Hello Ladies and Gents!

Welcome to my second fic! Hopefully with less crappy writing than my last one. I still enjoy writing the other piece, but I want to see how this one pans out too.

I just recently started playing Skyrim for the billionth time. I've been playing ever since it came out and I'm pretty sure I logged at least 6,000 hours in the last six years.

So on a cold brisk morn... I slaughtered a couple dozen bandits. Then suddenly I got the idea for this fic. I wanted to take aspects from three games I love, RWBY - throw them into a pot and this was born. I've taken inspiration from Skyrim, The Witcher 3, and Elder Scrolls Online. So there won't be any Grimm, but there will be vampires, werewolves, bandits and lots of shit Jaune's going to kill. I also included some stuff from Oblivion and Kingdom Come: Deliverance.

I'm also recycling the OC from my other story. I might just include him in every fic as a character. Even if he's the bad guy or some dead asshole Jaune finds a sword on. It's going to be a running joke for me.

This is going to be a Weiss x Jaune romance. I like the pairing, not us much as Arkos or Dragonslayer, but I still think it has potential.

Edit Note (12/30/18): Changed the name of an OC. Will apply changes to the rest of the fic as well. In summary, I thought this name would sound more like it belonged in RWBY.

Two swords... one made from silver with a steel core, the blade approximately fifty inches in length. Five feet in total when including the grip and pommel. The other, a simple steel broadsword measuring in at around forty-five inches, accompanied by an argent shield laden with golden trim.

These were three of Jaune's most precious items. What he planned on making a living with during the foreseeable future. The weapons were simple... to put it lightly. Truthfully Jaune didn't bother with the pretty stuff on any of his blades. His swords would get the job done until he could upgrade them or find something better if he survived long enough to do so.

Jaune was born into a blacksmith's household. His father was once a mercenary and monster slayer for hire before settling down in Bar, Jaune's hometown. There he took up the dull lifestyle of smithing blades and tools for whatever adventures and commoners that waltzed into his shop. His mother was a merchant peddling goods they made or grew on their farm with Jaune's sisters helping to manage the family shop. It was a satisfying lifestyle for the most part, but Jaune wanted more. He wanted to be a hero like his father. Even more than that, he wanted to be a knight.

Jaune did not want to be relegated to the lowly status of a blacksmith. He wanted to travel the world, slay monsters, take part in the many quests that heroes undertook on a daily basis, and hopefully save as many lives as he could. However, Jaune's father did not believe that he could make it. Jaune had no natural swordsmanship abilities, and the only magic he could cast were simple spells that barely resulted in a flame or flash of lightning. Jaune was crushed when his father barred him from pursuing his dream. The entire family did not wish for Jaune to continue this lifestyle, forcing him to give up his vision for several years.

As Jaune saw some of his friends and even the local noble's oldest son depart for the academies, envy began welling up inside of him. Kids who lacked the strength that Jaune possessed or his high charisma or constitution were all being forged weapons and armour so that they could go become Defenders of Remnant. Jaune did not wish to be left behind in this dull city.

His solution, run away and head to Beacon Academy. The leading institution for adventurers and heroes both magical and physical on the continent of Vale. There he could hopefully begin fabricating a new life for himself. He could earn a reputation as a warrior for the Kingdom of Vale and would do his best to get the attention of the Valish Royalty.

Jaune knew he could make it out there as an adventurer. He practised for the last two years many times late into the night and at the cost of his own health. It was enough to get Jaune's level up to around ten and a half. Even though he excelled far beyond his own peers in his village who were a measly level three or four, Jaune was still behind everyone else who had a half-dozen substantial levels on him. His father was a mighty level forty-five; the second strongest man in the city.

Levels were something of a mystery. People could sense their strengths and get an approximation of it. With every level one of your reserves would rise, those being health or aura, stamina, your magical reserves, and it would affect your core attributes. Although from what Jaune managed to read you didn't actually get more of anything, you only became more efficient in that respect, your attributes would grow with every level, however. You could never honestly know how much aura you had, either. Your body just had to feel it. Some people have been born with higher magical reserves or more stamina than other people, and everybody's core attributes or reserves were different based upon their birth or upbringing. Jaune was pretty sure he wasn't one of those special people. His health and stamina were average at best compared to other adventurers and heroes among his peer group. Jaune's stats were evenly spread with more emphasis on strength, constitution, and intelligence (his charisma was sort of lacking). He couldn't even sense his magical reseviour. Indeed Jaune had no known magical abilities, he still managed to gain his first power. He called it Arclight, and it may have been magic, but he couldn't sense any loss of his reserves when using it.

Arclight was merely a high-intensity flash of light. Jaune experimented on it with various low-level monsters and Arclight worked exceptionally well. It created a light that was almost as intense as the sun. It stunned enemies who were living and burned the undead to a certain point. Not turning them into ash, only causing great pain. He managed to gain it when he turned level ten. Unfortunately, he didn't get to use it on anything deadly at the moment. And for all Jaune knew this ability was unique to only him. Everyone's abilities were as unique as their specs.

