Been playing some of the "Dark and Darker" free alpha demo. Not very good at it but had some very amusing scenes. I'm always playing solo because my friends are obsessed with the new Harry Potter game. Last night I jumped down as a fighter into the middle of a ranger and a cleric who were looting a body to try and ambush them. The cleric panicked, healed me by accident because he turned his screen to look at me rather than his teammate, and then the ranger shot a multishot of five arrows at me. One hit, one missed, and the other three went into the cleric's face and killed him. Ranger then then runs away from me into a spike trap and dies. I'm stood there, cooldowns popped, sword not even swung once.

"…"

"I MEANT THAT!"

Loots bodies. Doesn't get to extract because dies to PvE mobs in the next room like a chump.

Fun game, though, if a little rage-inducing at times when playing solo and running into three-stacks. I probably shouldn't play a melee fighter class if I'm going in solo though, so probably more my fault there.


Cover Art: GWBrex

Chapter 32


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Grieving parent calls for Arc to be held "criminally responsible" for dead son

Atlas Times

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Well-wishers camping out at hospitals left disappointed by Arc no show

Vale Daily Tribune

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Mistral issues travel warning against citizens travelling to Atlas – citing instability and growing unrest over riots

The Mistral Review

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Gillian Asturias confirms attendance at Vytal Festival in Vale. "The world will see what Vacuo has to offer," promises radical new mayor of Vacuo.

Vacuo Today

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Misjudged? Famous Arc working under FAUNUS doctor in Beacon Academy. Albain brothers suggest Atlas may have been responsible for prior instances of racism. "They taught him to hate faunus," says Corsac Albain.

Kuo Kuana Express

.


Jaune couldn't stop fidgeting.

He felt itchy all over, tingly, and twitching. Restless. It was like he was high on sugar at all times, brimming with the need to run a mile or work himself to exhaustion. Instead, he moved around the infirmary doing little tasks for Tsune and handing out basic painkillers – and some birth control – to those who came for it. The latter was surprisingly prevalent in Beacon, though he supposed it shouldn't be when you had mixed teams of people as old as twenty-one sharing dorms. Huntsmen and huntresses were in peak physical shape, often running high on adrenaline, and they risked their lives against the Grimm on a regular basis. It wasn't hard to imagine passions getting the best of you when you came back from a close encounter, filled with relief or the fear of what might happen the next time, and saw your teammate or partner looking at you the same way.

The worst part was that the only one who seemed embarrassed about it was him. Girls winked and poked fun at his blushes, and guys laughed awkwardly when they were sent instead. The infirmary at Beacon had an emergency stock of condoms, and a much larger stock of morning-after pills.

"Better they feel comfortable to come to me for these than be forced to give up their education for a poorly timed pregnancy," said Tsune, when he asked. "It's not like they can pop down to the shop for a rubber, either. Though both boy's and girl's changing rooms do have condom machines on the walls."

"In a school?"

"This is really more of a university. You're an adult on reach seventeen in Vale. And let's be honest, a lot of people have fumbled around at younger ages than that. Pretending otherwise is naïve, and a doctor can't afford to be naïve." She paused then, and added, "Well, I suppose I can with you here, but I've been told to try and avoid forcing you to use your Semblance."

And he appreciated it. Elm was off teaching her elective class for the upper two years, and she was apparently pretty damn popular – though it was her who told him that so she might have been exaggerating. There hadn't been any real need for a bodyguard since he got here and Tsune was a huntress herself, so she could defend him if needs be. Fortunately, needs hadn't been.

"We're about done here for the day," said Tsune. "You can head off."

"I'm happy to work longer. I can have some food delivered here."

The faunus hummed. "You've eaten here every day for the past three days. Don't tell me you're afraid of eating in the cafeteria…" He winced, and she sighed. "I thought so. You can't hide away from people forever. Don't you have friends here? A fiancée?"

"I'm not trying to avoid Weiss. It's more… everyone else."

"The longer you avoid them the more of a curiosity you'll become."

