Chapter 15

Theodore leaned forward with a warm but slightly skeptical smile as Jaune stumbled through his explanation. "I swear," Jaune began, his voice cracking slightly, "everything you've heard about me is just a big misunderstanding. The forest in the desert? That was an accident! The Grimm army I beat? I… I tripped and accidentally started that fight!"

The room was silent, save for Winter Schnee's audible sigh. "Honestly, Arc," she interrupted, arms crossed, her expression as icy as her semblance. "You can't even lie convincingly. True colors always show."

Jaune flinched as though she had struck him, his frustration boiling under the surface. He tried to explain further, stumbling over his words, but it was clear no one was buying it. Theodore exchanged a glance with Xanthe, who raised an eyebrow as if to say, Is this guy for real?

Weiss, still clinging to Jaune's arm with a dreamy smile thanks to her earlier "enhancements," whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear, "A real man doesn't need to explain himself."

Jaune's head hung for a moment as the weight of misunderstanding bore down on him. His fingers curled into fists. Every word, every disbelieving glance, and every scoff chipped away at his composure. He had always been misunderstood. Always. No matter how much he tried to do the right thing, people only saw what they wanted to see.

The room grew deathly quiet as an oppressive wave of killing intent radiated from Jaune. It wasn't loud or boastful; it was suffocating, like the air had been sucked out of the room. Chairs creaked as attendees shifted uncomfortably, their chatter abruptly cut off.

"You want me to be who you think I am?" Jaune's voice was low, barely above a whisper, but it carried a weight that sent chills down spines. His eyes burned with an intensity that none of them had seen before. "Fine. I'll be the man you want."

Theodore, usually unshakable, leaned back in his chair, blinking rapidly. Xanthe, who had faced countless horrors, instinctively took a step back. Even Winter faltered, her usual stoicism cracking as her hand hovered near her weapon.

Weiss, on the other hand, gripped Jaune's arm even tighter, a starry look in her eyes. "A real man," she murmured dreamily, oblivious to the tension suffocating the room.

Winter broke the silence, her voice wavering but sharp. "See? His true colors. All this time, he's been hiding behind that goofy act. I knew it."

Jaune turned to her slowly, his expression unreadable. The room was a powder keg, and he was the spark.

As the room emptied, with reluctant glances exchanged between those leaving, Theodore gestured to the door. "Go. All of you," he said firmly. Winter opened her mouth to protest but thought better of it, her glare piercing into Jaune before she walked out, her heels clicking loudly. Weiss lingered, her dreamy gaze fixed on Jaune until Theodore cleared his throat. "Miss Schnee, that includes you."

Once the door closed, the tension lightened but didn't vanish. Theodore leaned back in his chair, studying Jaune, who slumped in his seat like a deflated balloon.

"Jaune Arc," Theodore began, his tone fatherly yet firm, "you've stirred quite the chaos in Vacuo, and I assume it's not just here. You've managed to become a legend and a pariah simultaneously. Few can pull that off."

Jaune sighed, running a hand through his messy blond hair. "It's not like I'm trying to. People just... assume things. And then they pile up. And suddenly I'm the guy who started a war by sneezing too hard."

Theodore chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "You remind me of a few people I know. Ozpin, for one. He's always had his… complexities. He's part of the reason you're here."

At the mention of Ozpin, Jaune's gaze sharpened slightly, though the exhaustion behind his eyes was evident.

"You're probably wondering why you keep getting dragged into things like this," Theodore continued. "Let me explain. Ozpin, along with myself and a few others you'll eventually meet, forms what we call his Inner Circle. We've been working to protect Remnant from the threats that most of the world doesn't even know exist. Grimm are just the surface. The real enemy is Salem."

Jaune blinked slowly, his brain struggling to keep up. "Salmon? Like… fish?"

Theodore sighed but smiled indulgently. "No, not salmon. Salem. A being of immense power and cunning. She's the orchestrator behind most of the chaos you've encountered. And you, Jaune, whether by accident or fate, are directly in her path."

Jaune leaned back, rubbing his temples. The child of prophecy nonsense was bubbling up again, and he was already too tired to argue. "Oh, Salem… So what you're saying is… she's the reason for all my bad luck?"

"In a way, yes," Theodore said. "But it's more than that. You're special, Jaune. Even if you don't see it, the world does. You've accomplished things that others could only dream of."

Jaune let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah, like accidentally creating a forest in a desert or accidentally punching a Grimm so hard it started a migration. Real accomplishments."

