Back to the regular sized chapters this week, but good news is, I'm on a streak. Already have next week's chapter written and waiting to edit, but I can and probably will still change things. Enjoy!
Okay, so Jaune might've been exaggerating when he said the entirety of Remnant was doomed.
Hypnotism, and by that respect, mind control, were easy concepts to grasp, but in both detail and function, they were incredibly complex. Where did you even start with something like that?
Jaune didn't know, and so, in his infinite wisdom, or thereabouts, he'd filed that in his mental to-do list, resolving to look at it at a later time, when he had more of a grasp on his semblance.
The hilt of Crescent Rose smacked him in the cheek, and his Aura flared up as he stumbled backwards, shaking his head to rid it of the momentary disorientation.
"Losing focus in a match, Jaune? That's unlike you," Ruby said teasingly, and Jaune just waved it off as he ducked under her second swing, moving his feet into a better position to handle her attacks.
"Just got a few things on my mind, that's all," He replied, shrugging off another attack, her blade sparking off his dented shield. "Nothing that'd distract me too much to lose to you."
"Harsh. Good thing I've been studying the way you fight!" Ruby said, before bursting into non-existence, her speed almost super-sonic, impossible for Jaune to track with his eyes.
He rotated evenly, eyes snapping to the occasional flicker of her red-cloaked form as it appeared every so often, keeping his shield up and ready, Crocea Mors in a relaxed grip.
Jaune wasn't unduly worried. Sure, Ruby was a tough fighter, and for being two years his junior, she was leagues ahead of most students, but…
Jaune always had an advantage prepared.
One thing about Ruby's speed was that she relied on her ability to run. Without that, no super-speed sprinting or rapid attacks.
Jaune slammed the point of Crocea Mors into the ground, and cast Mana Quake.
It was a low damage spell, but it was enough to crack the dirt, and enough to throw Ruby off her pace. Not for long, only for a split-second, but Jaune made his move, darting in with a wide slash prepared.
Ruby barely managed to regain her footing as she blocked, the haft of her scythe ringing out as Crocea Mors reverberated off it, the two sliding back from the force of the impact.
"Damn, Jaune, that was close!" Ruby huffed out, panting.
"Not close enough. Thought I had you there," Jaune replied, leaning of the hilt of Crocea Mors, having once again buried the tip into the dirt.
"Wanna go for another before class?" Ruby asked, but Jaune shook his head.
"Nah, it's combat class. No doubt Goodwitch is going to pick on me again, against someone else."
Ruby put a pondering finger to her lips, tilting her head in thought. "Wait, isn't this the class where we talk about our assignment?
Jaune placed his weapon on his back, having stiffly wedged the blade into the somewhat iffy sheath that he was considering getting replaced. "Yeah, right… Any idea what that assignment is?"
Ruby's reply did not surprise him in the slightest. "Nope!"
The blond teen just shook his head. "Figured as much. Well, only one way to find out. Well, two, but I really don't want to have to ask Weiss."
With a few minutes before class, Jaune and Ruby had bypassed the Beacon Cliffs, and had made it to the door of the class, where a couple students lingered, wearing some anxious looks.
One such student was Weiss, expectantly, but to see the white-haired heiress with an anxious expression was not something Jaune was used to.
"Hey Weiss, what's up? You look a little… uh…" Jaune said, elegantly.
"Hmm? Oh, hello Jaune, Ruby. I'm fine," Weiss replied, as convincing as a dog that had just torn up a couch cushion and was doing its best not to look guilty despite being covered in shredded fabric.
"Right… Seriously, though, what's wrong?" Jaune asked, concerned.
Weiss caved. "I checked the syllabus again last night, in preparation for this afternoon's class, but there are no details for the assignment aside from the total grade percentage!"
Jaune nodded, before realising that Weiss had finished. "Wait, that's all?"
"What do you mean 'that's all'!" Weiss shrieked. "It's worth fifty percent of our grade this semester, and I have no idea how to prepare for it!"
