AN: A shorter chapter that adds a bit of exposition, lore, and the last step up for the current mini-arc. That could be a pun. That's cool—big news at the end.
Chapter 6: The Small Bubbles of Information
On calm waters stood several statues of great warriors. Each stood heroically, towering over the figure that sat in the middle of them. Beneath the water were currents that whipped different items around. An arming sword and papers swam by with aggression. Next came a kite shield, and photos of people of similar features followed lazily. Finally, a white armored hoodie tried to reach the surface but was swallowed by a purple cape.
A stray cloud appeared in the distance in the being's vision. They reached out and were assaulted by a raging storm. The statues were now looking down at them with disappointment. Then the liquid under the person transformed into the very objects under them. Any sound from the being was muffled by itself. They tried and tried as they might but could not remove their hands. A copy rose and started to push them under the raging water.
In the distance, bombs went off simultaneously. They did not care for their brethren, who were still finishing their dance of destruction. The figure couldn't breathe. They couldn't move. They couldn't see. They couldn't do it, and then they awakened.
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Jaune rose with a start, all covered in sweat. He looked to his side and saw it was 6:30 am. He groaned into his hands and shut the alarm clock off with a quick strike. Jaune rose begrudgingly and entered the shower. A quick wash and dress-down got him out of his dorm. He headed towards the staff room with a brisk pace and a long sigh. A glance at his scroll revealed different messages from Professor Goodwitch.
Some messages about making sure Bartholomew had everything for class. One about his reveal to the first-year students. He scrolled on and on to see his schedule and then found a personal message from Ozpin. He opened it and sighed. He wanted another chess match at the end of the day. Jaune could swear he was just trying to escape paperwork, but if this could get him out of training today. He would take it.
He stashed his scroll away and entered the staff room to be greeted by Bartholomew, Peter, Professor Goodwitch, Ozpin, and two new faces. "Ah, Jaune, nice to see that you're up. Did you get my message about our training later this afternoon?" The Headmaster questioned.
"Yeah," he said as he moved to grab breakfast and took a seat next to Peter. He eyed the new faces up and down with curiosity. They both looked like doctors with their lab coats adorning their person. However, their similarities stop there, as one was significantly shorter than her counterpart. It also helped that the taller one was a faunus with a fox tail.
"See something you like?" The taller one asked.
"S-sorry, I just never seen you two, so I was just wondering who you two were," Jaune said as he tried to find another talking point. She laughed, and the shorter seemed to cower.
"It's fine," the fox tail swished behind the woman, "I'm Tsune. The head doctor in Beacon and this cute little button," she motioned to the shorter person. "Is Thumbelina Peach. She teaches dust and botany. Nice to meet you, Mister Secretary," she held out a hand for him to take, and he did.
Jaune took in Tsune's appearance in full. She was the spitting image of a doctor in a hospital. On closer inspection, he could see needles full of unknown substances on the inside of her coat. "Nice to meet you. I'm Jaune Arc."
"And he has manners as well," she leaned back and gasped. "You're a gentleman and a looker. Seems like we got a catch." Jaune blushed at the praise. Tsune looked over to Peach, then nudged her, "Come on now, Peach. Don't let the younger generation out do you."
"I'm Thumbenlina Peach," she took off her rubber gloves and held out her hand, "You can call me Thumbenlina or Peach."
"You can just call me Jaune then."
"Aww, and you can call me Tsune or Big sis Tsune," she said as she reached across and ruffled his hair.
"Tsune, have a little more professionalism," Glynda added as she sipped her tea.
"Aw, come on, Glyn. You have to have a little fun. Besides, he puts in the same hard work we all do on top of training." Tsune turned to Jaune. "I know me and Peach were absent on the first day of school, so thank you for helping set the last-minute things up."
Jaune scratched the back of his head. "It was no problem. I was happy too." He yawned to the point that it brought everyone's eyes to him. Tsune leaned in to get a closer look at Jaune and Peter turned to face the boy.
"Those are some bags you have, Jaune. And it's only the second day of school. Did you get enough sleep?" She asked.
"Yeah, just a restless night of sleep, that's all," he said, waving off their concern.
