Planning my time off at Christmas to be with family, etc. I'm currently penning in two weeks off to rest and recover – need a break to be honest. I'm pencilling in 22nd December – 4th Jan but will have more accurate times later.
Cover Art: Mysterywhiteflame
Chapter 11
Almost a full quarter of the teams that took part in the assessment had won their luxury dorms back, turning Team JCKP from the team you glared jealously at, to just another one of those lucky bastards lording their rooms over everyone else. There was safety to be found in the pack, and it was a lot easier to talk with Rain, Ciel and the other teams when they weren't all lamenting their tragedies. Or at least when those who were had more people to glower at than just him.
"I owe you, man," said Rain, an arm slung around Jaune's shoulder. "You really came in clutch and saved our asses."
"Did you win the extra prize?"
"We sure did! Made sure to look all nice and surprised when we found an extra guy waiting for us, too. Oh man, we'd have been screwed without that. And, as promised, we'll hand over one of our tickets." He shrugged. "When we get them, anyway."
"Thanks. Which of you is missing out?"
It turned out that none of them were, as their team had banded together and chipped money in to have enough to afford to bring their fourth member along, which was a nice gesture from them since Rain had planned to give his up. The other team Jaune subcontracted had won as well, as had both of Ciel's teams, so they had the full four prizes to give their senior in the morning jogs. The problem was more that their own team would be missing out, on account of their VIP being at the bottom of a damned cliff.
"You handled the problem well all things considered," said Ciel. "I can't see a better angle than the one you took. It's a shame, but you can't predict these things."
"I know. I know. It's good we got our dorms but-" Jaune trailed off as he and the others noticed Winter Schnee making her way unerringly to their table. They didn't get up to salute straight away, but once it was clear she was headed directly toward them they made the effort. Miss Schnee waved them down before they could.
"At ease. There's no need to salute. Team JCKP, General Ironwood would like to meet with you briefly to discuss your actions in the assessment test. To thank you," she added, lest they think they were in trouble. "It's not everyday a team of ours is forced to step in and rescue a soldier and he'd like to see you in person about it."
They set their gear down and got up to follow her, promising to catch up with Rain and Ciel later. It was another two months to the next assessment, so it was time to relax and let loose – at least for those who'd won their dorms back. The teams who had failed yet again would probably be fracturing and having to deal with that, asking difficult questions like why they failed, who let them down and – hopefully – what they could do to fix it.
He had to wonder if any teams would completely break apart, and whether that wasn't yet another lesson Atlas wanted to teach them. That of cohesion, problem solving, and the ability to mediate disputes. If so, he was glad his team didn't need to do it, because he was sure the problem would come from him and not his teammates.
General Ironwood's office was flanked by soldiers that saluted Winter and let them inside after a brief pause to announce their presence. The interior was uniquely spartan for a man with the clout General Ironwood had. It contained a desk, a bookshelf, a holographic display and a terminal, and then little else. Jaune couldn't tell if it was because Ironwood was that spartan, or if it was because he was so overworked that he just didn't have the time to decorate. Either was possible.
"Sir," said Winter, saluting. They followed suite. "Team JCKP – Jackpot – here as requested." Her piece said, Winter moved past them and stood at Ironwood's left, while a man Jaune didn't recognise stood to his right. He was an oddly friendly-looking guy with a wry smile, short hair and muscular arms.
General Ironwood reclaimed his attention when he cleared his throat. "Team Jackpot. Good day to you. I've been briefed by Winter of your performance in the recent assessment trials. I would like to begin by thanking you for your actions in taking care of a member of our force as you did. It was beyond the brief you had received, and I expect it is beyond the intelligence you acquired in regard to the true nature and secret of the assessment. Am I correct?"
Jaune shuffled awkwardly, and his team looked his way. It was his job to answer, and it didn't look like there was much point lying. "It was, sir."
"There's no need to worry. Military intelligence is not a subject you have yet been taught on, and it won't be until your second year. The fact you all saw merit in seeking it out ahead of time speaks well of you and is by no means against the rules."
Phew. Jaune relaxed, as did the others.
"It's that initiative and quick thinking that I've brought you here to talk about today, in fact." Ironwood leaned his elbows on the table and smiled just a little, speaking past his linked hands, one human and one robotic. "You've no doubt heard me say that Atlas is prepared to invest heavily in its students, and that we adapt and tailor our education to the individual teams, going so far as to allow you to pick your own electives and extra lesson plans even from the first year. I see from your records that Miss Polendina has become your squad medic, and Miss Katt your squad engineer. Mr Flynt has, I believe, requested access to piloting and vehicle control."