He knew she was right on that one but it didn't make it any easier. It wasn't like he hadn't taken the odd walk around Beacon, but he always made sure to do it with Elm, Weiss or Pyrrha, or once with Glynda as well. People who, by their very presence, scared off others. It wasn't sustainable though, and even he was starting to feel antsy being trapped in his rooms for hours on end. It would only get worse if he took it much further.

"Better to face problems early and get them out the way," said Tsune.

Jaune sighed. "I'll go there now then."

/-/

Ruby glanced over as Weiss made an inquisitive sound and checked her scroll. Blake and Yang paused, mildly curious, and then even more so when Weiss' brows rose up her head. "What is it?" asked Yang.

"Jaune wants to know if we're eating in the cafeteria."

"Finally lowering himself to eat with the plebs, eh?"

"It's not like that!" snapped Weiss. "And do you really think my own fiancé would refuse to eat with me?"

Ruby slid a little closer to Weiss to show some silent support, and her partner shot her a pleased smile. Their relationship had been bad when Team RWBY first started. No, bad wasn't enough to describe how they'd been. On the verge of an implosion was closer. In a way, the fallout of the leaked scrolls had made things easier because it forced Team RWBY to confront one another in a way they probably wouldn't have before. Weiss explained not only her conversations with Jaune, but her reasons and her thought process, and then when Blake's secrets came out it made everything more reasonable. They had listened to the calls together, discussed, and gotten over their anger, and then there had been healing.

She liked to think she and Weiss had gotten closer as a result, and it was definitely the case because Weiss even confided in her nowadays. Nothing too extreme, but anything was good. One thing Ruby had noticed was that her partner was staunchly defensive of her fiancé. Which made perfect sense, obviously. Weiss loved Jaune. That was how these things worked. Ruby was sure her dad would have knocked anyone who insulted her mom clean on their butts.

Yang recognised that too and couldn't help but poke Weiss. It was what Yang did, even if Ruby dearly wished she wouldn't. Weiss took it way too personally, and it didn't feel fair to talk about someone behind their backs.

Especially not when that someone was the biggest hero on Remnant!

Ruby loved huntresses and huntsmen. Of course she did. Her mom – best mom ever – had been a huntress, and her dad was too. They saved lives and protected people from the Grimm, but everyone also knew that doctors and firefighters were heroes too. That was a given, but it was more out of a polite and respectful kind of thinking. Jaune Arc, though. He was a hero – like a proper hero. A superhero. He would walk into a hospital and walk out having saved eighteen lives. Always eighteen, which she fully trusted was all his aura could manage. He'd do that twice a day. Thirty-six people saved every day.

Even the strongest huntsmen couldn't bast those numbers. Not that any huntsmen wanted to be on call that long either, because it would wear you out and it'd mean Remnant was in a really bad state if a village was attacked every single day.

"We should eat with him," said Ruby, hoping she didn't sound too excited.

"Maybe I should go…" whispered Blake. Yang hooked an arm through hers and kept her close.

"Nope. This issue is never going to sort itself out if you keep running away. If Weiss is teamed with you then her boyfriend is just going to have to get used to you."

"Fiancé," corrected Weiss.

"Same difference. Does it matter?"

"Yes, it does." Weiss shoved her ring finger in Yang's face. "We are engaged to be married. Respect that. Now, come on. We need to claim a table and be there for when he arrives. This is a perfect chance for you all to get to know him better."

Ruby would have squealed if she wasn't sure it would make her look stupid. Weiss wanted them to get to know Jaune because Team RWBY was going to be a big part of Weiss' life. Teams were like families, and that meant it was impera… impera… That meant it was really flipping important she, as Weiss' partner, got along with Jaune Arc. Stay calm. Stay calm. Be cool. Be the coolest you can be.

Damn it, where was Crescent Rose? How could she be cool without her weapon?

The cafeteria was pretty busy already. A low hum of conversation travelled and it was hard to hear your own thoughts. They grabbed their trays and meals and found a spot by the windows, and Weiss and Ruby intentionally sat a little apart, saving a spot on one of the benches for a fifth member to sit between them.

"Chill, Rubes," said Yang. "You're practically shaking."

