Training under the White Fang wasn't exactly what I had expected from a political and military organization. Instead, it felt more like training for a team sport. Bke made sure that I didn't spend any nights inside the camp and oversaw my training in empty areas, away from the other White Fang recruits.

  She even arranged for transportation that picked me up early in the morning and dropped me off after her training regimen was complete. To my complete surprise, I learned that I no longer had to worry about paying rent.

  Bke had never explicitly told me any of this, and I only found out gradually as the days passed. It wasn't until I had to pay for my room that the manager expined it to me.I was grateful for the lengths she went to help me, but I was also confused about why she did it.

  However, her assistance barely motivated me to continue with my pn of joining the White Fang. I did not gain any extra strength, nor did I acquire any new skills. To sum up my experience, it was just a simple checklist of morning physical training, getting beaten up, and going to sleep, only to repeat the same experience the next day.

  At least I used some of my free time to keep improving my weaving skills. Now, I have enough confidence to decre that I can fix my clothes by myself without leaving any marks. Not that it matters much in the grand scheme of things.

  Overall, my motivation and drive to move forward are at their lowest point. I can't help but wonder why I'm still trying with the White Fang when I haven't gotten what I wanted from them.

  The reason why I'm fishing in my usual spot again is that it feels pointless to continue something without any gain. Why should I suffer and work hard when I can focus on what I already have and improve further?

  I don't know what Bke will think or how she will react to me skipping csses, but that's a concern for the future that doesn't affect my present. Maybe I'm destined to remain at level one for the rest of my life. What a tragic and ironic end that would be.

  "Hey, aren't you supposed to be training with the White Fang?" A sweet voice interrupts my depressing thoughts, and I turn to see a friend.

  "Yeah, but my new instructor is kinda aggressive, and she packs a punch, so I just want to fish instead of getting beaten to the ground. Again." I turn zily to look at Levi's calm expression.

  My attention immediately returns to my fishing pole as I feel a strong tug forward.

  And just like that, I catch a big one.

  Following the same steps, as always, I easily win the struggle and bring ashore a green fish the size of my arm, which I quickly put out of its misery by whacking its head and throwing it into the open basket.

  "Show off." Levi approaches with a smirk. "My turn." She takes the rod from my hands and casts it out over the edge.

  I watch the lure sink into the ocean and then look back at her.

  "So... have you learned anything interesting?" I ask awkwardly since I'm not teaching her today and being disconnected from the world news, it's a bit hard to come up with new topics.

  Levi rolls her eyes and turns to me with a knowing smile. "You should really swallow your pride and let me help you buy a scroll, Ma'iq."

  "You know that I can't do that. It will set you back with your pns." I would feel like an asshole if I allowed her to use her hard-earned money on something so small. Besides, with no rent to pay, I only need a little more time.

  My reply makes Levi frown. "Don't be a hero now. It doesn't suit you."

  I don't say anything and look back out at the sea, just in time to catch sight of the cord pulling hard and bending the pole so fast that Levi doesn't notice until it's too te and the cord snaps.

  Her face is filled with incredulity as she stares at the damaged tool for several seconds before her cheeks redden with anger. "Dammit!" she stomps the ground several times."Oof, that was quick, even for me," I chuckle and take my fishing rod back for a quick fix. I understand her frustration, but there was nothing that could've been done about it.Levi only grumbles and sits on a rock with her arms crossed for a moment before pulling out her scroll and texting on it.

  Knowing her personality, it's probably best to let her vent while I finish fixing the spare hook. It's a bit hirious that Levi has cost me quite a number of lures, but I don't bme her or get mad since they're cheap to repce.

  Besides, she's really cute when flustered, and I can't help but smile at the thought.

  Giving a quick gnce at my half-full container, I deliberate between continuing to catch more or closing it to be done with the day.

  It's not a hard choice as I kick the lid closed and leave my fishing pole next to it before sneakily approaching Levi, hoping to catch what she is doing with her scroll.But that idea crumbles as she covers the screen and looks up at me with a smug smile.

  I try to salvage the situation by pretending that my original intention was to stretch my limbs while muttering whatever comes to mind, causing her to snort. "So prideful to refuse help, but shameless enough to peek."

  I tug at my shirt colr while nervously ughing. I know I'm way too curious for my own good.

  "Since you're that curious, then you should know that the Vytal Festival is getting close, and I read that the champion of Mistral will be in an exhibition match."