Levels were also gained by doing something. Being blacksmithing, shooting a bow or chopping a tree down with an axe. If you blocked an attack successfully, you would become more proficient in using your shield or blocking in general. Jaune's best abilities were in two-handed and blocking. He didn't have much skill in armour because he tried his best to avoid being hit or ended any fight before a hit could be landed. Jaune hoped his apprentice level skills were going to be enough for Beacon.

Beacon Academy was a fortunate escape for Jaune. They took on about everybody they could and only asked they pay their way. You still needed to survive the initiation and the first four years at the academy, that was something Jaune was good at... surviving. It was going to take a combination of Jaune's unnaturally high luck and maybe a few prayers to make it (if luck was a real thing).

Jaune felt pretty confident in himself as he had practised on some of the monsters that lived in the wood around his village. He even killed a vampire! Something that was almost unheard of in his town; his dad told him stories about some of his hunts when he was younger. The old Arc had killed maybe a dozen vampires over his decade-long career. However, Dad didn't have Jaune's silver sword; he had to do it the old-fashioned way.

His family's reaction to Jaune managing to slay a vampire was... less than stellar. His mom and sisters threatened to lock him in the cellar, never to let him out of their sights again. Jaune's dad, however, didn't react in the way he expected. Jaune even managed to bring back a trophy, the vampire's head. It didn't seem like it was enough for the old Arc. An achievement the older man had accomplished a dozen times over. The old man seemed more disappointed that Jaune risked his life for a trophy and a small pile of lien. That's what truly set Jaune over the edge. He thought it would make his old man proud of him that he slew a dangerous beast and lived to tell the tale. Jaune was just glad none of his family members saw his injuries. A few claw marks here and there. Luckily he brought a cure disease potion in the event he contracted stage one vampirism.

Jaune picked up the silver sword he affectionately named, Ira Rubrum. It was his killer app, what saved his life when fighting whatever monsters he came across. Jaune made sure to hide it from his mother and sisters. It was expected that his father already knew about it and didn't bother to bring it up. Corcea Mors, his broadsword/shield, was partly based off the family heirloom, which was only a broadsword. Jaune added the guard to make up for his medium armour.

Jaune had all of his gear laid out on top of his bed. His swords were still within their half sheaths and strapped onto their harness. His armour lay next to his blades and consisted of a simple white steel breastplate with spaulders and accompanying vambraces. He wore leather pads on his legs as well, but they would not stand up to the swipe of a sword... a club maybe or a tail, but until he could add metal trim to them Jaune was stuck with using leather.

Jaune planned to leave before dawn as to avoid his sister's and parent's likely attempt to stop him. He was going to leave them a note, of course. There was no point in disappearing without some final words. Jaune would make sure that his sisters wouldn't blame themselves for his running away.

He didn't have a horse, so he was either going to have to walk all the to Vale, or he would have to negotiate with one of the many carriage drivers that frequented the roads to the capital.

Jaune packed his satchel full of dust crystals that he had been stockpiling for the last few months. It was a dozen or so medium quality gems that he could sell or possibly use in battle. Except he had no idea how to use them on the fly. Or what they were even used for in general.

A half days carriage ride would be pleasant. Jaune could catch up on some sleep and be refreshed for the first day at the academy. He just needed to find one cheap enough, so he didn't spend all of his lien just yet. Jaune had few hundred coins to his name, but he knew it wouldn't last, so he had to bargain for whatever he needed.

Jaune threw on his gear making sure to everything was comfortable and not restricting his movements. The medium armour let Jaune take a hit at the sacrifice of some of his lacklustre agility. However, he could still dodge most attacks from larger creatures and roll if necessary to avoid massive attacks. If Jaune had more money, he would eventually buy or make his own heavy plate at a forge. He fancied himself a knight, and medium armour didn't fit with his class.

...

"Time to be a hero I guess," Jaune muttered to himself as he snuck out of his home. Jaune was sure he didn't wake anybody, but he needed to keep quiet lest disturb anybody else in his neighbourhood. It would break his heart if Jaune's little sister saw him sneak out and tried to stop him.

He made his way down the road to the stables. The half dozen enclosures rested just inside the western gate of Bar. A much larger barn was near the northern and main entrance of the city, but Jaune would have to pass through the marketplace, and he couldn't risk someone spotting him.

A man was tending to his horses and getting them ready for travel. He looked as though he was a trader of sorts. There were weapons in the back of the cart, and the man had a mace strapped to his hip. His clothes didn't scream wealthy, but they were more sophisticated than the rags most of the townsfolk wore.

"What do ye want laddie," the man asked in a boorish slurred tongue. Ok, maybe he wasn't a merchant or a low ranking one at that. He might be working for a merchant and simply shuttles goods between towns. Jaune was sure the man was also drunk going off the man's slur.

"I was wondering where this cart is going," Jaune slowly began. "I need passage to Vale, and I'm willing to pay." Hopefully, Jaune's charisma would get him a reasonable price. If not... Jaune was going to have to leg it.

"You're not one of those Witch Men, are ye," the man stared at Jaune's twin swords. Jaune had no idea what "Witch Men" the man was referring to.

