Sorry for my English.
Finally an update after so long. My apologies but you guys know how the year was being a kil-I mean, hard to everyone. Things were also being hard on my side of the world but things are slowly getting back to normal.
If fate be kind to use, we will all go back to our normal lives near the end of the year, I'm praying for that.
More on the end, to the fic!
Combat Arena
Different from what people of Beacon think, Jaune was no fool.
His teammates and friends agreed that what he lacks in combat skills at the beginning of the year, he makes up with his observation skills.
So when he enters the arena, eye to eye with the tiger faunus, the blonde knight can see that something was bothering Elihas.
It has been a day since from what Jaune heard from Velvet, Elihas received a visit from his older brother. The meeting immediately becomes the gossip on the academy, seeing the tiger faunus talking to a hobo and screaming to him.
Of course, only Velvet knew about Luke being Elihas' brother, which she shared the information with Jaune and even Cardin since he also was 'friends' with the tiger faunus.
The tiger faunus was still too confusing for the school's resident bully and the worst he did not know why. Normally, a faunus who witness him bullying another faunus would immediately jump in his aid. Elihas believed differently, saying that if the faunus who was being bullied just stood still taking the insults, it was the Faunus fault for being a weakling.
It was the first time he ever heard a faunus talk like that about another faunus.
So when Goodwitch puts Jaune to spar against the tiger, he thought it was nice knowing him and it was fun while it lasted.
Jaune did not know what to think.
He still saw Elihas as a friend, a bit scary to look and talk to but still was his friend.
Yang and Nora could be scary too but they are still his friends, right?
From the blonde's point of view, Elihas is not a bad person, just sees the world around him in a different color than his classmates, if he talks with the tiger faunus about how he thinks Grimms are better than humans told Jaune anything.
While is not something he planned, this proved to be a good opportunity to see if one of his father's teachings would do some good for him.
The spirit of a warrior is better to see in combat.
While Jaune did not fully understand what his father means with that, he would try to use this advice to understand Elihas more about his perspective of the world. Theorizing his father's quote, Jaune thinks that huntsmen become someone different while in battle, someone who has difficulty in hiding his true self from others.
He knew the challenge well if Elihas' battles against Yatsuhashi and the rhino grimm told him anything, but it could be his only opportunity. Emphasis on 'could' since he did not know if Goodwitch would put him to fight against Elihas after this match. It will all depend on his performance.
Jaune prepared his sword and shield while Elihas rested his sword on his shoulder and had one hand inside of his pockets, both waiting for Goodwitch to give the sign to the fight start.
-The rules are the same as always. -Goodwitch stated. -When one of your auras reach to red and seem unfit to continue the fight, I will call the match, are you both ready?
-Y-yes. -Jaune said.
-Let's get over with it. -Elihas said.
*Flashback*
-Care to tell me how this happened? -The doctor asked the young Elihas.
The tiger faunus was currently sitting in a chair in a doctor's office, his hands wrapped in bandages and bloodstains could easily be seen.
-I was training. -Elihas answered, avoiding eye contact.
-You trained to the point your hands drop blood?! -The doctor asked.
-... Yes. -Elihas quietly answered.
-This is the truth?
-... Yes.
-And why go this far? Are you planning to enroll in a huntsmen academy? -The doctor asked, remembering a few of his patients who hurt themselves for going too far in their training.
-... No. -Elihas' answer confused the doctor.
-Then why?
-... There is someone... I need to take it down...
Oh, he is a fighter, the youngest the doctor ever saw.
-Look lad, whoever you want to kick the butt, it is not worth this suffering.
-... It is better me suffering than her.
Now the doctor was back to be confused. Normally this was going to be the part where the fighter would tell some epic tale about how he or she will eventually become stronger than someone or something.
Then the boy's name comes to his mind and makes the doctor remembers something.
Darkwood.
The infamous huntsman who was known by his fellow huntsmen and some more folks about how he sees everything as his property, and his biological son came to his clinic, alone. And from his words, it seems that miss Star is having some troubles in her second marriage.