"You must get enough sleep to continue your training and aid us. You can't grow without enough sleep," Glynda chided. Jaune chuckled nervously. Tsune, however, chuckled mischievously.
"And here I thought you didn't play favorites, Glyn," Tsune said playfully, her tail waging back and forth.
"I don't. I just don't want a training accident to happen because he didn't get enough sleep," Glynda said matter-of-factly.
"Yes, favorites or not, she is correct, Jaune," Bart said as he pushed up his glasses. "You can skip my class if you wish to catch up on sleep." Jaune scratched the back of his and considered the idea.
"I just might take you up on that. Oh, and I have your homework done for you. Also, I already have your printer running for your lesson." Jaune replied
"Really? When did you have time for that?"
"I did it last night."
"While I appreciate your thoughtfulness and completing my other task for you. You shouldn't sacrifice your sleep for it. You'll have extra homework if I see you in class today." Jaune nodded his head in thanks.
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Glynda scratched across another form of paperwork. She pulled another one down from her stack and started to read the paper. A knock at the door pulled her from her item of focus. The door opened, and Jaune entered. "Is something the matter, Mr. Arc?" Glynda asked with a sigh as she went back to work.
"Oh, I was just looking for something to do." Glynda looked up from her paperwork and raised an eyebrow. "It's just that I wasn't doing anything since I was dismissed today, which is kinda pathetic since it's the second day of school. I thought you would have something for me to do." Glynda looked the boy in the eye and took off her glasses.
She polished the spectacles with a handkerchief and took him in. "Well, I suppose we can continue your training since you take this seriously. However, rest is just as important. Don't you forget that," Glynda said pointedly. Jaune nodded in agreement and waited for her instruction. "Now, do you remember what I told you about the difference between your aura usage and a first year's?"
"Yeah, they use their aura more efficiently. While I just use it willy-nilly. Someone with a pool smaller than mine could outlast me in a race."
Glynda signed another paper and put it into another stack. "Correct, let's expand on that idea and go into a little more depth." Glynda heard shifting from the other side room and saw Jaune pulling out a notepad. A slight quirk of the corner lips revealed a small simile. It made her happy to have such a student. "A person's aura pool can never expand in size. For example, Mister Lie aura's pool is the smallest out of your team." Jaune nodded along. "You have the greatest amount, but he fixes his shortcomings for his practice in regeneration of Aura." Another paper was sent into the completed pile.
"His pool is the size of - for example - a gallon. He can refill that gallon faster than you would be able to refill your six gallons." Jaune blanched. "A hunter can focus on different functions to get those results. I would imagine Miss Xiao Long has focused on the cloak that protects all of us. At the same time, Miss Schnee has focused on projecting her aura outward. Some are better than others at one thing simply because it would make sense for them to do so."
"Oh," Jaune looked down at his notepad, "So you don't think I'll be able to catch up in that regard?" Glynda looked up to address the child.
"No, not in the short period Ozpin wants you at for some reason. It doesn't mean you won't be able to fight the first years. You'll be capable of fighting the weakest first year with a 30/60 chance. This would be incredible if you can reach that point in a year." Jaune was discouraged, and Glynda could see that. All the teachers could see it considering he would at least add one self-deprecating remark regarding training.
"Another way to change your odds is to grasp your semblance strongly. Do you remember the general categories for semblances?" Jaune shook his head.
"I don't think I got to that part yet with Ozpin," Jaune said while putting a hand on the back of his head.
"Right, well, I imagine it will be a part of your next lesson, so I don't see the harm in telling you," Glynda put another paper in her completed pile. "Empowerment, which allows a target to become strengthened in some way. Creation, which allows the user to create something out of aura. Control, which allows the user to control the intended target. Transformation, which allows the user to transform their target into something else. Finally, the rarest two are passive and hereditary semblances. Passive is a semblance that constantly works without prompt from the user."
"It spikes and has low points, but it constantly works unless their aura is shattered. Now heredity is even more scarce. They are semblances passed down through the bloodline, ever-changing with each new person. Every semblance can be put into one or more of these categories, but a person can never have more than one. That is a fact."
