Hey everyone, just had to get this out for Monday, the creative juices continue to flow at an alarming rate! Not much to say besides glad you like the story so far! Now then, onto the review responses!

MereC55 Chapter 12: Thank you so much for your review! I'm glad it's become a favorite of yours, and I appreciate how much it affects you as you read it. It seems my continued efforts to make the characters relatable is working! And yes, more will be coming, the plans are in motion...

Essiter1987 Chapter 12: Thanks, glad the adorkableness continues to reign supreme! And yes, how Jaune will interact with Pyrrha and Weiss will be very different from canon, that's going to be fun to write! Gotta watch the show a bit more as research!

And now, without further ado, let's get into it!

Disclaimer: RWBY is owned by RoosterTeeth

Remnant's Greatest Loser

Chapter 13

Lost Golden Eyes

Jaune was a bit nervous as he got closer to the testing tent in his line. There was only one person ahead of him now, one person between him and... getting into Beacon, or failing and going back to the drawing board for another year.

(No wait, not even that, since my parents might know now, if I fail here, they'll come get me and make sure my dream ends...)

Jaune furiously shook his head, trying to shake those poisonous thoughts away. He wouldn't fail here. Not after everything he went through to come this far.

He felt his scroll buzzing, breaking through his thoughts momentarily. He picked it up, and saw it was two messages from SchneeTome, from his old friends...

(Fireballin17 and Lostreaper15... back before I had a name and face to go with them... that takes me back.)

Jaune felt a small smile cross his face as he saw what they typed.

F: You're doubting yourself, aren't you loser? I can almost see the worry on your adorkable face! Stop it, right now! Don't make me come up there and rearrange it for ya! Jk jk! Srsly tho, it's gonna be alright. There's no way you're gonna lose when it really matters right? It goes against that motto of yours! And you've got us rootin' for ya back home... yeah, your home too Jaune. And even if you somehow don't make it... it won't change anything for us, or you. You'll find another way to catch up to us somehow, cuz that's the kind of person you are. And we'll... I... will never abandon you. Cuz family always stays together. And your my family, you got that? Now go on and kick some ass!

Jaune felt his eyes sting at this, feeling the warmth from her words relaxing his frayed nerves. He looked on to the next message.

L: Hii! S'been awhile since we talked through this thing huh? We got so busy with school and training, we weren't able to play as much as we used to... and I really missed that Y'know? We had soooo much fun through here the past few years didn't we? And now... we'll be able to go to the same school, go on cool adventures irl, it'll be so amazing! This may be... a bit childish of me but... I refuse to see a future where we don't go to Beacon together! I feel it in my soul Jaune, like you said when you went all Super Semblance to us and Big Sis Saphron! I-it's ok if I call her that right? Anyway, it was like out of a comic book it was so cool! But when I saw you struggling to hold on just a bit longer, how you told her you loved her with all you had, my heart... it broke a little for you... how much you went through just to prove it... I just... I just won't stand for all that you've done to be for nothing! So I'll have absolute faith that you'll make it! If you don't... then I'll... I'll go back to Signal for another year till your ready! Going without you... just won't feel right. So no matter what, we'll go together or not at all! And I'm... imnotcryingyourcryingsoshutupanddoyourexamdummy! We'll be waiting when you come home either way. K... later!

It was all Jaune could do to keep himself together, needing to activate his semblance for a moment to calm his emotions.

(I will not fail. Yang is correct. It is my creed as a loser...to win when it matters most. And Ruby... I'm not sure if I'm as cool as you say, but I won't let you go back to Signal for another year. I'll pass, to make sure we go together.)

Feeling Ruby's words wash over him like a cool breeze now that his emotions were under control, helped combine the two sisters' different ways of encouraging him to bring forth an unshakable confidence in himself.

Just in time too, since the guy in front of him left the tent, a hollow look on his face, slightly limping away, seemingly having failed before finishing.

"Will the next applicant please step inside?"

"WOOOOHOOOO! Time ta break some legs... or arms, even skulls! I'm all about equal opportunity!"

Jaune turned at the sound, realizing it was the bright cheery voice he heard earlier.

(What did that other guy say her name was... Korra, Torra... Nora?)

Getting a good look at her this time from the line to his right, he saw a lot of... pink.

