Chapter 2: Batter up! Jaune Arc! (1)
Koorblit: Hello!
Guest: Thank you and I hope you like this chapter!
FluxGuns: Thank you and here is the next chapter!
merendinoemiliano: Glad the story caught your interest! Here's the second chapter and I hope you enjoy it!
WetCoastWinter: Funny enough, I haven't read "A Man of Honour" yet, though I've heard good things about it, I hope you enjoy this story and yeah, we'll be focusing on Jaune's relationship with Neo and Roman at times while also giving them the focus here and there, and I hope the second chapter is to your liking!
BungusAmungus: Thank you!
GreenEyesOrigamiDragon: Thank you and here's more!
Wolfwood777: Thank you, I'm glad you like the story and hey! Here's the 2nd chapter! Hope you enjoy!
A/N: Another chapter at 1 O'clock in the morning! I was intending to post this later on today, in the actual day, but I have a lot to do so... yeah, another really late night update!
Anyway! Here's the 2nd chapter of Swing! Batter, Batter! Swing! and I hope you enjoy it because we're meeting some our cast for this story! Hope you all enjoy!
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On the streets of Vale, Jaune Arc was a name that carried weight—people feared him. His reputation wasn't just a fluke. He had run with Roman Torchwick and Neo, notorious figures in the criminal underworld, and he was on good terms with Junior, another high-ranking player. No one dared mess with him. Those foolish enough to try quickly discovered why his name was whispered with caution in the dark alleys of the city. He was a force, someone to be reckoned with.
So how could one humiliating incident shatter that image in a matter of seconds?
Now, sitting in the uncomfortable seat of an airship bound for Beacon Academy, Jaune clutched a small paper bag in his hands—the very same bag he had been handed after vomiting all over the floor and, unfortunately, onto a pair of shoes belonging to a very displeased girl. The nausea still lingered, though the worst had passed.
Good news: he felt slightly better.
Bad news: he'd humiliated himself in front of a pretty girl.
'Thank God Neo isn't here... She'd never let me hear the end of it...' Jaune groaned inwardly, the thought of her teasing echoing in his mind. His stomach still churned slightly from the motion sickness. 'Ugh... Roman was right, I really do need to get better at handling this!'
"How're you doing, Vomit-Boy?"
The voice broke through his thoughts like a sharp slap. Jaune looked up, his stomach sinking for a different reason this time. It was her. The girl whose shoes had borne the brunt of his earlier mishap. Standing beside her was another girl, dressed in black and red, with goth-like attire and hair streaked with crimson.
Jaune swallowed nervously. "I-I'm doing better," he managed to say, his voice quieter than usual. He could still see the flash of disgust from earlier in his mind. "Sorry about... earlier," he added, a heavyweight of embarrassment still pressing down on him.
The girl waved him off with a smile, her easygoing nature disarming the tension. "Ah, no worries, it was an accident, name's Yang, Yang Xiao-Long, and this girl with normal knees," she added with a playful nudge toward the smaller girl beside her, "Is my sister, Ruby Rose,"
Ruby offered a nervous wave, her silver eyes glancing shyly at Jaune. "H-Hi..." she greeted, her voice soft.
Jaune felt the knot in his stomach ease a bit. "A pleasure," he replied, his smile shaky but genuine. "Jaune Arc," he introduced himself, trying to project more confidence than he felt.
"Nice to meet you, Jaune," Yang said with a warm grin. "So, where're you from?" Her curiosity was evident, though her demeanor remained casual.
Jaune blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. "Huh?" he asked, not sure what she was getting at.
"Where are you from? A different kingdom, or did you attend Pharos Academy?" Yang clarified, her head tilted slightly as she waited for his answer.
"I'm from Vale," Jaune replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "And no, I didn't go to Pharos, actually, I didn't attend any combat school,"
Yang's brow furrowed in confusion, her lavander eyes narrowing as she tried to process what he said. "Wait, what? But... how are you here then? You need to be a student from one of the primary combat schools to be on one of these airships." She eyed him curiously, wondering whether he had somehow gotten on the wrong transport by mistake.
Jaune smirked a little, straightening up as he responded with a hint of pride. "I'm a special case. I got offered a spot at Beacon," His voice carried a note of smugness, proud of the opportunity that set him apart from the norm.
Yang's confusion melted into surprise, her eyebrows shooting up. "Whoa! Really?" she asked, clearly impressed.
"Me too!" Ruby suddenly chimed in, her nervousness fading. She practically bounced on her heels, her excitement bubbling over. "I'm actually supposed to still be in combat school, but I got moved up early thanks to Headmaster Ozpin!" Ruby beamed, clearly thrilled with her own achievement.
Jaune turned to Ruby with genuine surprise. "Really? You got an offer from Beacon? And from the Headmaster himself? What did you do to get his attention?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
Ruby's face lit up with pride, practically glowing as she puffed out her chest. "I fought Roman Torchwick!" she declared proudly, her voice ringing with excitement.
