsing her scythe back into its compact form and rushing over to help Casey, who was still muttering curses in Spanish under her breath.
Glinda looked at the rest of Team CAKK, their faces a mix of awe, frustration, and confusion. Clearly, they hadn't expected Ruby's overwhelming display of power over their team leader, and Glinda herself was left with questions.
She would need to investigate just how Ruby and the others had managed to improve so dramatically in such a short time.
Glinda couldn't help but notice the varied reactions of those watching Ruby's one-sided victory over Casey. Each person in the crowd seemed to express their feelings in ways that spoke volumes about the current situation.
Nora was barely being restrained by the now-turned-female Ren, her excitement palpable. Her eyes were glued to Ruby's every movement, practically vibrating with the urge to join the fight herself. Ren, despite the recent transformation into a woman, still retained her calm demeanor but still had her hands full keeping Nora in check.
Pyrrha, on the other hand, appeared far more composed. But beneath that calm exterior, Glinda could see a shift in her attitude. She was studying Ruby with newfound respect, clearly impressed by the younger girl's improved combat abilities.
Pyrrha, the undefeated champion of the Vytal Festival, rarely looked at anyone as a rival, but Ruby's rapid progression seemed to have caught her attention—and perhaps even a hint of caution.
Yang, Ruby's older sister, had a completely different expression. Pride and shock played out on her face as she watched Ruby dominate the fight. She was no stranger to Ruby's talents, but the sheer improvement was something even Yang hadn't expected. Still, the smile on her face showed just how proud she was of Ruby's newfound strength.
However, the other girls—those who in joined Shizuo's harem—seemed far less concerned. They were mostly preoccupied, playing the roles of lionesses, doting on Shizuo as he sat watching from the sidelines.
They appeared indifferent to the intense match, focusing instead on catering to his needs, as if Ruby's victory was already assured and the spar wad of little importance to them compared to their devotion to their man.
Glinda felt a pang of confusion at the reactions from Shizuo's harem. Their lack of interest in the battle was strange, especially considering the significance of the fight and Ruby's performance. These were girls who should have been training and competing, but their priorities seemed to have shifted entirely.
And then, there was the fact that Ruby had utterly dominated someone like Casey, a fighter who had shown great promise and was expected to go toe-to-toe with her.
The one-sided beatdown was shocking, even to Glinda, who had been sure that Casey would provide a decent challenge. Ruby had not just improved—she had surpassed expectations, showcasing combat abilities that were far beyond her previous capabilities.
Glinda stood at the edge of the arena, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd, trying to piece together the puzzle that Ruby's and the other girls' rapid growth and the reactions from those around her presented.
It gnawed at her—how had these students advanced so far in such a short time, while she, who had been sleeping with Shizuo, had remained the same? She had also borne him a child, yet her strength hadn't surged like theirs. What was she missing?
A part of her simmered with frustration. Glinda had always prided herself on her abilities and dedication to both her craft and her duties at Beacon. Her skills were unmatched among the staff, and her semblance, telekinesis, was finely honed. So why had these young girls, many of whom had been nowhere near her level, suddenly catapulted to new heights?
She thought back to the intimate times with Shizuo—how she had been drawn into the complex web that seemed to surround him, joining the harem that had expanded far beyond what anyone would have imagined.
It was a situation that had gradually become more complicated, especially with the way Shizuo seemed to wield influence not just over emotions but over the very abilities and growth of those closest to him.
The other girls, particularly those in Shizuo's inner circle like Ruby and the Malachite twins, had been consistently improving, their powers growing exponentially. Glinda had witnessed it firsthand, both in the classroom and on the battlefield.
They were stronger, faster, smarter, and more capable than ever before. Ruby's fight against Casey had been just one stark example of this overwhelming transformation.
But what about her?
She had been involved with Shizuo for a significant amount of time—longer, in fact, than many of the others. She had given birth to his children, she had supported him, and she had stood by his side. Yet, her own abilities remained static, as if the progression that touched the others hadn't quite reached her.
Was she being left behind?
The thought stung, but Glinda wasn't one to back down easily. She needed answers, and she wasn't going to sit idly by while others surpassed her. She would figure out what was going on. Whether it was some hidden aspect of his powers, or something else entirely, Glinda was determined to uncover the truth.
As she watched Ruby helping Casey to her feet, exchanging friendly words despite the brutal match. Glinda's brisk steps echoed down the halls as she left the arena, her mind racing.
