King: Armor slightly based on Tyberos the Red Wake, but not enough to be the inspiration. I wanted to get the next Arc-Tale out first, but here we are.

Knox: It's coming along at least.

King: Yeah... Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the chapter.

Inspiration: N/A

Note: I don't know what possessed me to check, but I'm glad I did. I had to re-add all the bold and italics in this one. For some reason!

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As things settled, the screen began to spark to life once more. What could be on the other side, one wonders. King knew what was coming, however. Forecasts call for a drop in pressure.

The screen opened to show Jaune in front of his locker for his gear. He had a conflicted look on his face as he thought back over the past week. The week started with another rejection from Weiss. Big surprise.

Some would expect this would make Jaune's… entourage, annoyed. Jealous maybe. But, instead, all they got was a laugh from Yang, "Guess we've got to thank you for that, Ice Queen. Your loss."

Weiss just scoffed. She still refused to believe they would have been compatible. And she certainly wasn't going to think that now. He was in a committed relationship… Or… seven? Whatever. Not her territory. Not her interest. NOT her type!

…

Not getting into that.

Second, tests. Every single day. And today was no different. It was the combat exam, and he needed a good grade if he wanted to make it without a bad mark. He might barely pass thanks to his improvements, but just couldn't keep up with everyone else. He pulled his sword from the locker and pulled it from the sheath. He looked into his own eyes and saw someone who had to cheat to get into Beacon. Who had to coast on luck to get as far as he did.

"Okay, that's not true!" Nora jumped up to defend her boyfriend and leader, "Jaune is our Fearless Leader! He always has plans and knows the best way for us to work together. It's not luck!"

"Thank you Nora, but please sit back down." Jaune tried to mitigate this rant before it got out of hand.

Nora huffed and fell back into her chair, arms crossed and annoyed.

Jaune would sometimes ask himself if he was worthy. To be in Beacon and to hold such an important blade.

Jaune wouldn't say it out loud anymore, but he still felt those thoughts now and then. He sometimes wondered why Ozpin let him in. Why his team listened to him at all. But as a hand fell onto his hand, he looked up to see the others looking to him. He couldn't help but smile and nod once, letting them know it was okay.

Jaune's eyes narrowed. Damn it, he hated his eyes.

"What? How could you hate those eyes?" Coco grinned, "It's such a nice blue that really works for him."

Jaune grit his teeth, the blade shaking in his hands. The sword never felt right in his hands. A shield never sat well on his arm. He was a child playing knight, trying to be like the heroic image of the Knight of Rust from The Girl Who Fell Through the World. Jaune grit his teeth harder and was just reminded of something else. He'd been careful to keep his mouth shut, but he knew he had to deal with this.

"Wait, what's going on?" Saphron asked, confused.

Jaune used a finger to pull his lip open a bit and revealed very sharp teeth underneath hidden away.

"Woah!" Yang jumped a bit in surprise. "What's up with that?"

Blake raised an eyebrow, "Is he a faunas of some kind?"

"Got it in one." Knox confirmed.

Jaune was a Shark Faunas, and his trait was his teeth. He had very jagged teeth and they grow back quickly if he loses one. It was pretty cool. So, what's the problem? Why did he use a file to shave his teeth down to be human-like? Why hide them?

Ilia rubbed her arm, "I can think of a few reasons…" She knew how people could be. She remembered Atlas… But Beacon seemed different. Blake was accepted, so he didn't need to hide. So why would she? Especially now with others who care for her.

Jaune clenched his fist as he thought them back over. He wanted to rip them all out and be done with it. But it wouldn't work. They'd just grow back. Jaune hated his teeth because they were jagged and sharp. Designed to rip and tear flesh. He hated his eyes because they saw weaknesses, exploits in the battlefield. He wasn't a huntsman. He was a hunter. An Apex Predator. Jaune was the Great White.

And he hated that.

It wasn't just being a shark, scaring people by his very nature. He was different. He would eat everything in front of him as a child. His father called him 'Celui qui dévorera tout.' He who shall devour all.

"Well then…" Arslan thought it sounded kind of cool, but to call a kid that? A little much.

Jaune ground his teeth in his jaw as he had a choice to make. He knew they'd have him fight one of the transfer students, since they're graded separately to the Beacon students. He didn't know who it would be. But if he didn't put in a good performance, he was at risk of a bad grade in one of the two subjects that could get him expelled for poor performance.

That was a stark reminder for all the students in the audience. The two subjects you weren't allowed to fail were Grimm Studies and Combat Training. All the other subjects can be picked up with remedial lessons. But failing one of those two saw you expelled for the year as they were vital to be a Huntsman.

