Thank the Divines for Ruby Rose.

When I had exited Ozpin's elevator, she and Phyrra were waiting there for me. Sure, the rest of what I had found out was Ruby's team was there but I didn't acknowledge what they were saying. Ruby handed me clothes, which I thankfully was able to slip on as I stood with my back to a wall. Where she got those clothes, I had no idea, and I didn't want to ask. They matched the ones I woke up in, including the ripped up sweater. I learned such a garment was called a 'hoody'.

Phyrra clued in that I was uncomfortable, which was an easy act to portray, and suggested leading me back to our dormitory. Good thing too, as I would have been so incredibly lost had I attempted the trip on my own. I saw her using one of those white squares like the one I found on my Inventory page to navigate, and she told me it was a scroll, the modern replacement for couriers, maps, libraries, and a slew of other things. It didn't look nearly big enough to be a map but she lead us there with no issues.

Opening the door, I could see that two out of the four small beds were taken. One had an unhealthy amount of pink around it, and the other held some sort of brewing set like those I'd seen inside the various halls and keeps that the Jarl's called home. The two furthest from the door were available, and I sat on the one closest to the window. Phyrra claimed her own bed after shutting the door.

As soon as she sat down, I spoke. "Ozpin knows."

"Knows what?"

"That I'm not Jaune. That I've somehow found myself in his body, and apparently have forced out his aura and replaced it with my own."

"So… he's gone, then." She seemed sad.

I did just essentially destroy a living being in the most cruel sense of the word. Nevermind that it wasn't intentional, his soul was not even captured by a soul gem, it probably just dissipated upon the cosmic winds. With a shudder I realized that if it had stayed together I would be haunted for quite some time.

"Yes, he is." I willed myself to believe what I had just said. "Did you know him well?"

"This is very odd, speaking to Jaune yet it not being Jaune. I did not know him well, but I would have liked to."

"I… I am sorry for your loss." No way I was going to apologize for doing it though.

She shook her head. "No matter. What did Ozpin have to say?"

"He told me that we would be re-doing the exam, and unless I could show my worth many times over, he would be leaving me outside the city walls."

She gasped. "That's a death sentence!"

"Bastard made it seem like a holiday…" I muttered, before remembering something. "Oh, and I completed that quest, apparently. One of the 'Side Objectives' was beating you in a race, so thanks for letting me win." I said with a smirk.

"I didn't."

"I know."

"You cheated."

"No, I used the resources available to me. Besides, you were in combat gear while I was in a dress and barefoot." I pointed out.

"We'll have a re-match, don't you worry."

"I'm not." There was silence for a time. Out of my window I could see a view of the distant city, as the sun set over it. It was quite a beautiful sight, though a haze filled the air. That was one thing I had noticed since coming here, the air seemed… dirty. It wasn't bad, per se, but it was thick, not as crisp. It's hard to describe.

"So, Phyrra."

"Yes, Jau... Torga?" The name sounded so odd coming from her lips.

"How do I unlock my semblance?"

She sighed and stood up off of her bed. "Not sitting around here. Your semblance is unlocked as a result of training with your aura and being in… well a do-or-die situation."

I stood as well. I was again in a dark hooded shirt, and those trousers made of a blue weave material. "I don't plan on going into one of those without some proper weapons and armor, at the very least."

"What is wrong with your current weapon?" She tilted her head to the side.

"It feels like I'm wielding a lockpick against a bear. I need a bigger sword, and better armor. I think it might have something to do with the new quest I got after leaving Ozpin's."

"Torga, maybe those boxes are your semblance."

"What is yours?"

"I can manipulate metal." Oh really?

"And why is that your semblance?"

"I… I don't know. I was around metal a lot as a child, trained from a very young age with many weapons, and… Well, I'm used to metal."

"Right, so it's something you were inclined to already." I'm willing to bet my dragon blood is my semblance, but without my body that held the dragon blood… Would the souls have carried over? Would those souls even have anywhere to go if I wasn't able to re-absorb them with the dragon blood? Or were they turned loose? If it was the latter option, it was only a matter of time before they showed up again, even without Alduin to resurrect them. Dragons were tenacious bastards.

"Anyways, why do you ask? Your semblance will be discovered in time, certainly not before Ren awakens."

"The boxes told me that until I unlock my semblance, I'll be taking a hit to my Aura Points and Wisdom."

"What are you talking about?"

Right, I hadn't explained what I had found on the elevator, so I told her then. As I went on, she got continuously more interested until I got to the inventory. With a grin she handed me a box that was red and gold. "Put that inside."