She was preparing herself for what was sure to be a difficult conversation with Shizuo, demanding to know why the others had been growing so much stronger while she remained the same. What had she missed? Was it something deliberate on his part?
However, before she could even reach Shizuo's quarters, she found herself intercepted by Tsune with her baby daughter in a baby carrier, the erratic fox Faunus who served as the school nurse. Tsune was notorious for her unpredictability and quirky personality, but beneath her chaotic demeanor, she was deeply connected to Shizuo's inner circle. If anyone would know something, it was her.
"Glinda, I need to talk to you."
Tsune said, her amber eyes gleaming with a strange intensity. She gestured for Glinda to follow her into a more private corridor, away from any potential eavesdroppers.
Glinda, though annoyed by the interruption, could tell by Tsune's tone that this was important. She folded her arms, waiting for the nurse to speak.
Tsune took a deep breath before launching into an explanation.
"I know that you're feeling down and why you're feeling like you're being left behind."
She said, her voice softer than usual, a rare glimpse of seriousness overtaking her usually frenetic energy.
"It's not because Shizuo's ignoring you. It's because there are conditions—limitations, really—on who gets the upgrades."
"Limitations?"
Glinda asked, narrowing her eyes.
"What kind of limitations?"
"You've got a bit of a... divided loyalty problem."
Tsune replied, her ears twitching as she spoke.
"Shizuo's been sharing his strength and abilities with those who are fully aligned with him and his goals. And well, Glinda, you've got this warship to Ozpin. Shizuo knows you're too loyal to him. But that dual allegiance? It's a risk."
Glinda frowned, not entirely convinced.
"I've given Shizuo everything."
She said, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice.
"How could he question my loyalty?"
Tsune sighed, leaning back against the wall, arms crossed.
"It's not about questioning your loyalty to Shizuo. It's about what you might do if you had access to everything he's offering—like those strength enhancements. He's worried that because you still work closely with Ozpin, you might... accidentally or intentionally share too much. You could be a leak, even if you don't mean to be."
Glinda's brow furrowed. She hadn't considered that. Her loyalty to Ozpin had never conflicted with her connection to Shizuo—at least not from her perspective. But hearing it now, she could see how Shizuo, always so calculating, might view it as a potential risk.
"So, you're saying I'm being kept out of the upgrades because I'm a potential threat?"
Glinda asked, her voice laced with disbelief.
"Not a threat. Just... an unknown variable."
Tsune explained carefully.
"He doesn't want you to have more power than you already do, in case Ozpin starts poking around, asking questions. You could reveal something that might put everything at risk."
Glinda's mind raced. It wasn't an accusation, but it was clear that her position at Beacon was a factor. Her connection to Ozpin, her role as a pillar of the academy—it all made her unpredictable in Shizuo's eyes.
"But what if I prove my loyalty?"
Glinda pressed, her determination rising.
"What if I make it clear that I'm fully committed to Shizuo, to what he's building? That my allegiance to Ozpin is secondary?"
Tsune raised an eyebrow, a sly smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"Well, if you can show that you're all in, things might change. But you'll have to convince Shizuo—and that's not going to be easy. He's got plans, Glinda. Big ones. And you need to decide where you fit into those plans."
Glinda stood silent for a moment, her mind swirling with conflicting thoughts. Could she truly sever her loyalty to Ozpin? Would she need to choose between the two?
Tsune, sensing Glinda's inner turmoil, gave her a pat on the shoulder.
"Look, it's up to you. But if you want in on what the others are getting, you're gonna have to commit fully to Shizuo. No holding back. No divided loyalties."
With that, Tsune turned and walked off with her baby, leaving Glinda alone in the dimly lit corridor.
Glinda took a deep breath, her thoughts now even more tangled. The path ahead was clear, but it was also fraught with difficult choices. She would need to confront Shizuo—and soon.
But more than that, she would need to confront her own divided allegiances. What mattered more to her now? Her longstanding loyalty to Ozpin, or her growing connection to Shizuo and the future he was building?
With renewed resolve, Glinda straightened her posture. She wasn't going to let this issue fester. She would find Shizuo and figure out once and for all where she stood. One way or another.
RACE: Lion Faunus
NAME: Shizuo Heiwajima
Semblance: Energy Absorption
LEVEL: A Rank
Aura: A- Rank
Vitality: A- Rank
Endurance: A- Rank
Strength: S- Rank
Dexterity: A- Rank
Perception: A- Rank
Skill: A- Rank
Charisma: A- Rank
Libido: A+ Rank
Virility: B Rank