"That's right, sir," said Flynt. "It was a team decision."
"Oh? Tell me more."
"Well, I was interested in explosives and ordinance first," said Flynt, "but that's limited to upper years, so we got to talking about what I could learn in the meantime that'd be more immediately useful to the team. I told them that I used to drive forklifts to help my dad out in his store with deliveries and stuff, and that led to the idea of a piloting license."
"Piloting is limited to the age of eighteen normally," said Ironwood.
"That's true, sir, but a basic provisional driving license is seventeen. I figured I could start with normal vehicles and then have a head start moving up to aircraft next year. Knowing how to drive a car, APC or tank could be useful in the long run, too."
"That's good thinking," said the General. "And consider your request granted. As I've said, we recognise those who put extra effort in, but we also recognise those who show unique promise. This is Clover Ebi." He gestured to the man on his right, who raised a hand in greeting. Less a salute and more of a wave. "He is a Atlesian Special Forces Captain. Or, as they're more commonly known, a Specialist. He leads his own unit, the most accomplished unit in current service: the Ace-Ops."
"I lost a bet on the name," quipped Clover. "In our defence, the ace is to represent the playing card. We're not narcissists. And if we were, we'd have picked a better word to describe us than ace. Gorgeous, maybe."
"Do not let his demeanour fool you, students." said Winter, stiffly. "Clover is an accomplished veteran."
Clover looked over to her. "Is that a complaint about my demeanour, specialist?"
"No, sir."
"It sure sounded like one."
"Perhaps you should consider a visit to the infirmary if you're hearing things, sir."
Jaune almost laughed. Flynt did snigger. He hadn't been aware Miss Schnee had a sense of humour, or that he'd get to see it today. General Ironwood closed his eyes, though it was easy to see the slight curl of his lips. Clover, for his part, just laughed. "Fair enough, Winter. I guess I walked into that one."
"The Specialists are an elite team of special forces across Atlas," explained General Ironwood. "They are comprised of individuals who have mastered a wide variety of skills. They are not huntsmen and huntresses, because they do more than just fight Grimm. They are capable in combat, yes, but also in reconnaissance, investigation, hostage retrieval, military operations, extraction, subterfuge and security. Simply put, they are the most elite and selective group in Atlas that can be relied upon when we need a subtle approach. And they have raised an interest in consideration for your team to engage in their select training program."
Jaune wasn't the only one to register the shock. His mouth fell open, but Neon had the biggest reaction, with a loud, "Whaaaaat!?"
"It's consideration," interrupted Clover. "Not acceptance. Make no mistake, kiddos, but you are not Specialists and you might never become Specialists. What we are saying is that you've shown promise and potential enough that we're willing to give you a chance to further impress us, and that will open a bunch of doors when it comes to what topics you can study, and maybe a few extra tutors for the more esoteric subjects."
"You'll also be tested more thoroughly," said Winter. "You would continue on as normal students but your assessments would be specifically tailored to you – which, yes, does mean that you will face difficulties with intelligence gathering. On the other hand, the rewards will be greater, both in school and beyond. Specialists have excellent pay packages and earn in excess of most huntsmen, and the benefits go beyond to schooling for children, health insurance and more. Atlas looks after those under its care."
"What makes us ready for that?" asked Jaune. He knew Flynt and Neon were excited because they wouldn't stop looking at one another, but he was less so. Out of all of them, he deserved this the least. "With all respect, sir, I don't know if we've done anything to warrant this."
"You've shown creativity and initiative in your assessments," said Clover. "You've shown the ability to think on your feet, plan ahead, and also to adapt to unusual and unexpected situations. You might not think that enough – and it wouldn't be if we were talking about a job with us – but it's more than enough to catch our attention and have us offer you a little extra training a few tests down the line. It's not a lot of effort or cost on our parts, and if it pays off then having four more Specialists in the future will be a big deal. A single Specialist can save a hundred lives or more, sometimes that in a single month."
"Simply put-" said General Ironwood, "-this is us taking note of a team that we believe has potential. Nothing more. If you do not meet the standards expected then you will not lose anything. You may even apply and test for the Specialists again after graduation, as anyone can. This will close no doors and leave no black marks on your records should you fail."