Jaune's eyes widened in disbelief. He must've misheard her. This girl—this small, bubbly girl—fought Roman Torchwick and survived? The infamous Roman, who ran with the most dangerous figures in Vale? Not only that, but did she just fight him? Where was Neo during all of this? Jaune's mind raced, piecing things together. He'd heard that Roman's job last night went south—way south. Even worse, Junior's nightclub had been completely trashed by some Huntress, which sent shockwaves through the underworld.
And where was Jaune during all this chaos? Simple—he was asleep. Completely oblivious.
"R-Really?" Jaune stammered, still in shock but trying his best to keep cool. There was no way he could let on that he knew Roman. "You fought Roman?"
Yang laughed, clearly proud of her younger sister. "Yep! My baby sis here is a real hero!" she said, giving Ruby a playful nudge. Yang's eyes sparkled with admiration, like this was a story she'd heard a dozen times but still loved to tell.
"I guess so," Jaune replied, trying to keep his composure, though he was still wrapping his head around what he'd just learned.
Ruby grinned, clearly pleased with herself. But her curiosity soon shifted back to Jaune. "What about you? What did you do to get an offer to Beacon?" she asked, her eagerness to know showing in her wide eyes.
Jaune let out a sigh, his earlier pride fading into something more complicated. "Well... the Deputy Headmistress is a family friend, I guess," he admitted. "She pulled a few strings to get me in." It wasn't exactly a story filled with heroics or impressive battles, but it was the truth—or at least close enough to it.
Ruby's eyes widened with recognition. "Really!? The Deputy Headmistress? You mean Glynda Goodwitch?!" she exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over. "She's so strict, but she just let you in like that?"
Jaune nodded, trying to play it off casually. "Yeah, she said she owed my, uh, parents a debt," he explained, though the awkwardness in his voice suggested there was more to the story than he was letting on.
Yang raised an eyebrow, clearly curious. "So... can you actually fight?" she asked bluntly. "No offense or anything, but it kinda sounds like you cheated your way in," she added, her tone direct but not unkind.
Jaune chuckled, appreciating her honesty. "No worries," he said, waving off any potential offense. "And yeah, I can fight. I wouldn't be here if I couldn't. Besides, why would I be carrying this?" He jerked his thumb over his shoulder, gesturing to the large object strapped to his back.
Both Ruby and Yang leaned in to get a better look, their eyes widening as they noticed the handle sticking out from behind him. What they'd initially dismissed as just part of his gear suddenly became a point of curiosity. It was the handle of a weapon—wrapped in white grip tape, with golden accents gleaming in the light. Strapped to his back, the handle stuck out from a sheath that looked like it was made for... a baseball bat?
"Whoa, wait," Ruby's eyes lit up with instant excitement. "What's your weapon!? Can I see it?" Her voice was filled with the kind of enthusiasm that only a true weapons enthusiast could muster, her silver eyes practically sparkling as she leaned closer.
Jaune grinned at her excitement and nodded. "Sure," he said, clearly enjoying the attention.
With a quick motion, he reached behind him, unsheathing the weapon with a soft metallic sound. As it came into full view, Ruby and Yang both gasped in unison. The bat was completely golden, just like the handle they had glimpsed earlier. The entire thing gleamed, polished to a shine, and at the bottom of the knob was a black emblem of two crescent moons, adding an elegant touch to its otherwise simple design.
Ruby practically bounced on her heels, eyes wide with admiration. "Whoa! That's awesome!" she exclaimed, clearly impressed. "What's its name?"
Jaune's grin widened, his pride evident as he responded, "I call her Sainte Jeanne."
Ruby's eyes sparkled even more if that was possible. "Oh wow! That's such a pretty name!" she gushed, smiling from ear to ear. "Is it custom-made? It looks so cool!"
Jaune chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, it's custom, had it made for me a while back, it's sturdy, hits hard, and packs a punch—just the way I like it!" He spun it around in his hands with ease, showing how comfortable he was with it.
Yang, who had been watching quietly, crossed her arms and gave him a nod of approval. "Alright, I'll admit it—that's pretty badass," she said with a smirk. "But don't think a flashy weapon means you'll beat me in a fight,"
Jaune laughed, enjoying the banter. "Wouldn't dream of it," he said, though his smirk suggested otherwise.
Ruby continued to admire the bat, her eyes glued to the craftsmanship. "I bet it could smash through anything," she said excitedly. "I gotta see it in action sometime!"
"You will," Jaune replied with a confident grin.
"Does it have a long-range function?!" Ruby asked, her excitement bubbling over as she examined Jaune's bat with wide, curious eyes.