"I want to make a good impression on Weiss' fiancé!"

"I'm sure Jaune will be more than fine with you if you act yourself," said Weiss, not displeased at her partner's minor fangirling. Ruby had been afraid Weiss might take her interest in him as a threat or competition, but she hadn't. Weiss was cool like that. In fact, Weiss seemed to like how much Ruby admired her fiancé. She could probably tell there weren't any romantic undertones to it.

Ruby gasped as she spotted him in the doorway. "There he is!" she hissed.

Weiss chuckled and stood, raised a hand and waved him over. She didn't shout – not Weiss Schnee of all people – but he saw her all the same and made his way over, walking past the tail-ends of the benches and tables. As he did, a pall fell over the cafeteria. It was shocking how fast it happened. Conversations quietened, and then became silent, and the clink of plate and cutlery and the odd scrape of a chair became deafening. As he drew closer, Ruby shrank back, uncomfortably aware of how many eyes were on them. On her as well, even though she ate here every day.

"W-What's going on…?"

"Ignore it," whispered Weiss. "This is normal for us." Her voice rose as Jaune drew near, and she smiled and took his hand, leading him in to sit between her and Ruby. "I'm glad you chose to eat with us today. I've missed spending time with you."

"Same." He wasn't as formal talking as Weiss. "Sorry for making a scene…"

"They're the ones making it," said Weiss, voice raised high enough that Ruby was almost sure it was directed at everyone else in the cafeteria. She cringed, but the worst part was that it didn't change anything. No one looked even remotely embarrassed for being called out like that. "I got you some food," said Weiss. "I hope you'll forgive but I had the feeling you wouldn't want to stand up there and be gawked at."

"Your feeling is spot on. Thanks, Weiss."

"It's not the cuisine we're used to-"

"The cuisine you're used to. I still eat my mom's cooking. This is fine."

Weiss huffed. "The fact you think this is fine horrifies me. We'll have a team of dedicated chefs when we're married, and then you'll see what real food is."

Ruby felt awkward. It wasn't just the way everyone was silent and listening in on them – really blatantly, too! – but it also felt like Weiss and Jaune were in their own little world. Though maybe that was her fault as well. Weiss was just keeping the conversation going because no one else was chipping in. Ruby gulped and took a deep breath. Say something. Anything.

"H-Hi!" yelped Ruby.

ARGHHHHH!

"Hi again," said Jaune, smiling oh so patiently at her. He was too nice. "Ruby, right? I'm glad to see I haven't had to patch you up at the infirmary."

"N-Nope. I'm all good. M-My Semblance is to move really fast so I can avoid a lot of people." Her eyes slid past him to Weiss, who nodded happily. Right. Okay. Talk. "H-How have things been in Beacon so far? Do you like it here?"

"It's been good. Not as much work as I imagined but at last I haven't been hounded by paparazzi."

As if to make a mockery of that statement there was an audible click-click as a scroll took a photo. It was deafening. Jaune kept smiling, but his eyes were closed, and Weiss had a hand up to her forehead. Ruby didn't know what to say, or if they shouldn't just pretend it hadn't happened. She had never been good as the centre of attention and she and her team were now being stared at by everyone. Her feet fidgeted beneath the table and she wished she could sink under it to hide. Worse yet, she felt embarrassed on his behalf as well.

"Does this always happen?" asked Yang.

He nodded. "Yes. Always."

"We should eat outside," suggested Ruby.

"It won't change anything," said Weiss.

"At least we could talk outside without worrying about everyone listening in."

In the end there wasn't much choice. They ate in silence – them and the whole cafeteria – and then they stood and walked out as a group. A few more photos were taken, and people whispered, and the moment the doors were closed there was a rush of hushed conversation within, as if the teacher in a class had told everyone to be quiet and then walked out the door. It was crazy.

Things were better outside by virtue of having more space, but people still watched. At least they were watching from a distance, and since there was less of them they felt self-conscious and looked away when Weiss glared at them.

"So," said Yang. "That was awkward. And you know what else is awkward? You and Blake refusing to acknowledge one another's existence."