"N-no," he stuttered. "I-I'm a knight." Even though he fancied himself as a knight Jaune was not actually that. Good job Jaune, knights are known for their uncontrollable stuttering.

"Then what's with the two fancy swords," the man quickly replied with a tone of fear in his voice. "I ain't ever seen a knight with two swords." The man was technically correct. Knights rarely carried two swords since they didn't focus on magical threats, but Jaune was branching out a bit.

"This is a silver sword," Jaune withdrew the blade and twirled it in his hand. "I need it to fight monsters. I also have a steel sword in case I have to fight people." Jaune was hoping he could avoid the latter. But in the event he needed to defend himself, Jaune would not back down. His dad said the first time is always the hardest no matter what.

"Hmmm," The man remained in thought for a few seconds until he spoke up. "If ye can protect my wagon, I will take ye to Vale for free," the man gladly held his hand out. Jaune took a second and firmly grasped the man's hand in agreement. The trader hopped aboard his wagon and Jaune jumped into the back. The Knight's legs hung from the cart.

This was a lot easier than I thought it would be.

...

"I'll keep watch up here if ye can watch my back," the man shouted back to Jaune. "There's ale back there too. So help yourself, laddie." Jaune examined one of the brown bottles, labelled "Black Baron Ale." Jaune had never been a heavy drinker, but he occasionally dabbled in the stout. The lack of any drinking laws and a hard days work were more than enough to justify a tankard or two.

Jaune looked around and made sure that nobody he knew was around. Slipping the bottle into his bag and uncorking another, downing the brown liquid...

It was smooth, remarkably so. Most ales in Bar were far too strong for his liking, but Jaune didn't have any options. This ale was more robust and possibly imported from out of the country. Vale didn't have the right climate to grow these kinds of hops. Maybe it was from Mistral? Windpath was far enough south that they could grow whatever they wanted.

As Jaune sat and enjoyed his stout, he spotted something off in the distance. It was hard to make out. Jaune didn't have a spyglass or cat eyes and could see a few figures off in the distance.

As they approached even further, Jaune realised what had been chasing them. "Ah shit, hellhounds!" Jaune got the driver's attention who hopped off the wagon and grabbed his club.

Hellhounds were a combination of the magical and physical worlds. They materialised as a solid form, but they were essentially ghosts possessing a shell. Demons more appropriately. Their structures were more akin to Doberman Pinschers, but they were coloured solid black with deep red eyes.

There were around five Hellhounds on the road. They were easy enough to fight as long as you were not swarmed by too many. Five had been the average number for one man to hold off, but it was split between two people making the job easy.

The trader, whatever his name was, rushed in first and slammed his club onto the first hound. The club splintered and snapped in half killing the hound instantly. Another hound quickly hopped on top of him and pinned the trader to the ground. The man held the beast up keeping its snapping maw away from his throat while yelling for Jaune.

Jaune drew his silver sword and gracefully cut into the hound. Cleaving the animal in two just below the rib cage. Black blood spilt onto the trader's stomach. The hound lay in pieces next to the incapacitated trader.

Jaune turned to the other hounds who quickly approached. Decapitating the first one with a sidestep and a chop. The second was stabbed through the head with a quick thrust. The final hound leapt towards Jaune and was split in two with a hasty pirouette. Jaune was lucky he managed to hit the last one. He swung too late and cleaved the latter half of the hound, and it slammed into him knocking Jaune flat on his ass.

"Ow," Jaune groaned as he lay there for a moment. The beast had slammed into his chest, but his armour and jerkin took the force of the blow. It still hurt and Jaune might be sore the rest of the day. Jaune lifted himself off the ground and used his sword to steady himself. Ok, that was fun.

Jaune was fortunate that hounds were no more difficult than wolves. He was entirely self-taught on the matter of battle in general. For his overall lack of experience, Jaune thought he had done quite well. It was nowhere near his father's level of skill and Jaune had seen him fight before during a bandit raid. The older man used pirouettes just like the one he utilised to block, parry and counter attack the raiders. Jaune simply did his best to copy the man's fighting style.

Wait... Jaune totally forgot to check on the trader! "Please don't be dead," Jaune repeated to himself several times in his head. He ran around the side of the cart hoping not to find a body. Instead, he found the man laid out like a drunk who lost his way home from the bar. A constant wheeze escaped from the man's mouth, and he clutched his diaphragm most likely having the wind knocked out of him. The actual harm to the man was his now blood-stained tunic which was most likely ruined now.

"Come on, get up - I can't have you dying on me," Jaune commanded as he held his hand out to the man. The trader accepted his offer in a daze and was brought to his feet. "Someone needs to drive the wagon."

"Oh, my fuckin' head is on fire," he cursed as he held a hand to the back of his head. There wasn't any blood, but he most likely had a first-degree concussion. Jaune walked over to the wagon and tossed him a bottle of ale. The trader cheerfully accepted and limped back to his cart. Ale was practically a cure-all.

...

