"The Royal Capital, I've finally arrived," Jaune Arc thought to himself. He was a young warrior who had come from a remote village to join the Atlas military. "This is my chance to prove myself and achieve what I desire."

A fighting tournament had been announced, and the best participants would have the opportunity to join a new special division created by General Raven Branwen. Rumors had it that this was in response to a group of assassins who had gained notoriety and were causing trouble for the empire.

"Silver Hunt... What kind of monsters must they be for the empire to consider them a major problem?"

Silver Hunt was responsible for the deaths of several important figures throughout the empire of Atlas—wicked criminals who should have been brought to justice. "Helping to stop these criminals could bring me much recognition. The Arc name will have value." Jaune's village, Ansel, was near the border with Mistral, far enough away that the empire paid it little attention. Many bad things had happened there, and a tragedy had taken his family from him.

"Joining the Atlas military isn't easy, so my best chance is to give it my all in this tournament. Even if I don't win, performing well could still help me." In theory, joining the military wasn't that complicated; the real challenge was climbing the ranks, which could take many years. Jaune Arc wasn't normally impatient, but in this case, he definitely wanted to take the fast track. "For the Arc name, I have to rise to the top. Working directly for Raven Branwen should be a good start."

The young man was sitting, resting in a plaza with a fountain and a beautiful garden, watching people walk by peacefully. Most of them were well-dressed, a sign that the majority of the capital's residents were wealthy. In contrast, Jaune wore simple blue pants and an old white shirt, drawing disapproving looks from some passersby.

"Jeez, being a country bumpkin is tough," he muttered. He didn't have many resources, and just getting to the capital had cost him nearly all his money. "I spent almost everything I had just to get here. I have to succeed, or I'll starve." Before he could dwell further on these negative thoughts, a cute girl sat down on the same bench as him, holding a chocolate ice cream. She had short black hair with red tips, silver eyes, and wore a black blouse with a red hooded cape draped over her shoulders.

"Stupid Yang, I can handle a few missions on my own. Hmph, I'm not a baby anymore," she grumbled, clearly in a bad mood, before angrily devouring her ice cream. Jaune was a bit taken aback, but against his better judgment, he decided to talk to her. "Are you okay?"

It took the girl a moment to realize someone was speaking to her. "Are you talking to me?" She seemed surprised that anyone would talk to her.

"Well, yeah. There's no other girl sitting near me that I could be talking to," Jaune replied, raising an eyebrow. She felt a little foolish for not noticing sooner. "Oh, right. Heheh, I'm not used to strangers talking to me. I'm not 'hot,' as they say. My sister gets more attention. Wait, do you think I'm hot?"

Jaune found this girl to be a bit odd. "No, no, it's just that you seemed upset, and I wanted to check if you were okay. Wait, that doesn't mean you're not attractive. You're definitely one of the cutest girls I've seen so far, but that's not why I started talking to you." It seemed the girl had misunderstood the situation.

"Oh, nice! I'll tell Yang that a guy called me cute. Now I won't be the only one without attention. Anyway, sorry about going off like that on stupid stuff. And by the way, I'm fine. It's just that I'm in a sort of private business. I'm relatively new, just a couple of months in, and my older sister has been doing this longer. She treats me like a baby and doesn't let me do things I could easily handle on my own, and it's frustrating."

Jaune found the situation a little amusing and somewhat nostalgic. "Heh, you remind me of my younger sister. She was like you when our other older sister treated her like she was super fragile. It just shows how much your sister cares about you. Just talk to her calmly, explain that you're not the little girl you were a few years ago, and it should be fine."

The girl smiled a bit at Jaune's words. "I love her too, you have no idea how much, but it's still frustrating. Well, the ice cream and talking to you helped a lot, so thanks for that." She offered her right hand. "I'm Ruby Rose."

He shook her hand in return. "Jaune Arc. Short, sweet, ladies love it."

She simply raised an eyebrow in response. "Do they?" Jaune chuckled a bit. "Well, I hope they do."

Ruby seemed comfortable with Jaune. "Well, I can see it, maybe. You're a nice guy, Jaune." She stood up, stretching her arms and tossing her trash into a nearby bin. "I've got to go. I have a job to do with my teammates. It was nice meeting you, Jaune. Be careful; judging by your clothes, I assume you're not from here. The nobles of Atlas can be very cruel. If we meet again, I'll buy you an ice cream."

