Relic of the Future: Chapter 32

Qrow and Jaune stood in the ring, facing one another, hands on their weapons which they had kept sheathed at their sides. Glynda was there, setting down the rules, and Summer knew she didn't miss the way Glynda glared at them both, fully aware that these `mature adults` might stretch the boundary of what was allowed if she let them.

I really hope they don't hurt one another…

"Begin!"

Qrow was moving before Glynda finished the "-gin". His weapon came out, scything down onto Jaune's shoulder. Or it would have, had he not tore his sword free in one motion, catching Qrow's weapon on the scabbard, almost like he was wielding two swords at once. With a push, he forced Qrow's hands up and thrust under, exposing his opponent's midriff. A lesser person might have been caught off-guard, but this was probing from both of them. Qrow lazily dodged back and flicked his blade out, forcing Jaune to disengage.

To the students, the exchange lasted but a few seconds and must have looked impossibly fast and brutal. But to her, to Taiyang and the other people here who had been fighting for longer, it spoke of a warm up. Each of them was testing the other, getting a feel for their speed and reactions, for how much they could afford to attack without leaving themselves open.

—Relic of the Future: Chapter 32