But if they succeeded then it would do the opposite and have them recommended for big positions and big bonuses. He'd be lying if he said that wasn't tempting, but he still wasn't sure he deserved any of it. Or that his team were ready to be dragged down by his sorry ass. The problem was that he was sure they were all up for it.
"Can we have time to decide?" asked Jaune. "I think we should talk about this."
"Of course." General Ironwood nodded. "You may have from now until your next assessment. Two whole months. That said, an earlier decision will allow you more specialised training sooner, so it might make your assessment easier. I'd like it known this would be a four-year course. You won't be sped up or have your education cut short in any way. This is not a fast-track into military service. It is a tailoring of your already existing education. Nothing more."
Jaune nodded. "Thank you, sir. We will think about it."
"Good. On that note, I believe you can think and talk about it together at Atlas' most premier mountain retreat." He paused, taking in their stunned expression, and Neon's hopeful shriek. "After having spoken to Winter, I have decided that even though you did not fulfil the requirements for the added prize, your actions in the field did more than enough to warrant it. Congratulations, Team Jackpot. And enjoy your weekend off."
Neon would have screamed in delight if not for Flynt slapping a hand over her mouth. She didn't even care, just throwing her hands up happily with her eyes crinkling over the tops of his fingers. Flynt laughed and dragged her backward out the office as Jaune profusely thanked the man, and Penny did the same.
Outside, Flynt let go, which led to them all being deafened.
/-/
The mountain retreat was, as the name suggested, high up one of Atlas' many mountains, and was most popular in the colder months when the wonderful juxtaposition of the cold air could clash with the hot, natural springs to make the experience just that more powerful.
Their team wasn't the only ones there of course – there were a whole host of them – but the springs had been rented out by Atlas Academy for this moment, making it a private affair for the students. Penny had taken that further and hired herself a private bathing experience, which he'd explained away as shyness, knowing deep inside that she didn't want the other girls to know about her prosthetic. It looked so normal, but she probably had to take it off to bathe or that it would have some obvious markings wherever it connected on her arm. He kind of felt bad for not thinking of that ahead of time and asking if she'd be okay with this, but Penny had just smiled and told him his concern for her made her feel strange, and then left to her private bath.
He hoped it was a good kind of strange. He really did.
In the men's side of the springs, which sat on the edge of a cliff with a wooden boundary to cover the edge and a tall wooden divider between their side and the women's, Jaune sat chest deep in the water with his back against some rocks, shoulders out and in the cooler air. The sloshing of water had him opening one eye to see Flynt wading forward with the water up to his waist, a can of beer in each hand. Jaune didn't have it in him to say he wasn't much of a drinker. He was too relaxed not to just take it, crack it open and take a swig. Flynt settled in next to him with a sigh, the two side by side as little bits of steam rose up from the water.
"This makes everything worth it," said Flynt.
"Mmm."
"The snow, the storm, the tent, the injured guy…"
"Mmmhm…"
"So, you and Penny had sex yet?"
"Mmmmhmhm." Jaune blinked. "Wait, what?"
Flynt was grinning. "Paying attention now, are you? You can't fall asleep in here. Staying in too long can mess you up, or at least that's what I've read. I wanted to chat about that offer of the General's."
"Shouldn't we wait until we're all together after this?"
"I mean, we can do, but I figured you're the only one who looked against it." Jaune winced. Caught. Not that he hadn't been obvious. "I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that. I'm just curious what your problem is. Do you not think we're good enough?"
"I think you're all more than good enough," said Jaune.
"Then it's yourself you're worried about? Why?"
Because he was a fake. A fraud. "I just don't think I have what it takes. You've seen me fight, Flynt. You know I'm the weakest of us. Pretty much the weakest in class."
"Yeah, and…?"
"That's kind of a big deal, Flynt."
"If it was that big a deal then don't you think Winter or the big boss would have brought it up in the meeting?"
He was surprised they hadn't in all honesty. His scores weren't bad in a lot of other subjects because even though he hadn't been to a prep school like his records said, a lot of Atlas' subjects were being taught afresh. No one had lessons before on battlefield command, or administrative requisitions, or military command structure, so he was on the same level as everyone else. The same couldn't be said in combat class, where he regularly got his ass kicked. No amount of extra spars with Penny, Flynt, Neon and even Ciel and Rain had worked to fix that. He was getting better, he knew. Hard not to when you had zero experience before. He just wasn't good enough to be trusted to cover their backs.