Jaune watched as the girl disappeared into the crowd that filled the streets. "Heh, that gave me some encouragement. Talking to a cute girl is always nice."

"The grand tournament organized by General Raven is about to begin! All interested participants, please report to the Arena to register and begin as soon as possible," an announcement echoed through the area. The moment was approaching. Hearing the announcement, Jaune stood up, ready to face this challenge. "Let's do this."

(…)

"Ruby, you're finally here! It's about to start," Weiss Schnee called out. She was a striking young woman with pale skin, long white hair tied back in a ponytail, and icy blue eyes. She wore a stylish white combat skirt with blue accents and a matching bolero jacket, a silver tiara adorning her head.

What Jaune Arc didn't know was that Ruby Rose had also gone to the arena where the tournament was to take place, but she wasn't there to participate. "Sorry, Weiss, I got a little distracted talking to someone. Are the preparations ready?"

"Yes, Blake is entering as a participant. When it's her turn, we'll make our move. From what I've heard, although this tournament was supposedly organized by Raven, she won't be present. Councilwoman Marian will be overseeing it; she's a close friend of the general." The information they had gathered was accurate. "Another horrible person is going to fall today."

Ruby Rose was a member of the assassin group known as Silver Hunt, a fact that Jaune Arc would never have imagined. "And Yang?"

"She's setting the explosives. They're mostly to cause panic, not powerful enough to do any real damage—just enough to create smoke. Innocent people shouldn't get hurt. Our only target is Councilwoman Marian." Their group had targeted this woman, a member of the council. The assassins were positioned in a private balcony overlooking the arena, which resembled a coliseum.

"Hey, Ruby," someone called as they entered the room. It was a blonde boy, but quite different from Jaune. This one had a monkey tail.

"Sun? Ready for your first mission?"

Sun Wukong was the newest recruit of Silver Hunt, brought in personally by his friend Blake a few days ago. "Yeah, though I'm not really up to speed on the situation here in Atlas. Why are we targeting this woman?"

Weiss sighed, a bit stressed. "I imagine Blake didn't explain the situation to you. Seeing as you're from Menagerie, it's understandable that you wouldn't get it, so let me enlighten you."

The boy took a seat and listened. "The great kingdom of Atlas isn't what those outside imagine. The people here suffer. Not the nobles, of course—they remain happy and content. But the rest, the workers, the lower class, and those living in villages far from the capital, suffer under ridiculous taxes and abuse of power by the rulers and nobles. As you can imagine, the Faunus suffer even more; some are treated like pets here. The empire has been in decline since the death of my parents."

Weiss Schnee was once a princess of Atlas, but she lost her position due to a dirty trick. "My parents were murdered, and my sister and I were blamed for their deaths, leaving my younger brother Whitley as the ruler of the empire. However, he's become nothing more than a puppet. The ones really controlling Atlas are the High Council—they're above the normal council and serve as my brother's personal advisors, but in reality, they control him without him realizing it. The kingdom's decline is due to those monsters. I'm certain they orchestrated my parents' deaths. Today's target, Marian Marygold, is a member of the Atlas Council. While she doesn't have as much power as those three monsters, she's still a vile person, and her head has a price. Don't mess this up, Sun."

Sun Wukong was shocked by such a story. He had heard a little about the reality in Atlas, but he didn't think the situation was so dire. "Damn, that sounds horrible. Wait, are you royalty? How did you end up in Silver Hunt?"

That was a good question. "My sister, Winter… She was a captain at that time, under the command of the former General Summer Rose, Ruby's mother. Summer Rose secretly founded Silver Hunt to deal with the filth that couldn't be cleaned up through normal means. When our parents were murdered and we were framed, she helped us escape and kept us hidden. I'll never forget what she did for us, and that's why we must continue her legacy."

Ruby remembered her mother fondly. Sadly, her death was still a heavy burden on everyone's hearts. "Winter is doing well as the new leader, so we have to do our best too." After recalling all of this, Ruby felt a bit foolish for getting mad at Yang. What mattered most was helping the kingdom they belonged to. "Now we just have to wait until it's Blake's turn."

