Egrer had a persistent feeling that he had ended up in a court hearing. Except, a very, very strange one.
Jaune and Cardin, the accused and the accuser, sat on opposite sides of the room, and between them stood Headmaster Ozpin's desk, who acted as the judge. Pyrrha, Weiss, and Egrer were seated slightly off to the side as eyewitnesses to the fight with the Ursa. And even though the latter had arrived too late to participate in the battle, he was still some kind of witness anyway.
But something here was off. After all, Magenta and Yort, who had also come running at the "SOS" signal, weren't invited here.
Goodwitch paced thoughtfully between them, doing laps around the center of the room. She was the one who had initiated this meeting.
When the Bullhead had just returned to Beacon, she grabbed all three eyewitnesses by the scruff of the neck and dragged them to the headmaster's office. They didn't even have time to freshen up or simply eat after an exhausting field trip.
The Iron Lady was at a loss. Egrer had never seen such deep contemplation on her usually indifferently strict face. Sometimes, out of habit, she would step behind someone's back and quietly smack her crop against her palm, but she quickly returned to her route. Whatever she was thinking about, it was taking a lot of energy.
The eternal companion of this office, the ticking of the huge clock mechanism, now seemed to count down the last seconds of someone's life. And knowing the full background of the situation, that was exactly the case.
"Jaune Arc," Cardin began officially, "has forged documents. I heard it when he was confessing to his team."
So that was it. Jaune slipped off the hook, and this freak decided to turn him in to Goodwitch right there in the Forever Fall forest. That's why she was in such a hurry.
"Oh, what kind of bullshit are you spewing?" Egrer immediately stood up in defense of his friend, relying on improvisation. "Everyone knows you bullied him, and now you just want to finally squeeze him out of Beacon."
And that was the absolute truth. Cardin had been bothering Jaune almost since day one, and now he wanted to squeeze him out. Bulletproof logic.
"Miss Nikos, is this true?" Goodwitch took on the role of either prosecutor or defense attorney. The justice itself didn't particularly interest her; she just wanted to figure out what the hell was going on.
"Cardin is lying," Pyrrha replied without batting an eye.
"She's lying!" Cardin shot back.
"No, she's telling the truth!" Egrer chimed in, the corners of his lips creeping up. "And you're the one lying! The majority is on our side, Weiss, tell them."
"I refuse to take part in this circus," she snapped, tiredly rubbing her forehead. "Headmaster, please let me out of here. I don't understand at all why I'm here. If you want to thank me for my timely intervention and killing the Ursa, then just say so."
"To be honest, I also don't understand what is wanted of me," admitted the supreme judge, taking a sip of coffee. "Glynda, if you would be so kind..."
"After the field trip, Winchester approached me and told me that Arc has forged documents," Miss Goodwitch explained, thoughtfully bending and unbending her crop. "He demanded to speak with you."
Ozpin put his mug down on the desk and adopted a concerned look.
Cardin brightened. He probably expected the headmaster to be greatly surprised and immediately start frantically shuffling through papers or making an emergency call to some department. But Ozpin just sat in that pose for a few seconds, after which he relaxed. He took a sip of coffee and looked at the accuser with a displeased gaze.
"Mr. Winchester, if this is what you demanded my time for, then I ask you to leave immediately. Glynda and I have a lot of work to do, the Vytal Festival is fast approaching, as are the preparations for the dance."
"But he got into Beacon illegally!"
"Right now we are concerned with more important tasks. Besides, Glynda and I are aware of this." This news was a gut punch not only to Cardin. Pyrrha realized that her lie had been seen through from the very beginning and fearfully pulled her head into her shoulders.
"Oops..."
"Exactly, Miss Nikos," Glynda Goodwitch began sternly, "even if you want to protect your leader, lying to teachers is unacceptable. That applies to you too, Mr. Peleni." Egrer began to smile even wider.
Nevertheless, she didn't bring Pyrrha out into the open right away. It meant that in this matter, she supported their side. Probably...
"Don't scold her," the headmaster requested quietly. "Isn't this the very indicator of team bonding that we so diligently foster in our students? There are no shameful methods in protecting one's friends, Glynda. Miss Nikos should be praised for her bravery."
