Jaune gazed out as the stage coach he was riding in pasted yet another forest. He had spent the past several hours in the large stage coach with the rest of his family and was starting to get antsy. Father had said they were going to something called the "Grand Gala" that only occurred every ten years. He was dressed in a rather stuffy blouse with puffy cuffs and a thin collar as well as slits in the back to let his wings rest against his shoulders, making it appear as though he wore a short cape.

Most of his family were dressed similarly. Saphron, Bianca, Olivia, and Violet were all dressed in elegant light blue dresses that matched their mother's eyes. Mother had her own dress, one of a darker blue color, paired alongside a fanciful navy blue cape with white fur on the collar. His newest siblings (yes, twin baby sisters), Jade and June, were both dressed in gold and blue onesies.

The only exception to the rule of fancy dress was Father.

He wore a plain white blouse alongside black trousers and black boots and a navy blue long coat that he kept open. The only part of his attire that seemed to match the theme was his coat, as it bore the sigal of the Arc household over his heart.

Jaune took a moment to look over his stats, desperate for something to distract himself from boredom.

Name: Jaune Arc (Jonathan Miles Luna)

Level: Seven

Level Progression: (21/55)

Age: 6 years.

Race: Demon Hybrid.

Class: None.

Hp: 30/30

Mp: 25/25

Attack: 25

Defense: 28

Magic Power: 20

Magic Defense: 24

Speed: 24

Skills: Demonic Common 5 (3), Culinary 8 (5), Night Vision 3 (2), Appraisal 5 (6), Swordsman 4 (8), Demonic Senses 2 (7), Demonic Resilience 2 (3), Devil's Wings 2 (6), Hp Recovery 2 (4), Demonic Magic 4 (5), and Spell Menu 2 (1).

Unspent XP: 175

Magic Proficiency: Support

Known Spells: Lesser Attack Boost (simple), Lesser Defense Boost (simple), Lesser Speed Boost (simple), Lesser Heal Wounds (simple), Lesser Cure Poison (simple), Lesser Cure Paralysis (simple), and Prestigitation (special).

The Spell list was new, but definately useful for remembering spells. Still, needing to known at least five spells to unlock the menu was a bit of a pain. At least the skill let him cast spells quicker.

Suddenly the stage coach stopped, they could hear a small scuffle outside. Jaune could hear his father let out a loud groan before he reached down under his seat and pulled out a broadsword. "I'll be back in a second. Try not to look out the windows." he advised before opening the door and heading out. Jaune could hear new voices screaming in fear alongside his father's shout of rage.

Jaune turned back to the rest of his family, each with a calm face. Saphron was helping mom keep Jade and June asleep as Jaune felt something slam into the side of the stage coach. His mother frowned, passing June and Jade too Saphron and Olivia before opening the window and looking outside. "Keep it away from the carriage!" she said with a stern voice. "Sorry Honey!!" he heard his father shout back. His mother closed the window and returned to her seat, taking back Jade and June from his sisters.

Jaune took another glance outside, watching as his father throw a bandit into four other bandits, causing them to crash into a tree. "Mom, what is the Gala like?" Jaune asked innocently. Juniper seemed to perk up in response to his question. "Ah Jaune, the Grand Gala happens every ten years. Its essentially a massive gathering of influential leaders from the kingdoms of Demon, Man, Beastfolk, and even some Dragons. Deals, Alliances, treaties, and even bargains are made while underneath the neutral grounds of the Gala. The area even has a special effect that makes it impossible to use Spells and Weapons in the area so that peace can be achieved. Who knows, maybe you'll find a couple friends or even a future girlfriend." his mother rattled off. Jaune raised a brow at the answer. 'A place that forces you too act more cordial, under the influence of a powerful effect. Who would have made a place like that and how can I meet them?' Jaune mused as he put a hand on his chin.

Soon his father returned, his attire unaffected by his brief stint with the bandits. He returned the broadsword to its spot under his chair and took a seat. "How many was it this time dear?" Juniper asked. "Forty or so, mostly just poor folks locals and a few criminals on the run." Sebastian replied. "You killed them?" Jaune asked cautiously. "No, killing them wasn't necessary. Scaring the bricks out of them was more than enough." Sebastian said before shaking his head. Jaune nodded, turning to look out the window as the stage coach began to move once more.