Jaune shook his head, amused by her enthusiasm. "Nah, nothing like that," he said with a chuckle. "But the metal's infused with a bit of Gravity Dust," He tapped the gleaming surface of Sainte Jeanne, clearly proud of its craftsmanship. "It gives it a little extra oomph when I swing. You know, just in case I need to add some force,"
Yang let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. "Nice!" she said, nodding in approval. But then her eyes narrowed slightly, her curiosity shifting toward something else. "So, how'd you afford a custom weapon like that if you didn't go to any combat schools?" she asked, her voice more probing this time.
Jaune scratched the back of his head, feeling the pressure of her gaze. "Well, let's just say I've got a few friends in high places," he said with a bashful grin. "And they owed me a few favors," His tone was casual, but there was an underlying hint of mystery that didn't go unnoticed.
Yang raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his vague answer. "Must be some powerful friends," she remarked, her eyes studying him more carefully. There was something about him that didn't quite add up—his demeanor, the way he carried himself, the expensive weapon, all of it suggested there was more to Jaune than he was letting on.
As she continued to assess him, her thoughts wandered. The way Jaune dressed, his easy confidence, and the air of someone who knew his way around the streets—it all made him seem less like a simple Huntsman-in-training and more like... well, like the son of some mafia boss or a high-end bouncer. Yang's curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to dig a little deeper.
"So... did you grow up in the city?" Yang asked, her tone casual, but her raised brow indicated she was definitely fishing for more information.
Jaune nodded, keeping his expression neutral. "Yeah, lived here my whole life," he replied smoothly. It wasn't a total lie. He had lived in Vale for years—ever since the destruction of his hometown. The painful memory flickered in his mind, but he quickly pushed it aside. No need to go into that now.
"That's cool!" Ruby chimed in, her ever-cheerful voice cutting through the tension. "Yang and I grew up on Patch!"
Jaune turned to her, a smile tugging at his lips. "Really? That small island off to the west?" he asked, genuinely curious now.
Ruby nodded enthusiastically. "Yup! It's not too far from Vale, but it's way quieter, Lots of trees, open fields, and not a lot of people," Her eyes gleamed as she spoke, clearly fond of her home.
Jaune chuckled lightly, trying to appear nonchalant. "I've never been to Patch, but I've heard it's nice, not as much Grimm there as in other places," he replied, leaning back slightly as he tried to imagine a peaceful island like that.
Yang nodded in agreement, a small smile on her face. "Yeah, that's true, we get the occasional pack of Beowulfs or Ursi wandering in, but nothing too problematic, usually, they stick to the outskirts," she said, a hint of nostalgia creeping into her voice. She quickly shifted back into her more inquisitive mode, though, her eyes narrowing with curiosity again. "So, if you didn't go to any combat school, where'd you learn how to fight?" Yang asked.
Jaune smirked, scratching the back of his head as if the memory was equal parts amusing and embarrassing. "I taught myself, mostly, when I was younger, I got into a lot of street fights, growing up in Vale wasn't exactly easy, and when you're a kid in the city, you tend to learn how to handle yourself real quick," He paused, letting the words sink in before continuing. "At first, it was just scraps with other kids, I'd win some, lose some, but then I started going up against guys who were training to be Huntsmen,"
His smirk faded slightly, replaced by a more serious look.
"I started losing a lot when that happened, I realized that just throwing punches wasn't gonna cut it against people who had real training, so I decided to work out more, push myself harder... It wasn't just about strength—it was about technique, speed, and I started training like I was preparing for something bigger, even though I wasn't sure what that something was,"
Yang raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "So, you just... taught yourself? No mentor or anything?"
Jaune chuckled again, though this time there was a hint of pride in his voice. "Well, I had a bit of help! Some of the people I know—they had real training, they'd spar with me from time to time, teach me some moves here and there, but yeah, most of what I know is self-taught, trial and error, really! Every fight was a lesson, whether I won or lost!"
Yang's eyes lingered on him, her expression thoughtful. There was something about Jaune's story that struck her as both impressive and strange. People didn't just become good fighters on their own, not like that. It took years of discipline and guidance, usually in a structured environment. The fact that Jaune claimed to have built his skills on the streets, through raw experience, added an element of mystery to the blonde boy sitting across from her.
"That's pretty hardcore," Yang said finally, giving him an approving nod. "Most people wouldn't survive long in street fights, let alone learn enough to stand a chance against Huntsmen-in-training,"
Jaune shrugged modestly, though the pride was still evident in his posture. "It was either learn to fight or keep losing, and I don't like losing," he said simply.
Ruby, who had been listening quietly, chimed in, her silver eyes wide with awe. "Wow! That's so cool! You must be really strong to do all that on your own!" Ruby exclaimed.
Jaune smiled at her enthusiasm, though he tried to keep his ego in check. "I've had my fair share of bruises and broken bones," he admitted with a laugh. "But yeah, it paid off in the end!"
Yang crossed her arms, still analyzing him. "So, all this fighting—was it just for survival, or was there more to it?"
