His soul ignited, golden light so bright,
It pushed away the shadows of the night,
The first of men to call upon his Aura,
A beacon in the darkness, like Aurora.
Jaune Arc furrowed his brow, fumbling with his crimson tie as he stood before the mirror in Team JNPR's dorm room. The fabric seemed to slip through his fingers like water, refusing to cooperate. He glanced enviously at Nora and Ren, who had somehow managed to perfect their uniforms with ease. Pyrrha was still absent, the sound of running water from the bathroom signaling her tardiness.
With a sigh, Jaune pulled out his Scroll, desperately searching for a tutorial video on tie-tying. The device's holographic display flickered to life, casting a soft blue glow across his face. As he squinted at the tiny figures demonstrating proper technique, the bathroom door slid open with a pneumatic hiss.
Pyrrha emerged, her long red hair damp and shimmering as she ran a brush through it. Her emerald eyes quickly assessed the situation, a warm smile spreading across her face as she noticed Jaune's predicament.
"Need a hand with that?" she asked, her voice carrying its usual gentle tone.
Jaune's cheeks flushed slightly as he nodded. "Yeah, that'd be great. Thanks, Pyrrha."
The champion fighter gracefully stepped into his personal space, her fingers deftly working the silk fabric. Jaune couldn't help but notice the faint scent of her floral shampoo as she concentrated on the task.
"There," Pyrrha said, giving the tie a final adjustment. Her hands lingered for a moment on his chest, smoothing out the wrinkles in his jacket. "Perfect."
"You're a lifesaver," Jaune chuckled nervously. "I never quite got the hang of this at home. My sisters or mom usually did it for me."
Pyrrha's eyes lit up with curiosity. "That's right, you mentioned having seven sisters. They must have kept you on your toes growing up."
Jaune nodded, a fond smile playing at his lips. "Yeah, never a dull moment in the Arc household."
"And you didn't learn how to tie a tie at Signal?" Pyrrha asked, her tone carefully neutral.
Jaune's smile faltered for a split second before he plastered it back on. "Nope! Guess I was too busy with... other stuff," he finished lamely, averting his gaze.
A loud slurping sound drew their attention. Ren stood nearby, sipping a viscous green concoction from a clear glass. Nora peered into the drink with a mixture of fascination and disgust.
"Ren, I swear I just saw something move in there," she said, poking at the glass.
Before Ren could respond, a cacophony of banging and whirring erupted from across the hall. The sounds of power tools and muffled arguing filtered through the walls of Team RWBY's room.
Jaune exchanged a bewildered look with his teammates. "Should we... check on them?"
As if on cue, the door to Team RWBY's room burst open. Weiss Schnee stormed out, her face a mask of exasperation. "It's 8:55, you dolts! We're going to be late!" she snapped, barely sparing a glance at Team JNPR as she rushed past.
Ruby, Yang, and Blake poked their heads out of the doorway, revealing a glimpse of their room. Jaune's eyes widened at the sight of precariously constructed bunk beds – one suspended by ropes, the other balanced atop a tower of books.
"Ren!" Nora squealed, grabbing her partner's arm. "We have to do that to our room!"
Ruby's silver eyes met Jaune's, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "To class!" she declared, brandishing Crescent Rose in its compact form like a baton.
As Team RWBY dashed down the hallway, Jaune turned to Pyrrha, panic setting in. "Wait, did she say 8:55?"
Pyrrha glanced at the clock, her eyes widening. "Oh no, we're going to be late for Professor Port's Grimm Studies!"
"Not if I can help it!" Jaune declared, a newfound determination in his voice. He may not be the strongest fighter at Beacon, but he wasn't about to let his team down on their first day of class. "Team JNPR, move out!"
With a chorus of affirmatives, the four friends sprinted down the corridor, their footsteps echoing through the halls of Beacon Academy.
/-/
Jaune Arc struggled to keep his eyes open, his hand propping up his head as he fought the urge to face-plant onto the lecture hall desk. Professor Port's booming voice droned on, seemingly oblivious to the sea of glazed expressions before him.
"...and that, students, is why one should always pack chocolate pudding when traveling to Vacuo. It could save your life!" Professor Port concluded, his impressive mustache twitching with pride.
