Have any of you seen the Jaune vs Yatsuhashi fight that's floating around online? It's only a few seconds long. Supposedly, it's something Monty was working before he passed away, one of those things that got scrapped because they couldn't fit it in the volume.

Gotta say, if the thing is in any way legit (and it does look like it could be), just about everyone has been seriously underestimating how much Pyrrha's training did for Jaune.

Anyway, have a chapter!

Individual System

Atlas Academy stood at the top of the world.

Once upon a time, there had been Alsius, a prestigious combat school in the Kingdom of Mantle. It was located in the middle of a frozen wasteland, several miles away from the capital. However, things did not stay that way for long. Mantle opened a state-of-the-art Research and Development facility near Alsius, and residential areas were created to house the workers. In time, a town was formed around Alsius, a town which grew into a city

The city was called Atlas.

After the Great War, Alsius, the prestigious combat school, was transformed into Alsius Academy, one of only four Huntsman Academies in the entire world. To show they were abiding by the terms of the Vytal Conference, Mantle put its best foot forth forward. They had used their best technology and resources to renovate the school and the surrounding area.

That had been a mistake.

As more and more resources were siphoned over to Atlas, more and more people started moving there, causing the city to experience rapid growth. Meanwhile, Mantle was still weakened from the Great War. As time went on, Atlas continued to grow in power while Mantle's star kept dimming.

The people of Mantle began to worry. In just a few years, Atlas had gone from a project to a threat. Tensions rose between the two cities. People thought a civil war was inevitable.

In the end, it never came to that.

To prevent a civil war, the last king of Mantle had officially recognized Atlas as the new capital of the Kingdom and had ceded his power to the council of Atlas. The rest, as they say, is history. Atlas took Mantle's place in the world stage, and Alsius Academy went on to become Atlas Academy.

Mantle was left behind, alone and forgotten by all except for those who lived there.

However, Atlas' evolution did not stop there.

In the year 34 AW, the four kingdoms collaborated to create Amity Colosseum. At the time, it was a technological marvel, a floating stadium that could travel to any corner of the world. It pushed the boundaries of what people believed possible. It inspired the imagination of many and gave rise to Atlas' most ambitious project.

It was no secret that Solitas was mostly a frozen wasteland. Atlas was a prosperous city, but its population was fast growing past the city's capacity. New territory was needed, and after the construction of Amity Colosseum was finalized, someone had an idea.

Why not just raise a section of the city into the sky and start expanding there?

The idea appealed to Atlas' natural sense of superiority, and the city elite decided to fund the endeavor. The construction had taken over a decade. However, the end result was more than worh it. A city that floated in the firmament. A technological marvel that far eclipsed Amity Colosseum.

Naturally, it was the wealthier sectors of the city that had been selected for the endeavor. The army's headquarters. Atlas Academy. The homes of the rich and powerful. All of it now floated in the heavens. From there, it didn't take long for new areas to be added to the already large floating city.

Officially, the floating city and the land below were both called Atlas. However, the difference in status between those who lived in the skies and those who had been left below was obvious.

In a way, it was almost poetic. Once upon a time, the people of Mantle had been left in the cold. Now, once more, progress left those with fewer resources in the dust while the rich and powerful ascended to the heavens to look down upon creation like gods.

Out of all the buildings in Atlas, it was Atlas Academy that rose above the rest. The school was, in a very literal sense, at the top of the world. Even among Huntsman Academies, it was on a league of its own. It was a place for the elite, the chosen ones.

Jaune Arc did not belong there.

Jaune Arc was a weak fifteen-year-old boy who looked closer to thirteen. He didn't know how to fight or use a weapon. He didn't even have his Aura unlocked. Yes, he very much didn't belong in this place.

Yet Jaune Arc was walking the halls of Atlas Academy.

Even though the school was predominantly white and grey, there was not a speck of dust to be seen. The floors. The windows. The walls. They were all perfectly pristine. It made him all too aware of his simple jeans and overly large hoodie. Stupid! Jaune wanted to slap himself. He should have dressed better for this, but he never thought to pack formal clothing, not that he had much to begin with.

Jaune had half-expected to be turned away the moment he entered Atlas Academy. He had expected to be laughed out of the building for daring to believe the contents of the letter. However, that hadn't happened. Instead, he had been welcomed and told they had been expecting him.

Jaune's eyes nervously darted around. He had never felt so out of place. Even breathing the air here made him feel like he was dirtying it somehow. The few students he crossed in the hallways never failed to give him odd looks.

Just what had he been thinking coming to this place?

