This chapter was partly inspired by Mother's day! As mentioned in the latest chapter of Legend of the Strawhats, I'm currently doing a number of Arcane Craftsman chapters all at once. My muse struck me hard this way and it's been a blast making everything fit just right. However, this has also caused some issues with ending certain chapters. This one is a bit shorter and to the point than my previous works.
It was mentioned in a PM that I go into too much detail sometimes, so this is an attempt to cut out some of the fluff. Let me know how this is. Good, bad, horrific. It will dictate how the rest of my chapters develop either way. This chapter content was the perfect time to experiment with this more abbreviated chapter length. Here to have fun and improve my writing so any feedback is great feedback. Within reason. I mean if you're telling me to go kill myself because Jaune isn't perfect to cannon then suck left nut. Other than that, thank you and enjoy!
The Arcane Craftsman Chapter 15: Awkward talks all around.
"Did you want tea, sir?"
Jaune smiled at the server.
"No thanks but thank you."
He turned to the woman across from him, Katherine. Her neon-like hair and Faunus features proudly on display. It was ironic that a woman with her attributes and personality was now so quiet and awkward.
"so…."
"so," smiled Jaune, "you've finally got your dream! You're travelling and doing music!"
"Yea! It's been great you know. How's mom? She only tells me so…right, you've gone to beacon…"
Jaune smile remained as Katherine, or better known by her stage name "Neon" stared at him.
"You're ok?" she asked.
"I'm good."
"But…."
"I died?"
She shuddered and looked away, gripping her arms.
"We both knew the risks of me going in there. This was just the consequence of it. I was a labour class person going into a combat situation. I could only avoid the inevitable for so long."
The Arcane Craftsman remembered the times we would complain about the unfairness of the social caste system. That as a labourer he could do what anyone else could do! He wasn't useless! But now, with a new perspective, he found himself swaying on his opinions. He still believed that the labour caste was unjustly looked down upon. However, he also understood the reality of not having attack skills of any kind. Raw strength could only be a solution in so many scenarios and Jaune's passive was absolutely bonkers…so long as the enemy wasn't fire-resistant. It was a delicate and annoying balance, that was for sure. Besides, Jaune was no longer a normal representation of a labour caste himself, so even his success in combat could hardly be attributed to the labour caste as a whole.
"A prestige class," whispered Katherine, "I mean…I know. I don't know what to say, really."
"I know. I'm happy to see you. You're doing well?"
"I am Jaune…I am. I…"
"Don't," he smiled, gripping her hand in his own, "I…I look fondly back at what we had. We had fun, didn't we?"
The singer smiled, her green class of Vocalist shining brightly.
"We really did. But we've changed…I've changed."
"So have I. So what? Besides I hear you're dating someone now!"
Katherine blushed a little and turned away. The tabloids were everywhere really.
"I…don't want to talk about that."
"What why? I mean you were always so picky. I'm kind of curious."
"STOP."
Jaune blinked.
"Stop…pretending that we're alright…that…that I didn't hurt you."
"….of course you hurt me. Just as I hurt you. That's the risk of relationships."
"I!"
Jaune held his hand up, his easygoing smile smothering her anxiety, if only a little.
"None of that. Honestly Katherine did you get me away from my guild just to express regret? Really? A world-famous singer, someone who went from the bottom all the way to the top. You play and sing for royalty! But you regret leaving me? You made it quite clear that it was worth the trade-off."
Katherine bit her lip.
"I knew you were still mad."
Jaune sighed, rubbing his eyes.
"I'm not mad. At least not anymore. It's in the past, where it belongs. I'm wondering what you want. Is it rumours you're worried about? If I wanted to destroy your reputation or something I would have done it earlier."
"It's not that I swear! I…I miss you."
"…seriously?"
"…seriously."
"…you could have written. Called even."
"I was busy."
"You wrote to your mother every day. I was there…waiting. You wanted to try a long-distance relationship and you didn't even give it a go. I got the message. I was the past, holding you down. Now you need to realize the same."