  That intrigues me quite a bit. Watching hunters duke it out in the arena would be entertaining, but I've never heard about this champion. "The champion of Mistral? He must be strong."

  "Of course she is." Levi corrects me and shows me the picture of a red-haired girl wearing a set of bronze armor on her scroll. "I watched one of her fights and she beat a hunter in a single attack!"

  I can imagine the fight in my mind. While impressive, it could have been somewhat anticlimactic. The purpose of watching a fight is for the long buildup and excitement, but it ended in a single move.

  Upon reflection, I realized that I have never seen or heard anything about the Vytal Festival in my life. At most, I have only caught wind of a few rumors, since the ck of a reliable CCT connection in the remote vilges of Vacuo made it hard to receive updates.

  Though Menagerie doesn't have a CCT tower. How are they able to use their scrolls without a reliable connection to the network?

  "Cheer up! If you don't save enough before the festival, you can always come to my home to watch it!" Levi tries to cheer me up as my sudden negativity clearly didn't go unnoticed by her.

  "I will hold you to that." I chuckle.

  "Ma'iq Rakhan." A stern voice calls out my name from behind, making me freeze in pce.

  "...shit." I slowly turn around to face the very pissed faunus girl with her amber eyes gring daggers at me.

  "Desertion is not taken lightly by the White Fang," she states firmly, closing the distance between us in a blink and standing right in front of me like a looming threat.

  I force a painful smile, trying to appear innocent, although I knew it was futile in front of her penetrating gaze. "Chill out, will ya? I never officially joined the white fang, so there's no way I can be accused of desertion."

  My reply makes my instructor growl in displeasure, while Levi tries to muffle her snickering, torn between feeling sorry for me and finding my predicament hirious.

  [Affection with Bke Beldonna decreased by 1, 01/100]

  [Affection with Levi Fang increased by 1, 16/100]

  That is still a terrible trade.

  "I'm sorry for skipping my daily beating?" I apologize sarcastically, rolling my eyes. But instead of being annoyed, Bke seems to be even more infatuated with me. "Fine, I'll go. Levi, please keep my stuff safe."

  Her ears perk up as she slowly saves her scroll in her shorts, teasing me with a sly smile. "I don't know," she says pyfully, turning her gaze towards my small cooler.

  With the clock ticking, I decide not to argue and accept her demands. "You can keep some fish as compensation!" I say, tossing her my spare keys, which she catches mid-air.

  "Gdly!" she excims.

  I can trust her that much.

  [Affection with Levi Fang increased by 1, 17/100]

  As I dismiss the notification, Bke suddenly grabs my wrist and drags me back to our training in a desote area. She has quite the strong grip, I may add.

  Bke releases my hand and turns around sharply. "You know I had to lie in your absence, right?" Her voice betrays her irritation.

  "Okay?" I reply, puzzled. "I don't know why you would do that, but I guess you have my thanks?"

  She's really going to so many lengths to help me, but why? I wonder.

  "Are you going to take things seriously?" Bke snaps, her amber eyes fshing with fury. I can see the desire to punch me written all over her face.

  [Affection with Bke Beldonna decreased by 1, 00/100]

  Back to zero.

  She is the one paying for my living expenses. Why am I antagonizing her?

  Oh right, I remember.

  "I don't see the point, Bke," I confess, finally letting out some of the repressed thoughts that have been weighing me down. "These days have only been beating after beating. What am I supposed to learn from that?" I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. "It's not nice to wake up in the morning, only to return with a bruised body at night for practically no gain."

  My young instructor flinches and looks away, as if my words have struck a nerve. After a moment of silence, she speaks up. "I want to improve your reaction time," she says. "You need to be able to think and act quickly in battle. Otherwise, you'll be dead before you know it."

  I shake my head, feeling frustrated by her training methods. "There are better ways than just getting punched in the face," I say firmly. "I'm not some object you can throw around until it breaks."

  Bke's expression softens, and I can tell she's surprised by my words. "I'm sorry," she says, sounding sincere. "I didn't mean to make you feel that way. But you need to understand that you're training to fight Grimm, and- "

  "I know that!" I cut her off. "What I don't understand is why I have to get beaten to a pulp every single time!"

  Bke looks down at the ground, and I can see that she's thinking about what I said. "You're right," she admits quietly. "I shouldn't have used such harsh training methods on you. It's just that... I've never trained anyone before, and I thought that following the book would be the right thing to do."

