Chapter 3: Reconnecting
Jaune blinked tiredly at the reports spread out across his desk, trying to ignore the persistent yawn that threatened to overtake him. His sleepless nights were beginning to take their toll; his grades had dropped and he felt exhausted all the time. He knew more singularities could emerge at any moment, and with it came the risk of something far greater than anything humanity had faced before.
After all both Gilgamesh and Goetia had stated that there were more threats lurking in the horizon. Thus he had to ensure that Chaldea was running smoothly and would be ready to face any future threats. The secondary base was coming along rather well thanks to being able to employ various servants and staff as mercenaries to various outlying villages. These missions proved to be a much-needed source of material and manpower due to some villages deciding to uproot and settle down at Site Beta for additional security from both Grimm and bandits. Slowly but surely the base was finding itself surrounded by an ever-expanding city. However, this did not come without consequences. Having several villages just leave after being aided by Chaldea had made the council of Vale curious as to the identity of the Chaldean leadership.
Moriarty was currently keeping an eye on their progress.
"Thank you for the report, Moriarty. Excellent work as always. I'm happy to see your web bearing news."
"It gladdens me to hear you say that master." Came Moriarty's reply his holographic face breaking into a pleased grin.
"Artoria how are things at our secondary base?" Jaune asked after taking a much needed swing of his coffee
"The newest group of villagers is adapting well to life at Mount Arcanus." came the reply
"Remind me again how exactly that's the name that stuck?" Jaune's voice drowned out from beneath his hands
"Well it literally translates to Mount Secret and as an additional bonus also includes your name. so I just kind of went with it." came the teasing reply
"OK that's it you win I'm just happy it wasn't named Nova Arcadia. One hidden city named after my family is enough thank you very much." Came Jaune's grumbling reply
"Oh believe me I was tempted, master."
"Getting back to the matter at hand, work has started on integrating the newest batch of volunteers into the security forces of Chaldea." stated Da Vinci quickly before the verbal spar between master and servant could continue
"Speaking of that where are we on the training and supplying?" Jaune asked
"Well we need more time to finish modifying our conventional weapons and enhancing them. There are only so many casters and magus available and they can only do so much." Da Vinci reported looking at the file in her hands
Seeing a small smile on Jaune's face Da Vinci asked "What has you so amused Master?"
"Oh I'm just imagining the reaction of the clock tower when they realize we've created anti-magus weaponry if I wasn't in trouble with them before then I definitely am now." Jaune replied with an air of amused resignation "Yeah my excuse is I need it for the preservation of humanity and as there is no defined limit to that mission it also applies to remnant"
Taking a better look at Jaune's exhausted demeanor Da Vinci says "Are you getting enough rest?"
"Not in the slightest." Came immediate response "but I don't have time to rest not when we're still getting our bearings here and with all the paperwork and reports that the clock tower has demanded about our activities. I won't be getting any soon."
"True." Da Vinci squared her shoulders, tightening her lips into a thin line of determination. "Are you sure that's the best way to address the singularity reports?" We can't ignore the fact that he appeared out of nowhere, and the only choice we have is to be completely transparent with the Clock Tower. I don't want anyone to think our success was due to anything but our own efforts despite Lev's sabotage."
Moriarty frowned in deep thought. "I understand but are we certain there won't be repercussions for what we've done? How long do we have before they start looking into our archives?"
Da Vinci shook her head slowly. "We haven't been given an exact date, but I'm estimating two or three months. Keep in mind that they gave us an extra year to clean up after Solomon's Temple, so it could be much shorter than that."
Jaune surveyed the room, noting the various holographic images of servants and staff members flickering in the air. When he asked if there were any other matters to bring to his attention, nobody answered. He brought the meeting to a close with a nod, and as the holograms flickered away, he noted Da Vinci Moriarty's silent conversation. Just as he was about to take his leave, Lancer Artoria spoke up: "Master, I must echo Da Vinci's earlier statements—are you getting enough rest?"
"Currently there aren't enough hours in the day to allow me to rest." comes the slightly clipped reply He then says his goodbyes and leaves for his team's room
"Jaune why are you following the Roman's footsteps." Murmured da Vinci in a sad tone as she watched him leave." I don't want to lose another friend."
"Mr. Arc your grades have been dropping steadily these past few days across all of your classes. Is everything alright?" asked the deputy headmistress of Beacon Glynda Goodwitch
"Not really I'm dealing with some personal issues at the moment, rest assured professor that my drop in grades is temporary and will be resolved soon." Jaune replied
"Very well Mr. Arc. See that your personal issues are resolved and that your grades improve as quickly as possible.
Jaune leaves the classroom only to encounter his team waiting for him just outside the door.
"What did Professor Goodwitch want fearless leader?" Nora asked while looking at Jaune expectantly
"She just expressed concern about how my grades have been dropping recently."
"Speaking of we have noticed that you have been distancing yourself from everyone. Does it have to do with the reason your grades dropped? Is Cardin bullying you again?"
