With Belinda:
Fifteen minutes have passed after Belinda made the call. She was emailing all of her teachers about possibly letting Jaune join their classes. Depending on the teachers she could get an answer in two minutes or she could get it at the end of the day. Despite the topic obviously saying important, some teachers don't check their mailboxes until the very end of the day.
She re-read her email to make sure it looked good, and then sent it. As she hit the button a notice on one of her monitors appeared saying that someone was taking the elevator. She switched her monitor to her hallway cameras. Another minute passed and the elevator doors opened to reveal Mr. Jett walking down her hallway. She presses the unlock button under her desk that unlocks the door to her office.
Mr. Jett opened the door and walked up to the headmistress's desk. "Hello Michael," Belinda said. He takes a seat in front of the desk.
"So," he said, his voice slightly muffled because of the scarf covering his lower mouth. "What can I help you with?"
"Have you assessed Jaune Arc's combat skill yet?" Belinda asked.
"I just got done with it as you called me." The headmistress suspected as much.
"And?"
"The boy is… well the boy is plainly not that good," Mr. Jett bluntly stated. "His hits are weak, he ran from most of the fight, and he is clearly a novice." Belinda didn't like hearing this. However she did hear the "but" coming. "But he is a strategist. He used crowds, corners, classrooms, and hit-and-run tactics to escape a fight he knew he could not win. He even tried some dirty moves when push came to shove. With a little harsher training and as long as he continues to use his wit he will be fine."
"That's good to hear," Belinda stated. The corners of her mouth formed into a small smile. She always liked to hear some of her student's progressing. However the smile turned into a stern look. "So… how did you test him?" The combat teacher is silent to this. He had an answer, but he knew she would not like it. His silence basically answered for her. She let out a low hiss. "I told you to not do that."
"You can't argue with results. Besides he was fine."
"And what if he wasn't? What if the student didn't stop? What if they continued to fight him and accidently reopened a wound he had? Were you watching them fight if the student went too far?" Again, Michael is silent. Belinda sighs. "I know I wanted you to test Jaune, but was this necessary?"
"You said you wanted me to test him as soon as possible. I'd rather have him fight a student at half strength and wounded than fight me half strength and wounded."
"I get that but he just got out of the infirmary, he got back from a bandit camp! Having him fight isn't one of the best ideas."
"Belinda, the grimm and bandits don't wait for people to get better. It's better for them to get used to fighting even when wounded and/or tired."
"I know… I know…" She sighed. "I know you mean well Michael. I know you want to help all of our students get stronger and become great huntsman. But they are all still children. Half of them have already had a hard life." Michael simply nods his head. Belinda is silent for a minute and hums something. The only sound is her humming and the slight breathing from Michael. Another minute pass and Michael speaks.
"Do you want me to stop?" He asked. Belinda opened her eyes and titled her head. "Do you want me to be a more… pacifistic to my teaching?" Belinda looks down in her lap. She wanted to help these kids get used to being a huntsman. Michael does that better than anyone she knows, despite his aggressive and extreme methods. She likes results, and Michael always gave them.
At the same time, he seemed to forget that these kids are just that, kids. Yes they were Vacuan, and most of them have tragic backstories, but that's why Belinda wanted them to have those stupid teenage adventures. Some of them have never had them and she doesn't want them to turn into heartless bastards when they grow up. This world already has too many of those, her included.
She shook her head. "No Michael. I just… just make sure that you don't go too far all right?"
Michael stands up and nods. "I understand. Is that all?" Belinda nods and he begins to leave the room, his hands behind his back. "Good-bye Belinda."
"Bye Michael," Belinda waved. Michael left the room and let Belinda continue her work.
With Jaune:
Jaune was able to return to his dorm in peace, surprisingly. He unlocks his door and enters the room. He closes and turns the lights on in the relatively empty room. He takes a deep breath and sighs. He needs to add furniture in here. Something to make it less depressing. A TV, a mini fridge, a freaking happy face poster or something. Jaune was wondering what he could do to get money for it as he went to lay on his bed. He still had some cash from his odd jobs, but it wasn't enough for him to live on, and he wouldn't ask BRNZ or NDGO for money either. They had their own problems and Jaune didn't want to bother them with his.
As he started up his video streaming app on his scroll and began searching through the list of shows. As he did Jaune was thinking he could buy a very small personal TV or laptop with his money. Maybe he would even have enough to put up a few posters or something.
He put those thoughts aside and began streaming a show about a couple of kids trying to find their friend who went missing.