"Yang!" hissed Blake and Weiss at the same time.

Jaune's smile turned sickly. "Would you say that if you found her next to the dead body of your sister?"

"Stop! Stop!" said Weiss, shaking her hands. "Enough of this. Yang, stop rushing things. Jaune, please, calm down. We're here to eat and spend time together. Issues can and will be dealt with in time. Blake, I'm sorry but you know how it is-"

There was a loud beep as speakers crackled to life. "Attention. Will Jaune Arc please report to the headmaster's office. Will Jaune Arc please report to the headmaster's office."

"Welp." Jaune Arc sighed and pushed himself up. "I guess I'm needed. I'll talk to you later, Weiss. Are we still on for this weekend?"

"Absolutely. I'll make the arrangements."

"Great. Nice to meet you again Ruby."

"Y-Yeah. You too," said Ruby, waving. She didn't miss that he hadn't said the same to Yang and Blake, but then she wasn't surprised either. "I'm sorry about my sister!" she yelled. He laughed, waved again, and then vanished into the school.

"You're sorry about me?" asked Yang.

"Yes! What was that!?"

"I agree," said Weiss, arms crossed, eyes cold. "What, exactly, was that? And don't claim it was for Blake's sake when she looks just as angry as us!"

"I just figured we should get it out the way…"

"You don't get to decide that!"

The impromptu picnic didn't survive much longer than that.

/-/

That could have gone better, thought Jaune as he took the elevator upwards to Ozpin's office. The cafeteria was a disaster, but he hoped Tsune was right about it being a one-time thing. People would get used to him. Hopefully. A sigh slipped past his lips and he longed to return to his bedroom and just lay down. His body was still tingling and itching, however, and he couldn't help but fidget in the elevator's carriage. When the door opened he was surprised to see Elm waiting for him.

"I was called as well. And no, I've no idea why. You done anything?"

"Nothing more than eat lunch with Weiss and her team," said Jaune. "You?"

"I didn't mutilate one of my students if that's what you're asking." Elm winked as she said it and reached for the door. "I told you, I'm the cool teacher. They all love me."

"Aren't you a little too young to be having a mid-life crisis?"

Elm looked horrified, and then burst out laughing. "You little shit! That was a good one!" Her hand ruffled his hair and he grinned back, pleased to have gotten the upper hand. The smile fled his face when she opened the door and they stepped in, however, for a familiar smell hit his nose. Blood. He looked for the body but it wasn't there. Of course it wasn't. No one would drag a body up an elevator. Elm looked deadly serious. Ozpin was sat at his desk, a hand propping up his head. Glynda Goodwitch stood nearby along with Professor Port, who had little splatters of blood up and down his coat.

"Thank you for coming," said Ozpin. "We have a situation."

"A student has died?"

"No." Ozpin shook his head. "I told you we take student safety seriously and that hasn't changed. Unfortunately, I failed to account for matters normally outside our control. Professor Port here responded to a disturbance in the Emerald Forest. He found the body of a man. His ID marks him as a citizen of Vale, and camera footage shows him leaving the city and entering the Emerald Forest three hours ago, where he embarked on a direct path toward Beacon. The man had neither aura, nor training, and was savaged and mauled to death by Grimm more than a mile out from the academy."

"Shit," breathed Elm. "That's… Why? I mean, it's a forest known to have Grimm. Why would he go out into that if he didn't have any chance of making it through? What's the point?"

Jaune could hazard a guess. "Does he have a relative in hospital?"

Ozpin nodded. "His daughter, aged twelve, died an hour or so before he made the journey."

He'd known it. Why else would someone so wholly unqualified decide to try and brave the trip to Beacon? It was a suicidal risk, but some people would take risks like that for the people they loved. He couldn't not respect that, even as he felt sick to his stomach. A person dead because of him, and this time not even because he refused to help them, but because he'd tried to hide away.

"Jaune, no." Elm's hand gripped his shoulder tight. "Don't you dare hold yourself responsible for this. This guy committed suicide. That's what he did."