Jaune hesitated for a moment, the question catching him off guard. His eyes flickered with a hint of something deeper, something he wasn't quite ready to share. "A bit of both, I guess," he finally answered, his tone more guarded. "Survival, sure, but after a while... it became something else,"
Yang tilted her head slightly, sensing there was more beneath the surface, but she didn't push any further. Instead, she gave him a playful smirk. "Well, let's see if all that self-taught street fighting can handle real Huntsman training at Beacon."
Jaune grinned back, his confidence returning. "I guess we'll find out soon enough."
Before any more conversation could continue, a voice came through the Airship's PA system, crackling slightly as it made the announcement that every passenger had been eagerly awaiting: "We are now approaching Beacon Academy. Please prepare for landing."
Ruby practically bounced in her seat, her silver eyes lighting up with excitement. "Hey! We're finally here!" she cried, practically vibrating with energy.
Jaune, on the other hand, let out a silent sigh of relief. 'Oh, thank the brothers,' he thought, feeling the tension drain from his shoulders. 'I don't know how much longer I could've held it together while talking to them,' His stomach had been doing somersaults the entire flight, and not just because of his nerves.
He still wasn't fully over his motion sickness.
The airship descended smoothly, and soon the soft thud of landing echoed through the cabin. Jaune, Ruby, and Yang got up from their seats, Jaune quickly sheathing Sainte Jeanne back into the case on his back. As the doors opened, a cool breeze from the outside world washed over them, and the trio made their way toward the exit.
The moment they stepped out onto the docks, all three were immediately struck by the sheer grandeur of Beacon Academy. It was more than just an academy—it was like something pulled straight from a fantasy novel. Towering spires reached toward the sky, gleaming in the midday sun. The architecture was majestic, a blend of old-world elegance and cutting-edge technology. The wide-open courtyard stretched before them, filled with immaculately tended gardens, flowering trees, and stone paths that weaved through fountains and statues of past Huntsmen and Huntresses.
Jaune's mouth hung open as he took it all in. "Whoa..." he muttered in awe, his eyes wide as he tried to comprehend the sheer scale of the academy. It felt like they'd been dropped into a different world entirely, one filled with nothing but adventure.
Ruby, equally enchanted, looked like she was ready to explode with excitement. "It's like something out of a comic book! Look at the towers! The courtyard! This place is huge!"
Even Yang, who typically kept her cool, couldn't hide her grin. "Welcome to Beacon, you two, it's even bigger up close, huh?" She looked over at her sister and Jaune, chuckling at their expressions. "Well, let's not just stand here gawking. Let's get moving!"
With that, Yang confidently strode forward, her long golden hair swaying behind her as she walked.
Ruby blinked, snapping out of her daze. "Yang! Wait for me!" she called, sprinting after her sister. "I'm gonna get lost in this place!"
Jaune shook his head, a grin tugging at his lips as he hurried to follow. "Hey! Don't just leave me behind either!" he shouted after them, his legs moving quickly to keep up.
The enormity of the academy was already overwhelming, and the last thing he wanted was to be wandering around alone, completely lost.
As they made their way toward the main building, Jaune's mind buzzed with a mixture of excitement and nerves. Beacon wasn't just any school—it was the pinnacle of Huntsmen academies, the place where legends were made. And despite his unorthodox path to get here, he was finally standing on its grounds, just like Ruby and Yang, ready to start the next chapter of his life.
The weight of Sainte Jeanne on his back felt reassuring, a reminder of all the training and battles that had led him to this point. But as they crossed the expansive courtyard, he couldn't shake the feeling that Beacon would challenge him in ways he'd never imagined before.
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"Yang! Yang, wait up! I'm not as fast as you!" Ruby called out, her voice rising in desperation as she weaved through the growing crowd of new students and bustling activity. She dodged around a group of people, narrowly avoiding a collision as she hurried to keep up with her older sister.
Despite her best efforts, Yang quickly disappeared into the throng of students, her golden hair vanishing into the sea of faces. Ruby stopped just outside one of Beacon's grand courtyards, panting slightly as she spun around in search of her sister. The towering buildings loomed overhead, and the expansive campus stretched out in every direction, making it all too easy to lose someone in the crowd.
"Yang! Where are you!?" Ruby cried again, her voice tinged with frustration. "Where do I go!?"
But there was no answer.
Feeling lost and overwhelmed, Ruby backed up a step, intending to turn around and look for Jaune—maybe he hadn't gone too far. But before she could take another step, her foot collided with something solid, and she stumbled backward, yelping in surprise.
She crashed into a stack of pristine white cases, toppling them over as she hit the ground with a thud. A cascade of white boxes scattered across the pavement, accompanied by a high-pitched voice shrieking in outrage.
"What are you doing!?"
Ruby sat up slowly, groaning as she rubbed the back of her head. Her eyes blinked open, and she found herself face-to-face with a furious girl standing over her. The girl had striking white hair tied neatly into a ponytail, and she was dressed in a crisp, elegant white dress that made her look like she belonged in a royal ballroom, not standing in the middle of a chaotic academy courtyard. Her icy blue eyes glared down at Ruby, her expression a mixture of annoyance and disbelief.
