Interlude 1: For Ice Cream
It turns out if you cut a teenager off from the CCT that after they overcome the sheer horror of the boredom, they find something else to do.
In the case of Jaune, he found that in fighting Grimm and reading novels of "great literary value." Of course, there were other books to read, and so after discovering the library, he began to steadily eat his way through the books there. He had gained two levels in General Studies from the sheer amount of information he had consumed. The only issue he ran into there was some of the books were rather old and, therefore, a little outdated.
In the case of fighting, he had found that possibly because of his new class, it seemed the experience he needed to increase his actual level had greatly increased, yet he still managed to gain two levels from the sheer number of Grimm he would fight every night. Of course, this took a little over a month, and he would have been more frustrated if his other skills hadn't improved.
His Hunter Dagger Arts had increased by two levels. His Aura Control had increased by one. His Shadow Extraction had jumped by four levels. His Hunter Gun Arts had risen by two
The two skills that had seen the most improvement were Stealth and Knight's Shield. Apparently, sneaking through the village in the middle of the night after slaughtering Grimm counted as hiding from people, which he supposed was true. The skill had increased by five levels.
His Knight's Shield had been the biggest surprise. Now at level six, when he had gone into the desert to use the skill and had activated it in the evening light to find a shimmering blue barrier had appeared before him. It steadily drained his mana but seeing the first Grimm collide headfirst into the barrier had been a sight.
Out of instinct, he had pushed back mentally and been rewarded with the barrier flying forward to collide with the Grimm launching it across the sand, slamming and bouncing against the ground sending sandy showers into the air.
Through further experimentation, he had discovered that regardless of what hit the barrier, it would drain mana at the same constant rate. The next step had been obvious.
Which was why he now found himself on the tallest of the mountains, standing at the peak of the rock, looking down the slope.
He took a deep breath steadying himself. With a leap, he left the rock, and with a thought, the blue barrier appeared beneath his feet. He hit the rock and shot down the slope.
Something he had done on his first day here out of a desire to have to not walk down a mountain had turned into a pastime. He skated over the rock letting his mind guide the shield as he skimmed over the uneven ground.
With a grinding spray of sand, he hit the bottom of the mountain skating out into the desert. He laughed breathlessly, gazing out into the desert. This area's Grimm presence had lessened since Jaune had started grinding here, and he was beginning to contemplate going further out into the desert interior of Menagerie to find more Grimm.
Still, that was a thought for later. Jaune could see that the sun was gradually beginning to rise again, the sky slowly beginning to lighten, which meant it was time to head back.
His Nevermore appeared, and he leaped on the back of the Grimm, flying up into the air and back up the mountain. It flew high in the air taking advantage of the still low morning light to pass over Kuo Kana without disturbing the people below.
He dismissed the bird and raised one of his arms up over his head, encasing it in his Knight's Shield, slowing his fall to an effortless glide with the generated air resistance. He dismissed the shield when he was low enough, letting himself fall into a familiar park. It was the first park he had landed in and was his favorite landing spot as it was relatively isolated and near the beach, which meant it had a set of showers for the Faunus that often interacted with the ocean.
Cleansed, he walked out of the showers and began walking the streets of Kuo Kana. He truly enjoyed that early morning feeling about Kuo Kana, where the sun had yet to truly rise, keeping the temperatures cooler than they averaged during the day.
As he was walking, the first part of his day was dampened as he spotted Adam in quiet discussion with a number of faunus. Redirecting his feet, he decided that another path was better to get away from the man's insistence. He was impassioned and persuasive and someone that Jaune would rather not have to deal with.
Of course, since Jaune's day had been going so well previously, obviously, even if he avoided Adam, he naturally wouldn't be able to avoid his partner, Blake.
She was standing off to the side observing Adam and unfortunately ended up being directly in Jaune's path away from the situation.
She met eyes with Jaune and nodded at him in brief acknowledgment. Not having a better response Jaune nodded back to the monochrome-colored girl.
"Adam's been wanting to talk to you again," she said casually cocking an eyebrow at him.
