RWBY: Remnant's Protector

Volume 1: Chapter 8: Jaunedice

Volume 1:
Chapter 8: Jaunedice

"Why were these two put in a match against each other again? It's a total curbstomp!"

"Because Ryden." You answer. "It was Cardin's decision, and Jaune was too scared to refuse."

You and all of your classmates are sitting on benches in the amphitheater, watching the fight between the two you mentioned before.

"The former enjoys beating the weak and knowing that he would win, took this chance to satisfy himself by lashing out on the latter." You continue.

"Disgusting." Ryden grits his teeth upon replying.

Cardin has his mace perched on his shoulder and Jaune opposite him has his sword and shield drawn, leaning on his weapon as if exhausted, in the spotlight shining on the Beacon Academy auditorium stage.

He looks at Cardin, who laughs at his opponent's tiredness, and Jaune gathers his strength to charge forward and swing his blade at Cardin, only for him to jump out of the way. Jaune looks back, surprised, as the mace sends Jaune's shield - and himself - flying back. Now only armed with his sword, Jaune continues to try and attack, but is blocked by the mace's hilt. Their weapons locked, Cardin forces himself up, towering over a struggling Jaune.

"This is the part where you lose." Cardin mocks his opponent.

"Over my dead-!"

Jaune is cut short as Cardin knees him in the gut, making Jaune drop his sword and fall to the ground in pain. Cardin raises his mace and is about to slam it down on a worried Jaune just when the buzzer rings, the lights come back on, and Glynda's voice causes him to stop:

"Cardin, that's enough!"

Cardin relents and walks away as Glynda comes onto the stage, tapping her tablet.

While Jaune still lays on the floor in defeat and Pyrrha looks sad, Glynda turns her head to look at the losing warrior as he pulls out a smaller tablet with his low, blinking stats and that of his entire team.

"Mr. Arc, it's been weeks now. Please try to refer to your Scroll during combat. Gauging your Aura will help you decide when it's appropriate to attack, or when it is better to move to a more...defensive strategy. We wouldn't want you to be gobbled up by a Beowolf, now, would we?" Glynda recommends.

"Speak for yourself..." Cardin scoffs.

"Remember, everyone, the Vytal Festival is only a few months away! It won't be long before students from the other kingdoms start arriving in Vale, so keep practicing! Those who choose to compete in the combat tournament will be representing all of Vale!" Glynda announces to the seated and standing students.

Yang punches the air in anticipation, Weiss shakes her fists with an excited smile and Ruby shakes her entire body with enthusiastic energy while squealing softly.

You, who is sitting next to Ruby, hold her by her shoulder and calm her:

"Relax. It's not until a couple months."

"I know, but we get to test our skills to the fullest there and it's going to be so awesome!" Ruby replies.

"I agree, but let's first focus on the now." You state. "We've got bigger problems to worry about."

The bell rings, and students start leaving while Pyrrha continues to frown sadly. Jaune, still sitting on the floor, hangs his head in shame.

"Bigger problems." You repeat, looking at your friend.

———

In the dining hall, all three of your teammates, and teams RWBY and JNPR sit down for a meal. Nora explains a dream she has been having for a month, but highly exaggerates it, forcing Ren to explain what really happened.