This was Weiss Schnee—the heiress of the Schnee Dust Company, one of the most powerful corporations in the world.
"Ah! I-I'm so sorry!" Ruby stammered, scrambling to her feet as quickly as she could. She immediately began frantically picking up the scattered cases, her heart racing from both embarrassment and fear of having angered someone.
"Sorry!?" Weiss repeated, her voice dripping with indignation. She reached down and grabbed one of the fallen cases, snapping it open to reveal small, carefully contained vials of Dust inside. "Do you have any idea what you've just done? The damage you could have caused!? This is Dust! Mined and refined from the Schnee Quarry!" she snapped, holding up a vial like it was the most precious thing in the world.
Ruby blinked, still trying to recover from her tumble. Her eyes darted to the vial of Dust, its vibrant colors swirling in the glass. "Uh..." she groaned, her mind still spinning from the fall.
Weiss, on the other hand, was convinced that Ruby had no clue what she was dealing with. Her frustration boiling over, Weiss yanked a vial of Fire Dust from one of the cases and waved it aggressively in front of Ruby's face, her voice sharp and scolding.
"What are you! Braindead?! Do you have any idea how dangerous this is? Dust! Fire! Water! Lightning! Energy!" Her tone was incredulous as if she couldn't fathom how anyone could be so careless. Weiss continued to shake the vial in frustration, and as she did, small grains of Dust began slipping out of the open container, spilling into the air between them. "Any of this sinking in?! What do you have to say for yourself!?"
Ruby, eyes wide with panic and guilt, tried to process everything Weiss was saying. But as the Fire Dust particles swirled in the air, an unmistakable itch began to tickle her nose. Her nostrils flared, and her eyes watered as she fought against the building sneeze, trying desperately not to make the situation any worse.
But it was no use.
Before she could stop herself, Ruby let out a loud, uncontrollable sneeze. "Achoo!"
The reaction was instant. A small burst of energy was triggered by the Dust in the air, and with a sudden whoosh, a small explosion erupted right in front of them. Flames briefly engulfed Weiss, singeing the ends of her pristine white hair and leaving her standing in a cloud of smoke and soot, her once immaculate dress now covered in a light layer of ash.
For a moment, there was nothing but stunned silence. Ruby, eyes wide in horror, could only stare at the aftermath, her heart racing. She couldn't believe what had just happened. Her sneeze had set off a Dust explosion.
Weiss's frustration boiled over, her arms flailing slightly as she pointed accusingly at Ruby. "Unbelievable! This is exactly the kind of thing I was talking about!" she ranted, her voice sharp and filled with exasperation.
"I-I'm really, really sorry!" Ruby pleaded, her silver eyes wide with regret, but her apology seemed to not affect the furious heiress.
Weiss's glare intensified, her lips pulling into a tight, displeased line. "Ugh! You complete dolt! What are you even doing here?!" she snapped. "Aren't you a little young to be attending Beacon!?" Her arms crossed tightly over her chest, radiating indignation.
Before Ruby could even stammer out a response, another voice cut through the tension.
"And aren't you a little too much of a drama queen?"
Weiss spun around at the unexpected retort, her icy gaze locking onto Jaune, who had just approached with an annoyed expression. His disheveled blonde hair and laid-back demeanor contrasted sharply with the pristine heiress, but what really caught her attention was the look of open disapproval on his face.
Weiss narrowed her eyes at the newcomer. "And who exactly are you?" she demanded, her voice laced with disdain.
Jaune strode up confidently, stepping in front of Ruby as if to shield her from Weiss's wrath. He crossed his arms and stared Weiss down, his tone biting. "Someone who's not currently sounding like a prissy brat," he shot back, his eyes narrowing.
Weiss recoiled slightly, a mix of shock and fury flashing in her eyes. "Excuse me? Do you have any idea what she did?!" she snapped, her voice rising with each word. "She could have blown us up! And you think I'm being unreasonable?"
Jaune raised an eyebrow, his confusion evident as he looked between Weiss and Ruby. "Blown us up? What are you talking about?" he asked, trying to understand the situation.
Weiss threw her hands up in the air, utterly exasperated. "She sneezed!" she nearly screamed, her voice pitching higher.
"She... sneezed?" Jaune asked, his brow furrowing in confusion as he tried to process the absurdity of the situation.
"Uh... Jaune," Ruby said, tugging on his blazer to get his attention. Her voice was a mix of embarrassment and urgency, and Jaune turned his head to look at her, still struggling to understand. With her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, Ruby hesitated for a moment before explaining. "I-I inhaled some dust particles, and, uh... I sneezed, and it kinda... blew up..." Her voice trailed off, almost too soft to hear, and she instinctively pulled the hood of her cloak closer around her face, as if it could hide her mortification.
