Chapter Text
Jaune Arc stumbled through Beacon Academy’s training hall, his boots scuffing the polished floor, his mind buzzing with the weight of his latest combat class. He’d held his own against a practice drone, but Professor Goodwitch’s curt “Adequate, Arc” still stung. Leadership of Team JNPR was a heavier burden than he’d expected, and with the Vytal Festival looming, Jaune felt the pressure to prove himself—not just to his team, but to himself. His Aura, the soul-driven energy every Huntsman wielded, was his weakest link, but a late-night library session had sparked an idea: what if he could do more with it than just shield or heal?
The library’s restricted section, accessed thanks to a distracted librarian, held a dusty scroll on Aura techniques—nothing flashy like Yang’s fiery punches, but subtle, like sensing and nudging emotions. Jaune had always been good at reading people—his sisters had taught him that—but this was different. The scroll hinted at amplifying feelings, like boosting courage or easing fear, which could be a game-changer for his team against Grimm or in the tournament. The idea thrilled him, though a flicker of doubt lingered: was it right to influence others’ emotions, even to help?
Jaune’s thoughts drifted to Pyrrha, his partner and the team’s rock. She’d been patient with him, guiding his clumsy swordplay and offering warm smiles that made his chest tighten. Lately, though, her encouragement felt tinged with worry, like she saw him as a project rather than a leader. He didn’t resent her—Pyrrha’s heart was gold—but he wanted to show her he could surprise her, not with skill, but with something new. That’s why he’d asked her to meet him in the training hall after hours, hoping to test his Aura theory with her help.
“Jaune?” Pyrrha’s voice echoed as she stepped into the hall, her armor glinting under the dim lights, her red hair catching the glow. “You said you needed practice?”
“Yeah,” Jaune said, offering a sheepish grin as he adjusted Crocea Mors at his hip. “I’ve been reading about Aura stuff, and I think I found something cool. Wanna help me try it?” His tone was eager, masking the nervous flutter in his stomach. Pyrrha was sharp—if his idea flopped, she’d know, but her trust in him was the perfect starting point.
Pyrrha tilted her head, her green eyes curious. “What kind of Aura technique? You’ve been working on your shield, right?”
“Sort of,” Jaune said, stepping closer, his hand brushing the hilt of his sword. “It’s more about… feelings. Like, sensing what someone’s feeling and maybe helping them feel better. I thought we could test it together.” He drew his sword, channeling his Aura into a simple ward around them, a trick from the scroll that created a faint, calming shimmer in the air. It wasn’t strong—a stray spark could break it—but for a quiet experiment, it was enough.
Pyrrha’s brows lifted, but she nodded, her smile warm. “That sounds interesting, Jaune. How can I help?”
“Just… stand there and think about something that makes you happy,” Jaune said, his cheeks warming as he focused. He closed his eyes, letting his Aura flow, reaching out to sense Pyrrha’s emotions—a bright pulse of trust and a hint of excitement, like she was genuinely curious about his idea. He sent a gentle pulse through the ward, amplifying her happiness, hoping to make her feel lighter.
Pyrrha’s breath hitched, her smile widening. “Oh! That’s… nice,” she said, her voice soft, her eyes sparkling. “It’s like when I’m sparring and everything clicks. Did you do that?”
Jaune grinned, his heart racing. “I think so! I’m trying to boost your good vibes. Can you feel it?” He sent another pulse, keeping it gentle, watching her reaction. Pyrrha’s cheeks flushed, her posture relaxing, and she laughed—a rare, unguarded sound that made Jaune’s chest swell.
“It’s working, Jaune!” she said, stepping closer, her hand brushing his arm. “It’s like… a warm hug, but inside.” Her touch sent a spark through him, and Jaune fought to keep his focus, the ward’s calming effect grounding them both.
“Okay, let’s try something else,” Jaune said, his voice eager. “What if I try calming you down? Like, if you’re nervous?” He shifted the ward’s intent, nudging a soothing wave toward her, imagining the feeling of a quiet night after a long day.
Pyrrha’s eyes softened, her hand lingering on his arm. “That’s… really relaxing,” she murmured, her voice almost dreamy. “Like when we’re all sitting by the dorm fireplace.” She paused, her fingers tightening slightly. “Jaune, this is amazing. You could help the team so much with this.”
Jaune’s smile faltered, a flicker of doubt creeping in. Helping the team was his goal, but the power to nudge emotions felt big—maybe too big. What if he pushed too far? But Pyrrha’s trust pushed the thought aside, her warmth anchoring him. “Thanks, Pyrrha,” he said, his voice soft. “I just want to be a better leader, you know?”
“You already are,” Pyrrha said, her hand squeezing his arm before stepping back, her smile bright. “Keep practicing, Jaune. This could be something special.” She adjusted her armor, her cheeks still pink. “Want to try again tomorrow?”
“Definitely,” Jaune said, sheathing his sword, the ward fading as he broke the connection. As Pyrrha headed out, her ponytail swaying, Jaune’s mind raced. The Aura trick worked—better than he’d hoped—and Pyrrha’s reaction gave him confidence to keep going. Maybe Ruby or Ren could help him test it next, refining it for the team, not to control, but to connect. With Beacon’s challenges ahead, Jaune felt a spark of hope: he was finding his place, one discovery at a time.