I shrugged and did it. It fell into my inventory, taking up the second box. The first held that hospital gown, though I don't know why I kept it. Thing was damn uncomfortable. It showed up as a sort of cylinder, and I tapped on it.

"Basic .45, common, 30 damage." I read off. "A basic ammo type for basic scenarios, and basic people. You've got 24 of them."

"Having never seen a rifle before the forest, you seem to know a little bit about ammo."

"Not me, it's the inventory telling me that." I informed her as I handed back the ammo.

Through a special action, the Skill 'Observe' has been created!

Observe (Active) (LVL. 1): You look at a person or an item, finding out what details you can from just a glance. Levels with use. Higher levels grant more information.

"Interesting, I just got a new skill, Observe." A window popped up in front of me.

Phyrra Nikos

The Invincible Girl

LVL. 21

That's bullshit! I scoffed and swiped the window away.

"You look like you just ate seaweed." Phyrra stated.

"You look like you're a lot stronger than me at the moment." I needed to improve my level, that much was clear. Being more powerful would be essential to survive in this body, regardless of whether I can unlock my dragon shouts. I never relied on them, but instead used them to augment my already considerable battle proficiency. I raised my wisdom by thinking things through, I lost intelligence by being uninformed.

What did I want to focus on, then? Having decisions and knowing which to use would go a long way, but that will be irrelevant if I don't have the strength to follow through with those actions. Though on that note, having strength won't matter without a set of equipment with which to utilise it.

I needed a two handed weapon. A battle-ax would be preferred but I could also wield hammers and great-swords. Though, if the girl I saw in the forest was any indication of the powers of aura, I could easily wield a great-sword with one hand and a tower shield with the other, becoming an impenetrable wall of defense. If my sword was also a rifle, I would become a walking castle!

"Quests."

Active Quests:

[Gear up, Buttercup!]

[Initiation Exam Part 2!]

[Gear up, Buttercup!]

It looks like you need some new gear, the classics just aren't cutting it!

[Main Objectives]

Obtain 1 new weapon

Obtain 1 new piece of armour

[Side Objectives]

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[Rewards] 3000 XP, 500 Lien, Skill [_ Mastery]

[Failure] 500 XP

[Initiation Exam Part 2!]

Ozpin was feeling generous, and gave you another chance to prove that you're worthy of being accepted into Beacon Huntsman Academy. Here you can learn to use your aura and fight the Grimm!

[Main Objective]

Take the Initiation Exam… Again!

[Side Objectives]

Ensure All Team-mates Survive

Pass Ozpin's Leadership Test!

Train Your Ass Off! (All Physical Stats over 15)

?

[Rewards] 10,000 XP, 5000 Lien, Title Beacon First-Year, Access to Beacon Classes.

[Failure] 500 XP, Title The Displaced Failure, Exile from Vale, Possible death.

"We need to find a blacksmith." I said, heading for the door.

"Why?"

"I need weapons and armour. I won't be training any longer with that sword, nor with that shield. I need something fitting for a warrior, not a noble sitting in their castle on a hill."

She followed me out the door, locking it behind her. I didn't keep going, as I had no way of knowing where to go. "We're partners, you know. If we want to pass this exam, we should at least train."

"We are going to train, just after I get my shit. Can we go now?"

Thankfully Ozpin had left a way for us to get to Vale.

It was as we stood on the cliff impatiently waiting that my mind was blown. A metal box, bigger than most houses, lowered itself from the sky with a rush of air and a loud whining sound. A drawbridge opened from the side closest to us revealing the inside of a metal box.

"What in Oblivion is that!" I yelled over the sound of the… thing. My initial surprise and amazement was quelled in short order, though it still was wonderous.

"It's our ride, just follow me."

"Not so fast, Ms. Nikos." The headmaster himself was suddenly behind us. I didn't hear him arrive, there was nothing to tell he had moved near us. He simply appeared. A woman in an odd black dress with a white blouse followed him. She had piercing green eyes that were currently looking over me with scrutiny.

"Professors!"

"Glynda here will accompany you to town. Mr. Arc, I seem to recall you losing your funds at some point during the initiation exam. This card is connected to a school account for orphans and… less fortunate prospects. I trust that you will be wary about your spending but it would be irresponsible to not send a chaperone with two first-year students." He held out a black card with an embossed silver emblem of two crossed axes in a wreath.

"Thank you…? I won't spend it all." I replied, not knowing how it was possible that I couldn't spend it all. I am very grateful he gave me this card, though if there was only one, how was I supposed to afford anything? I didn't know prices but he could have at least given me 5 cards.

Until I actually took a hold of the card. "Observe." I muttered to myself.