Jaune's bleary gaze drifted to Pyrrha, who had long since given up on deciphering any meaning from the rambling tale. She sat with perfect posture, hands folded in her lap, a polite smile fixed on her face. Something about that plastered-on expression made Jaune's heart sink.
His eyes wandered across the lecture hall to Team RWBY. Ruby was doodling furiously, occasionally showing her sketches to an exasperated Weiss. Yang mirrored Jaune's struggle, her head bobbing dangerously close to her desk. Blake, ever the ninja, had somehow managed to sneak a book into class and was reading it behind a propped-up textbook.
"One of the Grimm's greatest crimes," Port continued, launching into another tangent, "is their affront to proper dental hygiene!"
Jaune's hands flew to his temples, massaging them in a futile attempt to stave off an oncoming headache. He glanced at Ren, who was calmly watching Nora construct a miniature paper replica of Magnhild.
Suddenly, Port's voice cut through Jaune's haze. "Now, can any of you tell me a notable weakness of the Grimm, other than the use of Dust rounds or conventional weaponry?"
Jaune's elbow slipped, and he yelped as his nose collided with the desk. "Yes! You there, Mr. Arc!" Port exclaimed, seizing on the sudden movement.
Jaune lifted his head, acutely aware of his teammates' expectant stares. "Grimm weaknesses other than Dust weapons, sir?"
Port's bushy eyebrow arched. "Indeed. Please, give an example."
Jaune's mind raced, trying to figure out how to mention fire without raising suspicion about his abilities. "Well, I remember reading in 'History of Remnant' that before Dust and firearms, villagers without access to forges would make clay jars filled with flammable tree sap. They'd throw these at Grimm and ignite them."
Warming to his topic, Jaune continued, "I think since Grimm fur is so thick, you could potentially fend off a few with fire or even some types of gas, especially if there's no water source nearby."
Professor Port nodded approvingly. "An astute observation, Mr. Arc! Fire and certain chemical agents can indeed be effective against many types of Grimm. However," he raised a finger, "it's crucial to note that this isn't universally true."
Port turned to the chalkboard, quickly sketching a Nevermore. "Avian species, like Nevermores, secrete a special oil from their glands that coats their feathers. This adaptation not only prevents them from easily catching fire but is believed to aid in buoyancy for ocean flight."
Jaune's brow furrowed as he contemplated this new information. His mind drifted to Crocea Mors, The notion of sword-fighting against airborne enemies suddenly seemed far more daunting.
"I'll need to find a way to fight bird Grimm if fire isn't effective," Jaune mused silently. "Maybe I can get some specialized training later today..."
As Port launched into another meandering tale, Jaune felt a subtle warmth in his chest. Catching Yang's eye across the room, he saw her give him a subtle thumbs-up. Jaune grinned, turning his attention back to Port with renewed focus. He had a lot to learn.
/-/
"Begin!" Professor Glynda Goodwitch's voice rang out across the combat arena.
Jaune's eyes were fixed on Crocea Mors resting in his lap, his fingers absently tracing the scabbard's edge as the clang of steel on steel echoed through the room. The fight between Sky Lark of Team CRDL and another student whose name Jaune had missed was well underway.
"I think your Semblance is acting up again," Pyrrha commented quietly, her emerald eyes still focused on her Scroll.
Jaune's head snapped up, heart racing. On Pyrrha's screen, the Aura levels of Team JNPR were displayed. While Ren, Nora, and Pyrrha's bars glowed a healthy green, Jaune's meter was completely empty.
"Again?!" Nora's excited voice came from behind as she leaned forward. "Jauney, are you training without us?"
Jaune shook his head, trying to keep his voice steady. "I haven't, I swear. Maybe it's just glitching or something." He pulled out his own Scroll, dismayed to see the same result.
As the current match concluded, Pyrrha turned to Jaune, concern evident in her eyes. "Do you think you'll be able to spar if Professor Goodwitch calls on you?"
Jaune's hands tightened around Crocea Mors, the image of a Beowolf turning to ash flashing through his mind. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Yang Xiao Long versus Nora Valkyrie," Glynda announced, her stern gaze sweeping over the students.