Jaune's confusion quickly transformed into amusement as he registered her words. A laugh bubbled up inside him, and he quickly clamped a hand over his mouth, trying desperately to stifle it. But the giggles escaped anyway, causing his shoulders to shake with barely contained mirth.
Ruby shot him an indignant glare, her embarrassment deepening. "I-It's not funny, Jaune!" she cried, her voice sharp.
But Jaune couldn't hold back any longer. He burst into hearty laughter, clutching his sides as he doubled over. "I—HA! I can't help it! HAHAHAHAHAHA! O-Oh my gods! This is just too good!" His laughter echoed through the bustling docks, drawing the attention of a few nearby students.
Ruby's glare turned into a pout, and she began hitting him the back, but it didn't seem to phase the blonde teen. "Stop! Laughing!" she pleaded.
"ENOUGH!" Weiss cried, her voice sharp and filled with exasperation. She was done with the antics unfolding before her. "Do you two have any idea just how dangerous that could have been!? This isn't some combat school where you just spar with wooden swords! We're going to be fighting actual monsters!"
Jaune and Ruby, their patience wearing thin, shot glares at the heiress. "She/I said she was sorry, Princess!" they shouted in unison, their words overlapping in frustration.
"It's Heiress, actually,"
The new voice cut through the tension, calm but commanding. The three of them turned toward the speaker, a new figure stepping into their conversation. She had long, dark raven hair, bright amber eyes that seemed to see more than what was in front of her, and a black bow perched atop her head. This was Blake Belladonna.
Weiss's expression flickered briefly, curiosity replacing her earlier fury. "Who are you?"
Blake ignored the question, her focus narrowing in on Weiss. "Weiss Schnee, Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, one of the largest producers of energy propellant in the world," she said, her tone detached as if reciting from a textbook.
Weiss's anger quickly turned to pride, her chin lifting a little higher. Finally, someone who recognized her worth. "Finally! Someone who knows who stands in their presence," she said with a satisfied smirk, clearly basking in the acknowledgment.
Blake's gaze, however, hardened. "The same company infamous for its controversial labor practices, particularly involving Faunus workers, mining conditions that are less than humane, and business tactics that have been called exploitative at best,"
The air seemed to chill in an instant. Weiss's pride evaporated, replaced with a fiery glare as her hands balled into fists. "Hey!" she snapped, her voice shaking with anger. "You have no idea what you're talking about!"
Blake's amber eyes remained calm but unyielding, filled with a quiet but burning intensity. "I know enough."
As the heated exchange unfolded, Jaune's brain finally caught up with the conversation, and realization dawned on him like a lightbulb going off. His confused frown turned into an amused grin as he pieced everything together. "Ohhh! Now this all makes sense!" he exclaimed, his voice cutting through the tension.
Weiss spun on her heel, glaring daggers at Jaune. "And what exactly does that mean?" she snapped, her voice sharp and filled with indignation.
Jaune crossed his arms, matching her glare with a smirk that only seemed to grow more defiant. "I mean, your attitude makes sense now, acting all high and mighty, like you're better than everyone else," His smirk turned into a full-on grin, his tone mocking. "You sure do carry yourself like someone from Atlas—uppity, snooty, always walking around like you're above other people! Let me guess, you've never had to struggle for anything in your life, have you?"
Weiss's face flushed with fury, her hands balling into fists. "Excuse me!?" she yelled, her voice rising.
Blake stood a little to the side, observing the exchange with a raised brow. While she didn't harbor personal hatred for the Schnee family (other than Jacques), seeing Weiss squirm under Jaune's words did stir a hint of satisfaction in her. It wasn't often someone called a Schnee out, especially not so directly.
Jaune, clearly enjoying himself, didn't hold back. "Oh, you heard me, I bet you never even went to a real combat school, probably had personal trainers and a nice cushy training room all to yourself, huh? Never had to fight for your life against Grimm, did you? Always had someone to catch you when things got tough,"
Weiss looked taken aback, the harshness of his words hitting her harder than she expected. Her expression shifted from shock to fury, but Jaune wasn't done.
"I bet you've never fought an actual Grimm, eh? I'm talking about the real thing, not some sparring match in a clean training room," His blue eyes bore into hers, daring her to prove him wrong.
Weiss's mouth opened to retort, but she faltered, the reality of his words hitting her. She had trained extensively—under the finest instructors, in the safest environments—but how many real Grimm had she faced outside of simulations? Her lips thinned, and she swallowed hard before admitting, almost in a rush, "I have faced Grimm,"
Jaune raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Oh yeah? How many?"
Weiss's confidence cracked. She racked her brain, realizing just how few actual Grimm encounters she had under her belt—at least, ones that hadn't been part of a controlled training exercise with her sister's semblance. "One," she muttered quickly, hoping the number would end the conversation.
"One?" Jaune echoed, his smirk now practically gleaming with amusement. He leaned in slightly, eyes glinting with mockery. "Let me guess... just something small, right? An average Beowolf, maybe? Or a little Ursa cub?"
