Finally got the fifth chapter out!

I also began watching the new season of RWBY and it is goddam amazing! Won't be spoiling it for anybody reading this right now but it is definitely worth your time to watch. I will be using Jaune's semblance in the show for To Those Who Survived the Fall. I had originally planned to use a different semblance for Jaune, but now I have to go along with the canon now.

Edit note (12/28/19): Edited this chapter for any errors and brushed up on some other stuff. Changed Jaune and Weiss' conversation, showing the beginning of Jaune's crush on the girl.

Today was Jaune's first day in Combat Class and his first day in Magical Practice. He had a few hours before the class actually began. So Jaune decided to grab some breakfast. Maybe he could find Yang, Ruby or somebody he knew so he didn't have to sit alone. Although after the show Jaune put on yesterday; the other students in his class might not let that happen. But it would be less awkward if Jaune brought some friends with him in the event he was swarmed.

Jaune stepped out of the communal dorms and made his way over to the mess hall. The cafeteria at Beacon served the most delectable foods Jaune ever tasted. He never had stews or cuts of meat so absolutely astonishing in his entire life. Jaune's mother's cooking was amazing of course, but the food here gave that a run for its money.

Along the way, he ran into, Ren? Jaune was pretty sure that's what his name was. The raven-haired male sat alone outside the women's dorms with a book. He was probably waiting for the girl he's always following around. Jaune still had his doubts about their relationship being just friends.

"Ren, right," Jaune walked up to where he was sitting. The other boy turned a few more pages before he finally closed the book. Jaune kept his distance, however. The other male was too calm, and it threw off Jaune's vibe.

"Yes," Ren answered in a monotone voice. He was dressed in a set of green and white monk's robes. Well, they weren't really robes-more like a green tunic with white trousers. But they were close enough that Jaune could consider them robes.

"You wanna grab some breakfast? My friends haven't gotten up yet, and we have a few hours until combat class." Jaune leaned against a pillar, waiting for his response. The other boy's expression didn't change or could even be read by Jaune. He met some unemotional people in his lifetime, but this guy took the cake.

"Sure," Ren shrugged his shoulders. "Nora probably won't be up for another hour, and I can't wake her." Ren slipped his book into a satchel and stood up.

The two men walked in silence for a short time as they made their way to the cafeteria. Jaune spent most of the time thinking of a way to start a conversation. It would have been easier if Yang was around since she knew how to break the ice between people.

"So, are you ready for Combat Class today," Jaune asked with a tint of bravado to his voice. He was really excited for a chance to go at it with someone else. So far he mainly focused on monsters and maybe had a sparring match with a guard or a passing mercenary, but Jaune had little experience with fighting people. The draugr didn't count since they are dead.

"It's difficult to be ready for any sort of combat," Ren replied with the same monotone voice. "But I think I've prepared myself enough. What about you?"

This guy is less enthusiastic than Blake. I didn't know that was possible...

Jaune rubbed the side of his neck. "I don't know if Professor Goodwitch will let me spar today after what happened in Port's class." That bite still hurt even after Jaune applied ointment and drank a healing potion. It had healed up enough to where Jaune didn't need to wear a bandage over it, but the wound had yet to close. Maybe it was something in the vampire's fangs that prevented the bite marks from closing?

I should go ask Port about that.

"Professor Goodwitch will most likely let you fight. She isn't one to discriminate over injuries unless it physically prevents you from participating." Jaune wondered if being a meal for a vampire counted as such. "You did make an impression with the professors after killing the vampire as well."

"I think the only reason I was able to kill it was because of my ability," Jaune told the truth. The silver sword helped, but Jaune wasn't able to get the vampire off of him without arclight. "I'm not sure how well my ability will perform against people, however. It works on monsters, and I blinded a guard once."

"Your abilities might just be specialised for fighting monsters," Ren suggested. "We could set up a group training session with our friends to test the limits of each of our abilities." Jaune liked that idea. He could probably con Weiss into joining the group on a more regular basis. "It would serve as good sparring practice as well."

"I'll have to ask Sun and Blake," Jaune reassured Ren of his commitment. "By the way, how do you fight? I've never seen you with a weapon." Jaune so far had seen all of his friends with their weapons. Nora, with her war hammer, and Pyrrha with her spear and shield being the most recent.

