A Safe and Sound Environment (Private W/ Jack Olen)

[Aurum Dasheng]

The morning sun crept lazily over the horizon, casting its warm light across Beacon Academy’s sprawling training field. Dew clung to the grass, glistening like tiny gemstones, as a faint mist hung low to the ground. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of earth and wildflowers.

Aurum Dasheng had arrived early, his towering frame silhouetted against the dawn. The training field was deserted, save for the quiet rustle of leaves in the morning breeze. The invitation to spar with Jack had intrigued him; mainly due to the fact that it’s rare he receives a challenge from anyone other than Leon. Still, Aurum never underestimated an opponent, and preparation was a ritual he treated with reverence.

He dropped his satchel near the edge of the field, pulling out a small red pouch embossed with the swirling cloud emblem of the Dasheng family. Opening it, he retrieved a handful of dried peaches. They were sweet and tangy, a comforting feel and He chewed thoughtfully as he scanned the field, envisioning how the sparring session might play out. Would Jack favor speed or power? Close-quarters combat or long-range tactics? The possibilities invigorated him, sharpening his focus.

Finished with his snack, Aurum slipped the pouch back into his bag and began his stretches. He started with his arms and shoulders, rolling them in slow, deliberate motions, the muscles rippling under his sleeveless tunic. Moving to his legs, he executed splits with ease, his prehensile tail coiling and uncoiling for balance as he pushed his flexibility to its limits. Each stretch was a display of his control, precision, and years of rigorous training.

Finally, he transitioned into a handstand, his tail looping around his waist for a moment before unfurling to stabilize him. Slowly, he shifted into a one-handed pose, balancing effortlessly as he rotated his body, then lowered himself into a seated position.

Meditation was always the final step in his preparation. He settled into a cross-legged stance, but instead of resting on the ground, his tail coiled beneath him, lifting his entire body a few feet into the air. Suspended in stillness, Aurum closed his amber eyes, the gold markings on his arms and neck glinting faintly in the morning light. His breathing slowed, and his mind emptied itself of doubt and distraction.

In the quiet space of his meditation, he visualized the sparring match. He pictured what could be Jack’s movements, the likely feints, the counters, and how he might respond. Speculations and predictions for what is going to be an unknown sparring match. His semblance flickered to life in his mind’s eye, wispy black clouds swirling around him. He saw himself phasing through strikes with Cloud Walker, countering with precise, hardened blows from Iron Nimbus.

The rising sun painted the field in soft gold as Aurum opened his eyes. He uncoiled his tail, letting himself gently settle to the ground. Rising to his full height, he stretched his shoulders one last time, feeling the tension melt away. His amber gaze swept over the field, now bathed in light, as a faint smile tugged at his lips. He hefted his staff, its familiar weight grounding him as he strode to the center of the field. This was his domain—a place where strength met skill, and the only limits were the ones he shattered.

Today would be no different.

[Jack Olen]

*Jack wasn't really the kind to arrive early. He was more of a 'right on time' sort of guy.
You invite him for 8pm, someone knocks at the door at 7h59.

And so he was approaching the sparring terrain, busy thinking about random stuff, hands in pocket, headphones on.
He had just been lectured by his underclassman Auric, (yeah, Auric and Aurum, he got confused by that more than once) about his team's bad habit to go around and pick fights with whomever they deemed strong and/or interesting.

And damn, did this one looked strong. And fun to fight too, not a goddamn range goblin like his twin sister, a proper close-quarter fighter. He clenched his fists, almost impatient to get there, as he checked the time to ensure he wasn't running late.
Then, a second time, as he saw his opponent already there. And by the looks of it, since some time.

Jack.... Was a bit confused. It looked like the Monkey Faunus was meditating.
This was just supposed to be a friendly competition, and yet it looked like Aurum was preparing for a fight to the death.

The ginger young man coughed lightly, in order to warn Aurum of his presence.
Then he stepped forward, allowing his opponent to get a proper look at him :
Middle of the neck-length reddish hair and lots of freckles surrounding piercing blue eyes, a rather casual outfit, although perhaps a bit hot for the season, a turtle-neck pull-over, comfortable shoes, dark pants, no armor, but a leather belt holding several items.
And most importantly, no weapons to be seen.*
"Hello. I suppose you must be Aurum, right ?"

[Aurum Dasheng]

Aurum spotted Jack approaching from the edge of the field, his steps steady but betraying a touch of hesitation. The faint morning mist still clung to the air, swirling around Jack’s boots as he made his way across the grass. A small, amused smile curved Aurum’s lips as he stood tall, his tail flicking lazily behind him.

“Look who finally decided to show up,” he called out, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable edge of teasing. “Thought maybe you got cold feet or something.” He shifted his grip on the staff, spinning it in his hand with effortless precision before planting it at his side.

Aurum’s amber eyes gleamed with interest as he scanned his opponent, noting the subtle tension in Jack’s frame. It wasn’t fear, no—more like the focus of someone who knew they were up against a challenge. That alone was enough to stir a flicker of respect in Aurum’s chest.

“Not bad,” he said, tilting his head as if appraising Jack further. “You’ve got that look. You’re serious about this.” His grin widened, the faintest hint of mischief creeping into his tone. “Good. Means this won’t be a waste of time.”

Aurum strode forward, his movements smooth and unhurried, the morning sunlight catching on the golden markings along his arms and neck. The staff rested comfortably in his hand, its weight as familiar to him as his own heartbeat. He reached the center of the field and stopped a few feet from Jack, planting the staff into the ground with a deliberate thunk. It stood like a sentinel beside him, its polished surface glinting faintly in the sunlight.

“So, how do you want to play this?” he asked, his tail coiling loosely around his waist as he leaned slightly on the staff. “You need a minute to stretch? Maybe warm up?” His tone was light, but there was a subtle undercurrent of sincerity. “I don’t want to see you pull something before we even get started.”

He let his gaze linger for a moment, his smile softening just enough to balance the playful edge. This wasn’t just about the fight—it was about the challenge, the clash of skills and wills.

“Whenever you’re ready,” Aurum said, stepping back to give Jack space. His tail flicked again, the faint breeze carrying the scent of dew and wildflowers. This sparring match was shaping up to be interesting, and Aurum couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation.