"Hey, cheer up," one of the men escorting him said, giving him a friendly nudge. At least, it was supposed to be a friendly nudge, but Jaune was weak and small, so it almost ended knocking him over. "You're in Atlas Academy! You should try smiling a little more. Not everyone gets to see this place. Usually, you'd have an easier time winning the lottery!"

Winning the lottery. That was an apt way of summing up his situation.

"Sorry," Jaune said. "I guess I'm a little nervous."

The man laughed. "Yeah, I guess I can understand that."

The man was one of the two soldiers that had been called to escort him after Jaune had shown up with his invitation letter. He was wearing the standard Atlas soldier uniform: armored boots, black pants, and white body armor that covered his chest, shoulders, and arms. Over his head, he wore a helmet that covered the upper part of his face. There were bits of red on his arms and helmet.

"Just ignore the staring," the other soldier escorting him said. He wore the same uniform as the first one, the only difference being that his was blue where the other one's was red. "It doesn't mean anything. The students are just curious because you aren't old enough to be admitted here."

"They probably think you're the son of some big shot who got his kid a tour or something. It happens more often than you'd think," the red one added, an easy smile on his face. Jaune had some trouble believing that. Him? Important? Not likely.

He may be the only son of Jean and Marie Arc, but that was not a legacy he had ever managed to live up to.

"So," Jaune said, trying to change the subject. "Just what exactly am I here for? The letter said something about a position, but it wasn't all that clear on the details."

Red and Blue looked at each other for a moment. Although there was no way they could see each other's eyes behind those helmets, Jaune was pretty sure they were reading each other's looks just fine.

"I guess you can consider it an interview," Red said after a while.

"An interview?"

"You got scouted for the R&D position, right?" Red asked. Seeing Jaune nod, he continued. "Yeah so, we're taking you to the guy in charge of the project. He's going to ask you some questions, and depending on how you answer them, you might find yourself with a job by the end of the day. Easy stuff."

Jaune paled. He was meeting the guy in charge today?

He was heading to a job interview?

He had never been interviewed before! Oh, why did he have to wear jeans today? He should have bought a suit. Stupid. Stupid!

What had he been thinking?

Well, the answer to that one was easy. He hadn't been thinking. The moment he received a letter from Atlas Academy, his mind had kind of shut down. He had only been thinking this was a chance he could not afford to waste. Now, it looked like he was going to do precisely that.

Argh, he was going to make a fool of himself!

"Don't panic," Blue said, his firm voice stopping Jaune from hyperventilating. "The boss is not going to care about what you're wearing or how you look like. He knows you're a kid. He's not expecting you to be perfect. He just wants to get a feel for what type of person you are."

Jaune blinked. His breathing slowed down. "What type of person I am?"

Red nodded. "Pretty much. Don't mind your clothes or that you're small and scrawny."

Jaune frowned. He didn't have to be so honest about it.

"The Boss mostly cares about character, so chin up. If it helps, we're rooting for you."

Jaune looked up. "You are?"

"Well, yeah. You're Yellow John."

Jaune blinked.

"What?"

"See, it goes like this. I'm Red John. He's Blue John."

"I am," Blue said when Jaune looked at him for confirmation.

"If you get accepted," Red said, "we'll finally have a Yellow John! Do you have any idea how badly I've wanted to gather the Primary Colors Johns?"

"But… my name is Jaune."

Red snorted. "No, it isn't."

xXx

The rest of Jaune's brief tour through Atlas Academy was spent unsuccessfully trying to convince Red that his name was, in fact, Jaune and not John. Had the man not been so insistent on the need for a Yellow John, Jaune would be willing to believe he had started the whole thing just to distract him, because that was exactly what Red John ended up doing. Before he knew it, Jaune was in front of an elevator.

"This is where we part ways," Blue John had told him. "The elevator will take you to the Boss' office. Take deep breaths and stay calm. You'll do fine."

Taking deep breaths was exactly what Jaune was doing right now. All that was left was for the elevator to take him where he needed to be.

It was taking an awfully long time.

Jaune nervously tapped his foot against the floor. Why was it taking so long? Was this guy's office really so high up? Why did people in Atlas have to like tall places so much?

What if the guy in charge didn't like him because he wasn't tall enough? Was that a thing people in Atlas did?

Deep breaths, Jaune reminded himself. Deep breaths. He needed to calm down. It was way too late to back out now. He just needed to not make a fool of himself. He could do it. He could totally do this. Like his dad always said, confidence was all he needed.

Jaune sighed.

Who was he kidding? He totally couldn't do this. He was so going to make a fool of himself.

Oh well, at least he got to see Atlas Academy. That was something.

