Jaune's Resolve

2 - Sudden Change

Beacon, Cafeteria

As they made their way to the cafeteria, the usual chatter of Team JNPR filled the hallway, but Jaune lagged behind, lost in his thoughts. His steps were more measured, his eyes focused on something distant. Nora glanced over her shoulder, her usual energy slightly tempered by the curiosity gnawing at her.

"Hey, fearless leader!" she called, her voice laced with its usual enthusiasm. "You okay back there?"

Jaune snapped out of his reverie and offered a small, almost absent smile. "Yeah, just... thinking."

Nora exchanged a quick look with Ren, who raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Pyrrha, who had been walking beside Ren, slowed her pace until she was next to Jaune. "Thinking about what?" she asked, her tone gentle.

Jaune shrugged, his eyes still far away. "Just... stuff. Strategy, training. You know, making sure I'm ready for whatever comes next."

There it was again, that subtle shift. He wasn't stuttering or second-guessing himself like he used to. His words were clear, and his posture was straighter, more confident. It wasn't just that he was trying to act brave—he seemed genuinely more composed.

Nora frowned, her head tilted in thought as they reached the cafeteria. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but something about Jaune was definitely different. It was like he'd grown up a little overnight.

As they sat down to eat, Nora kept a close eye on Jaune, waiting to see if he'd crack a joke or fumble like before. But instead, he ate quietly, his mind seemingly somewhere else, and that maturity she couldn't quite identify lingered in the air around him.

As Jaune quietly ate his lunch, his mind drifted to memories of battles fought and lost, his heart heavy with the weight of his experiences. He was no longer the awkward, unsure boy who had first arrived at Beacon. The training with the Ace Ops, the countless Grimm he'd slain, and the painful lessons of loss had forged him into a warrior. His gaze was steady, his senses sharp—so when he felt a presence behind him, he was already prepared.

Without warning, Cardin Winchester shoved Jaune's head down, attempting to smash his face into his tray. But this time, Jaune reacted instantly. His hand shot up, catching Cardin's wrist with a firm grip, stopping the bully's hand just inches from his head. The cafeteria went silent, all eyes on them.

Jaune slowly stood, still holding Cardin's wrist. His expression was calm, almost eerily so, as he looked Cardin directly in the eye. There was no fear, no hesitation—only the hardened resolve of someone who had faced far worse than a schoolyard bully.

'I still couldn't believe this is the guy I used to fear.'

"Cardin," Jaune said, his voice low and controlled, "you really don't want to do this."

Cardin, caught off guard by Jaune's strength and the cold fire in his eyes, tried to yank his hand free, but Jaune's grip was unyielding. A flicker of uncertainty crossed Cardin's face as he realized that this was not the same Jaune Arc he was used to bullying.

"What's the matter, Cardin?" Jaune continued, his tone sharp and commanding. "You used to love picking on the weak, didn't you? But guess what? I'm not weak anymore."

Jaune released Cardin's wrist, pushing him back slightly but with enough force to make a point. Cardin stumbled, his bravado faltering as he looked around at the watching students, unsure how to respond. He had no idea what had changed in Jaune, but the usual power dynamic had shifted—dramatically.

"You... you think you're some kind of tough guy now?" Cardin stammered, trying to regain his composure, but there was no real conviction behind his words.

Jaune's expression remained stoic, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I know what I am," he replied, his voice unwavering. "And I know what you are, too. A coward who picks on others to make himself feel big. But that doesn't work for me anymore."

Cardin hesitated, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for support, but none of his usual cronies stepped forward. They, too, had sensed the change in Jaune—something powerful, something dangerous.

"Walk away, Cardin," Jaune said quietly, his voice carrying a weight of authority that belied his age. "Before you do something you'll regret."

Cardin, clearly outmatched and embarrassed, clenched his fists but ultimately turned away, mumbling under his breath as he retreated. The cafeteria buzzed with whispers, but Jaune paid them no mind. He sat back down, picking up his fork as if nothing had happened, his heart still steady, his mind clear.

Pyrrha, Nora, and Ren exchanged glances, their respect for Jaune deepening. Nora leaned in, her voice full of awe. "Jaune, you're like a completely different person... What happened to you?"

Jaune paused, considering how to respond. He couldn't tell them the truth—that he had seen the future, that he had fought and bled and lost so much. But he could give them a hint.

Before he could finally reply, an arm wrapped around his neck in a playful headlock as Yang barged into Team JNPR's table, her energy as contagious as ever.

"That was amazing, vomit boy!" Yang remarked with a wide grin, giving Jaune a light noogie before finally letting go.

Jaune chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck, feeling both embarrassed and amused. "Thanks, Yang. Just trying something new."

Ruby, who had been trailing behind her sister, quickly slid into the seat beside Nora on the other side of the table. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she chimed in, "I didn't know you had it in you, Jaune! You were so cool!"

"Yeah, that's our fearless leader, alright!" Nora chirped in, her voice full of pride as she gave Jaune a playful punch on the arm.

Jaune managed a modest smile, still not quite used to the attention. "I just did what I had to. Can't let people like Cardin push us around, right?"

Weiss, who had entered the cafeteria alongside Blake, simply rolled her eyes as she and Blake took their seats across from the others. "Well, it's about time you showed some backbone, Jaune," Weiss remarked, though her tone lacked its usual sharpness. There was a hint of approval in her voice, even if she wouldn't openly admit it.

Blake, sitting quietly beside Weiss, observed Jaune with her usual calm demeanor. She didn't say anything right away, but there was a faint smile on her lips, suggesting she, too, was impressed by his actions.

Yang finally released Jaune from her grip and plopped down into her seat, grabbing her lunch. "Seriously though, Jaune, you were awesome back there. But don't let it get to your head," she teased, winking at him.

Jaune let out a small laugh, feeling a warmth spread through him. Surrounded by his friends, their banter, and the way they accepted him—it was moments like these that reminded him why he was fighting so hard to protect them, even if they didn't know the full story.

The group continued to eat their lunches, the atmosphere around the table was light and filled with easy conversation. Despite the weight of the future that Jaune carried on his shoulders, in this moment, everything felt normal—like it should be. And for now, that was enough.

[End]