Whew. It feels like forever since I last released a chapter. I wanted to write up this entire arc before I post it, since I needed to make sure I didn't miss anything. There will also be parts that hint/be relevant to the next arc, so I wanted to make sure it made sense.
Special thanks to Hakumein and masterofbones for reading over and giving me their opinions. Always helpful to get a second look in case I missed something.
Anyway, please enjoy this chapter!
Jaune opens his eyes, squinting only enough to see and slam the scroll's mute button to silence the aggravating alarm. Rolling on the bed, he closes his eyes and attempts to grab his blanket before grasping something warm.
Hrm. I don't remember leaving the heater on.
Begrudgingly, he opens his eyes again to see his red hair partner next to him. Rubbing his eyes, he confirms that the image in front of him is not an illusion.
Hrm. I'm also pretty sure I fell asleep in my own bed yesterday.
Still in a half-asleep daze, he stares into Pyrrha's face.
Now that I stare at her this closely, she has a really soft face. Testing this, he pokes her face, seeing her cheeks compress with his own mental pyon noise effect. She slowly pushes his hand out of the way, before turning to face the other side and muttering, "Five more minutes..."
Aww, that's cute. A few blinks later, the gravity of his situation finally blows his sleepiness away. Pinching his face to ensure he is not dreaming, he rolls off the bed in a panicked mess.
Oh God, it's only the second day with my team, and I already screwed it up! But I'm sure I... Did I really sleep in the wrong bed? Was I that focused on Weiss calling me her friend? Well, as long as no one but me knows, no harm done, right?
Standing up, he can only see Nora standing next to Pyrrha's bed with her scroll in hand and a wide grin on her face.
The two stand in silence, as enough sweat pours down Jaune's face to flood the room. Realizing time is not on his side, he decides to break the tension.
"What's your price?"
"Two weeks of your breakfast pancake portion, and half of whatever Ren makes for you."
Jaune extends his hand and they shake to seal the contract. As if sensing their solidarity, Pyrrha gets up from her bed, rubbing her eyes and giving a sleepy "Good morning," to the two.
"G-good morning!" Remembering how soft her cheeks were, Jaune can barely get the words out before escaping to the bathroom. I'm still way too conscious about this!
Pyrrha gives a puzzled expression to Nora. "I believe classes do not start for another two hours. Why is he in a hurry?"
Nora gives a shrug to feign ignorance, before proceeding to examine her scroll for the pictures of the two's sleeping faces. "I haven't got the slightest idea."
Jaune stares at his breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, and hash browns longingly. He pokes around the eggs and hash browns, separating them from the pancakes. Goodbye, pancakes. You were my beloved comrades, but you must be sacrificed for the greater cause. Eggs and hash browns, please salute your compatriots as I give the eulogy.
Weiss takes the seat across from him, watching as the blonde gawks at his food. "Jaune, are you alright? Is there something on your food?" An expression of genuine concern shows on her face after seeing how ghastly pale his face is.
"I've seen something terrible. A demon. Truly frightful. " His voice is monotone, eyes hollow with despair. Weiss expression changes to puzzled as she waits for an explanation, unable to understand the emptiness in his voice.
A minute passes as Jaune mutters out the words of praise for his pancakes. Putting them aside, he starts eating the scrambled eggs. This is delicious. I feel somewhat better about losing the pancakes now.
"Okay, I'm all right now. Good morning, Weiss. Did you sleep well?" Jaune returns his view to Weiss with his trademark smile, mood no longer in despair.
Disorientated by his sudden change in mood, Weiss gives a slight pause before answering. "Yes, I did. The scenery you showed me last night bought me some peace of mind."
Jaune smile grows. "I'm glad you liked it. The shattered moon always calms me down as well." He glances around. "Where's the rest of your team?"
"I believe Yang is still getting prepared, while Ruby is attempting to negotiate with the cafeteria lady for more cookies." She peers over at the young girl in question, flapping her hands furiously at the cook with a displeased look. "From what I can see, she appears to be having trouble. Blake had questions to ask the faculty about. What about yours?"
"Nora wanted to wait for Ren to wake up, and it seems like Pyrrha is keeping her company until that happens. I'm happy that Nora and Pyrrha are growing to be fast friends."