Cardin looked like a hunted animal, glancing between Ozpin and his deputy. He hadn't expected them to already know everything and treat his complaints so lightly. Profound confusion was visible on his face, and his mouth vainly tried to say something.
"But M-Miss Goo-Goodwitch..."
"Mr. Winchester, I do not always agree with the headmaster's point of view regarding student enrollment, but right now I am forced to agree. Since Mr. Arc passed Initiation, he can stay at Beacon despite some rough edges in the documentation and an obvious gap in theoretical knowledge."
"But... but he's a total loser at everything!"
"Jaune is not a loser!" Egrer slammed his fist on his knee. If only there was a table in front of him or at least something he could dramatically slam... But he had to work with what he had. "Unlike you, he tries to learn, and every day the gap between him and the others gets smaller."
"That's right," Pyrrha nodded. "I'm already teaching him how to handle a sword, and in a couple of months he'll confidently hold his own against you. Jaune catches on quickly and learns from his mistakes very fast."
Jaune hadn't said a word all this time. But not out of fear, shyness, or anything like that; it was as if he was waiting for something. It gave the impression that he had a plan, and his turn in this play hadn't come yet. Jaune had been acting suspiciously quiet since the end of the field trip. He hadn't said a word in the Bullhead, even though he smiled while sitting next to his team.
As if he knew Cardin would definitely complain to Goodwitch and that he didn't have long left. Jaune had finally thrown off his yoke, regardless of the price.
"I believe we are done here," the headmaster nodded to himself. "You are dismissed, children."
"But how can this be?!"
"Mr. Winchester," Goodwitch began threateningly, snapping her crop, "we already told you that we know about Arc's forged documents. Furthermore, we know everyone who, one way or another, got into Beacon bypassing the law." She cast a glance at Egrer, and cold sweat immediately broke out on him. "And believe me, it is not for you to decide who will study at this academy. You are dismissed, children."
The Iron Lady's voice, brooking no insubordination, contrasted sharply with the headmaster's benevolent request. Cardin dared not irritate her with his presence any longer and hurried to the elevator. The accused and the three witnesses followed his lead, cramming into the elevator car like sardines in a barrel.
Following an ancient tradition, Ozpin said a few words before sending them down.
"Instead of pointing out the flaws of others, Mr. Winchester, you should correct your own. Good luck."
They rode down, glaring at Cardin with unfriendly looks. He returned the favor, standing proudly in the corner opposite them. The battle might be won, but the war wasn't over yet. He would probably go right now and tell everyone he met about Jaune's forged documents, since he couldn't do anything here.
"I didn't expect you'd actually run like a coward to the headmaster," Jaune suddenly said.
These unexpected words made everyone freeze. For a long second, only quiet breathing could be heard until Cardin turned his head toward him. His cruel gaze didn't bode well.
"Did you say something? Say that again."
"You're a coward!" Egrer immediately stepped between them, ready for a fight, but Jaune pushed him aside. He fearlessly approached his worst enemy, and his voice sounded firm. "A duel. If I win, you leave me alone forever."
This phrase induced a stupor even deeper than the previous ones.
"Ho? And if I win?" The elevator doors opened, and Cardin walked down the hallway with a relaxed gait. The rest followed him. Even Weiss, who had been itching to run off to her own affairs all this time, decided to see how it all ended.
"I'll do whatever you want."
"I've already got you on the hook, I don't see the difference. Besides, I don't need your services anymore. Say goodbye to your little friends, by tonight you won't be here." Cardin chuckled and walked away.
But Jaune wasn't going to let him go that easily. He took a long step forward and grabbed the bully by the forearm.
"Don't tell me you're scared?"
"Pfft, do you think I'm a grade-schooler to fall for that?" Cardin yanked his arm away and kept walking. "You could never do anything to me, the victory is already mine. Deal with it, weakling."
"Do you even have any honor? Or did you forget that in the forest, I was the one holding off the Ursa for several minutes until Weiss arrived?"
"Please, leave me out of this, I still don't understand anything," she asked quietly, tiredly pinching the bridge of her nose. Egrer and Pyrrha also couldn't understand what Jaune was up to; he didn't have even the slightest chance of winning. Then what was the point of this whole performance?
