[#] You can join my discord server:discord.gg/52MmzuEQhR
[#] As always, Ko-fi subscribers have access to 5 chapters ahead, plans start at 1 dollar.
-------Chapter Cover-------
[Professor Luna]
Chaos erupts around me, a whirlwind of motion and noise.
"HARGH!" roared the blonde huntress, her red eyes blazing.
Yang's fists collide with my shield, each blow a thunderclap echoing through the arena.
BOM! BOM!
I pivot, dodging her third punch. Caught off guard, Yang stumbles forward, her strike swinging at nothing.
"O fuck." Mutters Yang.
"Language." I say kicking her back, sending Yang careening towards Jaune, who scrambles to avoid her.
Blake darts in, her shadow cloaking her movements, but I'm ready. I sidestep, bash her arm, and redirect her momentum with a kick, sending her crashing into Pyrrha.
"Enough!" My voice booms through the arena, freezing them all mid-motion. "The bare minimum of teamwork is to stay out of each other's way!"
Blake, sprawled on the ground, pushes herself up, her dark hair cascading over her shoulder.
"Whoa, so wise." Her voice drips with sarcasm, and her golden eyes meet mine, challenging.
I level her with a deadpan stare.
"Blake, you'll lead the next charge."
Her eyebrows shoot up.
"I'm a stealth combatant, not a tank." Complains the faunus cat girl "That is Yang's job."
"Diversify, Blake." I cross my arms, my voice firm. "You won't always have the luxury of sticking to one style. Adaptability is key."
"Fine." She mutters under her breath.
"Whoa, so wise of you to listen to me." I say with a smirk.
""Ha! Burn!" Laughs Yang. "Right in the whiskers."
"Teacher's pet," Blake mutters.
"Hey!" Yang snaps, her cheeks flushing.
I clap my hands, getting their attention.
"Alright, ladies and gentleman." I announce reading my sword and shield. "Let's get back to it. Blake, you're up."
After a few more rounds, the four students are on the floor panting.
I sheathe my sword, the metallic ring echoing through the now-silent arena. Four pairs of eyes watch me, breaths coming in ragged gasps. I scan each face, satisfaction warming my voice as I speak.
"You've all improved." My gaze lands on Jaune, chest heaving. "Jaune, your progress is is the most notable. You're learning to anticipate, to read your opponents better. But…" I raise a hand to halt his grin, "…your physical conditioning still needs some work. You're dead on your feet after just three sparring matches. I want you running more to build up your stamina."
He nods, swallowing hard, determination etched onto his sweat-streaked face.
I turn to Blake, her dark hair plastered to her forehead, golden eyes gleaming.
"Blake, your stealth work is exceptional. But as I said, you need to diversify. You can't always rely on the darkness to hide you."
Her lips quirk into a faint smirk.
As I turn to Yang her grin splits her face, wild and fierce. She's enjoyed this, the challenge, the thrill of battle.
"Yang, you've made a crucial shift. You're no longer controlled by your anger, but fueled by it. That's a powerful change and I'm proud of you for making it."
She beams, puffing out her chest.
"Teacher's pet." Blake whispers loudly.
Yang's grin only widens, undeterred.
"What can I say?" She shrugs, chuckling. "I 'yaim' to please."
Blake shudders at the bad pun as I turn to Pyrrha, her bright eyes meeting mine, as vise clamps around my chest. I swallow hard, forcing down the lump in my throat.
I can do this. I have to.
"Pyrrha." Her name catches on my tongue, but I push through. Stay professional. "You're an exceptional fighter. The best in this room, and arguably in all of Beacon."
Her eyes widen, surprise flickering across her face. I can see a question forming on her lips, the 'but' hanging in the air between us.
"But," I continue, steeling myself, "you fight like you're in a tournament."
Her brows furrow, a shadow passing over her expression.
"You need a different mindset," I explain, looking at the redhead. "Otherwise, one day you're going to end up getting hurt, or worse, your team will get hurt."
Yang's voice slips out in an accidentally loud whisper.
"Damn, no one's ever been that harsh to Cereal Girl before."
Blake stares at her, disappointed, shaking her head.
Pyrrha's eyes narrow, Yang's commentary rolling off her like water on stone.
"What do I need to do?" Her voice steady, her gaze locked onto mine.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come.