"Friends…" Weiss repeats the word, pondering about its usage. "Which reminds me, I believe you had trouble in Calculus class yesterday?"
"Gah. You caught that, huh?" Jaune scratches his cheek, giving a troubled smile. "I was home-schooled before I came to Beacon, so I'm lacking in some areas. Why do we need math to be Hunters anyway..."
Weiss answers the rhetorical question. "I believe that Hunters-in-training are not exempt from mandatory education, hence Beacon still teaches the fundamentals. There will be basic instruction until the end of the second year, so unfortunately, your troubles will continue." Jaune groans in frustration. "However, I believe that as f-," Weiss stammers, not used to using the f-word. "Friends, I could assist you in that regard. I will be willing to help you, only if you ask for it nicely!" She adds in that last sentence to hide her willingness to aid him.
Wow, Weiss is nice to offer her help. If that's the case, it'll make classes a lot easier. "Please help me study, Weiss." Unaccustomed to the straightforwardness and sincerity of the request, Weiss can only answer with a "Of course!" before looking away.
Yang shows up behind Jaune and slaps him on the back to get his attention. "Yo, Vomit Boy. What are you two talking about? Got a nice mood going on there." She takes the seat next to him and starts eating her tray of food.
Curses, that nickname stuck! Hiding his anguish over the name, he attempts to deflect attention to the heiress. "Weiss just offered to help me study, since I'm having trouble in the non-Grimm related classes."
Yang raises an eyebrow in surprise. "Really? Weiss-cream offered to help you?" Does she make up names for everyone? "She hasn't offered me anything but 'Hmfs' and not so nice words about my cleanliness. How'd you melt the ice?"
"That's because you have clothes littered everywhere! You have clothes out that you haven't even worn!" Weiss throws her hands up in exasperation.
Yang rolls her eyes at the complaint. "Not everyone is as organized as you. I saw you label pens by days of the week. And don't get me started on your shampoos."
They look annoyed at each other, but their tone doesn't hold any malice. They'll probably get along once they get through troubles living together. "Weiss has been nice to me so far. I know she and Ruby had their troubles, but they appeared to have reached a resolution."
Yang leans over the table and stares into Weiss' face, with a smile that insinuates some deeper motive behind her offer. "Is that so? Weiss, I could use some help with my homework too." Yang says, wiggling her eyebrows out of Jaune's vision.
Weiss swings her head sideways, throwing her hair back, before giving an answer. "Of course! It is only natural that I will help anyone who asks for me."
Seeing the tight-lipped Weiss unwilling to give her any more teasing material, she sits back down and binds her new blonde target by the neck. "You excited for combat class today? I finally get a chance to settle our brawl from way back. Won't catch me by surprise this time." She also lightly punches him in the arm, grinning in anticipation for a chance to fight the boy.
What is with her strength?! I can't get out of this chokehold and that punch hurts like hell!
"Can't...breathe..." Jaune reaches out his hands and opens mouth wide gasping for air. Yang lets him go, allowing him to take in deep breaths. "I do enjoy a good fight, but I feel like ours will be less like a fight and more of a massacre. Our fighting styles clash. I want to face someone with I have more affinity with, like Weiss and Pyrrha, whom I actually can match."
Weiss turns toward him at the mention of her name. "You want to fight Pyrrha? You do realize combat class has a great deal of people watching. Your defeat will be seen by everyone."
She already assumes I'm going to lose? "I know that Pyrrha is supposedly some big champion, right? Then, if I lose, it's expected. If I win, then it's going to be exciting. Either way, it's going to be a fun fight." A sinister smile appears on his face as he anticipates the upcoming fight. "Ufufu... a fight with the strongest... Really gets my blood boiling."
Yang looks at the battle hungry blonde with amusement at the change in demeanor. "Well, look who's eager for a fight. I guess I'll get my turn after Pyrrha wipes the floor with you. Rubes, over here!" Yang waves to Ruby, who comes dashing over and sits next to Weiss. "How did your quest for cookies go?"
"Terrible." Ruby slumps her shoulders at the realization, with a pout on her face. "Apparently cookies are in low supply and will be rationed out. I am thinking about petitioning Ozpin to change this rule."
