Chapter 2: I'll make a (Hunts)man out of you and me
*CLANG*
Blocking a slash from Jaune I did a quick side step and stab his shoulder joints his Aura, fortunately, protecting him, then twisting my arm a bit I swung the blade at his neck stopping a just as I touched skin.
"Dead" I announced as June sighed and fell to his butt while I was panting lightly but after a minute of rest, I was back in business like nothing happened.
Right now it was evening and we were still training to increase our stats as well as to teach Jaune how to use a sword. During said activities, I managed to get a [Teaching] skill which made me better able to explain things and anyone under my instruction learn 2% faster after each of its level increases. I was at level 10 with it now meaning Jaune learned 20% faster while he's learning from me. Due to this, we managed to make him reach level 50 in the [Amateur] rank of [Sword Proficiency] in 3 hours though I would still make him read the skill book I found in his house when we had breaks.
After that, we just fought until we got better. I had levelled the skill up a few times when teaching Jaune but when we actually sparred was when the levels came flying in. We would each try and get the upper hand on each other but I won most often than not due to me not hesitating when I struck thanks to [Gamer's Mind]. After a while, though he got over it and started fighting harder and the levels racked in like a gold mine well for me that is.
"Al, you okay?" Jaune asked as I was brought out of my thoughts. I looked towards him and then the sky noticing it was noon and that we missed lunch.
"I'm alright just thinking about some things," I said as I shook my head to clear away my thoughts and turned to Jaune and asked
"Bring up your [Status Page]"
"Why?" he asked me which caused me to roll my eyes.
"So I can see your [Stats] of course," I said causing him to comply.
Name: Jaune Arc
Age: 16 Lvl. 10
Title: The Eighth Crescent Moon [0% EXP]
HP: 9000/9000 (HP Regen. 3000 per min.)
SP: 9000/9000 (SP Regen. 4500 per min.)
AP: 30,000/30,000 (AP Regen. 15,000 per min.)
STR-20
CON-30
VIT-20
DEX-20
INT-15
WIS-18
LUK-9
AUR-100
[Stat Points: 0]
[Perk Points: 0]
Perks/Flaws:
Arc Descent: [Aura] stat gains 50 points every 5 levels. 10% increase in Sword/Shield skills.
Rep. -helping achieve dreams thinks you're cool grateful for believing in him = Good Friend
Oh yeah did I mention I could see the reputation I have with other people thanks to [Observe]? Well, I can.
Anyway, good spread but terrible luck. No wonder he was fucked over in canon.
"You did well. We don't know the level expectancy for Huntsmen I can say this is impressive." I said pleased.
"[Stats]" I said
Name: Alduin
Age: 14-{Locked} Lvl. 3
Title: The Gamer [0% EXP]
HP: 9000/9000 (HP Regen. 4500 per min.)
SP: 9000/9000 (SP Regen. 4500 per min.)
MP:6000 (MP Regen. 3000 per min.)
AP:4500(AP Regen. 2250 per min.)
CP:7500-{Locked}(CP Regen. 3750 per min.)
KP:9000/9000-{Locked}(KP Regen. 4500 per min.)
RP:1500/1500-{locked} (RP Regen. 750 per min.)
STR-30
CON-30
VIT-30
DEX-35
INT-20
WIS-20
LUK-5
AUR-15
REI-5
[Stat Points: 30]
[Perk Points: 0]
I am quite proud of my stats but for some reason, I feel like their inadequate. I'll need to work on them more so when I finally decide to use my stat points their not wastes.
"[Skills: Sword Proficiency]"
[Sword Proficiency] -Lvl.94/100- [Passive] Cost: None
[Rank: Amateur]
Allows gamer better knowledge and instinct on how to use a sword and sword-like weapons at the utmost efficiency.
Passively increases DEX by 200% when fighting with swords
The boost is nice but the thing is that everyone gets that boost at my level. I'll just have to boost my DEX so that the boost is more beneficial.
"Okay, we're doing good. My [Sword Proficiency] is at 94, where's yours at?" I asked as Jaune finally got off the ground.
