~The Following Afternoon – Emerald Forest~

Jaune and his team, Pyrrha, Nora, and Ren, were sparring with Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang spectating. Jaune's team had been practicing hard to prepare for the upcoming tournament, and they were eager to show off their skills to their friends, but most of all, Jaune had finally gained complete control over his physical strength, and he no longer feared killing someone by accident.

The sparring match started slow, with both teams feeling each other out and sizing up their opponents: Jaune vs. Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora.

The trio worked well together, using their strength and agility to gain an early advantage. Nora and Ren work perfectly to keep Jaune on his toes, while Pyrrha creates an opening they can use to deplete his 'Aura quickly.'

Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang watched in awe as Jaune's team showed skill and power.

As the match progressed, however, the tables began to turn. Jaune started to find their rhythm, using his unique abilities to counter the other's attacks.

Nora used her grenade to create smoke screens to slow down Jaune, while Ren's speed and agility allowed him to weave around the battlefield to get quick hits. Pyrrha's rifle allowed her to keep her distance while using her semblance to guide the bullet to hit her target.

Despite their best efforts, they were eventually overwhelmed by Jaune's skill and overwhelming abilities, such as his Fiery Eyes Golden Pupils, which allowed him to see through the smokescreen. But they didn't let the defeat get them down. Instead, they took it as a learning experience, vowing to come back stronger and better prepared for their next match. As the sparring match ended, they shared a mutual respect for their abilities.

Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang congratulated Jaune on a well-fought battle.

Weiss commented at Jaune. "If you are this amazing, why have you failed in Combat Class? Or is this just a show to make us think you're amazing?"

Nora giggled. "Believe me, Ice Queen. There is no faking in our spar. If anything, Jaune was holding back."

Ren nodded and said in a passive-aggressive tone. "Nora's right. Jaune is far more amazing than you can imagine. But if we can't convince you, how about you have a spar with him? I'm sure it would be the perfect excuse for you to vent your anger on him."

Weiss had the decency to look away. "I already apologized for my action and have been making an effort to make amends."

Ren sighed. "I know. I'm just a bit bitter at how you've treated him."

Pyrrha looked at team R.W.B.Y. "So? Which of you would like to have a spar with my boyfriend?"

Ruby and Yang were excited, but ultimately, Yang was picked.

Yang smirked. "Get ready. I won't be holding back. I want to see what you're capable of, Lover Boy!"

Jaune bowed. "Then forgive my action as I'll be holding back so as not to hurt your beautiful golden lux."

Jaune and Yang stood face to face, each waiting for the other to make the first move.

Jaune's heart raced excitedly as he prepared to spar with one of the strongest fighters he knew. However, his heart raced because he hoped he wouldn't use too much strength accidentally. Even if he has complete control, accidents can happen.

Yang smirked, eyes glinting with anticipation. "You ready, Jaune?" she asked.

Jaune nodded, his fists clenched at his sides. "Let's do this."

Yang lunged forward, her fist aimed at Jaune's face. Jaune dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding her attack. He countered with a kick, but Yang was too quick, blocking his move quickly as he was going slower than necessary.

The two fighters exchanged blows, their movements fluid and precise. Jaune was amazed by Yang's agility and strength. As they grappled with each other, Yang felt her muscles strain and ache. But she pushed through the pain, determined to beat Jaune.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Yang landed a solid punch to Jaune's stomach but did absolutely nothing, and she stumbled back, gasping for breath as she felt a knee to her stomach. Yang stepped back, a look of admiration on her face. Looking at her scroll, she saw it in the red.

Gasping for air with difficulty, Yang remarked as she kneeled."Damn! Lover Boy! That's quite a hit."

Jaune reached out his hand to help Yang stay upright. "You didn't do bad yourself. However, you have room for more improvement, which I can list later. But know this: anger will get you nowhere but the ground if you let it consume you in a dangerous situation."