"So, laddie, how did ye learn those fancy moves," the trader asked in a slurred tongue. It had been several hours since the incident on the road. Nothing else had bothered the two men except the occasional call of a monster from within the wood. Both men put their buzzed heads together and sang a few drinking songs to pass the time as they approached Beacon. They also shared some small talk on the road as well while taking turns driving the cart.

The trader's name was actually Kaedin, and he seemed like a pleasant guy. He worked for a merchant in Vale peddling his employer's goods to the surrounding villages. Kaedin was also a bard and not much of a fighter. He spent more time writing ballads hoping to make it big one day. Which reflected his fighting style... or lack thereof.

"My father taught me," Jaune gave a half-truth to Kaedin to spare him from the stress of knowing he had a self-taught adventurer as his escort. It was probably for the better that nobody knew about it. Jaune was a step up from town guards (for how useful they could be), but he was not quite the knight in shining armour he wanted to become, yet. "I also did some work on my own. I even killed a vampire."

"Bloody hell," the man looked back in astonishment. "You killed a fuckin' vampire!" The was the same reaction most of the townsfolk had when Jaune waltzed in with a humanoid's head. However, it still didn't improve his luck with women, only some gossip that his sisters refused to share. It got him some attention from the noble house of Bar and earned him a decent friendship with the noble's second son, his best friend.

"Yeah, it was only a fledgeling - a recently turned vampire who hasn't fed yet," Jaune tried to humbly deflect the praise. That was probably his hardest fight yet. Jaune was lucky that the fledgeling did not have the powers of a full vampire yet. If that had been the case, Jaune could have easily found himself among the undead. The silver sword helped as well, but Jaune was pretty sure it was because of the former.

"Don't fuckin', "It was only a fledgeling," me! I only know of three men who killed vampires in my time on this putrid planet. Two of them were all old as shite and could barely take a piss standin' up! You're the third, and ye killed a vampire before ye even grew hair on your chin."

Jaune didn't know if he should be insulted by that last part. The most he ever managed to grow on his face was some stubble. It being blonde made it more than invisible to the naked eye. His dad had a full beard and if he ever managed to shave it, would grow back in a matter of days. Curse those damn hormones!

"Thanks," Jaune said. "I guess," Jaune thought to himself. To the many villagers in his hometown, Jaune was seen as a hero for slaying the vampire. Of course, none of the peasants knew about the rest of the brood hiding deep in the forest. That was between him and the Count, who dispatched his men to clear it out at the loss of half the battalion. One hundred fifty men lost in mere minutes before they managed to subdue the clutch and seal the cave permanently. Luckily they covered it up saying the soldiers when to clear out a bandit camp and ran into a werewolf along the way. Kept panic down for the most part when they claimed they had slain the werebeast.

...

Another hour passed as the two men rode the carriage to Vale. It was mostly silent for that time period as more and more soldiers appeared along the road. They thought it best not to attract attention to themselves with armed guards looking for a chance to seize their goods.

Not that Jaune couldn't stop them of course. Most town guards were merely conscripts and drunks forced to throw on a gambeson and mail. The Vale City Guard consisted of some proper soldiers, but most fit the former description. Bar had a professional garrison trained by the Count of Bar himself and outfitted by Jaune's father. It was why the town managed to grow to a few thousand residents, and Jaune lived among the craftsmen or middle class.

The higher concentration of soldiers meant that Jaune was getting closer to Vale. Or... there was a higher activity of bandits in the area. Both were ok because the soldiers would serve as a distraction while Kaedin and Jaune got away.

"Oi laddie," Kaedin shouted from the driver's bench. "Welcome to Vale!"

The massive city walls appeared from just around a bend of trees. Thick stone and deep chasms surrounded the metropolis. The walls must have been twenty feet thick! The entrance Jaune came up to was a drawbridge over a mote. The bridge was protected by a wooden spike wall and trenches dug out by soldiers.

The road led farther into the city and ended in a bustling marketplace. Hundreds of stalls lined with merchants trying to peddle their goods. If you needed something, a trader must have had it here. The road was filled with hundreds of city-goers busy trading for food and supplies on the cobblestone plaza. Mercenaries and adventurers were looking to sell their loot from their expeditions.

Hundreds of red-slated rooves dotted the landscape around him. The wood and stone buildings showed age in this ancient city but stood with the strength of a thousand men. Everything was alive! Jaune doubted Bar could ever live up to the capital even if they had a thousand years!

"Alright laddie, this is where we part ways," Kaedin waved and hopped off the wagon. "If we meet again, maybe we'll do some trading. I might even hire ye to guard my wagon."

Jaune waved goodbye and fell into the crowd. He then began perusing the marketplace. Maybe he could find something useful and haggle for a better price. There were some nice swords here and there that were honestly not up to par with his own weapons. Jaune spotted a crossbow and lacking a ranged option he might have picked it up if not for the price. Twelve-hundred lien was way too much for his blood.

...

He spotted some other adventuring types as he meandered his way to Beacon. Jaune knew he looked to part judging by what they were wearing. Some heavy-plate, a thick gambeson, some thick leather armour, and a few who went without armour. These kids seemed more experienced than him. Maybe they were upper-classmen?