Jaune looked at the large building that held the gala. Many other coaches and carriages stood outside its reach, staff and servants waiting outside their respective vessels. He could see many races, some glared at others in contempt while some remained isolated and cold to present company.

His gaze shifted to his status menu, and the effect it was held under.

"Common Ground: As decreed by the gods no form of violence shall be commenced on these grounds. No spell shall be cast, No weapon will be drawn, Words and wit shall be the only tools at hand.

Failure to heed such demands will not be tolerated."

Nervously he began to fiddle with his blouse's cuffs as their stage coach stopped. "Now remember, stay close to either of us. We don't want any of you getting lost here. There are some unsavory types that like to prowl the edges of this place." Sebastian warned as the servants led the family out of the stage coach. Four servants went to his mother's side as all his sisters except for Bianca joined her. Jaune stood next to his father, Bianca not far behind him.

Sebastian gave them one last look over as he buttoned up his coat, giving off the illusion of being fully dressed in fanciful garb. He held up his hand and the family stood into the Gala Hall.

The sights and sounds were almost overwhelming. So many people, so many servants, whole tables were filled with various foods while others were dominated by dealings and treaties. He watched his father's eyes scan the hall before landing on a muscular blonde man who was less well dressed than most others. Jaune took one last glance as his mother and other sisters strode to another part of the Gala hall. He and Bianca followed their father as he approached the blonde man from before.

"Well Well Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes Tai." his father mused as he held out his hand. "Sebas, been far too long." Tai responded as he clasped his father's hand. Jaune could have sworn the ground shook when their hands met. "So Tai, heard you have a little firecracker back at the den huh?" Sebastian inquired. Jaune raised his brow at the phrasing. "Ah, Yang is a hand full, she's torched a few minions. but Zwei can keep her under control." Tai responded while shrugging his shoulders. "Well, meet two of my own. This is Bianca my second daughter and Jaune my only son." Sebastian said as Jaune felt Tai's gaze wash over him.

It was intimidating, as though he was faced by a raging inferno.

Tai just smiled before holding his hands out. "Hey kiddos. Nice to meet you. Your old man and I had quite a few tussles in our youth." Tai said as Jaune and Bianca shook his hands. "You and dad fought?" Jaune asked. "Who won more?" Bianca inquired. Tai just chuckled as Sebastian ran a hand to his chin. "I won more times." Tai said as his Sebastian shook his head. "Don't lie, I beat you 341 too 329. Though the only real losers were those mountain ranges we always fought at." Sebastian countered while jabbing a finger at Tai's chest.

Jaune could hand sworn he saw his father slip something into Tai's collar while he did so.

Tai took offense and began refuting the total number of duels. "It was 340 too 357 Sebas." Tai said with total confidence. "Duels where my wife or your mate interfered don't count." Sebastian countered. Jaune only grew more confused as he stared at Tai, glancing at Bianca only too see she was enamored by their conversation. "Are... Are you a Dragon?" he asked nervously. Tai and Sebastian looked at him for a second before Tai began chuckling. "You figured it out quick. My full name is Taiyang Xiao Long, The Stellar Dragon Lord. Ruler and Guardian of the Patch Volcano." Taiyang introduced himself as his eyes seemed to turn to slits.

Jaune watched as his father patted Tai on the shoulder before turning away. "Well, I'd like to chat for longer but there are other matters that require my attention." Sebastian said as he gestured for them to head out. "See yah kids, tell Juniper I said hi." Tai said as he waved them goodbye. They waved back before following after their father, Jaune made sure to take a glance back to see Tai running a hand along the spot his father had jabbed him.

He felt Bianca tap his shoulder, causing him to turn to her. She gestured over her right shoulder, causing him to look where she was pointing at. His mother was chatting with a pale white haired woman holding a baby boy and a black haired woman with cat ears. Not far from them he could see A burly but well dressed panther Beast folk flanked by a young man in a mask with bull horns and a woman with tiger stripes arguing with a an older man flanked by a white haired girl. Close to them was a pair of girls around his age who just seemed to be standing close to his sisters.