You have received a Beacon Academy Credit Card! This card can only be used in designated stores, but miraculously comes without a limit! Spend your heart out on the company dime!

Accepted Locations:

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"I would be amazed if you could, Mr. Arc."

"So.. where can I use this?"

The woman in black and white - Glynda - huffed and stormed onto our ride. "I'll take you to the necessary places, Jaune." I briefly grimaced. 'Mr. Arc' I didn't mind, as I never had really had a last name. When I was called 'Jaune', it just reinforced how little I belonged here. It was hard enough for me, with all of this weird technology around, people dressing extravagantly, a combat school, giant creatures literally made of darkness, and that I was stuck in a teenagers body with a strange new ability.

I wasn't in over my head with the ability at least. It seemed pretty straightforward, though immensely complex at the same time. The only thing left to do was follow these quests in hopes that it will lead me to whatever problem plagues this land. I think it would be pretty obvious, though I doubted that I alone would be able to exterminate the Grimm. For now I would get stronger, and try to access my Dragon Shouts.

With the determination to get stronger rooted firmly in my mind, I followed the stern professor onto our ride while Ozpin had a quick chat with Phyrra. She soon stepped into the room and the drawbridge shut, odd torches illuminating the otherwise dark area. Flameless torches, magic seems to be much more common here than in Skyrim.

After a smooth ride, much smoother than Odahviing, we touched down and exited the airship, for that is what it was. Phyrra had told me it was called a Bullhead, and had mounted weapons for both cargo- and combat-purposes. The thought of tying saddlebags to a dragon briefly crossed my mind and I couldn't help but snort. All that got me was a cross glare from Glynda, and we hurried along behind her.

This city was incredible. The buildings were so tall, so straight. Glass was used in abundance, and it was more pure and clear than even the most masterful glass-smiths back home could have managed. The amount of people also walking the streets was mind-boggling, there was an entire village worth of people within a stone's throw from me and this was only a small part of the city!

We soon walked into a store, and I was in awe. Weapons, weapons everywhere. Large swords, axes, daggers, rifles, shorter rifles, longer rifles, glowing rifles, old-looking rifles. More swords, spears, halberds, a sickle on a chain, a walking staff. I scoffed at a war-glaive.

"Welcome, friend, to Gale's Gu- Oh, Ms. Goodwitch!" as our 'chaperone' walked through the door the shopkeeper's eyes lit up. "I didn't think graduation was for another 8 months!"

"No, you're right, it isn't. This young man needs to get a proper weapon. Nothing too expensive or intricate, if mecha-shift is involved it must be minimal." She said in a no nonsense attitude. "I will be outside."

As she walked back out of the store leaving me and Phyrra alone with the man, I took a moment to observe the man.

Gale Gordon

Apprentice Salesman

Lvl. 13

Really? A shopkeeper is stronger than me too? That's just embarrassing

"So, young man, what kind of weapon are you searching for?"

"Something two-handed." I replied immediately. "I want more power behind my strikes and the ability to penetrate any defense."

"You won't get that with just a big weapon, it will just make you slow and easy to hit. The best defense is a good offence, and the best offence is a good defence. Combat is finding the mixture between the two that suits you best." Phyrra lectured.

"I'm sorry, who is it that needs a weapon again?" I asked her. She stared at me flatly.

I turned back to Gale. "I'm able to use both axes and two-handed swords, as well as war-hammers in a pinch. I'd prefer something along those lines."

The shopkeeper grimaced, and I knew the look well. It was the look of someone who had their figurative hands tied. "I'm sorry kid, the majority of my stock along those lines has complicated mecha-shift capabilities. When the deputy headmistress of the local Hunter school says not to do something, you don't do it."

"Majority?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I have a couple of items, but not nearly the selection I could offer with one-handed or ranged weapons. I just aquired a bow that can turn into two katanas, that spark your interest?"

I shrugged, not knowing what a katana was. "Let's take a look and see, shall we?"

He grinned and took me over to a corner of the shop where a upon a wall hung bows and crossbows. They were all much more blocky and less elegant than those crafted from the various metals and woods of Skyrim, but looked powerful nonetheless if the glowing strips on some of them were to go by. In my mind there was one rule: if it glowed on its own, it was magic. If it was magic, it was dangerous.

The man pulled a blue longbow off of the wall, and handed it to me. It felt heavy, and off-balance. The string was also blue. "So," I asked, "how do I change it?"