"I usually fight with my hands, but I have daggers." Two daggers fell out of Ren's sleeves. Jaune could only speculate on how they managed to stay up there. Probably some sort of clasp that came loose when Ren shook his arms a certain way.

"Do you always carry those around," Jaune asked with a tinge of concern. Sure he always carried a knife or a sword around in Bar, but it was kind of weird for someone to have daggers up their sleeves. A very deadly ace up his sleeve.

"Maybe..."

[A Few Hours Later]

Everybody sat quietly in the combat arena. Professor Goodwitch was checking for attendance, and everybody was afraid to speak. Jaune wasn't feeling too nervous about this class. The adrenaline rush from yesterday was wearing off, and he wanted to see some action. Jaune may have also wanted to see how well his friends performed.

The arena was a sandpit surrounded by wooden bleachers. It was an indoor arena connecting to the main hall, so it wasn't too hard to find. The bleachers sat about twenty feet above the pit and were bordered by a steel railing. It was as if the structure was meant to take some damage. Nothing was too ornate so it wouldn't be too expensive to replace.

Goodwitch finally spoke up. "Today will be our first day of Combat Class. And we shall go over the rules and procedures for the matches." She gestured over to Port, who was standing off to the side. "This class is rudimentary. We will do a short lecture during the beginning, and then we will have several matches during the given time. During each spar, you will abide by a strict set of rules both during and after combat."

Yay, rules!

"First and foremost, a fight is to be between two willing parties. If you violate this rule, I will see to it that you are severely punished. And that means you will be thrown into the ring to serve your punishment with one of the two professors currently present. Second, the match will only begin when I say the word, and not any sooner. If you violate this rule, you know what will happen already."

Jaune snorted. He didn't know why he found that so funny.

"And finally, when an opponent's Aura drops below twenty per cent. You will cease any offensive actions, and you will lower your weapon! This rule is by far the most important. If you do not comply, you will see what an angry sorceress looks like." Glynda pushed up her glasses. Jaune felt somewhat intimidated by that last part. He was pretty sure somebody would break each of these rules in the first two weeks. Jaune just hoped that he wouldn't be on the chopping block. "During Combat Class, any progress made on your level will at best be minimal. I have already cast a spell to prevent actual bodily harm to your person. The most common injuries in this class will be bruises and minor cuts, but I will end the fighting before any life-threatening wounds can occur."

Professor Port stepped up to take over. "Now today for our first lecture. We will discuss the proper way to fight a knight in full heavy armour. The best way to teach you how to fight an armoured opponent is to use a live demonstration."

Port and his fucking demonstrations!

Jaune would be pissed if he were called up again. The last time he was used as a presentation, he was made into a meal for an oversized leech.

"Mr Winchester and Ms Schnee! Would the two of you please come down to the arena."

Thank fucking god!

Jaune could sit back finally and watch something! However, this match would be exciting. Jaune wondered how Weiss would be able to handle a melee fighter without somebody watching her back.

...

Cardin and Weiss stepped down to the centre of the arena. Weiss wore her usual mage robes and donned her rapier on her left side. Cardin wore a full set of dark grey steel plate with gold trim and slung a heavy mace over his shoulder. If their expressions were any indicators, neither of them were pleased with standing next to each other.

"Do the two of you understand the rules I have laid out?" Both students nodded towards Goodwitch. "Good, then you may proceed to the to the opposite ends of the arena."

"Fucking mage," Cardin cursed just before the two could get far enough away from each other. Weiss took obvious offence to it as a frown crept across her face. Jaune wanted to go down there and beat Cardin's ass for that. Weiss didn't do anything to deserve the curse.

Some students shouted for Cardin to win, but most of the crowd kept silent. Jaune also decided to be quiet and watch how the match went. He would definitely cheer for Weiss if she won, however.

Goodwitch scowled at Cardin before pushing up her glasses again. Once the two students were at the opposite sides of the arena, Goodwitch looked to both of the fighters once more. "You may begin."

Cardin rushed forward to close the gap between the two. He was obviously counting on the weakness of mages when it came to their melee abilities. The Knight held his mace diagonally towards the floor so he could attack from the bottom. The blow could easily take Weiss out of the match if she didn't stop him.