Jaune looked to his father for answers, tugging his sleeve to make sure he had his attention. His father looked down at him before he looked to where he had been gesturing. "Ah, the Schnees and the Belladonnas are at it again, it's the same thing every Gala. The Beastfolk start arguing with the vampires over freeing slaves and prisoners. The vampires haggle for every inch since they consider Beastfolk to be the best slave material. Neither really win since it's just devolves into a shouting match. You can see that some of them are just used to this by now" Sebastian calmly explained as he approached the group.

Jaune and Bianca followed, letting the sounds of arguing reach their ears. "Do you honestly think I'd sell half of my labor force for a paltry several hundred thousand." he heard the Vampiric mode say coldly. "That "Labor Force" of yours includes people unjustly kidnapped by traffickers, if you don't release them we will take action." The tiger woman retorted with a glare. Sebastian walked past them and approached his wife and the other women.

"How long have they been at it?" Sebastian inquired. "Two hours." the White haired woman responded with a bored tone. "Ah Sebastian, it's been too long. Juniper has been telling me all about some of the crazy things happening in your life so far." The cat woman said with a smile. "Kali, Willow, you've met most of my daughters, but this is Bianca my second oldest and this is my only son Jaune." His father said while gesturing too them. Jaune waved at them with a small smile while Bianca just stared at them. "Ah, Jaune, aren't you such a cutie, Junipers told me all about your magic in the kitchen, have you thought about helping my dear Blake with it?" The cat woman, who he assumes is Kali, asked. Jaune just rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment as Kail grabbed the shoulders of a younger cat girl with the same colored hair and eyes.

"Please, if anyone needs teaching in the kitchen it would be Weiss." The white haired woman, who had to be Willow, said while pulling a white haired girl around his age close. The two girls just seemed to scowl at one another for a second before their mothers gestured to him. Jaune suddenly felt two hands on his shoulders as he looked up to see his mother had her hands on them. "Now ladies, you know we Arcs don't do arranged marriages." Juniper said with a calm smile. "Who said it was for marriage?" Kali said with an equally calm smile. "We're just introducing our daughters to another potential friend." Willoe said with her own calm smile.

Jaune felt like he was being crushed under three different weights.

It was as though something was about to explode, then he heard the group back at the table start to get heated. He felt the weight disappear as the mothers all looked at the table, seeing the two prior parties were threatening to take action once again. Kali and Willow just seemed to huff as Sebastian shook his head. "So, what amount are you thinking this time?" Kali asked Willow. "Maybe a simple one hundred thousand gold. The recent dungeon activity has brought a lot of Monsters under Schnee control. It's been back and forth on whether or not we keep the Beast folk or the Monsters." Willow responded as they each held their daughters close.

"Why are you letting them argue then?" Jaune asked with a tick on his forehead. Kali and Willow looked at him for a second before shaking their heads. "There's a lot of bad blood between our groups." Kali said. "Its far less of a hassle to just let them shout and threaten each other first, then start actually negotiating." Willow said. Jaune could see that the young man with the Beast folk was clenching his fist, looking ready to strike.

Kali seemed to notice it as well and called the boy over; "Adam, come over here." she called him. The boy, Adam, glared at the Schnee man before walking over too Kali. "Adam, this is Sebastian Arc, he's an old family friend." Kali said as she directed him too look at Jaune's father. The boy just looked at Sebastian before looking at the rest of Jaune's family. "You're the Devil's Blade." Adam said calmly while staring up at Sebastian. "Folks call me that yes." Sebastian responded. Jaune raised a brow, having never heard his father bear such a title before.

"Duel me?" was all Adam said.

Jaune felt himself sweat drop, and he could see that both his own family and the others around him were in the same boat. "Adam, was it, I don't fight kids. Come challenge me when you're an adult." Sebastian said while crossing his arms. Adam just seemed to glare at him underneath the mask before he huffed at the Schnees. Weiss seemed to take offense to his attitude and glared at him. Jaune could already feel a headache forming as neither side seemed to like each other.

"Come on now, you can't fight in this place. No one wants to see a kid get Smited." Sebastian said while shaking his head. This seemed to get the kids to back off, with Adam taking a spot behind Blake and Kali while Weiss took to her mother's side. Jaune felt like he wanted to be somewhere else, preferably back at the Manor with Ren, Nora, and Walter.

What could they be getting up too anyway?