Three hours later:
Jaune was still watching the show when he looked at his scroll's clock. When he realized it was 1:15, he paused the show and got up and stretched. He set his phone down and took a deep breath. He wasn't going to sit in his room all day, he needed to do something productive today. Something that didn't involve sitting around or getting beaten up. So he decided to try out the gym for a little bit.
He switched his jeans out for black shorts, grabbed his scroll and headphones and headed down to the gym right away. After he was done he would have lunch.
At the gym:
Jaune took a deep breath as he entered the gym. When he did he was met with the sound of machines running, people sparring, and normal chatter of a gym. He stretched his neck as he slowly began to walk in the room. As he did he went through everything he was going to do.
He usually ran on a treadmill for half an hour to forty-five minutes to work on his Cardio, seeing as how he only wanted to work for forty-five minutes, he decided to take it down to fifteen minutes, but do five at a sprint. Afterwards he would do some strength work.
He got on one of the treadmills and began jogging at a steady pace. His music pumped into his ears as the air pumped in and out of his lungs. Normally he had a friend excersising with him whether it be someone from his old team or sister team, so the first few minutes were somewhat lonely for him. Luckily for him, a girl he knew would be joining him. Of course, she would have some fun with him first.
Jaune was so focused on his breathing and the slight burn in his legs that the only thing he saw was a blur of purple and black and all of a sudden his treadmill was inclining and speeding up. He let out a surprised yelp as everything slowly turned harder. Due to his hearing being covered by music he didn't hear the laughter of a certain other team leader until he stopped himself and turned the machine off.
Jaune removed his headphones and glared to his right, where the purple blur was revealed to be Nebula, who was busting her gut laughing. "Oh man I'm so sorry Jaune!" Nebula said as she wiped away a tear. "I couldn't help myself." Jaune saw that she was wearing a grey short sleeve shirt that had feint traces of wet sweat in the pits indicating that she's been here for a little bit. She was also wearing black shorts that had two white stripes going down the side of them. She also had regular white socks with slightly worn tennis shoes. The reason he says slightly worn is because they looked to originally be white but attracted dirt and grim from over use and the toe end of them were slightly bent up.
Jaune let out a low growl. "I could've died!" He said, obviously exaggerating. Nebula waves her hand at him.
"Psh, that wouldn't have killed you! You said it yourself you heal fast." She gets on the treadmill next to Jaune and starts it up. After Jaune caught his breath, he put one head phone in, put the treadmill back to normal, and continues his running. "Beside you took a charger on with very little injury, falling off a treadmill can't be that painful."
"My reputation is already in the toilet here," Jaune joked. "I don't need 'can't run on treadmill' to be another part of me." Nebula let out a slight chuckle. However she did notice that Jaune looked even more messed up compared to last night.
"Dude you all right? It looks like your injuries got worst." Nebula saw Jaune sigh as he subconsciously touched his face.
"Yeah, guess some people are still a little salty about me being here."
"Hmm…" Nebula felt bad. She knew how bad everyone here could be. Jaune increased his pace and Nebula did the same. "Look, I know the people here and let me give you a tip." The increased pace was causing heavier breathing for them, but they continued to converse.
"I'm all… ears," Jaune said in between gulps of breaths.
"Around here, respect goes a long way," Nebula started. "Prove that you're a huntsman, people are less likely to want to kill ya."
"That seems like life in general."
"True that. Even so, the reason everyone wants a piece of you is because you were the fraud. Just relax, keep training and win the fights that happen. Once they believe that you aren't a fraud, people will begin to accept you being here. Get it?"
Jaune nodded. "Yeah, I got it." Jaune realized that he has already ran for ten minutes and increases his speed until he is practically sprinting. Nebula noticed this and decided to have a little friendly competition. She increased her speed the same as Jaune's and Jaune noticed this. The two stared at each other for a second and they agreed to the competition.
The two were running at a full sprint for three minutes, their lungs were burning, as were their legs and feet. Both of them continued to push and they would go until the other one admitted defeat by stepping off or falling off. It looked like it was neck and neck by the five minute mark but half way into the six minute mark Jaune griped the sides of the treadmill, stepped on the ledges of it and turned it off.
"I can't… go any… longer," He said between huffs as he got off. Nebula smiled and slowed down her treadmill and got off of it and patted Jaune on the back.
"Not bad… Jaune," Nebula said between breaths. She stretched her arms over her head and took a deep breath. She shakes her head and helps Jaune up. "How ya feeling?"
"Like my lungs and legs are dipped in fire dust," Jaune joked. Nebula smiled.
"If you have time to joke you have time to train. What were you planning on doing next?"