So Ruby loves cookies, huh? As much as she denies that she's not a kid, she acts like one the more I get to know her. "Ruby, you can get my portion. I'm not a big fan of sweets anyway."
Ruby's eyes light up at the offer. "Really?" She clasps her hand in a pleading fashion, looking up in impatience of his answer.
"Yes, really." Ruby throws her hands up in glee. MUST. RESIST. URGE. TO. PAT. HEAD. She has hit every little sister trope so far. If she ever turns tsundere, then I very well could be living in a dating sim.
"Jaune, why are you staring at my sis so closely? You haven't fallen for her, have you?" The threatening tone Yang gives only strengthens Jaune's resolve in his choice to not fight her.
Right, and an overprotective sister. "No, I just thought I saw something strange on her face. I think it's pretty hard for someone to fall in love only after a few days of meeting them."
"Are you saying that Ruby's not cute enough for you to fall for? That's it, you and I are going to take up that fight before Pyrrha can!" She slams her fists together, ready for a fight.
Jaune blushes before putting his hands out in front of him, shaking his head and hands to deny this. "No, no, Ruby's plenty cute! Adorable, even. But human relationships are so complicated, and what is love anyway, plus..." Before he continues his rambling, he looks to see Yang giving him a playful smile.
"Aww, I'm just messing with you!" Yang grabs Jaune in a hold again, a mischievous smirk on her face. "You are just so fun to tease. You go red as a tomato whenever I do."
Both Weiss and Ruby giggle at the scene in front of them. The ribbing from Yang continues until the rest of Team Juniper arrive and they leave for their morning class.
What the hell do they put in the coffee at this school?
Jaune is sitting alongside his team, trying to follow Doctor Oobleck's movements as he darts around the classroom, taking sips from his mug. I swear he's leaving behind afterimages. The loud scratching of pencil on paper fills the room as everyone attempts to write down the information their teacher is firing away at them.
My hands hurt. Even training doesn't hurt as much as this. He looks next to him to see Pyrrha calmly writing the contents of the lecture, eyes moving just as fast as she writes.
Looks like I need Pyrrha's help with this too. At least this shouldn't be too bad. History is just about pure memorization, right?
Finally, Oobleck takes a pause from his bullet speed talking to ask a question. "Now, which one of you young scholars can tell me what many theorists believe to be the turning point in the third year of the war?"
Oh thank god, I can rest my hand for a bit. It feels like the lead from the pencil bled into my hand as well, for how heavy it feels.
Weiss raises her hand, answering the question after being called on. "The battle at Fort Castle!" Maybe I can ask Weiss for help instead. I don't know if that offer extended to this class as well. It won't hurt to ask? Also, Fort Castle? Also, whoever made that name should be called Captain Repetition of Redundancy.
Oobleck continues with a follow up question. "And, who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagune's forces?"
Well, this one is pretty obvious. Faunus have perfect night vision. Always ends up being a plot point, where the Faunus heroine saves the main character's life because she can see the assailant in the dark.
No one raises their hand to answer. Oobleck looks around for another suitable student, attention stopping at Cardin. "Yes, Cardin, I believe you have family connected to this event. What is the answer?"
I think Cardin's the big muscular guy whose name was called out before ours in the team assignment ceremony. I don't have much of an impression of him outside of that.
Cardin clicks his tongue, clearly displeased that in being called on to answer the question. "Yeah, I have the answer. The Faunus are animals. So that makes them easier to train than actual people and even easier to throw their useless bodies to breakthrough the fort."
The answer freezes Jaune's thoughts, unable to keep up with the derogatory answer Cardin just gave. He breaks from his trance when he hears a crack next to him as Pyrrha snaps her pencil in half in anger. Looking around, he can see many of his Faunus classmates shrink into their seats, clearly disturbed by the response. Even the more disturbing is that he can see several classmates nod in agreement, some of which includes Cardin's team. Weiss appears to have a conflicted expression on her face, while Blake only twitches slightly at the words, as if she has heard them many times before. Yang looks ready to jump out and punch Cardin, as Ruby struggles to restrain her and calm her down.
That son of a bitch... How the hell can he claim that Faunus are any less human than we are? That... that...
The thought brings forth a repressed memory into his mind. An elderly man wearing a pristine and clean white lab coat. With a large smile, he offers Jaune a hand. The gesture of friendliness sends a wave of nausea through him, spawning desire to slap away the hand. I hate this person. I want to break him. I want to kill him.