Nora smirked at Weiss. "So? Do you still think we were faking it? Please say yes so I can sack you in the face."

Weiss sighed. "From a simple observation, you can see that Yang and Jaune May look matched, but with as keen of an eye as I have, you can see it clear as day. Jaune had the upper hand the entire time. He was leading the entire match."

Among the group, Blake was not shocked. Pyrrha saw this. "You don't seem shocked at Jaune's strength?"

Blake answered. "I didn't need this joint spar to know what Jaune was capable of. I was already fully aware. Remember the dock incident? Jaune was there with me. Sun and I have seen what Jaune was capable of. He beat the White Fang members and Torchwick with ease."

Ruby was shocked. "Wha! How come you never told us, Blake?!"

Blake sighed. "I promised Jaune that I would keep it a secret. I guess with how he showed us what he is capable of, I didn't have to hide it any longer?"

Jaune nodded. "Thanks, by the way. I appreciate you keeping it a secret for as long as you did."

Blake smiled at his, which, evidently, shocked the others. "You helped me when you didn't have to. It is the least I could do, even if I was baffled about such a request. We are training for a life of Grimm hunting and crime fighting. Being strong is a requirement."

Nora laughed hard. "Oh, Blakey! You don't understand. Jaune-Jaune isn't hiding his strength because he wants to hide that he is strong. He was hiding it because he was super strong! To the point that he could accidentally kill someone if not controlled properly. And I mean kill to oblivion. Nada! Non! Blank! Void! Get what I mean?"

Weiss, her mouth wide open. "That made absolutely no sense!"

Pyrrha laughed. "How about a practical demonstration?"

Yang smirked. "Pst! Come on, Lover Boy! Show us what Nora means."

Jaune shrugged his shoulder, swept his arms across, away from anyone, and took a mile of the forest into oblivion.

Shocked would be an understatement of what R.W.B.Y. was feeling. There is no way that was possible.

Weiss shook and denied what she saw. "Cameras! There have to be cameras around here! Are we being pranked? Very funny! Come on out, whoever is making such an illusion!"

Ruby calmed down Weiss. "Uhm…Weiss? I don't think there are cameras around."

Jaune answered. "There were. I just deactivated them, which I do whenever my team trains here…Well, to be exact, I looped the video of showing the forest as if nothing is happening."

Blake chuckled. "Right, I remember you having the ability to hack the systems of Beacon. It is still quite fascinating to know until now."

Nora jumped around. "Yeah! Fearless Leader is awesome! Too bad he refuses to change my grades!"

Ren sighed. "Nora, he is doing that for your good. We achieve nothing by cheating except cheating ourselves of a proper education."

Nora groaned. "I know, Renny! But all I wanted was to change my grade in history!"

Ren replied. "History is important. It is a lesson on not what to repeat as we humans and faunus are prone to repetition."

Nora groaned once again. "I know! You are starting to sound like Jaune and Blake that one time!"

Jaune thought of something amazing but quite dangerous idea. "How about this? If you can get an A on your exam in history, I will bring you to your favorite pancake house in Vale. I know it is quite pricey, but I have some spare change I got after a bit of side job I found online."

Ruby was puzzled, and so was his team. She asked. "Side job? I didn't know you worked."

Jaune replied. "It is a relatively new thing. I got it recently after I met Penny. Her father and I have been working on a project on advanced A.I. that would replace the current one on all the Atlesian Knights. He was impressed with my work. I get paid very handsomely every week."

Ruby had sparkling eyes. "You know Penny? Quirky ginger? Peculiar speech pattern?"

Nora pushed Jaune and answered. "Yup! We met her the day you and your team fought about the White Fang. We were so confused that day since Jaune told us she was not human! We thought she was a Faunus, but she was a synthetic human! It was awesome! We hugged each other, and she did not even flinch!"

Leave it to Nora to be enthusiastic about a person who can take her hugs. After all, only Jaune has been able to take her full hug without winching in pain.