Bright pink and black blouse with white in the center, where a heart shaped opening showed slight cleavage on her chest, gray trim around the rest of the blouse, mostly at her midriff with light blue in the middle, pink skirt (battle skirt Ruby says) ending with knee high white/pink boots.

"Oooh, see somethin' ya like Golden Boy?"

Jaune immediately focused on the girl's face, light pinkish tan skin with green eyes and light reddish hair that was a fluffed up neck length in the back, bangs eye length in the front.

She smiled and waved as Jaune stuttered at being caught staring.

"Aw jeez I'm so sorry, it's j-ust that I heard your voice earlier and I was c-curious to see who... w-who you were."

The mostly pink girl giggled in response, twirling what seemed like a hammer in her off hand, then planting it on the ground, leaning forward on it slightly.

"S'ok, I was kinda curious too! Especially when I saw your eyes turn all gold and sparkly for a second there, then I saw your face and I was like, 'Hmm, something's kinda familiar about it' Y'know?"

Jaune's eyes widened at this, wondering if it was just a coincidence.. or maybe...

"I um... I thought so too... your voice, and the other guy too, like a... d-"

"Deja vuuuuu right?!"

The ginger seemed excited at this, someone besides Ren who just... gets it. Maybe a new friend perhaps?

Before any more could be said, both tents repeated the call for the next applicant, which meant they were out of time for now.

Jaune quickly prepared to go inside.

"Sorry uh, talk later?"

The pink girl grinned before she dashed at her own tent.

"Oh yeah! Later Golden Boy!"

Jaune shook his head with a chuckle before going in his own tent.

Once inside, he took a quick look around. There seemed to be a mini arena of sorts, with some sort of hard light Dust device attached to it. A screen directly above the device, probably to gauge aura levels. The device itself seemed like a projector, probably to make virtual bots or Grimm appear from within, he remembered seeing similar devices at Gepetto's lab.

So focused on the arena Jaune was, that he started at hearing a light clearing of the throat to his right.

"Hello there young man! I take it you are- let's see here... Jaune Arc?"

"Uhm, y-yes sir! Thanks for having me! May I know your name?"

The mustached man chuckled at the request, giving a smile in return.

"Such manners! Well, my name is Peter Port, I'm the Professor of Grimm Studies at Beacon Academy, as well as a licensed Huntsman! Pleasure to meet you Mr. Arc."

Professor Port held out his hand and Jaune shook it, going for a strong firm shake like Gepetto told him.

Seeing the slight approval in the middle aged man's face, he assumed he did a good enough job and he let go.

"Splendid! Welcome to the Beacon Field Exam! Here we shall test your physical and mental readiness to enter our illustrious school! If you succeed here, then you should be able to pass Initiation as well," Port exclaimed, arms spread out in emphasis.

Jaune smiled a little at that, eager to begin.

"I'm ready to show my... readiness sir!"

Port nodded, expression changing from jovial to more serious.

"Bear in mind, young man, that there are no guarantees during Initiation, so should you pass here, there is still a chance you could die in there. Are you prepared for that possibility?"

Jaune nodded, grim determination on his face.

"I'm not a stranger to it sir, having already experienced it once."

Memories of his first encounter with the Beowulves briefly surfacing in his mind as he spoke further.

"I'm prepared to face it many more times in the future, if that's what it takes... for even one less person to experience it in my place."

Port stared at Jaune for a moment, appearing to be looking for something in his eyes, maybe a hint as to how genuine he was. Seeming to have found it, the big-boned Professor let out a slightly sad smile.

"It seems you have had your share of troubles lad. More than just your brush with death I take it?"

Jaune's eyes softened at the question, seeing a similar look in the Professor that he felt in himself.

"I have, Mr. Port. Forgive me for saying this... but I'm sure it can't compare to yours though."

Port's eyes widened at this, not expecting the boy to say such a thing. But looking at his eyes again, his expression.. he could see that his words came from the heart, genuinely empathetic in nature.

"You are... a curious young man. To show such concern for me, despite your own trials you have yet to overcome... and yet you seem to have gone through quite a few already to even be here at all..."

Port shook his head, sad smile still on his face.

"I deem your mental readiness more than capable of being a Huntsman Mr... no, Jaune. If I had found you lacking in that regard, or felt any falsehoods in your words, then you would have been cast out with no fanfare. You understand why that would be necessary correct?"

