Nine full days had passed since Jax and Astrid stepped through that void gate.

The first seven were spent traveling toward Sylvie's kingdom. It wasn't the closest destination, but it was infinitely better than seeking help from some dragon kingdom where neither of them had any connections or allies.

Seven days with the usually talkative Astrid who wasn't showing the energy.

Seven days where they barely exchanged more than a single line of conversation.

They camped when exhaustion demanded it. Ate in complete silence. Survived on the provisions Nerith had lovingly prepared for their journey.

The only time they uttered a word properly was when they encountered beasts or bandits along the way. And by "word," it meant they both unleashed their pent-up frustration on whatever poor creature crossed their path.

The beasts were merely victims of their anger. Innocent creatures that happened to exist in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Jax went on an absolute rampage. Over a hundred beasts fell to his blade during those seven days. Each kill was therapeutic. Each death a way to process the complicated emotions swirling inside him.

It was during one of these bloody sessions, while staring at his status screen covered in monster blood, that Jax realized something important.

He had completely forgotten.

The devotion points. He had accumulated more than enough during his intense night with Nerith. More than enough to purchase his new affinity.

And so he did. Right there, surrounded by beast corpses, he made the purchase.

After the havoc they wreaked across the wilderness, both of them finally reached Sylvie's kingdom. The queen welcomed them personally, though suspicion danced in her eyes when she saw them arrive together.

A man and a woman. Traveling alone. For days.

But when they revealed the bare minimum of details, that they had been teleported to the demon realm and somehow managed to escape, Sylvie understood immediately. She read the tension between them. The silence. The careful distance they maintained.

Whatever had happened, it wasn't romantic.

She offered them shelter for the night. In the morning, she arranged their departure toward the academy.

And so, after nine full days, they finally arrived back at the Academy.

The moment Astrid stepped through the gates, guards surrounded her immediately. Apparently, rumors of her disappearance had spread. The daughter of the richest noble vanishing during a mission was significant news.

Soldiers began escorting her toward her family mansion.

But then a hand grabbed hers.

Jax's hand.

"We need to talk."

Astrid looked down at his grip with pure anger. Then up at his face.

"For what?"

"For many things that happened."

She considered pulling away. Considered ignoring him entirely. But something in his tone suggested this was important.

She turned to the confused soldiers. "Tell father I have arrived and will meet him shortly."

They hesitated, unsure whether to follow orders or wait.

Astrid moved first. Walking with purpose. Every step radiating ego and arrogance. She found a spot beside a large tree, away from prying eyes and ears.

Then she turned to face him.

Arms crossed. Chin raised. The posture of royalty addressing a peasant.

"Speak."

Jax suppressed the urge to strangle her.

"Oh, my princess. Look, I need a favor from you."

"Don't butter me. Get to the point. I have a lot of work today."

Jax opened his mouth to continue.

Then his sight caught something.

Someone.

Nyara.

She was serving a dish to a customer at her outdoor stall. Business as usual.

Then her eyes met Jax's.

The dish slipped from her hands.

Crashed onto the customer below.

Curry and rice splattered across his expensive clothing.

But Nyara didn't care. Didn't even notice.

She was already walking. Fast. Almost running toward Jax.

Astrid frowned at his sudden silence. Followed his gaze. Saw the owner of that food stall she used to eat at. Sometimes as punishment for her own failures.

Behind Nyara, a man was slowly rising from his seat. Chasing after her. Hissing at his ruined clothes. Curry dripping down his chest.

When Nyara reached Jax, she grabbed his hand immediately. Squeezed it. As if confirming he was real and not a ghost.

Astrid could see the emotion flooding the cat-woman's face. Eyes glistening with tears barely held back. Expression speaking pure joy despite the moisture threatening to fall.

"Professor, I thought..."

Her voice cracked.

"I believed those rumors. It was really hard for me. For both me and Brian."

She squeezed his hand tighter.

"The students were saying you died fighting demons."

Astrid watched the scene with growing confusion.

Someone actually cared about this bastard? Someone besides insane people like Nerith or Adelina?

Or maybe...

She looked at Jax with disgust.

Maybe this was another target on his lust list.

But as she observed their interaction, she noticed something. The way he spoke to Nyara. Properly. Gently. With genuine care in his voice.

He wasn't teasing her.

Wasn't mocking her.

Wasn't treating her like garbage.

The realization hit Astrid like a punch to the gut.

He had lied. Back in that demon realm. When he said he did care about her. When he claimed his teasing his mockery was just a way to show his likeness, it was all a lie.