Weiss stood still, waiting for Cardin to gain some ground. By the time he reached her, she already anticipated the move and dodged the strike. Cardin's momentum carried him a few more feet before he slid to a halt.

Weiss cast an ice spell and launched it towards Cardin's back. A patch of ice froze most of the Knight's back. Something like that would have stopped most people cold.

Cardin spun around and shattered the ice covering him and made another charge towards Weiss. Throwing all semblance of an actual strategy away preferring to crush his opponent.

Cardin's mace finally found purchase on his opponent, but she had cast Dragon Skin. The Mage caught the club in her hand as the crowd watched in a stupefied gaze.

Jaune saw a smile dance across her face the moment another spell came out of her hand. A blue shockwave slammed into the Knight's chest, throwing him across the room.

Weiss took up the ox guard and dashed forward. Her rapier punctured the right pauldron of Cardin's armour. The Knight attempted to grasp the blade but was withdrawn before he could make the grab.

Cardin stood and swung his mace but found no mage as she had already retreated to the centre of the arena. The Knight charged a third time dodging two fireballs as he gained ground.

Before Cardin could go any farther, Weiss cast her final spell and froze the Knight in place. The icy prison covered all but Cardin's head and upper neck, leaving him at the mercy of the Mage.

She took several steps forward with a confident smile and swiped the flat side of her rapier against Cardin's head.

"OW, you bitch! Stop fighting like a coward," Cardin shouted at the top of his lungs but was met with another strike.

Several students in the crowd shouted insults towards the Mage but were quickly silenced by the Brawler and even Blake stepped up to intimidate their fellow students.

After Cardin's temples were severely bruised and a small streak of blood flowed down the side of his head. Goodwitch called the match and ended the Mage's onslaught. Weiss stopped midswing and broke the spell holding Cardin to the floor.

Holy shit! She's scarier than I thought!

However, after the match ended, Jaune was one of the few who cheered for the Mage. His friends also clapped and congratulated the girl on her win, but the rest of the crowd beside a few mages were silent.

Port broke the silence as he waltzed into the centre of the arena. "Excellent form Ms Schnee!" The Mage nodded and left the stadium. Port shifted his posture to be at ease. "Now the key to fighting knights or any warrior wearing heavy armour is to immobilise them! Knocking them onto their backs or freezing their bodies is an excellent strategy. It also goes for any knight riding a horse. Toppling the rider or the horse, and then going for the soldier when they are down. The main weaknesses in any suit of armour will be the gaps between the joints. Forcing a spear or a sword through them will injure and possibly incapacitate your opponent. Three other places you may want to target would be the eyes, the throat and the crotch." Jaune grabbed something to write with and quickly scribbled all of this down. Ruby and some of the others didn't bother with it, but Jaune would lend them the notes if they needed them. "Do not, however, attempt to break through the armour itself," Port continued. You are more likely to shatter your blades or bludgeoning instrument before any headway is made." Jaune had seen that before. He would sometimes strength test blades by using them on amour.

Weiss sat down next to Jaune since Yang was called down for the second match. She still wore a look of displeasure on her face given the obscenities lobbed at her. Some students even poked fun at the Mage as she made her way back into the crowd.

"Weiss, you alright," Jaune asked concerned with the cloudy look she was sporting. Weiss generally had the resting bitch face look, but Jaune knew that something was up. It was unlike the Mage to be looking down.

"Nothing is wrong. I just lost my composure during the match," Weiss obviously lied. It was so apparent that even Jaune could see it. The Knight wouldn't press too hard for an answer as to not bother Weiss any further.

"You're lying. I've seen at least three of your moods: angry, slightly annoyed and slightly entertained. This one is different." Weiss looked away towards the floor. Jaune obviously struck a nerve. If she clammed up and stopped talking about it, Jaune would try to ask her in the Magical Practice class they shared later today.

She let out a long breath. "What do you know about the social stigma around mages and magic," Weiss asked as she returned to her normal irritable, yet more unenthusiastic tone.

Jaune heard some rumours about the public's opinion of magic users. In Mistral, mages were shunned in most places, and even in Vale mages were ostracised by society. Things got worse as you ventured to the southern frontier of Vale where mages were being burned alive. People were accusing them of witchcraft, or entire towns got together and lynched them.