[Jack Olen]

*Jack chuckled a little bit when Aurum spoke about cold feet. THE Jack O'Len, running from a sparring fight ?
It would be a sign that the end of time draws near.

Still, staring intensely as his partner stood up, the ginger Hunter realized just how tall Aurum was.
At least by four or five head. Of course, this meant that reach would be an issue. But in all honesty, it always was.
Someone less experimented might've been intimidated by the size difference, but team GNJR had defeated adult Nevermores, Manticores, and other giant Grimms before, so a taller than average guy was nothing too impressive.
Jack had tensed up a bit while Aurum approached, almost expecting Aurum to attack immediately. Though that 'Not Bad' comment.....*

"You're acting a bit arrogant, you know ? Careful to not... Actually, please, do underestimate me ~"

*The staff's sound against the ground almost reminded him of a brass bell, and his blue eyes lit up with interest.
Then, he stretched his neck a bit, and cracked his knuckles, as he caught sight of the tail moving around. He'd need to watch it, he knew from experience how useful those were.*

"Yeah, I do need to warm up, and I got a pretty quick way to do that."

*From his belt, he pulled a fire dust crystal, and.... Bit into it. The crystal exploded, releasing a wave of fire, but it seemed to quickly disappear, revealing once again Jack, unscathed, but with a smirk.*

"I usually keep it a surprise, but with you I feel like I'll need to go all out from the beginning."

*Still, no weapon in sight. Jack took a rather relaxed yet focused stance, staring at Aurum, analyzing each of his movements.*

"Good to go."

[Aurum Dasheng]

Here’s the revised version with the leg sweep added:

Aurum raised an eyebrow as Jack bit into the fire dust crystal, the resulting burst of flames momentarily obscuring him. When the fire dissipated, Jack stood there, unscathed and smirking. Aurum’s tail flicked behind him as his amused smile widened.

“Underestimate you?” Aurum said, his voice calm but tinged with a playful edge. “Nah, that’s not my thing. Banter’s just part of the warm-up—keeps the blood flowing.” He rolled his neck, the subtle crack of tension releasing as he adjusted his stance. “Besides, I wouldn’t step into the ring if I didn’t think you could keep up.”

He bounced slightly on his heels, testing the give of the ground beneath him. His staff remained firmly planted where he’d left it, standing tall and unmoving like a sentinel watching over the match. Aurum’s movements grew more deliberate as he began to hop lightly in place, his towering frame shifting with surprising agility. Each jump landed with a faint thud, sending ripples through the soft earth. His tail flicked in rhythm with his movements, its brass ring catching the sunlight with every sway.

After a final bounce, Aurum came to a stop, his feet planted firmly. “Alright,” he said, his voice steady but carrying a hint of excitement. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Without further warning, Aurum surged forward, covering the distance between them with startling speed. His boots struck the ground heavily, yet his movements were precise, controlled. As he neared Jack, Aurum slammed his foot down near him with tremendous force. The ground cracked under the impact, jagged fissures spreading outward, creating unstable terrain that could easily disrupt balance.

“Hope your balance is as good as your confidence!” Aurum called, his voice carrying a teasing edge.

He moved again, his frame a blur as he began to circle Jack, each step deliberate and methodical. His tail whipped low to the ground, scattering loose dirt into the air as he feinted with his right arm, the muscles in his shoulder and bicep tensing as though he was preparing a strike. But before committing, Aurum shifted his weight and swept his leg low, his long reach aiming to catch Jack’s footing and send him stumbling. The force of the sweep kicked up dust and pebbles, adding another layer of unpredictability to the uneven terrain.

“Gotta keep you on your toes,” Aurum quipped, his amber eyes gleaming with mischief as he quickly shifted back into a defensive stance. His towering frame moved fluidly, his tail snapping behind him like a whip, ready to counter whatever response Jack could muster.

Stopping briefly, Aurum planted his feet firmly once more, the fractured ground beneath him giving way slightly but holding steady under his weight. His grin widened, confidence radiating from him as he leaned forward ever so slightly.

“Your turn,” he said, his voice low and laced with anticipation. “Show me what you’ve got.”

[Jack Olen]

*Jack accepted the compliment with a smile.
Did the faunus perhaps snooped around to ask about his battle prowess before accepting ?
Perhaps he'd heard about his tie with Vlithra Qing Long. He was pretty proud of that one.
Still, his expression darkened a bit when he saw the ease with which Aurum moved around. Tall, strong, and yet agile, meaning he couldn't rely on bait-and-counter tactics as he enjoyed doing so.
He began to tense up, ready to pounce forward as the jumping continued, his sight somewhat drawn to the light reflecting off of the brass coloured-tail.
And finally, Aurum stopped bouncing.
Jack knew what that meant, peering slightly at the weapon, expecting Aurum to reach for it, and getting ready to interrupt him, but no, it seemed like he intended to match him hand-to-hand.
He did a little 'come at me' gesture when his opponent spoke, then immediately clenched his fist as Aurum lunged at him.
Jack could already see his knuckles burying into his sparring partner's face, fully ready to let himself get hit if he could strike in return, as he was certain that the trade would favour him.
But Aurum stopped, and stomped on the ground, forcing him to widen his stance to not get thrown off-balance.*

"Whoa !"

*Still, he did not fell.*

" Yeah ? Well, I hope you can do better !"

*The ginger Hunter was enjoying this little battle of wits, but as Aurum began to circle around him, he took a few steps back, keeping his right leg forward.
The dirt thrown at his face made him groan a bit, then he immediately tensed his own left arm, falling for the feint.
But as Aurum attempted a sweeping move, Jack did something unexpected, lifted his right foot and attempted to stomp down on the oncoming leg.
And although the dirt in his eye made him miss, it was by a very small margin and his attempt still brushed Aurum's shin, as it sent another shockwave throughout the terrain, a small crater forming at the point of impact.
And as Aurum stepped back, ready to counter what he did, Jack bent forward, plunged his finger into the ground, tore off a chunk, crushed it in his grip, turning the chunk into a handful of pebbles, and threw them with such force that the air whistled.
He threw them at Aurum's left side, between him and his staff, and as Aurum defended against his attack, he leaped forward, grabbed the bô, lifted it off the ground, seemingly only slightly bothered by the weight, and made it go through a wide semi-arc circle directed at the rightful owner of the weapon.
Still, he knew he couldn't properly wield it, so he pulled out a bottle from his belt, poured something on the weapon, did a head gesture towards Aurum, smiled a bit, said : *

"Want it back ? Catch !"