He can feel a headache creeping up on to him. Gritting his teeth in both anger and in an endeavor to lessen the pain, he tries to not let the feelings overrun him. After a few moments, both feelings pass and a sigh of relief escapes him. Getting ready to take notes again, he notices he stabbed the pencil through the table, breaking the lead and making a small hole in the wood. He turns to see Pyrrha staring at his face, clearly worried about his behavior.
"I'm fine. We'll talk about this at lunch." Jaune gives her a weak smile. He can see Nora and Ren behind her with an equally worried expression, not even remotely believing his statement. However, knowing that during class is not the best time to discuss this, they concede to talk about it later.
Struggling to control the mood of the room, Doctor Oobleck quickly refutes the boy's answer. "Absolutely wrong. Does anyone else have the correct answer, one verified by facts?"
Pyrrha speaks up. "I do. It's night vision. Many Faunus are known to have nearly-perfect sight in the dark."
Blake raises her hand, and with Oobleck's nod, she adds on to the answer. "General Lagune was inexperienced and made the mistake of trying to ambush the Faunus in their sleep. His massive army was outmatched, and the General was captured. Perhaps if he'd paid attention in class, he wouldn't have been remembered as such a failure."
The malice in her last statement does not go unnoticed by Cardin, who stands up wishing to answer with violence. Oobleck catches this and instructs him to sit back down. "You can see me after class for additional readings, Cardin. Perhaps the facts will clear your judgment. Moving on!"
The sour mood in the classroom does not dissipate even as Oobleck finishes his lecture.
Team Juniper and Team Ruby sit together for lunch, the events of the lecture clearly still fresh in their mind. Everyone looks down at their food, as the glum atmosphere from before still persisting. I want to lift everyone's spirits, but I'm still pretty angry right now. I might just make things worse. He can feel his heart rate rise just thinking about Cardin's behavior in class.
Nora attempts to lighten the mood by telling her dream story of battling Grimm while Ren corrects her, but the details were flying over Jaune's head. Even as she finishes the story, only a few responses of acknowledgement from the others were given. Nora sits down with a tinge of sadness at her failed attempt.
Yang, no longer able to endure the heavy atmosphere, speaks up. "So what the hell was that? I've never seen a bigger bigot than him before. Does anyone want to join me when I sock him in the face?" Everyone's expression worsens at the mention of the bully.
Blake puts her book down and gives her full attention to the question. "Violence won't solve anything. Even if his fear of you stops his insults, that'll only go on as far as the threat continues. If you look away, he'll only return to his previous behavior. Attitude is the problem here." Blake puts her hand on her partner's shoulder, giving her a gentle smile. "But I appreciate your desire to help."
Yang lets out a heavy sigh. "So what? We just let him insult and degrade half the population?" The question hangs in the air as no one has an answer for her.
The person in question comes in with his team, attracting everyone's attention as they roar out in laughter, oblivious of the two's conversation. Jaune can see many of the Faunus that attended the lecture stiffen up as he enters.
Cardin's attention locks onto a Faunus with bunny ears sitting alone. He walks over with a malicious smile on his face. "Hey, bunny. You true to your animal roots and screws anything that moves?" The girl grimaces and stands up to get away, but Cardin's teammates surround her and block her exit. Jaune could feel his teeth grind together trying to contain his anger.
Yang's grip on her fork tightens. Gritting her teeth, she tries to contain the rage in her voice. "That's Velvet. I heard she got held back since the last history professor was an awful racist. Because her Faunus trait is so prominent, I'm sure she gets the worst of it." She starts getting up before Blake and Ruby both grab her shoulder to stop her.
Ruby starts speaking first. "Yang, if you walk over there and try to help her, it's only going to make it worse. The bullies only makes their lives worse if you try to actively protect them." I can tell a bit of sadness from her, like she's speaking from experience.
Blake gives a nod to her leader, pulling Yang back to her seat as she stands up. "I'll inform Miss Goodwitch. I doubt Cardin's stupid enough to try anything if she's here." Blake walks away, looking at her scroll for the Headmistress' contact info.
