The kid—Brian placed a steaming plate of skewered meatballs in front of Jax.

"Enjoy, sir!" He beamed with that innocent, childlike energy before scurrying back toward the kitchen.

Jax grabbed a skewer. The meat was tender, well-seasoned. 'Not bad. Kid's got potential. OH wait his mom does.'

As he chewed, voices drifted from a nearby table. Three dwarves sat huddled close to the kitchen entrance, loud enough for anyone to hear.

"I'm telling you," the first dwarf said, grinning. "I come here specifically for that widow."

Jax's chewing slowed.

"You're obsessed, Grent," the second dwarf laughed.

"Obsessed? Nah. Strategic." Grent leaned back, smug. "See, I heard catfolk go absolutely wild when they're in heat of lust. Uncontrollable. Feral, even. And widows? They're starving for it. All that pent-up loneliness and horniness with no husband around? One moment of weakness, and boom she's grabbing my cock like her life depends on it."

The other two burst into laughter.

Jax's grip tightened on the skewer.

"You're really dedicated to this, huh?" the second dwarf said, wiping tears from his eyes.

"Why wouldn't I be?" the third chimed in. "Look at her. Who'd believe that woman is thirty-five-plus with an eighteen-year-old son? Catfolk age slow as hell. Makes it even better."

"Right?" Grent nodded. "Plus, these beastkin—catfolk, wolfkin, doesn't matter they're dumb as fuck. Takes them years just to scrape together enough brain cells to survive their own stupidity."

The third dwarf snorted. "And she's got it worse. Her kid's got some kind of mental issue on top of the stupid genes. Eighteen years old acting like he's ten. Poor bastard."

They laughed again. Louder. Crueler.

Jax glanced toward the kitchen.

Nyara stood there, frozen mid-motion. Her hands rested on Brian's shoulders as he washed dishes, oblivious to the conversation. Her ears were flat against her head. Her tail hung limp.

But her face...

She smiled.

It wasn't a real smile. It was the smile of someone who'd heard this so many times that pain had calcified into resignation. The smile of a mother shielding her son from a world that mocked them both. The smile that said, I'm used to this. I can take it. Just don't hurt him.

Jax saw all of it.

And something inside him snapped.

Grent turned toward Nyara and whistled. Long, slow, mocking.

"Hey, sweetheart! How about you give us some real service tonight, huh?"

The whistle cut off abruptly.

Grent's mouth hung open. Wide. Frozen in shock.

Blood trickled from the corners of his lips.

Jax stood behind him, the pommel of his sword jammed deep into the dwarf's open mouth. Teeth cracked. Shattered. The force had driven them back into his gums.

Jax yanked the sword free.

Grent collapsed forward, clutching his face, blood pouring through his fingers. His scream came out garbled, wet.

The second dwarf shot to his feet. "What the fuck did you just—do you know who you're messing with?!"

Jax turned slowly, sword still in hand. Blood dripped from the pommel onto the ground.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

He looked at the dwarf. Then, with deliberate calm, he grabbed the dwarf's uniform shirt and wiped the blood off his sword.

The dwarf's face went pale. "You... you just assaulted a guard! We'll have you thrown out of the city! You're done!"

Nyara stepped forward, her voice shaking. "Please, sirs, I'm sure this was just a misunderstanding—"

"Stay out of this, cat," the third dwarf snarled. "This human's about to learn what happens when you cross the guard."

Jax laughed.

It started low. Quiet. Then grew louder. Manic. Unhinged.

The dwarves exchanged nervous glances.

"You?" Jax said, still laughing. "You pests think you can throw me out? A mere guard thinks he can touch someone at the top of the hierarchy?"

The second dwarf sneered, trying to regain confidence. "Top? Look at your clothes, boy. You're a commoner. A nobody."

"Oh, I was a commoner." Jax's grin widened. "Until today. Until I became your superior."

He stepped forward, blade still in hand.

"Allow me to introduce myself properly." His voice dropped, cold and sharp as steel. "I am Professor Jax Rayne. Your new colleague. Your authority."

Silence.

The third dwarf's eyes widened. "Wait. New professor? But that's—"

"Impossible?" Jax tilted his head. "And yet, here I stand. Freshly appointed. Which means every word you just said about her?" He pointed his sword toward Nyara. "Every filthy thing you planned to do? I heard it all. And I'll make sure every single word gets reported."