"It won't be easy. You've spent years honing your skills for tournaments, for showmanship." I pause, letting the words sink in. "Basicaly you need to kill your Invincible Girl persona. You need to be reborn as a huntress."
Pyrrha freezes, eyes wide, as if I've slapped her. Jaune scrambles to his feet, indignation burning in his eyes.
"With all due respect, Professor, that's going too far!" His voice trembles, but he doesn't back down. "Pyrrha is incredible just the way she is! She doesn't need to change so drastically!"
I turn to him, a surprised smile tugging at my lips.
"This is unusual," I think, pride swelling in my chest though I keep it hidden. "Normally, I wouldn't have the courage to stand up to an authority figure like this, not with such certainty."
That's when it hit me.
'He's growing,' I realized. 'Faster than I was at his age. And the best part isn't just his improving strength, it's his morals, his character.'
"Jaune," I say, voice calm, "I'm not saying she's not amazing. I'm saying she needs to adapt. All of you do."
Silence hangs heavy, a thick cloak smothering the room. Four pairs of eyes stare at me, a mix of shock, anger, and confusion swirling in their depths. I meet each gaze, unwavering, waiting for the storm to break.
It's Yang who finally shatters the silence, her hand shooting up like an eager student in class.
"So, what do you recommend, Professor?"
I pause, considering, letting the seconds tick by as I formulate my response. An idea takes root, a seedling of a plan beginning to unfurl.
"I'll speak with Ozpin about doing some field trips." I say, voice decisive.
Blinks of confusion greet my words.
"Field trips?" The four say in unison.
"Some real-world experience is what you all need. Controlled environments, as an adult will be accompanying you, but unpredictable nonetheless."
[Pyrrha Nikos]
As soon as Professor Luna dismisses us Blake quickly slinks past me, her shoulder brushing mine. She pauses at the door, turning to Yang.
"Don't forget, Yang. You owe me one."
"Yeah, yeah." Answer Yang waving her hand dismissively. "One week of paid lunch."
"And desert." Adds Blake.
"Fiiine." Mutters Yang rolling her eyes.
When we left the room, away from the professor, I decided to ask.
"Hey, you two… have either of you noticed something different about the way Professor Luna talks to me? Or even looks at me?"
Jaune and Yang exchange confused glances. Jaune's eyebrows furrow, and he tilts his head slightly.
"Different?" Jaune asks, genuinely puzzled. "Different… how?"
I hesitate, trying to find the right words.
"I'm not sure exactly. It's just... he seems to talk so easily with everyone else, but with me, it's like he puts on this formal mask. And sometimes, I swear there's a hint of... pain in his voice."
Jaune's expression shifts from confusion to concern. He opens his mouth to speak but Yang beats him to it.
"Honestly, Pyrrha, I haven't noticed anything weird." Yang shrugs. "Maybe it's just you are not used to someone pushing you out of your comfort zone?"
"You know," I pause, considering her words. " I hadn't thought of that possibility. You might be right, Yang."
A grin spreads across Yang's face, her thumb jerking towards her chest.
"I'm always right."
Jaune steps closer, his brow furrowed in genuine concern. He reaches out, placing a firm yet gentle hand on my shoulder.
"I haven't noticed anything either, Pyrrha, but I promise I'll pay closer attention to Professor Luna from now on."
His touch is warm, reassuring. I nod, grateful for his support.
"Thanks, Jaune. I appreciate it."
Jaune's hand lingers on my shoulder. The warmth of his touch radiates through me, igniting a spark that sets my heart aflutter. I look into his eyes, seeing a confidence that wasn't there before.
It suits him, makes him more... handsome. He's always been cute, but now, there's an edge to him, a strength that draws me in.
His lips curl into a soft smile, and I can't help but mirror it.
This is what I've been longing for so long, a true connection that goes beyond my fame, beyond the invincible girl everyone sees on the screens. Jaune sees me, the real me, and he's still here, still caring.
My heart swells with joy, a bubbly happiness rising within me. I want to lean into his touch, to close the gap between us, to feel his arms wrap around me. I want to-.
"Ahem!" Yang clears her throat, loud and exaggerated. "Get a room, you two."
Heat rushes to my cheeks as I step back, Jaune's hand falling from my shoulder. I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, avoiding Yang's teasing gaze. Jaune, on the other hand, just chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yeah, sorry, Yang."
She grins, waggling her eyebrows.
