Llandra arrived at the inn lobby first.
Mostly because she hadn't slept.
And because every attempt to fix her hair had been interrupted by… other priorities.
The hangover didn't help.
She wore one of the new dresses she'd bought — light, flowing, summer-cut, highlighting her elven features and sun-bright hair.
Is this a date?
It's not a date.
It feels like a date.
It is absolutely not a date.
She straightened her posture.
Then immediately wished she'd had more time to redo her makeup.
The doors opened.
Jax stepped in.
Not overdressed.
Not flashy.
Just — strong. Clean lines. Functional training clothes that framed a body built for movement.
He smiled when he saw her.
And for one dangerous second, she forgot she was hungover.
"Wow," he said honestly. "You look amazing. I should've warned you — today I was hoping to test some weapons with Brannic. We'll be training a bit. You don't need to change or anything — you can just critique me, tell me how terrible I am, and… look great doing it."
Llandra blinked.
Two compliments.
In under thirty seconds.
From a man who didn't sound like he was trying to win anything.
Her heart betrayed her by fluttering.
She was used to being complemented for her looks. In the guild, or at a bar. But this time - in this moment - It just felt - different. Genuine.
"This is fine," she replied. "I'd be happy to help. I'm… curious to see your skills myself. You did claim to defeat a flame dragon with a single punch, after all."
She half-laughed — half-believed.
He only smiled.
"Shall we?"
They walked through Solmere together.
He stole glances at her.
He didn't pretend he wasn't.
When she caught him, he simply smiled — sheepish and sincere.
"How was your night?" he asked.
A vivid image flashed into her mind.
Nyxian's foot.
In her mouth.
She kept her noble composure - barely.
"It was… adequate. And yours?"
Jax grinned.
"I think I drowned in blankets at some point. Otherwise? Great."
They turned the corner toward the smithy.
Brannic stood outside speaking with another shopkeeper. When he saw Jax, he gave a small nod.
"That's him."
The other man stared.
Jax approached calmly.
"Good morning, Brannic. I was hoping to discuss a proposal."
The dwarf grunted and waved him inside.
"I hear you caused quite a stir at the Neon Moon last night. Some kind of miracle dish, they say."
Jax scratched his cheek.
"Just shared a few ideas. The staff did all the real work."
Llandra caught the lie.
Not deception — humility.
It surprised her more than anything else about him.
"So," Brannic said, folding his arms, "what do ye want?"
"I'm in the market for a weapon," Jax said. "But I don't know which suits me. I'd like to test several — properly — in a controlled space. I'm prepared to compensate you for the trouble."
Brannic snorted. "And how do I know you won't run off with them?"
"I'll leave a deposit of ten thousand gold," Jax replied easily. "And rent the weapons beneath that total. If anything breaks beyond repair, deduct it from the deposit. I'll also pay two hundred gold for your time and maintenance."
Brannic stared at him.
Then laughed.
"A bold offer."
"A fair one," Jax replied.
Llandra said quietly, "He won't steal from you. I trust him."
Brannic studied Jax again.
"…Two hundred and fifty."
"Two twenty," Jax countered gently. "And you come watch."
The dwarf grinned.
"Deal."
The training field lay just beyond the treeline — a yard of dummies, targets, and reinforced posts scarred by years of weapon trials.
Llandra folded her arms.
Jax picked up a bow.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATIONLEARN SKILL — RANGER: ARCHERY?
"Yes."
CONFIRM
He drew.
Released.
A perfect bullseye.
He drew again — farther target.
Another bullseye.
Then three arrows at once.
Three clean centers.
Llandra's jaw parted.
Brannic forgot to blink.
"How long," she whispered, "have you trained with a bow?"
Jax shrugged.
"This is my first time."
He moved on.
A spear.
LEARN SKILL — WARRIOR: SPEAR?
"Yes."
CONFIRM
He flowed through the field like water wrapped in steel - precise, merciless, beautiful.
Dummies split apart.
Wood cracked.
He spun, pivoted, transitioned — effortless.
Hours passed.
He did not tire.
He only… evaluated.
Rejected.
Searched.
Then his gaze fell on the blade in the corner.
A double-bladed sword.
Two edges joined at the hilt.
Brannic stiffened.
"Leave that one. Too many fools've cut themselves tryin'."
Jax lifted it.
It felt right in his hands.
LEARN UNIQUE SKILL — DOUBLE-BLADED LONGSWORD?
"Yes."
CONFIRM
The world changed.
He moved like light and shadow intertwined.
The sword spun around him — deadly orbit — then soared outward, struck three targets, curved like a comet—
—and returned to his palm.
Brannic finally found his voice.
"Where… did you say you found this guy?"
His eyes never left Jax.
Llandra was still in shock — her tone flat, expression distant, thoughts clearly miles away.
"In the forest," she said. "Next to a dead flame dragon. He was washing himself in the lake. He was… naked. I saw everything."
Brannic blinked.
Slowly.
"…What did you just say?"
She didn't even register the question.
"I saw him naked," she continued calmly. "And it was wonderful. I want to say I'm sorry — but I'm also glad it happened."
Brannic reached out and tapped her shoulder.
She snapped back to reality like a string pulled taut.
"Lass," he said dryly, "get your mind out of that man's trousers and repeat the important part."
His brows lowered.
"You found him beside a dead flame dragon?"
He connected the dots aloud.
"The troll's been running 'round town happier than I've ever seen him…rumors of a dragon attack two days ago — scorch marks in the northern woods, trees split like tinder…That dragon. And this man was there."
Llandra swallowed.
"I can't confirm he killed it. Only that he was washing in the lake… covered in dragon blood and entrails."
Brannic shook his head.
"But he's a level one adventurer."
Llandra looked back toward the battlefield — where Jax was still tearing through steel and stone like parchment.
"I know," she whispered. "None of this makes sense."
Her thoughts shifted inward.
He doesn't make sense.
She turned back to Brannic — destruction echoing behind her.
"But tell me… does he move like a level one to you?"
A thunderous crash shook the ground.
Dust erupted skyward in a plume.
Jax's voice rose from the crater.
"I think I found the weapon I want."
The practice field wasn't damaged — it was erased.
Utterly.
Brannic stared at the devastation.
Then at Jax.
"That blade was made for ye," he said softly.
Jax shook his head.
"Half-right. The type is right. But the weapon I need isn't built yet."
His gaze sharpened.
"We're going to need one more important ingredient."
They finalized the contract.
When they stepped outside, Llandra lingered.
She stood close.
Too close for a casual companion.
Not close enough for everything she wanted to ask.
"How," she whispered, "are you able to do the things you do?"
He hesitated.
"The system," he said quietly. "Mine just… works a little differently."
She searched his eyes.
And found something terrifying.
Honesty.
"Jax Darquebane," she said softly, "I think you are the one who works differently."
Her hands rose.
Gently.
Deliberately.
She cupped his cheeks—
—and kissed him.
The world tilted.
Her heart soared.
For a moment she thought she might float.
Then she returned to herself.
Her face flushed scarlet.
"I— I had a wonderful time," she said quickly, then turned and fled.
Her thoughts raced.
Her pulse thundered.
Her lips still tingled.
Nyxian was right, she realized helplessly.
Dinner was now the second-best thing to touch her lips this week.