Beacon was a stone's throw from the King's Palace. In the centre of the cosmopolitan heartland of Vale. The palace was absolutely astounding to look at. The tall twisting towers of what could have been a fortress in its own right dwarfed the city. Blue-slated roofing and marble stonework came together to form a masterpiece. It was something out of a fairytale.

The only thing that compared would have been the Academy. Gosh, the thought of being able to attend it was nerve-racking! This was the most important day of Jaune's life, and he was getting ready to dive in head first. Jaune had the dumbest smile on his face right now, but he was fully allowed to bear it.

Jaune turned around and there it was.

Beacon Academy.

The high walls of the school made the palace look pitiful in comparison. The cobble roads gave way to grey marble tiles and beautiful gardens. Every open wall was covered in some form of vegetation ranging from flowers to the most amazing and exotic herbs Jaune had ever seen.

Jaune had lost himself entirely while basking in the sights around him. He kept wandering towards the main structure and followed everyone else. Jaune didn't bother to look where was going until he felt someone slam into him.

"Excuse me, sorry..."

"Oofff," the young girl grunted as she fell back. Tiny, absolutely beautiful, probably way out of his league... was all Jaune could describe her as. Delicate like a rose petal would fit her pretty well too. Jaune almost thought about checking her out but stopped himself. Damnit Jaune! Control yourself! You're suppoed to be a knight! Jaune could barely feel her hit him. Her two wide silver eyes hidden beneath a red cloak looked up at him in a daze.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Jaune quickly apologised as he lifted her up. The girl was surprisingly light. He couldn't feel any pressure from her grip either. Jaune realised if he didn't see her in front of him he would have stepped on her.

She patted down her outfit trying to get the dust off. The girl was clad in various shades of red from vermillion to crimson that matched her hair. She wore a black and red corset that led into a skirt. On her back, she carried a scythe with a wooden handle. "Sorry about running into you. My sis abandoned me to go chase after some boys, and I got lost." After she made sure she was clean. "A-Are you an initiate too," she asked with a small pink blush to her cheeks.

Jaune knew the feeling about getting lost! He almost got lost while wandering the marketplace. Luckily a soldier pushed him the right way after he tripped over a curb. "Yeah, this place is a bit confusing," he said while scratching the back of his head. Jaune now remembered how bad he was with girls. He probably thought it was hormones or something acting up and causing him to sweat.

"Oh, I-I'm an initiate too," Jaune excitedly stammered in agreement. At this rate, Jaune didn't know why the girl didn't run away in terror. They both seemed to be nervously stuttering and were equally embarrassed. This was probably the longest conversation Jaune had with a female other than his sisters or mother.

"Really," the girl nearly shrieked in excitement. She was probably more pumped about being at the academy than Jaune was. She seemed more socially awkward than Jaune was, but he didn't really mind. "Oh, I-I almost forgot! My name's Ruby Rose! And is that a longsword?!"

Yep, she was pretty awkward.

"Uh, my name's Jaune. Jaune Arc," Jaune slowly introduced himself to give off of vain attempt at confidence through a blush. "This is Ira Rubrum."

He withdrew Ira Rubrum and held it by the base of the blade. Ruby quickly snatched it from him and examined the edge and fuller. Jaune was a weapon's aficionado himself, but she was more pumped about seeing someone's sword.

"Steel core plated with silver," Ruby muttered to herself. She examined the blade as a master would, taking in every detail of the high-grade silver. The Mistrali Silver was hard to come by, not to mention expensive. Jaune managed to snag himself some from a merchant passing through town and nearly bankrupted himself in the process. But it was worth it for the pure silver.

"So you really like weapons," Jaune asked in an attempt to keep the conversation going. No wonder he never had a girlfriend. He probably scared them all away, or they didn't like the smell of an amateur monster hunter/knight.

"Huh," Ruby snapped out of whatever trance she was in. "Y-Yeah, I love weapons and armour! Not as much as my Crescent Rose." Ruby pulled out her scythe swung with around with surprising grace. Twirling it around in one hand. She most definitely outclassed him when it came to handling weapons. Jaune thought it may be a good idea to pair up with her. He could hopefully ensure his long-term survival.

Jaune had never heard of a hero who wielded a scythe. A farmer might have used one to try defending himself from wolves or the occasional wraith. When facing the latter, it usually leads to the person's death. Scythes were never meant to be used to fight monsters or people for that matter.

"Pretty cool," Jaune took Ira Rubrum back. "So what kind of abilities do you have," he tried to ask casually. "I only have one, and it is only useful on the undead." He was kind of embarrassed to mention his low level. Jaune was sure this girl would crush him in an actual fight.

"Oh-oh-oh, I have two, and they're really really cool!" That meant she was somewhere around level fifteen. After level ten you could possibly unlock a new power every five levels. The main issue with new powers was their usefulness. Some skills were simply useless for anything related to combat. Anybody could unlock a power, but it was a gamble. You might get be able to enhance your strength or be able to talk to birds. They were also determined by your upbringing or your personality, so a child with a bad temper could unlock a skill related to fire.