Looking over, Jaune sees the abuse is escalating. Switching to physical abuse, Cardin grabs Velvet's ears. A yell of pain escapes from her lips as he pulls, and Jaune notices the skin stretch in agony as he pulls even harder. Cardin's final statement causes Jaune's emotions to explode and push past the tipping point. "Maybe you should curse your Faunus parents for giving birth to you. God knows I do."
Jaune stands up. Everyone gives a worried expression to the blonde, but he only gives them a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I won't do anything rash." Ruby tells him to not do anything at all, but the blonde no longer listens to anything around him.
Walking over to the rabbit Faunus, he pushes aside Cardin's team and gives a weak kick to the bully's chest to push him away. He stands in front of Velvet, body blocking her from his vision and protecting her from the antagonizer.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Cardin recovers from the attack, putting his arms up in preparation for a fight. The rest of his team stand behind him, taking similar aggressive positions.
"Oh, I didn't see you there. I was just pushing aside a few pieces of trash. Though, from the looks of it, they still haven't been cleaned up." Jaune gives him a composed smile, hands slack on his sides and stance completely relaxed, provoking the boy to attack him.
The insult rushing the blood to his head, Cardin yells back in indignation. "You little piece of shit!" He throws a punch straight at Jaune's face, but he effortlessly pushes it aside, deflecting the attack. How predictable.
"You punch just like what I thought you were. Garbage. Trash. Compost. Filth. Waste. A misuse of oxygen." The sneer, an unfamiliar expression, can be seen on the defender's face. Cardin throws another punch at him in attempt to silence him, but this time he blocks it and pushes him away. Can't dodge it. Velvet's behind me. Punch is heavy. Muscles aren't for show. "Your parents must feel disgust every time they look at your face, wondering how a human could give birth to absolute shit. Then again, even shit has its uses as fertilizer, so maybe it's better to call you a pebble. Too insignificant to care about, too inconsequential to do anything."
With that, the rest of Cardin's team surround him, ready to join the fight. They all show expressions of loathing and desire to murder him. Cardin gives Jaune a wry smile, confident in his victory. "Not so brave now, are you? I'm going to make sure your body won't even have parts left to be broken to pebbles."
Jaune only gives a shrug at the comment. "What's four pebbles to one?" The smile leaves Cardin's face as he prepares to charge him. Jaune takes a quick glance at the door before a smile returns to his face. "Now, I would like to fight you here, but I don't want to get in trouble with Miss Goodwitch. Neither would you, right?" He points toward the door, and Cardin turns around to see Blake and Glynda both looking towards their direction. Jaune takes Velvet's hand and walks pass him, whispering, "If you want to settle things, fight me in combat class today. I'll be sure to show how minuscule your existence is."
As Velvet and Jaune walks toward back to his team, he gives her a reassuring smile. "Don't feel like you owe me anything. I just can't stand people like him. And, from now on, feel free to hang out with us. I doubt Cardin wants to pick a fight when we're around."
Velvet's face flush red, giving him a small nod and whispering a quiet "Thank you." As they take their seats, he notices the shocked expressions on everyone.
Jaune gives the others a smile shining as bright as the sun. I feel so much better now. "Now, Nora, you said you were talking about Ursa skinned rugs? How the heck does that work?"
"When your Aura drops below twenty percent and into the red,-" Glynda points toward the large monitor behind the combat stage. "That'll signal the end in a tournament style duel, and that the official may call the match. Are there any questions?" She looks over all the first year students; no one raises their hand. "Good. Now, are there any volunteers for our first spar of the year?"
"Yes please!" Jaune stands up, raising his hand high into the air. "I want to take part in a fight."
Glynda looks over at the boy, giving him a nod. "Now, with your skill level, I believe-"
Jaune interrupts the Huntress. "Actually, I have an opponent in mind. Can I fight against the leader of Team Trash?"
Glynda gives a small pause at his answer, not recognizing the team name. "I do not believe there is a Team Trash. Is there anyone else you wish to fight?"
He whacks his forehead in an exaggerated fashion, pretending as if he made a mistake. "Oh, silly me, I meant the leader of Team Cardinal." Jaune hears a roar of anger from the other side of the stands, as well as a "I accept!"
Glynda gives a small frown at the not so subtle insult. "Well, would please Jaune Arc and Cardin Winchester change into their combat gear and come to the stage."
