Jax needed to deflect.

Fast.

"That?" He touched his neck casually. Averted his eyes from Seraphina's curious gaze. "That was a horde of mosquito bites. You know how they swarm at night."

Seraphina tilted her head. A confused smile played on her lips.

"Is that so?"

Her tone suggested she didn't believe a single word.

'She's a sharp one,' Jax thought. 'Time to change the topic.'

"By the way, Seraphina." He clasped his hands behind his back as they walked. "Why do you like me? I mean, there are very-very few who don't hate me. Maybe you're one of only two students who actually likes me as a teacher."

Seraphina considered the question seriously.

"Professor, I don't see anything hateable about you."

Jax raised an eyebrow.

"You're a nice guy. Entertaining most of the time. And most importantly, fearless."

She glanced at him.

"I've seen it many times in the academy. And not to forget how you were joking during your worst moment in front of Aeliana's father. The King of the Elven Domain himself."

Jax frowned.

"Joke? Was I joking?" He scratched his chin thoughtfully.

"Now that I recall... there wasn't any joke."

Seraphina laughed softly. A genuine, melodic sound.

"See? I hope you understand what I mean now."

They continued walking. The academy gates came into view. Students bustled about, heading to their morning classes.

As they stepped onto academy grounds, Seraphina's expression shifted. She looked down at the stone pathway beneath their feet.

"I'm sorry, Professor."

Jax glanced at her.

"I forgot to ask if you were okay. After that incident..."

Her voice wavered. "I was really broken. I thought I lost you. Both of you."

She meant Astrid too.

"I was cursing myself. Telling myself I wasn't strong enough to protect you. That I should have been there."

Her hands clenched at her sides.

"The days were hell for me. Until I heard the news that you survived, that you will be back to teach."

Jax placed a hand on her shoulder. Firm. Reassuring.

"Don't feel so small. Besides, look at me."

He spread his arms wide.

"Completely fine. And honestly? That demon realm was really fun. I should thank that demon for throwing me there."

He grinned. "I swear."

Seraphina looked at him with disbelief. Then smiled.

"You really are different, Professor."

She straightened her posture. "But again, welcome back."

Jax sighed dramatically.

"Ahh, the same profession. Handling arrogant students. The same everyday life of humiliating one person or another."

He stretched his arms above his head.

"Walking into a room with no preparation. No idea what to teach. Then looking for some ego-inflated fool and teaching them a lesson that eats up the entire lecture time."

Seraphina's eyes widened slightly.

"You're being too friendly here, Professor. You just shared the most important secret of your success."

Her voice carried a hint of teasing. "What if I tell the Headmistress about this?"

Jax smiled. That vicious, predatory smile.

"You can tell that gloomy monster whatever you want. She can't do a thing to me."

Seraphina saw the confidence radiating from him. The absolute certainty.

"And that's what I enjoy most," Jax continued. "Sitting at the top while having no authority to kick out your underling that's the most humiliating thing. Having no power over your underlings while they humiliate you back."

He chuckled darkly.

"That's the most satisfying feeling. In fact, I WANT you to tell her. It would make things more fun."

Seraphina could only sigh at his audacity.

Then Jax murmured something under his breath.

"I'll humble that dragon bastard for taking my student away. Today's theory lecture will be perfect."

Seraphina's ears perked up. She caught every word.

And immediately understood who he meant.

"Professor," she said carefully, "I'm afraid you won't be able to humble him in theory lecture."

Jax's eyes widened slightly. She knew?

He quickly maintained his composure. "Why so?"

"I knew you wouldn't remember your own schedule." She smiled apologetically. "Our first class is always combined practical session on this day."

Jax hissed internally.

But then a smile spread across his face. Wider than before.

Seraphina caught the expression change. Worry crept into her chest.

"Professor... may I ask what you're planning now?"

"Nothing." His voice was far too innocent. "Just thanking god for aligning everything perfectly for me."

He looked up at the sky.

"Last night..."

He caught himself.

"I mean, last night's food was great. Then having this conversation with you. Learning about the problem. And now that I've found a solution, the setup has already been created for me."

Seraphina frowned. "I don't understand."

Jax patted her shoulder.