"I have my first ability that I call, Crimson Flash and it allows me to move faster than the eye can see, and my second move is a stun attack with my eyes. I call that one the "Silver Eyes."" Ruby tried to sound cool at that last part, but Jaune wasn't going to call her out on it especially when she could kick his ass twenty different ways and have no way to stop her.

"Oi! Is that Jaune Arc, The Vampire Slayer of Bar," a familiar voice interrupted as it called out from behind him. The sound of clanking armour grew louder and before Jaune could turn around, an arm was wrapped around his neck. The grip was casual, but it still hurt like hell. He was also kind of rude. His and Ruby's conversation was becoming interesting.

"Hey, Ashton," Jaune wheezed as he tried gasping for air. "Can... you let go please?" Ashton released Jaune and patted him on the back. Jaune took a few heavy breaths for air trying to recover. Ruby sat there watching the two men with a puzzled look. Her focus eventually turned to the armour the taller man was wearing.

Ashton wore a grey steel plate set of heavy armour forged by Jaune and his father. It was primarily composed of a breastplate, vambraces, rerebraces, and gauntlets. Underneath the plates were a tight-fitting scaled gambeson and greenish-grey overcoat whose coattails hung off his back. A pair of black trousers and boots plated with grey steel finished the set of armour. All designed to look like the bony scales plates of a dragon.

He was a level twenty-three dragon knight; a knight with a heavier focus on offensive magic as he described himself. His primary weapon, however, was a sword. It wasn't like Jaune's thin longsword or thicker broadsword, nowhere even close. Its width was nearly five inches, a girth of one and a half inches, and its length was more than five feet. Jaune had a few words to describe it: massive, thick, beautiful, deadly, maybe even sexy.

Ashton named the blade, The Dragon Slayer, after his own class and his goal. Jaune almost found it laughable that he was even able to wield something like that. The black and white blade weighed somewhere in the realm of sixty to seventy pounds. But Ashton swung it with ease and could do severe damage if anybody got in the way. Jaune tried swinging it once and did a pretty good job except he could only spin himself around and couldn't wield it like an actual sword. Jaune preferred his swords. They didn't weigh him down, which was a real issue for Jaune. He needed to be able to roll out of the way of an attack. A hunk of raw iron (Jaune actually didn't know what metal it was. He was pretty sure Ashton didn't know what it was either.) was not meant for quick fighters.

Jaune's best friend looked like a more masculine version of himself. Jaune took his mother's face shape and was more angular compared to Ashton's. He was a blonde too, but his hair was much lighter, almost white. The dragon knight had deep aquamarine eyes offset with a ring of green towards the middle. They were around the same height as well, Ashton being slightly taller by an inch or two. Despite the two not being vertically challenged like Ruby. Ashton was much larger and more muscular compared to Jaune's toned figure.

"Wait, Jaune," Ruby looked over to him with an extremely excited and almost giddy expression. "You killed a vampire!" The last part was loud enough where other people around them took notice. For how small she was and how quiet she seemed. Ruby could be louder than a band of soldiers. "How did you do it?! Did you use the silver sword or did you use magic?! I bet that fight must have been so cool!" The girl was also extremely fast spoken, and Jaune couldn't keep track of her.

"It was only a fledgeling," Jaune whined as he tried to explain the scenario. He hated when people over-praised him for a task that could have been done by any second-rate adventurer. Ashton gave him the nickname regardless of Jaune's protests, and it stuck. Now everybody in Bar used that as his title.

"Well, Jaune, you still have a lead on me," Ashton smacked the top of Jaune's back. "I haven't killed a vampire yet. Besides you're better than me anyway." Ashton turned to Ruby and bowed. "Name's Ashton Hide, I'm a member of the noble house, Hide." Ruby shyly waved to the taller knight. "Stick with Jaune, he's got more experience than a lot of people, and he's probably the best blacksmith in our home city." Of course, Ashton was going to vouch for Jaune's skills. Even though they were still subpar.

"You're a blacksmith too," Ruby sounded impressed? Jaune was pretty sure that was a good thing. "Did you make his sword!?" She got even more excited when inspecting Ashton's armour from a distance.

"Dragon Slayer," Ashton pulled the sword from its clasp. Ruby's eyes widened even more when she got a full view of the blade. "No, Jaune made my armour, but Dragon Slayer is a few centuries old. Jaune wouldn't be joining Beacon if he could make blades like this. He would be forging for the King of Vale."

Ruby begged for the blade which was quite entertaining to Jaune. The petite girl tried to lift it to inspect the edge as she had done with Ira Rubrum, but she didn't have the strength. Anthony decided to end her suffering and took his sword back.

"Oh, Ruby~," another voice called out in a musical tone. "What did I tell you about playing with a boy's weapons?! Especially when his sword is far too much for you!" She stopped for a moment and cupped her cheeks with a gasp. "You were totally checking both of them out, weren't you?! You wanted both of them at the same too!?" She let out another comical gasp. "Ruby, what would dad think of this!?"