*And threw it like a javelin, directly at the brass monkey's chest.*

[Aurum Dasheng]

Aurum’s grin widened as Jack managed to maintain his balance through the stomp, even returning with a quip of his own. “Better?” Aurum said, his amber eyes glinting. “Oh, don’t worry, I’m just getting started.”

The faint tension in Aurum’s muscles shifted as Jack reacted to his feint, lifting his right foot in an attempt to counter the sweeping leg. The sharp impact of Jack’s stomp brushed against Aurum’s shin, sending a jolt of force through the ground that rippled outward in a small shockwave. A low whistle escaped Aurum’s lips as he stepped back, his tail flicking once with a snap.

“Not bad, Jack,” he remarked, adjusting his stance as he prepared for the next exchange. “Quick thinking. I like it.”

Aurum’s grin widened as he watched Jack rip a chunk of earth from the ground, crush it into pebbles, and launch them with surprising speed. The sharp whistle of the projectiles cutting through the air was all the warning he needed. He raised his left arm, the black markings along his forearm shimmering faintly as they hardened to an iron-like finish. The pebbles struck with sharp cracks, scattering harmlessly to the ground as dust trailed from his limb.

“Not bad,” Aurum muttered, flexing his fingers to shake off the impact. His tail flicked sharply behind him, coiling briefly before swaying loose again. His amber eyes stayed locked on Jack, watching his movements carefully.

When Jack closed the gap and reached for the staff, Aurum’s brow furrowed slightly, irritation flickering in his chest. Watching someone else touch the Dasheng Legacy felt almost personal, but he held back, his grin returning as Jack swung the weapon in a wide arc. The swing lacked precision, and Aurum sidestepped easily, his boots crunching against the uneven ground as he let the staff pass harmlessly by.

“Careful with that,” he said, his voice calm but edged with a teasing warning. “You’re liable to hurt yourself.” But Jack wasn’t finished. Aurum’s sharp eyes caught the faint shimmer of liquid as it spilled from a bottle onto the staff. The corner of his mouth twitched upward as Jack hefted the weapon and hurled it toward him like a javelin.

Aurum stood firm, his stance shifting slightly as his body relaxed into readiness. The staff hurtled toward him, cutting through the air with weight and speed, but Aurum moved with calm precision. His right arm shot out, the black markings flaring to life as his palm hardened into an iron-like surface. The staff’s tip slammed into his open hand with a resonating thud, the force sending a gust of wind rippling outward, but Aurum remained unmoved.

He held the weapon steady, its massive weight now completely under his control, and his amber eyes flicked back toward Jack with a glint of amusement.

“Good try,” he said, lowering the staff slightly as the hardened markings faded from his arm. “But this thing doesn’t leave my side for long.”

With a firm grip, Aurum gave the staff a quick, forceful spin. The liquid coating its surface scattered outward in a fine mist, dissipating into the air. The polished metal gleamed cleanly under the sunlight as he spun it faster, the air around him humming with the weapon’s movement. After a few rotations, he slowed the spin and planted the staff back into the ground with a deliberate thunk.

“I don’t know what you poured on this,” he said, brushing his fingers over the staff’s length, “but let’s not mess with the family heirloom, yeah?”

Aurum adjusted his stance, leaning slightly on the staff with one hand while his tail flicked lazily behind him. His grin widened, the teasing edge in his voice giving way to a tone of playful challenge.

“That all you’ve got?” he asked, his amber eyes narrowing slightly. “Because if this is your best shot, I’ve got plenty more where that came from.”

Without warning, Aurum surged forward, gripping the staff tightly as he swung it in a powerful horizontal arc. The air seemed to shudder with the force of the strike as the staff cut through the space between them, aiming to push Jack onto the defensive. He followed the swing by planting the base of the staff firmly into the ground and using it as leverage to vault forward, his legs sweeping in a wide arc as he aimed a powerful kick toward Jack’s midsection.

The momentum of the vault carried him smoothly back to the ground, where he pivoted with practiced ease. The staff spun in his hands, becoming a blur of motion as he transitioned into a series of rapid jabs aimed at Jack’s defenses. Each strike was precise, calculated, designed to test Jack’s reflexes and force him to react.

As Jack dodged or countered, Aurum stepped closer, using his full frame to keep the pressure on. His tail whipped out behind him, occasionally snapping toward Jack’s legs to disrupt his balance. When the moment presented itself, Aurum slammed the staff downward, cracking the already fractured ground further, sending another tremor through the terrain to keep Jack guessing.

“Come on, Jack,” Aurum said, his voice carrying a mixture of challenge and encouragement. “You’re quick, but can you keep up with this?”

[Jack Olen]

*Hmmm.... So THAT was his Semblance. Being able to harden his skin like that.... Though it would probably also impede his movements.
Interesting. And it had been tough enough to wisthand his throw, so.... He might have to go up a notch if he wanted to pierce through.
But not now.*

"Well, you forgot to take it with you at the start, so I was just giving it back to you.*

*Beneath the joke, there was just a little bit of ire. Jack didn't like being taken lightly, and someone fighting him without using their weapon was a clear case of holding back.
As Aurum began to clean his weapon, he lifted his shoulders a bit. Worth a shot.*

"Just a bit of oil. To keep your grip slippery. And, well, I'm already fighting your family's descendant, that's a pretty big heirloom I'm messing with, no ~ ?"

*He took back his stance, and when Aurum asked if that was all, he answered : *

"Perhaps."

*Jack bent backward with a grunt to dodge the arc, and as Aurum lunged towards him he managed to sidestep. He wanted to grab him as retaliation but already Aurum was back and his staff became almost invisible with how quick it was striking.
The ginger managed to dodge or block most, but not all, of the pokes, some managing to hit his shoulders, his left knee, and even grazing his face.
He attempted to stomp on the tail just like he did with the sweep earlier, though it was more of a warning than a true attack.
And as Aurum brought the staff down, Jack knew he had to amp up.*

"In all honesty ? No, I can't. Yet."