Nora leapt to her feet, pumping her fist in the air. "Cheer up, Jaune! I'm gonna kick some butt for our team!" She hefted Magnhild over her shoulder with ease.
Yang stood from where Team RWBY was seated, cracking her knuckles with a grin. "Bring it on, Thunder Thighs!"
As the two fighters made their way to the arena, Glynda raised her riding crop. "Due to the nature of this being a sparring match, you two will be limited to non-lethal force. The use of firearms or explosives is not allowed."
Both girls deflated slightly, Nora letting out a disappointed "Aww," while Yang muttered, "Where's the fun in that?"
A sharp look from Glynda silenced any further protests.
"So, Gingy, gonna sweep me off my feet?" Yang teased, slipping into her boxing stance.
Nora swung Magnhild around with one hand, the ground shaking as its head struck the floor. "Let's dance, Goldilocks!"
In a burst of explosive energy, Nora launched herself forward, propelled by Magnhild's blast. Yang charged to meet her, letting out a battle cry that was matched by Nora's gleeful giggle.
Yang's fist met Magnhild's shaft as Nora used her weapon like a staff, parrying several of Yang's rapid-fire punches. In a surprise move, Nora extended her free hand, a burst of electricity arcing from her fingertips to Yang's gauntlets.
"I like the new look!" Nora quipped as Yang's golden mane stood on end from the shock. "Very punk rock!"
Yang's response was a swift leg sweep that sent Nora tumbling. The hammer-wielder recovered quickly, using Magnhild's recoil to launch herself skyward. As she plummeted back down, Yang met her mid-air, driving a kick into Nora's stomach.
The brawler seized Nora's shoulders, spinning them both into a dizzying cyclone before slamming Nora into the ground with a brutal suplex. The impact kicked up a cloud of dust, Nora's Aura dipping dangerously into the yellow.
"Boop," Nora's voice rang out from the dust cloud, followed by a massive burst of electricity that sent Yang flying back, her own Aura taking a significant hit.
As the dust settled, Yang stood, her hair frizzed and standing straight up, eyes blazing crimson. "Oh, it is on now!"
What followed was a whirlwind of punches, hammer swings, and acrobatics that left the audience breathless. Jaune winced as Yang caught Magnhild mid-swing, using Nora's momentum to pull her into a devastating haymaker.
Nora hit the ground hard, her eyes spinning as she mumbled about "pancake clouds" and "syrup rain."
"Nora Valkyrie's Aura has entered the red," Glynda announced, ending the match. "Team JNPR, please escort Miss Valkyrie to the infirmary."
As Jaune moved to help, Glynda's voice cut through the air. "Mr. Arc, you're up next."
Jaune froze, his hand instinctively going to Crocea Mors' hilt. "My Aura is drained, Professor. I don't think I should fight."
Glynda's eyes narrowed behind her glasses. "How did this happen?"
Before Jaune could stammer out a response, Pyrrha stepped in smoothly. "We did some team training yesterday, Professor. His Aura is still recovering."
Glynda studied them for a moment before sighing. "Very well. Mr. Arc, report to the infirmary and request an Aura booster from Nurse Tsune. Return as soon as possible."
Jaune gulped as Dr. Tsune, Beacon's fox Faunus nurse, approached him with a massive needle filled with glowing yellow liquid. As she jabbed him, the substance poured into his body, and Jaune immediately sensed something was amiss.
His muscles tensed, overtaken by a rippling, glowing shield that enveloped his entire form. Whispers tickled the edges of his mind, causing him to shake his head in confusion.
Dr. Tsune's fox tail swished back and forth as she observed the unusual reaction. "That's never happened before," she muttered, her brow furrowed.
Jaune raised a hand to his forehead, his body pulsing with the strange light. Glancing down at his Scroll, he noticed the Aura meter glowing an alarming shade of green. At his hip, Crocea Mors shuddered in its sheath.
As his hand instinctively found the hilt of his ancestral weapon, the energy seemed to pour over the blade. Jaune exhaled, his breath visible in the suddenly chilled air.
"How do you feel, Jaune?" Pyrrha asked, concern evident in her voice.
Jaune looked down at his hand, flexing his fingers. "I feel... good," he replied, surprise coloring his tone. A fleeting image of himself wreathed in flames flashed before his eyes, snapping him back to reality. "I need to get back to Professor Goodwitch's class."