"Don't underestimate yourself," Theodore said seriously. "The people need hope, Jaune. And whether you like it or not, you've become that symbol."

Jaune's shoulders slumped further, the weight of the words pressing down on him. He wasn't sure he even wanted to be a symbol. But then again… if he could stop this Salem character, maybe—just maybe—people would finally stop hating him.

"Fine," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll do it. I'll stop Salem or Salmon or whatever her name is. I'll be the hero everyone thinks I am. And then…" He looked up, his eyes burning with determination. "Then maybe people will stop looking at me like I'm some kind of freak."

Theodore smiled warmly, placing a hand on Jaune's shoulder. "That's the spirit. We'll help you, Jaune. You're not alone in this fight."

But as Jaune sat there, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking into yet another disaster. One that he, somehow, would end up taking all the blame for. Again.

Theodore smiled warmly as Jaune asked, "But how do I even start?"

The Headmaster leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers together like a man with a plan too complicated for words. "Ah, that's the beauty of it, Jaune. You won't be alone in this. I'll assign you two of my most trusted students. They know about Salem, and they'll guide you in this endeavor. They'll carry these stamps to identify themselves." He pulled out a pair of elaborate, golden seals engraved with Shade's insignia and the word "Trust" in Old Vacuan.

Jaune groaned inwardly. Great. More babysitters. Just what he needed.

Theodore chuckled at his evident reluctance. "Cheer up, my boy. You're engaged to a Schnee! That's no small feat. Weiss Schnee is quite the beauty, wouldn't you agree? You've hit the jackpot!"

Jaune blinked, taken aback by the unexpected comment. He hadn't really thought about it like that, but yeah... Weiss was beautiful. And, uh, hot. Even if she was acting like an overzealous fangirl half the time.

Theodore leaned forward, his tone softening. "Cherish your life, Jaune. Build good bonds, forge real connections. Love, friendship—these are the things worth fighting for."

Jaune nodded, feeling a small flicker of determination amidst his exhaustion. Maybe, just maybe, he could pull this off.

With a final clap on the back, Theodore sent him off to his new accommodations—a lavish suite in Shade Academy, complete with a view of the desert that was both breathtaking and dizzying.

Once Jaune was out of sight, Theodore's expression hardened. He summoned two of his students, a confident boy with sharp features and a girl with a calculating gaze. "Your mission is to assist Jaune Arc," he instructed. "Guide him in understanding Salem's threat and help him in his journey. These stamps will mark you as allies."

The pair nodded, taking the stamps. As they walked down the corridor, their professional demeanor shifted.

"Grab him," the girl whispered.

Before the real students could react, their faces were yanked backward by unseen hands. Mercury and Emerald emerged from the shadows, wearing smug grins.

"Well, that was easier than I expected," Mercury said, tossing the stolen stamp into the air and catching it effortlessly.

Emerald smirked, sealing the real students inside a small, tightly-packed box with an eerie efficiency. She pocketed the second stamp and slipped into the student uniform she'd stolen, adjusting the collar.

"Phase one, complete," she said with a wicked grin. "Now, time for phase two."

They exchanged a glance, their devious plan unfolding like a script in their minds. Whatever Jaune Arc thought his life was going to be... he was in for a rude awakening.

—X~X—

Jaune sat on the edge of the bed in his lavish new room, staring out at the endless expanse of sand stretching beyond Shade Academy. He was still trying to come to terms with this new life when the door slammed open. Winter strode in like a storm, her icy eyes narrowed and her stance rigid.

"If you even think about taking advantage of Weiss and my father's idiocy, I don't care how many trees you can summon, Jaune Arc. You'll know pain," she hissed, her tone colder than the tundra. She stood there for a moment, daring him to argue. When he didn't, she snorted in derision and left, the door clicking shut behind her.

Before Jaune could exhale, the door opened again. This time, it was Weiss. She wasn't storming in; she was practically skipping. "Future husband~," she cooed, closing the door behind her with a wink that made Jaune flinch. She leaned against the frame, her posture relaxed but her intentions unmistakable. "I was thinking, why don't we share this room? It's only natural, right? We are going to be married." Her voice was sweet, but Jaune could tell the lingering effects of the drug were still messing with her head. She was far too… affectionate. It was unnerving.

Jaune raised a hand, trying to explain, but she sauntered closer, her smile widening. "No need to be shy, darling. We have all the time in the world." She placed a hand on his shoulder, and he felt his soul leave his body.