He pointed. "Red button on the handle, just be-"

I pressed the button, causing the string to reel itself into the top half and covers to slide back from the upper and lower parts of the bow proper. The thing detached in the middle, and the now formed blade on the bottom clattered to the floor. I shook the one I still had in my hand. The balance was much better than it was while in its bow form, and this did have a handle designed for two-handed use. There was only one issue.

"The blade is curved." I stated, looking at Gale expectantly.

"Well, yea. It's a katana."

"Why would anyone curve a blade?"

Phyrra chimed in once more. "Curved blades are better for slashing, there's more blade being drawn across your enemy than with a similar length of a straight sword. It was originally used as a cavalry weapon, but now is mostly a stylistic approach. It still has a two-handed grip, though if you go the route of curved weaponry I would suggest something else."

"Thank you very much, but I will not be condoning the usage of curved swords. Can we look at the proper two-handers now?" I directed towards Gale, handing him back the sword in my hand. He picked up the other one and joined them back together with a method I didn't quite catch. He looked crestfallen.

"Curved swords…" I muttered as we left the wall of bows.

We came up to the counter and Gale went back into a store room before returning with three weapons.

"Okay so here we have-" I tuned him out as I used Observe on each of the weapons before me.

Un-named

Battle-ax/Shotgun

This is a simple design that works with simple technique. The barrel of the shotgun acts as the handle of the ax, allowing a well timed shot after every missed swing. This is a solely close-range weapon.

Damage(Axe):STR x 1.2

Damage(Shotgun): AGI x 0.3 (x12)

DUR: 25

Hal

Dust-Halberd

This is a simple halberd with one key feature: Dust wiring. By placing Dust powder or a Dust Crystal in the handle, one can call upon the elemental powers of each type and augment their swings with it.

Damage(Halberd): STR x 1.1

DUR: 35

Un-named

Harpoon Gun/Zweihander

This weapon utilizes a double-fuller cross-section, with the middle ridge detaching from the sword and fired using Dust. The guard and handle hold a spool of tough wire attached to a powerful winch. With the insertion of a Dust Crystal into the pommel, the harpoon can transfer various effects. Alternatively, the Dust Crystal can be used to power the winch with various effects.

Damage: STR x 1.1

Range: 75 m

DUR:40

"-hich makes Hal here my personal favourite. Now, the Axe would be better for those new to fire-arms but-"

I cut Gale off, pointing at the sword. "I'll take that one."

"Are you sure? Dust can be very expensive, especially for a first-year."

"You were just trying to sell him a halberd who's only ability was using dust." Phyrra scolded. "Why is it now an issue?"

Gale's eyes glanced back and forth between us. "It's.. It's not. I was saving that for my son, but I can have another made. It's just that it's his 10th birthday tomorrow and I don't have another gift."

[New Quest!]

Maybe I Should Have Hid That

Gale foolishly hoped to not sell an item and now he's on the verge of doing just that. Will you let him keep the sword, or find him an alternate present?

[Main Objective:]

Refuse the Sword

-(OR)-

Find An Alternate Present

[Rewards:]

5000XP, Free Weapon -(OR)- Harpoon/Zweihander, +250 REP with Gale's Guns and Gadgets

[Failure:]

100XP, Return to Beacon, -250 REP with Gale's Guns and Gadgets

ACCEPT?: [YES]/[NO]

"Can we have a moment please?" I asked, ignoring the new quest that was hovering right in front of my vision. Just for now. If XP is what caused me to level up, then 5000 must have been a lot, right?

The now sad shop owner nodded. I turned and grabbed Phyrra by the elbow, leading her back to the corner with the ranged weapons.

"What's this all about? You're not seriously going to take that sword are you?"

I nodded. "I am. It seems like a good fit for me. He shouldn't have brought it out if he wasn't prepared to sell it."

REP with Phyrra: -5

"He brought it out to be a good salesperson and give you options!"

"That doesn't matter right now, I've gotten another quest. This one says that I'll gain a lot of XP, and reputation, but we need to find his son an alternate present." I tried not to feel a little hurt at the message that popped up. As my only friend in this new place, I was counting on her until I acclimatized myself.

She stepped back. "We? You're the one taking a boy's tenth birthday present!"

I stepped forward, closing the gap once more with a glare I found hard to back up given I wasn't much taller than her and she'd already beaten me in a fight. "You think a ten year old boy would be able to wield something that big? Such a weapon would be better used in combat, and when it comes time for me to get a new weapon -and I will- then I will give it back. Until then, the kid needs a birthday gift and I need to know if you'll help me before I decide on anything."

"If I say no, will you leave him with the sword?"

I shook my head. "If it's between me getting kicked out of the city and a little kid getting a birthday present, I choose living every time."