(…)

"What dull fights... I'm not surprised Raven asked me to watch this. She probably doesn't expect anyone worthwhile to emerge from here," muttered Marian Marygold, a woman in her forties with long, blue hair. She was a councilwoman, dressed in an elegant black gown that emphasized her sharp features. Her glasses added a touch of intellectual sophistication, giving her an air of seriousness and cold detachment. Marian was seated in the finest balcony of the coliseum, observing the battles below. "So far, only that girl from Mistral seems promising. I suppose she'll do, but it wouldn't hurt to find another one."

On a small table nearby, a young woman with a fierce, aggressive appearance was devouring chicken legs with the fervor of a wild animal. "This tournament is just a minor test," she said between bites. "What matters are the High Council's orders. A special force is being assembled to deal with Silver Hunt. If I'm not mistaken, Winchester himself is putting together the team, but Raven thought she might find some extra talent by organizing this tournament. I see her logic. After all, both she and I come from humble beginnings."

"Right, you were bandits or something like that. You are, after all, her most loyal disciple, Vernal," Marian remarked. The young woman had been assigned as Marian's guard by General Raven herself. "It's been so long since then. I must admit, I don't miss that life. Being the Empire's dog is far more rewarding."

The announcer's voice drew the attention of both women as the next match was about to begin. Marian sighed as she glanced at the participants. "Ugh, that blonde boy looks like a country bumpkin. His clothes are old. This is going to be another waste of time."

Vernal examined the boy who had earned Marian's disdain but smiled. "It's surprising you managed to become friends with Raven, considering how superficial you are. The boy's physique is solid, and his stance... He clearly knows how to fight."

But the older woman remained unimpressed. The young blonde's opponent was a mysterious woman dressed in black pants, a white blouse, and an unexpectedly large bow. Her face was concealed by a Grimm mask.

"The girl seems better prepared," Marian observed.

Jaune Arc stood at the ready, his sword and shield firmly in hand, as he faced his mysterious opponent. The masked woman moved with a feline grace that immediately put him on alert. She held twin blades, and even though her face was concealed by the Grimm mask, there was no mistaking her confidence. This was someone who had seen battle before—someone dangerous.

"That boy is going to be overwhelmed," Marian remarked from her seat above, her cold eyes fixed on the scene below. "He's out of his league."

Vernal, still gnawing on her chicken, glanced at Jaune with a curious smirk. "Don't be so sure, Marian. He's got a solid stance. There's something about him."

The signal to begin sounded, and the masked woman exploded into motion. Jaune barely had time to react before her blades were upon him, moving in a rapid, relentless flurry. He raised his shield just in time, the sharp clang of steel against steel echoing through the arena. The impact sent a jolt through his arm, but he held his ground, determined not to be pushed back.

Marian narrowed her eyes as she observed the fight. "She's too fast for him. The girl will break through his defense any moment now."

But Vernal leaned forward, her interest piqued. "Maybe… but he's holding his own."

Jaune parried another strike, sidestepping to avoid a follow-up slash. His opponent was quick, her movements almost too fluid to track, but Jaune was no clumsy boy. His eyes followed her every move, calculating the rhythm of her attacks.

The masked woman struck again, aiming for his side. Jaune countered with a powerful swing of his sword, forcing her to disengage and leap back. She landed with the grace of a cat, barely making a sound as she prepared to launch another assault.

"Interesting," Vernal mused. "He's not just surviving—he's fighting back."

"He's stalling," Marian said dismissively, though her gaze remained on Jaune. "But it won't be enough."

Jaune's eyes narrowed as he activated his semblance, his aura flaring around him. His senses sharpened, and his movements became more precise. He knew she would come at him with speed again, trying to overwhelm him. This time, he would be ready.

The masked woman lunged forward, her blades slicing through the air. Jaune sidestepped the first strike, bringing his shield up to deflect the second. She twisted mid-attack, using her agility to try and get behind him, but Jaune was quicker than she anticipated. He pivoted on his heel, his sword meeting her blade with a resounding clash.

"Not bad," Vernal commented, a note of approval in her voice. "He's keeping up."

