RWBY: Corrupted Save File

Part #22. - Evolution.

"That's because you're not used to it. This is someone else's technique, after all." She explained.

"I suppose." He said before dashing towards Velvet and aiming a high kick to her face. Velvet swung her leg and hit Saffron's ankle away, the boy kept the momentum and switched the legs he used to attack, he thrust his left leg and hit Velvet in the ribs. He pulled his foot back quickly and jumped into the air. Stabbing both of his legs into Velvet's torso and pushing her back. Saffron landed on his back and quickly swung his legs around, bringing him up to his feet. He had gotten used to Mercury's breakdancing-like movements. He stood on his toes, remembering to stay mobile. Just then, Velvet charged him, sending a flurry of kicks to Saffron's head. Saffron stepped back to avoid the first kick, and then stepped forward and grabbed onto Velvet's ankle.  He pulled her closer before slamming his heel into her cheek. He capitalized on the momentary stun to flip himself over her leg and slam his other heel into the side of her head. Velvet's body twisted violently and was slammed onto the floor.
"Oh-- Crap! Sorry Velvet!" Saffron dropped his stance and went over to check on Velvet.

"That... was a good... hit." She said, clearly dazed. She shook her head and the dizziness wore off. Saffron helped her to her feet.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Saffron said, a guilty look adorned his face.

"Yeah... I'm fine... it takes a bit longer for me to get used to a new person's fighting style. I'd be able to block that normally..." She stated.

Saffron smiled at her. He appreciated that she was willing to help him with this, but he found himself... dissatisfied. Velvet could emulate Mercury's moves, but not his state of mind. Velvet was at her core, a nice person. Saffron respected that, it was one of the reasons why he was friends with her. But he could tell that Mercury, someone who fought the way he does... Saffron knew that he was a cruel man. That's what would make it even better when he beat him.

"You can go if you want. I can practice by myself for a little longer." Saffron offered.

"Yeah, thanks... I think Yang and Weiss' fight is coming up soon. I think they'd hate you if you missed that one as well." Velvet jested.

"Yeah... I don't want to get on Yang's bad side." Saffron chuckled.

Velvet walked to the door while Saffron got into Mercury's stance, however he shifted his weight a little bit and changed the position of his arms into a more defensive position. Saffron could tell that Mercury wasn't inclined to defending, so he kept his arms in a position suited for balance. Saffron wasn't hung up about that. He kept his arms close to protect his core.

"Oh... Saffron?" Velvet called to him from the doorway.

"Hm?" He hummed in acknowledgement.

"Fox said something a little weird to me." She began.

"What's up?" He turned his head to look at her.
"He said that when he looks at you, your Aura is filled with... something else." She stated.
"It-- It was probably nothing. Good luck!" She panicked and exited the room quickly.

Saffron smiled after the figure of Velvet leaving.
He chuckled to himself, letting his arms drop to his sides. Soon the chuckling turned into explosive laughter.

"That's all?! That's all it took, huh?!" He yelled, half amused, half annoyed.

He felt like an idiot. Why hadn't he realized it sooner? He was effectively using mana as a substitute for Aura in the first place. They were, in essence, extremely similar. Both unfamiliar sources of energy originating in living beings-- At least, that was how mana was depicted in fiction.
"Perhaps-- No... but...?" Saffron muttered to himself.