The redhead sighed. "Fine, I'll help you." I grinned and tapped the [YES] option. The quest box disappeared, and another popped up.

[QUEST OPTION]

[REFUSE TO BUY THE SWORD]

[FIND ALTERNATE PRESENT]

I shrugged and tapped the second button. Nothing happened so I walked back up to the counter, where Gale was anxiously awaiting.

"Sir, I have to question gifting your son such a large weapon when you have many others in your store to choose from. As it is, I'll need to be taking that. You understand, right? I can promise you my business in the future, and if and when I replace this, I can return it if you'd like."

He shook his head. "Don't worry, I just don't have time to find something else. How are you paying for this?"

I held up the card, and the man sighed in exasperation. "Damnit Ozpin... " he muttered, before crossly grabbing the card from my outstretched hand. I picked up the sword and fell in love instantly. It was well balanced, heavy, and sharp as I could ever need. The handle had an odd series of buttons that I assumed controlled the functions.

You have obtained a Harpoon Gun/Zweihander! Would you like to name this weapon?

"Uhm… No."

Your weapon can be named at a later time and date by accessing the "Details" panel in your Inventory.

I swiped that message away, and made to leave the store. I still had armor to get.

"Sir, you forgot your credit car-" He was interrupted by the sound of breaking glass coming from the front of the store. I looked around a rack of rifles to see three masked men standing in the doorway. Their masks bore the likeness of Grimm, which I found odd, and behind me Phyrra inhaled sharply.

Gale had a completely different reaction, sweeping the other two weapons behind the counter as his face paled. "Jeremy! I didn't know you'd recovered!."

I Observed the three.

Jeremy

White Fang Thug

LVL. 19

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White Fang Initiate

LVL. 7

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White Fang Initiate

LVL. 6

Observe has gained a level!

"I bet you thought I wouldn't, Gale. I bet you thought you could sell my fucking weapon and get away with it. In fact, I'm willing to bet that you haven't even repaired it yet." The man in question, Jeremy, had his left arm wrapped up tightly in bandages. In his other was yet another thing I did not recognize but from his grip I assumed it was a small rifle. He held it as one would a one-handed crossbow, which for the record are terrible inventions. The other two were unbandaged and in black, though held a curved metal bar and a wooden club between the two of them.

"I swear, Jeremy, I was going to do it tonight, I just thought that since you couldn't really use i-" Gale's voice caught as 5 men in strange dark grey armour came up behind them. They were glowing at the eyes, and in a large spot on their chest like the rifles I'd seen earlier. I Observed those as well.

White Fang Hacked AK-80

LVL. 10

After briefly wondering why these Knights didn't have names, I nudged Phyrra. "You're the highest level here. Should we do something?"

"Getting involved with the White Fang is risky. These guys may not be strong but that doesn't mean that their friends will be weak. Besides, those are Atlesian Knights. They may not be the 130 Model but they're still defenders of humanity." Phyrra whispered back as the group strolled into the store as if they owned the place, crunching the glass of a broken store window.

"Where are the guards? Shouldn't such an obvious break-in have been caught by now?" I continued, whispering as well.

"That's a very good question."

"I think that keeping his father safe will be a good enough alternate present for his kid." I stated bluntly. The men had ceased talking and stood in what they thought was an intimidating manner behind Jeremy. The Knights were guarding the exit. "Besides, shouldn't this 'Aura' give us an advantage?"

Phyrra's brow furrowed as she considered, then I realized I was essentially asking her for permission to protect an innocent man from bandits. Though I'd seen much more imposing bandits, this was clearly not going to end in anything other than violence.

I grinned at the thought, and stood.

"Who the fuck are you?" One of the initiates, the level seven one asked as he pointed his wooden club at me.

I pulled my new sword out. "Mine's bigger."

"Threat detected. Awaiting command." One of the Knights spoke in a horribly distorted voice.

"If they move, skewer them."

"Activating Warden Protocol." The Knights each drew a single blade from seemingly nowhere, all held in a standard stance and grip. The form was perfect, their stances un-naturally similar. It creeped me out, not even the ever-disciplined and mentally limited Legion could have managed something like that in perfect timing.

Phyrra drew her weapon and shield out from her hiding spot behind the rack.

"Seriously kid, who the hell are you?" Jeremy walked over to me, leaving his henchmen near Gale to prevent him from leaving.

"I'm the Dovahkiin. Slayer of the Eater of Worlds, Saviour of the Sun, yadayada. Who the fuck are you?" I asked in return.

The man simply held his gun up to his head. "Goddamnit not another RPG nerd… look kid, you should just walk out of here before you get hurt."

