Wednesday evening came faster than Jaune expected. He'd spent the first half of the week in regular classes, maintaining his performance and keeping up appearances. Port's lectures remained long-winded but occasionally informative. Oobleck continued to teach at supersonic speed. Goodwitch's combat class was straightforward.
But tonight was different. Tonight was the advanced combat seminar.
"You nervous?" Pyrrha asked as Jaune got ready.
"A little. Fighting second and third years is different from first years."
"You'll do fine. You've handled everything else so far."
"That's what worries me. Eventually I'm going to run into someone who's actually better than me."
"And when you do, you'll learn from it." Pyrrha smiled. "That's the point of training."
Jaune grabbed Crocea Mors and headed out. Training arena three was on the opposite side of campus from the main facilities. Smaller, more specialized. When he arrived, about a dozen students were already there.
He recognized a few faces. Some second years he'd seen around campus. A couple third years who looked like they'd been fighting Grimm since birth. And standing near the center, Professor Goodwitch with her tablet.
"Mr. Arc," she acknowledged. "You're on time. Good. Let me introduce you to the others."
She gestured to the assembled students. "This is our advanced combat seminar. Students here have demonstrated exceptional skill and are training for specialist huntsman roles. Some are preparing for tournament competition. Others are training for military service. A few are simply dedicated to excellence."
A massive third year—easily six and a half feet tall with dark skin and a huge greatsword strapped to his back—nodded at Jaune. "Cardin's been complaining about you all week. Said you made him look like an idiot."
"I just fought better than him," Jaune said.
"Apparently significantly better. I'm Yatsuhashi Daichi. Second year, Team CFVY. Try not to make me look like an idiot too."
"I'll do my best."
A girl with brown hair in fashionable combat gear and designer sunglasses pushed up on her head spoke up. "Coco Adel, also Team CFVY. Goodwitch says you've got excellent combat instincts. Looking forward to seeing what you've got, freshie."
"It's not that impressive. Just good training."
"We'll see about that."
A lean student with dark hair and a blindfold stepped forward. "Fox Alistair. Team CFVY as well. Martial arts specialist."
'Three from the same team? CFVY must be seriously good.'
Goodwitch clapped her hands once. "Alright, enough introductions. Let's begin. This seminar focuses on advanced techniques, tactical scenarios, and pushing past your current limitations. Mr. Arc, you'll be starting with assessment matches. I need to see where you actually stand."
She tapped her tablet. "Yatsuhashi Daichi, you're up first."
The massive second year drew his greatsword. It was enormous, easily six feet long and probably weighed more than Jaune did.
'Oh good. Fighting the giant with the giant sword. This should be fun.'
Jaune drew Crocea Mors and settled into his stance.
"Standard rules," Goodwitch announced. "Fight until one combatant reaches yellow aura or I call a halt. Begin."
Yatsuhashi moved immediately, his greatsword sweeping in a wide arc. Fast for such a large weapon and wielder. Jaune's danger sense pinged and he ducked under the strike. The blade passed overhead with enough force to create a small shockwave.
"Good reflexes," Yatsuhashi said calmly, already following up with a vertical strike.
Jaune deflected with his shield and counterattacked. His blade struck Yatsuhashi's side, but the second year's aura barely flickered. Different game entirely fighting someone with a year more experience and that much raw power.
They exchanged blows. Yatsuhashi's technique was refined, economical. Every strike served a purpose despite the weapon's size. He was testing Jaune, probing for weaknesses.
Jaune adapted, using his danger sense to stay ahead of the attacks. Block, parry, reposition. His father's training against a larger, stronger opponent paying off.
Two minutes in, Yatsuhashi stepped up the pressure. His strikes came faster, each one forcing Jaune to give ground. Jaune's aura absorbed the impacts but he felt the drain with each blocked hit.
"You're good for a first year," Yatsuhashi said, pressing forward. "But you're still fighting defensively."
His next attack was a feint. Jaune's danger sense warned him, but too late. The greatsword reversed mid-swing, the flat of the blade catching him across the ribs. His aura dropped by fifteen percent in one hit.
'Okay, that hurt. Note to self: bigger weapons hit harder. Revolutionary insight.'
"Power and reach," Yatsuhashi continued his measured assault. "You've got speed and technique. But fighting someone with advantages in both size and experience? That takes adaptation."
Jaune adjusted his strategy. If he couldn't match Yatsuhashi's reach and power, he'd use his advantages. Speed, danger sense, getting inside his guard.
He went on the offensive, staying close where the greatsword was less effective. Mixed high and low attacks, used his shield to control space. Yatsuhashi blocked most of them, but a few got through. His aura dropped to ninety percent. Eighty-seven.
"Better," Yatsuhashi acknowledged, a slight smile on his face.
They fought for another three minutes before Goodwitch called a halt.
"Enough. Mr. Arc, your aura is at sixty-eight percent. Yatsuhashi, you're at eighty-two percent. Well fought both of you."
Jaune stepped back, breathing hard. Yatsuhashi barely looked winded.
"You've got potential," the second year said. "Work on committing to your attacks. You're still hesitating sometimes."
"Thanks for the advice."
"Next match," Goodwitch announced. "Coco Adel versus Jaune Arc."
The fashionable second year stepped forward, and her handbag transformed into a massive minigun.
'Of course her purse is a gun. Because why not? This school is ridiculous.'
"I specialize in overwhelming firepower and tactical positioning," Coco said with a confident grin. "Let's see how those instincts handle suppressive fire."
"Begin!"
Coco opened up immediately. Bullets sprayed across the arena, forcing Jaune to dive behind his shield. His aura dropped by ten percent in seconds from the sheer volume of fire.
