Making Something from Nothing - Chapter Five

Jaune stepped down in front of the class to face his opposition. Cardin held his mace in his hand tightly, anxious to get the show on the road.

Jaune took in deep breath and drew Myrtenaster with an elegant flourish followed by a salute. Even Cardin seemed to flinch at the smooth motions.

'There is no way I did that' He thought, looking at the blade pointed at Cardin. 'This thing has a mind of its own…'

Towards the back of the class, Weiss was watching carefully.

Jaune felt a small tingle as his aura was activated. It seemed to flow into Myrtenaster while he held the blade.

"Alright, gentlemen," Port began. "Jaune, are you ready?"

Adrenaline surged throughout Jaune's body as he gave a confident nod. All of his blade training with Pyrrha was about to be tested with a weapon that wasn't his own.

"Cardin?"

"Yeah, I'm ready; let's hurry up and get this over with." He brought his mace up and sat it on his shoulder.

"Good. Standard duel regulations. Whoever's aura drops into the red zone first loses. You may begin." He stepped back to observe.

Jaune stood, suddenly uncomfortable with his position. He placed one foot a little ways behind him, feeling it was the right thing to do. Cardin didn't budge.

"Someone do something!" Yang called from the back of the class.

Jaune's aura flared, now being violently sucked into the rapier. The blade's steel turned dark slowly until had a black tint. Jaune's blue aura accented the edges almost as if he was a part of the weapon.

"Good enough!" Yang yelled.

'What the hell?!' Jaune screamed inside his head.

Cardin sneered. "I'm tired of your crap, Jaune. I'm going to put you out of commission this time around." He said, hefting his mace. He took off at Jaune, poised to swing. Jaune fortified his stance as the mace came around. Something clicked in his mind.

He brought Myrtenaster up, redirecting the swing. Cardin was carried forward by momentum as Jaune closed the gap, using a knee to impact his opponent's stomach. Free hand open, Jaune swung backwards with an elbow straight into Cardin's jaw.

A sickening crunch echoed throughout the room. Jaune sidestepped Cardin's falling body, ready for another assault. All that came was silence and the crash of Cardin's body and weapon falling to the floor.

Myrtenaster returned to its familiar white color, as if knowing its opponent was vanquished. Jaune turned almost as pale as the blade and collapsed to the ground next to Cardin.

He took a breath, his vision fading.

"Jaune, if you can hear me, you're going to be fine in a little while," Port's shallow tone said calmly. "You're experiencing aura drain, so just keep still."

"Why can't I see him? Everything is dark…"

"Yes, Miss Goodwitch, he's over here. We've rushed Cardin to the infirmary, but Jaune's aura isn't recovering." Port's voice came from a distance.

"No, please not her. She'll complain, just like the last time I lost. Wait, did I lose this time?"

"I'll fix this." A female voice sighed.

Jaune's body suddenly felt warm. Like he was in his bed, back home in his village.

And then it was cold, as though he was plunged into ice water. He couldn't breathe.

It stopped. Jaune's eye's shot open as he sat up, taking in as much air as possible. Goodwitch and Port stood over him. He looked all around. Students stood in absolute silence. He shifted his left hand and something clinked on the floor.

He still had Myrtenaster.

"Ugh…" He groaned, grabbing the sword and making an attempt to stand up.

"Good show, Mister Arc!" Port bellowed. "You certainly displayed many fine skill, though you did manage to drain every last drop of your aura in the process."

Jaune's stomach growled in response.

"Professor, may I get something to eat?"

"No, you may not," Glynda said unhappily. "Please explain yourself right at once."

"I fought Cardin in a match, I hit him, and then I collapsed. Now may I go eat?" Jaune said, slightly hateful.

The students around him "Oh'd" around him, as though he had earned a one-way ticket to Ozpin.

"Very well."

"Thank you, also, where might I find Weiss?"

"She got up and left after you collapsed, she said something about becoming ill." Port said, confused by the sudden events.

"Again, thank you professors."

Jaune turned toward the door to exit the class. He sheathed Myrtenaster in his belt and started walking. The surrounding students made a small path for him, muttering as he walked by.

"I don't even know what's going on…"

He left the room and took a right. It led to the closest bathrooms. But as soon as he got near the next hall, he heard whispers. It came from the corner to the left, and it sounded like Weiss. Cautiously, he crept to the corner.

"I-I just couldn't watch…"

Another female voice spoke. "But you gave him Myrtenaster, you didn't know that would happen?"

"What would happen? It fueling itself with my aura?" Jaune thought.

"No, it's only happened when Winter held it. But she was strong enough to maintain it. I really hope he's alright…"

"See! You do care about him! Why won't you just admit it already?"

Jaune lit up. His stomach lurched. He couldn't believe Weiss did care.

"Alright, yes I do. What's the big deal?"

"So, do you like, like him?"

"Wait… Only Ruby would talk like that! And maybe I do have a chance…"

"I've told all of you already! I do not have feelings for him! He is a foolish idiot, and I wouldn't dare. Just because I have a male friend does not mean anything, Ruby!"

"Oh… Well, that's a shame…"

"Oh yeah? What's with the hugs, kisses, and late night talks? You even let him use Myrtenaster today!" Ruby questioned, getting arrogant.

"Ugh! It's a formality! It's how I was raised from the time I was born! The hugs are for friendship, and the kiss on the cheek, was for good luck! Plus, he forgot his own sword! What's wrong with helping a fellow student?

"Really? So there's nothing between you?"

"No."

"Well, damn…" Jaune thought. "I guess I really never did have a chance..."

"So… Does that mean I have a shot?" Ruby asked.

"What?! Uh…"

"Ruby, what's that supposed to mean?" Weiss asked, concerned.

"Well, ever since I saw you two getting closer... I guess I realized I was jealous."

"What, of me? Please, Ruby, if you like him, go right-"

"No, Weiss. I meant I'm jealous of him."

"AH!" Jaune screamed internally. "Nope, I'm breaking up this little happy moment. I can't compete with Ruby!"

Before he could gather himself to walk around the corner, Weiss spoke.

"Well, I'm flattered Ruby… B-but I can't… I mean… I- umph!"

Weiss gave a small squeak and stopped speaking.

"What's going on?!" Jaune thought as he took a deep breath and strode around the corner.

He had to stop himself from yelping by clasping his hands over his mouth.

Weiss noticed him and shoved Ruby away.

"Jaune, it's not what it looks like, Ruby explain, I-I…"

Ruby turned to look at Jaune, red as her cloak. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She turned back to Weiss.

"Weiss, I-I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking…" Her voice made Jaune able to tell she was crying. A whirl of red rose petals and she was gone.

"Jaune…" Weiss muttered, falling to her knees.

"It's alright, I know, I heard everything." Jaune said in a rush.

"You what?!" Weiss' sadness turned to a more confused anger.

"Yeah, um, I know what happened. It's alright, I won't bother you again," Jaune pulled out Myrtenaster and tossed it down in front of Weiss and turned to walk away.

"Thanks for the formalities." He said, walking away and leaving Weiss alone.

She was alone, just like she always was.