As he stood to leave, Nora shot him an encouraging grin. "Kick some butt, Jaune-Jaune!"
"I'll do my best," Jaune promised, slipping out the door with newfound energy coursing through his veins.
The sparring room buzzed with anticipation as Jaune entered, sauntering up to the side of the arena. As the previous match concluded, Glynda Goodwitch's piercing gaze settled on him.
"Cardin Winchester versus Jaune Arc," she announced.
Jaune stepped forward, his eyes briefly scanning the bleachers. Team RWBY sat in rapt attention – Yang flashed him a thumbs-up, Ruby cheered enthusiastically, Blake watched with quiet interest, and Weiss... well, Weiss looked thoroughly unimpressed.
Drawing Crocea Mors, Jaune locked eyes with Cardin, who brandished his imposing mace. The weapon made a menacing whoosh as Cardin took a practice swing.
Jaune's tactical mind whirred into action. Cardin's weak points: armpits, lower torso, neck, and collarbone. His hips are armored, but the joints are vulnerable. If I can hit the gaps in his armor, I might be able to whittle down his Aura.
The two circled each other warily. Jaune raised his shield and lunged forward, aiming a precise stab at Cardin's exposed stomach. The larger boy's mace connected with Jaune's shield, the impact rattling his bones. Another bash knocked Jaune off-balance, Crocea Mors nearly slipping from his grasp.
Cardin pressed a button on his mace, causing a small explosion that brought the weapon crashing down on Jaune's shield. The blonde fighter found himself pulled to the ground, a vicious kick cracking across his jaw.
As Cardin prepared to stomp down, Jaune felt a surge of heat building within him. Gritting his teeth, he willed his body to intensify the warmth. To his amazement, the rubber sole of Cardin's boot began to melt. Seizing the opportunity, Jaune slid away and forced his shield against Cardin, pushing him back.
The two remained locked in a fierce struggle, neither yielding ground. Jaune attempted to target Cardin's weak points with Crocea Mors, but found his strikes continually blocked.
In a moment of desperation, Jaune leaned in close, getting in Cardin's face. As they grappled, Jaune felt the heat within him surge upwards. Before he could stop himself, a small plume of fire erupted from his mouth, catching Cardin by surprise.
The larger boy recoiled, his eyes shutting reflexively. Jaune broke the clash, bringing his sword down on Cardin's armor. He watched with satisfaction as his opponent's Aura flickered, though his own had already dipped into the yellow.
Enraged, Cardin tackled Jaune to the ground, using his superior weight to pin him down. Punch after punch rained down on Jaune's face as he struggled to fight back.
Suddenly, Cardin was lifted into the air as if by magic. Jaune looked up to see Professor Goodwitch standing nearby, her riding crop raised. A quick glance at the Aura meters showed that Jaune's had dipped into the red.
"That was... sloppy," Goodwitch commented, her tone sharp with disapproval. "The clash lacked both skill and discipline. I understand that in the field, plans rarely survive first contact, but you two are Huntsmen-in-training, not brawlers in a bar fight. Your conduct should reflect that. Both of you need significant practice before I'll allow this kind of display in my class again."
"Yes, Professor Goodwitch," both Cardin and Jaune mumbled, eyes downcast.
As Jaune slipped back into the bleachers, he caught sight of his friends. Ruby offered a sympathetic smile, while Yang's eyes blazed crimson. He winced, letting his gaze drop to the floor, a mixture of shame and confusion swirling within him.
/-/
Jaune flinched as he felt something soft hit his head. An apple, or maybe an orange, bounced off and rolled across the cafeteria floor. He kept his face planted firmly on the hard surface of the table, wallowing in his defeat.
Ruby hissed something to Yang, followed by a brief, hushed conversation. The scraping of chairs on either side of him signaled the arrival of his teammates. A comforting hand rested on his shoulder, and Jaune felt his sadness ebb slightly.
Looking up, he met Ren's empathetic pink eyes. "That bad, huh?" Nora asked, leaning around Ren to plop down across from Weiss. The heiress tried her best to ignore the energetic redhead, taking a pointed bite of meat from her plate.