Ren held onto the doorframe with all his might. He could feel Nora stubbornly trying to drag him into the Room, intent on adding him too her growing hoard. Two maids were struggling to hold onto his arms as they fought against Nora's raw strength.

"Nora please no, I can't be part fo your hoard." Ren half begged as the maids started to loose their footing. Ren got a glance at the room, seeing a large nest made of blankets and wrecked furniture, next to it stood a pile or random fabrics, pieces of metal, trinkets, stuffed toys, and other such oddities like wooden bowls and cups.

Nora was starting to drag him further into the room before Walter appeared down the hall. With unseen speed he had Nora's jaw pried open and was now holding the young dragon down. His face marked with disappointment as he pulled out a book. "You young lady, need to have a listen, less I teach you a more physical lesson." Walter threatened. Nora just whimpered and whines as she tried to wiggle out of the Butler's grasp.

Ren just looked at the scene in front of him, knowing full well that Walter isn't going to let him leave without a scolding either.


Jaune felt the hours pass as his parents cycled through the various nobles and heroes at the Gala. Sometimes it was just small talk, other times it was challenges or vague threats. Kali, Willow, and their respective groups had gone to more civil treaties after shouting at one another for almost three hours.

He did find out some important things as well.

Only Five of the Seven Demon Kingdoms, Ten of the Thirteen Human Kingdoms, and Three of the Four Beast Folk Kingdoms attend the Gala. The Two Demon Kingdoms, Three Human Kingdoms, and lone Beast Folk Kingdom that don't attend often cause the most problems on an international scale.

This led him to the most important realization.

It didn't matter what Species you were. The kingdoms attending the Gala, even the lesser lords and dukes, were making alliances and deals. "If A attack you, B will join in on your side but C might join A" type deals. It honestly reminded him of old European history with alliances constantly being traded out for better ones, even going so far too drive enemies to work together.

He saw Demons working out trade deals with Humans, Beast folk writing up treaties with a Dragon Lord. A lesser Beast folk Duke made a non-aggression pact with a human king in exchange for some land.

Everyone had something that someone else wanted.

It was honestly magical watching people talking things out, hashing out deals and negotiating treaties. There was still hatred beneath the eyes of many, some still remaining vocal on their discontent with other kingdoms and races. It's not perfect, especially since this peace was only possible due too the gods strong arming people with the Common Ground effect.

Still, it was at least nice meeting some of the people here.

Jaune stopped walking for a second, his eyes darting around as he felt something strange, something familiar. He jerked his head in the direction of the feeling, slowly walking towards it. He kept going, until he felt a hand on his shoulder. Jaune looked up to see his father looking at him with worry. "Something the matter?" he asked. Jaune looked back in the direction of that feeling, whoever or whatever it had been. "Just, something weird." Jaune said as his father looked him in the eye. Sebastian sighed before looking out in the direction he had been wandering towards, taking a moment before his eyes widened.

"I think I know what it is." Sebastian said as he stood firm. Jaune looked back, almost blanching as he watched a red haired woman make a direct B-line for them. "Sebastian Tempest, we meet again." the woman said sternly. "Its Sebastian Arc now, Athena." his father said with a glare. Jaune felt sweat run down his neck as Athena seemed to glare at him. "Arc, Tempest, Devil's Blade, it doesn't matter." Athena said as she looked down at Jaune. "The blood of the impalers run through your veins. I'd rather see it all disappear." Athena said. "Give it a couple generations and you'll have your wish." Sebastian said with a glare.

"Do not sully your progeny with your Tempest ways." Athena threatened. "I do not follow the old traditions Athena, I watched them burn. It is only by people like yourself that the Tempest Name continues to haunt others. Now leave me alone, I do not want you to sully my children's minds with your hateful drivel." Sebastian said as Jaune felt himself be pulled into his father's arms. Athena just glared at him, before huffing and leaving.

Jaune glared at the woman before looking up at his father. "Jaune, I'm sorry you had to see that. I'm just glad that all of your sisters went with your mother. I don't want to think about how they'd react" Sebastian apologized. Jaune could see the start of tears run down his father's eye, prompting him to hug his father. Sebastian just hugged him back before running his sleeve over his eyes. "Come on, let's get back to the others." Sebastian said as he picked Jaune up.

Jaune didn't resist, knowing that his father would rather not talk about it.