"You want me to bring him back. Don't you?" asked Jaune. Ozpin did not answer for a moment, and when he did it was in a quietly confident voice.

"I do not intend to push you one way or the other. This man ignored all warnings, and all laws, to try and intrude upon a private academy to push his demands upon an interim member of staff. You have not yet agreed to volunteer at the hospitals, and so he had no right to your Semblance. What happened here is unfortunate, but it is also predictable, and I am more than willing to state for public record that he died too long ago to be brought back if you wish it."

"You're giving me the choice?"

Ozpin nodded. "I am."

It was a new experience – and not a good one. This wasn't the choice of saving someone or not but letting them die and brushing it under the rug. He had aura, he had time, and he had the Semblance to do it. Choosing not to would be to know he'd left a dead man dead when he could have done more. "I don't have a choice, do I?"

"You do," said Ozpin. "And worse yet your decision will have consequences for better or worse. This man's daughter has been dead for longer than four hours. His wish cannot be accomplished and there is an argument for it being kinder to leave him dead than bring him back and tell him he failed. It's also worth considering the ramifications of saving him. If people find out that someone tried to make the journey, died, but got to see you anyway then what's to stop more trying?"

Because they would, wouldn't they? If one person succeeded then more would come, and they'd die en masse in the forest. After all, people had made a no less treacherous journey to Ansel when his Semblance was first discovered. Vale to Beacon wasn't nearly as long.

"The last thing we want is for our teachers and students to be stumbling over dead bodies here and there in the forest," said Ozpin. "If we share the news of this man dying in the forest then it might serve to dissuade others, but if he is brought back then it defeats the purpose. Some would make it through as well, and they'd harass our students trying to reach you."

Why couldn't they just leave him alone? Why couldn't they stop? He'd thought Beacon would be unreachable seeing as how it was surrounded by freaking Grimm, but apparently even that wasn't enough. When news of this got out – and it would – then even more people would have the idea. Those with training might feel more capable of making the trip. What happened when a huntsman parent had a dying child? They could force their way here, and they could back up their demands for his service.

On the other hand, if he chose not to help this person then it might not stop it either. The media would still view it as a tragic story of a bereft father sacrificing his life for a chance to save his daughter. That was how it always was. And if the truth of him having the chance to save him and not doing so ever did get out? Well, he'd be screwed. The current scandal would pale in comparison to that.

"I'll save him."

Ozpin sighed, closed his eyes, and nodded. "I thought you might. Very well. I'm going to speak with the Vale Council and try to press charges. He's broken the law and we need to stop this happening again. Beacon can't afford to fight off Vale's own citizens as well as the Grimm. Not with the Vytal Festival coming as well. Peter, Glynda, can you take Mr Arc and Miss Ederne to the victim? Take over when the man is brought back. Mr Arc should not have to deal with the man's grief, or his anger."

"Yes sir."

"We'll get on that. Come on, lad."

They'd kept the man's body in a storage shed of some kind out by the backs of the training field. It made a lot of sense since a body carried through Beacon would have caused a stir. Tsune was already there waiting for them, either to confirm a time of death or give her report on what caused it. The man was under a sheet and Jaune was glad for that, but the stench of blood was thick in the air. Deaths by Grimm were messy business. The actual fact of a corpse being there, on the other hand, didn't bother him. He'd seen far too many by now.

"The lad's agreed to bring him back," said Port. "We'll be the ones handling the aftermath."

"Very well." Tsune brought out her scroll and beckoned Jaune over. "As part of the deal to look after you, I've been briefed on what to keep an eye on. I've very strict instructions to never let you go below 10% aura." He nodded, and Elm looked pleased. The doctor came over and pressed her scroll to his arm. "I know you won't be that low now but I've been told you have to be monitored for every single-" Her words caught. "Wait, no. This can't be right."

Elm was there. "What's wrong?"

"There must be a misreading." The faunus took her scroll and gave it a shake, then tested it on herself. "Better. Now let's try- It's happened again. You there," she waved distractedly at Elm. "Your scroll please. Hurry."