"But…"
"It feels like the only reason you're talking to me is because I am a prestige class now."
"WHAT!? No!"
Jaune held up his hand.
"I know that. But you have to admit, it is what it looks like. Seriously Katherine…what's this about?"
"I'm getting married."
"Oh? OH!"
A smile broke way on his face, a genuine happiness he didn't think he was going to feel exuding from him.
"That's amazing Kat! When's the date?"
"It's in a year. Our careers are a massive part of our lives, and we don't want to put it on hold. But…I wanted our wedding to happen back home. That's…that's why I wanted to talk to you."
Home…The village was home once. But now…it didn't really feel like it. Katherine's family was amazing, fantastic even. The reminder of homemade Jaune remember Sakura.
"I haven't called Sakura in…a while," muttered Jaune.
"You mean that woman obsessed with your dad?"
That was what made Jaune angry. Sakura was in no way obsessive with his father. In love with him? Definitely. But she had been respectful, always enjoying her time with them, and never crossing boundaries. They were both lonely, Sakura and his father. The woman had been in an abusive family and marriage, one that his father freed her from. He wasn't entirely sure of the details of it, since it happened when he was young, but Sakura had become attached to both of them. She kept him steady, even when she vehemently disagreed with his dungeon runs.
She…she had sent him off to Beacon…fed him…clothed him…yet here he was putting her as an afterthought, so focused on what was ahead that he never looked back. Jaune stood up, leaving Katherine to jump a little.
"What? Was it something I said."
He turned to her, a small smile forming.
"You don't have to worry about me, Katherine. I'll be fine. Get married wherever you want. Invite me even!"
Jaune's fake smile was filled with both sincerity and falsehood. After all, he genuinely hoped this worked out for her. But Sakura? Sakura was a strange line. She had been so far from his thoughts but now? Now she was on the front. Was it guilt? Did he feel guilt for the lack of contact? For the focus on his birth mother.
….wait….
Jaune stilled at the door as the realization struck him dumb. The world slowed down as he came to the realization that he had more than one mother in his life. No…more like he was finally ready to face it. He ignored Katherine, she was a footnote in his past now. He was different, he knew that. He couldn't cling to who he once was if he was going to succeed in saving his mother. But did that mean abandoning the people that cared for him until now?
The bar that Katherine had brought him to in Camelot was in a secluded place. The perfect joint for a superstar like her to go unnoticed. But Camelot, for all its rustic feel, was still a part of the greater Atlas whole. As such, there was the common use of certain magic technology. The key one being the phone system.
Having inherited a lot of money from her family and marriage, Sakura was one of the few in the village to have a personal phone. The number was pushed once Jaune reached the phone, his own magic being used to power it. Even the weakest person on Remnant could power a phone like this for at least an hour.
The ringing was constant for a bit, but thankfully she picked up.
"Hello? Who is this?"
"It's me."
"…Jaune? Oh! It's been weeks since I've heard from you is everything all right? How are you?"
"I'm doing great. Honestly…I just wanted to say thank you."
"Oh? Whatever for? I haven't sent you anything."
"For everything. For being there. I'm in Atlas right now."
Without missing a beat Sakura landed right on the point.
"You're there for Arturia. Is she all right? What did you need?"
Jaune's eyes watered a bit. Even now this woman was looking out for him. He felt like a heel having never called her this entire time. He remembered barely mentioning her to his guildmates. She deserved better.
"I don't need anything, I promise. I have my guild and the others here."
"Oh…that's good sweetie. Are you certain you're ok?"
"…I just miss you."
He could hear the small squeak she let out. A voice filled with warmth echoed on the line.
"Oh, I miss you too. Promise you'll visit soon?"
"I promise," said Jaune "but…I want you to know that…I can't thank you enough for everything. I was…stubborn…spiteful. I should have accepted your help taking care of dad."