The fight continued, their weapons a blur of motion as they exchanged blow after blow. The masked woman's agility and finesse were matched by Jaune's strength and determination. Each time she tried to outmaneuver him, he countered with a well-timed block or strike. It was a battle of wits as much as skill, and neither fighter showed signs of backing down.

Then, suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled. A small explosion erupted on the far side of the coliseum, sending up a plume of smoke. It wasn't powerful enough to cause significant damage, but it was enough to startle the audience. Another explosion followed, and panic began to spread through the stands.

Marian's eyes widened slightly as she leaned forward, her voice sharp. "What's happening?"

Vernal stood up, tossing aside her half-eaten chicken. "Looks like someone's trying to stir things up."

Jaune and the masked woman broke apart, their attention drawn to the chaos unfolding around them. Smoke billowed across the arena, and the once-excited crowd was now in disarray, scrambling to find safety. Though the explosions were minor, they had achieved their purpose: chaos.

(…)

The panicked screams of the crowd put Jaune on high alert. Before he could utter a word, he realized his opponent had vanished into the smoke that now partially covered the arena. "Where did she go?" he thought. Amidst the chaos and confusion, something quickly caught his attention—a scream. He turned to see a woman being thrown from one of the balconies down into the arena. As she fell, he realized that his opponent was rushing toward her, sword in hand. It didn't take him long to understand the situation.

"Shit!" Jaune knew he wouldn't make it in time, so with all his strength, he hurled his shield, knocking the girl down. He ran to the woman and helped her to her feet.

"Are you alright, ma'am?" The victim was none other than Marian Marygold herself.

"Country bumpkin" she muttered. "I suppose Vernal was right; you're more than you seem."

Jaune could hear the sounds of a fight taking place on the balcony from which the woman had been thrown. Standing before them now was the masked girl from earlier, her Grimm-like mask concealing her features. To his surprise, she spoke.

"I don't want to kill an innocent. Step aside, and you won't get hurt. My target is this councilwoman."

Another figure leaped down from the same balcony, landing gracefully. She was shorter, and Jaune could swear she seemed familiar. This new opponent wielded a scythe and had a Grimm mask like the other girl. In a hushed voice, Jaune whispered to Marian, "Stay close to me at all costs. The girl in black is fast, and I doubt you'll get far if you try to run. I'll protect you as best I can."

The girl in black spoke again, her voice cold and unwavering. "This is your final warning. Move aside, or die."

But Jaune would not be intimidated. "You talk about not wanting to harm innocents, yet you threaten a defenseless woman. I get it now—you must be from Silver Hunt. It doesn't surprise me you'd want to kill a councilwoman. From what I've heard, you're enemies of the Empire."

Ruby remained silent, knowing that if she spoke, Jaune might recognize her. Truthfully, she didn't want to hurt him, but the woman he was protecting was part of the Empire's rotten core. Her companion, Blake, didn't want to waste any more time.

"If you're so determined to protect her," Blake said, her voice laced with resolve, "then accept the consequences."

Jaune's heart pounded in his chest as he squared off against the two assassins, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His shield was out of reach, and his sword felt heavier with each passing second. The smoke from the explosions swirled around them, casting everything in a haze. He could barely make out the figures of his attackers as they moved in the shadows, circling him like predators ready to strike.

Marian stood just behind him, clutching her dress and watching with a mix of fear and contempt. He could hear her sharp breaths, but there was no time to focus on her now. Every fiber of his being was trained on the two assassins.

"You think you can protect her?" Blake's voice was low, dangerous. She moved with a feline grace, her blades flashing as she closed in, striking with a speed that left Jaune struggling to keep up. He swung his sword desperately, barely managing to deflect the flurry of attacks aimed at his torso.

The clang of metal on metal echoed in the arena, but Blake's strikes were relentless. Every time he blocked one, another was already coming. She was too fast, too precise. Jaune stumbled back, his arms burning from the strain, his sword growing heavier with each passing moment. He couldn't hold her off for much longer.

"Move aside," Blake hissed as she feinted left, then slashed at his legs from the right.

Jaune barely managed to jump back, but the move left him off-balance, vulnerable.

The hooded girl struck.