And she realized one thing,

He DID care about people. Just not her.

Teasing would be a small word for what he did to her specifically.

All those conversations in the cave replayed in her mind. His words. His actions. His cruelty disguised as humor.

She pouted internally.

'Astrid, he's just a scumbag. Don't think too much about it.'

Then Nyara's eyes found her.

"Lady Astrid! I'm glad you're safe as well."

Astrid's expression soured.

"Oh, NOW you notice me? You know who's the more important figure here, right? Even for YOUR business."

Nyara simply smiled. Expertly dodging the loaded question.

Astrid clicked her tongue.

"You might be hungry," Nyara offered warmly. "Why not eat at my—"

She didn't finish the sentence.

Because Jax was no longer looking at her.

His attention had shifted. His eyes locked onto something behind Nyara. His hand moved to his sword.

Then he was gone.

Charging past her.

Nyara spun around in confusion. Then saw him. The trader she had been serving. The one whose clothes she had ruined.

She had completely forgotten about him in her excitement.

The man's hand was reaching for her. Anger contorting his face. Ready to grab her. Scold her. Maybe worse.

But before his fingers could touch her, Jax's blade sang through the air.

The trader's eyes went wide with terror. He squeezed them shut instinctively.

When he opened them again, he looked down.

The curry-stained section of his shirt was gone. A perfect cut. Clean as a surgeon's incision. Along with several of his chest hairs.

His torso was completely exposed in that one specific spot.

He looked up at Jax with a face drained of all color.

Jax was already sheathing his sword.

"It's cleaned now."

His voice was casual. Almost friendly.

"Go back. Before I make you eat the delicious food you just let fall."

The trader gulped.

Then ran.

Jax's expression shifted in a split second. From cold killer to genuine warmth.

He turned to Nyara with a bright smile.

"So! What have you made for me today? Look, I'm starving!"

He gestured dramatically to his stomach.

Astrid stared at the display of complete insanity.

But she wasn't shocked anymore. Wasn't bothered.

She was used to it now.

"Don't forget, Professor." Her voice was sharp. "We're here to discuss important things."

Jax was already walking toward Nyara's stall. Completely unbothered.

"Oh, come on. We can discuss while eating too."

She clicked her tongue in frustration.

'He's acting like I'M the one who needs HIS help. Fuck him.'

But she followed anyway.

"I'm coming. But I won't eat anything."

"Don't change your mind after getting attracted to my food. I won't be sharing any."

She hissed.

Some time later, Nyara placed two steaming pots of food before them.

Astrid stared at the portion in front of her.

"I said I didn't need this."

Nyara smiled gently. "It's a treat from my side."

"As if I need a freebie." Astrid's voice dripped with arrogance. "I can buy your stall. No, I can buy the whole damn market if I—"

CHOP.

Jax's hand connected with the top of her head.

She glared at him. His eyes said one word clearly.

'Behave.'

She went silent.

Not from fear. Never from fear with him which was of course a lie she kept telling to herself.

But she stopped talking regardless.

Jax turned to Nyara with a warm expression.

"Thank you, Nyara. It smells amazing as always. I really missed your cooking. Feels like centuries since I've had proper food. I was craving this the entire journey."

Astrid nearly gagged at the cringe.

Nyara's smile widened. "Enjoy the food. I'll leave you two for that important discussion you mentioned."

She departed gracefully.

Jax immediately began slurping. Loudly. Enthusiastically.

Astrid watched him with barely contained disgust.

"Tell me now."

Jax swallowed a mouthful before responding.

"See? I'm more popular than you." A complete opposite response.

She blinked. "What?"

"About the return and joy of people and it isn't something like loyalty. Or fear which you witnessed from those soldiers." He gestured around them. "It's called genuine care."

Then in next moment students walking nearby began gossiping. Loud enough to overhear.

"Did you hear? That arrogant professor is dead."

"Yup! That bastard deserved it."

"Dude, my whole perspective on demons has changed. They're like messiahs now."

"Right? A demon taking down another human demon. Crazy tale, man."

Astrid's face split into a wide grin.

She opened her mouth to mock him mercilessly.

But Jax spoke first.

"See, my disciple?"

His voice was proud. Satisfied.

"I am the ONLY talk of the entire academy."

Astrid nearly choked on her own spit.

Before she could explode with indignation, Jax leaned forward on the table. His eyes scanning the gossiping students.

"I've seen those guys before. Are they from my class?"

He turned to Astrid with a pleasant smile.

"Remind me of their names. So they can experience a walking hell in the next lecture."

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