Jax sat in the carriage.

His mind drifted back. To the night he could never forget.

After claiming her completely, after showing her he was now hers like totally, irrevocably hers—they had wrapped around each other in the darkness.

Her warmth against his chest.

His arms locked around her waist.

In that silence, they could feel it. The future. The heaven that awaited them in each other's arms. A peace neither had known before.

The morning had come too soon. Adelina had woken him gently, earlier than he would have liked.

Not forcefully pushing him out, but with soft words and a tender kiss.

She explained that soon either the healer would arrive, or Seris, or later her son.

It would be too complicated to explain things. Too many questions. Too much scandal.

She wanted to hide their relationship for now.

Until they became one. Until it was official.

Jax understood. He wanted the same.

So he followed her request with one last kiss, gathered his scattered clothes—shirt, underwear, trousers—dressed quickly, checked outside the door to ensure no one was there and dashed to his provided room like a thief escaping the scene of a crime.

Then,

Breakfast had been strange.

No one spoke except Adelina and her son.

And of course, their conversation was utterly boring. All Nonsense talk . The kind of mundane chatter that made Jax want to stab his ears.

Seris sat in silence. She didn't even give him a single glance. Not one.

Astrid was different. He had caught her staring at him. The moment their eyes met, she panicked.

Choked on her food. Coughed violently. Grabbed water. Coughed more. Turned red. Avoided his gaze for the rest of the meal.

Seris' aunt wasn't present. She was busy preparing for their departure to the academy.

And thus, Jax found himself in this carriage now. Tagging along with Seris and Astrid.

He glanced at Seris.

The realization hit him again.

Soon, he would become her stepfather. He wasn't even sure if she was younger or older than him. Probably around the same age. Maybe younger by a month or two.

But the bond was already made. Adelina was his. Which meant Seris was now... his responsibility.

His fatherly side kicked in.

And his dumb mouth was forced to speak.

"Seris."

His voice was cold. Distant.

She looked at him. Then her expression became even colder. Surpassing his coldness by miles.

"What?"

"How's your life in the academy?"

She frowned. "What does that mean?"

"I mean... are you okay there?"

"Of course." Her eyes narrowed. "Why would—"

He cut her off.

"Does anyone bully you? Does anyone trouble you?"

His voice had shifted. From cold to something else. Something that almost sounded like... care.

Seris processed the question for a full minute.

First, she tried to understand what was happening. Why was he being considerate? Why did he suddenly care about her wellbeing?

Then she forgot that part entirely.

A mischievous glint entered her eyes.

"Umm..." She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "There is one person who gives me a lot of trouble."

Jax's attention sharpened.

"Seriously, he's really annoying."

Veins popped on Jax's forehead.

"Who the fuck is he?"

His voice turned angry. Protective.

"No, wait. I'm pretty sure it's that dragon boy. The one I punished on my very first day. Drago... Whatever. He looks like trouble."

His fists clenched.

"I'm gonna cut his horns off tomorrow."

Seris blinked. Confused by this new side of him.

"Wait, no. Why would Draven do that to me?"

Jax was still fuming.

"Then it has to be those evil dwarves. Those dick-sized pests."

His eyes burned with murderous intent.

"I'll slaughter them in class itself. I can form some excuse. Self-defense training gone wrong. Accident during demonstration. Something."

Both Seris and Astrid's jaws dropped.

Jax was completely serious. There was no hint of acting. No trace of humor.

If this was a performance, then he deserved every award in existence.

Seris finally spoke.

"No. They're not the ones either."

Jax moved toward her. Grabbed her shoulders. Shook her slightly.

"Then who? Tell me. Who's troubling my—"

He caught himself.

"Who's troubling you?"

Seris suppressed a smile.

"Umm... he's the same age as me. Thinks very highly of himself. A total bastard."

She paused dramatically.

"One I hate the most. A pervert too."

Jax's grip tightened on her shoulders.

"And?"

Seris pretended to think harder.

"Oh! You may surely know him. He's just like you actually. A professor. Would be around the same age as you too."

Jax's eye twitched.

He knew exactly where this was going.

She had been mocking him from the very start.

Meanwhile, from Astrid's side—

"BAHAHAHA!"

A burst of laughter exploded.

Astrid had been clueless at first. Watching the exchange with confusion. But now? Now she had completely lost it.

She was laughing so hard she couldn't breathe. Tears forming at the corners of her eyes. Her body doubled over. Hands slapping her thighs repeatedly.