"Some people think all mages bring bad luck or practice black magic," Jaune answered as he watched the next spar. Yang was beating the shit out of some poor spearman. Jaune tried his best to pay attention to both Weiss and the matches. "And it's going on here as well?"

"Yes, on Atlas, mages are persecuted at large by the public. They are only allowed to practice magic at the Mage's College." Jaune didn't know it was that bad up there. "In Vale, it's not as bad, mainly just insults or glares. But I still don't enjoy being harassed for being a mage."

"So, is that the reason why you yelled at me after Ozpin's speech," Jaune inquired hoping that he could finally get the reasoning behind her outburst. He remembered her mentioning something about wanting her for her name, but beyond that, Jaune left the situation alone.

"No, that was for another matter," she explained with a sigh. "Due to my family's standing in Atlesian society, I am often pursued by those who wish to woo me. Usually, it is knights that have been groomed for their entire lives to take over their family, so I am continually hearing about the feats of the supposedly 'great warriors.' Then those who learn about my Class often view me with disdain. You were one of the few along with your friends who came to treat me as another person." Weiss' right fist balled up hard enough to make her knuckles change colours.

Jaune didn't really know what to say.

He found it to be infuriating that Weiss had to go through such a rough time because of who she was. Jaune didn't care about her Class. Weiss was Weiss. Probably one of the most beautiful and smartest girls he had ever known in his life. A little rough around the edges, but she didn't deserve to be picked on by others.

Jaune felt his heart jump a little thinking about her. Weiss was literally everything he pictured in an angel. Every one of his previous crushes was literally blown out of the water by this girl sitting next to him. With the little things Jaune was finding out about Weiss, he felt his stomach tighten just a little more.

"Uhh, sorry..." Jaune apologised, looking away with a blush creeping on his cheeks. "...for bringing this up. I guess it's hard for you to talk about?"

Also, extremely awkward...

"No," Weiss replied, straightening her posture. "You did nothing wrong... It is good... to talk about these things. Especially with someone who will listen."

"At least we cleared up that little misunderstanding," Jaune continued, chuckling nervously. "I didn't think things were that bad. Kind of sucks to be a mage without someone backing you up? I never saw stuff like this happen to mages back in Bar, so this is all kind of new to me."

"It can," Weiss agreed. "It is why mages often form their own societies. Since it is probably the best way to avoid those close-minded individuals." She fell silent for a few moments. "However, you mention this 'Bar.' I would assume it is a town where mages are protected?"

"Oh, yeah... The Count ordered for them to be protected," Jaune explained. "But the mages did their best to help around, and everybody trusts them now. The Count's daughter is also a mage, so her older brother wouldn't let anybody lay a finger on them. I was friends with both of them before I left for Vale. They usually put on little magic shows for some of the kids around town. "

"I see," Weiss acknowledged. Her lips curled into a slight smile. Jaune felt his heart nearly leap out of his chest.

"That is all for class today children," Goodwitch dismissed the students, bringing Jaune out his trance. He hoped that the professor hadn't noticed him paying more attention to Weiss than to the lecture. "We will reconvene this Thursday for an additional sparring session."

"And remember, stay vigilant!"

...

Jaune and Weiss didn't need to go anywhere for their next class. Goodwitch held her combat and magic class right after each other. The other mages also remained in their seats or moved to the front row. The green-haired Mage shot Jaune several dirty looks as he spoke to his friends.

Goodwitch stepped into the centre of the arena. "I see all of you are here. Today we will begin discussing Passives and the effect they have on the world."

Passives? Jaune had never heard of the term before. His books never made any mention of a Passive and his father never spoke of it either.

"Passives are a phenomenon that comes as a culmination of your person. You will not be able to sense your own Passive, but it can be learned through trial and error. Your Passive may allow you to detect someone's abilities or levels without the other person telling you. For some, it can amplify your strikes with a particular type of weapon or prevent you from using another. Other Passives may be detrimental to one stat, rendering them not being able to defend themselves from an attack adequately, or it could merely bring bad luck onto the person." Jaune rapidly took notes so he could have something to research in the library; which reminded him that he needed to go check that out some time.