Weiss clenched her fists, her body trembling with barely contained rage. The memory of her battle with the Arma Gigas flashed through her mind—the towering, armored Grimm that had nearly killed her. The scar over her eye throbbed faintly, a constant reminder of the brutal encounter, but also a badge of her victory.
"For your information, it was an Arma Gigas!" she snapped, her voice shaking with indignation. "One of the most dangerous Grimm to ever exist!"
Jaune raised an eyebrow, but his smirk never faltered. He crossed his arms and leaned in slightly, clearly unphased by her outburst. "Uh-huh. Sure it was," he said with a shrug, his voice dripping with mock indifference. He was playing with her now, and they both knew it.
"It is!" Weiss shot back, her voice rising in frustration.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Princess," Jaune teased, barely able to hold back his laughter as he threw in a mocking snicker.
Weiss's glare could have melted steel. Her jaw clenched, her eyes burning with fury as she stared at him, completely dumbfounded by his audacity. Who does he think he is? she thought, fuming. Does he have any idea how hard I've worked? How much I've sacrificed to get where I am?
The memory of grueling hours spent training, the constant pressure from her family to succeed, and the pain of that encounter with the Arma Gigas were all fresh in her mind. She had earned her place at Beacon through blood, sweat, and tears, but this arrogant boy—this nobody—was mocking her like she hadn't achieved anything.
Jaune noticed the absolute fury simmering beneath her icy exterior. He found himself enjoying it far more than he probably should. The disdain he'd always felt for people from Atlas—people who acted like they were superior to everyone else just because they lived in a city that floated above the world—was bubbling up. And Weiss Schnee, with her cold demeanor and haughty attitude, was the epitome of everything he despised about that place. To him, she was just another entitled brat, and seeing her mask of superiority crack? That was immensely satisfying.
"Aww~! What's wrong, Icy Weissy~?" Jaune taunted, his grin widening into something downright mischievous. "Gonna run off and cry to daddy about how mean the commoners are?"
That was it. Weiss snapped.
Her aura flared to life in a bright flash of blue, and the temperature around them seemed to drop. Her hand shot to the hilt of her rapier, and she glared at Jaune with such intensity it felt like she was about to cut him down where he stood. "You insufferable—!" she hissed through gritted teeth, her voice shaking with pure, unfiltered rage.
Jaune's eyes widened slightly at the sudden pressure of her aura—it was much stronger than he had expected. For a split second, he was caught off guard. He could feel the energy radiating off of Weiss, and he wasn't the only one. Ruby and Blake, who had been watching the confrontation, both froze. Blake's amber eyes flicked between Weiss and Jaune, her surprise evident on her face. Ruby gasped, eyes widening as the tension skyrocketed.
Jaune, not one to back down, gripped his bat, ready to defend himself. He had expected Weiss to get mad, but this level of aura control was impressive. "Oh, now we're talking," he muttered to himself, a little excited by the prospect of a fight.
Before things could spiral out of control, an overwhelming pressure suddenly descended on the group, freezing everyone in place. It was like the very air around them had thickened, becoming heavy and oppressive, making it difficult to move or even breathe. Weiss and Jaune, both poised for a confrontation, instantly felt their bodies go rigid, their auras instinctively retreating under the crushing weight of the new presence.
Jaune's eyes widened in horror. The aura pressure that had settled over them was unlike anything he had ever felt. It wasn't just powerful—it was immense, like standing in the path of a tidal wave. His heart pounded in his chest, and for a brief moment, raw fear coursed through him. This force dwarfed both his and Weiss's aura combined, and he knew, without a doubt, that whoever was exerting it could crush them both effortlessly.
'What the hell... Who could possibly have this kind of power?' Jaune thought, his mind racing as he tried to comprehend the situation.
"I do hope you're not planning to start a fight on your first day... hmm?" came a calm, almost casual voice.
The sudden break in the tension made everyone turn in unison toward the source of the voice. Standing there, with an air of complete ease, was a man in a crisp dark suit, holding a simple mug in one hand and a cane in the other. His silver hair gleamed under the sunlight, and his eyes, though kind, held a depth of authority and wisdom that instantly commanded respect.
Jaune's throat went dry. He recognized the man immediately. 'That's... that's Headmaster Ozpin?' His mind reeled. 'This is the guy running Beacon!? And he's this strong!?' Jaune had heard stories about Ozpin, of course, but none of them had prepared him for the sheer magnitude of his aura. It wasn't just power—it was absolute control, like standing in the presence of a calm storm that could erupt into chaos at any moment.
Weiss's rigid stance softened, but the shock remained evident on her face. "Headmaster..." she muttered, her earlier fury evaporating in an instant. Her rapier, which had been moments away from being drawn, was now held limply by her side.