"You don't have to worry about it. Just pray that Zharina won't be absent today."

Then a thought struck him.

Panic flashed across his face.

"Wait. Where is your brother? Don't tell me he's absent!"

Seraphina blinked at his sudden concern.

"He usually walks with me, but on practical days, he arrives early."

Jax exhaled with relief. "That's good to hear. But why only on practical days?"

Seraphina hesitated. Her cheeks flushed pink.

"Because... he likes Professor Zharina."

Silence.

Jax stared at her.

Processing.

Computing.

Rebooting.

Then he burst out laughing.

"BAHAHAHA!"

His laughter was manic. Uncontrolled. Echoing across the academy grounds.

"What did you say?! HAHA!"

Students turned to stare.

"LOVE?! That bastard LOVES?! HAHAHAHA!"

He clutched his stomach. "That ferocious dragon! BAHAHA!"

Tears formed at the corners of his eyes.

"What news! Student and teacher love affair! Dragon prince and dragon whore—"

He caught himself.

"—I mean, dragon's wholesome moments! HAHA!"

He wiped his eyes.

"I wonder how he'll feel when he finds out I was the one who got the chance to do the honours first."

Seraphina didn't catch that last part. She was too busy scanning their surroundings. Every single person in the vicinity was staring at them.

"Shhh, Professor!" She tugged at his sleeve. "Many eyes are on us!"

Jax patted her shoulder affectionately.

"You just made my day, Seraph."

The nickname slipped out naturally.

"I haven't laughed like this in a very long time."

Then he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Pulled her close like they were old friends.

"Let's go bestow our blessings on them."

Seraphina's face went blushy. The weight of his arm. The closeness. The jaw-dropped expressions of every student watching them.

This was beyond embarrassing.

"Professor, please be gentle with my brother." Her voice was pleading. "He's not—"

"Oh, that I can't promise." Jax's grin was merciless.

"I'm never gentle with my loved ones. And he's FAR from that category."

Her concern multiplied.

"I trusted you, Professor. I haven't told this secret to anyone."

She lowered her voice.

"Also, it's a one-sided love. Please don't—"

Before she could plead further, Jax cut in.

"Don't worry, Seraph. I'll keep my mouth shut about this matter. You can count on me for the secret."

His words said one thing.

His face said another entirely.

She could feel the mischief radiating from every pore of his being. Regret flooded through her for ever opening up.

Jax added casually, "And about the one-sided love part? Even a complete idiot would figure that out."

He shrugged.

"I mean, who would believe Zharina is capable of something like love for others? Your brother is just being delusional."

His smile turned predatory.

"And that's why I'm happy. Because I'll use this today to make you mine."

Seraphina's brain short-circuited.

Her face exploded into red. Her jaw dropped.

"WHAT?!"

Several students nearby nearly tripped over their own feet.

Jax waved dismissively.

"I mean make you join my team. Without any complications."

She was confused. Flustered. Terrified.

But she knew with absolute certainty that whatever was coming next would not be good.

After all these talks, they finally reached the backyard reserved for practical training.

Jax's eyes immediately found his targets.

His tools for the day.

Zharina and Draven.

Zharina was in the middle of teaching. A demonstration for Draven and one female dragon student. Martial techniques incorporating tail movements. Sweeping strikes. Defensive coils. Powerful whips.

Jax's gaze shifted to Draven.

That determined face. The focus in his eyes.

But beneath the surface? Jax could see it now.

Lust. Or love. Or admiration. Whatever you wanted to call it.

Draven was staring at Zharina. At her every move. Her form. Her body.

'Damn it,' Jax thought. 'How did I miss this absurd detail before?'

His number one arrogant student had a crush.

On a woman Jax had already marked with his cum.

A really dark thought crawled into his mind.

'What if I made her pregnant?' The possibility lingered.

'And what if, by some slight chance, they eventually get married?'

The scenario built itself.

'And then, just a moment after the wedding, a boy comes out from her womb.'

He pictured it clearly.

'A human boy. Same appearance as me. Same face. Same smirk.'

'And upon arrival into this world, his first action would be showing two middle fingers directly at Draven.'

Jax's lips curled into the most satisfied smile of his entire life.

'That would be absolute cinema.'

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