"That's strange." I replied, feeling no anticipation as I usually would. Must be an effect of the Gamer's Mind. Being able to logically think things through with a sense of detachment. "I was about to suggest you do the same."

He snarled, and I mean actually snarled. Like a dog. Baring his teeth and everything.

His teeth that were also like a dog.

"Last chance before your legs get broken. Take your sword and scram, it's not worth it."

"Which one was yours? Was it the over-compensators axe, or the over-compensators axe with a longer pole?"

Jeremy held out his hand, and one of his lackeys tossed him Hal. I nodded. "The one with the longer pole. Figures a dog-khajiit mutt would want a longer stick to play fetch with."

Due to a provoking your opponent into a rage, you have obtained the Skill 'Taunt'!

Due to overwhelming anger and desire to harm your person, you have obtained the Skill 'Detect Bloodlust'!

He slammed a red crystal into the handle of the halberd, and red lines spread up the weapon to the tip. "You just went from broken legs to death, kid!"

I barely managed to parry his horizontal slash, though the force still caused me to stagger. Phyrra was up and moving, rushing the Knights with shield in front of her. Gale himself was beginning to brawl with the Initiates, but my attention was brought back to my own fight as I stepped back out of range of another swipe from Hal.

There was no room inside this shop to fight, only thin aisles and racks of other weapons. As Jeremy attempted to bisect me with an overhand strike, I parried it to the side with my own sword and tackled him back into a rack. He didn't stay there for long, headbutting me and causing me to briefly see stars. He didn't stop there, kicking me in the chest and sending me tumbling over a rack of rifles. He then slammed his halberd down into the ground and an explosion ensued, launching both me and the rack of rifles out of the thankfully already broken window into the street.

I groaned then slowly got to my feet, and marvelled at the fact that I was still uninjured. That explosion should have burned me, yet here I stood with not a singe on my clothing. I also noticed a red bar had appeared in the bottom of my vision, and by the outline it looked a third of the way depleted.

[Tutorial Message] You have lost health for the first time! Your health bar will only appear when you take damage. Be careful, if your Health drops to 0 you will die. If your Health drops to 1, you will enter a coma.

For taking damage, you have obtained the Skill 'Physical Endurance'!

I was quickly knocked back to the ground by another weapons rack, this one hitting me in the face as I was distracted by the boxes. My health bar dropped even more as I rolled my jaw from the ground, again surprised that I wasn't injured. I guess I technically was, if the HP bar was an indicator of my actual health. As it stood, I had lost over half of it in just a few seconds and from just a few hits as well. I needed to evade more, and look out for when he slammed his axe on the ground. That was what caused the last explosion, and if I took another one, I would be dangerously close to dead.

"Not talking now, are ya kid?" This whole 'kid' thing was getting tiring. I pushed myself to my feet, feeling just fine despite the fact that I knew I was hurt. Jeremy didn't know that, as to him I looked unharmed.

"Talking is for before and maybe after a fight, not during it." I said, settling myself into an underhanded stance. To the untrained eye it looked as though I had lowered my sword at an angle in front of me. It was a mostly defensive stance, but as I was secretly hoping Phyrra would finish up inside the shop soon, I felt I just had to bide my time.

Unfortunately, Jeremy agreed with my statement and rushed me once more. He swept his weapon horizontally, which I parried up and over my head and spun past him, delivering an elbow to the back of his head and stepping out of range once more. He may have had strength, but I had many years of experience against monsters and warriors alike. The Dark Brotherhood had sent assassins after me and they were much quicker than this man. I was not in my body, with my armour, but the sword still felt familiar and that gave me confidence.

For re-awakening past experience, you have obtained the skill 'Unarmed Combat Mastery'!

"Kid's got moves, I see. Let's see how you like this-ugh!" I had charged him while he was talking, swinging my sword overhand. He attempted to parry it with the shaft of his weapon but I rode the parry and used the momentum to spin again, swinging my sword all the speed I could muster.

Against another opponent, such an attack would have bit through light armor and much of their torso. As it was, my blade left a deep cut across his chest. He hopped back, holding his bandaged arm to his chest and snarling again as it came away darkened with blood. He abandoned all reason and sprinted at me, and it was all I could do to block his blows. Jeremy had gotten a second - or, first, I guess - wind and was swinging his halberd at me in a fury.

I took glancing blows and didn't have the strength or speed to counter. It was infuriating, to have been previously able to overpower most enemies with brute strength alone and now to be relying on my technique as the only advantage I had in this fight. Divines, Phyrra was in there against 7 opponents and I was struggling against 1. Granted, it was the strongest one but it was still a duel scenario and I was losing.