Jaune sat there after the mini-lecture. She could see him processing the information and making notes on his notepad. For Jaune's shortcomings, Glynda had to admit he was a fast learner. He adsorbed information like a sponge when he applied himself. Not letting anything distract him and asking any question his steel trap could grab.
She could see a little bit of herself within him. An eager student that would apply themself and take the idea of being a hunter with the utmost pride. Pride that she had to break down thanks to her teachers and rebuild into skill. Although that pride never seem to leave her. Jaune, for his part, had his pride in his family.
In his eyes, he had pride in what it meant to be an Arc. Something she and the rest of the staff had to break down and rebuild. "So how can I get my own Semblance?" Jaune asked.
"Overall semblances are made from a need. They usually show themselves through extreme emotional or physical events. However, one can discover it through practice and testing."
"Testing?"
"Yes, testing is the method we'll put you through. Now that's enough of that," Glynda stood up and walked to the door. "If you're so eager to do something, you can help me ensure the final checklist for combat class for the first years." Jaune gave the usual 'yes ma'am' and followed Glynda out the door. He was just a few steps behind.
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Cardin Winchester was disgusted by the staff of Beacon. He was a child from money. He was given some of the greatest help when he was trained. He believed the same could be said for his classmates after years of hard work. They all had the talent, skill, and experience to be at the world's greatest Huntsman academy.
A plethora of people applied to Beacon just to get a shot. From there, a hundred students all came to the initiation just to be weeded out. There were only about 12 teams in the end. They all risked their lives to get here. There was no doubt in his mind that some students almost lost their lives during the trial. So when the blond noodle walked onto the stage and was introduced as a part of the staff, Cardin didn't think anything of it.
In Cardin's personal opinion, he didn't look strong or even knowed how to fight. He was just another civilian that knew his position in life. Then the second part of Professor Goodwitch's announcement came out of her mouth. "Along with his work with the staff, he will be training to be a Huntsman. I expect you all to treat him with the same respect given to your classmates."
Whatever was said after that, Cardin hadn't heard it. How did someone like this blond noodle get a position like that? What would he know about the danger of being a Huntsman? It isn't a side gig. It's a way of life that just can't be picked up by anyone. I don't like this; this upstart thinks he can even catch up.
Cardin wasn't the only one that disliked the prospect of a civilian getting a golden ticket. The other students grumbled and shifted not-so-friendly gazes on Jaune's form. Glynda's eyes narrowed in response to the students, but it seemed to have no effect. Cardin thought something - unfortunate - about the young apprentice. He's going to regret coming to this school.
AN: Exposition, oh exposition, that was something, huh? I'm not done with that lovely subject; there's more to be explained. Also, those categories were something I came up with when doing research about RWBY before even writing. I got a job at Publix. Hells yeah. So having a job, going to school, working on content creation, learning art and Japanese, and taking time for myself, family, and friends. With all of these variables, there is a month-long schedule for the chapters. I would like to shorten the length, but the school must give in first.
So tomorrow there will be another fanfiction about a romance between a witch and a knight. A little bit of comedy and such. And finally, if it's done, on the 18th, another story will come out. It's a balancing act that can be done, and these stories will not stop until they reach the intended ending or life doesn't permit me to finish. RWBY could be done five years from now, and I'll still be doing this if possible.
Why you might ask, because it's fun, and I have goals. Fanfiction is good practice for that. Now the next chapter should be longer, so we'll see. Now, does anyone like to skip to the end of completed fanfics? I do, and I'd probably be done with Forged Destiny and Relic from the Future by now. Also, I've been going back and checking the grammar of the last chapters.
I am fixing them and changing things like how I put Huntswoman instead of Huntresses. Thanks for that - by the way - Victorious 435. As well, I put fanus instead of Faunus. I hate life. I'm going to do a test stream on Monday with the new internet I can pay for now. I'll be streaming the making of new chapters and some Valorant this Monday. The URL is twitch .tv/dragoo_fire but without the spaces. If you like my work, find me on Youtube, Twitch, Twitter, Tiktok, Instagram, and Facebook under Dragoo_Fire.
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Next Chapter: October 16th unless it can come out sooner.