While Jaune was in the middle of contemplating such uplifting thoughts, a ping signaled the end of the elevator ride. Jaune took a deep breath and steeled himself as the doors opened.

James Ironwood was there.

General James Ironwood was there.

Jaune was dimly aware that he had stepped out of the elevator. He was in an office of some sort. There was a desk and walls and windows with what he guessed was an impressive view of Atlas. However, his mind couldn't bring itself to focus on such things. His attention belonged to the man in front of him. Jaune might not be the brightest Dust shard in the Schnee mine, but even he recognized this man.

James Ironwood. Headmaster of Atlas Academy. General of the Atlas Military. Holder of two seats in the Atlas Council.

There had never been a king in Atlas. However, James Ironwood might as well be one considering how much authority the man wielded.

And now, Jaune was in his office.

How?

The moment Jaune asked himself that question, the answer came to him. Hadn't Red and Blue told him? He was here to meet the guy in charge of the R&D division that wanted to recruit him. If James Ironwood was in front of him, that could only mean one thing.

James Ironwood was the guy in charge.

Jaune paled.

James Ironwood was going to interview him.

He was so screwed.

"Ah, Mister Arc," Ironwood said, looking up from his desk. "I have been expecting you. Take a seat."

The only reason Jaune didn't immediately make a fool of himself right there and then was that he was frozen in shock. He stayed that way for ten full seconds before doing as Ironwood asked. Jaune's brain was too confused to do anything other than follow orders. With movements so mechanical most robots would be jealous, Jaune sat down in front of one of the most powerful men in Atlas.

He did not gulp, but only because he was too scared to do so.

"Allow me to skip the pleasantries, Mr. Arc," Ironwood said, his hands steepled in front of him. "Do you know why you are here?"

"I…" Oh, his voice. He still had that. Good. "I... got a letter."

Ironwood nodded. "Yes, you did. Here at Atlas, we believe in investing in the future. It is common procedure to have scouts oversee the entrance exams of the top combat schools in the kingdom. You were singled out as a promising candidate for one of our projects."

A smarter, calmer person would have wondered just what Atlas had seen in him. He certainly hadn't put on the best performance during his entrance exam. However, Jaune wasn't that smart, and he was nowhere near calm. He was just grateful he even had this chance, so he just nodded at Ironwood's words.

"After your information was forwarded to Atlas Academy, we ran a thorough background check on you."

Jaune chocked. A background check? On him?

Oh, gods, Atlas had been spying on him. Had they seen his CCTnet history? Did General Ironwood know his CCTnet history? Jaune found himself wishing the earth would swallow him whole. Then he remembered solid ground was about a mile below and realized his wishes would go unheard as they often did.

"I understand this may seem a little intrusive, but try to understand, Mr. Arc. You are being considered for a special project our military is developing together with Atlas Academy." His tone was reassuring yet firm. Jaune found himself instantly comforted by it. "We needed to be sure you had no criminal history to speak of."

It made sense, Jaune supposed. It would suck if they hired a criminal who later sold the information like in those spy movies Saphron liked.

"Of course, considering who your parents are, that was merely a formality in your case," Ironwood said with a calm smile. "However, I must admit something caught my eye when I looked at your file."

Jaune's face, which was just starting to regain a healthy color, quickly paled.

Please, let this not be about his CCTnet history. That would be way too embarrassing.

"According to your file, you only started applying to combat schools a year ago. Why was that the case?"

Jaune pursed his lips as he considered how to best answer that question.

"My parents did not wish for me to become a Huntsman," Jaune said, deciding honesty way the way to go. "It took me a long time to convince them to let me try."

Years. It had taken Jaune years to accomplish that. It had taken that long for his parents to realize his desire to become a Huntsman was not just a passing fancy. However, by then, the damage had been done.

He was too old.

Combat schools usually started training their students at age 12. As one grew older, learning how to control Aura became harder and harder, or so his sister Blanche once told him when he'd asked her about it. It was better for combat schools to start training their students at a young age.

That wasn't to say combat schools didn't take in older students. However, the older the student, the harder the entrance exam. Someone as untrained as Jaune usually had no chance of getting in. There were probably some crappy combat schools out there that would have taken him in, but those places were usually scams. Learning there wouldn't get him ready for a Huntsman Academy.

There were times when Jaune almost thought the reason why his parents had allowed him to apply for combat school was that they knew he'd never make it. However, there was no way that was true.

Right?

"I see," Ironwood said, considering him carefully. "Yet in spite of being aware of your low odds of being admitted into any worthy combat school, you kept applying. Why did you do that?"