Thankfully, before Weiss could get any closer, the door opened a third time. The deputy headmistress, Xanthe, entered, her presence commanding but not hostile. "Mr. Arc," she said smoothly, "if you need anything—ANYTHING—do not hesitate to ask. We want you to feel comfortable here." Her gaze lingered for a moment longer than necessary before she excused herself and left the room.

Jaune sat there, dumbfounded, as Weiss plopped onto the bed beside him. She rested her head on his shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world. "You're so strong, Jaune. So dependable," she murmured.

He didn't respond. His eyes were fixed on the desert horizon. The weight of his situation pressed down on him like an anchor. His family farm in Ansel, his carefree life, late-night hobbies, even the silly hopes for a normal future—they were gone. Torn away. He wiped a tear that dared to fall and clenched his fists.

If the world wanted him to be a demon, fine. He'd give them the Demon King they wanted.

—X~X—

After hours of exhausting diplomacy and mind-numbing conversations, Jaune Arc finally found himself on the way back to his village, the newly recognised Hidden Leaf. The sheer relief of returning home was almost enough to dull the headache left behind by the never-ending political chatter. Almost.

Flanking him was an eclectic entourage: Winter Schnee leading her Atlas subordinates, Weiss practically glued to his side, and two others, Emerald and Mercury. The latter pair had been sent by Theodore to assist him, but they mostly hung back, keeping a noticeable distance. Jaune figured they were either too intimidated or just not very fond of him—not that he could blame them after the chaos his mere existence seemed to invite.

As the gates of the Hidden Leaf came into view, Jaune felt a mixture of pride and apprehension. The village had grown from a scattered refuge into an official, thriving settlement. The villagers swarmed toward him, their faces lighting up with relief and joy.

"Hokage!" A young Faunus boy with mantis-like arms hopped toward him, his enthusiasm infectious. "You're back! Is everything okay? Did they agree to leave us alone?"

"Yeah, Hokage! Are we safe?" chirped a Faunus girl with butterfly wings, fluttering close.

Jaune raised his hands to calm the crowd, offering them a reassuring smile. "Everything's fine. We're safe. No one's going to bother us."

A cheer erupted among the villagers, young and old alike. The older ones, like Oogway—a tortoise Faunus who seemed as ancient as the stars—nodded sagely, their satisfaction evident. Meanwhile, the younger Faunus, full of energy, darted around in celebration.

Amid the chaos, Jaune's gaze drifted to a tree at the edge of the clearing. Sitting under its shade were Ruby and Velvet, their expressions grim. Something about their posture screamed betrayal. Concerned, Jaune made his way toward them, Weiss trailing behind. As he approached, Velvet's glare zeroed in on Weiss, her brows furrowing deeply.

"What's wrong?" Jaune asked gently, crouching to their level. "You two okay?"

Velvet's eyes flicked between him and Weiss before settling on the latter. "Oh, we're fine, Hokage. Just peachy. Aren't we, Ruby?" The sarcasm in her voice was sharper than a knife.

Ruby, arms crossed, looked straight at Weiss. "Weiss, what are you doing here? I thought you hated dorky, goofy guys."

Jaune blinked. "Uh, excuse me?"

Weiss scoffed, tossing her hair back with dramatic flair. "Ruby, that was immature me. I've grown. Matured. Evolved."

Velvet rolled her eyes. "Oh, you've evolved, all right. Into a hypocrite."

Jaune felt a headache forming. "Okay, let's not—"

Ruby cut him off, her voice rising. "No, seriously! All through Beacon, you were going on about how guys like Jaune were beneath you! Now, suddenly, you're clinging to him like a—"

"Ladies," Jaune tried again, his voice laced with desperation, "maybe we can—"

"Jealous much?" Weiss interjected, her smirk infuriatingly smug. She stuck her tongue out at Velvet, who looked moments away from lunging at her.

Jaune sighed deeply. Before the brewing catfight could reach its inevitable conclusion, the sound of drums and laughter from the village square distracted them.

"Seven-tailed rabbit feast!" someone shouted.

"Right," Jaune muttered, rubbing his temples. "Let's... let's go join the feast. Everyone loves seven-tailed rabbit, right?"

Dragging the girls with him, Jaune led them to the village centre, where tables piled high with roasted rabbit, fruits, and vegetables awaited. The villagers laughed and danced, their earlier worries forgotten in the festivities. Ruby and Velvet reluctantly followed, though their glares at Weiss never faltered.

As he sat down with a plate of food, Jaune couldn't shake the nagging feeling at the back of his mind. Something about all of this felt... wrong. Something he was forgetting. He stared out at the endless desert beyond the village walls, searching for an answer that refused to come.