*He took out another crystal and slammed it on the ground between them, creating another explosion that he dove into.
When he came out, his eyes and mouth seemed to shine just an instant as he finally went to strike Aurum as hard he could, eager to see if his armour could handle it.*

[Aurum Dasheng]

Aurum's grin remained fixed as he watched Jack dodge the arc of his staff and sidestep his lunge with practiced ease. He was quick, no doubt about that, but the gleam in Aurum’s amber eyes hinted at approval rather than frustration. Each dodge, each block, was another piece of the puzzle—a puzzle Aurum was enjoying putting together.

The rapid jabs of the staff struck true more often than not, connecting with Jack’s shoulder, knee, and even grazing his face. Aurum felt the resistance each time his strikes landed, the momentum pushing Jack just enough to keep him moving. When Jack attempted to stomp on his tail, Aurum flicked it out of the way with a sharp snap, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

“You’re not bad, Jack,” Aurum said, his tone steady but laced with teasing confidence. “You’re making me work for this. I like it.”

The sparring match took a sudden turn when Jack slammed another dust crystal into the ground. The explosion that followed sent a wave of force rolling toward Aurum, the burst of heat and debris forcing him to step back. He planted his feet firmly, the black markings on his arms and chest flaring as he activated his semblance, hardening his skin to withstand the pressure. The explosion rippled against him, the force dissipating as the hardened markings absorbed the brunt of the impact.

When Jack emerged from the dust cloud, Aurum’s expression shifted. There was no humor now, only focus. Jack’s movements were faster, his intent sharper. As the smaller Huntsman closed the distance and threw a powerful punch, Aurum braced himself, his hardened arm raising to meet the blow.

The strike connected with a deafening crack, the force reverberating through Aurum’s entire body. His hardened arm held, but the sheer power behind the punch forced him to slide back several feet, his boots digging grooves into the fractured ground. A sharp jolt of pain radiated through his forearm, his muscles tensing as they absorbed the impact.

“Good, very good,” Aurum said, flexing his fingers as the markings on his arm faded slightly. His voice carried a hint of strain, though the grin on his face hadn’t faltered. “That one got through.”

He rolled his shoulder and shifted his grip on the staff, spinning it once with a flourish before planting it back into the ground. His amber eyes locked on Jack, gleaming with excitement “Let’s see if you can keep that up,” he said, his tone a mix of challenge and encouragement.

With a quick motion, Aurum pressed a hidden mechanism near the center of the staff. The weapon emitted a soft hum as golden hard light extensions materialized from both ends, extending the length of the staff by several feet. The glowing extensions buzzed faintly, giving the weapon an otherworldly appearance while maintaining its blunt, solid design. The additional reach made the staff even more formidable, its length and energy humming with restrained power.

Aurum spun the now-extended staff with practiced ease, the glowing ends cutting faint arcs through the air. The golden light illuminated the cracked ground beneath them, the hum of the extensions adding weight to the already tense atmosphere.

“Now we’re in business,” Aurum said, his grin widening.

With a burst of speed, he surged forward, swinging the staff in a wide horizontal arc. The extended length of the weapon swept toward Jack’s legs with enough force to throw him off balance or force him to reposition. Without hesitation, Aurum pivoted smoothly and followed up with a quick downward strike aimed at the ground near Jack’s feet, the hard light extensions slamming into the fractured earth and sending a small shockwave outward.

[Jack Olen]

"I could say the same to you."

*He couldn't help but let out a war cry as his fist connected finally. He had to admit that was his favourite part, especially when fighting against a faster or longer-ranged opponent : when he would equalize the match with a single punch.
Although, it seemed like Aurum's Semblance was able to hold against a two-third to max power punch. Damn, this dude is really impressive. Strong, fast, though, good weapon, does he have any weakness ?!
Perhaps lightning, but he didn't brought any, and Nero isn't here to change his remaining crystal.
But as he sent Aurum back, he groaned a bit, as he flexed his fingers and wrist.*

"Fuck.... Already that much recoil... ?"

*He whispered between his teeths.
But then Aurum had to lay down another challenge, and of course the fighting junkie that he was couldn't let this pass.
He took a stance, but then straightened up as he saw the transformation of the weapon.*

"....Wow. Sure you've got enough range ? Are you that scared of getting into contact ~ ?"

*His bravado was quickly cut short when Aurum began doing tricks with his weapon, and admittedly watching something so shiny spin so fast made him a bit nauseous.
When the wide downward swipe arrived, Jack jumped above to dodge it, and as the downward strike arrived, he did what seemed to be his favoured technique and stomped down. This time he managed to, with enough strength to knock it off of Aurum's hands, and he quickly lunged forward to take advantage of the situation.*

[Aurum Dasheng]

Aurum grunted as Jack’s stomp finally connected with his staff, the force knocking it from his hands and sending it skidding across the fractured ground. His amber eyes flicked toward the weapon, calculating the distance as Jack lunged forward to press the advantage. For a split second, Aurum smiled—Jack had earned his respect, but he wasn’t about to let him take full control of the fight.

“Not bad,” Aurum said, his voice steady even as he shifted his stance. “But I’m not done yet.”

The black markings along his arms and neck flared to life, a faint mist rising from his body as his Cloud Walker ability activated. Aurum’s form dissolved into swirling black smoke, his silhouette dissipating into an ethereal mist that danced through the air. The movement was smooth and deliberate, the mist flowing low across the ground as it raced toward the Dasheng Legacy.

Jack’s lunge met nothing but air as Aurum’s incorporeal form darted past him, weaving through the cracks and debris with effortless speed. The mist coiled briefly around the staff, re-forming into Aurum’s towering frame in a single, fluid motion. He stood tall once more, the Dasheng Legacy now firmly back in his grasp, its hard light extensions humming with energy.

“You’ve got good instincts,” Aurum said, spinning the staff once and planting its base firmly into the ground. His tail flicked behind him, the brass ring catching the sunlight. “But if you’re trying to keep me unarmed, you’ll have to try a lot harder than that.”

“Youre quite amazing Jack, most students wouldn’t stand up to the range, but you excel in breaking it down.” he said, his voice steady as he pressed a hidden mechanism on the staff. The weapon hissed faintly as it disconnected at the center, separating into two balanced quarterstaffs.

