Still Month Seven
We are from near and far.
Collected yet unseen, we are
The inevitable fall of Remnant's enemies
But still
We can't stop from thinking of the weekend
We are remnant!
Joules were not starting a band!
-Joules Arc and Julius Arc "The Daily Life of The Masters"
The month was an exhilarating one. Jaune, Olive, and Magenta were all training together in the course. The two sisters were still in the beginning part. They only started training seriously for a few days. Jaune was still struggling in the middle part. His spatial awareness still needed work, but he was progressing faster than his sisters since after he gave them the scrolls to use, they didn't see the process happening, so they didn't absorb the information as quickly.
"So, did you decide on a fighting style?" Jaune asks his sisters while the three are sitting drinking tea.
"Meh, I'm just going to go for a fist-to-fist style. I'm going to fight in tournaments, not against Grimm," Magenta responds, taking a sip of 'Enertea,' her favorite of Jaune's magic teas.
"Makes sense. I'm still not sure about a fighting style yet," Olive responds, sipping on some 'Claratea,' her favorite.
"Understandable, my fighting style is a simple one-handed sword style," Jaune tells them, sipping on 'Focutivitea' to help him focus on maintaining balance.
"Like the one that Julius Arc used?" Olive asks, having read some more comedic books where Julius was played as the straight man to Joules Arc.
"Yep," Jaune responds, pouring himself more tea.
"Well, I think we've rested enough. Let's get back to training," Magenta says, getting up and activating the course.
"Sometimes I think she likes training more than I do," Jaune says with a smile getting up and speeding past the first section of the training course.
"Hmph, just you wait, Jaune. I'm going to catch up faster than you can say Arc's word," Olive says, rushing into the course.
The three siblings enjoyed their time with each other, Jaune helping Magenta train against a person even if Jaune was two years younger than her. Olive was still unsure of her fighting style but was helped by Jaune and Magenta to be able to handle anything. Jaune trained her with weapons and Magenta in hand-to-hand combat.
"So remind me again why we're talking while training in the course!?" Magenta asks, shouting over the noise of the course.
"It's to help with multitasking and help with your spatial awareness!" Jaune shouts back, still stuck in the middle section.
"That makes sense, but the thing is, what do we talk about?!" Olive asks her mind drawing a blank at conversation, too focused on not getting hit in the face.
"Well, um, has dad said anything about your request!" Jaune asks Magenta.
"He hasn't responded yet. I think he's pushing it off!" Magenta responds.
"That doesn't seem like something dad would do!" Olive interjects.
"That is definitely something he'd do remember. It took him a year before he let me start training, and even then, if I don't meet his standards, I have to stop!" Jaune responds.
"Wait! Wh-" Magenta responds before being hit and taken out of the course.
"Magenta!" Olive yells before exiting the course dodging the planks.
"Magenta!" Jaune says, climbing onto a sandbag and jumping off, exiting the course.
The two rush towards Magenta, finding her already pouring herself a cup of 'Healtea.'
"Relax, I'm fine. Remember magic tea," Magenta tells them, taking a sip from her cup.
"Oh right, hehe," Jaune remembers scratching the back of his head.
"Thank Oum," Olive said, taking deep breaths and calming down.
"More importantly, what do you mean stop training!?" Magenta yells at Jaune.
"Yeah, this is my first time hearing about this!" Olive says, giving Jaune a pointed look.
"Really? You know it's part of the deal between dad and me," Jaune tells them with a sheepish smile.
"Oh yeah, the deal we don't know about, yup, it all makes complete sense now," Magenta responds in a sarcastic tone.
"Oh, did I not explain it," Jaune says, now looking more sheepish if that was possible.
"NO!" Both sisters said at once, making Jaune take a step back.
"Oh, um, so do you want to hear it?" Jaune asks
"Yes!" the sisters reply not as loudly.
"Okay, okay, you don't have to yell," Jaune says, rubbing his ears. "So basically, about seven or so months ago, dad made a deal that I would be allowed to train as much as I wanted for a whole year, and by the end of it, he would test me. If I met his standards, he would take over my training and allow me to become a huntsman," Jaune tells them, pouring himself a cup of tea now that his mouth was dry after such a long sentence.
His two sisters were staring at him wide-eyed, not knowing how to respond to the sudden information dump.
"Well, that's enough of that," Jaune says, finishing his cup of 'Focutivity' and rushing back to the training course.
'He's doing all of this on a slight chance of being allowed to become a huntsman an entire year of his life, and it could all be for nothing,' Olive thought to herself, staring at the back of Jaune's hoodie.
'Heh, I guess Jaune is willing to risk a lot to achieve his dream. Then if that's the case, so will I!' Magenta thought to herself. "Come on. Olive can't let him get too far ahead!" Magenta says, rushing towards the course.
