In the living room of the Arc family house, Saphron and Terra were watching Tv, but it wasn't enjoyable. It doesn't have Jaune's funny comments.
"Augh! It has only been five days!" shouted Saphron.
It hasn't been long since Jaune left, but Saphron missed him so much, they both did.
"What do you think Jaune is up to now?" asked Terra.
"I don't know, but I want to know. Unfortunately, there is no way to do so," said Saphron.
As Saphron said those words, the time frame of the Land of Shadow and Remnant synchronised.
The Tv in front of Saphron and Terra then showed them Jaune's current whereabouts and what he was doing.
"What the?!" shouted Saphron. It surprised her, the changes that happened to the Tv. "Is that Jaune?! Hold on, how did this happen?".
"I don't know, but I think you wish to see what Jaune is up to is now granted," said Terra. She saw Jaune fighting a woman on screen. "It has been barely a few months since Jaune started training, right?".
Saphron nodded at Terra in response.
…
Another two months of training with Scáthach and Jaune was doing fantastic.
Before, Jaune could stand his ground, but do nothing much else.
This time, it was different.
Jaune was on equal footing with Scáthach.
There was so much that he could learn from her.
For instance, battle awareness, the knowledge and understanding of the operational area's environment, factors, and conditions, to include the status of friendly and adversary forces, neutrals and non-combatant, weather and terrain, that enables timely, relevant, comprehension, and accurate assessment, in order to successfully apply combat power.
This was something Jaune was lacking, but thanks to Scáthach's training, he could get better at it.
Cling! Clang!
Sounds made by metallic objects hitting each other could be heard.
This is weird.
Why? Because neither Scáthach's Gae Bolg, nor Jaune's Greed were made of metal.
Scáthach's Gae Bolg is made from the branches of Tonelico, as for Jaune's Greed, its materials are unknown.
"Five months, and you can fight me at equal footing," said Scáthach. It impressed her. "I saw potential in you, but I underestimated it. To think that you can reach this level in a mere few months is astonishing".
"Well, thank you for the compliment," said Jaune. He made a bet with Scáthach a few months ago. "However, it isn't enough to merely be on equal footing with you. I want to surpass you and win the bet".
"Are you still on that?" asked Scáthach. She sighed. The bet that Jaune proposed was impossible to fulfil. "I already told you, it is impossible".
"Impossible or not, it won't hurt to try," said Jaune. He then smirks. "Besides, I still have something up my sleeve".
A month ago, Scáthach asked Jaune about his world.
Jaune telling her all about it sparked an interest in her.
However, the problem is, she is tied to the Land of Shadows, and it has drifted outside the world. She cannot leave it unless something happens to it.
But Jaune told her it was possible if he severed her connection with the Land of Shadows.
Scáthach thought about it, but how would he sever the connection between her and the Land of Shadow? So, she declined. But Jaune still knew that she was curious. So, he proposed a bet.
Jaune wants Scáthach to let him try to sever the connection, she agreed, but only if he beats her.
Beating Scáthach was no easy feat because of her having Wisdom of Dun Scáith and the Primordial Runes, but Jaune has his own cheats as Arc of Embodiment and Greed.
Scáthach used her Primordial Runes against Jaune, and he used Greed and the Arc of Embodiment to counter her magic.
Jaune can stop her Primordial Runes in different ways.
One, Jaune could use the Shield For of Greed and reflect her magic back at her.
Two, Jaune could use the Scythe Form of Greed and negate her magic once it comes into contact with the Scythe.
Three, Jaune use his Arc of Embodiment to counter her magic with his magic.
…
"Is that the strength of someone who has only been training for a few months?" asked Terra. She then asked another more important question. "Are Huntsman and Huntresses meant to be that strong?".
"I don't believe so," said Saphron. Grimm once attacked their town. Her parents, Amarilla and Giallo, fought the Grimm and eliminated the threat, but they showed no such feat as Jaune. "Look! Jaune is firing fire, lightning, and other elements without the usage of Dust! That's impossible! What he is doing is more akin to magic".
"No way is magic real, right?" asked Terra. She isn't very knowledgeable about Huntsman and Huntresses, but she knew about them not being able to use elements without Dust, or at the very least, it would require a semblance, but even that has a limit. "Because if magic is real, then the existence of the Maidens is as well".
Saphron and Terra looked at each other. If that's the case, then what other Fairy tale could be real.
"Nah! It can't be, right?" said Terra. She looked at Saphron for answers. "What do you think?".