"You're prideful. You get that from your mother. But I know what it is like to feel…so helpless. To feel like you have no control over even your most basic choices. You needed to feel like you were doing something…as much as I hated how you chose to do so. Besides I took care of your father when you weren't there anyways."
The small reprimand made Jaune grimace but he smiled as well. He should have known that there was no such thing as "automatic clothing magic". Was he always this stupid?
"I know. I'm not that reckless."
"That, you get from your father. Don't lie to me. I know you're just as reckless as ever. You just have more power."
Jaune grimaced again.
"You're right."
"Enough about that. Your focus should be on doing whatever you can for your mother. I'll keep saying it but you and your father are basically carbon copies …and just like him I know you'll succeed. I believe in you."
"…I am here for my mother," whispered Jaune, "I'm going to free her…no matter what it takes."
Jaune gripped the metal side of the phone booth that he was in, crushing it underneath his grip.
"But I refuse to ignore the mom I left at home."
He could hear the words catch in Sakura's mouth.
"Thank you," whispered Jaune, "truly. For everything. When you can feel free to come to Beacon. I know me and dad would be happy to see you."
"I….of course," said Sakura, her words wet.
"…I can't promise I'll call every day, but I'll message. I'll get one of those portable scrolls like you have."
"Oh…I'll look forward to it then. I miss you."
"You as well. Have a great day…mom."
He hung up after that. His heart was heavy. Relationships were weird but he knew now that admitting how he felt about Sakura didn't replace the memories and love he felt for his mother. He constantly avoided it, even downplayed it as often as he could…it was the reactions of a child. He would free Arturia Pendragon so help him God and when he did… he would focus on maintaining his relationships better.
God, he felt that he was oblivious. Jaune was certain he would have even ignored the advances of someone if he wasn't so observant. He turned from the booth, staring at the tower in the distance.
"Better get back to the guild."
His walk-through Camelot was calmer now. The people still waved, the sky was still obnoxiously bright, and the entire time Jaune still felt like he was being crushed by the anxiety. He was so close…but also so far. What could he do?
"Wait," muttered Jaune, "The system had been purged of Ob…of him. System."
PING!
"Access store, find any anti-magical items."
Search Inquiry inputted. Accessing.
1,354,678 items found that match inquiry.
"Yikes. System, find any items that can cancel a Geiss."
Would the system even know what he was talking about? Eh, It was worth a shot.
Search Inquiry inputted. Accessing. Using authority {SALEM}.
15 results have been found.
Ten results have been blocked; the user lacks the corresponding authority.
"Authority?"
Gods have granted the use of the system, with the lord of commerce granting the use of the "store". However, certain items are held and distributed with the authorization of certain gods. While the store is available to all those who have been granted access, that does not mean the entire selection is made available to them. Hence, they are restricted and unable to be purchased.
Showing search results:
Death's notice (F-rank)
The greatest contract cancellation method. This item has a 100% curse/contract reduction rate, capable of cleansing any soul of any impurity upon death. Even that of the divine cannot withstand this blade's curse annihilation. The caveat comes in the brittle blade itself. WARNING the recipient must die by this blade to receive the benefits listed above.
Jaune stared at the absurd item, his face stuck in a strong visage of shadow and stone.
Cursed Finger of Sukanta (A-rank)
This is the gnarled finger of a powerful cursed spirit. Using the claw of this cursed object can sever even the strongest contracts and curses. Be warned, the more the player uses this item the more their spirit communes with the curse within. Please note this finger is NOT for consumption.
"Why are all of these terrible? Who would eat a finger!?"
Blessed Sword of Exorcism (B-Rank)
A Katana made for slaying cursed spirits. It can sever even the vilest curses but weakens considerably when used outside of direct combat.
Contract Nullifer (Passive) (B-Rank)
A passive that can be granted by the store! This passive prevents contract based magics from applying to you. However, it is only effective for any new contracts. It cannot dispel a contract already applied to the player.
"Didn't expect it to be that easy," muttered Jaune.
As he said that he noticed the fifth item and he felt his hope grow as his pride diminished.