"It's at 62 just now levelled it up," he said.
"Well, we're good at swords for now. We can train [Aura] next. Mine raised to 15 when I emptied it a few times so we're going to see if we can make any Aura techniques." I said as I started glowing black. My Aura, as well as my Mana, are black. I don't think it's anything special but it's a little weird. Blake never really had a black Aura it was actually dark greyish purple when you looked closer so in the show I've noticed that I've never seen someone with Black Aura. Though it could be a side effect of not having Aura at all before coming to this world.
Concentrating, I push more Aura around my forearm and make it harder.
*Ping!*
You have created a new skill! Would you like to name skill?
'Let's see if it's what I think it is first' I thought to myself
"Jaune." I called as he came closer and asked "Try to cut me with the sword"
He hesitates for a moment but then strikes at me with all his might. However, I just block it with my Aura covered arm not even budging when I put more Aura into the new technique.
"[Aura Guard]" I said as the Game named the new skill such.
[Aura Guard] -Lvl.1/100- [Active] Cost: 1000 AP(per min)
[Rank: Amateur]
By focusing Aura to a certain spot on the user's body and hardening it the user is able to block any attack without taking damage or moving. The effectiveness of this skill depends on the skill level.
Passively increases
VIT by 50%
STR by 20%
"Awesome." I heard Jaune say as he read the skill description along with me.
Using the skill again I don't stop at just my forearm this time and make it go all the way up to my shoulder then my neck followed to half at my torso. Trying to make it go farther didn't work as it started to drain my AP too much which caused me to dismiss it though it did level up twice causing it to now only cost 980 AP. Not much but still a difference.
I spend the next few minutes teaching the skill to Jaune which levels up my [Teaching] skill by one. We then started practising with it by sparring but instead of blocking each other blows we use [Aura Guard] to take the damage. This inadvertently rose both [Aura] and [Aura Guard] up some levels. 10 for [Aura] and 9 for [Aura Guard]. I gained 5 STR and 5 VIT for the continuous workout and Jaune got 10 STR and 5 VIT for it.
500 Rep with Jaune Arc! You are now Great Friends!
Dodging a stab from Jaune did a quick side-step and slashed at him but he managed to block. I gave him an unexpected Spartan kick to the gut but he didn't budge. So he used [Aura Guard] huh? Well, we're at a stalemate with neither of us having anything to attack with- no let me rephrase that HE doesn't have anything to attack ME with.
Tensing my muscles I push off Jaune's stomach and twist in the air to give him an [Aura Guard] covered kick to the face while landing in a one-handed handstand position. Before he can reel back I start spinning while doing a split in in the air to give him a barrage of upside-down helicopter kicks until one sends him flying a few meters away from me as I get down from my acrobatic pose to run at him with my [Running] skill so that I can grab his shirt, lift him up and attempt to throw him. Keyword being attempt as he gripped my arm before I could throw him and slashed me in the eyes making me let go but thanks to my Aura my health didn't go down.
Jaune, the crafty bastard, started assaulting me to rapid slashes while I was temporarily blinded but thanks to me initiating [Aura Guard] in time did nothing which caused him to get more desperate as and started pushing Aura into his sword which was evident by its white glow surrounding him and the sword. The first three Aura enhanced strikes did nothing but the fourth completely shattered my [Aura Guard] sending me flying towards a tree but with me being a badass and all I just stabbed my sword into the ground and spun until I came to a stop panting since some of that tiring.
*Ping!*Ping!*
You have created a new combo! What would you like to name it?
[Running] skill is now level 20!
*Ping!*
Jaune has created a new move [Aura Enhancement]!
'Name new combo "Lock Counter"' I thought absentmindedly as I rushed my body and sword with Aura making it enhance my muscles and weapon as I charged again hitting fast speeds thanks to my [Running] skill. I think I'm clocking around 700kmph. Huh, nice speed.
Due to fast and accurate calculations, your INTs have risen by 10!
Ping!*
You have created the skill [Aura Enhancement]!