Jaune scratched his head as he regained his breath. "I usually do some strength training after I do some cardio."
"Well good news, you get a spotter with you to make sure you don't kill yourself,"
"It's my body I can kill myself if I want to!" Jaune was pointing straight in the air to emphasize his point.
"Not with me around. You just got out of the infirmary yesterday I ain't letting you send yourself back again." Jaune smiled. Despite the obvious joking it was nice that he had someone looking out for him.
"All right then spotter, let's get to work!"
With that the two spent the next forty some minutes doing all kinds of strength training, mainly upper body though. Nebula made sure Jaune didn't push himself too far and Jaune was there to help her with her sets. They soon realized that it was going onto to lunch. After doing a few more sets, the agreed that it was enough for today and went down to the cafeteria.
In the cafeteria with team BRNZ:
The team of four had grabbed their lunches already and were sitting at their usual table for lunch. Brawnz and Roy were watching clips from an internet show that showed soldiers standing around talking while May and Nolan were discussing some things that happened today.
"I saw a fight between a first year and a fourth year," May said.
"Really? Who won?" Nolan asked as he ate a fry from his lunch.
"Surprisingly, the first year. She pretended to be knocked out and then when the fourth year's back was turned he jumped him and knocked him out by choking him."
"All's fair in love and war," Roy said as he and Brawnz joined in the conversation.
"I still think it was weird how she attacked a fourth year," Brawnz said with his mouth full of food. He swallows and continues talking. "Why not someone in our year?"
"I think she had a big head," May theorized. "Probably thought fighting a second year wouldn't be that much a challenge. I know I would try to fight the oldest people here if I thought I was tough shit."
"You do think you're tough shit," Roy mused. "You can just back it up. This girl got in one fight, and now she thinks she's the best person here."
"To be fair, she did fight a senior," Brawnz said. Whenever first years were paired up to fight fourth years, whether in training or in the regular fights, the fourth years would almost always win. Of course there was always that one or two lucky matches, and this was proof of that.
"She did use a sneak attack to win though," Nolan said. "I mean it works but it still isn't a real fight."
"Why fight when you can finish it in one hit?" A familiar voice said. Everyone turns to see a familiar bull faunus.
"Sup Malcolm?" May said as she raised her fist, the brown skinned faunus bumps fists with her. He puts his hands on the table and leans closer to the team.
"So, I heard you guys had to carry the blonde fraud through his initiation, that true?" he asked.
"Not really," Nolan said after he took a sip from his water. "He actually got us out of the bandit camp."
"Yeah but didn't he pass out halfway through? Sounds unreliable to me."
Everyone gave slight frowns. "Give the guy a chance Malcolm," Brawnz said. Malcolm shook his head.
"He got passed initiation, any two bit huntsman in training can do that. Believe me, he isn't going to make it here. Time will prove that." The tone Malcolm used in that last part worried the team for Jaune. Malcolm was known to fly off the handle when his emotions get out of whack. The bull faunus shook his head. "Look, I'll talk to you guys later, I just came to grab some food for Marston."
"What's wrong with him?" Roy asked, hoping to steer the conversation from Jaune.
"Some food poisoning from a restaurant we went to yesterday. We're hoping he'll keep the cafeteria's food down."
"Well good luck," Nolan said. Malcolm nodded and left the team to their food. When they made sure Malcolm was out of earshot, Brawnz asked his team a question.
"You guys don't think Malcolm did anything to Jaune do you?"
"Normally I would say no," Roy stated. "But again, Malcolm is not someone who keep his feelings bottled up." He got into his fair share of fights and often won. The thing was, Malcolm was usually the one who started the fight just because of something someone said. "Remember when he broke that guy's arm?"
"You're nothing but a filthy animal!" the guy said to Malcolm's face, which was turning into a snarl. This man was visiting the headmistress on some business about needing some huntsman help. However, Malcolm bumped into him on accident. The student would've apologized but he began spewing insults at Malcolm before he could apologize. "You're no more a danger to me than a rat!"
Malcolm growled and punched the guy in the stomach. The force of the punch brought the man in the air and Malcolm used this to his advantage. He grabbed the guys arms mid-air and then turned around, slamming the guy into the ground. A small carter formed in the shape of a body. Malcolm still had a grip on one of the man's arms. He increases his grip and straightened the arm. He then used as much force as he could to punch the elbow, causing a sickening snapping sound.
The man yells in pain as he rolls around in agony. Meanwhile, Malcolm holds his arms up in the "come get me" fashion. "What's the matter?" he taunted. "You just let something less than a rat break your arm! What are you going to do?!"