"Yang~" Ruby turned blood red crying out as she went ramrod straight into her arms. The stunningly beautiful blonde who Jaune now knew as Yang giggled at the smaller girl's expense... And Jaune's loss as well because his cheeks were set aflame. Ashton somehow didn't react besides joining in on Ruby and Jaune's pain with a hearty chuckle.

Yang was dressed in all brown with orange highlights. Her outfit consisted of a leather jacket exposing some of her cleavage with a scarf wrapped around her neck. The rest of her clothes reflected the same style as her pants and riding boots both being dark brown. It wasn't as unusual as Ruby's outfit, but it seemed she was more suited to riding horses. Jaune couldn't see any weapons on her, but she did wear a pair of gauntlets. Maybe she was a brawler?

While the four were distracted, somebody bumped into Ashton's side. They apologised and went on their way. However, Ashton noticed something amiss.

He reached to his right and found nothing. "Bloody hell," Ashton grunted as he looked around. He raised his head to the others. "My coin purse is gone." Yang and Ruby started searching and came up with nothing. It wasn't until Ashton and Jaune spotted a woman wearing all black hold up the missing coin purse.

The woman and Ashton were caught in a short staring contest before she shyly smiled at him and vanished. Vanished meaning, she turned invisible, and they lost her completely. Jaune might have been pissed that somebody stole from his friend if the victim didn't have a smirk on his face.

"Hey," Yang drawled. "Aren't you going to get your coin purse back?" Yang had let go of Ruby and cracked her knuckles preparing for a brawl.

"No," Ashton replied while waving Yang away. He had a stupid grin on his face. Jaune knew something was up. "It was my father's coin anyway. I don't need it." He sheathed his sword and started heading to the main hall.

...

The main hall of Beacon Academy was bustling with activity. There were hundreds of students crammed into the grand room. Jaune thought they all might have been first years vying for the limited positions at the academy. He would have to fight against all of these people to live his dream. Jaune felt a bit of fear well up inside of him.

A woman strode up to a stage and grabbed everyone's attention. She wore a white blouse and a black cape that fed into darker pants and black leather boots. She carried a wand in one hand a scroll in the other. Her blonde hair shone brilliantly in the light as it illuminated the rest of her figure. Jaune thought the woman must have been a sorceress.

She made a small announcement and welcomed up another person. The older man waltzed to the centre of the stage. "Good afternoon... All of you have decided to undertake a tremendous journey. Many of you wish to become adventurers, warriors, and even Protectors of Remnant." His voice was rich yet had an almost cryptic undertone. "The Four Kingdoms of Remnant: Vale, Atlas, Vacuo, and Mistral are experiencing a time of great peace and prosperity between them. We must uphold this peace as the Protectors of Remnant." He took a pause."Some of you will be the future of that peace. That means that we will fight for peace across all kingdoms. Not just in Vale, for you are the future of Remnant itself." He took another pause. "However, if any of you thought that was true... you are wrong. I only see wasted potential and unrestrained egos at the moment. It is my duty as the Headmaster of Beacon Academy to separate those who do not have the potential to defend our peace from those who do. But for now, I will direct all of you to Professor Goodwitch. I wish the best of luck to all of you, and I wish to speak to those who show potential in one week's time."

Nobody dared to clap to his speech. It felt like a slap to face, honestly. Just separating the wheat from the chaff at the time. That was the goal of whatever Ozpin had cooked up.

"Well, that was kind of depressing," Ashton quipped and earned an elbow to the ribs from Jaune. It didn't him feel any less anxious right now.

The Sorceress stepped up and took Ozpin's place. "Tonight you will all sleep in the ballroom. I encourage you to relax and prepare yourselves for the tasks you will face over the next week. I will personally summon those who will be given Tasks for the coming week. Those Initiates will have to recruit those they find suitable for the mission. Your partnerships for the week will not be a permanent arrangement. However, we expect all of you to work within the best of your abilities together. Those who remain after the week ends will be official students of Beacon.

"Ok, gang," Yang began in an upbeat tone. "Uh, where do we go now?" Jaune chuckled to himself internally at the tone switch. None of them knew where the ballroom was.

"I think-" Jaune was about to speak up, but then he saw something. A young woman clad entirely in white. Her long silver hair flowed freely in a ponytail. Jaune had no words to describe her other than perfect. A rapier at her side and a satchel on the other. She looked as though she had been carved from the purest marble. The woman carried herself with a sophisticated and undoubtedly perfect poise. Jaune couldn't help but stare. He didn't care if he was caught.

"Ay Jaune," Ashton wrapped his arm around Jaune's neck again. This time without putting him into a chokehold. They were both staring at what Jaune called a "Snow Angel." "Do you know who that is," Ashton asked as if he already knew the answer. Jaune shook his head and kept staring. "That's Weiss Schnee... as in Princess Weiss Schnee. The heiress to the throne of the Atlesian Kingdom."

"So, what does that mean," Jaune asked, still in awe at the sight before him. He had funny feelings in several places now. Butterflies in his stomach for one, and some sweat coming off his brow. He might have started drooling.