Jaune raised his hands in an attempt to placate his teammate. "Woah, Weiss, calm down! We're all in the same boat, it's not like it's just you without the information!"
Weiss did seem to be comforted by that, and Ruby decided to help out. "Yeah, Weiss, and we all know you're the best for schoolwork! You'll probably come out on top even if we did all have some preparation!"
"Well, yes, thank you, but I do still find myself worried. What if the assignment is something I am unable to complete, or worse, group work!" Weiss said.
"I guess we'll find out soon enough, here comes the professor, a minute early as usual," Jaune said, motioning towards the approaching blonde woman, who paid them no attention as she calmly scrolled through a list on her tablet, even as she unlocked and opened the classroom door.
Behind her came the rest of AWBN and RRYN, and the eight quickly took their usual seats, but even as they did, Jaune could pick up on the anticipation in the air.
Now even he was curious about what the assignment was.
Professor Goodwitch waited the time it took for the rest of the students to filter in, the last of which being CRDL, Cardin wearing that stock smug face of his.
Of course, it dropped to a barely-concealed snarl when he saw Jaune, but at this point, Jaune wasn't even close to being intimidated.
Besides, Cardin deserved anything that was coming to him, in Jaune's opinion, one that he knew a lot of his friends agreed with.
As Jaune activated Intimidating Presence, he watched the snarl disappear, and Cardin was quick to look away, skin paling slightly.
'Serves him right,' Jaune thought, as he turned his attention back to the front of the class.
Goodwitch was looking right at him, and he gave a shrug, to which the professor just shook her head, and began the lesson.
"Morning. I'm going to cut all the excess today, and jump right into the meat of the matter, so to speak. I know some of you have read the syllabus, or should have, as I have made very clear by now, and so I know that some of you are wondering about the content of the assignment, and why it is worth fifty percent of your grade." Professor Goodwitch began, glancing around the classroom to make sure she had their undivided attention. "The assignment is not written, nor is it oral, or anything. It is practical in nature, though on a different scale to the practical examination you will be undergoing at the end of the semester."
She paused, taking in the silence for a moment, before continuing.
"You will be landing in the wilderness, and must make it back to civilization. You will be dropped as teams, without any more supplies than you can carry. You will have two weeks to make it back to campus."
The silence was, inexplicably, deafening.
"If you cannot, for some reason, make it back to campus in two weeks, or you have to call for extraction with the flare guns we will be giving you, you will fail the assignment. If you are severely injured, incapacitated or otherwise unable to continue, you will fail the assignment. The rules are rather simple. Any questions?"
Weiss appeared to be dumbfounded, but Jaune had switched his team-leader mode on. "Professor, where are we going to be dropped?"
Goodwitch turned to face the blond teen. "Where you will be dropped will be decided at random, and you will not be told."
Jaune still had more questions, ones that pertained a little more specifically to his semblance. "What about supplies? You said as much as we can carry, right? Are there any more limits to that?"
"No. If you can carry it and it does not get in the way of your combat effectiveness, then you may take it," She replied.
"How long do we have to prepare?" Ruby asked, also in her team-leader mode, sitting in the seat next to Jaune.
"You have all of today, and until tomorrow evening. That brings me to my next point. Tomorrow at six pm, you are to meet at the Beacon docks, for departure. Make sure you are prepared. Good luck, dismissed."
The class looked a little shocked, but Jaune and Ruby were quick to stand, their teams following their respective leaders.
"That… was not what I was expecting. Not by a long shot," Yang said as they walked.
"Quite. I didn't know what was coming, but a practical survival examination was certainly not what I had thought it would be," Weiss agreed. "Arc, do you have any plans?"
Jaune nodded. "I've got a couple ideas, yeah. It depends where we get dropped, but we should be all good for supplies at least."
"Have I mentioned that your semblance is just plain cheating?" Yang remarked, and Ruby elbowed her in the stomach.