"Your Passive can change with your development as a person. A Passive you may have had when you were a toddler will be different today or at least more developed along with your personality. Say if you became a pyromancer, and their Passive may allow for any spell dealing with fire to be more potent than it would typically be if you were a different person. What makes Passives interesting to study is the fact every Passive is unique. No two people have the same Passive. Two Passives can be similar, but there is always a difference between the potency of the manifestation or how many times it manifests itself."

"So you said people could discover their Passive through trial and error," Jaune asked for clarification. He was already putting together a plan to find out what his Passive was. Maybe he had something cool like being able to absorb magic spells?! "What other ways can a person learn about their Passive?"

"That, Mr Arc, would be Professor Ozpin's specialisation. He can look at a person and know what their Passive is... despite his Passive being completely different. The Headmaster will go into greater depth about Passives later in the first year. I am merely introducing the topic as something for each of you to think about." Goodwitch gestured off to the side, and a teacher's aid came out of the locker room.

"Today, some of you might have a chance to figure out what their Passive ability may be. I will teach all of you two spells, an offensive and defensive spell. The offensive spell being a simple fire magic incantation and the defensive spell is a ward. Most of you should at least understand how to cast the fire magic, but many of you are still learning how to use shielding spells." Another aide brought Jaune two books. One had the symbol of the restoration school, and the other held the emblem of the destruction school.

Jaune knew how to cast the fire magic spell. He had lots of practice attempting to activate it with minimal results. Maybe he managed to throw a stream of flames across the room once, but most of the time, he couldn't manage to cause a small flash. It was the same when he tried any electromancy or cryomancy.

He opened up the other book. There were some diagrams of wards and their respective strengths. It was all in the old language used to cast magic. Jaune couldn't remember what it was called, but he could at least read the letters. A scribe taught him how to read it if Jaune's memory served him correctly.

Scutum. The rough translation Jaune could come up with was "Shield." The incantations were often one or two words and sometimes an entire sentence. Mages with extensive experience could cast spells without uttering a single word, and Jaune was not quite there yet.

"Now if all of you could come down to the arena. We can begin practising magic-based combat."

...

Jaune was the first one out of the locker room. He put on all of his gear including the now blood-stained gambeson. He didn't know how much the armour would help him against magic but was better than having nothing.

The rest of the students came in through the locker room. The group of mages Jaune fought with yesterday kept their distance. Weiss sort of stood next to Jaune, but tried her best not to make it look like she was too close. Jaune just stood casually off to the side, not trying to draw attention to himself.

"Now, for this practice session, each of you will split into pairs. Mr Arc and Mr Ao will be up first." Jaune looked over to see the green-haired Mage standing with his group. A scowl ripped across the Mage's face as his eyes and Jaune's met.

"Ohhh, I'm going to enjoy this," the green-haired Mage chuckled and cracked his knuckles. The mages had been giving Jaune looks since he dropped the kid in Ozpin's class. The other boy took a position on the other side of the arena just as Cardin and Weiss did.

"I'm sure I will," Jaune retorted as he brought out Ira Rubrum. Silver was the better weapon for mages. It would nullify the magic user's casting abilities and cut through any flesh spells already activated. However, silver swords are much more delicate and are easily shattered if a blow is landed in the blade's weak point.

The other students hid behind Professor Goodwitch as she cast her own protective barrier. "Kick his ass, Min," a mage yelled out from behind the ward. Goodwitch smacked the kid over the head with her wand and silenced any further outbursts.

Jaune stood still and held his blade out in front of him in the plough guard stance. He hoped to end this fight before the Mage could pull something out of his boot. Mages had a weak defence and constitution stat so only one blow needed to be landed.

Min took the first strike as he launched a lightning bolt out of his right hand. Jaune rolled to the left and prepared for another spell.

"SHIELD," Jaune shouted as an icy spear came at him. The Knight opened his eyes to find a circular white glyph with an ice shard stuck into it.

Holy Shit! I finally figured it out how to do it!

Another ice shard whizzed past his head. "Hey! I'm still learning how to do this!" Jaune dropped the ward and stood up.

"Shut up," Min drawled as he cast another spell.

Jaune rushed forward as another series of ice shards flew past him. He pulled out his shield and charged beneath the cover. Two more spikes pierced the metal carapace as Jaune closed the distance.

Min cast another lightning bolt, and Jaune rolled to the side again. The Knight spun in a circle and threw his shield at the Mage. The guard slammed into the forehead of Jaune's opponent knocking him to the floor.

