Jaune carefully held Crescent Rose in his gloved hands. He inspected the impressive weapon. Little Rose projected herself through the air and swung this monstrosity of a scythe around with plenty of momentum, enhanced by her semblance. Under normal circumstances, she'd be the perfect exterminator against the Grimm. Yet she relied on it too much.

He eyed the jittery girl, ready to jump around as an embodiment of energy, despite how her leg was bandaged. The girl was adorable with how she ran her mouth going on and on about weapons. Many people he knew would be turned off by the talk of guns, but they were civilians. He understood where both parties came from. He didn't agree with how hormonal teenagers were allowed to brandish weapons out in public, but he was technically one of those teens. Yet there was this art pertaining to weapons. Only huntsmen or weapon fanatics could truly understand. The civilized ones at least.

Regardless, he couldn't help but smile whenever he saw a trainee get arrested for pulling out his pistol out in the open. It only took a remark about his girlfriend's obvious infidelity to get him going. His little outburst was apparently still a topic of conversation among the second years, despite how this took place months ago. One of his finest examples of inherent nature since he first arrived in Vale.

"The material isn't of the highest quality, yet with how well it's been taken care of you could fool a professional eye." Jaune held up the heavy rifle-scythe hybrid as he aimed and peered into the scope. The scope was set for a typical distance for a good sniper. Nothing too out of the ordinary. "Though I doubt you're interested in selling this piece."

"Nope!" Ruby erected herself and held a hand against her hip as the other balanced her against a crutch. She was awfully positive despite what had happened. Yang took it hard because it could be related to her ghost or her wound. The embodiment of her fears, basically. Ruby must have a different one. He could tell there was something under that saccharine mask. How could he dig it up though? Yang was the one with the motherly instinct, while he didn't know much about Ruby. "My baby is far too precious for any lien."

"Even if I were to offer you enough lien to buy yourself a few dozen potential replacements?"

"Eh?" She tilted her head. "Come on, as if you have that much."

He did, but it wasn't smart to flash a wad of lien. Or rather, too many wads. She didn't exactly say no to the proposal though.

Ruby was young and she had much to learn, yet it was a refreshing sight to see someone so honest with themselves. Then again, acting too honest was what got you targeted by the wolves known as people.

Yang's weakness revolves around her baby sister. Protective nature over a sibling isn't out of the ordinary. Ruby was training to be a huntress, so she knew the atrocities regarding Grimm, and had the discipline as a sniper. The earlier attempt to awaken her back in initiation didn't work like it did on Yang. He knew she was scared by the whole ordeal, but it wasn't enough.

What could push her then? His immature remarks similar to how he approached Weiss didn't click with Ruby, so he'd have to gauge her reactions to certain questions he'd ask. He already asked how she was with her injuries, but she seemed peppy about it. It wasn't like the fake cheerfulness her sister displayed.

Professor Port agreed with his earlier proposal of partnering up with Ruby for his favor, but Jaune honestly forgot about her injuries. If anything, it'd be more suspicious for him to bring Ruby out into a Grimm-infested forest while she's like this. So he messaged Pyrrha if she wanted to go later. He was waiting for her response, which was fine. It gave him more time to learn about the Little Rose.

"So Ruby, you're here two years early." Ruby's head perked up at that. "I find that quite impressive. How did you manage that anyway, if you don't mind my asking?" According to Roman, she interfered in a robbery which brought her to Professor Goodwitch's attention. Normally, he'd exploit the heck of out of anyone that dared to play the hero in the midst of a crime, but at least Ruby knew how to defend herself. Honestly, pursuing a criminal by yourself without any backup was foolish. Not to mention how the responsibilities of a huntress prioritize civilian safety.

"Yeah!" she blurted. "I was looking around for a magazine, and then I noticed some guys in these tacky suits trying to rob the place. You should've seen me! I was like, hoo-wa, and bam! Shots are fired, I smashed one of the bad guys out the window..."

He tuned out for a bit. So she caused property damage, aggravated her assailants, and potentially put the storekeeper and other potential patrons at the time in danger. If he were the thief in that position, he'd take a hostage. Ruby focused on the enemy rather than her main objective as a potential huntress, and that was the safety of civilians. That was the duty of a hunter though, so why did he care?

"And then the professor came to the rescue and challenged this lady in red. She even managed to block my shots with her bare hands."

Jaune's eyebrow rose. A woman managed to block sniper rounds... sniper rounds, with her bare hands?

"She summoned these explosions and attacked with fireballs. Which is like, a totally awesome semblance-"

"Are you sure it wasn't dust?" he blurted. His breathing hitched. "And could you describe this woman?"