The two run off to the changing rooms on opposite ends of the stage. Jaune could see Cardin's expression worsening, glaring daggers at him. He reacts to the glare with another shrug.
Coming back out, the boys stand on stage ten feet away from each other. Glynda clears her throat in Jaune's direction, trying to imply something wrong with him. He only tilts his head in confusion, not sure what she is referring to.
Glynda looks him up and down before telling him the problem. "Jaune, I believe I asked you to change into your combat gear. You are still wearing your school uniform."
Jaune gives her a smile. "Why would I need armor if I'm not going to get hit?" He makes sure to speak loud enough so that everyone is able to hear. I'm going to humiliate him so much that he'll feel exactly as the Faunus he mistreats do.
This thought triggers a monotone ringing resounding in his head. He tightens the grip on Daybreak.
Glynda looks like she wants to object, but seeing his confidence, refrains. "Very well. At the sound of the buzzer, the fight will begin." She walks off the stage and a loud buzz signals the start of the fight.
Cardin takes no time to charge Jaune. Mace in hand, he swings sideways at the blonde's torso. He steps back at the charge, using this first attack to measure Cardin's effective attack range.
The aggressor does not give up the initiative, and switches to an overhead swing. With more information on the mace's reach, Jaune sidesteps the attack. Still can't get close yet. Both attacks started after stepping with his right foot. Continue reading him. The ringing in his head gains in volume, along with the impending pain of a headache.
"STOP DODGING!" The boy with the mace now starts swinging furiously at the blonde. Jaune continues to dodge and dance around the barrage, facial expression unchanging. Six of seven swings started after moving his right foot. His shoulders telegraph his attack, and his eyes focus on where he's aiming. Read his breathing patterns to follow the rhythm of his attacks. Jaune's headache grows; the strain feels as if his brain exploded and the wound festers. He's an enemy. With that acknowledgement, he feels as if liquid nitrogen washes away the hot hatred in his bloodstream and replaces with a cold nonchalance.
After four more swings, Cardin returns to his overhead swing again. How predictable. Before the mace even reaches the apex of its trajectory, Jaune steps into Cardin's range. He knees the mace user in the abdomen, reinforcing the attack with Aura. Even with armor, the attack knocks the wind out of him, freezing the downward strike.
With his opponent stunned, Jaune knocks the mace out of his hand. It rolls toward the edge of the arena, clanging along the way. Without his weapon, Cardin panics and throws a quick punch at him. Jaune drops to the floor to both elude the attack and counterattack with a sweeping kick.
The impacts knock Cardin down to his knees. He immediately tries to get back up, but Jaune pushes his shoulders down to stand up and to prevent Cardin from standing back up.
Cardin looks up at the blonde's face to see his own reflection in the dark-blue eyes. The facial expression reveals nothing: no anger, hate, or resentment. Staring into the blue eyes, he understands how Jaune regards him.
Apathy. Cardin is confused at the change in attitude after seeing how Jaune has lost his original motive, contempt. Now, Jaune only sees him as an obstacle. Whether it is Cardin or a rock is irrelevant; all that matters is it is in his way. Anxiety runs through him as he tries to break free from the grip.
A few moments pass as Cardin struggles, but the hands binding him do not loosen. Realizing the futility of the endeavor, he gives up. Jaune, in return, also relaxes his grasp, and walks toward the mace.
The entire classroom is silent. Jaune does not notice the stares his classmates give him, nor does he see how intense and distant his face appears. Tap. Tap. Tap. The boy's steps are the only sounds that reverberate through the arena.
Picking up the fallen weapon, he tosses it back to the boy on his knees. The mental ringing noise bears down on his thoughts, obstructing his ability to think.
I can still defeat him. No, eliminate.
Jaune walks back toward Cardin. The image of the elderly man in the white lab coat comes into his vision and overlaps with Cardin, almost as if they were the same person. Eliminate.
Flashes of light and collision pop up in his vision, before he realizes he disarmed Cardin again, pushing the boy on his knees once more.
He repeats the motions. Tap. Tap. Tap. Walk over. Return the weapon. Disarm. Force him to his knees. Eliminate.