"Hear me out," said Flynt. "Ironwood said this was an opportunity. A four year opportunity. The way I see it, they're fully aware of your faults. I mean, Winter handles combat, so you know for a fact she knows. They said they're looking for potential, though. For quick wittedness, leadership, initiative and stuff like that. They didn't once mention the fact you need to be top of your class in spars to get invited. Specialists do more than just fight, remember? The best fighters make the best huntsmen. The best thinkers and strategists make the specialists."
Jaune smiled. He was in too good a mood to feel defeatist, and Flynt's words were kind if nothing else. "You really want this chance, don't you?"
"Yeah. I guess I do. I never told you why I signed up, did I?"
No. But then Jaune hadn't told anyone his selfish reasons, and he hadn't heard anyone else's either. It always felt like their reasons didn't matter. They were there, they were a team, and they had a united purpose over luxury dorms, which had evolved into a genuine camaraderie. He'd never saw the need to shake that up.
"My old man runs a dust shop. Small place in Atlas. Used to be a bit bigger. Used to be there was talk of growth and success, and my mom and dad were passionate and excited about their chances. The world was open to them. Anything was possible. I was brought up in that store, and I loved it to piece. And then the SDC came." He grimaced and leaned back. "They were nice enough at first. Professional. Wanted to buy my parents out and keep them on as staff. Mom and dad wanted to continue, though. This was their business, their passion, and they didn't want to just give everything they'd ever made up to some soulless corporation."
"I assume that didn't go well."
"Heh. Let's just say they showed us how soulless they could be. We were no threat to them, none at all, but they started price gouging in our area just to drive my parents down in price. They could take the losses. It's a drop in the ocean to their overall profits. To my parents, it was everything. All of a sudden big customers started saying they had to bail on us. We found out later some were offered preferential contracts with the SDC if they only used them, and others were advised they might lose business if they kept using us. It was targeted. Didn't take my parents long to realise the SDC were doing this solely to drive them out of business."
"Bastards."
"Bastards," agreed Flynt. "Mom wanted to give in. Saw the writing on the wall. Dad didn't. They would argue. Things got worse, both in business and between them. They'd met over business and they'd built it together, so it's not like they could just disconnect from it and ignore things. Before long, the fights got too bad. They couldn't keep together. Mom left. Divorced my dad. SDC came back two months later with another offer for him to quit." Flynt laughed bitterly. "I remember it. The fucker even had the gall to say he'd heard about my mom and dad breaking up. Offered his condolences." He clenched his hand into a fist and for a moment looked like he wanted to launch the can of beer away. Then, tiredly, he set it down on the side. "As if they didn't know. As if it wasn't their fucking doing."
"Shit," whispered Jaune. "And that's our teacher's family? How are you okay with her?"
"A big deal was made about Winter Schnee being near enough disowned from her family for wanting to join the military and not take over her father's business. Easy to look past what her family did when she turned her back on it. The reason I joined up was to try and make something of our name and rebuild the family. I know mom won't come back and I don't think this'll fix anything, but at least I can buy dust from dad and it's not like there's a future for me in the family business anymore. The SDC made sure of that. All because we dared to say no." He sighed again. "So, yeah. I'm in it for the money. Not the coolest of reasons, eh? Some people want to save the world, some want to make a difference, and I want to make bank."
"To support your father. I'd say that's something to be proud of. And I guess making it as a Specialist would be a big deal, huh?"
"Like Ironwood said, it has the best pay and best opportunities. Leaving aside active duty, half our teachers in the academy are serving or former Specialists. Winter, too. They're the best. It's the most you can aspire to that isn't the office track, and even then most of them are technically ranking officers. Getting an in with them would be a big deal for me. It'd open doors, get me a foot in when I've not got much else going for me."
Put like that, how was he supposed to say no? Because he was afraid he'd fail? Because he was afraid he'd drag the team down? Jaune groaned and sank into the water up to his chin. "Way to guilt trip me into this, Flynt."
"I do what I have to do. Besides, what's the big deal? Let's say you do drag us down – which I don't even think will happen. What of it? We fail the opportunity and don't make it. That's pretty much the exact same as what happens if we say no here and now. We're picking between a definite no and a maybe no. What do we have to lose?"