I feinted back and then planted a kick in his chest as his axe drew closer to the ground. I had to get back on the offensive, but as the axe-head struck the stone, another explosion sent me skidding across the road into the side of a building. A glance at my Health showed that I had only a small amount remaining, anything other than a glancing hit and I was finished. This pathetic body of mine could barely take a hit!

I pushed myself to my feet and adopted a more offensive stance as I rushed Jeremy once more. He grinned and swung with all his might as I did the same, and he managed to catch my blade under the hook of his axe. We were locked in a stalemate; If I tried to draw my sword away, his axe would hit me in shoulder, and while with armor I could have made it skim off, I couldn't risk it until I knew the limits of my Health Points. On his side, it wouldn't be possible to unhook my blade unless he moved towards me, giving me the leverage I needed to connect. This sword was sharp, sharp enough to give him an extra hole to breath through.

I pushed, while slowly angling my blade towards him. He clearly had the power, but I had the height. I was making slow progress.

"You didn't honestly think you could defeat the White Fang, did you?" He sneered. "Did you just crawl out of a box? Civilians fear us, the police fear us. Hell, even the Hunters fear us. Now, you will fear us too, before you die."

I didn't respond, struggling to keep his axe from cutting me open as he put on an extra burst of strength. The weapons slowly drew closer and closer to my body, and I could feel heat emanating from Hal. A result of the crystal, maybe? Could it have added a fire enchantment somehow?

I wasn't unprepared to die. As always, Sovngarde awaited. I simply wanted to stay alive. I had gotten a second chance, with a new power, and a younger body. I had essentially gotten another life. Not many got that chance. Nobody, in fact, got that chance. I prepared to push back when my sword clicked and the center of it shot out, leaving it with two blades. A rope spooled out as the centerpiece shot away, burying itself in the side of a nearby building. My sword was yanked up and out of my hands by the rope, and the hilt caught on Hal's blade, taking it as well. There was a brief moment as we both processed what had happened, then I grinned and drove a fist with all of my power into his face, it connecting with a crunch as his nose was broken. He spun to the street.

Through the use of overwhelming force, you have obtained the skill 'Power Strike'!

Unarmed Combat Mastery's level has increased by 1!

"Power Strike?" I muttered, and without warning my body threw itself at Jeremy, driving my fist into the back of his head and slamming it into the ground with a spatter of blood.

I put that event to the back of my mind and mounted him, rearing my fist back before delivering another solid punch to the mouth. There was a crack as my fist met his face, then another crack as his head hit the pavement. I drew back my arm for another hit, but it was held in place by an invisible force.

"Jaune, stop! You'll kill him!" Phyrra stood amongst the glass of the broken window, legitimate concern across her face.

"He was ready to kill me." I stated blankly.

"You'll go to jail, or Ozpin will just kill you himself! You're to become a Huntsman, that means protecting the people, not stopping to the level of criminals. We'll watch over him until the police arrive then he will be taken in and get what he deserves. You're just in training, you can't just kill people because they tried to kill you."

"That's bullshit." I said, getting off of the criminal nonetheless. My HP was dangerously low but until it hit zero I wouldn't feel a thing.

Level has increased by one!

"How?" Phyrra asked incredulously. "That's decency, that's necessary for humanity's survival! Your poor attitude is going to get everyone killed!"

"Let's just make sure that Gale's okay and considers this a better present. I want to finish that quest and get on with my day so we can train." I'd already moved on past the issue. Sure, I could think about it, but I didn't feel the adrenaline pumping from a life-or-death situation, I didn't feel the aching in my muscles or even a shortness of breath. The entire encounter could have never happened but for my lowered health and the shattered window. With a clang, my sword fell back to the ground behind me, followed by an explosion as the halberd followed. The explosion launched my sword straight at me. I ducked and closed my eyes, preparing for the worst.

The sword never hit. Phyrra stood with her arm outstretched, a black glow outlining her body, and the same glow outlining my sword. It was hovering in mid air, re-assembled with the tip quivering an inch from my face. She dropped her hand and it clattered to the ground.

"Did you…?" I started, before shaking my head. "Thanks."

She just turned and strode back into the shop. I sighed and followed her.

The inside of the store was a mess, and a part of me pitied Gale for having to clean it all. The other part of me figured that cleaning was better than being assaulted by this White Fang faction. I made a note to ask Phyrra about them later.

Gale was thanking Phyrra, and began to thank me as well but I held up a hand to stop him. "A weapons store should have guards, for this exact reason. These people could have cleared out your entire stock had we not been here, and from the weapon that Jeremy had, it would not have been good to have such arms in the hands of criminals. Especially when you're working with them."