"What do I think? What about…" before Saphron could say what she wanted she hear Jaune and Scáthach speak.
…
"Your magic is a hax, you know that?" said Scáthach. It reminded her of the First True Magic, but different. "However, it still has its limitations. Some limitations are because of you".
"That may be true, but I can still do this," said Jaune. He then sent a bolt of lightning her way. "With Greed, I don't have to think of immensely powerful magic spells since it would increase its power by ten times".
"Touché, Jaune," said Scáthach. Another hax, Jaune's weapon Greed. To amplify magic by tenfold is an insane ability. "However, that is still not enough to beat me".
Scáthach then used Reduced Earth to get in front of Jaune and thrust her spear, but thanks to her training, he was quite good at anticipating his opponents attack and could turn Greed into its Shield Form and block Scáthach's strike whilst reflecting the kinetic energy back at her two-folds.
"Truly a hax weapon," said Scáthach. "If I was to use Gae Bolg's power, you could block it with your shield, gather the energy from it and reflect it back at me with double the power".
"Hey, you have that hax ability Wisdom of Dun Scáith which allows you to use abilities of all kinds as long as it isn't exclusive to a single hero, right?" said Jaune. He remembered Scáthach telling him that. "If you ask me, that is more of a hax than Greed".
"You benefitted from it, did you not?" asked Scáthach. She used her Wisdom of Dun Scáith to impart abilities to Jaune like Battle Continuation, Valor, Riding, Instinct, Charisma, Eternal Arms Mastery, etc. "I didn't see you complaining back then".
"Well, yes. Back then you were teaching me, not trying to skewer me with it," said Jaune. This kind of banter between him and Scáthach happens a lot. "You know, when I leave, I will miss this banter between us… Oh! Wait, I will win the bet and show you I can get you out of here".
"I can say the same to you, Jaune," said Scáthach. In a long time, Jaune was the one she has interacted with. She will miss him. "But like I said, it would be impossible".
"We'll see," said Jaune. He then smiled at her. "I was once able to do something people said was impossible to achieve. Yet, I could achieve it. You can never know the outcome unless you try it".
The fight continued to rage on.
…
"Oh, Oum! It is magic!" said Terra She then looked at Saphron. "How in the world did Jaune get his hand on magic?!".
"I have… I have no clue," said Saphron. She thought back, but she never saw Jaune exhibit such abilities. "Maybe we should ask him when he comes back".
Saphron and Terra then jumped as they heard a voice coming from the mirror.
"Or you can ask me," said OTG. This is the first time he would reveal himself to someone else besides Jaune in this manner. "After all, I was the one that gave Jaune that ability".
"W-Who are you?!" said Saphron. Getting scared of something speaking through a mirror was normal. "A-And what do you mean you gave that ability to Jaune?".
"First, please calm down, I mean you both no harm," said OTG. "You should have heard about me from Jaune before. I am known as OTG".
"OTG? Wait… Are you the one that has been giving Jaune the gifts every year?" asked Saphron. She remembered her mother speaking to her dad about OTG and gifts. "OTG were the initials written in each of the delivery".
"It is I," said OTG. "Anyway, I heard you wanted to know how Jaune was doing. So, I set up the Tv to show you his progress".
"That was you?" asked Terra. The ball of light then nodded. "By the way, I have heard of the Land of Darkness before, but I have never heard of the place called the Land of Shadows. Where on Remnant is it?".
"Ha-ha-ha! There is no such place on Remnant," said OTG. There was no reason to hide where Jaune is to Saphron and Terra. "He is in a different world. You have heard of the Multiverse, yes?".
"It's real!" said Terra. Of course, she has heard of it. No respectable gamer wouldn't know. "But how did Jaune travel to another world?".
"First, Jaune did not travel to that world on his own, I sent him there as Scáthach can help Jaune with his training, while he can help Scáthach with her issue," said OTG. He then continued. "Second, I gave Jaune the ability to travel to other worlds. You know the tattoo on the back of his right hand? That allows him to travel to other worlds".
"Huh?" said Saphron. "How are you able to give Jaune such abilities?".
"Do you know what OTG stand for?" asked OTG. Saphron and Terra shook their heads. "It stands for One True God. I am the crème de la crème amongst Gods, there is no one above me".
Saphron and Terra were shocked. The ball of light in front of them is a God?!
"Enough about me. Let us continue to watch Jaune in action," said OTG.