'Okay, new problem. Can't get close if I'm pinned down by a fashion accessory with more firepower than a military vehicle.'
He tried to advance, using his shield to block. Coco adjusted her position, maintaining optimal range. Every time he got close, she'd reposition with surprising mobility for someone wielding a minigun.
"Interesting," Coco said, not letting up. "Good shield work, but you're too predictable with your approach angles."
She was right. He was moving in straight lines, easy to predict and suppress. He needed to be smarter.
Jaune's danger sense pinged. Not from her current fire pattern—from where she was about to move. He adjusted his own approach, cutting off her next repositioning spot.
Coco had to choose between holding position or taking a suboptimal angle. She chose to hold, which let Jaune close the distance.
His sword struck her shoulder. Her aura dropped by twelve percent.
"Ha! Now that's what I'm talking about!" Coco grinned, her minigun transforming back into purse mode as she drew it up like a club. At close range, she was still dangerous with her hand-to-hand training.
They continued for another two minutes before Goodwitch called the match. Jaune's aura was at forty-eight percent. Coco's was at seventy-three percent.
"Not bad, freshie," Coco said, adjusting her sunglasses. "You figured out I was baiting you into predictable approaches. Work on that tactical reading and you'll be a problem."
"Thanks. That minigun is terrifying, by the way."
"That's the point, honey."
"Next match," Goodwitch announced. "Fox Alistair versus Jaune Arc."
The blindfolded martial artist stepped forward, settling into a relaxed stance. No weapon drawn.
'He's blind and he fights hand-to-hand. This is either going to be really easy or really painful. Probably painful.'
"Begin!"
Fox moved like water. Smooth, flowing, impossibly fast. Jaune barely got his sword up before Fox was inside his guard, striking with precise palm strikes and kicks.
His danger sense was going haywire. Fox's attacks came from angles Jaune didn't expect, each one perfectly placed to exploit gaps in his defense.
'Definitely painful. Called it.'
Jaune tried to create space, but Fox stayed close, his movements seemingly predicting where Jaune would move before he moved there.
"Your danger sense is impressive," Fox said calmly, his voice betraying no strain. "But I don't rely on sight. I sense your movements differently. Your aura, your intent, your muscle tension."
A sweep took Jaune's legs out. He rolled, came up, blocked a kick aimed at his head. Fox was relentless, and without a weapon, Jaune's sword was almost a hindrance at this range.
He switched tactics, using his shield more actively, trying to predict Fox's movements rather than just reacting.
It helped, but not enough. Fox's martial arts were too refined, too precise.
Goodwitch called the match after two minutes. Jaune's aura was at thirty-two percent. Fox's was at eighty-five percent.
"You adapted well," Fox said, helping Jaune up. "Most people rely too much on their eyes. You were starting to feel the fight rather than just see it. Keep developing that."
"How do you do that? Fight blind?"
"Years of practice. And my semblance helps—I can sense emotions and surface thoughts at close range. It's like echolocation, but for intent." Fox smiled slightly. "You've got good instincts. They'll serve you well."
Two more matches followed against other opponents. A third-year defensive specialist who made him work for every opening. Another third-year who used dust extensively to keep him at range.
By the end of the session, Jaune was exhausted and his aura was completely depleted. But he'd learned more in two hours than in a week of regular classes.
"Excellent work, Mr. Arc," Goodwitch said as the seminar ended. "You performed admirably against more experienced opponents. Your adaptability is your greatest strength. Continue developing that and you'll excel."
"Thank you, Professor."
"Same time next week. I'll be introducing tactical scenarios. Fighting Grimm simulations while protecting civilians. Your danger sense should prove useful there."
The other students filed out, most offering Jaune nods of respect or advice on things to work on. Yatsuhashi clapped him on the shoulder—nearly knocking him over with the casual gesture.
"You'll fit in here. Just keep pushing yourself."
Coco winked. "See you next week, freshie. Try not to die in regular classes before then."
Fox nodded. "Good instincts. Trust them more."
Jaune headed back to the dorms, his body aching but his mind energized. Real challenges. Real growth. This was what he needed.
'Got my ass kicked by three people in a row. Progress? Maybe. My ego certainly got some exercise.'
When he got back to the room, his team was waiting.
"How was it?" Nora asked immediately.
"Brutal. Got beat by a guy with a sword bigger than me, a girl whose purse is a minigun, and a blind martial artist who kicked my ass without even needing to see me."
"But you learned things?" Pyrrha asked.
"Yeah. A lot. Goodwitch was right, I needed the challenge."
He collapsed into a chair. His scroll buzzed.
[System Analysis: Combat Performance Optimal]
[Continued high level training recommended]
[Estimated time until Quest 2: 2-50 days]
Two to fifty days. Still no clear timeline. He needed to be ready for whenever it happened.
"You look exhausted," Ren observed. "Tea?"
"Please."
They spent the rest of the evening in comfortable team bonding. Nora told elaborate stories about absolutely nothing. Ren made tea and listened patiently. Pyrrha worked on tactics for their upcoming team mission in Grimm studies.
It was normal. Peaceful. Exactly what Jaune needed after a week of walking the tightrope between being an exceptional student and avoiding too much attention.
His scroll buzzed again. Message from Ruby.
"Movie night in our dorm Friday! Team RWBY and JNPR! Bring snacks!"
Jaune smiled and sent back a confirmation. This was good. Building relationships, maintaining his cover, preparing for the future.
One week at Beacon down. Many more to come.
And somewhere in the background, his next quest was counting down. Another dimension, another challenge, another opportunity to get stronger.
'Just have to survive until then. How hard can it be?'