Jaune, still reeling from the oppressive aura, swallowed hard, trying to regain his composure. The fear that had shot through him moments earlier still lingered, a cold knot in the pit of his stomach. Even Weiss, with all her aristocratic confidence, seemed shaken.
Ozpin's soft smile never wavered as he surveyed the group, his cane resting casually by his side. "While I understand that emotions can run high on a day like today," he began, his tone as calm as ever, "I would advise against settling your differences through conflict. At least, not on school grounds."
There was a lightness to his words, but the weight of his presence was still very much there, lingering in the background as a quiet reminder of his strength. The four of them—Weiss, Jaune, Ruby, and Blake—stood rooted in place, too stunned to speak.
"Now then," Ozpin continued, his calm demeanor unwavering as he glanced around at the group, "I believe we all have an initiation to attend, yes? Best be off. I do have a speech to give, after all." He offered them a small smile, his cane lightly tapping the ground as he prepared to depart.
Ruby's eyes widened as she snapped out of her frozen state. "Ah! R-Right!" she stammered, quickly grabbing Jaune's hand. Without waiting for a response, she tugged him toward the direction of the auditorium. "Come on, Jaune! Let's go!" Ruby cried, already half-dragging him behind her as her red cloak fluttered with her movements.
Jaune stumbled forward, his thoughts still lingering on Ozpin's overwhelming aura, but Ruby's sudden burst of energy snapped him out of his daze. He glanced back as they rushed off, noticing Weiss following behind at a slower pace, her face now a mask of forced calm, though her jaw remained tight from the earlier confrontation. As for Blake—Jaune's brow furrowed. The raven-haired girl had seemingly vanished without a trace.
As they weaved through the growing crowds of students, Ruby let out a long, exaggerated sigh of relief. "Whoo! That was something, huh?" she asked, her tone lighter now that the tension had passed.
Jaune, still trying to process everything, managed a nod. "Yeah," he muttered, his voice quieter than usual. "That was... definitely something."
He couldn't shake the feeling that his world had just gotten a lot bigger. Ozpin, the sheer power he'd displayed, and the reality of Beacon itself—it was all hitting Jaune at once. He hadn't exactly been the most confident coming here, and now, after being put in his place so quickly by the headmaster's mere presence, that self-doubt gnawed at him even more.
As Ruby chattered away beside him, Jaune's thoughts wandered, recalling how Weiss had flared up with such anger, the Schnee name hanging heavy in the air, and how Blake had seemed to know so much about the heiress without revealing anything about herself. The layers of complexity in the people he was about to train with made him wonder just what he was getting into coming to Beacon.
Meanwhile, back near the courtyard, Ozpin quietly observed the students disappearing into the academy's grand halls, his eyes lingering on Jaune's retreating figure. A soft breeze stirred the air, ruffling the silver locks of the headmaster's hair. He sipped from his ever-present mug, his thoughts deeper than the casual air he gave off.
"Interesting..." Ozpin murmured to himself. His gaze flickered with the same sharpness that had frozen Jaune in place just moments ago. "I do believe I'll need to keep an eye on him, as much as I have been with Ms. Rose," His tone was thoughtful, the smallest hint of curiosity creeping into his words.
It wasn't just Jaune's lack of formal training that piqued Ozpin's interest—it was something more. The boy's aura was unusually potent, more than one might expect from someone so inexperienced. Ozpin could feel it, the raw potential brimming just beneath the surface, untapped and waiting to be unleashed. Jaune had the bloodline of an Arc—his father's heritage spoke for itself, but it was his mother's legacy that intrigued Ozpin the most. She had been a force of nature, a master of dust weaving with a semblance that had been legendary to this day.
Yet, despite that potential, Jaune still had a long way to go. He lacked the refinement, the control that would allow him to truly access his power. But that was part of the journey. Beacon had a way of revealing hidden strengths in its students, shaping them into the warriors they were destined to become.
Ozpin took another sip of his drink, a slight smile forming on his lips as he thought about what lay ahead. "Yes," he mused, "I believe this year will be... particularly interesting."
His thoughts drifted to Glynda, his right hand at Beacon, and he chuckled softly to himself. "I wonder what you have in store for the boy, Glynda... and whether he'll live up to those expectations," The headmaster's gaze shifted toward the distant horizon, the weight of countless years of experience behind those eyes. Whatever was to come, Ozpin knew one thing for certain: Jaune Arc's journey was just beginning, and it would be one worth watching.
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So ends the second chapter of the story! We meet team RWBY but unfortunately, Jaune's team is gonna be different in this story, however, we will see Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora a bit down the line as their roles have changed with some characters in the story. But I bet you're all wondering just who's gonna be Jaune's teammates, oh, you'll see soon~!
Preview for the next chapter:
The initiation at Beacon Academy is about to begin, but this isn't the test you're expecting! It's an all-out battle where first-year students must fight for their place at the academy. With everything on the line, Jaune will need to prove his worth. Will he rise to the challenge and secure his spot, or will he crumble under the pressure? Find out in the next chapter!