After shutting Astrid's mouth with just his gaze, Jax turned to Seris and thought for several seconds. The silence stretched uncomfortably as everyone waited for his verdict.

"Fine," Jax said finally.

Seris blinked. "What?"

"I said fine. You can join."

Jax waved his hand dismissively. "But let me make one thing absolutely clear. If you're a spy or a traitor, I'll make sure your life becomes a living hell. And trust me, I have very creative methods that would make even demons weep."

Seris nodded quickly. "I understand, Professor."

"Good."

Astrid's jaw dropped to the ground. She grabbed Seris's arm desperately, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Are you insane?! You're actually joining this... this..."

She glanced at Jax's cold eyes and swallowed the word she was about to use. Her survival instincts kicked in just in time.

"This... Professor?"

Jax smirked. "Good save. You're learning."

Astrid gulped but before she could respond, Seraphina stepped forward with a warm smile.

"Welcome to the team, Seris."

Lilith was smiling brightly beside her, genuinely happy to have another member join their chaotic group.

Elira was scanning the unfolding scene with complete disinterest, twirling her umbrella lazily. The vampire princess remained totally unbothered by the drama, as if watching paint dry would have been more entertaining.

Astrid stood frozen, watching her friend integrate into the group like it was the most natural thing in the world. Like she hadn't just joined a team led by a man Astrid considered to be the devil incarnate.

'What is happening? Have they all lost their minds? Is there something in the water at this academy?'

She wanted to drag Seris away. Wanted to shake some sense into her. But something kept her feet planted firmly on the ground.

Something she absolutely refused to acknowledge.

Jax turned his back to Astrid while Seris and the others formed an uneven circle for discussions. He was ready to speak when he spotted a familiar figure approaching.

Roxana walked toward them in her usual academy uniform, her posture elegant and refined. She carried a stack of papers in her hands, looking every bit the competent assistant she was supposed to be.

Upon reaching Jax, she completely ignored the other girls and spoke directly to him.

"Professor Jax, I've compiled a list of potential students we could approach for our roster. Given your... reputation, I thought it would be difficult to find volunteers, so I identified some candidates who might be persuaded with the right incentives."

She flipped through her papers professionally.

"I've categorized them by skill level, combat style, and likelihood of acceptance. There's also a section on their weaknesses we could exploit during negotiations."

She pointed to a specific entry.

"For example, there's a girl in third year who has run out of money. She's also a smoke addict, so we can lure her in through financial incentives. Similarly, there are many others we can manipulate into—"

Jax cut her off sharply.

"What the fuck are you doing, Roxana? Not only are you playing dirty here, but you're also destroying my reputation in front of my students who will reign victorious in the upcoming tournament!"

Roxana blinked. Then processed his words slowly.

"Students?"

She looked around at the gathered girls as if seeing them for the first time.

"The heck did you just say? Don't tell me these fools..." She caught herself quickly. "I mean, these folks are in your roster?"

Jax smiled with unmistakable pride. "Yup. They all came to me, actually."

Roxana's confusion deepened. "All of them?"

"All of them."

"Voluntarily?"

"What do you take me for? I'm not like you, who was ready to force students into submission through manipulation and blackmail."

He gestured grandly at the girls.

"Look here. These four girls were practically begging me to join my team. Even without any greed or incentive. Why? Because only the right eye can see true worth. And these four girls happened to have smart judgment."

The girls stared at him with varying expressions. Seris and Elira's gazes were murderous, as if they wanted nothing more than to punch his smug face into the ground.

'Begging? BEGGING?!' they thought simultaneously.

Roxana processed the information, looking at the girls one by one. Then her brow furrowed.

"Professor, did you fumble your count? I can see five girls here."

Jax looked around. Astrid was still standing there, frozen in place like a stubborn statue that refused to leave.

"Real worth is clear only to those who can see it," Jax said philosophically. Then pointed directly at Astrid. "And in that case, she is the blind final boss."

Astrid hissed with indignation while Roxana grew even more confused.

"So... she isn't in your squad?"

Jax shook his head.

Roxana sighed and muttered, "And here I thought you two had some good relationship, seeing the rumors floating around."

Jax's expression instantly shifted to rage mode.

"WHAT?! Do you think of me as some pedo?! And who did you hear this from?! I'm going to kill them as a small penalty for tarnishing my reputation!"

All the girls looked at him with identical expressions that clearly said: 'As if you had a good reputation to begin with.'

Roxana raised her hands defensively. "Just leave that part. So if she's not in this team, then—"

Jax cut in immediately. "Then we should kick her out from here. This place is reserved for champions only."

"That's not what I mean." Roxana shook her head. "I wanted to say there's still a vacant spot left on your roster."

She sighed with relief, clutching her papers.

"Looks like my research won't go completely in vain."

But Jax completely ignored her words. He was already facing Astrid with a raised eyebrow.

"What?"

Astrid flinched at his sudden attention. "What do you mean 'what'?"

"You're still here."

"So?"

"So..." Jax made an exaggerated shooing motion with his hand. "Hush hush. Go away. Shoo. The adults are talking."

Her face turned crimson instantly. Steam practically erupted from her ears.

"Did you just... did you just treat me like a stray animal?!"

"If the shoe fits."

"YOU—"

She took a deep breath. Then another. Visibly forcing herself to calm down before she committed murder in front of witnesses.

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