Surprisingly, Cardin pondered, as if this vile character actually had some concept of honor. He looked down contemptuously at Jaune, but the latter stood before him with desperate resolve. Finally, the bully answered:
"Fine, we'll duel... And when you lose, during lunch you'll tell everyone in front of the whole school what a fraud you really are. On your knees. Yeah... that'll look hilarious. And then you'll get out of here forever."
"Deal." They shook hands.
"Then let's not put it off. We're going to the arena right now." Cardin took out his Scroll and started typing rapidly. No doubt calling his cronies for a spectacle.
"What are you planning?!" Egrer hissed, rushing over to Jaune. The latter was trembling slightly, and his confident tone had suddenly vanished somewhere.
"T-to beat up Cardin."
"You're not ready yet," Pyrrha noted. "You're certainly making progress, but you can't handle him yet."
"I don't have a choice anyway. If he tells all of Beacon that I have forged documents, I'll definitely be expelled. Eg and I already talked about it. My only way out is to beat Cardin in a duel."
"Jaune, we had a plan to frame him."
"Then do it, because later it'll be too late." Egrer didn't know what to answer to that. Too little time had passed, and he hadn't had time to come up with anything; that idea had remained just an idea. And now he felt incredible shame that he hadn't managed to help his friend. "So, I really don't have a choice. I'll either get lucky or I won't... it's that simple."
So this was what Jaune was like when backed into a corner. He goes all-in, commits crazy, unexpected acts, and disregards risks and stakes.
Egrer remembered that back when they first met, Jaune agreed to pay Sarah seventy thousand Lien for the forged documents almost without hesitation. He just had a chance, and he took it. Now it was the same thing. The chance of beating Cardin was minuscule, but it existed, and that was all that mattered.
"Jaune, you don't have to do this," Pyrrha said gently. "Let's just ignore him. Even if Cardin spreads rumors, we won't let him hurt you."
"I know, but that's the problem. I've always relied on the help of others; I want to do at least something myself! You've always supported me in practically everything, and I owe Eg so much it's foolish to even count. I don't even have a way to repay you."
"You don't need to." She put a hand on his shoulder. "We're friends, you can't keep track of who owes whom. That's too selfish, even if you're the one burdening yourself with debts."
"Yeah, exactly, she makes a good point," Egrer nodded vigorously.
"I still feel like an ungrateful bastard. Plus... I don't belong here. At Beacon."
"Don't say that!" Pyrrha was indignant. "Didn't you hear what Miss Goodwitch said? Even she admitted you can stay here. You passed Initiation, and that's the only thing that matters."
"But did you hear what I said?" Jaune raised his voice. "Without you, I would have died in the Emerald Forest. Don't argue, I've already had time to think about it. To think about it a lot. Let me at least go out with style."
"You'll go out, but before that, you'll humiliate yourself in front of the entire academy," Egrer pointed out. "Is that what you call 'with style'?"
"At least I'll lose in a fight, instead of shaking in a corner while Cardin ruins my life." Well, that point of view was understandable... Actually no, it wasn't understandable at all! What difference does it make how exactly he gets kicked out of Beacon if the result is exactly the same?
Wouldn't it be better to do what Pyrrha suggested and just ignore this freak? Let him say whatever he wants, maybe no one will even believe him!
But personal experience told Egrer that no, it wouldn't be better. That's akin to running away, and you can't run away from a decision forever. Sooner or later he'd be backed into a corner. Jaune just wants to have a final fight on his own terms, where he has at least some chance of success.
Besides, ignoring it wouldn't solve the problem, only worsen it. The news with the forged documents would perfectly explain Jaune's weakness and his bad grades in literally every subject. Even despite the questionable source of information, the other students wouldn't be able to just brush it off. Not after they were smacked in the face with this highly plausible theory.
Jaune didn't care about any persuasion; he relentlessly headed toward the dueling arena. All Egrer and Pyrrha could do now was offer him moral support. Weiss followed out of pure curiosity, but even she said a few words to boost his morale. In her own signature way, of course.
