As the next few days of training with Arthur unfolded, the small victories continued, but so did the emergence of individual struggles.
While Ruby and Nora embraced the new concepts with open enthusiasm, and Yang channeled her usual drive into understanding the subtle energies, two members of the group found themselves grappling with different kinds of challenges.
Blake Belladonna, ever the quiet observer, watched her teammates' progress with a keen, almost detached interest.
She rarely offered a triumphant cry when her own attempts bore fruit, nor did she outwardly express frustration when they failed. Instead, a thoughtful, distant look often settled on her face, as if her mind were elsewhere, sifting through old memories or contemplating unspoken burdens.
When Arthur spoke of "getting in tune with something deeper,"
Blake's eyes would often flicker, a fleeting shadow crossing them before she composed herself.
It was as if the idea of connecting to something profound stirred a hidden past, a secret part of her that she kept carefully guarded.
Sometimes, as she worked with her aura, she'd unconsciously touch her ear, a subtle gesture that only someone paying close attention would notice, hinting at a truth she wasn't yet ready to share.
Meanwhile, Jaune Arc, despite his brief success with the wobbly vial, found himself increasingly discouraged.
His efforts to connect with his aura often felt clumsy and forced. While his teammates seemed to grasp the subtle nuances of "whispering" to their energy, Jaune's attempts often resulted in a mental shout, followed by nothing at all.
This new kind of training highlighted his existing insecurities, especially his combat abilities, which he knew lagged behind the others.
He'd often watch Yang effortlessly manipulate her aura, or see Ruby's feather dance with graceful ease, and a familiar knot of self-doubt would tighten in his stomach.
One afternoon, after another particularly frustrating session where his attempts to move a simple twig resulted in nothing more than a faint twitch, Jaune lagged behind as the others headed out.
He saw Arthur gathering his notes, a thoughtful look on his face.
Taking a deep breath, Jaune approached him, his hands clenching at his sides.
"P—Professoe Arthur?" he began, his voice a little shaky.
Arthur looked up, a kind expression on his face.
"Jaune. What's on your mind?"
Jaune shuffled his feet, his gaze fixed on the floor.
"It's… it's this 'true magic' thing. Everyone else seems to be getting it, but I just… I don't know. I feel like I'm still stuck."
He paused, then his voice dropped almost to a whisper.
"And it's not just this. I feel like I'm always behind. In combat, in everything. I'm supposed to be a leader, but I can barely keep up."
Arthur listened patiently, his expression unwavering. When Jaune finished, Arthur simply nodded.
"Come, sit down, Jaune."
He gestured to a nearby bench.
"Tell me more about what you're feeling."
As the sun began to dip lower, casting long shadows across the training hall once again, Jaune poured out his frustrations, his fears, and his constant struggle to measure up.
Arthur listened, not interrupting, his presence a quiet, steady anchor in Jaune's storm of self-doubt.
Arthur listened intently, his gaze unwavering as Jaune spoke, letting him vent his frustrations without interruption.
When Jaune finally finished, a heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the distant sounds of the academy.
"Jaune,"
Arthur said, his voice gentle but firm.
"I understand how you feel. It's tough when you see everyone else seemingly grasp things so quickly. But here's the thing you might not realize: your aura, your raw potential, it's already incredibly strong. It's on par with some of the veterans I've seen."
Jaune's head snapped up, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"Really? But I can barely..." he trailed off, still doubtful.
Arthur nodded.
"Really. What you lack isn't strength, Jaune. It's an experience. You're trying to build a castle without knowing how to lay the bricks. But the materials? You've got the best. We just need to teach you how to use them."
A faint spark of hope ignited in Jaune's eyes.
"So… I can get better?"
"You absolutely can,"
Arthur affirmed, a small smile touching his lips.
"And I'm going to help you. We're going to speed up that experience. It's not a trick, exactly, but a way to give you the practice you need, without the real-world dangers."
Arthur stood up, his gaze sweeping over the training hall.
"True magic, as you're starting to learn, is about connection, about guiding your aura. Imagine if you could practice that guidance, not just for minutes, but for hours, feeling every success, every failure, and learning from it, all in a safe space."
He paused, letting the idea sink in.
"I can create an illusion, a space where you can experience dozens, even hundreds of fights, honing your reactions, feeling your aura flow, without ever leaving this room. You'll be in a loop, reliving and refining your movements, building that muscle memory and confidence. Each time, you'll be a little stronger, a little faster, a little more aware of how to use your aura."
Jaune's eyes widened.
"An illusion? Like… it feels real?"
"Completely real to you," Arthur confirmed.
"You'll feel the hits, the exhaustion, the pressure. But when it's over, you'll be right back here, safe, and most importantly, with valuable experience etched into your very being. We can adjust the challenges, too, starting easy and slowly pushing you to your limits."
Arthur placed a hand on Jaune's shoulder.
"This isn't about making you someone you're not, Jaune. It's about revealing the warrior you already have inside. Are you ready to see what you're truly capable of?"
A determined glint appeared in Jaune's eyes, replacing the usual self-doubt.
The idea of gaining experience rapidly, of finally bridging the gap between his potential and his performance, was exactly what he needed.
"Yes," he said, his voice firm. "I'm ready."
The afternoon sun continued its descent, casting long shadows across the training hall, but for Jaune, a new dawn of possibility had just begun.
...
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Currently @ Chapter 146 (59 more chapters)