The assassin in red dashed forward with a speed that took his breath away. Her scythe was a blur of red and silver as she swung it in a wide arc, aiming to finish him off. Jaune barely had time to react, his body moving on instinct as he twisted to avoid the deadly sweep. The scythe's blade came within inches of his neck, its sharp edge whistling past his ear.

He stumbled, his sword slipping from his grip as he hit the ground hard. Pain shot through his side, but he couldn't afford to think about it. He was defenseless now—no shield, no sword, nothing left between him and these two deadly assassins.

He rolled to his feet just in time to see the hooded girl advancing again, her scythe raised high for the killing blow. Panic surged through him. He couldn't let them reach Marian. He had to stop them, but without his sword, without his shield—

I can't do this...

But even as that thought crossed his mind, Jaune refused to give in. He stood his ground, legs trembling, arms raised in a last-ditch effort to protect the councilwoman behind him. If this was it, if this was the moment he'd fall, then he would fall fighting.

The scythe came down.

Time slowed.

And then, with a deafening clang, the blow was deflected by a spear that appeared out of nowhere, blocking the strike just inches from Jaune's head.

Jaune blinked, his mind struggling to catch up with what had just happened. A figure stood between him and the assassins now, tall and imposing, her bronze armor gleaming in the dim light. She held a long spear in one hand, its tip shimmering with aura, and her shield in the other—a round, red disc that looked both elegant and deadly.

The scythe-wielding girl stepped back, clearly taken by surprise.

Jaune's breath hitched as he looked up at his savior. The woman had fiery red hair pulled into a ponytail that swayed behind her as she moved with precision and grace. Her green eyes were focused, sharp with intensity, but there was a warmth in them, too—something that made Jaune feel like, maybe, everything would be okay.

"You alright?" she asked without taking her eyes off the assassins.

"I—yeah…" Jaune stammered, still trying to wrap his head around what had just happened. Whoever she was, she had just saved his life.

Ruby glanced at Blake. They exchanged a brief look, and Jaune could sense their frustration. They hadn't expected anyone to intervene, and now their window of opportunity was closing.

"We don't have time for this," Blake muttered under her breath. She took a cautious step back, her sharp eyes flicking toward the edges of the arena where the smoke was beginning to clear. Reinforcements would be coming soon.

Ruby seemed to hesitate, her silver eyes lingering on Jaune for a moment longer than necessary. He couldn't see her face but he could feel the conflict radiating from her. She didn't want to kill him. That much was clear.

But this wasn't about him. It was about the councilwoman.

Blake's voice cut through the tension. " We need to go. Now."

Ruby clenched her jaw, her grip tightening on the shaft of her scythe. For a heartbeat, it seemed like she might attack again, her body tensing as though ready to strike.

But then she stepped back, her posture relaxing ever so slightly.

"Next time," Ruby said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her silver eyes locked onto Jaune's one last time, a flicker of regret passing through them. Then, with a single, fluid motion, she turned and disappeared into the smoke.

Blake followed a split second later, her lithe form vanishing as silently as she had appeared.

Jaune stood there, frozen for a moment, his mind racing to catch up. The assassins were gone. He had survived.

His thoughts were interrupted by the woman in bronze armor stepping toward him. She offered him a hand, her smile soft but confident.

"Looks like you could use some help," she said.

Jaune accepted her hand gratefully, feeling the warmth of her aura as she pulled him to his feet. He still felt the sting of his injuries, but the relief of being alive overshadowed the pain.

"Thanks…" he managed, his voice rough from the exertion. "I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't shown up."

"You were holding your own," the woman replied, her tone genuine. "But I'm glad I could help. I'm Pyrrha, by the way. Pyrrha Nikos." She was another fighter in the tournament.

"I'm Jaune. Jaune Arc," he said, still trying to process everything. "Nice to meet you, I guess."

Pyrrha chuckled softly, her green eyes filled with kindness. "Nice to meet you too, Jaune."

Behind them, Marian finally let out a breath, her sharp demeanor returning as she straightened her posture but she was in a good mood. "Thank you both for your help, but you in particular surprised me, country bumpkin. Even if Nikos saved us in the end, thanks to you I survived until she arrived. I'll make sure to reward you properly."