Rule Breaker (EX-rank)
The dagger of a Medea. It is considered a pinnacle of human legend, a re-enactment of a legendary story and the consequences it brewed. This dagger has the power to disrupt, channel, and engage any magic it comes across. It is at its best when applied to enchantment-based magics such as contracts and barriers. While the blade allows for the complete manipulation and severance of all sorts of magic, the power is restricted by the experience and knowledge of the user.
Jaune's eyes lit up with greed.
"System expand."
Rule Breaker (EX-Rank)
The dagger of Medea. It is considered a pinnacle of human legend, a reenactment of a legendary story and the consequences it brewed. This dagger has the power to disrupt, channel, and engage any magic it comes across. It is at its best when applied to enchantment-based magics such as contracts and barriers. While the blade allows for the complete manipulation and severance of all sorts of magic, the power is restricted by the experience and knowledge of the user.
Price: 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 Gold
Jaune stared at the price with silent contempt, his chin retreating into his neck at the absurd expression of contempt he was aiming at the system.
ALERT!
Rule Breaker is a legendary item, capable of severing even the contracts of the Gods! It's price is a reflection of that lege…error…..error…majjebrgh49928293809802803409809384
ERROR ERROR!
OVERRIDE INITIATED.
ADMIT PROTOCOL ACCEPTED.
DIVINE FORGE INTERCEPTED.
{PROMETHEUS} AUTHORITY ENGAGED.
"Wait what?"
So it's you?
The world shuddered as it came to a screeching halt. But unlike Salem, whose world-stopping power came off as cold and unfeeling, the world was now dyed in crimson. The heat was almost unbearable, even for Jaune.
I remember you…the stubborn craftsman...to forgo your pride for your mother? Such distance and time spent between you two and yet you still stubbornly cling to her. You remind me of myself…though your story is far brighter than my own. Consider this a gift…one son to another. May your mother appreciate your efforts far more than mine ever did.
Jaune's world expanded and retracted all at once. Jaune stilled as he stared down at the dagger now in his hands. He could see it, the embers of a divine flame echoing off its rainbow blade. This dagger…this impossible dagger had been crafted in a second, forged together through mortal means. The history of the dagger was open to Jaune…he couldn't see it's appearance but the lord of the labor caste, Prometheus, was the one to forge this. The entire legend of a different world existed inside this blade…and yet it's power still held even in this world!? How was this done!?
It was utterly insane the level of difference between them. At least this was a god whose skills Jaune could directly appreciate. This dagger was more than a gift to free his mother…it was a blueprint. A lens into seeing the ceiling of his own abilities. A two in one gift, if you would.
To state that Jaune had a lot to learn was like saying water was wet. Jaune wasn't even close.
But it had shown him what he was missing. The different tools that he didn't consider using due to skills, mundane methods that could yield incredible results, if done correctly.
Jaune stared into the distance and for the first time prayed a thank you to the patron god of the Labor caste. Still though…as appreciative as Jaune felt, he knew deep in his heart that he could never be swayed away from Salem or Enya. Worshipping the divines was not unusual in Remnant though.
the way each person did so differ greatly. Jaune stored the Rule-Breaker in his inventory and moved quickly to catch up with his guild. There was no time to waste!
-3 hours later, headquarters of the Roundtable-
"So, we have to waste time," grumbled Yang.
"As convenient as it would be to have a final confrontation, the truth of the matter is that Uther rarely leaves his fortress. He has become admittedly paranoid."
"Is it paranoia if everyone is out to get you?" muttered one random Knight.
"Point," grunted Agravain, "but the fact remains that getting close to Uther is not a possibility. Instead, we must bide our time and maintain the appearance that you are here purely for guild related reasons. For that…we need Ironwood."
Jaune gave a small sneer in disgust at the name.
"I feel the same. But the truth of the matter is that Ironwood is the best thing that has ever happened Atlas. His policies have changed a lot of lives. With Arturia's backing it would have been possible to implement these changes further. Logically I see the reason for his actions."