Aurum wasted no time, surging forward with a burst of speed. The twin staffs moved in perfect harmony, one sweeping low toward Jack’s legs while the other came around in a rapid, horizontal strike aimed at his upper body. Before they could strike, each weapon turned black as did the hands holding them as Aurum infused each with his semblance and for first time this fight, put every ounce of strength in this one attack.

[Jack Olen]

*Jack stumbled a bit forward as his fist did not meet the expected resistance. He managed to keep his footing somewhat, but couldn't stop Aurum from picking back his weapon.*

"Sooo, not just harden, but also turn into mist, huh ? That's a very useful Semblance."

*Damn, this guy really had it all. And in all honesty, that made Jack happy. Not only was he strong, but he was also fun to fight.
The young man smiled widely at Aurum.*

"Ok, I'll try harder then. And thanks, I really appreciate that. I'm kinda forced to be good at it, since, you know...."

*He wiggled his empty hands.*

"Honestly, you're awesome too. Most of the time I can find a weak point in my opponent's fighting style, a difficulty with close quarters, slower movements, lack of endurance, or of range... But you're good at everything. And not just a 'Jack' of all trades...."

*He laughed a bit.*

"You're actually good at everything, that's very impressive."

*While amping himself with fire did strengthen Jack's Aura, which in turn enhanced his physical might, endurance, and healing, it also greatly enhanced his already pretty good reflexes, allowing him to do pretty crazy stuff, such as realizing that this move absolutely needed to be dodged, and finding a way to do so.
He contracted his leg muscles, then jumped, spinning with his body parallel to the ground, dodging both hits as he threw a powerful kick to the side of Aurum.
Which hopefully would hit, as he would not properly stick the landing and would be left wide open.*

[Aurum Dasheng]

Aurum’s amber eyes tracked Jack’s acrobatic dodge as the smaller fighter twisted mid-air to avoid both strikes. Jack’s counterattack came quickly—a powerful kick to Aurum’s side. The blow connected with a heavy thud, forcing Aurum to slide back a step. His hardened semblance markings absorbed most of the impact, but the strike still left a dull ache radiating through his ribs. He grunted, stabilizing himself as his boots dug into the fractured ground.

“That one had some bite,” Aurum muttered, his tail snapping sharply to steady his stance.

As Jack landed and spoke, Aurum couldn’t help but chuckle at the praise. “You’re not wrong,” he said, his voice calm but laced with a hint of humor. “I’ve worked hard to be good at a lot of things—close quarters, range, stamina. But ‘good at everything’? You’re giving me too much credit.”

He adjusted his grip on the right quarterstaff, his tone becoming more thoughtful. “I’ve got my weaknesses too, Jack. I’m not the fastest guy on the field—I rely on momentum to keep up. And fights like this?” He gestured to the fractured ground and his glowing weapons. “They take a toll. I can keep going depending on how much I throw, burning the candles at both ends.”

He paused, spinning the left quarterstaff in a lazy arc before planting its base into the ground. “The truth is, I’ve had to learn to cover for my flaws. Balance them out. That’s why I respect someone like you—you’re sharp. You see things other people miss, and you’re quick to act on them.”

Before Jack could respond, Aurum pressed a hidden mechanism on the right staff. The hard light extension shot out with a hiss, buzzing faintly as it extended toward Jack with a burst of force. The golden energy wasn’t aimed to harm—it was meant to push Jack back, creating space between them and giving Aurum a moment to reset.

Jack stumbled under the sudden force, and Aurum immediately followed, stepping forward as though to attack. The elongated staff hummed in his grip, its golden glow lighting the fractured earth. But as Aurum raised the weapon, he stopped short, planting the right quarterstaff firmly into the ground instead.

“No need to rush things,” he said, his tone light but edged with sincerity. “You’ve already shown me more than most would.”

Straightening his stance, Aurum twirled the left quarterstaff once and tucked it loosely under his arm. His tail swayed in rhythm with the faint hum of the hard light extension as he regarded Jack with a faint smile.

“I’ll say this,” Aurum added, his amber eyes gleaming with respect. “You’ve got the kind of instincts that take years to build. And that’s dangerous—because instincts like that can turn anyone’s strengths into weaknesses.”

The mist from his earlier Cloud Walker ability still lingered faintly around him as he stepped back, watching Jack closely. His stance was relaxed but poised, his grip on the staff firm but not rigid.

“Now,” Aurum said, a grin tugging at his lips. “What’s your next move?”

[Jack Olen]

*Jack stumbled as he landed, a dull pain echoing through his leg. Just like with his punch earlier, it seemed like his body and his Aura couldn't completely compensate for the increased power of his blows.*

"Hey, that's not a weakness, that's just something where you're not particularly good at. My leader, she's pretty slow, and I mean, once you see her weapon, that make sense. You, you're above average, I'd say. You're just too used at being great in other categories, I think. You're too used to your privileges. It's kinda like how rich people react when you try to tax them."

*He laughed.*

"As for taking a toll.... Yeah, I guess you'd better not have a glass jaw to handle me, right ~ ? I'm really impressed by the way, I think in that state I've already killed an Ursa with a single punch. Granted, it was to the throat, but still."

*He quickly shut down as Aurum waved his weapon around, but seeing as he didn't seem to intend on continuing, he answered, waving his leg a bit as the pain just didn't seem to want to go away easily.*

"I'm starting to also respect you a lot. I think you've got talent, but you don't rely on it : I can see you've trained a lot, that's pretty obvious. I also had to train to compensate for my... Well, unarmed style. Might be how I acquired that sharpness you speak of... Whoa !"

*He was surprised by the sudden extenson of the weapon and was pushed backward.*

"Instincts, huh ? Might come from the faunus side of my family.
As for my next move.... Well, why don't 'I' play the range game for a change ?"

*He lifted two rather big boulders from the shattered ground, one in each hand.
He threw the left one with impressive strength and speed, then the right one, delayed just enough to catch Aurum by surprise as he was busy dealing with the left one.*

[Aurum Dasheng]

Aurum’s amber eyes tracked Jack’s movements as the smaller fighter prepared his next attack. Jack hefted two large boulders, and Aurum’s grip tightened on the Dasheng Legacy as he reconnected the two quarterstaffs into a single weapon. The sharp click echoed faintly as the staff reformed, its golden hard light extensions buzzing faintly at each end.