Jaune nodded at this. He knew from experience that being a Huntsman wasn't a game, that the sacrifices that were made even with experience behind your belt could still be too much to bear, his parents being reminders of that.

"I'm well aware that just wanting to be a Huntsman isn't nearly enough to get through this. I learned that lesson the hard way 4 years ago. I have no desire for glory or grandeur. I just want to help, protect, and support those who need it. And for me, being a Huntsman is the best way to do that."

Port nodded sharply at this.

"Well said. Now then! Onto the combat portion! Come with me to the Arena please."

Jaune followed the Professor to the structure, the platform itself was circular, and large enough for multiple combatants to fit on at once, assuming all of them would be against him for this test.

"This is where you'll be physically tested, against humanoid opponents at first, since you'd be practicing against your fellow students in combat class anyway. After a sufficient level of competency has been determined, you will face off against a few of the Grimm you'd encounter during Initiation, virtual copies of course, as are the humanoid opponents you'll face."

Port gestured to the hard light Dust device attached to the edge of the arena.

"Your opponents will be appearing from this device. They will continue to appear until I deem it necessary to alter things or end them altogether. Do you have a scroll, and if so, what is its SOS (Scroll Operating System)... Oh! Seems it's more than capable of keeping up with the Scrolls our school provides! Very well then, synch it with the device here."

Jaune did so, his information appearing on the interface above the arena.

"With this, we'll be able to gauge your aura levels as you fight... wait, it reads N/A where your Aura should be.. how odd.."

Jaune blinked for a second, then his eyes widened as he quickly realized the problem.

"It's because my Aura is only partially awakened sir, so I have to manually activate it every time I use it. The only time it'll activate on its own is when my Semblance, Dire Trigger is in use, since it's tied to stressful situations or emotional upheaval."

Port was quite shocked by this revelation, though he had heard of partial awakenings before, this was the first time he encountered a person who actually had this... unique situation before him.

"I see... could you show a quick burst of your aura for confirmation of this?"

"Of course Professor."

Jaune did a quick burst of Aura throughout his body, and the screen immediately showed his Aura levels, standing at 98% for a moment before going back to N/A again when he stopped using it.

Port had a look of intrigued surprise on his face.

"Interesting... the average Aura user has it activated at all times naturally... so I assume you are capable of fighting without it for a time?"

Jaune nodded at this.

"What Aura I do have is about half the size of the average Aura user, so i try to conserve it as much as possible."

"Half you say? I do have my concerns, but I choose to believe you'll find a way, as I'm sure you have countless times."

The mustached man gave Jaune a conspiratorial look.

"I'm not supposed to say this as a teacher but... out of the candidates I've encountered so far, you are my favorite!"

Jaune smiled bashfully at this as with a final clap on the back, Jaune took his place on the opposite side of the arena from the virtual device, while the Professor prepared to start the device with a remote.

"While the opponents are virtual, the attacks they can land are not, so prepare yourself alright?"

Jaune nodded, using a small amount of Aura to summon Joa in her sword form, readying his stance, so small that the screen still registered it at 98% in its brief appearance.

"Ready. And... no matter the result, just know I'm grateful for the opportunity Professor Port."

"Please, call me Peter young man, I'm not your Professor just yet."

They both smiled for a brief moment before Port started counting down.

"3, 2, 1, Begin!"

The older man pressed the remote, and immediately, 5 humanoid opponents appeared almost instantly. The number 1 was showing on their blank faces, apparently showing what level they were. Each were carrying different weapons; Sword, spear, what looked like an auto rifle, gauntlets and an axe.

Jaune chose to wait and see how they moved before he did anything.

They moved toward him at quickened paces, though their stances were off as they ran, uncoordinated, weapons flailing, the lone gunner's bullets often hit its own allies.

Jaune had seen enough at this point, speaking to the Professor.

"Do I need to go for killing blows?"

This surprised the older Huntsman yet again, blinking for a moment before smiling softly under his mustache.

"They can be incapacitated if you know how to do so, which I assume you do?"

"I do si-Peter."

"Then by all means, deal with them as you wish."

Jaune grinned as he quickly ran forward, the opponents close enough that he didn't need to go too far. He went with the gunner first, lightly tapping the weapon with his blade to disarm it before striking at the back of its head with the blunt end, just enough pressure to knock out your average Aura-less human.