"Yang, think about it this way! When we get back before AWBN, imagine how amazing we'll be!" Ruby said with a cheer, one that Nora quickly joined in on.
"Feeling cocky, are we?" Jaune asked.
"I do find that competition makes things more… enjoyable," Pyrrha said.
"Is that what you'd call it, Pyr?" Yang said, turning to face the champion.
The redhead met Yang's stare evenly. "Why yes, Yang, that is what I'd call it. Why, so worried you might lose you're trying to throw me off my game before it's even began?"
Blake and Ren shared a quirked eyebrow.
"Well, if this is a challenge, and damn right it is, I'm not going to let you guys have any more of an advantage. C'mon, Rubes, let's get prepped!" Yang exclaimed, grabbing her sister by the arm and practically tugging her down the corridor.
Nora didn't even bother with the arm grabbing, instead just straight-up lifting Ren up and carrying him over her head like he was a ladder.
Jaune looked at Pyrrha. "Don't even think about carrying me."
Their dorm was not quiet by any stretch of the imagination, though there was good reason. It wasn't just the two teams getting themselves ready for the upcoming trial.
"So, Weiss, Blake, you two are on supplies. We're going to be gone for roughly two weeks, so make sure we've got enough of anything we might need. Don't worry about space, I'll just toss it all in my inventory. Pyrrha, want to come with me? I'm going to go get my shield fixed, and there might be some other errands we can run while we're out," Jaune said.
"Sure thing, Jaune. I know a good place for armaments, actually, I endorsed them about a year or so ago," Pyrrha said.
"We'll stay in touch, if there's anything we need doing that we can't do ourselves," Blake said, and without further speech, she left, Weiss in tow.
Jaune and Pyrrha were quick to follow, joining the monochromatic duo on their way to the shuttle to Vale.
"You do know that we also have to take the shuttle, right Blake?" Jaune asked, a grin on his face.
Blake, wisely, ignored him.
Having said a temporary farewell to the black and white partnership that formed half of AWBN, Jaune and Pyrrha were walking down the street in Vale, a situation Jaune was starting to become rather familiar with.
Pyrrha was, expectedly, leading, as she knew where the store they were headed to was located, and as the two walked, Jaune struck up a conversation.
"So, Pyrrha, have you always been this competitive?"
Pyrrha's face took on a slight blush. "Well, I suppose I have. Certainly not to the extent that I was today, I feel like I might've gone a little overboard, but I have always been competitive. That is one of my major drives in life, ever since I started training."
Jaune nodded. "I can imagine. Wouldn't make much sense to fight in so many tournaments if you didn't enjoy the thrill of the challenge. Still, where'd the name 'Invincible Girl' come from?"
Pyrrha's blush only increased. "I, uh, acquired the title when I won my second major tournament in a row without taking a hit to my Aura."
Jaune's eyebrows shot up to the top of his head, though if they had been separate entities, he was sure they would've ascended further. "Without taking a single hit? Damn, that's pretty impressive. It's a wonder how I've managed to land a hit."
"It was a while ago, and I was told I was unnaturally talented for my age. I doubt I could replicate it now," Pyrrha said, as they rounded a corner.
"You never know, Pyrrha. At least, no one's ever been able to best you in sparring. Sure, I might land a hit or two in, but that's because I've got a pretty significant advantage over everyone. I have easily fifty something semblances in one, at this point," Jaune remarked, withdrawing a single Lien card from his pocket, flipping it over and over in his hand, Sleight of Hand running.
"So it would appear. Thank you for your words of encouragement, Jaune, I appreciate them," Pyrrha said, before Jaune gave her a sly smirk.
"So, why Yang? Why'd she rile your competitive spirit up so much?" Jaune asked, still wearing the smirk.
At this, Pyrrha faltered. "Um… Uh… Because Yang is the closest to me in terms of combat skill out of all the first years?"