“Privileges?” he echoed, his voice steady but carrying an edge. “You think I’ve had it all given?”

He planted the staff into the ground for a moment, standing tall as his tail flicked behind him. “When I was a kid, my grandfather had me sparring against grown men—warriors of my clan. They were giants to me, stronger and with reach I couldn’t hope to match.” His amber eyes glinted as he shifted his stance. “They taught me something: size and reach aren’t weaknesses—they’re puzzles. You find the gaps, close the distance, and make your opponent work harder than they want to.”

The first boulder came hurtling toward him, fast and deliberate. Aurum sidestepped sharply, his boots crunching against the fractured ground as the massive rock sailed past him and slammed into the earth with a heavy thud. Dust erupted into the air, but Aurum’s focus remained unshaken.

“That’s how I learned to fight smarter, not harder,” he said as Jack hurled the second boulder, perfectly timed to follow the first. Aurum’s black markings flared to life, spreading along his arm as his semblance activated. The appendage hardened into an iron-like state, gleaming faintly in the sunlight.

With a sharp step forward, Aurum clenched his fist and swung it toward the oncoming boulder. His punch connected with a deafening crack, splitting the massive rock into a cascade of smaller fragments that scattered harmlessly around him. The ground trembled faintly from the impact, but Aurum remained steady, lowering his arm as the markings faded.

He glanced back at Jack, brushing dust from his knuckles. “And every fight since then has been another puzzle to solve,” he added, spinning the Dasheng Legacy in his hands with a flourish. The golden light hummed faintly as it cut arcs through the air, its glow illuminating the fractured ground.

Aurum didn’t wait for Jack to react. With a sudden burst of speed, he surged forward, swinging the staff in a wide horizontal arc. The golden hard light swept toward Jack with a faint hum, forcing him to retreat or risk being struck.

“Range isn’t just about throwing things,” Aurum called, his voice calm but charged with energy. “It’s about control. And control is something I’m very good at.”

As Jack moved, Aurum pressed the advantage, pulling the staff back and jabbing forward in a quick, precise strike aimed at Jack’s center. The hard light extensions crackled faintly as they darted toward their target, each movement fluid and intense.

“So tell me, Jack,” Aurum said, his grin widening as the golden staff left streaks of light in the air. “How good are you at solving puzzles?”

[Jack Olen]

"Whoa whoa whoa, that's not what I meant at all. More like you're used at.... Being better than others thanks to training, how does that sounds ? I told you I respect you for your hard work, no ?"

*He sighed a bit as the boulders were clearly useless.*

"But in all honesty, that sounds... A bit like abuse. I'm sorry you had to live through that, even if that made you as strong as you are now."

*Though a 'puzzle to solve'.... He liked the sound of that. But perhaps there was something more than just this fight that he could solve. The sudden caught him by surprise as he was about to throw another chunk of rock, that he used to shield himself, but the boulder got pulverized by the strength of the impact. With dust in his face, and his leg still hurting, he failed to properly dodge the attack, and got hit, not square in the center, but in his right ribs. He let out a groan of pain.*

"Honestly ? Depend. If I'm invested I can be pretty good. If I loose interest I just go away.
Hey, since we're talking 'bout families, wanna hear about mine ? I have a faunus dad and a human mom. That's why I'm human but my sis isn't. We don't have the same family name 'cause humans and faunus weren't allowed to marry when we were born, so I could only be legally recognized as my mom's son, and my sis as my dad's daughter."

[Aurum Dasheng]

Aurum’s brow furrowed slightly at Jack’s initial words, but the apology softened his expression. He spun the Dasheng Legacy once in his hands before planting it lightly at his side, the hard light extensions still humming faintly.

“It wasn’t easy, sure,” Aurum said, his voice steady but edged with a touch of reflection. “But abuse? No. My grandfather—he was tough, maybe too tough, but he believed in shaping strength through hardship. I won’t lie and say I liked it all the time, but… I’m here because of it.”

He watched as Jack used another boulder to shield himself, only for it to crumble under the force of Aurum’s attack. The sight of Jack stumbling back, the strike grazing his ribs, brought a faint flicker of respect to Aurum’s amber eyes.

“You’re tough too, Jack,” he said as he eased back, giving his opponent room to recover. “Most people would’ve stayed down after that. You didn’t.”

Jack’s words about his family caught Aurum’s attention, and his grip on the staff relaxed slightly. He tilted his head, his amber eyes softening with genuine curiosity.

“A Faunus dad and a human mom, huh?” Aurum said, leaning slightly on the Dasheng Legacy. “I’ve heard of stories similar, especially near my home. I’m sorry your family’s been through a lot.”

His tail flicked lightly behind him as he considered Jack’s explanation. “The laws were harsh back then. Unfair.” His voice dropped slightly, taking on a more thoughtful tone. “I’ve seen what people will do to try and keep families apart, just because they’re different. I’ve also seen and learned what people will do to keep families together. It’s… cruel.”

He straightened, spinning the Dasheng Legacy in a slow arc before planting it in the ground. The golden hard light extensions shimmered faintly as they retracted, leaving the staff in its default form.

“You’ve got my respect for holding it all together,” he said, meeting Jack’s gaze directly. “That’s not easy to do. And I can see why you fight the way you do. It’s not just skill—it’s heart. And that’s something you can’t train.”

He stepped back into a neutral stance, the Dasheng Legacy resting lightly in his hands. “But if you’ve still got some fight in you, let’s make this a match to remember. Your family sounds like the kind of people who’d want you to give it your all.”

He pressed a hidden mechanism on the Dasheng Legacy, and the hard light extensions at both ends roared to life with a sharp hiss. Golden energy surged outward as the weapon transformed, the glowing constructs extending to their maximum length and size. One end of the staff ballooned into a massive, hammer-like form, radiating with golden light. The weapon now reached nearly twenty feet, the added weight and range making it a towering force of destruction.

The air seemed to ripple around the extended staff as Aurum lifted it, the energy buzzing faintly like a living thing. The massive construct glinted in the sunlight, casting long shadows over the fractured battlefield.