"It means she's way out your league and mine," Ashton explained the honest cold truth to Jaune. "The only way you'll get close to her is if you get really lucky or you somehow earn the rank of knight. Your family's "Arc Charm" will have its work cut out for it."

Jaune had a sinking feeling now. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen was basically untouchable. What it didn't do was discourage Jaune. It only served to harden Jaune's resolve to become a knight even further.

"Ummm, hello," Yang called out to the two men. The lack of response warranted a more physical intervention. She grabbed both Jaune's and Ashton's shoulders and twisted them around. "Hey maybe if two could stop staring and go talk to her. You both wouldn't look like creeps." Yang was trying to hold back a grin while Ruby didn't fair any better cupping her hands over her mouth.

"Yeah Jaune," Ashton shoved Jaune forward to Weiss. "Go talk to her. Hell, she might have a soft spot for vampire slayers." He kept pushing Jaune until the knight was few feet from the princess. Jaune's face flushed a dark red.

Jaune felt as though he was thrown overboard into a swirling pool of sharks. His friends, if he could even call them that, refused to throw him a life raft. His throat was dry, he didn't know what to say. Dad said to be confident. Confidence is key.

She turned around with a haughty expression mixed with annoyance on her face. Her arms were crossed in a show she was in stand-off mode now. Weiss didn't seem interested in him at all. Bad sign...

"U-Um," he took a breath. "Hi." Jaune's brain fizzled and died. He didn't know how to talk to girls, and he was just thrown into the deep end. "I-I was wondering if you would like to join our group? You seemed pretty lonely." It felt like Jaune had a ton of bricks lifted off his chest.

"And who are you," Weiss asked in a bitter tone. It seemed Jaune was wasting her time. And the bricks were dropped back onto his chest.

"I-I'm Jaune. Jaune Arc," he greeted with a cartoonish bow. "Some people call me the Vampire Slayer of Bar."

The expression on her face only looked more displeased. Maybe she had something against knights? Or maybe Jaune specifically?

"Are you another one of those brutes who is going to try wooing me with their feats," she quickly made up her mind and with a loud huff, stomped out of the room. "Probably wants me for my name," she muttered to herself as she made her exit.

Jaune felt defeated... if he was describing the feeling correctly. He had only wanted to talk to her, but she crushed him. Maybe it was best just to give up on her for now. Jaune had a few bad rejections in the past, so he only got used to the feeling. But it still stung his ego.

"Well that was rude," Ruby stated in what was probably the closest she could be to being irritated. Jaune wanted the situation to end, but Ruby pressed farther.

"Jaune you only went to go talk to her, and she rejected you like that! You didn't even try anything romantic!"

"Ruby it's okay, really," Jaune tried to pull himself together. "I know how to take a hint. She doesn't want anything to do with me so I'll leave her alone." One of Jaune's most important lessons from his sisters was learning how to take a hint from women. Whenever Jaune had been rejected in the past, he didn't try to push any harder lest the rejection come back to bite him even harder.

"No," she shouted at Jaune. Everyone reeled back at her aggressiveness. "I'm going to give her a piece of mind!" She trudged off in search of the Heiress. Yang seemed giddy about something.

"I love it when she's like this," Yang complimented her sister's actions to the two knights as she followed Ruby. The buxom Blonde cheerfully skipped behind the smaller girl as they disappeared into a corridor. Her hips seemed to shake purposely as she looked to be giving the Knights a show.

Jaune sighed, loudly. "Those two are very interesting," Jaune's observation earned a chuckle from Ashton. "What?"

"They remind me of two of your sisters," Ashton said. "The older one flirts like Violette?" Jaune groaned. He'd let Ashton spend way too much time with his older sisters. There was no doubt that he also knew about all of Jaune's quirks.

"Let's just find the ballroom," Jaune urged as he began meandering off in search of their goal. Hopefully this didn't blow up in his face.

Well that was chapter one! I just finished this at around 10:30 central time and I still have to study for my lab exam tomorrow. I even pulled an all-nighter just to hammer out half of this thing.

I decided to downgrade Ashton's weapons and give him a Guts style sword from the Golden Age Arc. I think it makes him a bit more realistic.

The idea of levels in this fic is not totally from video games. I take it as with every level you gain, you collect more strength in certain regards. You achieve a higher level of proficiency in your class and are rewarded with a stats boost and a raise to one of your reseviours. It's like working out actually. You start at level one with whatever natural strength you already developed. By the time you get to level twenty. You can squat 300+ pounds like a beast. You can also develop your body in different ways. I chose to develop my body for aesthetics while my friend went for cardio. He gained a higher level in cardio and can run a 10K without breaking a sweat, so his stamina is off the charts. I can run a 10K but I'll probably die at the end of it. But his body is built for running while I'm built to lift stuff. We still have the same level of fitness but we got there doing different things. So everybody in Remnant is different and can develop their own styles. Think of it more as a state of being.

If you enjoyed this fic, don't worry! I'll get another chapter finished in about a week and a half. Maybe longer since I also need to work on my other fic too. But if this one gets more love I might, key word "might," discontinue it.