Jaune let out a hagrid breath as he held his training sword in one hand and a shield in the other. Across from him stood Ren, a pair of wooden daggers in his hands. Off to the side Walter and Nora were watching with patient eyes.

Well, Walter was anyway.

The old butler held up his hand, signaling the end of their current duel. Nora ran over and hugged Ren as Jaune dropped his weapons. "Tired Young Master?" Walter inquired as he approached with a tray of water and glasses. Jaune just nodded as Walter handed him a cup before downing it. Ren took another cup as Walter retrieved the training weapons.

"You guys were so cool, Renny was all Ha Ta, and Jaune Jaune was all Hah." Nora rambled out as she struck similar poses to their own during the spar. Ren just nodded as Jaune plopped on the ground. "Walter's been training you like crazy?" he joked. "He's quite the slave driver when teaching. What about you?" Ren replied. "Well, neither mom or dad use a shield, so it's mostly been impromptu." Jaune answered while running his hand onto he back of his neck.

The two boys shot a look at Walter, watching as he cleaned the weapons the boys had been using. "Has he shown you anything crazy, like magic or stuff like that?" Jaune inquired. Ren just shook his head; "No, I don't have the skill to use magic." Ren replied. "I can use Magic though." Nora chimed in. "Can I see?" Jaune asked. Nora nodded excitedly before she held her hands out. "Direct Lightning Bolt (simple)!" Nora shouted as the scent of ozone flooded Jaune's nose. The two boys just watched as twin streaks of lightning jumped from Nora's hands and struck the sky.

The two boys watched in silence before they turned to see a bird fall to the ground, singed black by the spell.

The sound of Walter clearing his throat took their attention. The three of them flushed in embarrassment as The Butler approached them. "Always some kind of mess," was all he muttered before he walked over to the dead bird. With a wave of his hand the bird disappeared, not even a lone feather remained. "Uh, Walter... Can you use magic?" Jaune asked in curiosity, Ren and Nora joining in and nodding. Walter seemed to pause, then he turned to them. The old man shot them a smile; "Why yes I can use Magic, it just isn't my preference." Walter answered honestly.

"Can we see?" Nora asked. Walter's smile faltered for a second before he shook his head. "Its almost time for Young Master's tutoring, not too mention Young Ren's lessons in the kitchen. If you do wish to see my Magic, then ask again tomorrow." Walter said as he walked over to them. Jaune and Ren looked at the sundial just away from the courtyard and nodded. Seeing that it was almost time for their next lessons.

Nora just frowned, then latched herself onto Walter's leg. "I'm not letting go until I see your Magic." She stated before looking at Ren. "Come on, we can hold on." She said to him. Walter didn't seem to mind, his steps unimpeded despite the new weight on one of his legs. Jaune just watched as Ren followed after the old butler while a maid came to guide him to his tutor.

Too bad they never got to see his magic.

Jaune huffed as he looked down at his latest creation. The rest of the kitchen staff watched with curiosity as his latest dish reached its conclusion. Jaune kept his eyes out as he watched the crust darken in the oven.

Looking it over, Jaune dawned a pair of oven mitts and pulled out the pan. A sweet smell permeated the kitchen as one of the staff helped him put the pan onto the counter. Jaune smiled as the scent of cinnamon buns reached his nose, boosted by his Demonic Senses skill. He watched as the buns cooled in the pan.

Then he felt something.

"User's Culinary skill has reached the rank of 10 (10). User can now make a choice on what to do.

Choices are as followed.

1. User can choose one of three unique skills related too the Culinary Skill to add to their list of skills. Skills to be chosen are: Practised Cook, Iron Stomach, or True Tongue.

2. User can leave the skills as is, receiving a reward of extra spending XP.

3. User can reset Skill: Culinary back to Culinary (1), receiving additional spending XP on top of that which would be received by picking option 2."

"Please Make you Choice?"

Salem's voice echoed out as Jaune's eyes were taken by the options presented. Jaune took a quick glance at his creation, almost smiling at the realization of what stood in front of him.

But what too choose.