It sounded plausible, at least, to Pyrrha. Jaune, however, felt less inclined to take it as gospel truth. "Right," He remarked, drawing the word out to a dramatic length. "So, where are we headed?"
Pyrrha wasn't certain if she liked the fact that Jaune had just given up on the prodding into her reasoning, but she leapt at the chance to change the subject nonetheless. "Ah, my father knows a weaponsmith in Vale, one that handled my weapons when I was here for a tournament. I performed a recommendation deal with them in exchange for free repairs for myself and friends, should we ever need it. I've never had to use it before, but we might as well take advantage of it, right?"
Jaune nodded. "Yeah, I don't see why not. It isn't like they'd have offered if they weren't willing to follow through."
'Roust's Weapons and Armor' wasn't small, but nor was it an over-commercialized nightmare of a building. It had a quaint look to it, old stonework and wood, but even then it wasn't difficult to spot the more modernized parts, like the steel-reinforced window frame, and the electronic lock on the door.
Pyrrha entered first, stepping through the door with an electronic chime, and Jaune followed behind her, glancing around the wares the store had on offer.
The walls, homely and comforting, were decorated with a plethora of hand-crafted weapons and armor, all gleaming in the firelight that escaped from the small stone fireplace on the far wall, a couple worn couches sitting there.
All in all, it had a nice atmosphere, Jaune had to admit, and it was honestly quite comfortable. Jaune already felt relaxed, though he hadn't even realised he was anxious about the assignment.
"Hey, Nikos! Been a while, how've you been?" A man greeted loudly, his voice seeming to boom despite it not actually being that loud.
Pyrrha smiled politely and Jaune turned to face the man, only to be greeted with what was a mountain of a man, all dense muscle and salt-and-pepper hair, a massive bushy beard covering a grin that seemed to nearly escape his face.
"Hello, Mr Roust. I've been great, how about you?" Pyrrha returned the greeting with her customary smile.
"Ah, well, can't say it's been bad! Business has been a little slow these past few months, but I still get pretty regular customers, so I've had some spare time on my hands, for the first time in years!" Roust returned, finishing with a hearty laugh. "But you aren't here to make small talk, are you. What do you need?"
"My team leader recently damaged his shield, and I was wondering if our agreement was still ongoing?" Pyrrha said, motioning to Jaune.
Jaune stepped forward with a polite nod, and handed the sheath over, blade already drawn.
"Mmm…" Roust began, humming as he glanced over the proffered item, practised eyes scanning over it quickly. "This is some fine craftsmanship, no doubt. What did you block for it to take so much damage?"
Jaune laughed nervously, scratching at the back of his head. "Some pretty high-caliber machine-gun rounds, for a little while."
Roust quirked an eyebrow. "Yeah, that'd do it alright. So, when do you need it fixed by?"
Pyrrha and Jaune shared a glance, and before either could answer, Roust held up his hand.
"Let me guess. By tomorrow?" He asked, his grin not dropping.
"If it's not that difficult, then that would be appreciated," Pyrrha said.
"Ah, I've been a little bored anyway, need a good challenge every now and again! Come round tomorrow morning, and it'll be all good! Take care!" Roust said with a laugh, and Pyrrha and Jaune found themselves ushered out of the store, Crocea Mors hung on a loop on his belt.
Jaune shared a glance with his partner. "Well, that went well."
Elsewhere, Blake and Weiss were having a conversation.
This wasn't that big a surprise, but it was an important thing to take notice of, considering despite the fact that they'd been partners for nearly half a year now, and neither had managed to share a meaningful conversation that wasn't spurred on by an argument.
"Honestly, I never watched any of your concerts. That's the sort of thing that would be classed as treason in the Fang, so I'm sure you can understand," Blake said, performing a very accurate replication of Jaune's head-scratch.
Weiss winced. "Yes, I can understand. That would be like if I decided to attend a rally. Not exactly beneficial for my status, or my inheritance. Did you have any time for music, or something like that?"