Agravain shrugged helplessly.
"Though the matters of the heart are not mine to decipher."
"Ah don't worry brother! We'll find you someone."
Agravain sighed helplessly.
"I keep telling you that I'm not like that Gawain."
"Oh posh, you just haven't found the right someone yet!"
Agravain shrugged helplessly.
Jaune chuckled at their antics and looked around the room. Now they were in the grandiose office. His mother's office. There was a bit of dust from disuse, but it was identical to what he
remembered. High marble walls, inlays of blue and gold. At the front of the desk was the carved face of a roaring lion. Jaune placed his hands on the marble desk, enjoying the feel of the strange material.
"It's been a while since you've been here Artorious. You sure you'll be alright?"
"I'm sure," said Jaune, "just wondering what our next move is."
"Simple. We go before Ironwood. Knowing him he'll test us by having you clear the basement of the tower."
"The basement" scoffed Yang, "great another one."
"Quiet," said Agravain, aware of Jaune's past escapades, "the difference here is that the basement of the tower was built to contain a red dungeon...and is really a dungeon but we prefer to term it the basement. No need to reminiscence of that dreadful past.
That shut everyone up. A red gate was a direct link to another world. A trade route beyond any other if you were lucky. Every red gate had become nothing short of an economic explosion for the kingdom it opened for. But that wasn't necessarily true for all of them.
"The red gate contains the pathway to a realm of the undead. Most are sentient and well aware but a few of their number like to escape every now and again and cause trouble in the dungeons. They mitigate this as best they can but every now and again a number of them escape. This will be our in. It is not uncommon for this to be the standard Grand Quest for other schools and students of Beacon. It will not raise suspicions. Even if it does Uther cannot stop it, not politically. Any force of arms will be rebuffed by as. In effect, he is trapped. Once in, Jaune and I will investigate the Giess and see if it is possible to sever the connection."
Jaune felt his heart hammer away, waiting. With the dagger it was possible…but every instinct was telling him it wasn't going to be easy. Rule Breaker, the impossibly versatile tool, was just that. Versatile. There had to certainly be more specific items that could and can break the Giess before Rule Breaker existed. There was something missing, something that Uther was planning.
Jaune may not have seen his grandfather for years, but he knew how he operated. The man was obsessed with playing the royal lord, complete with his 'loyal' subjects. He wouldn't do anything or let anything happen if he had the means to alter and adjust it to suit his needs.
But the sad fact was that there was nothing they could do, not here in Camelot and outside of the tower. There were just too many variables and a lack of information. At first, Jaune wanted to show everyone the dagger, so that they could plan and work something with it. But now…Jaune couldn't help but feel that he was being watched in every way. No, it was best to keep the dagger secret for now, wait until he knew that there weren't any means of subterfuge, then plan with the others what to do with it.
The dagger, as powerful as it was, was contingent on one simple aspect. Skill. Raw manipulation of mana. There was no convenient system skill that would allow Jaune to magically use the dagger…literally. He needed time to practice with it and a way to understand how it works. In fact, simply realizing this fact made Jaune remember all the little extra things his father did in the forge. The use of tongs, punches, and drifts. All these tools that Jaune had sacrificed for the sake of expediency with magic…it made him realize that as a magic blacksmith, that he was alright. But in the actual forge, he was still an apprentice. It was exhilarating, realizing that there was a whole new avenue of improvement…but also somewhat annoying when he realized that he could have made breakthroughs much earlier if he realized this simple fact.
The dagger…it was the key to everything…now if he could only learn to use the damn thing. Even putting mana into it just made the dagger light like an absurdly expensive nightlight. He even touched one of the magical arrays around Camelot and it did jack all. There was no instruction manual. It was like being told to run before you could even crawl, hell before you could even breathe. This was an entirely foreign branch of magic that Jaune had no clue to use.
Fuck.
"No," thought Jaune, "now isn't the time. Focus on what we need to do now."