Jaune blinked. What sort of question was that?

"Because I want to be a Huntsman." After some hesitation, Jaune added, "Sir."

"Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why do you wish to become a Huntsman?" Ironwood asked him. "Even though your odds of becoming one were low, you kept trying. It is clearly not because your family is pressuring you into it, so why is it so important to you?"

Why? Wasn't it obvious?

"It's because…" The moment Jaune opened his mouth, he felt Ironwood's stare piercing him. Those steel blue eyes seemed to be peering into his very soul. When faced with that intensity, Jaune lost the words he was so sure of. Suddenly, his answer was not so clear anymore.

Because if he gave the wrong answer, the interview would end.

Jaune somehow understood that. This was it. It was like Red and Blue had told him. Ironwood wanted to know what type of person he was. If he wasn't satisfied with his motives, then General Ironwood wouldn't accept him.

If his motive couldn't satisfy Ironwood, he would never enter Atlas Academy. This was his best shot for becoming a Huntsman, and a single careless word could ruin things for him.

Why did he want to become a Huntsman?

Because he wanted to be a hero, Jaune told himself. That was how it had always been. From the moment his parents had first told him stories about his ancestors, Jaune wanted to be like them. Defeating monsters. Saving princesses. When he was a child, he thought that was the coolest thing ever.

Why was being a hero so important to him? Jaune knew that would be Ironwood's next question.

Did he want to help people? Well, obviously. That kind of went without saying. Helping others was a good thing. If Jaune had to choose between helping someone and not helping someone, he would obviously choose the former. If his career allowed him to help others, then that was a very appreciated bonus.

However, was that his main reason for wanting to become a Huntsman?

No, Jaune realized, perhaps for the first time in his life. It wasn't. He wanted to be a hero and save people, but that wasn't the same as wanting to be a hero because he wanted to save people.

He wanted to be a hero because…

Because he wanted to be strong? Jaune frowned. That sounded close to the truth, yet it was missing something important in order to be right.

What did he want the most?

What was the most important thing about being a Huntsman to him?

"I don't want to be a failure anymore."

The words escaped his mouth almost without him meaning them to, and it was only when he heard his voice utter them that Jaune realized the truth in them.

The disappointment in his parents' eyes whenever he failed to measure up yet again. The pity in his sisters' gazes they thought he didn't notice. The way they were all too nice to just say he wasn't good enough even though everyone felt that way. The shame and unworthiness that festered in his gut every time he thought about the deeds of his ancestors.

He didn't want it. He didn't want to be looked at like that. He didn't want to feel like that.

Gone. Jaune wanted it all gone. He wanted it to stop.

He wanted to change. To be something else. Someone else. Better. Stronger. Braver.

Worthier.

"I am sorry," Jaune said almost immediately after. His gaze dropped to the floor. "I know I was supposed to say something else…"

Something more noble and selfless. Something a real Huntsman would say. Instead, his motive was centered around himself. It was selfish.

It was definitely not the answer Ironwood had wanted to hear from him.

"Why should you have said something else?" Ironwood asked, making Jaune lift his gaze. There was no condemnation in Ironwood's eyes. "Self-improvement is as worthy a goal as any."

"It is?"

Ironwood did not answer him immediately. He let the silence stretch for a moment as if gathering his thoughts. "Mister Arc, every year, I see a new generation of Huntsmen and Huntresses graduate. Every year, I see them die. Trust me when I say I know what it is that makes a good Huntsman, and a selfless motive is not one of those things."

Jaune had no idea how to respond to those words, so he didn't. He stayed silent and let the general keep speaking.

"Perhaps in a perfect world, those with nobler souls would be the ones who always win, but that is not this world. As we speak, there are students being accepted into this academy who only wish to become Huntsmen due to the fame and glory they think the position will bring them. Others wish to become Huntsmen purely due to monetary reasons. Others have… considerably less than moral motives. Only a few of my students can honestly say wishing to save and protect Remnant is their only goal. However, a noble motive is not what matters."

Ironwood's stare suddenly gained intensity, so much that Jaune flinched away from it. Had he not been sitting, he would have backed away a step or two. As it was, he only managed to flatten himself against the back of his seat.

"What matters, Mr. Arc, is whether a person is capable of doing the job or not. What matters is having the resolve to stand against the forces of Grimm when the time comes. Can you say you have that resolve, Mr. Arc?"

"Yes!"

Jaune didn't think about it. He didn't even hesitate to say it. Even if he was weak and pathetic, he would never say he lacked determination. To retreat meant to give up, and to give up meant accepting he would never be anything other than a failure.

