Llandra arrived at the inn lobby early.
Mostly because she hadn’t slept.
Partially because every attempt to fix her hair had been interrupted by: Bunny stealing blankets Nyxian committing crimes against personal space and Zee apologizing for things that weren’t her fault The lingering hangover didn’t help either.
She adjusted the sleeve of her new dress for the third time.
Light fabric.
Summer cut.
Elegant without trying too hard.
At least, that had been the goal.
This is not a date, she reminded herself firmly.
Absolutely not.
Then why did she spend twenty minutes deciding between earrings?
Llandra immediately hated herself a little.
The inn doors opened.
Jax stepped inside.
And annoyingly— he looked good.
Not overdressed.
Not flashy.
Simple dark training clothes built for movement instead of appearance.
Unfortunately, they suited him perfectly.
His eyes immediately found her.
Then he smiled.
Warm.
Honest.
Dangerously disarming.
“Wow,” he said immediately.
“You look amazing.” Llandra blinked once.
Direct hit.
Jax rubbed the back of his neck.
“I probably should’ve warned you ahead of time though.
I was planning to test weapons with Brannic today.
There’ll probably be training involved.” He gestured vaguely toward her outfit.
“You don’t need to change or anything.
You can just critique me from a safe distance while looking significantly more put together than I am.” Llandra stared at him.
Two compliments.
Less than thirty seconds.
And somehow neither felt rehearsed.
That was the dangerous part.
She was used to compliments.
Men flirted with elves constantly.
Usually badly.
Usually transparently.
But Jax didn’t sound like he was trying to gain anything.
He just… meant it.
“This is fine,” she replied calmly.
Mostly calmly.
“I’m curious to see your abilities myself.” She folded her arms lightly.
“You did claim to kill a flame dragon with a single punch.” Jax smiled slightly.
“I did.” No arrogance.
No boasting.
Just fact.
That somehow made it worse.
“Shall we?” he asked.
Llandra nodded.
Together they walked through the morning streets of Solmere.
The town was already waking.
Shops opening.
Carts rolling.
Children running through narrow roads while merchants prepared for the coming festival crowds.
Jax glanced toward her several times while they walked.
Not sneaky glances.
Just honest ones.
And whenever she caught him— he smiled instead of pretending otherwise.
It was deeply unfair.
“How was your night?” he asked.
A vivid image flashed through Llandra’s mind immediately.
Nyxian’s foot.
Directly against her face.
She maintained her composure through sheer military discipline.
“It was… adequate.” Jax grinned.
“I think I drowned in blankets at some point.” “That sounds tragic.” “It was worth it.” They rounded the final corner toward Brannic’s smithy.
The dwarf stood outside speaking with another shopkeeper when he spotted them approaching.
“That’s him,” Brannic muttered.
The other merchant stared openly at Jax.
Jax approached calmly.
“Morning, Brannic.” The dwarf grunted.
“Mornin’.” “I was hoping to discuss a proposal.” Brannic waved them inside.
“I also hear ye caused chaos at the Neon Moon last night.” Jax looked mildly embarrassed.
“I just helped with dinner.” “The entire town’s talking about it.” Llandra noticed the expression on his face immediately.
Not pride.
Discomfort.
Interesting.
He genuinely didn’t seem to realize how unusual he was.
Inside the smithy, heat rolled through the air while weapons gleamed beneath enchanted lanterns.
Brannic folded his arms.
“So what d’ye want?” “I’m looking for a weapon,” Jax explained.
“But I don’t know what suits me yet.” Brannic grunted.
“Fair enough.” “I’d like to test several properly.
In a controlled environment.” The dwarf narrowed his eyes.
“And how do I know ye won’t walk off with ’em?” Jax answered immediately.
“I’ll leave a ten-thousand-gold deposit.” Brannic blinked.
Jax continued calmly.
“Anything beneath that value can be tested.
If I damage something beyond repair, deduct it from the deposit.” Then he added: “I’ll also pay two hundred gold for your time and maintenance.” Silence.
Then Brannic barked out a laugh.
“A bold offer.” “A fair one.” Llandra spoke quietly beside him.
“He won’t steal from you.” Brannic glanced toward her.
“You trust him already?” Llandra paused.
“…Yes.” The answer surprised even her slightly.
Brannic studied Jax another moment.
“…Two hundred and fifty.” “Two twenty,” Jax countered smoothly.
“And you come watch.” The dwarf grinned immediately.
“Deal.” The training grounds sat beyond the trees behind the smithy.
Old reinforced targets filled the clearing alongside weapon racks scarred by years of testing.
Jax stepped toward the first rack.
Then another system notification appeared.
NEW SKILL AVAILABLE RANGER – ARCHERY Would you like to learn?
Interesting.
The system was adapting again.
“Yes.” CONFIRMED Knowledge settled instantly into place.
Not mastery.
Understanding.
Muscle memory.
Possibility.