"No Cardin is not bullying me again, as I have already told you guys we reached an understanding and he and his team have changed since then. Give them a chance they might surprise you."
"Perhaps, but back to the matter at hand Is there any way we can help you Jaune?" Came the comforting words of his partner.
"No Pyr this is something that I have to deal with on my own. Now let's go get lunch as Nora well knows pancakes wait for no one."
During lunch Jaune interacted with his friends and teammates. Wistfully looking at them all. However, his sudden change in attitude had captured the attention of Beacon's resident Ice Queen. "Arc hasn't made one pass at me these past few days. Has he finally realized that his advances were not wanted?" She wondered simultaneously feeling relieved and finding herself missing the attention Arc usually showered her with.
Yang seeing her complicated expression noted "What has you thinking so hard Ice Queen?"
"Huh, oh just noting that Arc hasn't made one attempt to ask me out since he returned from Vale a couple of days ago."
"Now that you mention it yeah that's right. Do you think he finally got that you're not interested in him? Or do you think he has a secret lover in Vale?" Yang exclaimed with a dramatic sigh
"Arc have a lover please don't make me laugh Yang." Came the dry response
At the same time Nora was in a breakneck pancake eating contest with Jaune. Pride and the title of Pancake champion was on the line. It was a close fight but eventually Jaune pulled ahead thanks to Abby's eternal love for pancakes and her constant eating contests at Chaldea. Jaune ended up winning by one pancake much to Nora's horror and consternation. She accepted defeat with a mumbled note about traitorous stomachs.
"Fearless leader this act of defiance will not be tolerated. I will reclaim my throne as the Pancake Queen." Declared Nora from her position slumped across the table.
"You're welcome to try Nora but the crown will not be wrested from its rightful place anytime soon." Countered Jaune with an almost regal aura enveloping him like a cloak.
"What the hell am I doing? I haven't had a proper night's sleep in days and sooner or later I will feel the side effects of the anti-fatigue pills I have been taking behind Da Vinci's back."
"Not to mention that everyone is worried about me and man I don't know what I am going to do about that." Jaune mused as his body followed the sword regimen that had been drilled into him by the knights of the round.
"Jauney boy are you up here?"
Cardin made it onto the roof and started making his way towards Jaune.
"Yeah, I'm here Cardin. What's up?" Answered Jaune as he brought the drill to an abrupt end. The knights would have killed him had they seen but what they didn't know wouldn't hurt them.
"I'm going through a few things at the moment Cardin but it isn't too seriou-"
"Bullshit Arc!" Cardin interrupted "Whatever it is you have going on it is not as easy as you've been telling the others it is."
"Always telling how it is eh Cardin?" came the amused reply of the Chaldean Master
"Yeah, you're right." Jaune said pointedly ignoring the quiet snort that Cardin left out " Long story short while my team believes I took a short three-hour trip to Vale for some supplies, I found myself transported to another world and tasked with defending humanity from incineration by a demon god."
"Jauney boy are we sure you're still sane?"
"Okay that's on me, I'm not exactly backing my claim with evidence." "Two things Cardin. Remember the gun I used to beat Weiss with?"
"Yeah, I recall it being rather funny looking."
"Well, it doesn't use dust rounds and if it wasn't for enchantments already placed on it I would be spending more time unjamming it rather than shooting with it. And as for the second thing."
"Count if you would?" Jaune asked seemingly to the air. Before Cardin could further comment on Jaune having really lost his mind a laugh pierces the air around them.
"Khahahaha Khahahaha you called my accomplice?" Came the words as the Count of Monte Cristo materialized before Jaune and Cardin's eyes.
Fumbling for a weapon that wasn't there Cardin exclaimed " Who the fuck is that?!"
"Ah yes, where are my manners Cardin Winchester meet the Count of Monte Cristo. Count meet Cardin."
"Oh yes accomplice as I recall you mentioned he was one of the ones that bullied you." The Count stated wisps of flames starting to appear around him. "Count stand down any animosity between us has long been buried."
"Very well then but listen well Cardin Winchester if you ever decide to bother my master again it will be the greatest mistake of your life."
"OK OK before you two come to blows count could you do me a favor and head over to Site Beta I think Da Vinci has a couple of things she wants your help with."
"Farewell accomplice try not to get yourself into trouble while I'm gone." replied the cavern king as he dematerialized.
"Oh come on Count I'm not that hopeless!"
The only reply to this was a burst of phantom laughter carried by the wind.
"I assume you have questions, Cardin?" Came the reply of Jaune Arc as he lit up a pipe that Sherlock had gifted him. "You don't mind do you?" He asked belatedly
"Since when do you smoke?"
"Ever since I had to punch out a Demon God hell-bent on incinerating humanity Cardin."
Oh if that's the case smoke away Jauney boy just don't let Goodwitch see you.
"I'm not that stupid I have some sense of self-preservation." Came the amused reply in between puffs of the pipe.
"So how exactly did all this start?"
"Well, Cardin sometime during my trip to Vale I found myself transported to the headquarters of the Chaldea Security Organization ..."