Jaune sighed, doing his best to keep the aggravation from his voice, this was partially his own fault for not giving Adam a firm no, but it had seemed to be for the best not to disturb his cover.
"Look, joining the White Fang isn't in my plans. I'm attempting to become a Huntsman, that's it," he said, shaking his head.
Blake raised her hands, showing she meant no harm, "I just thought you should know. He keeps saying that your talents could be put to better use."
"Better use than making sure civilization isn't destroyed by the Grimm?" Jaune sighed tiredly.
He had really just about had it with these recruitment attempts. This might explain why there were so few combats ready faunus on Menagerie. Anybody who could fight would get swept up to join the White Fang.
"I don't think he means it that way," something about the way she said it made Jaune unsure if she meant those words before she continued, "Personally, I understand. It's by no means an easy fight, and wanting to focus on keeping everyone safe from the Grimm is rather noble."
"Then why don't you?" the words came out of Jaune's mouth before he fully thought them through, "Maybe if you became a Huntress, it would help the humans against you see the world you envision better."
Blake's lips formed a slight but contemplative frown, "I suppose that's possible, but then I would be leaving the White Fang behind."
Jaune didn't miss the glance she gave to Adam during that sentence but chose to not comment on it.
Not sure why he was pressing the issue, he continued, "I wouldn't say it's leaving them behind. More of an alternative approach. Society and its problems are fundamentally made up of people. Being one of those people to change it, wouldn't that also be a way to continue the 'fight?'"
Jaune could see in Blake's eyes that the idea he brought up wasn't the first time she had considered it. Really it was no business of his what Blake did with her life; they didn't even really know each other aside from a couple strange interactions.
Still looking at Adam, who seemed to be making some headway in convincing some of the faunus he was talking to, judging by their heads beginning to nod, he couldn't help but feel that there was something off about the White Fang, or more specifically Adam Taurus.
He could not shake that thought as he went about the rest of his day. He had found an out-of-the-way library to read in and found himself engaged in a book on the Great War. It was a fascinating book as it covered some information that Jaune had previously been unaware of regarding the war.
As he was sitting near a window, he could see a group of faunus talking to a strange man in white robes and a red hood. The one in the white robes was making wide gestures as he talked to them; the manner in which he was speaking reminded Jaune of how Adam had spoken earlier that day.
The one in white robes spoke for some time before the group dispersed. Jaune shrugged to himself and refocused back on the book in front of him again.
The day dragged on toward evening, and Jaune found himself wandering the streets as he killed time before heading out to fight the Grimm. There was something strange in the air and a sense of tension that wasn't normal for Kuo Kana. More out of curiosity than anything, he followed the trickle of people heading inward, noticing that many faunus had congregated in front of the mansion that sat in the center of the village where Ghira lived.
Ghira himself stood in front of the mansion, looking over the assembled people with crossed arms. Jaune noted that, off to the side, Adam stood with a couple of other faunus with weapons near him.
Blake was standing between them but nearer to Adam, but her ordinarily impassive expression seemed to have a tinge of worry.
After a couple more minutes, Belladonna spoke, "Good Evening, everyone; I have gathered you here tonight to discuss a matter of great importance. Sienna Khan has asked me to inform the people of Kuo Kana that the White Fang has struck a blow against the Schnee Dust Company. The exact details of this operation are to be relayed by Adam Taurus."
Adam took Ghira's spot as he stepped back to allow the other man to stand at the front.
"The Schnee Dust Company has long been an obstacle to the Faunus of Remnant," Adam began, his grimm mask standing out starkly in the dim evening, "Its practices have done so much harm. I'm sure all of us know those who've been personally affected or been affected themselves."
Jaune noticed that Adam's fist had clenched during these words before he continued smoothly, "That is why I am pleased to inform you that the White Fang is planning a strike against the family. We will show them a small piece of the pain they have inflicted on us."
Jaune's heart dropped. Weiss's family? They were going to attack Weiss's family?