Weiss let out an indignant yelp as Nora snatched a piece of fruit from her tray. "Hey!" she protested.
Nora responded by blowing a raspberry and biting into the orange – peel and all – causing Weiss to gag in disgust.
"Who did you end up facing?" Pyrrha asked, setting a plate of fruit and meat in front of Jaune. She offered him a fork, which he accepted with a mumbled thanks.
Before Jaune could answer, Yang chimed in, "Cardin Winchester."
Pyrrha winced, recalling the bully's massive mace. "At least you had your armor. It should have helped a lot against the mace."
Yang snorted. "Vomit Boy here didn't get hit in the armor once."
Pyrrha's face brightened for a moment, but Yang continued, "Nope, took it all to the kisser."
Frowning, Pyrrha examined Jaune's face, searching for bruises. Finding none, she asked, "He isn't injured. Were they only glancing blows?"
Ruby shook her head. "It was pretty bad. I'm kind of surprised he can still stand. His Aura went into the red, so I thought he'd be resting in the infirmary if it was activated and healing."
Jaune sighed. "My dad's a Huntsman. He always healed quickly, said Grandpa had good genes." He thought briefly of Julius Arc, wondering if he shared the same trait.
"I don't know, Vomit Boy," Yang said skeptically. She turned to Pyrrha, mimicking boxing motions. "Cardin was wailing on him for quite a while. Professor Goodwitch had to pull him off."
Pyrrha looked mortified, but Jaune protested, "It wasn't that bad." He took a bite of meat, trying to appear nonchalant.
"Yeah, would have been easier if you just beat the guy," Yang remarked, causing Jaune to freeze mid-chew.
Pyrrha stepped in, ever supportive. "I'm sure Jaune did the best he could."
Yang's eyes flashed crimson for a moment before settling back to their usual lilac. "I don't think so. I think Vomit Boy here's got something up his sleeve."
Jaune cleared his throat nervously as Yang took a long swig of orange juice.
"Are you two fighting?" Ruby asked, frowning at the tension between her sister and friend.
Both Jaune and Yang turned to her. "No," Yang replied, a hint of bitterness in her voice. "Just kinda difficult to see a fellow Signal student get pounded into the dirt like that."
Jaune wilted at her words, but Ruby, ever the optimist, piped up, "Maybe Jaune's more of a strategist!"
Suddenly, the eyes of Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora were on him. Jaune swallowed hard.
"When we were fighting the Death Stalker, your plan to sever the stinger using Pyrrha's shield was pretty smart," Ren commented.
Jaune became bashful. "It just seemed right. Pyrrha figured it out before I did. You all would have been fine without me."
Pyrrha shook her head. "You're an important member of the team, Jaune."
Nora chimed in, "Yeah, imagine if we had Weiss. We'd be Team WRPN, like 'whimperin''. No one likes that!"
"It would be WNPR," Ren corrected neutrally.
Nora shook her head vigorously. "That's even worse!"
Ruby turned back to Jaune. "That thing about sap and fire – have you ever thought about using something other than your sword?"
Jaune shook his head. "Kind of? I thought about buying a sidearm or something, but Crocea Mors is an heirloom. It doesn't feel right to use anything else. You know?"
The faces of both teams softened. Ruby nodded, "Yeah, I don't think I'd be the same without my baby." She patted Crescent Rose affectionately.
Jaune looked down at his sword, his hand wrapping around the scabbard. Yang held up a piece of vegetable on her fork. "Do you want us to give you and the sword a moment, Vomit Boy?"
Jaune flicked a piece of food at Yang playfully. "You want to go?" she challenged, grinning.
"Food fight?" Nora perked up, practically vibrating with excitement. Ren immediately put a calming hand on her shoulder, shaking his head.
"You know, Jaune," Pyrrha said, "if you want to better learn how to handle your sword, I could help you."
Yang snorted. "I'm sure you could, P-money."
Pyrrha's face went red as Jaune facepalmed. Ruby's disgusted "Ew!" echoed through the cafeteria.
Jaune uncovered his flushed face, his eyes darting towards Yang. He noticed her partner, Blake, staring intently at something across the cafeteria. Following her gaze, Jaune saw what had captured not just Blake's attention, but also Pyrrha's and the rest of their friends'.