The only reason Malcolm wasn't punished for this was because the crowd that formed explained what happened to the teachers. While they did give Malcolm an earful, the worst he got was two days of detention.
"Yeah, let's not forget about the time he heard someone talking about his team," May said.
"A bunch of weaklings!" The girl said to her teammates. She said this because Malcolm's team wasn't doing to hot the first few days of combat class. Anytime his team was up they would lose the fight, granted they would fight like hell and were close, but that didn't matter to this group. "I swear I could beat them with one hand tied behind my back!"
"Uh…" Was all her friend was able to mumble out as a shadow began to engulf them.
"What?" The first girl said. Her friend pointed behind her where Malcolm stood. The next thing the girl knew she was met with a giant fist in her face. The girl looked up at Malcolm in disbelief. "Did you just hit me?!"
"What?" Malcolm said. "I thought you could beat me with one hand tied behind your back? surely you can take one hit from me?"
The girl growled and stood back up, this time in her fight position, with Malcolm doing the same. The crowd that began forming knew that this fight was going to be good.
They were right. The fight was good. Malcolm ended up beating the girl, which sent a message to everyone that if they wanted to talk shit about his team they would have to fight him for it.
"Look, why don't we just ask Jaune if something happened to him?" Roy asked
"Ask me what?" a voice said. They turn to their left to see Jaune walking up to them with his food. They also saw that he had returned from either a pool or gym, and if the wetness of his clothes were anything to go by.
"Oh nothing," Brawnz said. He slaps his friend back as he sat down. He felt his back had some sweat on him, causing Brawnz to subconsciously wipe his hand on his jeans. "So how are you adjusting?"
"Was my tour helpful?" Nolan asked. Jaune nodded as he stuffed his face with his food, which looked to be some kind of pasta. Jaune swallowed ass to not talk with his mouth full.
"Yeah, I was glad you showed me where the gym was," the blonde said. "I got back from exercising with Nebula and boy does she push you."
"I'll say," May said. "You face looks like the topographical map of Vacuo!" The group all let out tiny chuckles, even Jaune.
"Yeah, but no she didn't cause this." This comment caused team BRNZ to look at each other.
"What do you mean?" Roy asked. Jaune sighed.
As Jaune explained his story again, team BRNZ was surprised and happy to hear that Malcolm didn't actually fight Jaune. At least not yet. Still though, that doesn't mean he didn't send someone from his team to fight Jaune or someone who also has a grudge against him.
Jaune didn't want to stay on that topic and began to make small talk with team BRNZ. He got to learn more about the second year team. May had been sniping for ten years, ever since she was nine. She had two different instructors, one originally from Vale, and one from Vacuo, both of whom were huntsman. She told them how she got her sniper from her second instructor, and made adjustments herself.
Brawnz told him about how he's been in Vacuo most of his life. He told him about how he's worked with his father in the mines, which is what helped him build his physique, he kept out about his first kill though. He also told Jaune that he learned to fight from his father. He told Jaune that he made his weapons from scratch. Granted all they were brass knuckles with extendable claws and a knife grapple attached to it but it's the fact that it was still his and he created it.
Nolan was very reserved about his past but told about how a huntsman helped him out of a bad situation with bandits and that's what made Nolan want to become a huntsman. He said he got his weapon from a bandit.
Last but not least was Roy. He grew up with a rich family and has had everything handed to him in his early life. However he heard and read about huntsman all the time and got curious about what it was like and asked his parents to go to a fight school. Reluctant at first, they agreed and now here he was, training to become one. He made his weapons when he first entered school.
Jaune told them about himself too. He explained how he had four older siblings, a twin, and two younger ones. He explained how his weapon was a hand-me-down from his great-great-grandfather. He told them a little bit about his life at Beacon and how much he enjoyed it yet hated it at the same time.
All of them realized it was going on past 3:00. Team BRWNZ were going to training grounds to practice team fighting and Brawnz even invited Jaune to join. Jaune politely said no and said he was most likely going to relax for the rest of the day and let his wounds heal. Team Brawnz understood this and decided to let Jaune go back to his dorm room.
As Jaune entered the empty room he sighed. He honestly had no idea what to do now. He still hadn't gotten a text from Belinda about his schedule, and he had barely anything to keep him entertained for the next few hours. He decided he would keep watching old shows on his scroll for the rest of the day.
After hours passed, jaune fell asleep watching the old shows, which would have cause his phone to die on him, but since he connected it to the charger, it was doing just fine. That night, Jaune didn't have nightmares about the bandits. Instead it was just him being happy with his new friends at Shade.
To be continued.