Chapter 223: 50 Shades of Jax

Roxana was totally petrified. She had no idea what was happening right now.

This shit wasn’t making any sense. A man who once threatened to demolish the entire mansion just because someone took his preferred room was now sleeping on a sofa with his feet hanging off the edge like some homeless vagrant.

She cursed herself for getting drunk last night and missing whatever legendary event had transpired.

Elira tilted her head. "Professor, why are you acting so weird today?"

Roxana composed herself and turned to face her. "Live with this man for a single day and you will discover the fifty shades of Jax. Each one worse than the last."

She coughed lightly to clear her throat. "By the way, can you at least tell me what’s going on? What kind of conversation made his pride get defeated like this?"

Elira shook her head. "That I cannot say. It’s between the two of us."

Then her brow furrowed slightly. "And what do you mean by him being defeated? Our conversation was where I was defeated. In the worst way imaginable."

Roxana processed those words for several seconds. Then her eyes lit up with sudden understanding.

"I get it now. You used some manipulation trick on him, didn’t you?"

Elira pinched the bridge of her nose. "Snap out of it. You’re just making things worse than they actually are."

Roxana gave her a dead glare. "Fine. If you aren’t telling me, then I’m waking him up myself."

Her first step toward the sofa was filled with confidence. But that confidence began fading with each subsequent step.

By the time she reached his sleeping form, her hand was hesitating to even reach out for him.

She gulped.

With the last scraps of her courage, her trembling fingers moved forward. Barely a few inches away from his shoulder.

But before contact was made, Jax’s hand shot up in his sleep and slapped hers away with surprising force.

"Don’t you dare touch me."

Both girls froze in shock.

Then Jax mumbled again, still completely unconscious. "Rudiger, know your place. If you ever lay a finger on me again, I will cut off your hands."

A pause.

"And also whatever equipment you have dangling between those legs."

Another pause. His voice dropped to a sleepy growl.

"I don’t swing that way, old man. My tower only rises for castles, not dungeons."

Both girls stared at him in stunned silence. Then slowly, smiles crept onto their faces.

Roxana recovered first. She turned to Elira with renewed determination. "Alright, now it’s your turn. Wake him up."

Elira stepped back immediately. "And why would I do that? Didn’t you just witness it yourself? Even while asleep, he was able to sense someone approaching."

"And that’s exactly why I’m telling you to do it." Roxana cut her off before she could protest further.

"He’s absolutely insane. We don’t exactly share a good relationship. And god only knows what kind of mood he’ll wake up in."

She placed her hands on her hips. "It’s better if you take the initiative. I’m fairly certain he actually likes you. That’s why he let you sleep in the room while he threw himself on this miserable sofa like some chivalrous gentleman which is quite opposite from what I know."

Elira’s cheeks flushed pink. "What are you even saying, Professor? Just stop with your nonsense already."

Roxana’s eyes sparkled with mischief. She leaned closer with a teasing grin. "Look at you, dear. You’re blushing. Looks like some real shit happened between you two last night after all."

Elira clicked her tongue in irritation. "One more word and I will make sure the next one never leaves your mouth."

In the middle of this heated exchange, a groggy voice interrupted them.

"What’s with all this ruckus early in the morning?"

Both women went completely stiff as they watched Jax’s head slowly rise from the sofa like a creature emerging from its lair.

Roxana leaned toward Elira and whispered with genuine fear in her voice. "Why do you look so terrified?"

Elira whispered back. "I don’t know."

Roxana allowed herself a small smile despite her own nerves. "First time, huh? Don’t worry. You’ll get used to it eventually."

Jax stretched his arms above his head with a series of satisfying cracks. "Where is Rudiger? I need coffee."

Roxana answered carefully. "Looks like he’s running late today."

Then after a brief pause, a dangerous smile crossed her face. "Oh, Professor Jax. Do you perhaps have a crush on Rudiger?"

Jax turned and fixed her with a deadly glare.

She didn’t back down. Her voice took on a teasing lilt. "I was just curious. After all, you were calling out his name even in your dreams."

Jax’s glare intensified for a moment. Then unexpectedly, he smiled.

"So you were jealous of him."

Roxana blinked. "What?"