“This is the Dasheng Legacy at full power,” Aurum said with a faint grin, his voice low but charged with excitement. “Let’s see if you can handle it.”

With a firm step forward, Aurum raised the staff high above his head. The sheer length of the hard light extension caused it to sway slightly, the energy crackling as he channeled his strength into the swing. The ground beneath his boots cracked slightly from the tension in his stance.

With a powerful roar, Aurum brought the extended staff crashing down in a massive arc, aiming directly for Jack’s position. The air split with a deafening crack as the golden construct descended, its immense size creating an intimidating shadow that loomed over the battlefield. The impact hit with an earth-shaking boom, shattering the ground beneath it and sending a shockwave rippling outward. Debris exploded into the air, clouds of dust and rock obscuring the immediate area.

Aurum stood firm, the Dasheng Legacy humming in his hands as the golden energy pulsed faintly from the massive extension. His tail flicked sharply behind him, his amber eyes scanning the dust cloud for Jack’s reaction.

“No puzzles this time,” Aurum called out, his voice cutting through the settling chaos. “Just raw strength. Let’s see if you can match it.”

[Jack Olen]

"Could say the same about those previous hits you tanked. I told you about the one-hit Ursa thing, right ? I don't remember. Anyway, I've knocked a few people flat with my strikes.... And you barely seem bothered. I dunno if it's heart, or family pride, or whatever... But you're goddamn tough."

*He breathed out. Waved his wrist. Tapped his leg. They didn't hurt too much anymore, so he should be good as long as he doesn't.... And of course Aurum had to speak about giving his all.*

"Well... In all honesty, I think my family wouldn't want me to go all out 'cause I always end up hurting myself......"

*But it was too late as the light staff's roar drowned his words, the full power enough to make him take a step back. Could he dodge that ? Perhaps, but not forever. Dash forward to get inside the range ? This thing is able to change form, who knows what it might do while he's running.
For just a moment, Jack considered.... Giving up. Admit defeat. No shame in that, right ? Not like his grades would suffer. No one would respect him less for knowing when to stop. He himself had to reassure his leader about choosing to run from a battle.
'Live to fight another day', he said. No shame in giving up.
Shame, no.
But regrets....
He found another crystal in his pouch.
He would regret not giving his all against Aurum. Winning, losing, it mattered not, but he wanted to both thank him and show him respect for the fight he gave. And it would be disrespectful to not go all out. So.....
He crushed the crystal in his fist.*


*Once the dust settled, a near miraculous sight awaited Aurum.
Jack, a light coming from his mouth and eyes, as if a fire was lit in him. As if a candle had been placed inside of his head, just like a.... Jack'O Lantern.*

"You know, I promised my team I would stop going into overdrive like that each time I'm backed against a wall. I always end up hurting myself."

*He casually said, while between his hand rested the head of the staff. He had stopped the tremendous might of the Legacy, bare-handed. His voice seemed slightly distorted.*

"That attack was fucking heavy, you know. And at full power like now, I've already lifted a Manticore."

*He let out a roar, and pulled with all of his strength. Either Aurum would have to let go of the staff, or he would be drawn right to Jack's striking range.*

[Aurum Dasheng]

Aurum’s amber eyes narrowed slightly as the dust settled, revealing Jack standing tall amidst the chaos. The fiery glow emanating from Jack’s eyes and mouth caught his attention, an almost otherworldly sight that spoke to Jack’s sheer determination.

“Overdrive, huh?” Aurum said, his tone calm but carrying an edge of intrigue. “Looks like you’re ready to show me what you’ve got.”

As Jack pulled on the staff with all his might, Aurum adjusted his stance, his tail snapping out to stabilize him. Instead of resisting entirely, he leaned into the pull, allowing Jack’s momentum to bring them closer. The Dasheng Legacy’s hard light extensions retracted instantly with a sharp hiss, leaving the weapon in its default form.

In a single fluid motion, Aurum twisted his grip and swung the staff horizontally, aiming for Jack’s torso. The shortened weapon moved with incredible speed and precision, its weight backed by Aurum’s full strength. He hoped the impact connected solidly, and would force Jack to stagger back a few steps, but Aurum wasn’t done.

He pulled in all of his energy and the markings along his arms and neck flaring to life as his Cloud Walker ability activated. His form dissolved into a swirling black mist that coiled upward, darting high into the air with a speed that left the battlefield below in chaos.

At fifty feet above the ground, the mist gathered, reforming into Aurum’s towering frame. His amber eyes glinted as he raised the Dasheng Legacy high above his head, the staff humming faintly as he channeled his strength into the next move.

“Get ready, Jack!” Aurum roared as he descended.

The air around him seemed to shudder as he plummeted downward, the Dasheng Legacy aimed directly at Jack’s position. With gravity and his own formidable strength amplifying the strike, the staff crashed into the earth with a deafening boom. The impact shattered the ground beneath them, sending shockwaves rippling outward and kicking up a massive cloud of dust and debris.

The battlefield went silent for a moment as the dust began to settle, revealing Aurum standing at the epicenter of the destruction. The Dasheng Legacy was planted firmly into the fractured earth, its golden glow flickering faintly as Aurum leaned on it, his breathing steady but heavy.

“You’re amazing, Jack. I swear, you keep at it, you’ll be ready to fight anyone here to a standstill or victory.”

[Jack Olen]

*This was what Jack wanted, to catch him mid-fly, but Aurum was faster, and the hard light disappeared beneath his grip, leaving him to grasp nothing but air. Knowing he wouldn't get to win the interaction, he tried to retreat, switch his stance, but his own strength worked against him, as Aurum was already there, ready to strike and Jack failed to do anything about it, instead having to tank the blow he had strengthened himself.
The bô slipped past his guard that was just too slow, and collided square with his plexus, sending him back.
But then, Aurum made a mistake.
He could've won, here and there, a few more hits while Jack was down would've been enough, pushing his advantage would've assured him victory, but it seemed like he had a love for the theatrical.
So he gave to his opponent enough time to stand back up, and ready himself. The blow would be powerful, sure, most likely too much for him to catch directly, even in his overdrive form, but it was predictable.*

"Come at me !!"