Cardin Winchester, clad in his bulky armor, stood towering over a Faunus girl. His meaty hand gripped one of her chocolate-brown rabbit ears, yanking it cruelly. "See, guys? I told you they were real!" Cardin called out to his team, CRDL, eliciting snickers from them as the girl struggled to break free.
"What an ass," Yang growled, her lilac eyes flickering dangerously close to crimson.
Beside her, Blake's grip on her fork tightened, the metal utensil bending under the pressure of her white-knuckled fist. Her amber eyes blazed with a mixture of fury and pain.
Ruby's silver eyes widened in disbelief. "I can't believe this kind of thing happens even at Beacon," she murmured, her usual cheerfulness replaced by dismay.
Jaune's gaze dropped to Crocea Mors, propped against the table. As anger built within him, he felt his body temperature rise. In the polished surface of his sword, his reflection stared back at him, eyes seeming to gleam with an inner fire. Suddenly, his mind flashed with a horrifying image: flaming stakes, Faunus tied to them, burning...
He snapped back to reality with a scowl, his reflection's expression hardening. With a resounding slam of his fist against the table, Jaune stood up.
"Jaune?" Pyrrha's concerned voice barely registered as he strode purposefully down the aisle between tables.
Finding himself face-to-face with Cardin, Jaune's blue eyes narrowed. The armored boy's grip remained firm on the Faunus girl's ear.
"Got a problem, Arc?" Cardin sneered, giving another cruel tug.
The image of burning Faunus flashed in Jaune's mind again, and he felt his hands begin to steam. "Let her go, Cardin," he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
"What, Arc? Trying to play the hero?" Cardin taunted, pulling the Faunus girl closer.
Jaune reached out to grab Cardin's wrist, but the larger boy caught his hand mid-air. As their eyes locked, Jaune felt his entire arm burning up, the heat intensifying with his anger. Cardin winced, quickly releasing his grip.
"I said, let her go," Jaune repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.
For a moment, Cardin hesitated. Then, Jaune's hand shot out, gripping Cardin's wrist. He channeled his fire, feeling the heat pour through his arm and into Cardin. The bully yelped, immediately releasing the Faunus girl.
Cardin straightened up, now eye-to-eye with Jaune, who refused to back down. Jaune held his breath, knowing that if he exhaled now, he might accidentally unleash a torrent of flames.
"That's enough," Pyrrha's calm voice cut through the tension as she stepped between them. She placed a gentle hand on Jaune's chest, slowly pushing him back.
"Gonna let your girlfriend fight your battles, Arc?" Cardin taunted, his bravado returning.
Jaune surged forward, closing the distance. "I'll fight you right here, Cardin," he growled, his Aura flickering visibly with suppressed energy.
"Maybe I knocked a screw loose before. You saying you want a rematch, Arc?" Cardin sneered.
In response, Jaune shoved him back, forcing Cardin against the table. His eyes flickered to the small indents left in Cardin's steel chestplate, evidence of the heat he'd channeled.
"The next time we fight," Jaune said, his voice steady and filled with newfound confidence, "I'm going to beat you. You hear me?"
/-/
Jaune hit the ground hard, wincing as he felt the impact reverberate through his body.
"Your stance is too wide," Pyrrha instructed, her voice firm but kind. "You need to be lower to the ground." The champion fighter stood tall in her gleaming bronze armor, her weapon Miló in its sword configuration.
As Jaune rose, he felt a familiar warmth pooling around the forming bruise. The sensation quickly dissipated, and he chalked it up to his Aura at work. Determined, he shifted into a new stance, mimicking Pyrrha's posture.
Pyrrha adjusted her position, lifting her shield Akoúo̱ and sliding Miló into its groove. The crimson blade pointed directly at Jaune. "Try to do the same with your shield," she suggested.
Jaune complied, transforming Crocea Mors' scabbard into its heater shield form. His arm slipped into the handle, and he angled the broad face towards Pyrrha. As he slid his sword into the curve at the top, Crocea Mors vibrated briefly, eliciting a small smile from Jaune.
