Zack was ready to fight. He unsheathed his sword and pointed it at Jaune and Blake. He didn't look at Ruby because he thought she was just a kid.

"You shouldn't bring your daughter with you."

"I am not their daughter!"

Ruby was now very angry. Once was enough, but now this man has said something rude twice!

Ruby brought her Crescent Rose out of the space materia. Everyone in their group had one for convenient purposes. Of course, it came from Jaune's money, which they would pay back afterwards.

The space materia that was in the copper rank was just basic space materia. If it were mastered materia the price would be very steep. Jaune could only afford one because Ciel gave him a discount. She could only do this much as he was the owner of the shop.

But even the owner had to pay for the goods at the market price.

Zack, who saw Ruby wield such a big scythe with ease, then stopped looking at her like she was just a kid.

No kid would be able to do what Ruby did.

He now saw her as a fierce warrior. Ruby pointed Crescent Rose at the man and said,

"Say that again, I dare you."

The man looked at her with a smile, realizing he had said something rude to her.

"Sorry kid, I didn't mean it like that."

"I am not a kid! I am fifteen!"

"Same Thing"

Ruby stood her ground, ready to fight. Jaune and Blake, who had been watching the whole scene, stood behind her in support.

The tension in the air was palpable as they waited for the man's response.

Without warning, the man suddenly lunged towards Ruby, fists raised. He would never use a sword against children.

She quickly dodged his attack and swung Crescent Rose at him. The fight had begun.

Zack was surprised as he watched Ruby's swift movements, dodging the man's attacks and delivering powerful blows with her weapon.

"That's it! Ruby beat his ass, haha!"

Jaune and Blake cheered her on as she fought fiercely. They didn't interfere because they knew Ruby could fight him.

Despite his experience in fighting, the man was no match for Ruby's speed.

Zack could see the fire in her eyes and knew that she was not to be underestimated.

"I have no choice but to fight seriously. You are really good with your weapon, kid."

But it's time to end this. Zack thought as he stepped forward and grabbed his sword tightly, ready to fight seriously.

With a fierce battle cry, he charged towards her and swung his sword with all his might.

Ruby was about to avoid the attack, but something caught her off guard, and she stumbled backwards, giving Zack the opportunity to strike her. Zack secretly used ice materia to make her lose her ground.

"I will not kill you, but I need to make sure you can't stand up again soon."

Zack had no intention to kill but to knock her out.

Just as Zack was about to land the blow, Jaune appeared out of nowhere and kicked him to the ground.

"No"

Jaune smirked at him. Zack was so surprised that he didn't sense anything when he moved.

"No way... First Class Soldier?"

That was the only explanation he could come up with. He once fought with a First Class Soldier before his name was Angeal, and he did what Jaune did to him.

Ruby quickly regained her footing and readied her scythe once again. With Jaune's help, she felt safe.

"Thanks for the backup, Jaune."

Ruby said as she looked at Zack, who was now standing up and ready to fight them.

"No problem, I've got your back."

Jaune replied with a grin. Ruby felt her heart beat faster. Sometimes his handsome face was too much!

Zack, seeing that, couldn't help but speak out to Jaune. They were enemies now, but that didn't mean he shouldn't warn him about something like that.

"Oi, she's just fifteen, you know."

Jaune's grin faltered as he realized what Zack was implying.

"I will be sixteen next month!"

"Oh! It's not him but her, huh. Girls always mature faster than men. That's understandable"

Ruby rolled her eyes at Zack's comment. She didn't want to be treated differently just because of her age or gender. If she wanted to date someone older. She will!

It wasn't like Jaune was much older than her. He was just eighteen. Three years apart didn't mean anything.

...

www.p a t r e o /phelio