It was time. After all these years…he was returning to the place it all ended. He was returning to the clock tower of Atlas. The question was how to get there without being stopped. Technically speaking, until they were in the tower, they were not under Ironwood's protection. A concern that Weiss was quick to bring up.
"Have no fear," said Agravain, "we've already ensured a means of travel. My mother will be meeting us shortly."
"Your mother?"
Jaune smirked at the flash of bright light filling the room. The room settled as a beautiful blonde haired woman stood front and center. She was almost a carbon copy of his mother. But while his mother's hair was the color of wheat, Morgan's hair was paler along with her skin. Above her head blazing a brilliant blue was WITCH.
She wore a startling blue dress with a strange long hat, something that looked every part the stereotypical witch hat. It was hilarious to Jaune, if he was being honest. Her expression was cold as she looked at her son.
"Are they ready?"
"Just about mother."
Before anyone could blink a pair of ethereal hands gripped Agravain's face, one made of ice and the other flames. It did nothing to Agravain, the man non-responsive to the sudden magic.
"Still so formal with me, are you Boyo?"
Agravain grunted.
"I'm sorry….mom."
"Better. Now, gather up. And you, keep your tongue in your skull before I take it."
One of the more unfortunate men passing by did just that, his jaw having dropped at seeing the incredible Morgan. The woman turned to Jaune and said nothing else. They all piled in.
"Honestly Agravain, the things you make your poor mother do."
"Says the woman waiting for an entrance."
With that, the world twisted and morphed, the group finding themselves within Morgan's lab. Weiss looked around, enthralled at the incredible set up. Jaune was about to say something but stayed silent as his aunt swept him in a small hug.
"You are home, little one."
"I am," whispered Jaune.
"….There are some things you need to know. Now, before they can be used against you."
Morgan snapped her fingers, a set of footsteps echoing through the room. Jaune blinked, realizing that his aunt's lab had changed. What was once a long stretch of benches and tools across one floor now had a spiral staircase reaching to another floor. Jaune could tell just looking up that it was a living space, seeing just the barest hint of a kitchen from the angle he was at.
"You really decided to live in your lab auntie Morgan. So, what do I need to know."
Morgan sighed, an aggressive glint in her now draconic eyes. Her skin began to scale, much like Jaune's did. But instead of a seering crimson light, hers shone an ethereal blue.
"You have a sister. Come down here Mordred."
The person came down and Jaune saw what must have been a carbon copy of his mother. Their hair was the same, but Mordred was every bit his mother's child. Her eyes, however…her eyes were a one to one for Shirou, filled with a golden hue. Jaune's entire thought process shut down as he stared at her. The girl, dressed in crimson white armor sight had the class KNIGHT above her head. The girl was nervous, no doubt.
"Meet Mordred," stated Morganm placing her hands on Mordred's shoulder, "your sister."
Jaune blinked.
"….she's mom and Ironwoods?"
Morgan rolled her eyes.
"The fool wishes. No, she is your mother and Shirou's child."
"What?"
"Though technically I carried her to term."
"WHAT!?"
Ren came to Jaune, the two men sharing a look.
"….your family is nuts," said Ren simply.
Jaune gave him the stink eye but didn't disagree.
"Anything else?" asked Jaune.
"Oh not much," supplied Morgan dryly, "your grandmother is here as well."
"…..The fuck?" muttered Jaune.
"…I'm gonna take it that the Grandma situation isn't good," whispered Nora.
Ren gave her a flat look.
"You think?"
-The End-
Fiddle with a quicker pace in this chapter with less fluffy detail. Let me know how this is. I'll be doing my usual style for the next chapter. As stated previously I've been going back and forth on the next now three chapters. But depending on the feedback on this chapter will dictate how those chapters flow in response. So please let me know! I'm not entirely happy with it, but I can't try something new and be comfortable with it either. So some outside perspective would be great!
Next Update: Kind of in the wind honestly. The general gist is to get the next Fate/Clover chapter out, but I might release the next supernatural love one first. Just depends.