Not even minding the notifications I continued running towards Jaune who started running towards me also. Drawing closer I make my Aura burst out of my body enhancing me even more while it also propels me further as well as covering me in 'aura' of black ethereal energy. As we get a few feet within each other's range Jaune moves for a downward slash as I lean lower closer to the ground to give a powerful upward slash while Jaune's Aura also bursts forth blanketing him in an 'aura' of white energy copying mine.
"I'm not going to lose!"(Jaune)
"Bring it!"(Me)
As we finally clashed I swore I could faintly hear someone calling my name as well as Jaune's but we paid it no mind as I shoved every last bit of Aura as well as Mana into my sword to power out Jaune's hit. He was winning though obviously because of his high amount of Aura. But in my desire no my sudden need to win I felt something else rising through me. Like my soul was roaring out not to lose to the person in front of me. He had potential, great Aura and was a protagonist which while not the main one he was still one of them! And as much as I admire him and want to be his friend I still have to prove to myself that I'm actually worthy of this chance, this second life. I need to prove to myself that when I face Salem and Cinder...
'THEY! FALL!'
"RaaaaaaaaaAAAAHHHHHH!"
Feeling a rush of power I push it forth. I could barely see outside my vision another crimson aura of power that overlapped mine and appeared as if outlining my own. It didn't feel like Aura or Mana though it was similar to Aura in nature but completely different in feeling. (most likely spirit energy)
I feel the pressure of Jaune's Aura-powered sword forcing me down but I won't give up. I can't.
'Sorry Jaune but you're going to lose today. Maybe next time'
Using my new rush of power instead of powering myself like with my Aura and Mana I sent it all to my sword and then grinded my sword on Jaune's till it was at the hilt of his blade I then point it at him and charge all the energy at my sword to the tip till it started pouring out to form a sphere which was pointed right at Jaune's [Aura Guard] covered shoulder.
"I win! [Cero]!," I said as I smirked and released the energy which turned it a beam of pure power that totally broke his [Aura Guard] and then sapped his Aura trying to stop it. Fortunately, it stopped when his Aura was emptied and broke through not without knocking him away until he rolled to a stop due to loss of momentum.
I panted a bit. The entire spar was exhausting! But all I just have to do is wait until I'm technically out of combat.
1 minute
2 minutes
And fresh as a daisy!
Until suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my neck and back. I only got a glimpse of what is most likely Alexandria as well as my some of my own blood though thankfully it was only a shallow cut. I could see dark spots clouding my vision but I didn't let darkness claim me before I got some words in.
"Dick move, girl. Dick move. It...was only...a...spar."
You have lost all your HP!
And then everything went black.
~Jaune's POV~
When I first met the boy named Alduin the first thing he thought was that he was mysterious. He constantly walked and talked as if he just bored with everything. He acted as if nothing surprised him well except when he saw that I and my sisters but that reaction was normal.
When he saw my mom and sisters' efforts at cooking he just looked on with bored eyes and calmly took away the cooking utensils while telling them bluntly that they sucked while proceeding to throw away her abominations and start cooking himself. It was just...just...weird!
No one ever had the courage to talk to my sisters or mom like that no even Dad and me. They were just too scary. But Alduin didn't give two fucks! He just continued cooking even going as far as cooking for us in the mornings, lunch and dinner. Even going as far as to make us any late-night snacks when we wanted.
He kept to himself a lot though. Always on his scroll or reading a cookbook. I swear I heard him mumble something about 'cooking skill' and 'level 98 Amateur'.
All together even though I didn't know him that well I could say that he was an okay guy. That's why when he told me his secret I was shocked and confused that he was showing me this and why he was showing me this though my second thought was:
'That's what he meant by level 98 Cooking skill!'
Yeah, not one of my best moments.