Jaune knew he didn't have many options. He snuck in some gear he felt more comfortable with, but…

He closed his eyes and considered his options. On the one hand, he keeps his secret but risks failure. On the other hand, he could fight the way he feels best, but risks his connections to his friends. But, he also knew failing as a first year would mean his entire team would be dropped…

It wasn't a choice anymore. He reached into his locker and pulled something unseen from the camera. The scene went dark and transitioned to the arena. It was time for Jaune to show his progress and be graded on his improvement. To the side, Glynda Goodwitch tapped her screen, alerting both combatants to enter the ring. She knew Jaune had improved, this was to see if he met the standards this time.

The first opponent to enter the arena was revealed to be Mint Roades, the disguise of Neo Politan during the infiltration of Beacon.

Something that still annoyed Yang, knowing that ice cream colored psycho was so close to them without anyone knowing. Then again, the same could be said for Cinder and the others.

Neo stretched her back and pulled a thin blade from her belt. She couldn't bring her parasol without giving up her identity. She just smirked as she inspected it with a light flourish. This'll be easy. As the second set of doors opened, however, a shiver ran up Neo's spine.

Stomp. Clang.

Blue eyes pierced the darkness, glowing like the sun at the ocean's surface. A darkness hidden below in the unseen depths.

Stomp. Clang.

Harpoon-like blades folded up against the arms of her opponent. His hands were covered by gauntlets with clawed fingers. Dark grey armor clung to his body. Sections of plate would come up with each step before falling to bang against the rest of the armor. One last stomp and Jaune was standing in the arena in his strange new armor set, flexing his fingers.

Ruby looked over the armor with a critical eye. The harpoons seemed to be connected to a spring loaded system that could allow them to snap down from his forearms and set on his arm like a set of claws. The armor itself didn't seem special beyond that and the clawed fingers.

Velvet had a different reaction, letting out an "Eep!" in fear. Sure, it was Jaune. But that only did so much to help her here. The shark-faunas on screen felt… harsher than the Jaune she was sitting close to. Some part of her couldn't help but be afraid.

Neo blinked, not expecting that, but she also shrugged it off.

Glynda, however, looked over the change in her student's gear, "Mr. Arc, are you sure this is an appropriate time to utilize new combat gear?"

Jaune let out a breath, "It's fine. I'm ready."

"If you insist." Glynda set the timer and counted them down to begin their match.

"What kind of fighting style do you think he uses?" Sun asked, thinking over what he could do. "Those harpoons look kind of claws, maybe something like that."

"Probably." Coco adjusted her glasses, looking over his weapons. "His gauntlets look pretty gnarly too. Maybe something with that."

It was a reminder that these two were their team leaders and did need to have an eye for these kinds of things.

"Begin!"

Neo spun her blade around to prepare to thrust forward with a counter. But he didn't charge. She expected him to, he always did with that meathead Winchester.

And looking back, Jaune could see the failing in his thinking. He hoped back then to get that first blood hit in and take the early lead. However, he wasn't thinking smart enough back then to realize it was a marathon, not a sprint. If he fought more defensively against a bruiser like Cardin, he'd likely have a better chance of winning.

Instead, Jaune turned slightly and started to walk. He moved slowly, his body lacking in tension or any kind of stress. He seemed… calm. His eyes locked in on her, he simply walked slowly around her. He was circling her. His eyes were locked on her. What's he up to? His movements resembled a predator stalking its prey. That fact made her eye twitch. She was no prey, but she wasn't stupid either. He wanted her to charge.

"That's not what's happening." Ciel mentioned.

"What do you mean, teammate Ciel?" Penny asked, not sure what she could mean.

"He's moving as if he was a shark. They circle their prey and wait for a moment's hesitation…"

Jaune's eyes turned sharp.

"...before they strike."

Jaune suddenly turned on his foot and charged Neo low to the ground. This caught her off guard but she tensed her muscles for a counter attack. Once he got close she swung her body around to avoid a clawed hand reaching toward her before going in for a swing. Her blade suddenly stopped in its arch, confusing her before looking to see what stopped her. Her eyes widened because… he caught her sword… with his teeth?! His very sharp, very visible teeth. He surprised her again as he bit down and snapped the blade in half!

"Damn!" Yang watched on, amazed at someone doing that. "Think it had a sharp flavor?" And she had to joke about it for good measure.

This got a few groans, and a sigh from Jaune, "Better get used to that…"

"Yep~!" Yang grinned and chuckled.

Neo swung back but wasn't fast enough to dodge the incoming hand. A hand wrapped onto her neck while the other grabbed her right wrist. She was going to use her flexibility to kick at him, but she was taken off guard as she was picked up and swung around.

"Thrashing around to make their prey bleed out," Ciel observed. "He's acting quite a lot like a real shark."

"Are you interested in sharks?" Penny asked her teammate.

"In a way." Ciel paused to consider her words, "I admit they interest me slightly."