(…)

Back at the Silver Hunt base, the atmosphere was tense.

"Shit... that wild girl is a damn monster," Sun Wukong muttered, sitting against the wall, shirtless and with several bandages wrapped around his chest. He had taken the most damage in their failed mission. "I can't believe she held off all three of us at once."

Yang, sitting nearby, was halfway through a large egg sandwich, chewing aggressively to calm her frustration. "Vernal's still as strong as ever. I'm sure we could've taken her down if we had more time." Her words were casual, but the lingering frustration in her tone was hard to miss.

Weiss, who had been silently preparing more sandwiches for the others, glanced over at Yang as she handed out the food. "It wasn't just her," Weiss added, her voice cool but with a tinge of irritation. "We underestimated the tournament participants. I didn't expect anyone there to actually pose a problem, but we didn't take them seriously enough." She handed Blake a sandwich before crossing her arms.

Sun groaned, leaning his head back against the wall. "Yeah, and we paid the price for it. My ribs are still killing me. How could we have guessed some random fighter would step in like that? And who was that redhead anyway? She wasn't even on our radar."

Ruby, sitting a bit apart from the group, had her hands clasped together, her head down. "It was my fault, guys," she murmured, the guilt weighing heavily in her voice. "I hesitated. That boy, Jaune… I met him before the mission started. He seemed like a good guy, you know? I didn't want to kill him. Marian would be dead if it weren't for me."

Blake, who had been quietly eating, sighed and spoke up. "Stop beating yourself up, Ruby. That boy didn't seem like a bad person, I agree. From the way he talked, I think he honestly believes we're the bad guys." She glanced over at Ruby. "He's clearly not from the capital—probably doesn't understand how corrupt the council is. But we're going to have to get our hands dirty in situations like this. It sucks, but it's reality."

Ruby didn't respond immediately, her silver eyes reflecting a deep conflict. "I know," she said softly.

The grand dining hall they sat in was spacious, the long wooden table in front of them filled with leftover supplies from their mission and half-eaten sandwiches. Tension hung in the air like a thick fog, each member of the team reflecting on their failure in different ways.

Before any more could be said, the heavy doors at the far end of the room creaked open. Winter Schnee, the leader of Silver Hunt, strode in with her usual air of icy authority, her expression serious, even for her. Her presence immediately commanded attention, and the group shifted in their seats.

"There's no time to dwell on the mission," Winter announced, her sharp voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "Marian will be dealt with eventually. But for now, we have another important task that requires immediate attention."

Weiss, standing up straighter at her sister's arrival, frowned. "Winter, we had her. If we'd only had a little more time—"

"Time wasn't the issue," Winter interrupted coldly. "You were caught off guard. Vernal may have been the strongest direct threat, but you underestimated the presence of others. A critical mistake."

Winter's cold gaze swept over the group, silencing any arguments. "This failure has consequences. She'll likely be better guarded from now on. But we'll find another way."

Ruby looked up at Winter, her eyes filled with guilt but also determination. "I'll do better next time, Winter. I won't hesitate."

"You'll need to," Winter replied, her tone softening just slightly as she acknowledged Ruby's internal conflict. "The next mission we have will be just as dangerous, if not more."

Sun, wincing as he shifted in his seat, grinned weakly. "Great. More danger. My ribs were just starting to heal."

Weiss shot him a look, but there was a hint of amusement in her icy demeanor. "You wouldn't be so injured if you didn't charge in headfirst."

"Hey, Vernal wasn't going to beat herself," Sun retorted, though his usual bravado was dimmed by the pain in his voice. "That girl's something else. She hit like a truck."

"She's Raven's top disciple for a reason," Yang said, leaning back in her chair. "I've seen Vernal fight before, but she's definitely gotten stronger since last time."

"She's skilled," Blake added quietly, her golden eyes flicking between the group.

Winter stepped forward, her presence commanding the room. "For now rest, tomorrow is another day."

hey I just wanted to comment that english is not my main language, sorry for any spelling errors you notice, I'm trying to make it understandable at least, this fanfic is inspired by a manga that i read a long time ago, I think some will recognize what am i talking about and well it's also my first fic, that's all, greetings.