"I am here to ask for volunteers. Is anyone here ready to take the next step for the future of our liberation?" Adam's words echoed out over the crowd, and the people stirred.
From the crowd, a trickle of faunus emerged, walking to the front, joining Adam.
Jaune was frozen, something cold and violent swirling in his chest. He wouldn't let this happen.
There was nothing he could do right now. He had no idea what they were even planning, so what could he do.
He stepped forward, keeping his face downturned, hiding his expression in the darkness of his hood.
Adam's gaze settled on him and the self-satisfied smirk on his face made Jaune wish he could remove it right now. Permanently.
"It's good to see such heart in all of you," Adam addressed the small group, "We will leave tonight. Thank you, Ghira."
Ghira's expression was pained as he looked at the group, or more specifically, Jaune realized Ghira's eyes were on himself. He had told Ghira that he had no plans on joining the White Fang, hadn't he? Well, that resolution was still the same. What he was doing was for one reason, only to protect Weiss.
"A word, young man?" Ghira said, looking directly at Jaune.
Jaune almost missed the slight snarl that formed on Adam's lips, but it was quickly smoothed out into a charming grin.
"We're taking a ship called the Dawn Treader; it's at the main dock," Adam said shortly at Jaune before he walked with the rest of the faunus and Blake, who followed after glancing at Ghira.
The crowd of faunus was beginning to disperse, but Jaune's focus was on the piercing gaze of Ghira that was directed at him.
"Not interested in joining the White Fang?" Ghira asked slowly.
Jaune looked at the big man trying to figure out what to say to the man. Finally, he settled on part of the truth.
"I'm not interested in joining the White Fang, and that hasn't changed."
"You could have fooled me," Ghira said sharply, "This is exactly what you shouldn't get wrapped up in. Attacking the Schnee family isn't going to do anything to help the faunus. It's just going to justify their views."
A guilty feeling squirmed in Jaune's gut as he looked at the man's face. It was almost like Ghira wasn't even talking to him but someone else. He had to give the man some reassurance.
"I'm going to make sure no one gets hurt," Jaune said softly, "I mean no one."
Ghira looked confused for a moment before his eyes widened, "Are you crazy, boy? Do you know what you're stirring up?"
Despite his words, Ghira's voice remained low.
"It doesn't matter," Jaune said, unable to keep the steel from his voice, "It's the right thing to do."
Ghira didn't say anything for a long moment before he grunted, "Fine. It's your decision. Just can I ask you a favor?"
Jaune was surprised, but the tone in the man's voice gave him no choice as he responded, "What is it?"
"Make sure nothing happens to Blake. She can handle herself, but this…." Ghira shook his head, "I'm asking you as a Father. Please."
"I promise," Jaune said, "I said no one's going to get hurt. I mean it."
Jaune turned, walking away now, contemplating how exactly he was going to make good on his promise.
Authors Note:
I know that it's a short chapter, but I thought it best to have the coming events in a separate chapter. Not sure how many of you saw this coming, but it looks like Jaune's plans are changing. Maybe a certain reunion won't be as far in the future as we thought.
On another note, thanks to the commenter who noted I had been spelling Faunus wrong for a while. Whoops.
Stats:
Name: Jaune Arc
Class: Shadow Knight
Level: 22
HP: 500
AP: 5000
Mana: 6000
Strength: 50
Agility: 50
Health: 50
Sense: 50
Intelligence: 60
Luck: ?
Available Ability Points: 81
Skills:
Gamers Mind: Level Max
Dancing: Level 50
General Studies: Level 42
Hunter Martial Arts: Level 15
Hunter Dagger Arts: Level 38
Hunter Sword Arts: Level 31
Hunter Shield Arts: Level 25
Aura Control: Level 37
Shadow Extraction: Level 17
Hunter Gun Arts: Level 14
Stealth: Level 10
Knight's Shield: Level 6
Dust Channeling: Level 3
Survival: Level 3
Inventory:
Crocea Mors
Hunters Daggers
Clothing
Assorted Food Supplies
Ninjas of Love: Volume 1
Camping Equipment