Elm produced it and held it against his arm alongside the first. It beeped. Elm sucked in a breath between her teeth. "What? How can someone be at 150% aura!?"

Jaune looked over and saw the number on the screen. He'd felt jittery all day but he hadn't imagined that would be the reason. Elm had caught him at over 100% when he first arrived, but they'd both assumed that was some freak accident. That maybe his body had over-produced because it expected his aura to be drained. Neither of them had thought that might continue.

"Is that bad?" asked Jaune. "Is it a problem?"

The doctor looked stunned for the first time he'd seen her. Stunned and confused. "I… I don't know," she admitted. "I've never heard of a case like this and I've no idea what might happen if someone keeps generating more aura. Does it bleed out of you? Is it expelled? Is it dangerous? I've no idea." She bit her lip. "I'll need to do some research. Possibly with Doctor Oobleck."

"This may not be safe," said Glynda. "We should end this here."

Now? With the body right there? The media would tear him apart if they found out!

Weiss would be horrified.

"No! No. It's… If I have too much aura then I should use some of it, shouldn't I? Maybe that's the problem. My body is used to it being drained."

"Which is a bad thing if that's the case," said Tsune. "And if your body is going under an attack because it's struggling to adapt then draining your aura further might not be safe."

"But what if it keeps building up?" asked Port. "Is that any safer?"

"I don't know!" shouted Tsune. "How many times must I say it? This is new territory. I can't make guesses on his health."

"Well, someone is going to have to," said Jaune. "Because I'm right here and it's not stopping."

In the end it was Elm who did it. It had to be because it was her job. "I'll authorise him to use his aura down to 100%. Where it should be. Bleeding off the excess shouldn't be harmful. I'd appreciate being clued into any discoveries you and your colleague make, however."

"Ozpin and I as well," said Glynda.

"Yes. Yes. I'll let everyone know." said Tsune. "I don't think there are any problems with having excess aura, but I'm more concerned about what happens if the generation of it continues at this rate. We don't understand a lot about it. It's the soul, or so we say, but what is it generated from? Is it made using bodily functions? Does it require calories? Is it a muscle that can – and has been in this case – over-used and damaged? What will the consequences be? We just don't know. For all I can tell this might even cause your Semblance to act in unusual ways."

That was worrying. "Dangerous ways?"

"Probably not. Semblances can change over time but they rarely inverse upon their original purpose. They can get stronger instead or become more versatile. You could end up losing your four-hour limit for instance."

That would be the worst thing imaginable. The worst. It was bad enough when people who had recently deceased family were the ones coming after him, but if he could resurrect anyone then he might as well kiss his life goodbye. There wouldn't be just riots, but all-out war. Didn't every kingdom have ancient heroes they would want brought back? Didn't every grown man and woman have parents they wished they could have more time with? Nowhere on Remnant would be safe. They'd find him wherever he went.

"Jaune. Jaune." Elm shook him. "Snap out of it. She said might, and even if that did happen we could work to suppress the news. You could just refuse to ever tell anyone."

"R-Right. Yeah." His scroll had been hacked already, but if he just refused to let anyone know then it'd be fine. Short of a mind-reading Semblance aimed directly at him. "L-Let's get this out the way. I'm going to bring him back now. You might want to remove the sheet."

"Are you sure, lad?" asked Port. "It isn't pretty."

"I've seen much worse."

The body was a mess, as predicted. The Grimm had caught him from behind by the looks of it, likely when he tried to run, but they'd turned him over and had a go at his front as well. There was blood everywhere, along with muscles, bones, and internal organs that had been ruptured. Jaune began breathing through his mouth to ignore the smell, even as his tired eyes roamed over the savaged body. As he'd predicted, he'd seen worse. The last body to really "hit him" had been Weiss', and for obvious reasons.

He activated his Semblance and the small shed was flooded with light. A lot of it. Too much. It was brighter than usual, significantly brighter, and he felt it rush out of him faster than it ever had before.

"Jaune!" shouted Elm. "What's going on?"

"I-I'm fine! It's just a little hard to control!"

"Stop it!" she yelled. "Stop it now. It's too dangerous!"