Blake's mouth twitched into something akin to a smile. "Music, no, but I was, and still am, an avid reader, if you hadn't noticed. In between training and other… things… I would read, constantly. I think it's because it would offer a sort of escape from my reality, into a world not quite my own. Somewhere where discrimination had been eradicated, somewhere I could see my goal realised."
Weiss nodded. "I understand completely where you're coming from. My father is… quite controlling, but I would escape his control with music. It was lonely, but I always appreciated the sounds. When I wrote my own songs, I could write them how I truly felt. It was escapism, and I'm certain if I listened back it would be pretty easy to tell exactly my opinions. Luckily, most of the important people in Atlas either aren't smart enough or don't care enough to look any deeper than the surface of the lyrics."
At that, Blake let out a slight, quiet chuckle. "I don't think the majority of the Atlesian upper-class care much about anything other than themselves."
"Oh, you have no idea how insufferable they can be in person. If they weren't blaming someone else for their lot in life, they were scheming to buy out another business, rubbing shoulders with my father, or attending parties of no substance, day in and day out. It was so frustrating, being dragged about and forced to listen to their problems, as if they were out there suffering," Weiss exclaimed.
"So you want to help the faunus so you don't have to listen to people complain all the time?" Blake asked, mild amusement in her voice.
"Well, I mean, it isn't the main reason, more of a side benefit. I couldn't sacrifice my own sanity for the cause, that would change nothing!" Weiss sputtered.
"I think we've sacrificed enough sanity just dealing with Jaune, at this point," Blake remarked.
"Don't even get me started. I thought Ozpin was mad, putting Jaune as our leader. Turns out, I'm mad, because everything that's happened so far as effectively broken my outlook on the world. Most of the things he can do don't even make sense!" Weiss commiserated.
"Better he's on our side than against us, I suppose. If Jaune had the personality of Cardin, you can guarantee we'd be fighting over who got to stab him first," Blake pointed out, as the two neared a supply store.
"I think we'd have to fight Pyrrha over the honour, as well. I don't fancy attempting that," Weiss said pensively. "Honestly, between us and RRYN, there's a pretty good chance we're the most powerful first years in some time."
"Well, I guess thanks to Pyrrha we'll see who is the better team after this. C'mon, we should get stocked up. Do you have any experience with survivalist gear, or camping, or anything we're going to be doing?" Blake asked.
"Well… define experience," Weiss replied, not meeting the amber eyes that looked at her.
"You've just read about it, haven't you."
Weiss's glum expression was all Blake needed in lieu of an answer. "Well, at least there's one of us."
Having organised to meet up at a cafe not too far from the supply store, Jaune and Pyrrha were the latter of the four to arrive, to see Blake and Weiss at a table.
The two sat with the other two, and as basic as math can get, they added together to make four, just enough to fill the seats at the table.
"So, how'd shopping go?" Jaune asked, wincing as his sword clanged against his chair.
"Rather well, despite Weiss's insistence on purchasing a portable air-conditioner," Blake replied, a ghost of a smile on her face.
Weiss spun in her seat, accusing eyes glaring at Blake. "I had thought we weren't going to mention that!"
Pyrrha giggled as Jaune stared deadpan at the platinum-blonde. "Weiss, what could you possibly need a portable air-conditioner for. We aren't going into the desert. I think."
"It isn't as if we'll run out of space, is it?" Weiss remarked icily.
"Weiss, you literally carry around Ice Dust," Jaune fired back.
"I-" Weiss began, before cutting herself off, a muttered "damn" being the only response she could come up with.
"We bought a decent sized tent, about two weeks worth of field rations for four people, ammunition for myself and Pyrrha, and a set of basic tools, just in case," Blake filled in.
"Smart. You've done this before, haven't you?" Jaune asked.
"Yes. I've had to rough it with less before, so I have a decent grasp on what might be needed," Blake answered.