Jaune was scratching his head at his choices. All three options were good. An extra skill is always nice, though he really is curious on what they would do. Getting a bunch of extra XP would also be nice. Plus it's not like he can't just grind his Culinary skill back up to Culinary 10 (10) like he had just done. It would be extremely easy to do so with the reduced cost and advanced growth of that skill.

Looking over the choices once more Jaune sighed. "Option 1, skill: Practised Cook." he said before he felt the same skill merge with the others. He could feel something strange with his hands and eyes. Looking out at his cinnamon buns he felt a strange feeling.

He had used a slight extra cinnamon in his measurements.

The dough had been kneaded just the right amount of times.

The oven had been kept at the proper temperature for all but the last two minutes of baking.

He could sense everything he did right, and everything he did wrong while baking them.

With a smile Jaune grabbed one of the cooled buns and took a bite. The sweet taste acting as yet another reminder of his progress.

Ren hummed as he looked out at his current wear. The staff of the Manor had given him a new suit for his Tenth birthday. Mr. and Mrs. Arc had each given him small presents to celebrate the day, though Nora had quickly claimed them for her hoard. The Arc siblings had even gotten him some books on things like cooking and knife fighting.

That was a fun day.

But now, as he gave himself one last look over, he felt ready to meet the day. He stashed his new daggers into his sleeves using a trick Walter had taught him. He checked his side bag, then his pockets. He made sure that he had everything he would need for today.

Today Sir Arc was taking them to a dungeon crawl.

He was excited, but also nervous.

He, Jaune, and Nora would be in a dungeon, a structure infested with grimm and monsters.

Sure, the Arc patriarch would be there. As well as two of Jaunes older sisters, Saphron and Bianca. But he couldn't help but feel nervous about today. Walter had said it was a easy dungeon, explored continously and used for training young adventurers on how to explore said structures.

As he walked towards the main hall of the Manor he found several interesting sights.

Sebastian Arc trying to wrangle with Nora over some leather boots and bracers.

Jaune watching on while wearing a large backpack, an amused smile on his face and his weapons tied to the pack.

Saphron trying to hold in her laughter while Bianca just watched with a annoyed expression.

Jaune looked over, making a gesture to help. Ren just shook his head before walking over too the struggling Patriarch. He calmly grabbed the boots and bracers and whistled to Nora. She hadn't even noticed that Sebastian didn't have them until Ren held onto her hand. With little effort he slid the armor onto her arms before holding out the boots for her to put on.

Sebastian just groaned as Nora was now in proper dress for the dungeon ahead. The Arc Patriarch shook his head and pulled out two more large packs. "Never hurts to have proper equipment, take a look before we head out. Jaune's already checked his." Sebastian said as Ren opened the offered pack.

In it he found five lesser Hp potions, five lesser Mp Potions, a long line of rope, a small lantern with a box of matches, a small box of rations, a full waterskin, two tarps, and a book on various monsters and grimm. Ren looked up at Sebastian before he looked over at Nora. Nora was busy sniffing the Lesser Mp Potions, probably to test their quality if he's right. Ren looked back at Sebastian as he hauled the bag onto his back.

"What you have there is a standard issue beginner's pack. You can buy these packs at any Registered Guild Hall. A lot of early adventurers don't always know what they need, so to prevent an early deaths these are handed out to low level members at upon joining." Sebastian explained as Ren helped Nora put her own pack on.

He looked over the two of them with a keen eye. "Where's your weapons?" he inquired. Ren just held out his sleeves and let the tips of his daggers pop out. The two turned to Nora, watching as she pulled a large hammer out of her pack. "Where did you get that?" Sebastian asked. Nora just smiled, resting the hammer on her shoulder with a little twirl of the hammerhead.

Ren and Sebastian just looked at one another, then shrugged. "All right kids, tine for your first dungeon crawl." Sebastian said. Ren could hear Jaune and Nora cheer while Saphron and Bianca just chuckled.

It was hard for Jaune to contain his excitement. His very first dungeon crawl, one spent with his family. Part of him was worried, in every story something goes wrong in a dungeon.

But he had his family with him.