So excusing himself to the young boy, he took the phone to make a call.
Jaune dashed against the tiger who seemed bored like he was in history class.
Remembering his training with Pyrrha, the blonde knight started with a simple swing of his sword aimed at Elihas' pocketed arm. As Jaune expected, the tiger faunus simply moved his sword to block the attack, so Jaune tried a shield bash. But Elihas blocked with the handle of his sword.
Jaune tried to kick him, but Elihas kicked his leg back, forcing Jaune to walk backward while wincing at the pain in his ankle.
Turning around, he went to a spin attack, aiming to Elihas' side belly. The tiger counters the attack with his sword, repealing Jaune's blade down but the blonde knight was not done yet. The moment the point of his blade touches the ground, he swings his sword against Elihas' leg. But his opponent merely raised his leg to avoid the cut and blocked with a barrier the next strike aimed to his chest.
Jaune continued to swing his sword and this time, Elihas used his barriers to block his opponent's attacks.
The fight... was not what their classmates were expecting.
Where is the beast who broke the rhino Grimm's neck?
Where is the beast who pummeled Yatsuhashi on his first match?
Where is the beast who sends Copper to the infirmary?
It is because Jaune is his opponent? They once saw them talking once or twice. The first time they were sure Elihas was going to send Jaune to the infirmary, so they thought the tiger was going to use this opportunity to start what was interrupted by Oobleck.
But there was Elihas, completely unmoving from his position was Jaune keep swinging his sword in hopes to land a hit.
Jaune was on his opponent's back and brought his sword down, but the attack was blocked by a barrier. Jaune then used the opportunity to use a move he practiced with Pyrrha, it was not mastered but he needed to learn how to use it in real combat.
He gave a quick jump and used his sword like a pole vault to move above Elihas, who was caught by surprise by the move. It was similar to the one he used against Yatsuhashi, so he was not prepared and thus, was caught by the blade hitting his face, making him stumble back and making him finally move from his spot.
This caught everyone by surprise, not expecting such movement from the blonde knight while a rabbit faunus was worried, and the resident bully was curious to see if what happened in Elihas' first match was going to happen again.
The moment Jaune landed on the floor, he turns around and sees Elihas kneeling and holding his face. For a moment, he did not make a single move.
Jaune was about to ask if he was alright when the tiger suddenly appeared right in front of him. Jaune had only a moment to raise his head and see the blue sword raised above the tiger's head, held by both hands.
And his eyes.
The same eyes from when Jaune thought whatever was wrong with Elihas, was because he is a faunus.
It would be merely a second, but Jaune knew that there was no way for him to dodge or move his shield in time to block the attack and from the face, the tiger was making, he would spend some time in the infirmary. He only had time for one final thought:
-Oh, this is gonna hurt.
The blade came down.
The edge millimeters from Jaune's nose as a gust of wind blew around him. Everyone stared in shock as Elihas nearly split Jaune in two with a swing of his sword, only to stop half-second before he could.
-Damn. -Elihas muttered. -I need to stop doing that.
-I give up! -Jaune loudly stated right after.
Hearing that, Elihas rested his sword on his shoulder once again and Jaune let out a deep sight. Whatever stopped Elihas saved him from some time on the infirmary.
Goodwitch notices the mood in the room so decides to cut the class short for the day.
Elihas did not say any more words as he left the arena, leaving behind a very confused Jaune. He was about to join his teammates and friends as well when a voice stops him on his track.
-Mr. Arc. -Goodwitch called. -I would like to have some of your time, if possible.
Seeing where his teacher was going, he nodded.
End of the chapter.
And everyone now knows the reason behind the tiger's strenght.
It was something I should have brought up a long time ago. It is not like being miserable would make Elihas a strong fighter. Besides the talk with Goodwitch, we shall have some more of Elihas' brother on the next chapter. And once again, I will try upload sooner.
That's all folks. See you next time.