Without warning, Pyrrha rushed forward. Her shield collided with his, the force of her charge parrying Jaune's larger heater shield to the side. In an instant, Jaune found himself exposed. Pyrrha's sword darted forward, stopping mere inches from his chest.
"You need to adjust your footing and put your weight forward," Pyrrha advised. "If your shield gets pushed away in battle and the enemy gets within arm's length, your shield arm is practically disabled, leaving your entire left side open to attack. When you take the brunt of a force, it's better to be pushed back than to the side."
Jaune sighed, raising his shield once more as Pyrrha stepped back. "Are you better at hand-to-hand?" she inquired.
Jaune shook his head. "I've never really fought much before," he admitted absently.
Pyrrha tilted her head, confusion evident in her emerald eyes. "What about at Signal?"
Jaune turned away, unable to meet her gaze. Pyrrha's expression softened. "Jaune?"
He glanced down at Crocea Mors, his reflection staring back at him before he finally looked at his partner. "I should be better," he murmured.
Pyrrha's frown melted into a sad smile. "Jaune, you're fine," she reassured him, collapsing Miló and Akoúo̱ before placing them on her back. "Everyone has different skill sets. You're our leader, and no matter what happens, we'll watch your back."
Jaune managed a small smile. "I know, but I want to get better, to be able to watch your backs as well. I don't want to rely on you to fight my battles."
"That's admirable, Jaune," Pyrrha said warmly. "But you never have to worry about that." She reached out, her hand gently cupping his face. Her thumb brushed over a small bruise, and she winced, feeling an unexpected heat emanating from the injury.
Jaune, noticing her discomfort, grasped her wrist. "Are you okay?"
Pyrrha's brow furrowed. "Are you running a fever?"
"I don't think so," Jaune replied, perplexed.
Pyrrha lowered her hand, concern etched on her face. "Jaune, is there anything you aren't telling me?"
He shook his head, forcing a smile. "I'm fine, Pyrrha. Don't worry. I can take care of myself, you know."
Pyrrha's frown deepened. "I know, but I'm your partner. If you ever need to talk, you know you can come to me."
"I know," Jaune assured her, his voice softening. "I trust you, Pyrrha. And if you ever need to talk about anything, know that I'm here, alright?"
Pyrrha's emerald eyes softened, and for a moment, they stood in comfortable silence. Suddenly, Pyrrha winced and pulled back, staring at her hands in shock. Her Aura flickered to life, enveloping her palms in a soft red glow.
Jaune's eyes widened, a mixture of fear and confusion washing over him as he looked at his own hands, feeling an intense burning sensation.
"What... was that?" Pyrrha asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I-" Jaune struggled to find words. "Sorry," he mumbled, his hand going to his shoulder as he turned away. Without another word, he left the rooftop, leaving a bewildered Pyrrha behind.
Jaune retraced his steps through Beacon's courtyard, Crocea Mors swaying at his hip as he weaved between the trees. His destination: the familiar training rooms. Approaching the door, he hesitated before knocking.
After a moment, the door swung open, revealing Yang Xiao Long. She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips. "Well, well, well. If it isn't Mr. Punching Bag."
"Yang, come on," Jaune pleaded. "You told me to show up, and I did. Just-"
Before he could finish, Yang yanked him inside, throwing him to the ground. "Just what?" she challenged, Ember Celica gleaming on her arms. "You're supposed to be from Signal, and you're out there getting beaten up by some... meathead!" Her eyes flashed crimson as she ran a hand through her golden mane in frustration.
"I'm sorry, but I didn't want to hurt him!" Jaune protested.
Yang shook her head, exasperated. "Jaune, if you're not going to use your abilities, the least you can do is be decent with a sword. I thought you'd have some experience fighting if you were going to sneak into Beacon!"
"I thought you said it didn't matter!" Jaune's voice cracked with desperation.
"Yeah, I thought maybe I was just that good. Turns out, you're just that bad!" Yang retorted.
Jaune's breath hitched. "So... are you going to report me?"
Yang's expression softened slightly. "No. I said I wouldn't, and I meant it. Instead, I'm going to train you until you're good enough to kick Cardin's ass." She punctuated her statement by slamming her fists together, activating Ember Celica. The gauntlets whirred to life, loading rounds with mechanical precision.
"Bring out your fire," Yang ordered.
