RWBY: The Spirit System Manual

Grayson POV

About a year had passed, and I had officially survived my first year in Remnant. It was a strange experience, adjusting to life in a baby's body, but I had done my best. The first few months had been the worst, being utterly dependent on my parents for everything, barely able to move, and unable to communicate beyond crying or looking at my parents with a stare. Now that I was a year old, I could finally crawl, stand with help, and even babble words that almost made sense."

My biggest advantage in a baby's body, however, was my own mind. Unlike a normal baby, I still had the intelligence of an adult.That meant I could analyze my surroundings, gather information, slowly piece together where exactly I had been reincarnated and gain information.

Based on what I had learned, my new name was Grayson Silver, and my family had a significant presence in Kuo Kuana, the largest settlement in Menagerie.

I wasn't aware of this detail in the show, but maybe it was something they planned to reveal later. Not that I'd ever get to watch it... since, you know, I was dead.

But anyways, the island was primarily home to Faunus, a species of humanoid beings with animal traits. It was a safe haven for Faunus after years of discrimination, and while it wasn't a utopia, it was better than living in the human-dominated kingdoms where they get discriminated against.

My mother, Amelia Silver, was a former Huntress who had retired when she married my father. Even in her retirement, I had seen her incredible reflexes firsthand, effortlessly catching objects midair when they fell without glancing. It seemed unnatural for someone who was supposedly done with that life. I knew her skills had been sharpened through years of combat, and I couldn't shake the feeling that she was far stronger than she let on.

My father, Zack Silver, was something else entirely. He was heavily involved in the White Fang and worked directly under Ghira Belladonna, the current High leader of the White Fang. That meant that while my father wasn't the leader himself, he was high enough in rank to have real influence.

Despite his work with the White Fang, Zack was not an extremist like those who would later lead the group astray. He followed Ghira's ideology believing in equality rather than revenge. However, I knew how history played out. Eventually, a shift would occur, and the White Fang would descend into violence and be a terrorist group.

That revelation had sent chills down my spine. But, right now, The White Fang is under Ghira's leadership, it was still about equality and peaceful protests, but I knew it wouldn't stay that way forever.

Knowing all this information, I wasn't just some random background character in this world, my family was deeply connected to key figures in Remnant's future. The Belladonnas were practically family friends, and considering my father's rank, Emilia and I would be raised alongside Blake Belladonna.

"Yep. There's no avoiding it. With a Huntress for a mom and the White Fang's second-in-command for a dad, I was definitely going to be involved in all of this." I thought as I would have to write information down when I could write again.

And more importantly, this confirmed that I was living before the events of RWBY, before the White Fang became a terrorist group.

That also meant Blake Belladonna was here, growing up in the same environment.

"I might meet her sooner than in canon because my dad is second in command and is friends with Ghira, while my mom is friends with Kali. This means I could potentially help Blake a bit with her choices." I thought to myself, hoping this would give Blake the courage she needed to stop feeling so guilty.

But for now, I am just a one-year-old, and my biggest concerns involved teething, crawling after Emilia, and trying not to fall on my face whenever I attempted to stand.

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~Days later~

As much as I was busy trying to gather information and strategize for the future, I couldn't ignore his twin sister, Emilia.

She was a bundle of energy, always giggling, always moving, and always dragging me into whatever nonsense she was up to. If she wanted to explore a corner of their home, she would tug on my arm until I crawled after her. If she wanted to play with a toy, she would shove it in my face until I engaged with her.

Despite being twins, we didn't look identical. Emilia had our mother's violet eyes and blonde hair, while I had my father's blue eyes and black hair. However, what we both shared were our Faunus traits, black wolf ears perched atop our heads, a clear mark of our faunus heritage.

Taking care of Emilia became second nature to me. If she cried, I tried to comfort her. If she struggled to reach something, I did my best to help. It wasn't as if I had a choice; she would not stop fussing unless I was involved in whatever she was doing. At times, it was exhausting, but there was something strangely fulfilling about being her anchor.

"I just hope it doesn't backfire on me later in the future." I thought, since I would probably have moments with Emilia where we don't agree with one another's opinions.

One of the biggest milestones in our early childhood was speaking our first words. Our parents had been preparing us, repeating 'Mama' and 'Dada' like a chant every day.

"Come on Emilia, say mama. Maaama." Mom said trying to get Emilia to say mama first.

"M...Ma...Ma...Mama!" she squealed, clapping her tiny hands together.

Our mother's eyes sparkled with joy as she scooped Emilia into her arms. "That's right, sweetheart! Mama! Good girl!"