"Wait! Wait! Wait! What did you mean Jaune can help that woman? What did you mean?" asked Saphron. She felt that this was a very important question. "Is something going on between Jaune and that woman?".
"Nothing of the sorts," said OTG. However, as a being that has seen the future, inevitably, he knows what would happen. He then whispered. "At least not now".
…
"By the way, Jaune," said Scáthach. She was curious. "When you first came here, you were at most as strong as a peak human, but now, you have the strength, speed, stamina, and endurance of a Heroic Spirit. How did you do it?".
"Well, my magic is a hax remember?" said Jaune. He then took out a pitch black pill from his storage ring. "This is Pill of Gluttony. When I eat it, I gain the ability to steal the strength, speed, endurance, and stamina of my slain enemies".
"That's amazing and all, but I have never seen you slay anything here," said Scáthach. She watches over the entire Land of Shadows, and she has never seen Jaune fight anyone or anything besides her. "So, what were you using the Pill of Gluttony on?".
"I didn't say I was killing things in the Land of Shadows," said Jaune. He was smirking at her. "Whenever I have free time after training, I head to the work of Ark: Ragnarök. I kill the dangerous creatures there".
"Oh. I see," said Scáthach. Truly, it meant that Jaune could travel to other worlds. Him being in the Land of Shadows was not a one-time thing. "Interesting".
…
As Saphron and Terra were watching Jaune and Scáthach's interaction and fight, Amarilla came to the living room.
"What are you both watching?" asked Amarilla. Saphron wanted to turn off the Tv, but it was too late. "A dog show? I didn't know you both are interested in that".
OTG then sent a message to both Saphron and Terra.
"She can't see what you both can," said OTG.
"That's really cool," said Saphron.
Saphron and Terra, this event should their ability to adapt to crazy things.
"Hey," whispered Terra. "Who do you think would win? Jaune or that woman?".
"I believe in Jaune. So, I think he would win," said Saphron. She then looked at Scáthach. She pouted. The woman was spending time with Jaune and she was jealous. "I want Jaune to come back soon".
"I do too. I don't know, but I have a feeling when watching this fight that Jaune is waiting for something," said Terra. She could kind of see that Jaune was luring Scáthach. "I know little about a proper fight, but I have experience in luring opponents into doing something in a game. Plus, I fell for Jaune's traps multiple times and it looks exactly like what is happening now".
…
Terra was right, Jaune was waiting for Scáthach to make a mistake.
Jaune has never shown Scáthach Tsubame Gaeshi before. He was planning to capitalise that to his advantage.
However, there is an issue.
Scáthach is a ranged fighter, at least when fighting Jaune. She has a habit of hurling her spear at him and carpet bombing him. Therefore, Jaune never had the chance to use his Tsubame Gaeshi.
Fortunately for Jaune, his feints and lure worked.
Scáthach thrust her Gae Bolg at Jaune. This did not bode well for her since Jaune was already in the stance of Tsubame Gaeshi.
Seeing the new stance of Jaune, Scáthach was about to get out of range, but it was too late as she was close enough for Jaune to initiate Tsubame Gaeshi, and once initiated, there was no stopping it.
"Tsubame Gaeshi!" said Jaune.
Three blade arches surrounded Scáthach and struck her in three vital spots.
Jaune and Scáthach's bet had a condition for Scáthach's defeat since she is an immortal. If wounds take more than a dozen seconds to heal, then it is her loss.
Thus, this match is her loss.
…
"What was that?!" said Saphron. It looked like three blades appeared to surround Scáthach. "Was that magic?".
"No, that was a Mystic Sword Technique known as Tsubame Gaeshi," said OTG. "Jaune worked hard to achieve it. Let me tell you, that technique is not something anyone in this world can accomplish".
"That wasn't magic?" asked Saphron. That's weird. "If it isn't magic, then why did it look like Jaune multiplied and hit simultaneously?".
"Because that is the essence of the technique," said OTG. He then explained it to Saphron and Terra. "It starts with a flash from this world, followed by two absolutely simultaneous, over-lapping flashes that disregard the concept of time and space, producing a slash attack that arrives from three different directions by momentarily using the Multi-Dimensional Refraction Phenomenon to transcend speed, dexterity, feints, and many other elements".
"Multi-Dimensional Refraction Phenomenon?" said Terra. This one, she has never heard of before. "What is that?"
"Essentially the ability to create openings into parallel worlds. One can then interact with the 'other side' through this gap," said OTG.