Jaune hesitated. "Yang, I don't want-"
A frustrated growl escaped Yang's lips as she unleashed her semblance. Fire burst from her like a shockwave, engulfing the room in a wave of heat. Her hair transformed into a mane of golden flames.
"Get ready," she warned, "because either you kick my butt, or I kick yours."
Jaune rose to his feet, feeling a familiar pressure building inside him. He exhaled, and fire erupted from his mouth, filling the air with dancing embers. The warmth spread through his body, and a golden sheen roved over his skin. Settling into the boxing stance Yang had shown him earlier, Jaune prepared for battle.
He punched forward, launching a fireball that he then manipulated into a wide, sword-like arc. Yang gracefully leapt over it, twisting in midair before landing with cat-like agility as the flames impacted the wall behind her.
Jaune pressed his attack, sending two more fireballs Yang's way. She bobbed and weaved between them effortlessly. Changing tactics, Jaune stomped his foot, sending a thin wave of flame across the ground. Yang responded by launching herself into the air, using Ember Celica's recoil to ricochet off the walls.
The room filled with smoke as their fiery exchange continued. Jaune's palms erupted into flames as he tried to track Yang's movements. Suddenly, a blast from Ember Celica caught him from behind, staggering him. Yang followed up with a crushing blow to his jaw.
Disoriented and surrounded by smoke, Jaune found himself constantly on the defensive. Yang would appear for brief moments, unleashing waves of fire before disappearing again. Frustration mounted as Jaune's body temperature rose with his emotions.
Another blast from Ember Celica streaked towards him. In a moment of inspiration, Jaune waved his hand, bending the incoming fire into a vortex around him. With a powerful gesture, he expanded the fiery barrier outward.
To his amazement, Yang burst through the flames, her semblance absorbing the impact. She slid low to the ground before springing into the air. Jaune raised his hands to guard, but Yang's kick found his exposed midsection, slamming him against the wall.
Pinned, with Yang's arm across his chest and her palm flat against the wall beside his head, Jaune knew the match was over.
"I win," Yang declared, breathing heavily, a triumphant grin on her face.
Jaune exhaled sharply, his chest heaving as he steadied himself. "I... I want to go again," he said, determination flickering in his blue eyes.
Yang cracked a smile, her eyes still blazing crimson. "You think second time's the charm, Vomit Boy?" she quipped, her tone playful yet challenging.
Jaune shook his head, a hint of newfound resolve in his voice. "I want to try something different."
Curiosity piqued, Yang raised an eyebrow and lowered her Ember Celica-clad arm. "Oh? This should be interesting."
With deliberate movements, Jaune reached for his chest plate, unclasping the familiar white armor. It landed on the ground with a soft thud, and he immediately felt lighter. Next, he unhooked Crocea Mors from his belt, gently placing the ancient sword beside his discarded armor. Finally, he kicked off his shoes and peeled away his socks, wiggling his toes against the cool floor of Beacon's training room.
As Jaune moved towards the center of the arena, Yang watched with growing interest. "What's the deal here, Jaune?"
Instead of answering, Jaune closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and centered himself. In a burst of movement, he delivered two swift punches to the air. Then, pivoting on his heel, he unleashed a kick that sent a blazing fireball erupting from his foot. The force of the firebending threw him off balance, but he managed to regain his stance, a mixture of surprise and excitement on his face.
Turning back to Yang, whose lilac eyes had now returned, Jaune asked breathlessly, "I want to learn how to kick properly. Can you teach me?"
A wide grin spread across Yang's face, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Oh, this is going to be fun!" she exclaimed, cracking her knuckles. "But first things first, you need to loosen up those muscles, Vomit Boy. Flexibility is key."
Before Jaune could react, Yang swiftly swept his leg out from under him. He found himself dropping into an unexpected split, his voice jumping several octaves as he let out a pained squeak.
"Ooh," Jaune wheezed, slowly keeling over onto his side, his face a comical mix of shock and discomfort.
Yang couldn't help but laugh, though there was a hint of sympathy in her voice as she offered him a hand. "Don't worry, Jaune. We'll work on that. By the time I'm done with you, you'll be kicking like a pro. Just... maybe invest in some ice packs first."