Before the Mage could fall, he managed to cast a third lightning bolt. This final spell found its mark in Jaune's breastplate and bore a hole through the steel. Jaune felt the full force of the spell and then a burning sensation on his skin.

Jaune steadied himself after he stumbled backwards. He felt his Aura only drop around thirty per cent. It still hurt like hell. And this is the second time he's been in?! First, the vampire and now his less than stellar armour was ruined again.

Jaune sniffed once as a pungent smell crossed his nose. Is something burning? Jaune figured out what was on fire. His jerkin had been set alight by the spell. "Ow-ow-ow-ow! Fuck!" He pulled off his breastplate and the flaming cloth armour.

The plate embedded itself into the sand as Jaune threw it from his body. The other students watched as Jaune stripped down to nothing but his trousers. Several cheeks brightened up when Jaune finally got his armour taken off.

"Put on a shirt, you shameless cad! There are ladies present," Weiss shouted as she stepped out from behind the barrier. Blush firmly in place.

[Vale Merchant's District]

"Yep, I think your armour is busted," Yang pointed out the obvious as she held up Jaune's damaged breastplate. Jaune already made that diagnosis after he knocked out that pompous dickhead. But apparently there needed to be a second opinion.

"Thanks, Yang. I can always count on your invaluable insight," Jaune drawled, taking back his armour.

Jaune, Ruby, and Yang came down to Vale after classes to go exploring and to shop for supplies. Jaune needed to find a forge that could work with enchanted metals. Luckily he was given a lead about some guy named Alexandre. So Jaune brought the sisters along to help him lug the pile of metal he was carrying with him. Of course, he promised a reward for their efforts.

Jaune needed to find a forge because he didn't know how to work with draugr metal. The alloy was too different from any other he had used before. He was sure it had to be corundum mixed with high-carbon steel. He had worked with the steel previously, but the corundom was something entirely foreign to Jaune's understanding of metalworking. The entire process would have been relatively straightforward if not for the alloy.

"So where did you get this metal from? It stinks," Ruby grimaced as she poked at the fine layer of dead tissue on the inside of a chest plate. Jaune had not adequately cleaned the armour he had stolen from the draugr. Actually, it just sat in a vault for the past week gathering dust.

"I took it off some draugr I killed," Jaune told the truth. Ruby's face contorted into an expression of horror mixed with disgust.

"Ew-ew-ew-ew-ew!" Ruby dropped the armour and wiped her hands through some grass. Yang and Jaune started laughing at the Reaper's reaction. His little sisters were the same way whenever they had to touch something disgusting; which is why Jaune was always left with the gross jobs.

"See Ruby, this is why we wear gloves, or you're Jaune and don't feel disgusted by this stuff," Yang advised her little sister as she held up her gloved hand.

"It's true," Jaune chuckled. "After shovelling horse manure for four hours a day for the last five years. I'm pretty sure there is nothing on this planet that could gross me out." Well maybe a few things, but that's a pretty short list. Jaune would no doubt find the nastiest stuff on Remnant and accidentally fall into it, get some in his mouth, or end up being covered in it.

"By the way Jaune, who were we looking for," Yang scratched the back of her head. They were currently standing by the entrance of the large marketplace Jaune passed through before coming to Beacon. Jaune's destination was a few houses down.

"Vale's master smith," Jaune answered. "Alexandre Hepheastoun. He lives somewhere around here." Jaune picked up the armour that Ruby dropped and placed it into a cart. The wagon was filled to the brim with metal and the longswords Jaune planned to sell. He grabbed the wagon and made his way down the street.

They came to the large building where the Master resided. The home was in the Valish style with a connecting shack where the forge was located. However, the smokestack attached to the shop was not venting any smoke.

Are they closed today?

Jaune knocked on the large wooden door. There was no response. Jaune hit a bit harder, and the door cracked open. A tall male with brown hair tied up in a ponytail poked his head out. The man was unkempt and wearing a loose white fencing shirt. He was probably a little older than Jaune was, and smelled like Jaune after a night of drinking.

He yawned and wiped his hand down his face before speaking up. "What time is it?" Jaune couldn't believe the man was serious. This was not what Jaune had in mind when he pictured a master swordsmith in his imagination. He thought masters were supposed to be old and crusty. Well, the Smith was crusty and smelled of debauchery, but he was admittedly not old.