  I raise an eyebrow.

  "Was it a book about combat training or how to train others?" I dareto ask, already suspecting the answer when she bit her lower lip.

  "No..." Bke's ears fttened as she shook her head.

  "Now it all makes sense..." I let out a hollow ugh. Bke had been trying to train me like those protagonists from movies and fantasies. "Well, I don't bme you. We all need to start somewhere, but at least I know you weren't doing that out of malice."

  Soon, silence followed. However, it didn't st long, as I let out a dry ugh. This was supposed to be her giving me a lecture, but it turned out to be me reprimanding her."So, what's the pn now?" I ask, hoping to move on from the previous conversation.

  The brunette suddenly perks up and reaches for something on her belt. My curiosity is piqued as she pulls out a pair of leather gloves. However, as she hands them over to me, I notice that they're not just any gloves.

  "These cws... are for me?" I ask in disbelief, examining the sharpness and length of my gift.

  "You need a weapon," she tells me seriously. "Even if you are decent with unarmed combat, it is a bad idea to fight the Grimm without a weapon. This is the best I could come up with that might fit your style."

  A pang of guilt digs deeply into my heart as I take the pair and strap them tightly onto my hands.

  "I'm sorry for being a problem, too." I say, feeling ashamed. "I should have said something, shouldn't I?"

  "I didn't take your feelings into consideration," Bkes admits, holding out her hand for me to shake. However, my new sharp weapon gets in the way a fact we both realize it at the same time. She looks away with a faint blush of embarrassment.

  But I refuse to let the mood be ruined and I give her a thumbs up.

  -Later-

  I take some time to familiarize myself with my new cws. Compared to the swords, they feel a lot better in my hands. Sshing the air never felt so natural and fluid, or maybe it's thanks to my giddiness to test them on something.

  My enthusiasm for a test run doesn't fail to go unnoticed by my sole instructor, and she decides to take me in the opposite direction from where we usually go.

  "This isn't the direction to the camp." When I look around, the scenario is quite different from all the other pces I've visited so far.

  It's impossible not to notice the wall.

  "You are right. I have something much better pnned." Bke heads to the small door and pulls out the key, giving us both access to the wild jungle beyond the safety of the city walls.

  It feels illegal to do so, but I can't lie but feel excited to see where it leads me.

  As we venture deeper into the jungle, I can't help but marvel at the lush vegetation and the sounds of wildlife. We continue on until we reach an open area, and Bke motions for us to stop.

  "Close your eyes and focus," she orders before I can question or even check my surroundings.

  I obey her words and willingly enter the world of darkness while trying to focus on whatever it is I'm supposed to focus on. She doesn't give me specifics, after all.

  But soon, I find the target as her hand gently grabs my shoulder and starts to apply pressure. The effects drastically change in seconds as a warm sensation spreads throughout my entire body. It starts slowly, trying to find something within me, but soon picks up speed when it finds the way and pulls whatever it is supposed to be forth.

  My eyes shoot open as I gasp for air, my legs trembling but still barely capable of supporting my body as I stagger back. But Bke quickly grabs my hand to stop me from falling.

  "What was that?" I croak, my senses and strength slowly coming back to me.

  However, my vision catches the sight of my disoriented teacher having difficulty remaining standing.

  "Are you okay?"

  "I'm fine. I just never tried to unlock someone's aura before." She replies as she regains her composure.

  It must have taken a big toll on her.

  "Aura, wow... I don't know what to say," I murmur, still feeling the effects of the aura unlocking.

  "That's the least I could do to make up for all those... fights," Bke replies with a hint of regret.

  I look down at my body, trying to sense any immediate changes. Yet, I fail to see anything different and only one thing can actually tell me any sudden changes.

  'Status'

  Ma'iq RakhanRace – Feline FaunusAge 17Level – 1 (0%)Mentor – Bke BeldonnaApprentice – NoneHP – 370 [45 regen per minute]MP – 1500 [350 regen per minute]SP – 1700 [200 regen per minute]STR – 22END – 30DEX – 25INT – 20WIS – 20CHA – 25LCK – 10

  What. The. Hell.

  Why did unlocking my aura increase my stats?

  Even if it was barely anything in raw numbers, my MP had a ridiculous 50 percent increase!

  I have gained so much in a matter of seconds, how can I not be grateful?

  "No still, thank you. I can cook you a nice dinner for you to apologize as well."