Too late for that. He'd opened a dam and the water was flowing out, and she wanted him to hold it shut with his fingers. It was all he could do to stay on his feet and keep his aura from lashing out. It wafted over Glynda, Port and Tsune as wisps of golden light, and they backed away, cautious of what it might do to them.

"Jaune!" yelled Elm.

"I can't stop it!" he shouted back. "I'm not in control!"

The dead man's body knitted itself back up at record speed. His body writhed and his eyes snapped open. He gasped for air, sucking in golden smoke, and then began to shake on the floor. Port moved quickly to scoop him up and carry him out, shouldering his way out the door. Tsune backed out as well, while Elm rushed to try and reach him. He could feel his aura tanking hard – but it was the excess. The 50% extra was pouring out him not he'd offered it an outlet, and he couldn't control the force of it.

It was less of an explosion and more of a sonic boom. A clap of air and sound and force that knocked Jaune off his feet, sent Glynda and Elm flying back, and blew out the glass windows with a horrible sound. If it weren't for those windows then it might have blown the roof off. It ended as soon as it had begun, with a crackling sound in the air and Jaune shaken, but unhurt, on the ground. Glass rained down outside and there was shouting from further afield, as students ran over to what had sounded like a bomb going off.

"J-Jaune!" rasped Elm, pulling herself up. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I… I feel fine." He checked his scroll. "My aura is at 95%. It's gone back to what it should be."

"That doesn't change the fact this happened," coughed Glynda. "You're going under observation until we know what caused thi-"

The door was blown open. "My daughter!" howled the man he'd just brought back. "You have to save my-" He cut off as Port's meaty hands wrapped around his neck and mouth. The man tightened his arms, and Jaune watched, stunned as he choked the man into unconsciousness. He would have been worried about excess damage but this was a huntsman and a teacher. He must have known what he was doing.

"Sorry about that. Got away from me when I wasn't watching." He swept the limp man up over his shoulder. "Glynda, might I suggest you go deal with our concerned students. Preferably before this turns into tomorrow's front page news?"

"Yes. I'd best get on that." The woman dusted herself down and stepped around the shattered glass. "Mr Arc, I would suggest heading to the infirmary where you can be kept on an aura reader for the next few hours. Perhaps this is an isolated cause but it might not be – and an incident like this in a hospital with delicate machinery and sick people would be catastrophic."

Elm's hand on his shoulder forestalled any argument on his part.

"Y-Yeah, I guess you're right. At least it didn't kill him or bring him back to life so hard it turned him into a baby or something." He wasn't sure how much sense that would make, but his aura recovering faster than he can spend it didn't either.

Does that mean I'll have to drain it down every day to keep it from getting too big? That'd mean I have to go to the hospitals again, wouldn't it? He almost laughed, but that thought was too painful. It's not fair. I finally get time off to be myself and not be chained to the hospitals and now my body and my aura are fighting against me because they've been trained to do use that much aura every day.

"I'll be okay," said Elm, but there was no way she could know for sure. "It's probably your body needing time to adapt to the change. It's so used to needing to refill your aura from morning to afternoon that it's producing too much. It just needs time to learn to hold back."

"I bet everyone would love to know my aura is trying to increase its recovery rate. That way I could fit in three shifts at the hospitals."

"It won't come to that." Elm knelt and drew him against her, squeezing him tight. Jaune clenched his eyes shut and buried his face in her shoulder. "I promise you now, Jaune, I'll never allow that. Even if I have to bust politician's heads open myself. I won't let you become a slave to these people."


Aura isn't explored "too much" in the show, at least in terms of specifics and what happens if you over-use it, but I think that even from what we saw in Beacon, they weren't using it "as much" as Jaune was. If they had combat class every weekday then that'd still only be five times draining it a week, and they stopped at a much higher threshold value than Jaune.

Such are my thoughts anyway. I'm sure they also did a little training outside or in classes at the weekends. Also, I mean a normal team. Not a main-character team obviously being dragged into their extra shenanigans.


Next Chapter: 16th Feb

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