"It's half-past four," Jaune answered. "This is Master Alexandre's shop?" Hopefully, Jaune got the right address. This guy's breath was strong enough that it could be set alight with a match.

"Oh, I may have slept through the whole day. So you three are my first customers..." Hepheastoun welcomed the teens into his shop. Jaune was the first through the door, and the two sisters followed.

"He's kind of hot," Yang whispered to Ruby.

"YANG," Ruby cried out as she tried to hide her face. Jaune felt the same whenever his older sisters said something embarrassing. Running away or covering your ears was the best strategy.

The lower level of the smithy was brilliantly decorated with artefacts and exquisite weaponry. These baubles could only be afforded by someone in the merchant class or above. Low-level adventurers just entering Beacon would have trouble scraping the Lien together, but Jaune managed to gather more money than some students could in their first two years.

Ruby immediately bolted over to a rack holding a golden sword. "He really is a master!" She then took a basket-hilted broadsword in her hands and ran them along the blade as she did with Jaune's.

Alexandre sat on a crate and turned towards Jaune. "So Mate, I've heard rumours about you? You're Jaune Arc, am I correct?" The Master looked to the two swords on his back. "Blonde hair, blue eyes, tall, lanky. Kind of fits the description I've heard about."

"Yeah, what about it?"

"HA! I knew it," The Smith shouted and stood up. Ruby nearly dropped the sword she was inspecting as the man's pitch changed. "People have been talking about you, my friend! Supposedly you killed a strigoi on your first day at Beacon!?"

"It was a mare," Jaune corrected Alexandre. Yang and Ruby were just standing off to the side, watching the two men go at it.

"Mares-strigoi-bandits! There are not many differences! Best when cooked well!" Alexandre laughed. "So what brings you to my humble shop?!"

This guy is more eccentric than Professor Port... Jaune was having a hard time keeping up.

"I need something forged," Jaune began. "I heard you're one of the best with enchanted metals."

"Correction! I am the best!" Alexandre pulled a breastplate out of the pile Ruby, and Yang brought in. "OOooo, draugr metal! I haven't used this in some time! So what'll it be?"

Jaune fumbled a stack of papers he kept in his satchel. He planted the parchment onto a small table sitting in front of Alexandre. Ruby and Yang also came over to take a look. The Master pushed all aside to examine the diagrams.

It was a set of white and gold heavy armour. The chest plate bore the crescent moons of the Arc family. The pauldrons were carved into the shape of an eagle's head with feather engravings resembling the wings running towards the wearer's body. The vambraces and gauntlets were sculpted to echo the same figure with the placed in the back of the hand's guard. The greaves and cuisses mirrored the rest of the motif with wings coming off the front plate of the boots and the leg armour being scaled.

"Jaune... it's beautiful," Ruby drooled over the pieces of paper.

"Ruby, you're drooling again!" Yang saved the parchment before it could be ruined forever.

"But what about the helmet," Alexandre asked, flipping through the pages looking for the missing piece. "I can't seem to find it." The Smith looked up at Jaune with a raised eyebrow.

"I guess I really don't need one," Jaune chuckled nervously scratching the back of his head. "I mean, I need to stay agile and still have my peripheral vision. And a helmet would get in the way."

"THAT WILL NOT DO," Alexandre dramatically raised his voice. "Any armour such as this must have an accompanying helm to go along with it! A cape as well! If I make anything less, it will dishonour my family's name!"

"Sure... but how much will something like this cost me?" Jaune looked over at the two girls he brought with them. Both of them were thrown back by the Smith's dramatic flair.

"Five thousand Lien," Hepheastoun proudly answered. The price was not as bad as Jaune expected given he brought the metal with him. "And I will forge you set of amour no man or monster could sunder!"Alexandre threw open a door leading to an adjacent shop. "Come with me! I shall show you my forge!" Ruby and Yang followed Jaune as the eccentric Smith led them into the next room.

The shop was a masterpiece of engineering. All built around the central anvil and water bath. Jaune's forge had nothing on Alexandre's and even if he spent another twenty-thousand Lien; the Arc Family forge would never compare to this one. He had a forge that uses magicka as its heat source!