"Whether your documents are forged or not, either way, there's no hope of winning. But it's better to try and fail than to sit back and do nothing, right?"
Surprisingly, it was her words that gave Jaune the most strength.
"I promise to give it my all, my Snow Angel," he said with utter seriousness. Weiss, as always, rolled her eyes at his clumsy attempts to hit on her.
"Some hero-lover you are."
While they were having their farewell conversation, Egrer called Yort. He couldn't help but ask about Jaune's chances of winning. They were low, that was clear anyway, but maybe they could find some other way out with a higher chance of success? You couldn't just not even try to do at least something!
"Whaddya want?" the face of the disgraced Vacuan oracle appeared on the screen. "I'm grubbin'."
To confirm his words, Yort turned his Scroll for a second to show a plate of pilaf.
"Sorry, I need to ask you something." A heavy sigh was heard in response. "Yes, I know you don't like being bothered about your Semblance, but give me a sec. Let's assume Jaune and Cardin start a duel right now. What are the chances Jaune wins? And is there a way to increase those chances?"
"Who the hell is Jaune?"
"Yort," Egrer hissed. "How can you constantly forget him? It's that natural blond. You played the bully for him in our training, every Goodwitch lesson I ask you about his chances, and during recent PE he set you up and threw the ball to Cardin."
"Ohhh, that pipsqueak. Right."
"Seriously, you've got so many stories tying you to him that even I barely have that many."
"Whaddya gonna do, he's a rare wimp. And about your request..." Yort froze with an unusually surprised expression on his face. He froze for a long time and only snapped out of it when Egrer waved a hand in front of his face. Or rather, in front of the camera. "I dunno."
"What do you mean?"
"There's no room for chance here; everything is already predetermined." The oracle shook his head, as if not believing his own words. His tone shifted from mocking to incredulous. "It's either an absolute yes or no... but most likely no. That pipsqueak winning? But he had almost ten percent before... suddenly... Is the duel actually happening?"
"Yeah."
"I'll be right there." The image died, and the call ended.
A whole crowd had already gathered in the dueling arena; news of the impending fight had flown through Beacon quickly. Everyone present was only too happy to watch a battle, even if it turned into a joyless beatdown. And it was almost certain to be one, even though Yort's uncertain words gave Egrer a glimmer of hope.
Team RWBY was here too, along with the other half of JNPR. Soon Egrer's pack arrived as well.
Everyone knew who would emerge the winner, so they even placed bets reluctantly. But no one wanted to miss the duel–it was one of Beacon's main entertainments.
After all, it was a Huntsman academy, an academy of warriors. And strength played a significant role in this society isolated from the rest of the world, as did the ability to skillfully demonstrate it. Methods didn't matter as much, be it cunning, muscle, or brains; the main thing was the ability to stand up for your deeds and words. A rare day went by without fights in this hall; the students always had something to argue about.
Unfortunately, Jaune had neither cunning, nor muscle, nor a sharp mind. Which meant he had no chances.
But the only thing in Egrer's power was choosing the spot from which he would witness the irreparable. He could spend as much time as he wanted convincing the whole world that Jaune had a genuine right to stay at Beacon, that he wasn't as bad as people thought, that he could and should be given a chance to prove himself.
But you can't fool yourself–Egrer regretted helping Jaune get in here. He really didn't belong here. Beacon had brought him nothing but suffering.
A debt of seventy thousand Lien, which he'd be paying off for years to come.
Endless bullying from Cardin and sideways glances from everyone else.
Languishing at the bottom of every possible ranking.
Friends who had to take care of him like a child.
The shame of realizing that all this luxurious splendor of Beacon was never meant for him—a fraud.
The understanding that forged documents wouldn't make you a hero.
Jaune had really tried to fit in here. He practiced with his sword every day, crammed from textbooks, and tried to adapt to his new life. But he failed. Maybe he lacked perseverance, maybe talent, or maybe time was to blame. He unlocked his Aura at too late an age and couldn't afford years of training like the others.
And here was the natural result of their decisions. Jaune's and Egrer's.
A duel in which the winner was obvious to everyone. Indelible disgrace. Leaving Beacon. If Egrer knew what to do, he would have committed even the most reckless act. But he didn't know and could only watch.