The other 4 were easily dispatched even more quickly, not even needing to use Joa's barrier function, the strikes being laughably easy to telegraph as he took them down non lethally with little fanfare.

(I can't let myself get comfortable, it will only get harder from here.)

Jaune was correct as 5 more battle bots(they kinda look like those toys I saw as a kid) appeared, this time with a 2 on their faces, their stances a bit more sturdy, movements more coordinated.

While Jaune had to put just a bit more effort into his strikes and maneuvering, he still took them down relatively quickly, also in a non lethal manner.

Levels 3 and 4 weren't too much different, though he was starting to break a sweat at this point, and a few attacks did bounce off of his barrier when he was just a little too slow to dodge some strikes or shots.

When level 5 came out however, he almost immediately knew he needed aura to enhance his body, as the shot of a scout rifle and a pair of throwing knives were aimed at his chest and head respectively. With his body newly invigorated with his aura, he quickly took advantage of his heightened speed and strength, making quick work of the two opportunistic bots, quickly getting behind them to land non lethal blows once again.

He quickly took out the last 3 who had an assortment of melee weapons, dual wielding axes, swords, and sai, knocking them out with aura enhanced blows, assuming this level was meant for lightly trained Aura users.

With levels 6 and 7, He wasted no time to observe his enemies, immediately going for any long range users off the bat, which served to disorient the remaining melee fighters just enough to throw them slightly off balance. Jaune took advantage of this, swapping out his sword for weapons that would more easily counter different weapon types as he continued to take down his opponents non lethally, Aura remaining active throughout, his number dropping slightly to only 80%, since he used as little as possible and didn't take any direct hits.

Once he reached level 8, the difficulty spiked even higher. The numbers went down to 4, but the bots had... mecha-shift weapons.

(I guess it's time to push things a bit further.)

Jaune prepared to use his Semblance when Professor Port spoke up.

"Let's stop it here for a moment!"

Jaune blinked at this, but took the break for what if was, shutting his aura off but keeping his weapon (which was currently the Bo Staff) on hand just in case.

The 4 mecha-shift bots froze in place as Port had pressed a button on the remote.

"Well done Jaune! It's been years since I've seen such a solid grasp of the basics from someone so young! The way you flowed through your movements as you struck down your foes, all non lethally as well, which takes even more skill to accomplish! And to do so while using different weapons to boot! I am greatly impressed!"

Jaune blushed at the praise, but smiled gratefully at the man.

"T-thank you for that Peter. But I couldn't have done this much without all those who helped me."

Port smiled softly at the boy.

"Ah, you're quite the modest one I see. But please, rest assured that your ability may have been supported by others, but you took the time to cultivate it into what it is today. Take pride in that young man."

"I-I'll work on that."

"Good. Now then, the reason I stopped you is simple. Level 8 Virtual Humanoid Combat, or VHC for short, is a higher tier difficulty that pits you against the equivalent of newly formed academy level Hunter teams, using mecha-shift weapons as you've seen. There are two more tiers beyond this, but their difficulty spikes are much higher in scale.

Jaune gulped nervously, but was curious despite himself.

"What are they?"

Port gave a sly grin at this.

"Level 9, would be the equivalent of Fourth Year Academy students, with well coordinated attacks, team combos and well honed simulated Aura. Level 10 however, is a different monster altogether."

Jaune had an inkling of what it could be, but waited with baited breath.

Port's grin widened.

"Level 10... showcases... legendary Hunter teams who graduated with all around high marks, and to a certain extent... can use their Semblances."

Jaune's jaw dropped at this revelation.

"Y-you're serious?!"

"As a heart attack. Now then, would you like to continue, see how far you can push yourself?"

Jaune contemplated this for a moment, wondering if this was needed for him to pass the Exam, maybe he could get extra credit or something?

(But wait... if I do this... will I have enough Aura left for the virtual Grimm? Besides... aren't the students I'll be going to Beacon with... already considered the same strength as level 8 anyway?)

"Before I decide, I have a question first."

Port's expression was unreadable as he nodded for the boy to continue.

"Do the facilities at Beacon... have these same virtual training devices?"

"They do."

That was more than enough for Jaune to make his decision.