Ren and Nora were more than competent together, despite Nora's eccentric behavior. His dad is, considering everything he's heard about and seen him do, the most powerful swordsman in the Demon kingdom. Both Saphron and Bianca had run this dungeon before and they we're incredibly powerful in their own rights.

Well, powerful compared to him. Saph was just seventeen and Bianca was only sixteen. He has no idea just how strong the rest of his family is since he had never seen them fight.

But that's besides the point for him.

Jaune felt the full weight of the small metal armor covering his arms and torso. He looked up at the looming doorway to the dungeon. The long stone doorway stood alone in a field, small stonework surrounded the door in a resemblance of a floor. Looking to the other side Jaune could see that the doorway had no hallway, no stairs, just the lone doorway.

It was rather strange.

His father seemed to note his confusion, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Always strange seeing a dungeon for the first time huh. All your studies were about history and writing, never a thing about how these dungeons work." Sebastian said. Jaune just looked up at his father as he watched Saphron approach the door. "Go on, open it." She said while gesturing to the doorknob. Jaune followed as instructed, cautiously twisting the knob.

Yet the door didn't open.

Rather a series of loud clicks and the sound of shifting earth caught his attention. The stone work shifted, a long spiral staircase opening up underneath it. Jaune looked down, blinking in surprise as his gaze followed along the stone way. He stepped away from the door, the entrance to the stairs just a few feet to his left. He looked back at his father and older sisters who gave him affirmative nods. Jaune turned to Ren and Nora, seeing the former stoic while the latter gained an excited smile.

Jaune grabbed his sword, "Custos Colmna," and his shield and turned to the stairs. He was hesitant, knowing that for all the practice he had with his sword over the last three years he had yet to use it in a proper fight. Duels, spars, practise, that's all he had ever held his blade for.

Jaune felt his father's hand on his shoulder. He looked up too the man, his gaze begging for aid. "Don't worry, son. It's never easy the first time. But I have full confidence in you guys, so don't worry. Besides I'm here, as are your sisters, we'll step in if things go wrong." His father said. Jaune looked up at his father, then turned to Ren and Nora, then back too the dungeon entrance.

He stepped down the stairs, his sword and shield held in his hands as he carefully took each step down. His Night Vision skill taking effect as he heard his family following after him. It wasn't long before they cam to the first floor entryway. Jaune's eyes widened as he found himself in a large field and forest. Light, bright as the daytime sky, shined down on his eyes as his Night Vision skill was cancelled by the change.

"Welcome to the First Floor of the Dungeon of Signal. Six person party detected, party members over level 20 shall receive zero Experience from this floor of the dungeon."

He heard Salem's voice inform him. Jaune just looked out as he took a deep breath. The air was clean, like he was back in Summer's forest near the Manor. He could hear Nora's sound of amazement as she shook Ren. "Always a shock, huh?" Jaune heard his father muse. Jaune just nodded, taking another look out into the dungeon's forest.

As they walked through the Dungeon's forest, Jaune could feel something watching the group, and he was sure his father could feel the same thing. As Ren and Nora grabbed their weapons Jaune held out his sword. "Ren, could you check there with Unnoticeable?" Jaune asked his friend. Ren looked at him, looking to where Jaune was pointing his sword. His eyes narrowing for a second before he nodded.

Nora groaned as Ren completely disappeared from their senses. Jaune looked back to where he sensed the being? thing? monster? he wasn't completely sure. The bushes ruffled before Ren reappeared by his side. "Some big wolf, it has bone armor on its face and claws." Ren said quickly. Jaune nodded, holding his blade towards the presence as Ren stepped farther to the side. Jaune could hear Nora step close behind him, lightly chuckling.

The bushes parted as a large wolf, easily taller than the three of them, stepped forward. Its body emanating a black mist as blood red eyes glared them down. Jaune could see breif glimpses of white armor covering its face, claws, and spine. Jaune quickly activated his Appraisal skill to get an idea of what it was.

"Weak Lesser Grimm: Beowolf, Lv 6."

Jaune raised a brow as he looked at the level. It was the first time he had seen a level on anything he had appraised before. The Beowolf let out a growl before raising its hind legs. Jaune raised his shield in response and stepped forward, ensuring the monster was focused on him.