"Well, as much as I would like to carry a large barbeque around, and raw ingredients for a nice meal each night, I still don't know the limits of my inventory. Probably a good idea if I don't mess with it in a situation like this," Jaune said, half-talking to himself.
"You could just take something to test. You might as well, no harm in it," Pyrrha said, and Jaune nodded, before thanking the waiter as he delivered the four's orders.
Silence filled the group as they consumed their beverages, before Jaune piped up with an idea. "So, guys… want to go spy on RRYN, see if we can figure out if we've got the upper hand on them?"
Blake raised an eyebrow. "Where'd this idea come from?"
Jaune answered with a simple point. "Because they're right there, and they haven't seen us."
Three heads swivelled to look where Jaune was pointing, and it was apparent that the teen was no liar, as down the street, entering the supply store Blake and Weiss had recently exited, was all four members of RRYN, lead by an excitable Ruby and a somehow even more excitable Nora, with Ren bringing up the rear next to Yang, the two sharing what looked to be reasonable discussion, though with Yang, nothing ever remained reasonable for long.
"Blake, what do your faunus ears hear?" Jaune asked with a smile, as Blake kicked him in the shin.
"Don't you dare, you ass. Besides, I can't hear them, too much background noise," Blake replied grumpily.
"Aw-" Jaune began, but Blake cut him off.
"If you make a joke about me being a grumpy cat, I will make sure your next two weeks are a living hell."
Jaune just raised his hands in a placating manner. "Wasn't considering it."
"Sure." Blake's stare was intense, and Jaune nearly shivered.
"Well, are we going to go monitor them, or not?" Weiss asked, already paying the tab.
Pyrrha was up on her feet, a look of anticipation on her face. "It's fair, right? It isn't cheating?"
Jaune shrugged. "It's not like there were any rules to begin with."
Weiss and Pyrrha barely waited for Jaune to finish his sentence, the two most competitive members of AWBN already 'sneaking' their way towards the supply store.
Blake and Jaune shared a glance. "Stealth isn't their strong suit, is it?" Jaune asked.
Blake just shook her head in solemn silence.
"Well, at least I know what we're focusing on next time we train."
Luckily for AWBN, RRYN weren't exactly experts at spotting that they were being followed. With Blake's natural aptitude for stealth, Weiss's smaller frame and Pyrrha's light footwork, the three were at least somewhat stealthy, despite what the latter two had tried on their approach, but it was Jaune who was a little more heavy-footed, and considering he was the tallest out of almost every first-year, if not the tallest, he found it a little harder to blend in.
Luckily for him specifically, though, his attempt at stealth unlocked him a new skill.
[Skill Created!]
[Sneak (Passive): Thanks to the System, your presence is hidden, making yourself harder to detect. Sneaking is affected by a variety of environmental effects, and is more effective the higher your AGI. Level 1; XP 1/12.]
For once, Jaune was almost silent as he stepped, seeming to become a part of whatever crowd there was lingering. Blake could easily keep track of him, of course, but Weiss and Pyrrha seemed to lose him every so often, jumping in surprise every time he spoke.
Blake was quick to provide recon for the group, her faunus traits giving her a distinct advantage over the rest when it came to auditory reception, and she continued to report what she heard, if it was potentially important.
Most of it, however, was inane chatter, primarily from Nora and Yang.
Except one thing, something that Blake picked up on.
"No way, they wouldn't…" The black-haired girl breathed out, shock adorning her face.
Jaune noticed. "We got what we needed?"
Blake just nodded soundlessly, backing away from RRYN and motioning for the rest of AWBN to follow her outside.
It wasn't as if it took that long to exit the building, though it appeared that Blake was not planning on returning to the cafe, or some nearby place to sit and go over what they had learned.
"I think they're planning on stealing the drop locations from Goodwitch's office," Blake said, once they'd made some distance.