*He roared back. And as the dust settled, one could see Aurum, leaning on his staff, and Jack, one hand on the other half of it, who had managed to slightly deviate it mid-flight, and was now firmly holding onto it to prevent Aurum from pulling it off.*

"Ha... Yeah, unless they just run away, or outrange me, or stall me out. And speaking of victory......"

*He smiled, the glow from his mouth turning into a crescent. Then, he rose his fist.*

"If you can take that one.... You win."

*And then he punched.*

[Aurum Dasheng]

Aurum’s amber eyes narrowed as he felt Jack’s grip on the Dasheng Legacy, the sheer force of the catch enough to shift its trajectory. The staff’s powerful swing, aimed to finish the fight, was diverted, its force spent into the fractured earth. Aurum leaned on the Dasheng Legacy momentarily, his chest rising and falling as he took a deep breath.

“You’re stubborn,” Aurum muttered, his voice laced with both irritation and respect. Aurum straightened, his tail snapping behind him as his stance solidified. The black markings along his arms and chest flared to life, spreading as his semblance hardened his body to iron-like resilience. His amber eyes locked onto Jack’s, the challenge clear.

“One hit to end it?” Aurum replied, his voice low and calm. “Fine. Let’s end this.”

Jack surged forward, his fist glowing brightly with the energy of his overdrive. The air itself seemed to tremble as he poured everything he had into the strike. Aurum braced himself, gripping the Dasheng Legacy tightly as the blow came hurtling toward him.

The punch connected squarely with Aurum’s chest, a deafening boom reverberating through the battlefield as the ground cracked beneath their feet. Aurum slid back several feet, his boots digging into the fractured earth as he fought to stay upright. His tail snapped to stabilize him, but the force of the impact was undeniable. Pain radiated through his chest, his hardened semblance almost glowing red to show it barely absorbed the brunt of the attack and a good amount of whatever damage was left over actually went through.

Aurum’s chest heaved as he looked down at the faint scorch mark left by Jack’s punch. He gritted his teeth, his grip tightening on the Dasheng Legacy. Slowly, he straightened, the black markings on his body fading as his semblance deactivated. His amber eyes locked onto Jack’s, a faint grin tugging at his lips, his vision blurred as the pain subsided.

“Not bad,” Aurum said, his voice steady despite the pain. “Actually, that hurt like hell.”

With a sudden burst of energy, Aurum lunged forward, the Dasheng Legacy spinning in his hands. The golden hard light extensions reactivated with a sharp hiss, surging outward to their full length as Aurum swung the weapon in a wide, sweeping arc. Jack, still reeling from his last attack, would barely had time to react as the staff collided with his side, and send him flying across the battlefield.

Aurum stood tall, planting the Dasheng Legacy into the ground as he caught his breath. His amber eyes softened as he watched Jack struggle, admiration glinting behind his exhaustion.

“You fought well, Jack,” Aurum said, his voice calm but firm. “But this one’s mine.”

[Jack Olen]

*Jack was already letting himself fall backwards, and the staff went just above his head as he lumped on the ground.
He tried to stand up immediately but was clearly having trouble doing so, as he clutched his right arm in pain.*

"Hey, dick move ! I told you you've won. If we keep up I'm going to really hurt myself, or you, or both, so I'd rather not do that, ok ?"

*The glow was gone, all the energy had been consumed by that one attack, though a good part went to ensure the recoil wouldn't hurt too badly....*

"Haaaaa... Fuck, I'm gonna get yelled at again...."

*He slowly rose to his feet, still clutching his arm, and massaging it.*

"Well, good news is, I haven't broken anything this time. And you, are you ok ?"

*Aurum seemed somewhat fine, but who knows, perhaps he just hasn't registered the damage yet.*

"Yeah yeah, you won, congrats. Hey, please tell me something. How close was I to winning ?"

[Aurum Dasheng]

Here’s the revised response, weaving together Aurum’s reaction to Jack’s concession, his reflection on the fight, and a thoughtful response to Jack’s final question:

Aurum let out a heavy breath, his grip on the Dasheng Legacy easing as he watched Jack slump to the ground. The sweeping arc of his attack had missed its mark as Jack fell backward, clearly spent. Aurum’s tail flicked behind him, a mix of relief and lingering adrenaline keeping him steady.

He leaned slightly on the Dasheng Legacy, his amber eyes scanning Jack as the glow from his overdrive faded completely. The fight was over, and the respect between them was tangible.

“Dick move?” Aurum repeated, a faint grin tugging at the corner of his lips. “Maybe. But I had to be sure you were down for the count.”

He straightened as Jack rose shakily to his feet, clutching his arm and muttering about getting yelled at. Aurum chuckled softly, spinning the Dasheng Legacy once before planting it into the fractured ground.

“You’ve got grit, Jack,” Aurum said, his voice steady but warm. “Most people would’ve stayed down way earlier. And yeah, I’m fine—feeling it, but fine. That punch of yours?” He tapped his chest where the faint scorch mark still lingered. “I’ll be feeling that for a while.”

Jack’s question lingered in the air, and Aurum took a moment to consider his answer. He stepped forward, resting one hand on the Dasheng Legacy as his amber eyes met Jack’s directly.

“How close were you?” Aurum repeated, his tone thoughtful. “Closer than most. That punch—you landed it exactly where it needed to hit. If I hadn’t hardened my semblance and even then pushed it to it’s extreme and focus on the one spot at the last second, it would’ve put me down.” He paused, a faint grin tugging at his lips. “But here’s the thing. Winning isn’t just about landing the hardest hit—it’s about what comes after. And you gave me an opening, just big enough to take control.”

Aurum extended a hand, helping Jack steady himself fully. “Don’t let that get to you, though,” he added, his tone sincere. “That fight could’ve gone either way if things played out a little differently. You’ve got the strength, the instincts—just keep refining them. Next time, you might take me down.”

The battlefield around them was silent save for the faint murmurs of a group of gathered students. The respect in their eyes was clear, not just for Aurum’s victory but for the sheer determination Jack had shown.

Aurum turned toward the edge of the training field, resting the Dasheng Legacy on his shoulder. “Don’t let anyone tell you you’re not good enough. This fight proved otherwise. Plus, it’ll make round 2 even more interesting if you don’t listen to them.”