"Eh? Uh, sure. You're better off asking the professor about it if she's willing to talk about it though..." She tapped her chin with a finger as she pondered. "I'm fairly sure it wasn't fire dust. Kind of defeats the purpose of robbing a dust store, if you ask me. It may have been woven into her clothes, like they do in Mistral, but it looked like she was manipulating her attacks via semblance considering her gestures."

Mistral...

He'd have to talk to Roman later.

"That's quite a keen observation, Ruby. I think you have great potential. You'll be a huntress in no time." That had to be one of the easiest lies he'd ever said.

"You really think so...?" she almost whispered. Doubt? "Thanks for that. Oh that reminds me, have you been getting along with Yang very well? I've heard you're her team leader, and I'd like to apologize in advance for any of her antics. Especially the puns. She's my big sister, you see."

She hadn't uttered a single pun, if he recalled.

"There's no need for you to apologize for another's... habits." Jaune pondered on his next words. Maybe he could draw Ruby's attention to Yang, make Yang more vulnerable. "My only concern is how she happened to go out into Vale last night and missed classes today. I'm not sure if she'd back yet. Does she do that often?"

The whole point of this wasn't for an answer he already knew, but to generate concern. Ruby's expression did change.

"No... she doesn't do that often. Now that you mention it, I did see her earlier in a different outfit than usual near the airships."

Jaune hid a small smile as Ruby averted her gaze.


Jaune didn't have many friends. Pyrrha made the assumption the moment Blake first interacted with her. Not that it was a bad thing, she could relate to him in that regard. The two of them spent their first moments in Beacon together, so she didn't have the chance to see him interact with others that much. Although his first meeting with Weiss Schnee said a lot about his personality.

She was initially worried others wouldn't accept his unorthodox behavior, and her fears had grown. She didn't know Blake too well, but she couldn't detect any insincerity behind her words regarding Jaune. He and Weiss didn't get along, that much was clear, but she felt his way of doing things doesn't involve settling matters. And since this was affecting Yang in a negative way, she didn't think he'd directly address the issue to resolve it.

Which was peculiar as well. Ruby described her sister as the embodiment of optimism. The Yang she encountered earlier was reserved, drained of energy, mortified even. She hid it well, much like she did whenever she met a fan of hers.

She smiled, recalling how Jaune didn't care about her status. She thought he was ignorant of it at first, but soon realized he just didn't care, not that it wasn't a bad thing. And beneath the goofy looks he'd always show, was a joker with a good heart. A bit of an immature brat, but adorable nonetheless. Not that it meant much or anything.

She made her way to the changing rooms to fetch her gear. Jaune invited her out to do a favor for Professor Port, which meant some extra credit. Not to mention she'd have some alone time with Jaune. Alone with a boy...

She shook her head and repeated the fact the forest was Grimm-infested, no matter how beautiful the leaves and blades of grass were.

As she adjusted her circlet a bit, she heard some noise. A few loud cracks as laughter echoed. She recognized those voices. She spun her weapon in her hand as she slowly peaked out the door and noticed Jaune and Ruby happily firing at some targets with the monstrosity of a weapon Ruby wielded.


Afraid I'll have to cut it short again. I don't think I'm cut out for a schedule like before. I'll keep updating, but I won't have a definite answer as to when a new chapter will be released. With the virus going on and other obligations I have, it's been a bit difficult to find the time to write.

Before I rant about my political views, I'd like to thank you all for the continued support. I'm really eager to get to my plans for later chapters, but pacing is a thing, and since it exists, I need to make use of it in order to make a good story. Duh.

Some pointed out how Jaune is a Mary Sue in this story. I both agree and disagree after some serious thought.

The plot does revolve around him, but his actions do have an influence on how other characters behave and think. He's not there just to be a self-insert or anything of the sort. You don't see him going at it like rabbits with every girl in the show, obviously. I just liked the concept of Nullification and created a mindset around it. An extreme one, I'll admit, which is the point.

And allow me to be blunt on this one. Jaune is flawed. He'd not perfect. He's quite 'broken', but not beyond repair. The point of his mindset is that he's a hypocrite. I personally don't like semblances, since I think being strong with no special perk is far more admirable in someone. Like Rock Lee or Deku when they first start. So this is somewhat like a satire regarding superpowers, but it does tap into personas and true character.

The definition of a Mary Sue, isn't as broad as any think, but I understand some of the civilized complaints and criticism I've been getting from reviews and PMs. It should be clear that Jaune is not loved by everyone, and he does have traits of a high-functioning sociopath. He's pretending to empathize and act a certain way and even fakes some emotions. He does have emotions though, as shown through his conflicted feelings regarding Pyrrha for one.

Again, Jaune isn't perfect and everything won't go well for him. But anyway, I'd happily debate with anyone regarding this. So long as you keep in mind I'm a human being with feelings, and I don't appreciate unnecessary comments regarding certain topics.

But hey, that's enough rambling from me.

Next chapter... I dunno. April for sure.