Glacier's Edge was bustling as always. The wide stone streets echoed with the sound of cart wheels, hooves, and the hurried voices of merchants. Jon returned the transport beast to the city stable, briefly stroking the animal's grey fur before walking away. The biting cold of the capital didn't bother him; in fact, the icy air helped clear his thoughts.
The return journey had been quick. Only two hours at full speed on the mount. It didn't even seem like he had just crossed a dungeon overrun by hundreds of goblins.
Jon walked slowly down the main street, observing the movement as if he were just another carefree young man. But his mind was working intensely.
He didn't pass by the adventurers' guild headquarters. The money he had taken from the assassin, added to what he already possessed, was more than enough for now. The jingle of coins was not a priority. What he wanted at that moment was to rest.
'Thank you, Nolan. I'll think of a suitable gift to repay this favor.'
His lips curved into a cold smile. He didn't feel pressured by the possibility of another assassin appearing. Nolan, arrogant and impulsive as ever, had paid a fortune to hire the assassins' guild. After one failure, the price for a new attempt would be almost double. Not even the pocket of a spoiled young noble could easily bear something like that.
Still, Jon wouldn't leave anything to chance.
'I have proof. Even in a world where the strong devour the weak, there are still rules. If I die in silence, without witnesses, there will be no investigation. But if I play this card at the right time, I can shield myself for a while.'
The thought gave him some tranquility.
"It's still early," he murmured to himself, crossing a small market. "If I can sleep until Monday, I'll be refreshed."
The walk to the academy wasn't long. When the enormous iron and stone gates appeared before him, Jon felt a weight lift from his shoulders. Another barrier overcome.
Upon arrival, he went straight to the information desk. A red-haired employee looked up as she saw him approach.
"Can I help you?"
"Jon Woodmoon. I've been transferred to the S-Rank student wing," he said with a firm voice.
The young woman consulted some papers and then smiled politely. "Ah, yes. Your transfer has already been processed. Follow the corridor to the left, stairs to the third floor. The wing guardian will confirm your name and grant access."
Jon thanked her with a nod and followed the instructions. The corridor was silent, and each step echoed as if announcing his presence. On the third floor, a robust man in an academy uniform awaited him before an ornate door.
"Name?"
"Jon Woodmoon."
The guardian placed his hand on a crystal fixed to the wall. The stone glowed, revealing Jon's name in magical characters. With a simple gesture, the door opened.
"Welcome to the S-wing."
Jon crossed the threshold and felt as if he were entering another world. The corridor was wide, covered with fine fabric carpets. Magical chandeliers hung from the ceiling, spreading a soft, constant light. Unlike the common areas of the academy, that space had a welcoming silence, almost too luxurious to be called student accommodation.
He was led to his room. The door opened by itself, revealing a space that looked more like a small private mansion.
Right at the entrance, there was a living room with comfortable armchairs and a coffee table crafted from dark wood. The floor was covered with smooth polished stones that reflected the light.
Three individual bedrooms connected to the main environment, each with large beds, heavy curtains, and desks with study runes. A private training room occupied the space next door, equipped with enchanted wooden dummies and magical simulation circles.
But what really caught Jon's attention was the bathroom. A space almost larger than any common room in the academy. In the center, a carved white marble bathtub, wide enough to accommodate three people. Soft vapors rose from the constantly circulating hot liquid thanks to an arcane matrix embedded in the bottom.
Jon sighed, closing the door behind him. "Definitely... it was worth it."
A relaxed smile appeared on his face.
"Yeah... I think I can sleep peacefully tonight."
Jon had just thrown himself onto the bed, his muscles finally relaxing after long hours of fighting and travel. The silence of the S-wing was a balm, as comfortable as the luxurious bathtub he still intended to use. His eyes were already starting to droop when the sound of a magical doorbell rang through the room.
Ding… Ding…
He sighed, rubbing his face. "It can't be serious..."
He slowly got up and walked to the crystal panel near the door. The projected image revealed the wing doorman, erect and formal.
"Mr. Woodmoon, Miss Elara is here looking for you. Should I let her in?"
Jon stood still for a few seconds. 'So not even my rest will last a whole day...' He took a deep breath and forced a tired smile. "You can let her up."
A few minutes later, the door opened silently. Elara entered with her usual confidence. Her wavy blonde hair fell over her shoulders, and her eyes shone with that daring flame that always disconcerted Jon. For someone who had just entered the luxurious S-wing room, she didn't seem impressed at all.
"So this is where you're staying?" she asked, running her fingers over the armchairs in the room as if evaluating a common product in a store.
Jon smiled awkwardly. "I thought you'd be more impressed."
She raised her chin, displaying the natural air of the only daughter of a rich merchant family. "Luxury is what I've had my whole life. But I came for another reason."
She handed him a small box adorned with a ribbon.
Jon blinked in surprise. "What is this?"
"Just a small gift," she replied with a mysterious smile.
Curious, Jon opened the box. Inside, rested a device that strongly resembled a smartphone from his old world. He blinked several times, astonished.
"A... communication device?"
Elara nodded with a playful glint in her eyes. "Now you have no excuse to disappear again."
Jon tried to return the box. "Elara, I can't accept. I'll buy mine later, I don't want—"
She didn't let him finish. She suddenly approached, her lips pressing against his in a passionate kiss. Heat invaded her, and Jon forgot any argument.
When she pulled away, the young woman whispered, her face flushed but determined: "I felt so alone when you left. Spending time with my friends doesn't seem as fun as before... and it's all your fault."
Jon looked at her in silence, his heart racing.
"You'll have to compensate me," she said with a daring smile. "But you can tell me how your weekend was... after we have some fun."
Elara slid her fingers over his shirt and pulled it up. Jon was already semi-naked, wearing only the loose pants he slept in. Before he could react, she had already knelt and removed the bottom part of his clothing.
Jon's eyes widened, but his body reacted before his mind. The next kiss was more urgent, more intense, accompanied by small moans that escaped uncontrollably.
Muack… Hnnn…
Elara's hands explored every line of his body, while soft moans filled the silent room.
Jon intertwined his fingers in her hair, responding with the same intensity.
Slurp… Nhhhn… Ahhh…
The heat growing between the two left no room for anything else. Jon's rest was lost, but at that moment, he didn't care.
The night was just beginning.