"Respect for one another? Team cohesion? Trust? If I fail-"
"You mean we."
He didn't. "If I fail and drag you all down then what's to say you won't hate me for it? You'd be right to. I'd have stolen the chance from you all, and because I'm too weak to hack it. Yeah, it's selfish of me, but a part of me thinks it'd be easier to not have the chance then have it and let you all down."
"Maan." Flynt dragged the word out and drooped to Jaune's level. Two men, or boys, talking with their mouths, nose and upward poking out the top of the water. "I didn't realise you had confidence issues like this. Where you been hiding these all this time?"
"In morning jogging sessions that leave me too tired and sore to feel it."
"You know, if Neon heard you say this shit she'd lose her mind. Probably give you shit about how you're not allowed to hate yourself and she's going to prove it. Then she'd drag you out to a club or something. I'm pretty sure Penny would write you an essay on why you shouldn't feel this way too. That or assign herself your therapist."
"I don't need therapy, Flynt. I'm not suffering from confidence issues. I am this bad. You've seen me in class. You know for a fact I'm weak. It's not self-hate when I'm making a statement of fact."
"Here's one for you then. Everyone starts weak. You'll get better."
"Fast enough not to drag you down?"
"Then say that to Winter and Ironwood," said Flynt. "Tell them you accept but you're concerned at your lack of skills. Ask that your specialised training be on fighting. I mean, what's the worst that happens? They say no? I bet they'll agree. I mean, remember initiation? They said they value teamwork, attitude and brains over brawn. They can teach you to fight better. That's probably a whole lot easier than teaching someone to fit their criteria otherwise."
Jaune dared to hope. "You think?"
"I think it's worth a shot to ask. Don't you?"
"And if they do say no?"
"Then I'll back you refusing it. We'll make it a condition. They'll accept. Trust me, they will. They want us. Why else would they have sought us out? How hard is it for them – running a school – to get you extra lessons? It's not like you're asking for the moon on a plate."
When the four of them finally reconvened in loose-fitting clothes in their own private rooms in the retreat, after long massages and a hearty dinner, he wasn't surprised to find out the girls had already decided they wanted to go ahead with this.
"The more faunus in high ranking positions the better," said Neon. "I need to show the rest they can make it if they put the effort in. Show them there's an alternative to joining that stupid terrorist group."
"Declaring a one-woman war on the White Fang?" said Flynt, sounding more impressed than mocking. "That's brave."
"Yeah? Well, someone has to. I've been surrounded by faunus telling me I'll never be accepted all my life – and that going to Atlas is pointless because they'll treat me like dirt. I want to prove them wrong. Show them they're living in the past."
He didn't know if she would be the first faunus on the Specialists or not – probably not – but being another faunus in there would still be a big deal for her, just as it would be Flynt. Jaune was laid on his back, stomach full, arm over his eyes. They both wanted this so bad. He just didn't want to be the reason they lost the opportunity. If this was such a big deal, then it would be all the worse if he ruined it for them. Standing, he excused himself to catch some fresh air and walked barefoot out onto the wooden decking of the room's balcony. It was bitterly cold out and comfortably warm inside, and he found the strangely appealing spot where his front was icy and his back toasty, then placed his hands on the balustrade and watching the falling snow.
The creak of wood behind him told him he hadn't come alone, and he could hear Neon and Flynt talking jovially about faunus rights inside. For a conversation on politics, it sounded remarkably light, but then he didn't think Flynt had a racist bone in his body. The guy had too many problems in his home life to get angry at faunus.
"Jaune," said Penny. "Is all well?"
"I'm fine, Penny."
"You do not sound fine, friend." Penny came to stand to his left, but she didn't lean on the railing. The snow touched her face but didn't seem to bother her in the slightest. "Is the retreat not to your liking? The waters were very refreshing and minerally enriched."
Weird compliments read from the resort's handbook aside, he understood what she was getting at.
"I'm just thinking about this offer from General Ironwood."
"The Specialists program."
"Yeah. It's a good offer, isn't it?"
"It is." She tilted her head to the side. "You do not sound confident in that."
"No. I know it's a good offer. It's just…" He didn't want to get into the same conversation he'd had with Flynt. "I'm just worried that if we take it and fail to meet their standards, things will get worse on the team. You see it on the teams that didn't win their dorms back already."