"Then if it's not required, I'll decline from fighting any further against the VHC. I said earlier that I didn't fight for glory, and I meant that. I won't waste any unnecessary effort to test my limits, especially if it causes me to fail when it really counts."

Professor Port was silent for a moment, head down, expression still unreadable.

"Is that so, Mr. Arc?"

Aura began to flow from Professor Port's body, powerful waves that caused Jaune's hairs on the back his neck to stand on end.

(Is this also part of the Exam?)

Jaune wasn't sure how any of this worked, but chose to be prepared regardless, Aura returning to his body, Bo Staff at the ready.

"Your instincts are spot on, young man, very good," The Professor said, head raised to look up at him, eyes still unreadable.

"And what if it was required? What if I told you that you must fight on, and that I decided what was unnecessary energy to waste?"

Jaune felt a cold sweat at these words, realizing he may have spoken out of turn. But the feeling he got... It reminded him of...

(Qrow...)

Jaune's Aura also spiked, his eyes flickering between gray and gold, but not letting his Semblance take over completely. If this was what he thought it was...

"Then Iwill fight as needed. Even... if it's you, Professor."

The two stared at each other for a moment, neither blinking or backing down. A few seconds passed, and then...

"HAHAHAHAHAHA! Magnificent! You truly are a student worth teaching!"

The mustached man continued to chortle as both Aura users let their Auras taper off, Jaune shutting his off completely, going into the high 70's for that little display.

"You actually called my bluff with your own! Simply wonderful! Despite how mild mannered you are at your core, you can still be ruthless when necessary. That is a key trait for being a great Huntsman! I assume this isn't your first time in a situation like this?"

Jaune lightly sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck a bit.

"Nope, it's a lesson I picked up from one of my more recent teachers actually. It's... kinda how I got to use my Semblance in the first place."

Port's eyebrows shot up at that.

"I see! Well, it certainly came in handy for you in this moment! You are actually the first in my line of hopefuls this year to decline further VHC levels. I purposefully goaded you a bit to see if you would take the bait, or 'glory' as you put it. The others indeed took on the challenge, and while some got pretty far, even 1 or two barely beating level 9, none got past level 10."

Jaune nodded grimly at this.

"And even if they had..."

"They would have fallen to the Virtual Grimm... yes."

"I guess that explains why so few make the cut like this."

Port sighed at that.

"True, the Field Exam is quite difficult for the uninitiated. It weeds out the glory seekers, the arrogant, the weak willed, and the naive, all crushed by the weight that being a Hunter can entail. I take no pleasure in doing so, but it's better they feel that here in relative safety, then to die a useless death out there, just to be accepted into our school. In some ways, that alone is quite ridiculous to think about, but it's necessary for our world."

Jaune understood that fact, all too well.

(I wonder how Ruby and Yang would have dealt with this? I'm sure they probably would have aced it no problem!)

"Now then! On to the final portion of the exam, the Virtual Grimm. I'm sure this will be much easier, considering you don't have to worry about being non lethal correct?"

Jaune shook his head with a soft smile.

"Not necessarily. I'll take this just as seriously as everything else."

"Good man. Now then, we'll start with level 1 just as before, and you'll work your way up from there."

"Right!"

And so it went. Virtual Grimm Combat (VGC) was easier, all things considered. Levels one through 3 didn't require Aura, since it was only Beowulfs and Borbatusks, Boar-like Grimm to worry about, Jaune new how to easily deal with each type. Dodge and slash for the first, use force to flip over and destroy the belly for the second(the axe definitely came in handy for the tusks)

He did need to use Aura for 4 through 6 however, since the Beowulves got faster, the Borbatusks more sturdy, and the flying Roc-like Nevermores came into the mix, requiring a bit more Aura intensity to destroy their heads. especially since they were moving targets, which required use of the Bow and the knives.

Jaune was already down to 50% Aura when he came to level 7. This time, the scorpion-like Deathstalker made an appearance, deadly pincers in the front, poisonous stinger in the back, and a soft underbelly that could be difficult to reach due to the first two issues.

At this point, Jaune started using his recently learned Dire Burst to decimate the garden variety Grimm with extreme prejudice, only using his Semblance right at the moment of impact, slicing through flesh, crushing underbellies, shooting through heads, and cleaving through exoskeletons.

