Professor Arc

Chapter 43

The corridors of Beacon were quiet as the three individuals made their way towards the training rooms. No words passed between them, the only sound that of their footsteps against the floor. At first there had been cautious attempts at conversation, but the severity of the situation – not to mention the consequences of the results – had soon put a stop to it.

A strange, hollow feeling had settled in his stomach some minutes ago, and that yawning gap felt like it grew larger with every step that brought him closer to the training rooms. His hands were numb and sweat beaded on his brow. Cautiously, he glanced from the corner of one eye and towards his father, just to judge his reaction.

Nicholas Arc was a rock of stability. His face was calm and his eyes locked ahead, yet even during that tension, he still spared the time to rest a hand against his wife's arm. The contact seemed to soothe her, who looked less capable at ignoring the stress.

How strange to think that it had once been his stability too. Jaune sighed and looked back ahead. His father had always seemed to invincible, so calm and patient. There had never been fear of him not coming back from a hunt, and now that he was older, he understood. Nicholas was a powerful huntsman, yes. But that was not what made him so successful.

It was his methodical, patient and pragmatic approach to his work. Nicholas was a man considered a hero among the civilians, but only because he rescued those who could be saved. Those who could not, those who were unreachable, he allowed to die. He would read a scene and judge a situation, and if the task seemed impossible – he would back away, the better to fight another day.

Did that make him a bad person? Jaune didn't think so. From what he'd learned of Ruby and Yang's mother, the two were very different hunters. Summer Rose would have leapt into action no matter the odds. She would have made the impossible possible, or die trying.

And so, she'd died.

It was cruel... but at least he'd grown up knowing his father would always do his best to return. That he would always grow up with a father that would look after him and their family, who would do what he needed to do to keep them safe. Funny to think that had once been a comfort, and yet now spelled out his doom.

"These are the training rooms," Jaune explained as he punched in the code and allowed the two into the room. It was overly large for their purposes, with more fighting arenas than they really needed. He only flicked on some of the lights. Didn't make sense to stretch the budgets any further than they had to be.

"Not so different from how I remember it," Nicholas said, "Though the machinery is a little more up-to-date."

"Glynda only accepts the best for her students. She wants to make sure they're ready for what's ahead."

His mother flinched and made to open her mouth, only for Nicholas to lay a hand on hers and silence her with a soft smile. "I take it we're to use one of these, then? Are we to fight until your aura is spent?"

Jaune swallowed as he noted how his father hadn't even expressed a shred of doubt that it would be his aura to be drained. He didn't even think it was on purpose or meant to intimidate him. It was just a statement of fact... something the older man knew would happen.

It was with that same dry mouth that he answered. "Until either person surrenders or is knocked unconscious."

"Isn't that dangerous?" Juniper asked. Her hands were balled into fists and before her mouth, and although she'd been the one to agree with the idea of a duel, it seemed the reality of seeing her husband and son fight had finally hit home.

"You're willing to go so far?" Nicholas raised an eyebrow. "Worry not Juniper, I'll be as gentle as I can be with him. You know I shan't hurt him too badly."