"Working with them?! Jeremy just comes in and forces me to repair his stupid axe! He knows where my family is, my children! What would you have done?"

"Killed the bastard. Nobody threatens my family." I didn't usually speak about them. My wife, my son. My family that I'd gotten killed. Too often it brought up pangs of regret and sorrow, but even those were stripped from me as my ability worked to calm my mind. I was glad, too long had I shouldered the burden. Here though, nobody knew what had happened. Nobody knew anything about me.

He scoffed. "Then I'd be in jail and there would be a definite response."

I scoffed in return. "Well, you're fine now, and Jeremy isn't getting up any time soon. I'd say that's a pretty good present for your son, don't you think?"

"Yea, I'm going to tell my kid that I almost died in an attempted shakedown but was saved by a couple of Hunters in training. That'll make him look up to me." He said sarcastically.

"I don't care what you do. Your life was saved, my experience with your store was ruined, and I'm definitely not going to part with this sword."

"You don't even know how to use it!"

"I'm a quick learner."

He sighed then glanced around his ruined shop. "I bet… Fine. Take the sword, here's the owner's manual, and please leave before you do any more damage." He held out a pamphlet, which I took.

You have obtained the Skill Book 'Dust-Enabled Harpoon Zweihander'!

Would you like to learn this skill?

[YES]/[NO]

As was becoming common, I tapped the yes button. The small pamphlet erupted into golden light and dissipated, and I staggered back as a wealth of knowledge flooded into my brain.

I knew everything about this weapon. How it worked, how to control it, what its capabilities were. I learned how it was made and of which materials. I knew how much stress it could handle, how much weight the braided steel cable could support, how many pounds of force the winch could exert, and exactly how much Dust output of each type I could feed through it without damaging the inner workings.

For reading a Skill Book, you have obtained the skill 'Harpoon Mastery'!

For reading a Skill Book, you have obtained the skill 'Longsword Mastery'!

You have completed the Quest [Maybe I Should Have Hid That]

Rewards: 5000 XP, Harpoon Gun/Zweihander.

You have completed the Quest [Gear Up, Buttercup!]

Rewards: 3000 XP, 500 Lien

Level has increased by one!

"Wait what? I haven't gotten any armor yet!" I exclaimed, not realizing the amazed stares I was receiving.

"Jaune, Phyrra! Outside this instant!" Phyrra waved apologetically and I simply walked out. From Glynda's tone, we were in trouble.

New Skills:

Detect Bloodlust LVL.2

You have the ability to sense whether those in your presence wish to cause you harm. Increasing the level extends the range and pinpoints the direction from which the bloodlust is originating.

Range: 10m

Taunt LVL.7

By taunting your opponent, you can give them the 'Taunted' debuff. Taunted decreases WIS and INT by 25%, but raises STR and VIT by 50%.

Chance to work is dependant upon REP with target, target's INT and WIS, and your WIS.

Current chance to Taunt: 5%

Physical Endurance LVL.1

You have a tendency to get yourself beat up, and your body is getting used to it. Reduces incoming Physical Damage based on VIT.

Current Effect: 2%

Unarmed Combat Mastery LVL.6

Through experience and training, you're working to become a master of martial arts.

30% increase to unarmed damage

30% increase to unarmed attack speed

Harpoon Mastery LVL.1

A weapon originally used for fishing, you've adapted this into a mid-range combat style.

1% increase to accuracy

1m increase to range

1% of defense ignored

5% increase to attack damage

Longsword Mastery LVL.17

A normal sword isn't enough for you, big guy. You need something bigger, and you're willing to work for it!

85% increase to attack damage

85% increase to attack speed

Power Strike LVL.1

By focusing all of your strength into a single blow, you can strike with more power! The attack takes time to prepare, so use it carefully! AP Cost: 15

50% increase to attack damage

10% decrease to attack speed

2s charge time


Wow. This fic has officially been added to the two communities that originally gave me the inspiration to start one of these Gamer fics. It isn't easy to do, keeping all the stats together and the scaling rates for abilities and such, I taught myself how to use Excel just for this fic so I'm glad it's getting recognized! To all of you who have made my story one of your alerts, I'm honored to have peaked your interest that much

Thank you for the support in reviews, and while I have seen some people discontent with the MC I would just like to remind everyone. He's from SKYRIM. At his roots, he's murdered plenty of bandits, seen some dark shit, and literally fought the Eater of the World. If you think he's being mean, it's because Skyrim tends to make people that way.

Hope that clears a little bit up.

Thanks for reading!

~HHR