"It's fine," says Yang, elbowing Jaune's side. "Better make it official soon, vomit boy, I doubt you'll ever land someone better."
"Yang!" I shout embarrassed.
With a cheeky grin on his lips, Jaune respondes.
"Of course it's impossible to land someone better," he says confidently. "Pyrrha is the best."
My eyes widen, face flushing a shade redder than my hair. I stammer, trying to form a coherent response.
"I-I mean, we're not… we haven't-."
Yang laughs, a loud, hearty sound that echoes through the hallway. She slaps Jaune on the back, grinning wide.
"You know, Jaune, I gotta hand it to you. You're smoother than I thought."
"Thanks, I guess?" Jaune chuckles, shaking his head.
Yang waves goodbye, laughing as she disappears around the corner. I watch her go, my heart pounding in my chest. As soon as she's out of sight, I turn to Jaune, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Jaune, were you serious? Or were you just playing along with Yang's teasing?"
Jaune sighs, running a hand through his hair before turning to face me. He scratches the back of his neck, a sheepish smile playing on his lips.
"Pyrrha, when I came to Beacon, it was because I had this dream of becoming a hero. I knew it was almost impossible, but I wanted to give my best, even if it was the hardest thing I'd ever try."
He pauses, his eyes meeting mine. There's a sincerity in his gaze that makes my heart flutter.
"But then I met you," he continues. "And I realized that finding someone like you was even more impossible."
My throat tightens, emotions welling up inside me.
"What do you mean, Jaune?"
He takes a deep breath, his voice steady and sure.
"When I'm with you, Pyrrha, I feel better, and it makes me want to be better. I want to be the very best, like no one ever was… just to be worthy of standing next to you."
My eyes widen, surprise and joy intertwining within me.
"Jaune, you don't have to do that. You don't have to be anyone but yourself."
His smile broadens, his eyes sparkling with an intensity that takes my breath away.
"That's another reason I like you so much, Pyrrha."
Jaune's words hang in the air, a confession that sends my heart into a fluttering frenzy. My mouth opens, closes, opens again, but no words come out. I'm frozen, stunned by the raw sincerity in his voice, the intense gaze in his eyes.
Jaune shifts his weight, his confidence waning as he is forced to face my silence. His eyes cast downwards, and I'm certain he can hear my heartbeat.
"I-I understand if you don't feel the same way, Pyrrha. I just... I had to tell you."
His voice is soft, tinged with a sadness that snaps me out of my stupor. He starts to turn away, but I reach out, my hand grasping his arm. He looks back at me, surprise flickering in his eyes.
"Jaune, wait."
He pauses, his gaze meeting mine. There's a vulnerability in his eyes, a raw honesty that makes my heart ache. I've seen this look before, in the arena, when he stood up for me, when he faced his fears. It's the look of someone ready to face rejection, ready to accept defeat, but still hoping for a miracle.
"I... I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, Pyrrha. I just wanted to be honest with you-."
I pull Jaune towards me, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest. His eyes widen in surprise, but he doesn't resist. I rise up on my tiptoes, my lips pressing against his. He's tense for a moment, frozen in shock. But then, he relaxes, his arms wrapping around me as he kisses me back.
The world around us fades away. It's just Jaune and me, lost in this moment, this perfect, beautiful moment. His lips are soft, gentle, yet fierce with an undercurrent of passion. My heart flutters, my knees weaken, but Jaune holds me tight, keeps me steady.
When we finally pull apart, Jaune's breath is ragged, his cheeks flushed. He looks into my eyes, his own filled with wonder and disbelief.
"Does... does that mean...?" he stammers, his voice barely above a whisper.
I laugh, a soft, joyous sound that echoes through the hallway. I snuggle closer, my head resting against his chest. His heart beats steadily, a rhythm that calms and exhilarates me all at once.
"Yes, Jaune," I say, my voice teasing. "It means we're dating."
-----------------------------
E ai gurizada…
[#] You can join my discord server:discord.gg/52MmzuEQhR
[#] I hope you enjoyed this new serialization, if you are interested, my Ko-Fi[avipbr] subscriber has access up to this chapters posted there:
Chapter 13 - What's a sub?
Chapter 14 - Ruby doesn't like cookies?
Chapter 15 - Hydra and the Knight
Chapter 16 - Let's go to the mall
Chapter 17 - Love Rivals
[#] You can reach me on X/twitter, @AvipBr