"Whoah," Jaune and Ruby's jaws both dropped at the sight. Yang snorted, as both of the teens geeked out.

"Yes, that is the reaction many have when they first see the forge," Alexandre crowed as he cleared off a table. Jaune brought the rest of the gear inside and dropped it onto the wooden slab.

"This is a very high-quality metal," Alexandre began picking up a gauntlet. "The Old Valeans were known for their metallurgy technique. No smith today could possibly recreate the alloy, but a few intrepid adventurers such as yourselves manage to find stockpiles of the metal now and then. Smiths, such as my self-tend to forge amour out of this metal as a way to show off our skills." The gauntlet in Alexandre's hands began glowing cherry red, and he moulded the metal into an ingot. "It also helps when you have an ability specifically meant for forging. It's why I'm the best!"

"That's so cool," Ruby shouted. "Does anybody else have that ability? You could make anything!"

"Everyone in my family is a smith of some kind," Alexandre proudly answered. "But I'm the only one with this ability. I can also quench metal, and grind it too. So I have lots of free time just to sit around and drink all night long."

"So jealous," Yang muttered under her breath. Jaune couldn't help but agree with her.

"But enough about that!" Alexandre eyed the piece of cloth Jaune was carrying. "What else did you bring me?!"

Jaune suddenly remembered the swords he brought with him. He also needed to bring some of the Lien he made from selling them back to share with his team. "How much can I get for these? I lifted them from inside an old armoury."

"Hey," Ruby shouted as she took one of the longswords. "When were you going to tell me about these!"

"Yeah, Jaune," Yang echoed her younger sister. "Why didn't you tell us about the cool stuff?!" The sisters began fighting over the swords while trying to get the best look at them.

Alexandre walked over to Jaune's side. "So this is what you have to deal with every day?" Both men were watching the girls fight over one of the swords.

"I have two sisters just like them," Jaune answered. "You get the whole spectrum with my family."

"Mmmm, yes," Alexandre pondered as he held the first blade up. It was a thin longsword almost in the class of a rapier. Thin runes were etched onto the fuller that glowed bright blue. The guard was carved into the shape of a lion with the pommel resembling the same figure.

Alexandre held the sword in a duelling stance, letting it run vertically as with his posture. The Smith muttered something else, and the blade ignited into a brilliant crimson flame. He then began duelling with an invisible foe as small wisps of the enchantment jumped from the edge.

Once the Smith was sure his foe had been brutally thrashed, he turned to the three heroes. "Yes, I will give you twenty-five hundred Lien for these two blades. And I will have your armour prepared and fitted by the end of next week." He sheathed the blade and ran upstairs to fetch the money presumably.

"So Mr Big Spender, what next," Yang asked as she pulled Ruby off of one of the swords. The Reaper was putting up a fight and didn't want to relinquish the blade. "We need to get out of here before Ruby drools on everything!"

Jaune hadn't actually thought of what to do next. So far he was just improvising on a day to day basis just trying to get through the week. He still had a large pool of Lien at his disposal, and he would eventually give Weiss and Sun their cuts (Blake took one of the longswords already). Maybe he would grab some food with the sisters before they checked out the rest of the marketplace.

"I got your money," Alexandre yelled as he ran back down the stairs tripping on the last step. He quickly recovered as if nothing happened. "Those two blades were quite valuable. Are you sure you wish to sell them?"

Jaune had also taken a blade for himself in exchange for a portion of the jewellery he looted. He had yet to use the new sword and insisted on keeping Crocea Mors and Ira Rubrum around until he could find a scenario where he could test the blade out. But having the other swords would have been a waste if they sat inside of a vault and gathered dust. Alexandre knew his blades, and they would be better kept in his hands.

"Yes, I'm sure," Jaune answered. "If anything, it will keep these two from fighting over them."

"Hey!"

As I had stated in one of my other author notes. I will be taking a short hiatus to finish up college stuff for this year. After the 14th of December, I will have all of the free time I need to get my other chapters out. I may post one for To Those Who Survived the Fall if I have the time, but don't expect anything for the next three to four weeks.

Also, I'm surprised by how quickly Beacon's Number One blew up so quickly. My first fic hasn't even gotten there in eight chapters, but the high school drama got to thirty followers in one chapter.