"Yeah, can't let him get a big head too," Olive says, following Magenta.
'Hmm, those three, only one has the essence of an element, yet all three are close to finding the key. I wonder how far they can push each other,' A lonely bird thought to itself before flying off.
Meanwhile, with John and Arturia later at night.
"Honey, it's been almost an entire month, and we've only talked about it a few times. We need to talk about it," Arturia says with a pointed
"I know, but I don't know what to think about it," John responds, pacing around the room.
"What's there to think about? She wants to become a tournament fighter, not a huntress; it's a safer option. I say let her," Arturia reasons.
"That's not what I mean. If I accept, I will have to take over Magenta's training, which means I have to make her stop training with Jaune, and I've seen how they interact. I don't want to take that away," John tells her, now stroking his beard.
"I know, but just because you have to train her doesn't mean you can't let her still train with Jaune and Olive," Arturia reassures him.
"Then there is Olive. She's also training, but if she wanted to be a tournament fighter, then why didn't she ask at the same time as Magenta? This means that she wants to be something else," John says, sitting in the bed.
"I know, but it's her choice. If she wants to be a huntress, the best thing to do is prepare her," Arturia tells him.
"I know, but I just … I just don't want to lose any of them," John says, remembering the friends he lost during the Faunus revolution.
"I know, honey, but it's their lives. The best we can do is ensure their survival. Besides, they are Arcs. It'll take more than just a few Grimm to take them down, and remember, they have teammates to watch over them for us. Just let them be what they want to be," Arturia tells him, her hand on his shoulder comforting him.
"I … just give me time, but I have to continue the deal with Jaune. I gave my word that I wouldn't interfere. Ending it would be interfering. Besides, Jaune would prefer to keep the deal going," John replies, his head down, knowing what to do next.
"Alright, I understand. Good night honey," Arturia says, getting ready for bed.
"Good night, dear," John responds, letting sleep take him.
The rest of that month, the three spent it training. Jaune was sure he had achieved balance internally, but physically he still had a ways to go. Outside of the training course, he was training his fighting style against Olive and helped Magenta with hand-to-hand combat.
Month Eight
With Olive's natural strength, Jaune recommended she get some training weights. Magenta also got some training weights, but not as strong as Olive or Jaune. She had the least weight, only five pounds each.
"Hng, how did you manage to live like this?" Magenta asks, struggling to lift her tired arms.
"Y-yeah, this is tiring," Olive adds, barely moving, being so sore wearing ten-pound weights.
"It's bad now, but when you get used to it, it's not that bad," Jaune reassures them, wearing sixty-pound weights and pouring them some tea to help.
"Still, how did you manage it? I never saw you struggle back when you started," Magenta points out, taking a sip of her 'Healtea' soothing her muscles.
"Yeah, you helped build the course while wearing these weights. How did you do it?" Olive says, also drinking some 'Healtea' for her sore arms.
"I did feel sore, but back then, I wasn't training as hard, so I wasn't as affected, and when I helped build the course, I got the materials and helped put them where they belong. You did most of the heavy lifting," Jaune tells them, drinking his tea.
"I guess that makes sense, but you have two hundred forty pounds in total and act like it's nothing; meanwhile, I only have twenty pounds and can't even walk right," Magenta points out with a deadpan expression.
"How?! Much!?" A voice calls out behind the three.
The three, caught off guard by the loud voice, jump and turn towards the source of the voice. Standing there, they realize it was just their dad, John.
"AH! HOT!"
"IT! BURNS!"
"OH, THE MILD DISCOMFORT!"
"Um, sorry," John says, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
"Dad, don't sneak up on us while we're drinking hot tea!" Olive chastises her father, still feeling burned from her spilled tea.
"Yeah, not only am I covered in hot tea, this stuff isn't exactly easy to wash out!" Magenta adds on, speaking from experience seriously, it's just tea. Why did it take three separate washes to get the stain out!?
"Yeah, that was my last batch of 'Healtea' I'm going to have to buy some more now!" Jaune complains about having spilled both his cup and the teapot.
"Would it be better if I said I have good news?" John asks, not wanting to face the wrath of three Arc children.
"What kind of good news?" Magenta asks in an irritated tone.
"Your mother and I have talked about your request, Magenta," The elder Arc responds in a severe tone.
"Oh really, so then what was the final verdict?" Magenta asks, now more willing to hear what her old man had to say.
'Huh, I would've expected him to drag it on a bit more,' Jaune thinks.
'Wow, that took a while. I wonder how long it'll take for dad to think about my upcoming request,' Olive thinks.
John sighs. "We agree and will allow you to become a tournament fighter on the condition that you remain a tournament fighter. I've seen fighters in the past who left to become hunters. I don't want you to do that. Is that okay with you," he tells them, waiting to see their reactions.