Jax picked up the bow.
Drew.
Released.
Bullseye.
Llandra blinked.
Jax fired again.
Farther target.
Another perfect shot.
Then three arrows at once.
Three direct center hits.
Silence filled the training field.
Brannic forgot to blink.
Llandra slowly lowered her arms.
“…How long have you trained with a bow?” Jax glanced toward her.
“This is my first time holding one.” That should not be possible.
Llandra knew it.
Brannic knew it.
And somehow— Jax seemed only mildly surprised himself.
He moved on to the spear next.
NEW SKILL AVAILABLE WARRIOR – SPEAR “Yes.” The weapon spun through his hands instantly.
Fluid.
Efficient.
Like combat itself made sense to him faster than it should.
Wooden dummies shattered apart beneath precise strikes.
He flowed between attacks effortlessly.
No wasted motion.
No hesitation.
Hours passed.
Jax never tired.
Never slowed.
He simply tested.
Learned.
Adapted.
Rejected.
Searching.
Then his gaze settled on the final weapon resting alone near the corner rack.
A double-bladed longsword.
Brannic stiffened immediately.
“Leave that one.” Jax looked toward him.
“Why?” “Because every idiot who picks it up cuts themselves open within seconds.” Jax stepped toward it anyway.
Then wrapped his hand around the hilt.
And immediately— it felt right.
NEW UNIQUE SKILL AVAILABLE DOUBLE-BLADED LONGSWORD Would you like to learn?
Jax smiled slightly.
“Yes.” The world shifted.
Movement flooded through him.
Balance.
Rotation.
Flow.
The blade spun around him like orbiting steel.
Fast.
Beautiful.
Terrifying.
He launched the sword outward.
It curved through three targets in a single arc— then returned directly into his waiting hand.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Brannic finally found his voice first.
“…Where exactly did ye find this lunatic?” Llandra answered automatically.
“In the forest.” Her eyes remained fixed on Jax.
“Beside a dead flame dragon.” Brannic slowly looked toward her.
“He was washing himself in the lake,” Llandra continued absently.
“Covered in blood and dragon entrails.” Then her brain betrayed her completely.
“He was also naked.” Brannic blinked.
Slowly.
Llandra kept going.
“And honestly it was—” She stopped.
Horror flooded her face.
Brannic stared at her.
“…Lass.” Llandra turned bright red instantly.
“I hate everything.” The dwarf snorted loudly.
“Get yer mind outta the man’s trousers fer five seconds.” Llandra covered her face.
Meanwhile, Brannic slowly looked back toward Jax— who was currently annihilating reinforced targets like they personally offended him.
“…He’s level one.” “I know,” Llandra whispered.
Nothing about this made sense.
The skill acquisition.
The combat adaptation.
The physical ability.
The confidence.
None of it fit together.
Jax launched the sword again.
BOOM.
The ground shook violently.
Dust erupted skyward.
When it settled— half the training field was gone.
Not damaged.
Gone.
Jax stood in the crater looking mildly impressed.
“…Okay,” he admitted.
“I think this might be the one.” Brannic stared at the destruction.
Then slowly nodded.
“That blade chose ye.” Jax looked down at the weapon thoughtfully.
“Half right.” He spun the sword once more before resting it across his shoulder.
“The style feels right.” His eyes sharpened slightly.
“But the real weapon I need hasn’t been made yet.” Brannic’s expression shifted.
“A custom commission?” Jax smiled.
“And we’re going to need one very important ingredient.” The dwarf immediately understood.
Flame dragon.
The realization hit him all at once.
The dragon.
The rumors.
The troll suddenly becoming absurdly wealthy overnight.
The scorch marks north of town.
Brannic slowly looked toward Jax again.
“…Sweet forgefire.” Eventually they finalized terms and started back toward town.
Llandra lingered beside him quietly.
Closer than normal.
Close enough to feel dangerous.
“How,” she asked softly, “are you able to do these things?” Jax hesitated.
Then answered honestly.
“My system.” She looked toward him.
“It works differently.” Llandra searched his face carefully.
And found the thing that scared her most.
He meant it.
No lies.
No manipulation.
Just truth.
“Jax Darquebane,” she whispered softly.
“I think YOU are what works differently.” Before she could lose her nerve— she stepped closer.
Raised both hands gently.
And kissed him.
The world tilted sideways.
Warmth flooded her chest instantly.
For one impossible moment— everything felt weightless.
Then reality returned all at once.
Llandra stumbled backward.
Her face turned scarlet.
“I—” Words failed catastrophically.
“I had a wonderful time.” Then she fled.
Immediately.
Dignity abandoned somewhere behind her.
Jax stood there stunned.
Watching her disappear down the road.
Then slowly touched his lips.
“…Huh.” Meanwhile, halfway across Solmere— Llandra buried her face in both hands while walking.
Nyxian was right.
Dinner had officially become the second-best thing to touch her lips that week.