Not wanting to be left behind, I focused on my own attempt. I had been trying for days now, and I wanted to make sure I got it right. I've been practicing every night, and thankfully, Emilia always hugged my arm in her sleep, making the late-night practice worthwhile, even though I struggled to get much rest.

"Come on Grayson. Can you say Dada?" Dad said nicely as he was looking at me.

"Daaaa....Dada!" I replied.

Dad's ears perked up, and his tail twitched in surprise before he beamed with pride. "Did you hear that? My boy just said his first word!"

"Oh, so when Emilia says 'Mama,' you don't react like that." Mom teased.

Dad chuckled. "Come on, you got the first word. Let me have this."

From that point on, words came more easily. While Emilia quickly mastered "Bubba," which she calls me, I had to practice saying "No" whenever Emilia tried to steal my toys to keep me occupied.

We were still limited in speech, but it was progress. And progress meant everything to me.

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~Day's later~

For the past few days, I'd noticed my parents talking about a visit from the Belladonnas. It wasn't hard to figure out why. Dad worked closely with Ghira, and Mom got along well with Kali. That meant, sooner or later, I'd be meeting Blake. Knowing what I knew about the future, that was both exciting and nerve-wracking."

Not long after, Emilia and I had our first real playdate with Blake Belladonna.

It seemed that either Ghira or Kali decided to bring Blake along to meet us, as both Mom and Dad are friends with them. However, my best guess is that it was Kali who wanted Blake to join us, since Ghira gives off the vibe of a protective father who doesn't want any boys around his daughter.

I had seen the Belladonnas before, mostly when our parents had White Fang discussions at our house.

It happened on an afternoon when our parents invited the Belladonnas over for a gathering. I had been expecting this moment for days, knowing it was inevitable. But actually seeing the baby version of a future main character? That was something else entirely.

I already learned to balance myself on wobbly legs, so I walked and sat on the floor beside Emilia, who was watching curiously as the door opened. In walked Ghira Belladonna, a massive panther Faunus that did look a bit scary, followed by a gentle-looking Kali Belladonna, who carried a baby girl with black hair and tiny cat ears.

"Blake Belladonna. We finally meet at last... But it's kind of weird knowing her future and the decisions she made. Right now, she looks so innocent," I thought as I continued looking at Blake.

"Amelia, Zack! It's good to see you both." Ghira greeted warmly, shaking hands with dad while Kali embraced mom like an old friend.

"And these must be the little ones!" Kali cooed, stepping forward and lowering Blake to the floor. "Oh my Oum! They have gotten so cute!"

"I know right! But they are growing up so fast, it's like they will be adults before we know it" Mom said, which Kali agreed.

"Blake, just over a year old, blinked her amber eyes curiously before looking at me and Emilia."

I stayed still, observing. Emilia, on the other hand, clapped her little hands in excitement. "Pway!" she said, reaching toward Blake.

Blake's tiny feet shuffled hesitantly before she finally reached out 'poke'. Emilia burst into giggles, clapping her hands like she'd just discovered the best game ever."

Seeing the interaction, I decided to test something. I reached out and gently booped Blake on the nose.

Blake blinked in surprise. Then, to my shock, she poked my cheek in return before immediately looking away, pretending she didn't do it.

I just stared at her in shock.

"Did she just tsundere poke me?" I asked myself, replaying the memory in my head.

Kali giggled at the interaction. "Oh my, Blake seems to like them already!"

"Well, that's good! After all, they'll be seeing a lot of each other!" Dad laughed, gesturing Kali and Ghira to the kitchen. "Ghira and I will be working closely as always, so I imagine our kids will grow up together."

I internally sighed. That meant more time to prepare for what was to come. For now, though… I'd humor the baby playdate, but also listen to what they are talking about.

For the next hour, Blake and Emilia played together stacking blocks, knocking them down, and giggling at every little thing. Meanwhile, I pretended to play while eavesdropping on the adults.

I still needed more information about this world. About the White Fang. About what was happening now before things got bad in the coming years.

"Come on, talk about White Fang. I need something! Anything! that can provide important information for future reference!" I yelled in my head.

And that was when I heard something important.

"...Vale's branch has been getting restless," Dad murmured. "We've had reports that Sienna's been pushing for more aggressive action."

"I remembered that name Sienna Kahn. She was supposedly the leader of the White Fang after Ghira stepped down, but I never got to Volume 4. I had only seen the trailer and heard the name." I thought as I put a mental note to remember.

Ghira sighed heavily. "I expected this. Sienna has always been more militant than I'd like. She believes that equality can only be achieved through force."

Mom, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. "She's not entirely wrong to be frustrated," she admitted. "Some of the Kingdoms still refuse to give Faunus equal treatment. They turn a blind eye to our struggles but using violence isn't going to help."