That was way scarier than anything in the world.

He wasn't brave, but he was enough of a coward to keep moving forward.

"I… am not very smart, and I know I'm weak, but if you give me just one chance, I know I won't let you down, sir. I will do whatever you need of me," Jaune said. He tried to raise his arm to salute but stopped halfway, not feeling entirely comfortable with the gesture since he wasn't a soldier. His hand just ended awkwardly hanging in the air, almost as if he was about to offer the general a high five. Jaune slowly lowered it when he realized how it looked.

"I see." If Ironwood was impressed or disappointed in any way by his words, he didn't show it. "Tell me, did you ever ask your parents why they never unlocked your Aura."

The sudden change in subject left Jaune blinking. Nevertheless, he replied. "No. They never explained it."

And he had never asked, too afraid to know what the answer might be. If his parents or any of his sisters ever said something like, "We never unlocked your Aura, because you aren't worthy of becoming a Huntsman." Well, Jaune didn't know if he would ever recover from a blow like that. Thus, the question remained unasked.

"In the past, people thought unlocking one's Aura without aid led to a stronger warrior. Those who needed others to unlock their Aura were doomed to never reach their full potential. Many people still believe such things, especially old families like yours."

Jaune's eyes widened.

"That's the reason?"

"I do not claim to know your parents' thoughts, but it would not surprise me if that were the case." As he spoke, Ironwood rose from his seat. It was only then that Jaune realized just how tall and imposing the man was. The effect was further enhanced by the fact that Jaune was sitting.

No, even if he were standing up, the man would still loom over him.

He hated being so short.

"However, such notions are nothing but superstition," Ironwood said as he made his way around his desk to stand in front of Jaune. "Here at Atlas, we have conducted thorough experiments on Aura. I can safely say such ideas have no grounding in reality. You would not believe the amount of valuable time combat schools waste teaching their students to unlock their Aura for the sake of tradition."

Why was Ironwood touching his forehead?

Was he about to-?

"However, I have never been a fan of wasting time."

Jaune had no time to think about Ironwood's words. The moment he finished speaking, he felt it.

His soul.

"For it is through hardship and determination that we achieve greatness," Ironwood intoned. "Through them, we become paragons of excellence. Infinite in sacrifice, bound by discipline. I release your soul and place this duty before you."

Power surged within Jaune. It was like fire spreading through dry wood. Enveloping him. Consuming him from the crown of his hair to the tip of his toes. For the first time in his life, Jaune felt strong, ready to take on the world. He stared at his hands as if seeing them for the first time. A shimmer of pure white aura appeared for an instant, further amazing the young Arc.

He looked up at the one who had done this.

"Does this mean…?"

Ironwood smiled. "Yes, Mr. Arc. I believe you are the right man for the job. How about it? Are you ready to serve your kingdom?"

Jaune did not need to think twice.

"Yes, sir!"

This time Jaune did salute.

xXx

As it turned out, there was a hidden elevator behind Ironwood's office.

Jaune stared straight ahead, his mind torn between being giddy at how good having Aura felt and being nervous because General James Ironwood was standing right beside him and the elevator showed no signs of stopping.

It had shown no signs of stopping for the past five minutes.

Wherever they were going, it was deep. Way deep. They were probably all the way inside the floating city that was Atlas.

"Ah." The moment Jaune opened his mouth he felt stupid. However, he had already attracted Ironwood's attention, so he might as well go for it. "General Ironwood… sir… I know I already accepted the offer, but… you haven't really explained what my job is going to be."

Ironwood smiled. "I am glad you asked."

He couldn't have timed it better. Right at the moment, the elevator stopped, and the doors opened.

"Allow me to be the first one to welcome you, Mister Arc," Ironwood said, stepping out of the elevator.

"Welcome to the IXA Project!"

AN:

There's this rule in mecha anime. You must show the titular robot by episode 1. As I write this, I'm kind of seeing the wisdom in that. I knew I wanted to take time setting everything up, but I worry I might be taking it too slow here. Oh well, live and learn.

Some people may notice I'm playing a bit fast and loose with the established lore of Atlas, mostly taking what I need from WoR: Atlas. I have also seen some people theorize the city below Atlas is Mantle, but I'm keeping them separate for this fic. Here Mantle is a few hours away from Atlas by ship.

By the way, Red John and Blue John aren't OCs. They are the red and blue soldiers that follow Penny around in volume 2. I've decided to give them expanded roles for this story. There are not a lot of Atlas characters to go around.

Next Chapter: Polendina, more exposition, training, and finally, Jaune gets in the suit!