"Teams arguing and blaming one another for what went wrong." Penny nodded. "I understand. Morale is a constant issue on a team and you are doing your duty as team leader in keeping track of our morale." She pumped her fist in the air and said, "But you need not worry about me, Jaune. My morale is unshakable."
He smiled, and oddly enough he did feel a little better. "Yeah? Are you sure it'll last if we drop out the Specialists program? It'd be a huge opportunity lost."
"That simply is not true. If we were to drop out then it would mean we were not suitable, which would mean there was never an opportunity in the first place."
Well, that was one way of looking at it. "You think?"
"General Ironwood, Winter Schnee and Clover Ebi would only have made the offer after looking over our performance and judging us ready. Nothing else would matter. If we try our hardest but fail then that does not mean we are at fault. It means they made an error in nominating us. It means their judgment as to our capabilities was impaired. I do not see why their failure should impact our morale."
He didn't know what to say. Or do. Laugh? It almost sounded like she'd made a joke, but then she also looked at him so seriously that he was sure she believed it. And, in a way, it wasn't like she was wrong. As Flynt said, they must have known he was trash in combat and they still selected him and his team. It would be a bit rich for them to criticise him after the fact and kick them out for something they should have already known.
"What do you think they're looking for?" asked Jaune. "What do you think makes our team special to them?"
"Cohesion, teamwork, attitude, discipline and our track record this far."
"Not combat skills?"
Penny cocked her head again. "Why would that matter?"
"Because this is a huntsman academy and we're all learning to fight. And because I'm worst in class."
"If they wanted combat skills alone then they would just take the teams with the highest class average," said Penny. "They have not, so they must want other things. General Ironwood did say that Specialists handle missions beyond the norm." She cleared her throat and, in a very close voice, mimicked General Ironwood. "Reconnaissance, investigation, hostage retrieval, military operations, extraction, subterfuge and security." Her voice returned to normal. "Combat may be involved in any or all of those, but it is not the primary focus. I do not believe your poor scores will matter. Though…" she added. "I also do not believe your poor scores will remain as such. You are working twice as hard as anyone else. I have seen it. Ciel says it as well."
"I have twice as much improvement to make," muttered Jaune, embarrassed. He hadn't realised Penny was paying such attention, or Ciel for that matter.
"Then it is a good thing you are working twice as hard."
"Yeah. I'm just worried I'll drag the team down until then. Until I get good enough."
Penny's hand touched his back. The centre of his back. As a comforting gesture he was sure she meant it as, it was anything but. Then again, Penny was always a little strange. He took it for what she likely meant.
"I have to work hard as well," she whispered. "I am combat ready but I am not person ready. Not good at being normal," she added, with an unhappy lilt. "If I had waited until I was perfectly ready before I took the risk then I would have never met you. And that… that makes me feel sad."
"That's called regret, Penny."
"I have no regrets, then." He felt her step up against his back, and he tensed suddenly. They were a little close. "I do not want you to have any regrets either, Jaune."
"Ah. Y-Yeah. I… I guess you're right." He swallowed when her arms came around his sides to cup his stomach, and when her head rested on the back of his neck. Penny felt cold to the touch. "Uh. Penny. What are you doing?"
"Comforting you. Is this not how it is done? I am sure I am doing the move correctly."
"Where did you hear about this move?"
"The internet."
"That would explain it."
Penny made an unhappy sound. "Am I doing it wrong?"
"It's not wrong," said Jaune, unused to being the little spoon, or being spooned at all. He placed his hands over the backs of hers on his stomach. "A-And thank you." For the effort, and for the words. "I guess you're right. I would have never come to Atlas if I'd let doubts and fear hold me back. I'm sorry for being so weak."
"I do not think you are weak. I think you are strong."
He laughed. "Have you seen me in combat class?"
"I have seen you in the field," said Penny, silencing him. "I have seen you lead us when we are lost and afraid in the wilderness. I have seen you calm down Neon and Flynt and take command when others would falter. You are not weak, Jaune." She squeezed him. "You are just a little frail. We can fix that. I can fix that. I will make you combat ready."
"Penny-"
"I will make you combat ready," she repeated, firmly. "This is not up for debate."
Penny: "YOU WILL BE IMPROVED. BETTER, STRONGER, FASTER, BIGGER PENIS."
Jaune: "What was that last one?"
Penny: "FASTER."
Jaune: "No, the one aft-"
Penny: "I SAID FASTER. NOTHING ELSE."
Next Chapter: 10th December
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