That was something I agreed with. I understood why Sienna felt the way she did. The Faunus had been treated and discriminated for too long. But history had already shown that taking up arms didn't lead to equality, it led to fear, violence, and further division. " I thought as I was moving the wooden block around.

Ghira let out a slow breath. "I don't deny that discrimination is still a problem, Amelia. But the second we resort to violence, we'll lose any chance of peaceful coexistence."

"Yeah, and you'll lose control of the White Fang before you even realize it." I thought. "Right now, Ghira still has a grip on things. But when he steps down… that's when everything spirals out of control."

Dad hesitated, fingers tapping against the table. "Maybe… Maybe it wouldn't hurt to show we're willing to push back. Not all-out war, but something that proves we aren't weak."

Ghira frowned. "Zack—"

"I'm just saying," Dad interrupted. "These young recruits… they're angry. And if we don't guide them, someone else will."

"Have you spoken to her?" Amelia's voice was measured, but there was a sharp edge of concern.

Ghira exhaled through his nose, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I tried." He paused, his brows furrowing. "She respects me, but… she won't change her views. In her mind, violence is the only way for us to be heard.

There was a heavy silence.

Dad finally sighed. "For now, we should focus on keeping Menagerie safe. If things get worse in Vale, I want to make sure it doesn't spill over here."

Mom hummed. "And what about Blake? What happens if Blake gets caught up in this?"

I glanced at Blake, who was still focused on their block tower. She had no idea what kind of future awaited her.

Ghira's voice softened. "I'll do everything in my power to keep her out of it."

Kali nodded "I don't want my daughter to be in that kind of mess either."

I clenched my small hands into fists.

"She doesn't get kept out of it. No matter how hard you try, she will be dragged in." I thought.

Because in the original story, she follows in their footsteps. She watches the White Fang become something it was never meant to be. She joins them. Then she abandons them when it all goes too far.

"But maybe… if I step in, things could be different." I thought in my head if I were to take a step in Blake's path.

My small hands clenched into fists. But this was it. The early signs of what would eventually lead to the White Fang's radicalization.

Before he could dwell on it further, he felt another poke on his cheek.

He turned again only to see Blake, who had gotten closer to him quickly looking away.

I narrowed my eyes.

"Oh, it's on now baby Blake...It's on." I replied in my head while giving Blake a stare that said it's war.

Blake had already poked his cheek twice and looked away, her cat ears twitching as if nothing had happened. He wasn't about to let that slide. So, he waited. Acted casual like a normal baby. Pretended to be deeply interested in the wooden blocks in front of me.

Then, when Blake was distracted...I struck.

I waited for the perfect moment. Then, with the calculated precision of a 'baby ninja,' I darted forward and tapped Blake's cheek with my tiny finger.

Blake immediately turned, her amber eyes widening in shock.

Blake's cheeks puffed slightly in a pout. Then, without hesitation, she struck back—two quick pokes, both hands, faster than I could react.

Emilia, watching with wide eyes, giggled. "Bwake wikes Bubba!"

Blake stiffened. Then, in true toddler fashion, she turned her head away dramatically as if to say, 'I have no idea what you're talking about.'

Oh.

Oh, this little kitten is going to be trouble. When she gets older.

I just gave Blake a stare.

While Emilia, not wanting to be left out, giggled and poked Blake's arm.

What had started as a normal playdate had now evolved into an all-out poke war.

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By the time the conversation wrapped up, the first Poke War had long since stopped, mostly because Emilia had gotten sleepy from all the moving and poking.

Blake was also tired but satisfied with the day's activities, was sitting next to Emilia, hugging a stuffed animal that mom had given her a few minutes ago as a present. 

Meanwhile, I was still keeping an eye on Blake. While she was watching me, too.

Then, without a word, she poked his cheek one last time.

I blinked and screamed in my head. "Goddamnit!"

Blake stared at him for a second… and then smirked slightly before looking away again.

Oh.

"Oh, she's messing with me on purpose." I thought, as I really thought she was just coping Emilia at first, but she knows what she's doing.

This little kitten.

Emilia, completely unaware of the silent war of poking happening, yawned and crawled into my lap, curling up sleepily.

Blake noticed this and hesitated for a moment before scooting closer and leaning against my side.

I sighed. "Fine. This is fine...After all, I don't know what's going to happen but...I'm happy."

While the adults continued their conversation, the three of them, two Faunus girls and one reincarnated Faunus boy sat there, completely unaware of how deeply their lives would become intertwined.

One thing became clear to me..

I had time to change things.

I needed to start when I turned 5 years old, as the system fully opens and I can create my first spirit in Remnant.

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And with that Four years passed and Blake was still poking my cheek everytime she came to our home.