The feeling of powerlessness filled not only him at this moment, but also Jaune. However, the latter carried himself confidently; this was no time for self-deprecation. He managed to snatch from fate one last chance to earn his place at Beacon. To earn it through deeds, not big money.
Everyone in this place fought for the right to be here. Some in the gym, some in the library, some on the cruel streets. Some were driven forward by a desire for fame, some by idealistic dreams of saving the innocent, and some had no intention of becoming Huntsmen at all after graduation.
"Ready to lose, Jauney boy?"
"I'm ready to win." This cheeky reply drew laughter not just from Cardin. The audience appreciated the self-irony, completely unaware that it was said in total seriousness.
A curly-haired fourth-year with sideburns cleared his throat into a megaphone. He was the leader of the dueling club and a respected referee who had overseen such events more than once.
With some difficulty, Egrer recognized him as that very same senior student who had complained that you couldn't have fights in the cafeteria anymore.
"Dear friends!
Since ancient times there's a tradition grand -
To measure strength with might at hand.
The truth will show itself today,
You just need to kick ass, hey!"
A quiet chuckle rippled through the hall. Apparently, the poet was in the mood for jaunty limericks today.
"Since ancient times there's a tradition grand -
To measure cunning with a fox's sleight of hand.
Lies won't show themselves today,
You can't just kick their ass away!"
"Since ancient times there's a holy rite -
To honor the wise with all our might.
The truth is hidden very near...
The battle will show that it is here!"
The poet made a broad gesture with his hands toward the duelists and raised his voice.
"In battle, the truth is found!
Only cunning will know deceit!
And the wise judge will tell you now,
When and why you must retreat."
He picked up a mallet and struck the huge gong behind his back. With a rattling ring of steel, the duel began.
Jaune unfolded his scabbard into a shield and took a stance. Cardin didn't even bother lifting his mace; he simply walked slowly toward his opponent.
"Show 'em, Blondie!" shouted his cronies.
"Break the idiot's legs!" Nora pumped her fists for her leader.
Cardin wanted to end it as quickly as possible and put all his strength into one powerful downward strike. But he missed, and Jaune simply rammed him, holding his shield out in front of him. Both tumbled clumsily to the floor.
A surprised murmur rolled through the hall; no one knew when Jaune had learned to fight even a little bit. The beginning of the duel was unexpected; in Miss Goodwitch's classes, he always got the lowest grade. It was an especially huge shock to Yort, who watched the fight intently. His eyes even turned red from the strain.
"Are you okay?" Egrer asked.
"I don't get it at all. I'm trying to predict his next move, but I can't. Why is there no room for chance here? It's like I'm looking the wrong way or asking the wrong questions..."
Jaune swung his sword, but then abruptly changed his mind and kicked Cardin in the crotch. The latter backhanded him with his mace, but a quickly raised shield took the brunt of the blow. With every passing second, the main bully of the first year lost more and more Aura and retreated closer and closer to the edge of the arena.
Panic and surprise were visible on his face. He still couldn't believe that such a weakling could fight him not just on equal footing, but even surpass him.
Jaune, by the way, was also shocked. He had no idea that his sole tactic of "swinging generally toward the enemy" would yield such bountiful fruits. At first glance, he was just flailing his sword, but every strike found its mark, and his shield was always ready and hadn't let a single blow through yet.
What can be said about the spectators... there was total confusion among them. Whoever had bet on Cardin winning demanded their money back, a couple of people were filming what was happening on their Scrolls, and the rest shouted words of encouragement.
Team Juniper was especially zealous in this regard. Even the eternally quiet Ren wasn't shy about raising his voice. Nora shrieked excitedly and waved her fists as if she herself was fighting Cardin. And only Pyrrha sat silently, her fists and teeth clenched. She wasn't even blinking.
Jaune effortlessly, but with visible surprise, managed to dodge his opponent's fist. His sword was fast and struck without missing, and his legs worked so nimbly that sometimes it seemed as if Jaune was almost flying. His Aura had only recently entered the yellow zone, while Cardin was already a step away from the red.
