The Soldier and The Knight: Part 1

Chapter 6: Love is the Death of Duty

A/N: 

Hey everyone! I want to apologize for the long wait on this story. I ended up putting it on the back burner for a while as I focused on other projects, and I feel a bit bad about that. But rest assured, I haven't forgotten about it, and I'll definitely be continuing updates!

Thank you all for your patience, and I hope you enjoy today's chapter!

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Jaune was in the midst of assisting Dr. Oobleck with reorganizing a cluttered array of textbooks onto their shelves. Having been chosen to help that day, he diligently placed each book back in its rightful spot while Dr. Oobleck worked on clearing the blackboard, erasing the remnants of the day's lesson.

As Dr. Oobleck set down the eraser, he turned his attention to the young blonde. "Mr. Arc, may I ask you a question?" Oobleck inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity.

Jaune paused his task and looked up, a bit surprised. "Sure, Doctor," he responded, placing a book on the shelf.

"Why did you choose to become a Huntsman?" Oobleck's gaze was steady as he adjusted his glasses.

Jaune froze for a moment, then glanced at his teacher with a hint of confusion. "Sir?" he asked.

"It's a question I pose to my students from time to time," Oobleck explained, his expression thoughtful.

Jaune resumed shelving the books, his movements slightly slower as he pondered the question. "I... I want to be a hero," he admitted quietly.

"A hero?" Oobleck repeated, intrigued. "Does this aspiration have something to do with your family?" he probed gently.

Jaune nodded, his expression reflecting a mix of pride and nostalgia. "Yes," he said. "My great-great-grandfather fought in the Great War. He was a hero, and... I want to follow in his footsteps,"

Oobleck gave a nod, his expression lighting up with recognition. "Ah, yes... Alexander Arc, the very man who secured the ground upon which we now train the next generation of Huntsmen and Huntresses," he said, a touch of reverence in his voice. "His statue still stands proudly in the courtyard—a constant reminder of the hero he was in his time,"

Jaune felt a swell of pride in his chest, a warmth he often carried when thinking of his ancestor. "Yeah, I visit it from time to time," Jaune replied, a small smile forming. "The Great War may have been the only battle where his name made it into the history books, but it's still something my family holds onto, it's still something we're proud of,"

Oobleck tapped a finger thoughtfully against his chin, eyes narrowing in contemplation. "I see," he mused before asking, "Tell me, Mr. Arc, is it true that your great-great-grandfather faced a difficult choice during that final battle? Was he not forced to decide between staying to aid the warrior king in that crucial moment or abandoning his duty to rush back home and protect his village, his family?"

Jaune nodded slowly, a familiar weight settling on his shoulders as he spoke. "Yes, that's right, but... to this day, most of my family still doesn't know which path he chose,"

Oobleck's eyes gleamed with curiosity, leaning forward slightly. "And what do you think, Mr. Arc?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of challenge. "If Alexander Arc had to choose between his honor as a knight, standing beside the warrior king, and the safety of those he loved—his family, his village—what do you believe he would have done?"