The Beowolf let out a howl before lunging at him. Jaune held hid shield in front of his body as the Grimm's full weight crashed into him. Jaune had to thank his Shield Master skill as he held his stance. Ren rushed in from the side, his form covered by Unnoticeable, both daggers aimed right for the Beowolf's eye. The beast growled in pain as the black mist flowed from its wound.

The Beowolf began thrashing, forcing Jaune further back as he attempt to stab With Custo Columna. Nora ran in, bringing her hammer down on one of the Beowolf's front paws. A sickening crack echoed as the Grimm roared in pain. Jaune used his chance by driving his sword into the beasts neck. The blade pierced, even as the Grimm struggled, pulling itself away. Nora drove her hammer into the back of the Grimm's legs, forcing it further down his sword. Ren struck again, landing on the Beowolf's neck and stabbing his daggers into the Grimm's eyes.

The Grimm stilled as Ren slid off its neck. Jaune pulled his sword back as Nora joined him with the group. The Grimm began to fade away, its black mist seemingly devoured by the trees of the forest. Jaune just starred as the Mist dispersed and a small pile of trinkets appeared where the Grimm's corpse had been.

"User's party has slain a Weak Lesser Beowolf lv 5, legible members have gained 20 xp."

Jaune paused as he heard Salem's speech. Curiosity getting the better of him, he checked his status menu.

Name: Jaune Arc (Jonathon Miles Luna).

Level: Nine.

Level Progression: (59/65)

Age: 10 years.

Race: Demon Hybird.

Hp: 39/40

Mp: 35/35

Attack: 31

Defense: 42

Magic Power: 30

Magic Defense: 37

Speed: 26

Skills: Demonic Common 5 (7), Culinary 11 (5), Night Vision 5 (3), Appraisal 8 (2), Swordsman 7 (9), Demonic Senses 5 (3), Demonic Resilience 4 (3), Devil's Wings 4 (3), Hp Recovery 4 (8), Demonic Magic 6 (8), Spell Menu 4 (6), Blacksmithing 5 (4), Shield Master 4 (7), Forestry 3 (2), Formation Holder 2 (1), Self Repair 2 (5), Practised Chef 4 (3), Indomitable 3 (4), and Counter 2 (5).

Unspent XP: 95

Spell 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), Prestigitation (special), Light Jump (simple), Lesser Weaken Attack (simple), Lesser Weaken Defense (simple), Lesser Weaken Speed (simple), Lesser Poison Effect, Lesser Paralysis Effect, Lesser Magic Boost (simple), Lesser Weaken Magic (simple), Hold Firm (special), and Heal Wounds (standard).

Party Members:

-Lie Ren: Lv 9 Lotus Demon

-Nora Valkyrie: Lv 9 Thunder Dragon (Humanoid Form)

-Sebastian Arc: Unknown.

-Saphron Arc: Lv 25 Demon Hybrid, Mage Knight.

-Bianca Arc: Lv 21 Demon Hybrid, Blades Woman.

Jaune raised a brow at the last section. He had never had a party menu before, but he had a well enough idea on what it meant. Lv was obvious, so was the words right to their right, but the Mage Knight and Blades Woman had to be classes. Neither Ren or Nora had such additions, nor did he, so they had to be classes.

This also raised the question of just how strong his father was, since not even the Party menu was willing to show him.

Jaune was pulled out of his musing as he felt his father's hand on his shoulder. "Good first kill, we should be far enough that the pack will take a bit to arrive." his father said. "Pack?" Jaune inquired. "Well, the Beowolf managed to let out a loud howl, the Grimm was definitely a scout for the rest of the pack." His father said. Jaune faltered for a moment before it hit him. He looked back to his father, then too his friends who were busy looking through the pile of trinkets.

His father flashed him a smile as Jaune walked over to Ren and Nora. He watches as Ren tried to wrestle some of the random trinkets dropped by the Beowolf after its death. A quick use of Appraisal revealed that they were mostly junk items or cheap materials. Nora seemed to disagree, holding the entire pile in her hands like it was a pot of gold. Jaune tapped Ren's shoulder to get their attention.