When it came down to level 8, He was faced with one of each type he faced so far, including the bear-like Ursa. But this time... they were all Alphas.

They were paused here once again, as Jaune looked to a grinning Port, already knowing what his question would be.

Jaune shook his head with a knowing smile on his own face, nothing more to prove to the Professor, or himself at this point.

"There is nothing more to be said Jaune, you may exit the tent if you wish."

"If I may ask... what would levels 9 and 10 have been?"

Port gave a sly smile as Jaune got down from the platform, his muscles feeling sore and his face with a thin sheen of sweat.

"Level 9 would have been a Goliath, which would probably not be best for this tent in the long run, only so much space. And 10... would have been... an Alpha Wyvern, almost a Dragon, rumored to spawn Grimm from its very blood. I wouldn't know, never dared to go for level 10 myself."

Both men chuckled at this, glad not to be so bold as to find out anytime soon.

"Jaune... I have... one small request before you go."

Jaune turned from the exit, smile still on his face.

"What's up?"

Port looked a little nervous, mustache slightly frazzled as a result.

"How much Aura do you have left?"

"About 30%. Why do you... oh. You wanna see my Semblance don't you."

Jaune gave a bemused look at this, though he supposed after the display earlier he was curious, what Hunter wouldn't be right?

Port nodded, eagerness barely restrained on his face.

"I'll tell you right off the bat that you definitely passed, so this won't affect your standing... I'm just curious what the fuss is all about... the glimpses of it just now and from what Qrow said-"

Port put his hands over his mouth, looking horrified by his slip up.

Jaune sighed, exasperation spread over his features.

"So that's why Ozpin gave me that look earlier.. guess it's my fault for not telling Qrow to keep it to himself..."

"I'm truly sorry, forgive my lack of discretion, it's very unbecoming of me as a teacher-"

"It's fine, technically you're not my Professor yet right?"

Jaune gave a warm smile to the man that would help pass him onto Beacon.

"I have enough to use Dire Trigger to its fullest for one clash. Is that good enough for ya?"

Releived, Port nodded emphatically, preparing his signature weapon, the axe/blunderbuss hybrid, Blowhard in his hands.

Jaune breathed deeply, in and out, preparing most of his Aura for what was coming, Joa coming to the fore as his favorite weapon type, the longsword.

"Come at me Professor. I'll activate it just before contact."

"Very well. Have at you Jaune Arc!"

Peter Port, the Huntsman, not the teacher, flared his Aura as he surged forward, Blowhard prepared to strike at the Huntsman hopeful dead center.

Time slowed down for Jaune, the sensation becoming second nature by now, feeling his Aura begin to encompass his entire body, his senses sharpening, the edge of his blade glowing gold, eyes following not long after.

(It's...)

(Time for..)

(Shock and Awe.)

The resulting clash caused the tent they were under to be blown upwards into the air, golden light billowing outwards for a brief moment, before fading just as quickly, the tent landing in some nearby trees.

Jaune and Port's clash was plain for everyone to see, and so was the power on display.

"Woah! See Renny? See I told you his eyes turned gold! His Aura too! That's why he's Golden Boy! Hey Golden Boooooyyyyyy! I'm guessing you passed too huh?"

The long haired boy next to the excited ginger who was called Renny watched the scene with wide eyes.

"I... stand corrected Nora. He is definitely... golden."

A certain girl with a black bow and amber eyes watched the scene in shock, her bow twitching wildly in surprise.

"So that's what I felt when he almost bumped into me..."

Glynda Goodwitch and Neville Ozpin watched the scene from the nearby podium, vacating their seats in surprise.

"To think he progressed that much in just a few days... Mr. Port! I'm assuming this was your doing?!"

Glynda stormed over to the ruined testing area as both Port and Jaune (who had released his Semblance by now) sputtered apologies and offering to clean up the mess.

Ozpin had a small smile on his face, his green eyes alight like a flame at the scene he had witnessed.

"To think... the lost Golden Eyes of Darkness, and the rare Silver Eyes of Light would both be going to my Academy..."

Maybe the war with Her might be won in this lifetime after all...


And that's it! Hope you liked it, and in the next chapter will be a bit more training with the final week leading up to Beacon! But before all that... The Parents. Read and Review, peace!