Olive was wide-eyed in shock, Jaune slack-jawed, and Magenta a combination of the two others.
"Is it really that shocking," John asks, a deadpan expression a bit annoyed.
"YES!" All three reply, causing John to take a step back.
"Dad, it took you a year before the idea of me being a hero was acceptable, and even then, I still have four months left before you make your final decision," Jaune tells him, staring at him in the eyes.
"Okay, I get it, but still, I came to inform Magenta of my decision," John says, putting his hands up in a defensive position.
"Awesome, so when do I start!" Magenta responds.
"At the start of the next semester, for now, I have also come here to inform Olive of something," John tells her before turning towards Olive.
"Huh," Olive says, not expecting this.
"We knew you wanted to become a huntress and were waiting for us to give Magenta the okay before asking," John tells her, crossing his arms.
'Oh shit,' Jaune thought.
'Fuck.' Magenta thought.
"Crap… I said that out loud, didn't I," Olive said, not caring for the consequences of the words that came out of her mouth.
"Yes, yes, you did. Let's ignore that I'm here to tell you that I will allow it," John tells her.
"WHAT!" all three yelled at the same time. Causing John to take a step back again.
"Seriously! she hasn't even asked, and you already said yes! Olive Magenta, excuse me, I'm going to go work this off, argh!" Jaune yells before rushing towards the course.
"Well, I think you broke him," Magenta said, staring off at where Jaune went.
"Really!?" Olive asks excitedly.
"Yes, that reminds me. I also have to unlock your Auras now," John said.
"I have to see this," Jaune announced, appearing suddenly beside his father.
"How did you do that!?" Magenta says, looking at Jaune and back towards the course.
"Ninja," was Jaune's only response.
"You get used to it," both Olive and John said at the same time.
"Okay…" Magenta responds to the calmness of the two.
"Now then, Olive, step forward," John says, putting his hand out. Olive, stepping toward her father's open hand, "For it is through legacies that we achieve immortality. Through this, we become heroes and legends risen above all, infinite in distance and unbound by death. I release your soul and by my shoulder protect thee." John repeats a phrase taught to him at a young age, a pale orange-yellow light covering him before transferring over to Olive, causing her to glow white.
"I don't feel any different," Olive says, looking over at herself.
"Yes, well, you don't see any differences early on. It takes plenty of training to learn how to use it," John explained, taking a breath and steadying himself. 'Yep, definitely an Arc,' he thinks, having experienced the amount of Aura she has.
"Well, Jaune, do any of your books or scrolls talk about Aura?" Olive asks Jaune, having read a few books and not remembering if Aura was mentioned.
"None that I've read," Jaune replies, disappointed at the lack of dramatics outside of a bit of light.
"Is it my turn now?" Magenta asks with a cheeky smile.
"Hold on, give me a second," John says, taking a few more breaths.
"Here," Jaune says, giving his dad a cup of tea.
"What is it?" John asks with a raised eyebrow.
"It's 'Enertea.' It should help give you an extra boost," Jaune explains, holding a teapot that wasn't there before.
'Where'd he get that teapot?' John thought, looking down at the cup in his hand.
"Welp bottoms up," John said, drinking the entire cup in one go. "Wow, that acts fast," John exclaims, his left eye twitching slightly.
"Yep, that's why I like it works faster than coffee and tastes better," Jaune says, seeing his dad's reaction.
"Well then, um Magenta, if you're ready," the energized Arc says, Holding out his hand.
"Oh, I'm ready," Magenta responds, walking in front of her father's hand.
"For it is through legacies that we achieve immortality. Through this, we become heroes and legends risen above all, infinite in distance and unbound by death. I release your soul and by my shoulder protect thee." John says the orange-yellow glow surrounds him once more before Magenta begins to glow white.
"I thought that Aura color was unique to a person," Jaune points out, seeing his sisters glow white.
"The Aura color starts as white before turning into a unique color," John tells Jaune' yep, also definitely an Arc,' John thinks after unlocking Magenta's Aura.
"Neat,"
"Huh, you were right, Olive. I don't feel any different," Magenta says.
"Well, I know one way you can abuse this," Jaune says with a devilish smile.
"How?" Olive asks, a bit worried.
"Before you say what I think you are about to say, while Aura can heal and help boost a person's strength, it doesn't help with muscle building as one would expect," John informs the three.
"Oh well, never mind then," Jaune says.
"Hey, wait, what about Jaune won't he get his Aura unlocked?" Magenta asks, pointing at Jaune.
"Oh well, that counts as helping, and dad isn't allowed to help me as part of our deal," Jaune tells her.
