Over the next few days Bianca began to ramp up the training, Jaune. He figured out, with some difficulty, how to focus his aura into folds.
"It makes plates which can help deflect projectiles and sword swings better and at less expense to your aura." Bianca explained, from there the training shifted into a more combative role as Bianca helped refine his skill with a great sword. "It's not just hack and slash like one might think, there is a rhythm and a flow to your swings, each one lending itself to the next." Jaune also noticed his sensitivity to aura began to become more defined. In pitch darkness Bianca's aura was less like a flame and was now beginning to have a more defined outline, even her weapon was now visible.
With less than two days before the blizzard cleared, Bianca and Jaune found themselves in the same cave where the training began. "Now I think you're ready for a more advanced technique…" Bianca said, she seemed a little restless though.
"Why are you nervous?" Jaune asked taking notice of how she was acting. "This is just like anything else I've learned this past week, right?"
"No," Bianca said in a cautious voice, "this is where things can get dangerous." She then held her hands together over her head and began to radiate a black energy once more, however this time the energy condensed and began to crawl up her hands, it formed into a black ball of energy. She closed her eyes and concentrated, her eyes snapped open and she threw the energy forward.
THWISH! ROOAAARRR!
Jaune jumped back in shock and went into a defensive stance with his great sword, a freaking lion had materialized from the energy she has thrown. It was solid black, like Bianca's aura, and its fur crackled with energy. It looked around, immediately eyeing Jaune, it went into a crouch and slowly moved forward.
"O-o-oh no! Easy k-kitty, go-good kitty!" Jaune stammered out, the lion merely let out a deep throated growl and continued to advance. Jaune readied himself for a swing, he'd only get one shot. Before he could move though the lion folded out its ears and let out a moan. Jaune looked at it as it turned to face Bianca, he could then see why. Bianca was giving it a cold stare and seemed to will it to come over to her. It did and then laid down in a snooty manner, licking it chops and mildly surveying the room for anything of interest.
Jaune looked over at Bianca who had opened her eyes, but seemed very tired, she walked over to him and rested up against him. She was panting a bit, like she had ran in a fifty yard sprint. "That is a very heavy risk and reward technique." She said to Jaune as she watched the lion with boredom, though she smiled at the stunned look in Jaunes eyes.
"It's a spirit animal!" Jaune said in amazement, upon closer examination the lion was beginning to seem a bit translucent. "
"I swear everyone who learns this devolves into a child of wonder when they see this technique preformed." Bianca said while chuckling, "although you aren't too far from the truth, it's known as an aura manifestation. It uses all of your aura, but is very tough and able to provide a distraction amongst other things if you need an escape. The down side is that you have to have great focus to will the creature to do as you wish, if you lose control, even for a moment…" Bianca and Jaune both stared at the bored lion as it rolled on its belly, as if it expected a belly rub.
"It's the same animal from the one on your armor," Jaune said in realization.
"How very observant of you," Bianca noted.
"Will mine be a lion?" Jaune asked in an excited tone, his hope was put on ice though.
"Hard to say," Bianca said, looking Jaune over. "The type of animal is usually representative of the person's soul." They both turned as the lion let out a slight grunt and then faded from existence, Bianca let out a light sigh of relief as she felt her aura return to her.
Bianca decided that was enough training for today and they walked into the kitchen for some food.
…
The last day of training started mundanely enough, Jaune read through some of the books given to him in a less butchered manner than when he first began. He lowered his book and looked around, by tomorrow, he would be on his way back to Beacon. It felt surreal, he wanted to return to his team, but with Bianca…he was learning so much.
He packed together his things in his bag and threw it over his shoulder. Bianca walked over to him and handed him a small silver disk. "It is a copy of all the books, I want you to have it after you leave. I expect you to train just as hard then as you do now." Jaune smiled and put it into his bag. With that, he grabbed his sword, he had given it the name Nuit d'Orléans, and walked to the entrance. Bianca strolled up behind him and pulled the lever, "when we get to the path down into the valley we will have to be ready to run. There's no telling how many grimm are down there."
"What's the strategy when we get to the academy?" Jaune asked, he turned to face her as the stairs came down.
"Run in, run out, try not to get killed while doing it." Bianca said in matter-of-fact tone.
"Sounds like fun." Jaune noted.
"These kinds of missions always are." Bianca said.
"I think your mission just ended." A voice said above them, Jaune and Bianca looked up to see Kara standing over them with a fierce look, around five guards standing next to her. "And it's about to be your last…"