All for Nothing: It slowly sinks in that abandoning the White Fang to try and convince Blake to take him back, and in turn return to the Fang, was a fallacious plan; not only is the former part not working, the latter may have been harder still (and this without knowing of the group’s co-opting by Cinder Fall and Roman Torchwick). Naturally this has him questioning what he’s got to work for anymore.
Beyond Redemption: In Blake’s view, certainly. Most other faunus also see him as a monster, albeit his time at Beacon is apparently giving some of them second thought on this.
Big Brother Instinct: Both his combat partners, Blake (years ago) and Ruby (now) are younger girls who look(ed) up to him, and who he in turn is protectively affectionate of. The former relationship soured thanks to becoming a couple and Adam’s own actions; the latter has yet to, however it is under scrutiny by those who know Adam’s past and worry about his team.
Blood Knight: Has a lot of fun during his fight with Pyrrha. He also gets a hell of a rush whenever he releases his semblance.
This is a trait shared with Yang and they actually both de-stress and bond by beating the tar out of each other in hand to hand sparing.
Crippling Overspecialization: In terms of hunter-level fighters, Adam shares this trait with Ruby, as both are very dependent on their weapon and a single style of combat. Adam is slightly better off than Ruby, if only because he's older and has a lot more experience, but without a sword, he's hamstrung rather badly.
Deadpan Snarker: To a surprising degree considering his canon counterpart. Chapter 30, in particular, is at least a quarter just Adam snarking to high heavens.
White Fang member: Y-You bastard! You treacherous bastard!
Adam: I literally left the White Fang. Why is this a surprise to you?
Dramatic Unmask: He reveals his SDC scar to Ruby, when she demands to know why he hates Weiss.
And when Weiss presses the issue of Adam's White Fang membership in Chapter 24, he reveals it to her out of rage.
Energy Absorption: Adam's semblance is to absorb energy and return it back, channeling his Semblance to his sword, and releasing the energy in a powerful attack, best shown against the Nevermore he decapitated in one strike.
Experienced Protagonist: Adam is at the age of the average Beacon fourth year, and his time in the White Fang has granted him a lot of experience, both as a fighter and a leader. His not being the leader also puts him in a mentor position to Ruby.
Then comes Chapter 39 when Cinder gouged that damaged eye out during the fight against Adam.
Facial Horror: The SDC scar on his face and the surrounding area.
Bold and red, even after it must have healed. It stood out against his skin and was printed over his eye and a bit of his nose. Up close she could see that his skin blistered up, burned and bubbled before setting like melted iron
Fantastic Racism: Early chapters have him showing plenty towards humans.
He Who Fights Monsters: Definitely had a run in with this trope during his days as a terrorist. He recognizes it, though he holds an "I Did What I Had to Do" attitude regarding his actions, and most of his anti-human racism seems to have faded with time.
Impossibly Cool Weapon: According to Ruby Rose, Wilt and Blush are second only to Crescent Rose, and there's no denying how biased she is.
Karma Houdini: Played with. In his trial, Adam is sentenced a total of 65 years in prison for his actions in the White Fang despite being found innocent in Ozpin's murder. The judge presiding over the case, however, suspends his sentence for the next fourteen years and may drop the sentence entirely if he stays on good behavior.
Mask of Sanity: During the early chapters, Adam appears to most characters as a calm and stoic individual, and his narration would lead one to believe it true. Early on, despite never breaking that mask, it's clear that Adam is on the verge of committing murder for one reason or another almost every chapter. He even derives catharsis in imagining killingWeiss. With time, however, it becomes clear that he's slowly losing this facet of himself.
Older Sidekick: The oldest and most experienced member of Team RYST, whose partner Ruby Rose is the youngest of the currently-enrolled student body.
Retired Monster: When asked by Glynda Goodwitch if he regrets any of his past deeds, Adam admits in full to seeing himself as one, feeling nothing for his past actions.
Scars Are Forever: The SDC brand on his eye, leading to his eyepatch. He makes it a point to keep it covered and only shows it to Ruby, and later on Weiss, in a fit of anger. The scar is on full display in the Battle for Beacon and in his trial.
Taught by Experience: How Adam learned to fight. This is partly why he suffers from Crippling Overspecialization, as learning general combat techniques wasn't a viable option so he pushed his swordsmanship to the absolute limit.
The Chains of Commanding: Adam acted as a leader in the White Fang. Much of his advice to Ruby regarding leadership is derived from the mistakes he made back then. The narration makes it clear that he considers himself responsible for the death of every single subordinate who fell under his command.
Well-Intentioned Extremist: Another way to see his past in the White Fang, depending on how sympathetic whoever the judge is to his cause; many who know of his past, however, would argue that he crossed the line years ago.
We Used to Be Friends: And even lovers at one point, but whatever relationship Adam and Blake did have has since soured. Blake clearly wants nothing to do with him, while Adam is initially dead set on proving her that he isn't the monster she thinks he is. The end of their former bond is solidified after several incidents wherein Adam is the subject of racism by the other students, with Blake doing absolutely nothing to stop it. This comes to a head in the cafeteria, when several racist students publicly beat the ever-loving shit out of Adam, with Blake still standing idle and even being indirectly responsible for the incident in the first place.
Blake: A-as far as I'm concerned, we don't know one another. We're complete strangers.
Adam: Fitting. I certainly don't know you anymore...
Wounded Gazelle Gambit: Against Team CRMN. Needless to say, everyone who knows who he is well aware of it.