Though what made me even more shocked but also happy was that he believed in me. Me, someone he barely knew. I, someone whose own family gave up on! No one believed that I could become a Hunter after I kept failing the entrance exam to get into any academies. It wasn't even my fault! I never really was that good either no matter how much I trained in the family styles. It only got worse after Rose got seriously hurt on one of her missions everyone in my family stopped supporting me in being a Hunter saying that I would get hurt or that I could die. I'm glad they care but I couldn't help but feel some sort of resentment at them. I still loved them to death but I also wasn't very social with them since I was young.
But he didn't care about that he just said he saw someone who could become great and that I was with training. He had quickly wormed his way into my heart(NO HOMO!) and became the best friend I ever had.
So when I saw my mo-no Alexandria standing over him with her sword partially covered in blood and his HP bar flashing Red with it at 0. My mind just drew a blank. The first one to believe in an help me was just KILLED by my own Mother! My rational mind said since I could still see names and levels then he must still be alive since it's most likely the ability would disappear with his*gulp*d-death. It was telling me he could merely be unconscious but the dregs of doubt quickly pushed those out of the way to make room for a very, at the time, welcome emotion.
Rage.
I rarely if ever got really angry. It's just not me. I never really got angry except for when someone insulted my family. But this was different. I may not have known Alduin for long but like I said he became my friend and tried to help me. He believed in me. And while that might not be enough reason for some people but it was enough for me!
So when I walked up to them I didn't even register the expression on her face before I pushed her away harshly and knelt down next to him. I had to do something! I just couldn't let it end like this!
Alduin said Aura had healing properties and that there's a possibility that it could be transferred to others who were low on Aura.
But can I do this?
'I see potential in you Jaune.'
No! I HAVE to this! He thought I had potential even when I couldn't get the family sword styles right!
'You're going to be something great someday.'
He said I would be strong that he would help me! So please Monty let him live!
I poured all the Aura I had was left and tried to concentrate on healing him. Please, Monty, let this work!
*Ping!*Ping!*
[Aura] is now level 20!
You have unlocked a Portion of your Semblance [God's Miracle]! You have completely healed your comrade and raised his Aura stat permanently to 50!
"*Gasp* Who the fuck knocked me unconscious! Oh hey, Jaune where's the cock-sucker that decided that I need a dirt nap! Oh, wait I remember now it's your Mom!... That didn't come out right" Oh thank Monty!
"hrrk! Yo! What's the hugs and tears dude! I don't bat for that side!" He said as I could barely contain any chuckles as I just squeezed him nearly thinking he would just disappear(NO HOMO!).
"*Sigh* Come on man I'm here to stay! I ain't dying until I at least have 20 kids 10 wives, lived for 80 millennia and you and I are the top dogs in Remnant. I promise you that, so you can let me go now." he said
Letting go I wipe away some stray tears and we both get up.
"I'll hold you to that," I said with a smile.
"Well, we got business to take care of. Namely knocking whatever funk your mom's in so we can go home and eat some lunch." He said as he walked past me and promptly lifted my mom onto his back with a grunt.
"Damn she's packing some extra pounds! Now let's go. We can tear your mom a new asshole about nearly killing me once we're at your house." he said as he began to walk away and whistle.
"You coming?" he asked as I realized that I hadn't moved a step. I blinked, took up the swords and ran up to him as we began walking away.
"You nearly died," I said
"Yeah, but I had [Aura Enhancement] and [Mana Enhancement] on with both at level 5 because of our spar as well as Aura Guard and my Aura was full despite the strain thanks to my regen so I thankfully survived. I also have Gamer's Mind working overtime to keep me calm but when we get to your house I'll turn it off so I can cuss off your mom with all my pent up rage and anger I've been harbouring all week that was released when I woke up so YEAH! I so fucking pissed the sun looks shitty in comparison but that'll have to wait till I finish cooking lunch/dinner" he said with a perfectly terrifying face. I'm pretty sure I saw a few screens show up saying 'Intimidate rose by 15 levels'.
"So when we get to your house want to play some video games? It actually helps dexterity you know?" he asked somehow smiling with his eyelids while starting to whistle a catchy tune.
"Yeah... Yeah, I'd like that." I said smiling now following his lead.
I went home that day happier than I had left.
END!