The second dwarf's bravado cracked. "You're bluffing. There's no way they'd hire some—"

"Gareth," the first dwarf who'd been silent until now grabbed his arm. His voice was tight with fear. "Shut up."

"What?"

"I heard the staff talking earlier. A candidate came in today. Got selected within hours. It's him." He looked at Jax, swallowing hard. "It's really him."

The blood drained from the second dwarf's face.

Jax took another step forward. "Still want to try your luck? Or are you going to crawl back to your post like the roaches you are?"

The first dwarf grabbed Grent still groaning on the floor and hauled him up. "We're leaving."

"But—"

"NOW."

They fled. Fast. Stumbling over each other. Glancing back every few steps as if expecting Jax to chase them down.

Jax sheathed his sword.

Behind him, Nyara stood frozen, Brian clinging to her side. Her hands trembled.

"Thank you, Profe—" She stopped, hesitating. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to assume. You might not actually be—"

"I am." Jax turned to face her. "I'm a professor. And I meant what I said. This isn't over. I'll make sure they pay. Every single one of them."

Nyara's eyes glistened. "You don't have to go that far for me. Really. I'm used to it."

"Well, I'm not." Jax's voice softened slightly. "This is my territory now. And I'm going to carve my name into it while I'm here. Anyone who disrespects what's mine? They'll regret it."

Nyara blinked, surprised. Then, slowly, she smiled. A real one this time. "I hope that name gets carved in a positive way."

Jax smirked. "I can't guarantee that."

They both laughed. The tension broke.

Then Jax sighed, glancing at the sky. "I should get going. I need to find a place to sleep tonight. The academy won't set me up until tomorrow."

He turned to leave or acted to leave as it was going all according to his plan.

He waited for a voice and then it came.

"Wait."

Jax stopped, hiding his grin. 'There it is.'

Nyara stepped forward. "You can stay with us. For the night. As a thank you."

"I couldn't—"

"Please. You helped us. Let us return the favor."

"I'll pay the rent then—"

"Absolutely not."

"Then I can't accept."

Nyara crossed her arms. "Fine but the rent cost will be the amount I say"

Jax pretended to consider it. Then sighed. "Fine."

She sighed too. "Deal."

'Perfect.'

"I'll join you later this evening," Jax said. "I have a few things to take care of first."

Nyara nodded. "Brian, show Uncle Jax where the house is."

Brian perked up. "Okay, Mama!"

Nyara smiled. "Our house is right behind the stall. You can come anytime. We'll be there after six."

Jax waved and walked off.

'Phase one complete. Now to plan phase two.'

[Time Skip: Evening]

Jax spent the afternoon plotting.

Every scenario. Every possible conversation. Every way to manipulate the situation in his favor.

By the time 8 PM rolled around, he was ready.

He knocked on the door.

Brian answered, eyes lighting up. "Uncle Jax!"

Nyara appeared behind him, smiling warmly. "Come in, come in!"

The evening was... wholesome.

They ate together. Laughed. Jax told exaggerated stories about his "training" and "battles." Brian hung on every word, gasping and cheering at all the right moments.

Nyara watched with soft eyes, her tail swaying contentedly.

'She thinks I'm an angel,' Jax thought, smiling back at her. 'If only she knew.'

After dinner, Nyara showed him to the guest room. Small but clean. A bed. A window. Simple.

"If you need anything, just let us know," she said.

"I will. Thank you."

She left, closing the door behind her.

Jax sat on the bed, thinking.

'Now. How do I—'

Knock knock.

The door opened. Brian peeked in, grinning. "Uncle Jax! If you need anything, just call me! I'll come running!"

He mimed running in place, laughing.

Jax stared at him.

Then he smiled.

'The deer just walked into the lion's den.'

"Thanks, Brian. I'll keep that in mind."

Brian waved and stayed at the door for Jax response.

Jax lay back on the bed, pulling the blanket over himself.

'All set.'

He closed his eyes.

"Soul Thief."

A notification appeared in his vision.

[SOUL THIEF ACTIVATED]

[TARGET: UNDEFINED]

[CONFIRM? YES / NO]

'YES'.

His grin widened in the darkness.

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