  "Don't get so overworked is not a big deal." She rolls her eyes, but I still notice the corner of her lips slowly forming a smile.

  "So what's this pce?" I point at my surroundings, trying to look for anything to give me an idea for the answer.

  "Menagerie's wild jungle. And Grimm territory." She doesn't hold back punches with the truth.

  "Grimm?!" I excim, frantically checking my surroundings again, only to be met with a very empty jungle with the occasional bird chirping.

  "One of the many pces where we train our members to fight against these monsters."

  "Shit." I hastily put on my weapons and strap them tightly around my wrist. I don't want them falling off in the middle of a fight.

  However, Bke gives me a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, the Grimm in this pce are very weak and if worse comes to worse, I will help you escape."

  I finish arming myself and check the trees, "Okay… shit, so don't you think that fighting Grimm after getting my weapon for the first time might be a little too far?"

  Her eyes go wide for a moment before she nods, "I would have agreed with you, but I saw your movements when you were familiarizing yourself with them. You have natural talent with them and with your aura now unlocked, is more than enough to join the oldest war on Remnant."

  "But I just got my aura moments ago." I feel myself defte. It feels way too soon for me.

  The cat girl pats my shoulder with the same reassuring smile to give me some confidence back, "I believe in you."

  Soon after, she jumps up and sits on top of a tree, leaving me all alone on the ground.

  I try to swallow my worries and frantically check my surroundings for anything that moves. Even the minimal sound makes me jump in fright.

  I must look like a coward, but the Grimm are dangerous creatures and my only defense is a pair of metallic cws and my aura.

  I don't know why Bke thinks that trial by fire is an effective method of training, but she put her faith in me, and I shouldn't disappoint her.

  I'm deep in thought when suddenly the ground cracks under me. My mind roars with the instinct to jump or move, or do whatever it takes to get away.

  Then, I see it. A massive, hulking creature emerges from the ground, its eyes fixed on me. It's ant-like Grimm, and it's ready to attack.

  My heart begins to race as adrenaline surges through my veins. I activate my aura and focus all of my attention on the looming threat. I know this shouldn't faze me to my fighting experience, but those beasts cannot compare to your average thug.

  The insectoid Grimm charges towards me with its mandibles agape, revealing its vicious and salivating teeth. My mind screams at me to either move or attack, but my nerves get the better of me and I foolishly remain rooted to the spot, watching it draw nearer.

  In a split-second decision, I reach out and seize the Grimm by its mandibles, preventing it from sinking its teeth into my face. The force of the Grimm's charge transfers onto me, causing me to lose my bance and fall to the ground while still struggling to free myself from its grip.

  I'm grateful that I had my cws on, as the sharp metal is keeping the Grimm's mandibles from fully closing on me. However, the monster's frenzied attack is causing its saliva to rain down on my face.

  To make matters worse, the Grimm has begun to sh out with its numerous legs, striking me repeatedly on the lower body. From my bad position, I suddenly notice the stinger on its thorax poised to strike. Without a moment's hesitation, my leg shoots up to block the potentially lethal attack.

  I won't test my aura to block that attack.

  Despite the dire circumstances, a sudden idea pops into my head. I adjust my grip on the Grimm's mandibles, no longer focused on merely preventing them from closing, but now intent on prying them apart. The creature shrieks and thrashes about in an effort to escape my grasp, but I refuse to relent, channeling all my strength into my arms until I finally succeed in breaking its disgusting mouth with a sickening crack, signaling my triumph.

  With one hand finally freed from the life-and-death struggle, I waste no time in seizing the broken mandible and plunging it deep into the Grimm's mouth. The creature writhes on the ground, giving me a chance to push it off my body.

  Taking advantage of the opening, I quickly rise to my feet and stomp down hard on the disgusting monster, crushing its head beneath my foot.

  I can't help but chuckle at the convenience of Grimm not bleeding.

  The defeated Grimm lies motionless on the ground, its head scattered in pieces. Its physical body quickly transforms into a bck mist that dissipates into the air, signifying its true demise.

  I feel a rush of triumph, knowing that this is just the first of many victories to come. How could anyone call these creatures weak? If I were any weaker, that Grimm would have devoured me in seconds.

  But as I bask in my moment of triumph, my teacher's voice cuts through my reverie. "Don't get distracted!" she shouts from her perch in a nearby tree. "They always travel in groups!"

  Her warning is proven true as more Grimms emerge from the ground, their red eyes locked onto me.

