A young boy with tousled blond hair and bright-blue eyes stood in the center of a small, rustic kitchen, his hands clenched into determined little fists. His father's strong, broad form loomed in front of him, but the boy didn't flinch. Instead, he raised his chin defiantly, his voice loud and clear as he shouted, "I'M GOING TO BE A HUNTSMAN!"

His father sighed, his rough hands rubbing his face as he shook his head. "Jaune, being a huntsman isn't just some game. It's dangerous. You're not ready for that kind of life."

But little Jaune's eyes burned with a fierce resolve. "I am ready! I know it!"

"No, son." His father's voice was gentle but unyielding. "Not yet. Maybe never will"

Hurt flashed across Jaune's face, his expression crumbling as his father's words sank in. He turned on his heel and ran out of the kitchen, ignoring his mother's concerned calls as he bolted out of the door and down the worn path that led to the forest. Tears blurred his vision, his cheeks burning as he ran, the cool forest air doing nothing to soothe the ache in his chest.

Jaune ran until his legs felt heavy, until the trees became a blur around him. He stumbled to a halt near a grassy clearing and sank down, wrapping his arms around his knees as he buried his face in them, his small shoulders trembling.

"Why don't they think I'm ready?" he whispered to himself, choking back a sob. "I just… I just want to help people."

The quiet of the forest settled around him, the gentle rustling of leaves and distant birdsong a stark contrast to the storm of emotions raging inside him. He closed his eyes, focusing on the sounds around him, hoping they might ease the hurt that gnawed at him.

And then, in the quiet, he heard it — a faint sound, a rustle from somewhere nearby. He lifted his head, blinking as he strained his ears, the soft crunch of leaves drawing him to his feet. He took a cautious step forward, brushing away the last traces of his tears as he followed the noise.

Through the trees, he glimpsed movement, a flash of white and gold fur disappearing behind a bush. Intrigued, he crept closer, his steps slow and quiet. Peeking around the foliage, he gasped softly. There, in the clearing, stood a large jackalope, its coat a pristine white and gold, its antlers tipped with a faint, ethereal golden glow. And beside it sat a man.

The man was dressed in armor, but it was rusted, worn, with multi-colored leaves surrounding him like an aura. The sight of him filled Jaune with a sense of awe and curiosity, for he recognized this figure, even if he'd never seen him in real life.

"The Rusted Knight?" Jaune whispered to himself.

The knight turned his head, a gentle smile on his weathered face as he met Jaune's wide-eyed gaze. "Hello there," he greeted, his voice soft and warm. He sounded old and… kind.

Jaune took a hesitant step forward, his eyes never leaving the knight. "I… I know you," he stammered, feeling a strange thrill run through him. "You're the Rusted Knight."

The knight chuckled, his smile deepening. "And I know you, young Jaune Arc."

Jaune's eyes widened. "You know my name?"

"I do," the knight said, nodding as he gestured for Jaune to come closer. "Come, sit by the fire. I was just cooking something." He patted a spot next to him, where the jackalope lay peacefully, its soft golden eyes watching Jaune with a calm curiosity.

Jaune hesitated only a moment before shuffling forward, his gaze darting between the jackalope and the Rusted Knight. He settled down on the ground, his heart pounding with excitement and awe.

"So, Jaune Arc," the knight began, stirring the pot over the small fire, the savory scent of herbs and vegetables filling the air, "why are you out here, alone in the forest? It could be dangerous"

Jaune looked down, his fingers twisting in his lap. "My dad… he said I can't be a huntsman. He says I'm not ready." His voice cracked slightly as he spoke, the frustration and sadness he'd felt earlier bubbling back to the surface.

The Rusted Knight leaned back, regarding him with gentle curiosity. "And why not?"

"Because he doesn't think I'm good enough, will never be," Jaune said, his voice quiet. He stared at the ground, his small hands clenching into fists as he tried to hold back fresh tears. "He thinks I can't handle it, that I'm not strong enough or brave enough."

The knight was silent for a moment, watching Jaune with a thoughtful expression. "And why do you want to be a huntsman, Jaune?" he asked, his tone gentle.

Jaune's face brightened as he looked up, a spark of excitement igniting in his eyes. "Because… because I want to be like you! The Rusted Knight!" He sat up straighter, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "You're a hero! You help people, and you fight monsters! I want to be just like that."

The Rusted Knight chuckled, his eyes warm with understanding. "Is that so? Helping people and fighting monsters does take courage, you know. A lot of courage."

"I have courage!" Jaune said eagerly, his eyes shining with determination. "I'm not scared! Well… maybe a little, but that doesn't matter. I still want to help people."

The knight's smile grew as he looked at Jaune, a glint of approval in his eyes. "I believe you do, Jaune. But sitting out here and moping about not being a huntsman won't change anything, will it? You can't just be a huntsman without working for it."

Jaune's face fell slightly, and he looked down, a flush of embarrassment creeping over his cheeks. "I guess not…"

The Rusted Knight leaned forward, his gaze kind but serious. "Tell me, do you believe you're meant to be a huntsman?"

Jaune hesitated, but then he nodded, his small fists clenching in determination. "Yes. I am."

The knight's expression softened, a warm smile crossing his face. "Then why do you need me, or your father, or anyone else to tell you that?"

Jaune's eyes widened slightly, the question lingering in his mind as he thought about it. No one had ever asked him that before. No one had ever suggested that he might already have the answer.

"Because…" he began slowly, struggling to put his thoughts into words. "I… I thought I had to prove it to everyone else."

The Rusted Knight chuckled, the sound warm and reassuring. "The only person you need to prove it to, Jaune, is yourself." He held Jaune's gaze, his voice filled with a gentle conviction. "Do you think you have what it takes to be a huntsman?"

Jaune's heart swelled with a mixture of pride and excitement as he nodded, the uncertainty and doubt melting away. "Yes, I do!"

The knight's smile broadened. "Then that's all you need. Every huntsman starts with a dream, and every hero starts with a single step." He leaned back against the jackalope, patting the creature's soft fur as it nuzzled him. "But dreams take work. They take courage, and discipline, and a willingness to face failure."

Jaune looked down, the determination in his eyes tempered by a hint of nervousness. "Will… will you train me?"

The Rusted Knight tilted his head, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "You wish for me to train you, hmm?"

Jaune nodded eagerly. "Yes! I want to be a huntsman like you!"

The knight chuckled softly, his gaze softening as he watched the young boy's excitement. "Alright, then. I'll teach you a thing or two. But remember, Jaune, being a huntsman isn't about proving yourself to others. It's about protecting those who need it. It's about kindness, and strength, and a heart that never gives up."

Jaune's face lit up, the firelight dancing in his eyes as he listened intently to the knight's words. He could feel the hope and excitement swelling within him, filling him with a newfound sense of purpose. This was his chance — a chance to prove himself, to follow in the footsteps of a hero!

"Thank you, Rusted Knight!" he said, his voice filled with gratitude and excitement.

The Rusted Knight simply nodded, his gaze warm and approving. "Then let's begin, young man. The first lesson of a huntsman is to learn patience and discipline. Are you ready?"

Jaune sat up straight, his eyes shining with determination. "I'm ready!"

The rusted knight chuckled softly, reaching out to ruffle Jaune's hair. "Good. Then let's see if you're as brave as you say, my squire. Let's go."

"W-where are going? What place?"

"It isn't a place you go, Jaune. It's a place you know."

The Rusted Knight smiled as the multi-colored leaves covered them as they vanished.