Jaune swung Neo around, which was made easier by their difference in height. But it was the difference in weight that would make the most impact. He swung around and jumped before slamming her head into the ground while holding her arm back. Neo was able to use this to gain leverage and swung her body up and locked her legs over his neck as her body wrapped over his arm to keep him from bending it. She planned to choke him out while keeping him from moving as effectively. She expected him to try to pry her legs off his neck and allow her an opening to escape. That was until she felt thirty-two sharp pains on the calf of her right leg. The pain caused her to lose her grip and he swung her up with his teeth and into the air by her leg.

Neo had to back up into her seat. This was getting a little too crazy. And that was in comparison to the usual shit she dealt with.

Neo saw an opportunity and stomped her foot down onto Jaune's nose, causing him to lose his grip and let go of her leg. She used this to jump off and land on the ground again. She recoiled in pain as she added weight to her right leg, but she was on her feet again. She had a broken blade for a weapon, but she wasn't out of this yet! As Jaune shook off the attack, he looked back at her with that same neutral expression. He raised his arms and the harpoons snapped forward to form a set of claws. Neo slid her stance a bit wider, preparing for a follow-up attack. He did run in with claws drawn, but Neo was ready this time and sent a hand up under his jaw before swinging him over her body. Using his own weight against him, she sent him rotating through the air before he landed hard on his face.

Roman cringed slightly with a grin, "Ooh! That's got to hurt. Good move, Neo."

Neo preened as per usual, as if to say, Naturally.

Jaune seemed to pause as he shook off the damage. He rolled his jaw and seemed to come up with something. Taking in a breath through his nose, he spit out a series of white objects at Neo that scattered around her feet.

A glance showed her what they were, and she was beyond confused and, frankly, disgusted. Did he spit his fucking TEETH at me?!

"EW!" Ruby shivered, "Why would he do that?!"

Ciel seemed to think, "Since his Faunas trait is his teeth, he can likely grow more of them quickly. That coupled with a large amount of aura…"

Neo didn't have time to contemplate as Jaune leapt at her with a freshly grown pair of sharp, aura-covered teeth. She swung at him, only to find Jaune having dropped under her attack and snaking underneath her, flipping Neo over his shoulders as he tossed her into the air from below before jumping away. Neo swung her weight around to land on her feet, only to find the sharp pains on her feet. Glancing down, she found her boots missing. Snapping to look at him, she found him tossing her boots to the side.

Neo felt her eye twitch, dick…

Meanwhile, Goodwitch was watching the scene. He's dismantling her.

"Wow, that bad huh?" Yang didn't quite get what the teacher meant.

And so, Glynda explained. "He's removing threats piece by piece as they appear. He removes the blade as an obvious threat. Once he confirmed her acrobatic fighting style, he made it more difficult to move around by using his… teeth…" she shivered slightly, still a little disgusted by the idea but understanding how it works, "as caltrops. Then taking away her boots to ensure she can't just shrug off his actions."

Glynda watched as Mint (Neo) was slowed down by the caltrops. Her attacks were still quick, but her movement had to be more calculated and careful. Jaune, meanwhile, moved without worry. She knew that Jaune was a Shark Faunas thanks to his medical transcripts, a minimum necessity for Beacon Academy. As such the teeth caltrops didn't surprise her. She knew they would grow back quickly; very quickly thanks to his massive aura pool. That coupled with armored boots made him unfettered by the teeth as he charged Neo. Or so she believed. He was avoiding the teeth easily and didn't seem slowed down.

"You have always been good at that." Saphron mentioned.

Jaune sighed as others were looking at him. So, he explained, "A couple of my sisters have problems when it comes to letting their stuff spill out. They clean up after themselves, but until then, it's not uncommon for there to be a bunch of stuff left on the floor. I had to get used to avoiding the worst of it pretty fast."

"Is that why you never tripped up in the forests?" Nora asked.

"I guess it stuck."

Jaune ran along and swung his harpoon claws at Neo, who was able to dip beside the attack and move to counter with her broken blade. She was able to use some of her training to use his own weight against him and send him over her shoulder and rotating into the air before hitting the ground. She was half-tempted to just use her Semblance and beat this jerk, but rules were rules. Cinder would have my head.

Comedic timing is fun.

Jaune had charged at her again and his hand slammed onto Neo's forehead. His fingers gripped hard onto her skull as he jumped forward, pulling her along into the air. He swung his body around to fling her over his body and slammed her onto the ground.

Most of the viewers recoiled at the impact force on screen. That just had to hurt.

Glynda raised a hand, "Winner! Jaune Arc by Aura value."

Jaune blinked, took a step back, and fell to his knees as he let out a heavy breath. He was still Jaune after all. The story faded out and the screen went dark, ending the viewing.

"Well then." Yang spoke up first, "Have to admit, I wasn't expecting that."

"Got to love how random this place can get." Knox chuckled.