"I don't get it," said Saphron. She was confused. "So, Jaune opens a gap in a parallel world to achieve the three simultaneous strikes?"
"Yes," said OTG.
…
After healing from her wounds, Scáthach congratulated Jaune on his win.
"Congratulations on your win," said Scáthach. When she saw Jaune's stance, she used clairvoyance to see the technique, but all she saw was that she could do nothing. "What was that technique you used?".
"It is called Tsubame Gaeshi," said Jaune. He then smirked at Scáthach. "Well, now that you've lost. Can I try it?".
"This is your hard won bet," said Scáthach. She sighed as she believed he would be disappointed. "Go on, try it".
Jaune nodded at Scáthach and transformed Greed into its Scythe form.
Greed – Second Form – Scythe – Allows for the interaction of non-physical things with the physical, specifically allowing to harm/slice magical spells/constructs, etc, and disrupt them.
However, Jaune didn't want to just disrupt it, but to eradicate it. Hence, he needed the ultimate form of Greed's Scythe form.
Ultimate Technique: "Deadly Inferno" – The blade is infused with a deadly curse that rots away the target's body and prevents regeneration by striking the core of the soul, therefore even capable of killing Immortal beings. Must be used with extreme precision and focus.
Now, Jaune doesn't have to target Scáthach's core soul, but he could so so with the connection instead. He must be careful however, since one wrong move and he could end up killing her instead.
Searching for the core that connects Scáthach to the Land of Shadows was difficult, but Jaune has been searching for it since the moment he had the idea of taking Scáthach outside the Land of Shadows. That would over a few months.
Jaune activated Greed's Ultimate Scythe Form and slashed Scáthach.
"Deadly Inferno!" said Jaune.
Scáthach felt the scythe cut her, but not in the physical world. She felt something inside of her was severed.
With Jaune cutting her connection with the Land of Shadows, she lost her immortality.
Since Scáthach's connection was severed from the Land of Shadows, she is now considered a foreign being that should not be there. The only reason Jaune can stay in the Land of Shadows is because of OTG. He was being masked away from its detection.
The Land of Shadows was now having an earthquake.
"Oh no! I didn't think of this," said Jaune. He didn't know the Land of Shadow would kick Scáthach out. Who would have guessed that? "Quick! Give me your hand!".
Jaune brought out his hand and tried to grab Scáthach's, but it was too late, she was pushed out and transported elsewhere.
"God damn it!" shouted Jaune. He then glowed. "Whoa! What's happening?".
Jaune was transported outside the Land of Shadows as well, but it wasn't its doing.
…
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" shouted Saphron. She had then seen her mother's face. "Just a little excited about the dog show".
"Wow, you really are interested this show," said Amarilla. She has never seen Saphron interest in something this intensely. "I'll leave you both to your own devices".
Amarilla then left.
Saphron then looked at the mirror.
"What happened to Jaune?" asked Saphron. "Is he okay?".
"Worry not, I merely transported him to Scáthach's location," said OTG. "It should be interest what is about to happen".
"Phew! I thought something bad happened to Jaune," said Saphron. She was nervous when he vanished. "You know, if I didn't know better, I think you are being a wing man to Jaune and setting him up with Scáthach.
If OTG could sweat, he would.
"Ahem! Let us continue watching," said OTG. He needed to divert Saphron's attention. "Look, Jaune is about to meet someone".
…
Jaune didn't know where he was. All he could see was a forest. That was all good, but the issue was that it was raining. He couldn't stop that with his magic.
Jaune walked through the forest to find the way out. As he did, he saw a woman in a cloak on the ground. She was dying.
"Hey!" said Jaune. He then ran towards her. He checked to see what was wrong, but he noticed something. However, he ignored it and transformed Greed into its Staff form and heal the woman. "Can you stand?".
The woman looked at Jaune. She stood up and tried to leave, but she fell to the ground.
Jaune knew what was happening. With no one to support her magical energy needs, she was disappearing.
Because of a lack of magical energy, she passed out.
Jaune sighed and carried her.
…
"Another woman," this time it was Terra. She looked at how Jaune carried the woman. "First it was Scáthach, now it's this woman".
Terra wasn't jealous, not at all. It's not like she wanted to be princess carried like the woman in the screen. Not at all.
Terra looked away and had her arms crossed.
OTG was chuckling to himself. They do not know the women that would be in Jaune's life.
But that was a story for another time.