Lucas arrived at the teahouse early—thirty minutes before the meeting time. It was exactly 2:30 in the afternoon, the same time as their last meeting, but this time the place was different. Jade Walker had chosen a quiet, high-end teahouse instead of the modern coffee shop from before.
And honestly, the atmosphere was much better. More relaxed, more elegant. More... her.
Lucas didn't mind arriving early. After all, he felt a little guilty for making Jade wait last time, so this time, he made sure to beat her there. A few minutes later, the door opened, and Jade stepped in.
Lucas stood immediately. "President Jade!"
Jade blinked in surprise when she saw him already seated. "Mr. Lucas? You came early?"
Lucas grinned. "Last time I made you wait. This time, it's only fair I do the waiting."
He gestured politely, inviting her to sit. As he reached out to call the server, Jade waved him off and instead called out a name—someone Lucas didn't recognize. Moments later, a High-Level tea master stepped into the room, ready to serve them.
Lucas watched with quiet admiration as the tea master performed the traditional tea ceremony—his movements smooth, refined, and almost dance-like. It was artistry in motion.
No wonder Jade picked this place. She clearly came here often and even knew the staff by name.
As Lucas admired the ceremony, he couldn't help but glance at Jade again—and this time, he was taken aback.
She looked completely different from last time.
Back in the coffee shop, Jade had worn a sharp black-and-white outfit, formal and powerful, like the head of a powerful guild. But today...
She wore something much more feminine. Her long hair flowed gently over her shoulders, and her clothes—though elegant—hugged her figure in a way that was hard to ignore.
Lucas tried not to stare, but his eyes betrayed him for a second.
Crap. Why is she dressed like this? he thought. This feels... like a trap.
His heart rate jumped slightly, and he tried to maintain a straight face. Keep it cool, Lucas. Be polite. Don't stare. Don't mess this up.
What he didn't know was that Jade had noticed his glance immediately.
As a seasoned fighter, her perception was sharper than most people's. She picked up on every subtle movement—including his slightly widened eyes and the awkward attempt to hide his reaction.
Her face flushed with pink.
On the surface, she remained calm, but internally she was panicking—and fuming.
Emily Frost, this is all your fault!
She cursed in her mind, thinking about her guild's mischievous strategist. Earlier that day, Emily had insisted, "President, you need to appeal to his emotions. Men are visual creatures. Give him something to remember!"
"If you're not willing to be aggressive, then at least highlight your advantages. A little temptation goes a long way."
Jade had been hesitant but gave in. Now she regretted it.
She felt like a fraud. This wasn't her usual style. She preferred tactical clothes—clean, efficient, strong. Not... this soft, curvy look that made her feel exposed.
I swear, Emily's going to pay for this. Maybe she's still mad about the washboard joke last week...
Jade fought to stay composed. She wasn't used to dressing like this, and now that she was actually sitting across from Lucas, she felt vulnerable—like her armor had been stripped away.
Lucas, noticing her silence, spoke up. "President Jade?"
She blinked and quickly returned to the moment. "Ah, yes?"
"I was just wondering... where's your assistant? Emily, right?"
Jade cleared her throat, smoothing her expression. "Emily won't be joining us today. I had some matters that needed her attention elsewhere."
Lucas nodded. "Got it."
Jade quickly scanned the room. The tea master had discreetly stepped out, leaving them in quiet privacy.
She felt more in control now. Time to get back to business.
"Here," Lucas said, raising his teacup. "To good company and excellent tea."
"To good company," Jade replied, tapping her cup gently against his.
They both sipped in silence for a moment.
The tea was exquisite—fragrant, warm, calming.
For Jade, the smoothness of the drink helped clear her thoughts and calm her nerves. Tea really does calm the heart, she thought, remembering the old saying. And for a moment, she could forget the awkward outfit and just enjoy the moment.
Eventually, Lucas set his cup down and leaned forward slightly.
"So, what's the reason for today's meeting, President Jade?"
Jade took a slow breath.
Of course, she couldn't just blurt out, "Please join my guild before someone else snatches you away!"
That would sound desperate. And Jade Walker was many things—but desperate wasn't one of them.
She chose a careful approach.
"I've heard," she said slowly, "that you've been approached by the Shengshi Guild."
Lucas blinked. "I have. Their guild master, Logan Barrett, met with me personally."
"I see." Jade nodded calmly, but there was a glint of emotion in her eyes.
"And what's your impression of Mr. Barrett?"
Lucas thought back to their meeting. "To be honest? He was impressive. Calm, polite, and sharp. A strong leader, from what I could tell."
Jade smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "You think highly of him."
"I do," Lucas said. "But that doesn't mean I've made a decision yet."
Jade nodded once more, but this time her gaze was more direct. "Then let me ask something else... what's your opinion of the Mysterious Tower?"
Lucas's expression shifted.
The Mysterious Tower wasn't just another dungeon. It was an infamous location—filled with challenges, puzzles, and danger beyond the norm. Even resurrection items didn't work inside. If you died there, it was permanent.
He looked back at her, surprised that she brought it up. "Why do you ask?"
"Because," she said, "our guild has our eyes on the Tower."
Her tone was cool, but there was power behind the words.
"We believe the Tower holds more than just secrets. It's the ultimate trial ground. It's where legends are born."
Lucas stared at her for a long moment.
"You want me to go there?" he asked.
"No," Jade replied. "I want you to go there with us."
That was it. The truth laid bare.
She wasn't just recruiting him for his talent or prestige. She wanted him to be part of something bigger. A mission. A future built not just on battles and victories, but on exploration, discovery, and maybe something world-changing.
Lucas slowly smiled.
"Sounds dangerous," he said.
"It is," Jade admitted. "But I don't think you're someone who runs from danger."
He sipped the last of his tea.
"Neither are you."
They both smiled—quietly, respectfully.
And in that moment, something shifted. It wasn't just about guilds, or recruitment. It was a meeting of two people who saw something in each other: potential. Trust. Shared ambition.
"Then I'll give you my answer soon," Lucas said.
"I'll be waiting," Jade replied softly.
This wasn't just a goodbye—it was the beginning of a deeper trust.
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