Even Jaune quirked an eyebrow at that. "You've got to be kidding me."
Blake shook her head. "Ruby was seriously considering it. I think Yang suggested it as a joke and Nora latched onto it, but Ruby went silent for a pretty long time."
Jaune let out a laugh. "And here I thought Yang was the bad influence. Ren didn't object?"
"I don't think Ren can object to anything anymore. I think they'll just outvote him," Blake replied.
"Well, there must be something we can do to prevent them from doing it. We have a reputation to uphold!" Weiss exclaimed.
"Weiss, why is our reputation dependent on what RRYN does?" Jaune asked. "Also, you and Pyrrha have reputations. Blake and I, not so much."
"If we lose this, we'll be seen as the weaker team!" Weiss exclaimed again, this time her voice slightly more shrill.
Jaune shook his head. "I don't think there are that many people who rank the teams, Weiss. I mean, sure, I'd like to win too, but don't you think we've got enough of an advantage as is? I'm literally a walking GPS combined with a portable dimension."
It looked as if Weiss couldn't quite figure out what she wanted to say in response to that, so Jaune moved the conversation along. "Look, if we're so bent on preventing them from getting ahold of the locations, why don't we just tell Goodwitch, and let her know we want it to be as close to a fair fight as possible? I'm certain the professor will be reasonable."
That was a stretch, and the others knew it.
"What's wrong, Jaune. Chicken?"
Jaune never expected Pyrrha to be so forward. Even Blake looked a little shocked at the champion's change of attitude.
The leader of AWBN just shook his head in resigned amusement. "I guess we'll do whatever majority agrees to. But, if things go south, I'd like to make it very, very clear; I told you so."
In truth, Jaune was terrified. He didn't want to have to plan a heist to steal a document from Goodwitch. That way lay madness, and potentially years worth of detention.
Cruel, indecent detention. He might have to scrub the communal showers each night for the rest of his time at Beacon! That would be… unspeakably evil.
Of course, his team agreed to get ahold of the document before RRYN could, and so, objections noted and ignored, Jaune was roped into his first criminal venture.
It would not be his last.
I really like my little headcanon of Pyrrha being fiercely competitive with Yang, to the point where it changes her personality. Anyway, not much for me to say down here, so let's get onto the reviews!
CombatFan134: And have her phase through existence? No sir, no coffee for the vengeful knee-breaker, not anytime soon. Unless she sneaks it, in which case all hell may or may not break loose.
jedimasterb10: I'm with you there, Canon-Oz is a shady bastard. Also, unfortunately, I write the chapter titles after the chapter, so I can pretty much only fit the dumbest of the jokes in there. Finally, multiple forms of hypnosis are in the unholy spreadsheet, so they will come up. Just not in the next few chapters.
Re Fenrir: I know that you've probably already figured this out, but I did revamp the entire XP formula, so you needn't worry.
SolomonEmrys: Romance is coming, I do have some plans, but I want it to develop a little more naturally. Most people start off as friends before they proceed that relationship further, at least in my experience, but it is planned. Jaune will be more self-assured sooner or later, whenever he decides to boost his CHA.
SalemTheSpeakerOfTruth: I've made it relatively clear in the past, but I will repeat it again, for those who haven't seen it. This is a planned Lancaster, but I won't break character to make it happen. It'll evolve as naturally as I can write it, so it won't just happen instantly. There will be other pairings, too, but not with Jaune.
Xerzo LotCN: I'm loving the ideas for Sleight Of Hand that you're suggesting, the small bombs thing is definitely something I didn't think of.
Thank you all for reviewing, reading, following and fav-ing, 'cause we're now in the top 100 most followed fics for RWBY! I love you all, thank you for reading my scribblings, and if you want to find me elsewhere or want to support me, I have a Pa Treon (AFatFlyingWhale) and a Twitter fat_flying, come check it out if you want too!
And, as always, see you next chapter!
~AFatFlyingWhale