  "Shit..." I mutter under my breath, steeling myself for the next battle.

  Without giving me a moment to count them, the pack of Grimm lunges at me in unison, their intentions clear: to rip me apart.

  But I've learned from my previous encounter. I don't freeze like a statue this time; instead, I jump. As I ascend, I'm surprised to see the Grimm collide with each other in a chaotic frenzy below me.

  But the moment of victory is short-lived as gravity takes hold, pulling me back down towards the fray.

  Thinking quickly, I use gravity to my advantage, bringing all my strength down in a powerful kick at the confused mass of Grimm. Their rge, white heads shatter on impact, and their bodies turn into smoke, vanishing into the air.

  I'm left in shock, wondering how my leg is still intact. It should have been a mangled mess with shattered bones after that fall. Is this the strength of Aura?

  As I take in my surroundings, I see more Grimm closing in on me. But this time, they're not charging recklessly like the previous ones. They're approaching with a more calcuted approach.

  Hesitation got me into trouble. This time I won't let them as I charge towards the group of monsters, ready to take them on.

  Before I get close to their range, I jump again over their heads and nd behind them.

  Without giving them a chance to react, I strike with deadly accuracy. My cws sink into the closest body, tearing through flesh and bone as I twist and wrench at its insides. The other Grimms jump towards me, their mandibles gaping wide. But I am ready for them. With a surge of newfound strength, I lift the impaled body and turn it into a temporary shield.

  My attackers crash and bounce off.

  Knowing my time is limited, I sm the ant onto the ground with a satisfying thud. With a swift movement, I plunge my cw deep into its head, specifically through the eye, putting it out of its misery.

  My attention returns to the remaining Grimm as I raise my weapons, mentally preparing myself for their next move. But my jaw clenches as even more monsters join the fray, their numbers seemingly endless.

  "They just keep coming…" I mutter to myself.

  I know I need to be careful and wait for the Grimm's next move, but my instincts are screaming at me to act. Suddenly, my patience is rewarded as a lone wired bde shoots forward, impaling one of the Grimm on the head and killing it instantly.

  Before I can fully process what has happened, Bke nds gracefully on another Grimm, crushing it in the process. She quickly grabs her weapon and performs a fluid horizontal arc attack, slicing through the air with deadly precision.

  The Grimm around her split in half and colpse on the ground, their bodies dissipating into the bck mist that marks their end. I watch in awe as Bke stands tall and proud, her weapon at the ready and a fierce determination in her eyes.

  "Thanks," I say, my body rexing as I realize the immediate danger has passed. "I thought you wouldn't help me for a second."

  Bke gives me a small smile, her ears flicking in amusement. "I won't make the same mistake twice. Your safety is more important."

  As Bke finishes speaking, her bde transforms into a smaller weapon, its shape shifting before my eyes. With a deft motion, she unleashes a barrage of bullets towards the hole where the ants had been pouring out.

  My mentor continues firing until her entire magazine is empty, the st few rounds piercing through the st remaining Grimm with deadly accuracy. Without missing a beat, she swiftly changes her weapon back to its original form and rushes forward, her body a blur as she slices through everything in her path.

  Reaching the entrance, she immediately jumps back, leaving behind a double made of fire that subsequently explodes, taking everything with it.

  For a moment, everything goes still. The swarm of Grimm is gone, repced by a haze of smoke and ash that hangs in the air. I look over at Bke, who is standing beside me, her body tense and alert.

  "That should take care of them," she says, her voice calm and steady.

  A sense of relief washes over me.

  As the adrenaline rush fades away, I feel the full extent of my exhaustion. I slump down onto the ground and take a moment to catch my breath, my body feeling heavy and leaden.

  Looking up at the sky, I can't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe. The stars twinkle above us, their light a reminder of the vastness of the universe.

  But my reverie is short-lived, as Bke speaks up, pulling me back to the present. "Can you stand up on your own?"

  That's very sweet of her.

  Pushing myself off the ground, I take a few tentative steps, feeling the ache and soreness in my muscles setting in.

  "I think so," I say, trying to sound confident. "But damn, I'm going to be sore tomorrow."

  I take a deep breath in search of fresh air, but as soon as the air enters my lungs, a sharp pain spreads through my chest, causing me to wince and cough uncontrolbly.

  Just how exhausted am I?

  [Congratutions! You have leveled up!]

  Excuse me?