This story does need some polishing. Hopefully, practice makes perfect for both of us.

Especially me, since I've been writing for a long time and still suck at it.

Casual chapter.

Pardon our grammar.

Chapter 16:

"Are you telling me that all of Professor Port's story is true?" Weiss looked at Jaune skeptically. She may be a teacher's pet and praise his lecture, but there are some things she just can't take seriously.

It was a warm and sunny day at Beacon Academy, so Team JWNB decided to study outside on the benches. Jaune's scroll was playing faint music in the background that added a soothing effect over their group study session.

Blake glanced at her partner with a disbelieving expression. "You actually listen to that?"

"You don't?"

"Uhhhh."

"This is unacceptable, Blake."

"How do you even stay awake during his lecture?"

Professor Port even named his weapon as Blowhard, which suits his personality. And his lecture. Don't even get the students started on his 'lecture'.

Grimm Studies is nothing more than a time for the professor to boast about his accomplishments and life stories. Make no mistake, there are some interesting and useful tips about the Creatures of Grimm nested in, but the agony of listening to it isn't normally worth it.

A way to subvert this torment is to audio record the lecture. Just don't expect the recorder to last for long.

"Going back to Weiss's question." Jaune interrupted their banter. "Port's stories. I think. Important here. I think… He's telling the truth. It's hard to tell when his soul is emitting jovial and exaggerating tunes that amplifies when he tells his stories."

A soul emits a melody that's possible to describe; albeit very vaguely, but impossible to replicate. For Professor Port's soul, the music is nearly unbearable with the amount of unspeakable exaggerating sounds that stretch beyond his comprehension when the man speaks of his past glories.

"So, this 'soul reading' does have its own limitation." Pyrrha analytically took note of any drawbacks of her teammates' abilities. It helps establish a proper parameter of their capabilities so that others don't force them to overextend in serious situations.

Weiss for example, can't use certain aspects of her glyphs. She's unable to use her summoning glyph and has difficulties with her Time Dilation glyphs.

"Yeah. It isn't clear cut sometimes." Interpreting music isn't easy if anyone was wondering. There are many things that can go over one's head, musician or not.

"That's interesting and all, but we have an assignment to finish before the end of the day."

Grimm Studies homework. Boring and easy if the assignments are from the books, or outright impossible if it's from Professor Port's lecture.

"What did Professor Port do to stop that swarm of Lancers?" The Creatures of Grimm known as Lancers, are wasp-like Grimm that typically swarm their enemies. "Tree sap? I'm allergic to that stuff."

Weiss opened her mouth but paused, uncertain. Blake looked at her partner with amusement.

"I see you didn't listen to his lecture."

"Quiet you. Just… Give me a moment to remember."

"Let's come back to this question later." Pyrrha scrolled down to the next question. The next one is from a different section, asking about older Grimm and their behaviors. "This one asks about Beowolves and Ursai. 'How do a Beowolf and Ursa become an Alpha and Major in their respective order?' It's on the back of the worksheet."

"This is elementary stuff. Everyone knows that." Their assignment is really erratic at times. The same could be said for most of their professors like Port and Oobleck. "A Beowolf and Ursa can become an Alpha and Major as they grow older. By remaining alive, the Creatures of Grimm gains more intelligence and strength."

Everyone wrote that answer down.

"Is there a well-documented observation where they estimated the exact years a Grimm can become alpha, major, or something?"

"Not that I am aware of. Observing Grimm is an extremely dangerous task, especially over an extended time period. We don't even know how fast they can mature."

Pyrrha nodded. "There are too many things we simply don't know about Grimm despite encountering them for centuries. Possibly even millennia."

"And I can't imagine anyone willing to go out and observe them like biologists."

"I can easily imagine Professor Port doing just that. Prowling and observing." Jaune chuckled, "But I can't imagine him doing it for long."

The Creatures of Grimm are a fascinating subject to Jaune. There's just something about the monsters that baffles him. Maybe it's their surprisingly divine origins, or maybe its because that despite the Creatures of Grimm not having a soul, they still emit a tune.

The younger Grimm is akin to one playing every single instrument in existence without form and destroying said musical instruments in the process. The older ones are the complete opposite, eventually forming a sinister undertone that's consistent throughout all older Grimm. All of them.

That isn't to say that older Grimm has the same tune. Rather, the basic musical form is the same. If anything, all older Grimm are internally unique, more so than humans and faunus.

Perhaps he should study them up close. It might reveal some interesting aspects he can incorporate into his music.

"Jaune?" Pyrrha waved a hand over his face. "Are you okay?"

He blinked. "Sorry. Which question we were going over?"

When I saw the draft, I thought... Don't go Dr. Merlot on me, Jaune.

Pardon our grammar.