"Ah, yes, about our deal," John says, turning towards Jaune, "After seeing the progress you've made in only eight months, it has far surpassed any expectations I had for you. That's not to say I didn't expect much, but I see now you are truly meant to be a huntsman. While I will continue to not interfere in your training, know that when the time ends, I will begin to properly train all three of you to become truly great fighters worthy of the Arc name."
The three were in shock. Even more, Jaune was overwhelmed with joy at the confirmation that his dad truly supported his dream. It was everything he could ever ask for.
"Well, come on, let's go see how far we can push your Aura!" Jaune yelled, grabbing both Olive and Magenta before rushing off to the course.
"Ahh, Jaune!" Olive yelps.
"Ow, Jaune, your grip!" Magenta yelps.
"Let's see how far those three can push each other," John says, sipping on the tea that Jaune left behind, "Mmm, I can see why Jaune likes this stuff," John says, going back inside.
A strange bird was seeing the entire ordeal. 'Hmm, the young Arc is progressing, but when he finds out will he be able to survive,' it thinks before flying off.
Month Nine
The three were excited, with Olive and Magenta having Auras. They were able to recover faster and keep up with Jaune. He was even more motivated by knowing he would become a hero made him want to be even better. With his new burst of motivation, Jaune could get and stay in the third section of the course. Magenta and Olive could get to the second part of the course consistently.
"So tell me, why are we sitting here reading instead of training outside?" Magenta asks, annoyed, holding a book.
"Well, I'm here to ensure that you two research how to use your Aura properly. You two are here for the mentioned research," Jaune tells her, holding a few more books in his arms.
"True, dad said that he wouldn't start teaching us until the start of the new semester," Olive said, not looking away from her book.
"I get that, but this is boring," Magenta complains.
"Training involves balancing out one's mind and body. If you don't know how to fight, you'll never win," Jaune tells her, setting the books down on the coffee table.
"He is right, you know," Olive tells her older sister.
"Ughh, I know, doesn't mean I have to like it," Magenta replies," damn it, I lost my sentence again!" she complains, staring back at the book.
"Here," Jaune says, handing her a cup of tea.
"What kind of tea is it?" Magenta asks with a raised eyebrow.
"It's 'Focutivitea.' I knew you would struggle, so I decided to have some ready," Jaune tells her, a steaming teapot on the table next to the pile of books.
"Thanks," Magenta responds, taking the cup and blowing on it before taking a sip.
"Anytime," Jaune says with a heartwarming smile.
"Hmm, I expected nothing less," a voice calls out from the entrance of the library.
"Oh, hey, dad," Jaune says, looking toward him.
"Sup, old man," Magenta says, not looking up from her book.
"Whatcha doing, dad," Olive says, closing the book before going for another one.
"I came here to sit down and relax for a bit but seeing you all here is a pleasant surprise," John said, smiling at them.
"How come?" Jaune asks before pouring himself a cup of tea.
"Well, I knew that you would've been here, but the fact that you managed to convince Magenta is the surprising part," John says jokingly.
"Hey, I read willingly," Magenta responds in a fake hurt tone.
"Sure you do, sweetie," John says with a smile.
"If you're not here to read, then I suggest you quiet down. Dad, we are trying to read," Olive says, already halfway done with her book.
"Fine, don't mind me. I'll go to the other section," John says, walking away.
The three would spend the rest of the day in the library, Magenta needing to drink multiple cups of 'Focutivitea' to keep reading. The two sisters would concisely learn how to activate their Aura and its uses throughout history. The three would continue to come here throughout the week every other day. The days not in the library were spent practicing how to use Aura.
Still Month Nine
Jaune was at Mystake's tea shop with a few of the older scrolls and books. He was studying and reading more about these ancient Arcs.
"Something on your mind," Mystake asks, setting down a teapot and cup.
"Um yeah, it's been nine months, and in all the stories. The masters only take a few weeks at most to learn spinjitzu. It feels like I'm wasting my time," Jaune says, looking down, unsure what to do.
"I see well. They all had former members of the alliance to teach them you have thought yourself and have made great progress by yourself," Mystake says, trying to cheer him up.
"I know, but it still feels like I should've achieved it already if it was real," Jaune complains, resting his chin on the table.
"Jaune, what is the first thing that a Spinjitzu master is taught?" Mystake asks with a raised eyebrow and a smile.
"Balance?"
"The other thing," Mystake responds with a deadpan expression.
"Oh. Ninja never quit!" Jaune responds, knowing what Mystake was getting at.
"Exactly, now remember that a ninja never quits, so you shouldn't either," Mystake told him, glad to see the young Arc happy again.
'Besides, from what I've seen, you are already close to finding the key in just a few more weeks, and you'll be on your way to unlocking Spinjitzu,' Mystake thinks, seeing a now cheerful Jaune reading about the other masters. 'Hmm, Julius, if you could see your descendant now, what would you think,' Mystake thinks, reminiscing about a former alliance.