"He—he actually—BAHAHAHA!"

She kicked her legs against the carriage floor like a child throwing a tantrum of joy.

"The horns of that professor is gone now! BAHAHAHA!"

"Professor Jax is gonna murder him tomorrow Seris! Girl well done!"

Another fit of hysterical laughter consumed her.

She was completely gone. Lost to the comedy of the moment.

Then her eyes met his.

Jax's gaze was burning. Fury radiating from every pore.

In a split second, her mood changed.

The laughter died in her throat.

She went completely still. Hands gripping her skirt tightly. Eyes dropping to the floor.

'Why am I scared of him?'

The thought echoed in her mind.

'I should tell my father about this. He'll punish this bastard. He'll—'

She slowly raised her head.

Expecting to meet that angry gaze again. Planning to avoid eye contact if possible.

But instead, she saw something unbelievable.

A smile.

On Jax's face.

Genuine. Warm. Almost...Brotherly.

He turned to Seris.

"Oh, you mean that professor?"

His voice was calm now.

"Well, you can leave him be. He's a genuine guy. A kind one at that."

He paused.

"And maybe... he cares about you more than you realize. Maybe everything he does, even the annoying parts, comes from a place of wanting to see you grow. Become stronger. Become someone even your mother would be proud of."

Seris stared at him.

'What the hell?'

He continued.

"And he's the only one who can bully you in the whole world."

His smile turned slightly mischievous.

"Apart from him, no one else has the right. Anyone who tries will answer to me."

Jaws dropped.

Astrid was certain now. Absolutely certain.

'He's possessed. Someone has taken over his body. There's no other explanation.'

Meanwhile, Seris's mind was racing.

'This has to be related to Mother. Did she tell him to care for me? Did she ask him to act like this?'

But that didn't explain everything.

'Why is he doing this? Why is he so overprotective to my mom? And why... why does it feel genuine?'

She couldn't figure it out.

--- --- ---

Several hours passed.

Jax stood outside his mansion in the academy grounds.

The travel had been boring. Silence dominated the carriage after his little speech.

But that silence was perfect for him. Perfect for plotting his moves.

Strategizing how to become stronger. How to gain favor with the academy. How to find and eliminate the hidden champions.

After arriving, they did the usual teleportation to the floating island.

Now he was home. His temporary home, at least.

He pushed open the door.

And the first thing he saw—

His manservant.

Wearing a vest. And shorts.

His hairy chest fully visible. Tufts of dark hair peeking out from every direction. His armpits? A jungle. An absolute wilderness that would make explorers weep.

Jax's face contorted in disgust.

He spitted on the ground.

"You ruined all my mood."

The servant looked confused.

"Master? I apologize, but just a few seconds ago I received this letter from the academy. That's why I was here at the entrance."

He extended a rolled parchment.

Jax took it from him. Giving him one last disgusted stare.

He unscrolled the letter and read.

Professor No. 106,

You are kindly requested to appear at the Academy Auditorium for an assignment of students before 10 AM.

You are requested to bring your belongings as the assignment can last up to 10 days maximum.

As you are aware of the recent conflict with the otherworldly beings, our Academy has decided to accept quests from various kingdoms and their guilds, specifically those we find suspicious with unknown powers involved.

The assignment is not only to address these threats but also to prepare students for real combat, make them stronger, and provide valuable field experience.

Therefore, proper management and utilization of your assigned students will be expected and evaluated.

This letter contains the authorization pass for you and your assigned co-professor. Student assignments will be revealed tomorrow.

Jax turned the letter over.

A verification document was attached. Official seals. Kingdom emblems. Everything needed to enter restricted territories and verify their status as academy-sanctioned operatives.

His eyes scanned the names.

Lead Professor: Jax

Assigned Co-Professor: Roxana

Students: [Empty] [Empty] [Empty] [Empty]

Four blank spots.

'Why do these stupid things always happen when I decide to lock in and focus?'

He sighed.

Then a thought struck him.

'Wait. I can just dump everything on Roxana. She handles the students. I handle my own bussiness. Perfect division of labor.'

He looked at the servant.

"Where's Roxana?"

The servant bowed slightly.

"Lady Roxana has taken leave for another week, Master. Family matters in Meridax, I believe."

Jax's mind went blank.

The letter crumpled slightly in his grip.

His eyes stared at the ceiling.

And from his lips came a single word.

"Fuck."

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