The bully decided to go on the extreme defensive, but it didn't help him at all. His Aura kept dwindling, and the onslaught wouldn't stop.
The next couple of sharp strikes decided the outcome of the duel. Jumping in the air, Jaune slammed his shield into Cardin's face, then added an extra blow to the temple with the pommel of his sword. A surprised gasp ran through the hall, followed by complete silence.
Cardin's massive body crashed to the floor, his Aura in the red zone. The gong rang.
It was fast... and very easy.
Jaune stood over his defeated opponent in complete silence. Neither he nor anyone else could believe it.
"I... I guess I should say something cool?" No one answered him. Only Cardin groaned and moaned in pain. "I... dedicate this victory to my Snow Angel..."
Every spectator in the hall unerringly identified who was meant and immediately turned their heads toward Weiss. Out of embarrassment and shame, she turned red from the tips of her ears to her toes.
"I'm going to castrate him." Hissed the "Snow Angel." She pressed her hands to her chest, as if trying to shield herself from the attention of others. "I swear by everything dear to me, I will castrate him."
The poet leaped into the arena and raised Jaune's hand.
"Whatever their quarrel was about,
Know this—he is right!
There is no judge more impartial,
Than the sight of a beaten foe's plight!"
The ugly foe somehow got to his feet, holding his nose. The poet took his hand as well.
"Whatever your quarrel was about,
It has been solved by a battle of Will!
Go on living without malice or pout,
Now go, do not wait, be still!"
Nora immediately jumped into the arena and locked Jaune in her bone-crushing embrace. Ren and Pyrrha ran after her to save their leader from broken ribs. After all the hardships, Team Juniper was whole again.
You couldn't look at this picture without tears of joy. They looked so happy that Egrer decided to stay put for now. He also wanted to express his congratulations, but he decided to let them have some time alone with each other and rejoice in their little family circle. They deserved it.
"What the hell?" Yort rubbed his eyes tiredly. "It can't be... blondie is a twig and a weakling."
"The main thing is that this villain has left him alone!" rejoiced Magenta, looking at the retreating bully's back. He was already surrounded by his cronies, who were trying in every way to cheer up their leader, but this only made Cardin angrier.
"The punk got what he deserved." Illmond scoffed. "But I'm somehow not sure he'll leave Jaune alone."
"Cardin is an asshole and a brute," Yort shared, "but when I beat him up in the arena, he stopped messing with me. He has some sense of respect for the strong."
True. But if he still dared to mess with Jaune again, he'd definitely get it in the neck. Now the whole Beacon knew that the differences between them had been settled, whatever they might be. If Cardin started picking on him again, special zealots of the dueling code would hang him upside down in front of the dorm entrance.
The spectators went about their business. Only those who wanted to congratulate the hero on his victory remained.
"Wow, you really did it, Vomit Boy!" Yang slapped Jaune on the back, and he almost fell over from the impact.
Ruby helped him straighten up and strictly scolded her sister. Blake stood slightly to the side; she didn't really interact with Jaune, so she limited herself to simple congratulations. Weiss, on the other hand, declared that if he called her Snow Angel even one more time, she would kill him in the most painful way possible.
"Good job, Jaune!" Egrer and Magenta came over. The other half of Majesty had left with the other students. "When did you learn to fight like that?"
"I don't know... my body seemed to move on its own. Maybe I unlocked some kind of Semblance?"
"On its own, you say?" he repeated, examining Jaune. A steel chest plate, gauntlets, and greaves; a steel sword and shield. Egrer cast a sidelong glance at Pyrrha, and in response, she smiled slightly, putting a finger to her lips. So that's who the victory should have been dedicated to...
Now it became clear why Yort's Semblance had glitched and why the weakest student in the year suddenly found the strength to beat up Cardin. But honestly, what the Grimm does it matter! The main thing is that Jaune will stay with them at Beacon, and how and why is of secondary importance. Now everything will be like before.
The celebration was interrupted by a ringing on his Scroll. "Snarky Bitches" was calling.
"Girls, not right now, I'm busy," whispered Egrer, stepping slightly away from the others.
"We need to have a serious talk," Melanie said, and a moment later her sister continued.
"It's about Roman."