Jaune loses count of how many times this scene replays. Each time the other voice speaks and he resists, the ringing intensifies and the headache worsens. Eliminate. Each time the mace clanks as it hits the arena, the pain grows. Eliminate. Each time he sees Cardin on his knees, the pain grows. Eliminate.
This mental anguish finally causes him surrender to the command. Static fills his vision as he he brings his sword up to strike at the kneeling boy. Eliminate. The sword inches closer. Eliminate.The sword comes down. Eliminate. The sword pierces, and fills his vision with blood.
"JAUNE ARC. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Glynda yells out at him, with riding crop out. He looks at his sword glowing in a white Aura, inches away from puncturing Cardin's throat. The static and ringing clears from his head. He lets go of his weapon in horror.
"Cardin has given his intent to surrender. Any attacks after will be a violation of the symbol that a Huntsmen represents. This is a spar, Jaune. Do not bring your personal grudges into this." Glynda has a disapproving frown, looking at the boy who fought so mercilessly. "And Cardin, please improve on your attacks. You telegraph too much, as well as not taking a defensive posture when needed. I understand it is difficult to duel with a mace; perhaps some weapon improvements are in order."
Jaune looks up to the stands. All the student's faces are an expression of shock at the brutality of the fight. Looking at his team and Team Ruby, he could see a similar expression.
Unable to withstand the sight, he runs off the stage and out of the classroom.
Pyrrha has only known Jaune for a few days, but there were a few characteristics she has found out about her partner. He likes to talk and act in an exaggerated manner. He likes to speak about his master, often times with a look of reverence and melancholy. He treats everyone in a similar fashion, without regard for status or titles. But the most important thing is Jaune does very little to hide his emotions, letting those around him to easily comprehend his feelings.
This is why she is the first person to notice something wrong with his fight with Cardin. The blonde's characteristic smile gone, his eyes are vacant and there is no drive behind his movements. She recalls the fight with the Ursa and Deathstalker; both occurrences, his facial expression changed to display a myriad of emotions, even smiling at the thrill of the fight.
"This is strange." Pyrrha speaks up about her observation. "Jaune's fighting style may be calculating, but that does not mean he fights with complete apathy. This is out of character."
Yang is the first one to agree. "Yeah. Just this morning, he was talking about how exciting it would be to fight someone today. But this…" She trails off as Jaune, with a rigid expression, knocks the mace away from Cardin again.
Ruby watches the scene with uneasy as Jaune walks toward the mace, his features clear to the audience. His movements are mechanical; they appear as if someone is telling him how to behave as opposed to Jaune deciding how to act. "Shouldn't Miss Goodwitch call off the fight? Jaune is clearly the stronger one here."
Ren gives his interpretation. "Miss Goodwitch is most likely aware of Cardin's bullying tendencies. Perhaps she believes this fight will be a humbling experience for him."
Pyrrha looks at the person of interest again. He has disarmed and knocked Cardin down several times now, and each time Cardin's expression deteriorates to show his frustration. After the fifth time, he concedes and asks Glynda to end the match.
Glynda activates the buzzer, signaling the end of the fight. As she walks up to call the fight, Jaune brings his sword up and initiates a stab at Cardin's throat.
"Wha?" Everyone's expression changes to one of shock. Glynda activates her semblance, stopping the blade from piercing Cardin's throat and calling out toward Jaune. His eyes open wide as he realizes what he was about to do. Jaune glances at the friends he's made in the last few days. Their expressions cause a flood of dread through him. Dropping the sword, he runs out of the classroom.
"I have to talk to him." Pyrrha stands up in preparation to chase her partner.
Nora grabs her shoulder to stop her. "Stop. We'll hurt him if we try to help without knowing anything. Give him some time, and we'll ask Glynda about what happened." Ren nods in agreement.
"Yeah. I feel marginally bad for Cardin, but I'm more worried about Jaune right now. It's hard to explain, but it didn't feel like Jaune there." Ruby expresses her concern, and Pyrrha can see Weiss give a slight nod.
They unwillingly sit and watch the rest of the fights anxiously, waiting for class to end to have a chance to talk to Glynda.
And that's the chapter! I already wrote most of part two, so expect it soon (probably in the next two or three days). Hope everyone liked this chapter, especially the fight. I had to change a lot of things aorund for that.
Mithos out.