"Dad said that there may be a pack coming, but we have a bit, and I have a plan." Jaune said. Ren raised his brow for a moment as Jaune pulled himself and Nora closer. "So there's a pack of Beowolfs coming. We know that they're approaching and we have time. We could leave, but I want to make this memorable." Jaune said as he reached into his bag. Ren had to raise a brow as Jaune pulled out two Lesser Mp Potions.

"I can use my Speed Boosting Spells on you, and you can track the pack using Unnoticeable. Once we know where they're coming from then we use Nora's lightning Magic, boosted by my Magic Boosting Spell, to decimate the pack. Then we can finish off the rest with our weapons. Whatever might survive Nora's attack would be left so weak that we could easily kill it." Jaune explained the plan.

Ren thought it over, putting a hand on his chin as Nora did the same. "Where would Nora cast the spell?" Ren asked. "From behind me, I'll have my shield up and be boosted by my spells." Jaune explained. Ren nodded, considering the plan. "I'm in." he said. "Yeah, I can break some more legs. That first set was really fun." Nora chimed in. The two boys gave her a quick look before shrugging.

Jaune raised a hand and Spoke. "Lesser Speed Boost (simple), Lesser Speed Boost (simple), Lesser Speed Boost (simple)." Jaune said three times as Ren felt his stat rise. Jaune took a moment as Ren ran off, his Unnoticeable skill activating. Jaune turned to Nora and held his hand up. "Lesser Magic Boost." Jaune said before pausing to take a drink from his Lesser Mp Potion. Nora giggled as Jaune cast the spell two more times.

Sebastian and Jaune's sisters just watched with raised brows. Sebastian chuckling as he watched Jaune and Nora head for the most defendable part of the clearing. The rest of the family following after them as they began their set up.

The Pack was following the scout's call. The Alpha let their gaze pass upon their pack. Many of them were weak, mercilessly slaughtered by their greaters only to reform as mindless once again.

But the Alpha remembered.

All Alpha could remember their rebirth, their deaths. They had seen many battles, yet a single careless thing would always leave them starting from the bottom.

This Alpha, knew how to keep the pack strong. Move in large numbers, keep scouts within hearing distance of the rest of the pack. Always lead with a mix of older durable brothers while younger and more agile brothers darted in between the lines.

As the pack raced through the woods they found the place of the scout. The scent of its death lingering amongst the trees.

Then the Alpha smelt something familiar.

The Scent of the Blade Demon.

It had seen it, even fought against it many times. No matter what they did it would always win. Massive numbers would be cut down in an instant, precise attacks would be countered and slaughtered. Even throwing many of its cousins against it alongside the pack was met with nothing but failure.

The Alpha growled in anger as it's gaze followed the scent.

Far from them, was a small Demon boy. The Alpha could smell the Blade Demon's blood in the boy's vein. The boy's hair and eyes just made the reality all the worse. There was two fingers behind him, but the Alpha could only see the boy. The Alpha roared in anger, knowing that if its couldn't slay the Blade Demon it could still claim one of its spawn.

A small figure behind the boy shouted something, the Alpha couldn't hear it over its desire for wrath.

Until its every sense was filled with pain and Ozone.

Jaune grit his teeth; "Hold Firm." he muttered as both the spell and his skills Indomitable and Formation Holder were put to the test. His ears rung as he looked out at the destruction wrought by Nora's spell. The entire pack was gone, reduced to smoldering ruins.

His vision was briefly overtaken by a flood of notifications.

He could hear sounds of praise from his family. Nora was sad, lamenting how she didn't get to break any of their legs. Jaune just sweat dropped as Ren fell to his knees.

"User has reached level ten."

The last notification rang out as Jaune looked back at the rest of the group. Jaune heard his sisters shouting praise while his father let out a great bought of laughter.

His plan had worked, and they had gained a lot from it.

Then they heard a deep growl.

The group turned around as the left over mist from the pack's remains faded away. Standing near the center of the blast was a lone Beowolf, one that stood far larger than the others. Jaune quickly use Appraisal on the beast and held his weapons high despite the burning of his muscles.

Alpha Beowolf: Lv 24