"The person you dream about every night was busy dreaming about someone else. That must have hurt."

Her face turned bright red with shame. "Stop saying nonsense! We have a guest here, remember?"

Jax’s eyes shifted to Elira, who was clearly trying to hide a smile behind her hand. "Was she not standing right there when you were spouting your own nonsense just now?"

Roxana clenched her fists but found no words to fire back.

Jax waved dismissively. "Today is a big day, so let’s not ruin the start with pointless arguments."

Roxana’s confusion returned. "Big day? What do you mean? Today is an off day, remember? Or are you thinking about helping the guards and faculty scout for those otherworld champions?"

Jax shook his head. "Nah. That’s way too much work. And be practical about it. We can’t find them that easily through interrogation or checking for some out of the world skills. They’re not going to be dumb enough to get lured into obvious traps. There’s really no reliable way to identify them."

His words made logical sense to Roxana. She nodded slowly in agreement.

But internally, Jax knew it would be a piece of cake for him to find them. His abilities made identification trivial. However, helping to hunt down more champions would make him look far too suspicious given how many he had already helped eliminate.

Besides, he just wanted to enjoy the day.

Roxana pressed on. "Then what’s so big about today? What are you planning now?"

Jax grinned. "We are going to enjoy the festival. Just relax and have some fun."

Roxana’s face filled with horror. "We?"

"Yup. I need you there to make sure I don’t go overboard." His grin turned mischievous. "Also, there are certain women out there who desperately want my body. You’ll be protecting me from their ambushes."

What Jax didn’t mention were his actual motives. He wanted to scout for champions while appearing to be a casual festival-goer.

And while investigating, he could conveniently run into some familiar faces from Aeroria. Perhaps Beatrice. Or Jennifer.

Roxana crossed her arms stubbornly. "I am not joining you on this."

"Why not?"

She thought for a few seconds, desperately searching for an excuse. "Because my sister asked me to accompany her today."

Jax tilted his head with an amused expression. "You’re mistaken. Your sister was actually the one who suggested that I take you along. She said she’ll be too busy today to spend time with you."

Roxana clicked her tongue in frustration.

’No way am I walking into my own grave.’

Meanwhile, Elira had been watching the entire exchange with a soft smile on her face. These twisted yet somehow wholesome moments between them were fascinating to witness.

Her thoughts drifted as she observed Jax.

’He really is different from all the rumors. Not only did he prove his perverted reputation completely wrong last night, but he’s also changed the people around him.’

’He didn’t even look at my body. Let alone touch me.’

’And beyond that, he’s somehow tamed Astrid, the most notorious troublemaker in the entire academy. He’s built a genuinely good bond with Professor Roxana, who was always rumored to be completely isolated from everyone.’

Then she caught herself.

This wasn’t the time to see Jax in some new light. She had her own problems to solve. Her own battle to prepare for.

She stepped forward with determination. "Professor Jax, please train me for my upcoming match. I will follow whatever you tell me to do. Even if it breaks my body completely, I won’t complain."

Jax let out a long sigh. "That’s going to be way too much work for today."

"I will pay you back by winning. And by making you win your own bet on the tournament."

Jax’s expression shifted. Something like approval flickered in his eyes.

"Good. I was worried during the first half of your plea. I thought you were about to say you’d pay me back with anything." He nodded slowly. "But it seems you finally understand your own worth now. Looks like my efforts last night weren’t completely wasted."

Then his tone hardened. "But don’t come crying to me after you’re half-dead from my training. I will be merciless. Absolutely harsh."

Elira’s eyes glowed with fierce determination.

But that glow flickered as Jax continued. "However, I do believe I deserve some reward for all my effort. So I request that you join us for the festival today."

Her smile returned, and that was acceptance enough.

Roxana’s voice exploded from the side. "Why do you keep saying ’us’ over and over? And why do you suddenly need her? If she’s joining, then shouldn’t she be replacing my spot?"

Jax shook his head calmly. "It’s better for all three of us to go together. If it’s just the two of us walking around, rumors will spread that we’re dating. But with Elira included, it will look like a simple group of teachers and student."

Roxana threw her hands up in exasperation.

"And where exactly is my consent in any of this?"