"Jaune?" Weiss's voice broke through his thoughts. She was seated unnervingly close, her silver hair shimmering in the firelight. "Aren't you going to eat?"

"Yeah," Ruby muttered, eyeing Weiss suspiciously. "Don't let it get cold, Jaune."

Jaune picked at his food, his appetite waning. He wiped at his eyes, feigning exhaustion to hide the tear that threatened to escape. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. He was supposed to be back on the farm in Ansel, helping his family, laughing with his sisters, sneaking in a late-night hentai binge when no one was looking. But those days were gone.

Now, his life was war. Politics. Assassins lurking in the shadows.

Fine. If that's what they wanted, if they insisted on turning him into some Demon King, then so be it.

This world shall know pain…

Eh, but let's focus on the seven tailed rabbit first.

—X~X—

Sienna Khan stood tall on the platform, her silhouette framed by flickering torchlight as the passionate cries of her troops filled the air. Her amber eyes burned with intensity as she raised her voice above the roar, commanding the attention of every Faunus present. "We are not slaves, nor are we tools of humanity's oppression! Jaune Arc dares to call himself a king, but he is nothing more than another tyrant looking to shackle us. Will we allow him to trample our freedom?"

The crowd's response was deafening. "No!" they thundered, their fists raised high. Sienna's voice grew sharper, slicing through their cries with unwavering determination. "Then we remind them that the White Fang is not to be silenced, not to be chained. Hail White Fang!" The chants erupted anew, growing louder and fiercer, echoing across the desert like a war cry.

Far from the fiery rebellion, Salem's lair was shrouded in oppressive darkness. Her voice, icy and commanding, pierced through the gloom as she addressed her loyalists. "Jaune Arc," she began, her tone dripping with disdain, "is a threat that grows stronger with each passing day. Should the plan to strip him of his powers fail and his power unite Ozma's forces, our destruction will be inevitable." Her words reverberated like an unholy chant, filling the room with a sense of foreboding.

Tyrian leaned against the wall, his grin as wide and unsettling as ever, though his mind had drifted into his own twisted fantasies. "Jaune and Salem," he mused to himself, his voice low and theatrical. "The tragic hero and the dark queen. Such a delicious tale of love, betrayal, and chaos! Imagine the drama!" His soft, maniacal giggle filled the silence, prompting Cinder to snap her head towards him with an icy glare.

"Idiot," she muttered, her focus unshaken as her own thoughts brewed with quiet ambition. While Salem demanded loyalty and war, Cinder's mind teemed with her own plans. She clenched her fists, the faint glow of fire flickering at her fingertips. 'Salem is powerful, but she is not untouchable,' she thought. 'One day, I will take her place. And the world will kneel before me.' But for now, she nodded in feigned obedience, masking her ambitions behind a facade of servitude.

Meanwhile, the tension in Beacon Tower mirrored the unrest brewing elsewhere. Ozpin, pacing the room, spoke with uncharacteristic urgency. "Salem's plans are in motion," he said, his voice heavy with the weight of countless secrets. "Qrow, I need you to find Raven. Her help will be indispensable in the battles to come."

Qrow scoffed, scratching the back of his head. "Raven's not exactly the type to play nice, Oz. You know that."

"Then make her see reason," Ozpin snapped, his usual composure cracking. He turned to Ironwood. "James, you need to bolster your forces. This isn't a skirmish. This is the war we've been preparing for."

Ironwood nodded, his jaw set with grim determination. "I'll do what needs to be done."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the enormity of their predicament sinking in. Ozpin, his voice barely above a whisper, muttered, "The pieces are in motion. Let's pray we're ready."

—X~X—

Author Note:

I am baaaack!

Things definitely got more serious now. Dattebayo.

So, I took the admission test and yeah, I passed... but man, it wasn't enough. There were a ton of people who absolutely crushed it—scored way higher than me.

Guess that means no stethoscope hanging around my neck, no white coat dreams coming true. Not gonna lie, I'm not exactly sad… more like stuck in this heavy, depressing haze, y'know? Maybe that's why my recent updates have been kinda… meh? Feels like I'm running on empty.

But hey, life doesn't stop, right? Gotta figure out a new path. I'm a dreamer, after all—I'm built to keep moving forward, no matter how many times I stumble.

Anyway, drop your thoughts in the review section if you feel like it. Seriously, your words mean the world to me. They keep me going, writing faster, better, and with more heart.

Till next time!