CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51: SAME QUESTIONS AND CLAIMING JAX

The car was quiet for exactly thirty seconds after they left the Reed estate.

Then Zinnia exploded.

"Alright, start talking. What are you plotting now What’s your game?"

Jax leaned back in the plush leather seat, staring out the window. "No game. Just going back to the academy."

"Bullshit." Zinnia’s hands gripped the steering wheel tighter. "You don’t just give back half of our assets for nothing. What did you really take from my mother?"

"Fifty percent shares after three years. That’s it."

"That’s it?" Her voice pitched higher. "Do you even understand business? In three years, she could triple the value! You’re handing her free capital!"

Jax shrugged. "Maybe I’m just stupid."

"You’re not stupid. You’re a demon." She glanced at him sharply. "So what is it? Are you playing some long game? Is your mother pulling strings? Are you—"

"Jenny already went through this entire interrogation," Jax interrupted, using the nickname deliberately. "Ask her. I’m too tired to repeat myself."

Zinnia’s face flushed red. "Don’t call my mother that!"

"Why not? She didn’t seem to mind."

"Because—because it’s disrespectful!"

"Is it? Or do you just hate that she’s not treating me like the enemy anymore?"

Zinnia’s mouth opened, then closed. Her jaw clenched.

Silence stretched for a full minute.

Then she tried again. "Fine. Different question. Why did you really come to our house?"

"The bet. You lost. I claimed my reward."

Her knuckles went white on the wheel. "It cant be that way , Why you are after ours body and the thing pissed me off is You—you humiliated her. In front of everyone. Her staff. Me. People who care about her."

Jax’s expression didn’t change. "Yeah. I did."

"And you don’t feel bad about it?"

He paused, then turned to look at her fully. "I said sorry. To her. Not to you. Because it wasn’t about you."

Zinnia’s breath hitched. "You... you apologized?"

"Yeah."

"When?"

"Last night. After everything."

She stared at him, trying to process that. "Why would you apologize if you don’t regret it?"

"I didn’t say I don’t regret it." His voice was quieter now. "I said it wasn’t about you."

Another silence. This one heavier.

Zinnia’s voice dropped. "You’re confusing."

"I know."

"One second you’re a monster. The next, you’re... I don’t know what you are."

"Neither do I." He smiled faintly. "Welcome to the club."

She shook her head, frustrated. "How did you even get so good at games? You just appeared out of nowhere and started dominating everything. The screening match. The Death Race. The shooting tournament. It’s like you’re not even human."

"Maybe I’m not."

"Stop joking."

"Who said I’m joking?"

Zinnia glanced at him sharply, but his face was unreadable.

"Fine," she said after a moment. "Then tell me this—what do you want from the academy? From life? What’s your end goal?"

Jax leaned his head back against the seat, closing his eyes. "I want to have fun. That’s it."

"Fun? You call destroying people’s lives fun?"

"No. I call winning fun. I call challenges fun. I call doing the impossible fun." He opened one eye to look at her. "You wouldn’t understand. You’ve spent your whole life trying to live up to your mother’s expectations. I don’t have that problem."

Zinnia’s face twisted. "You don’t know anything about me."

"Don’t I?" He closed his eye again. "You’re angry because you lost. You’re angry because I humiliated your mother. But most of all, you’re angry because deep down, you know I was right."

"Right about what?"

"That you’re weak. Not physically. Mentally. You let your pride control you. That’s why you made that stupid bet in the first place."

Her hands trembled on the wheel. "Shut up."

"See? Proving my point."

"I said shut up!"

Jax smirked but said nothing more.

The rest of the ride was silent.

[TIME SKIP - Sunday Evening]

The academy gates loomed ahead as Zinnia’s car pulled into the drop-off zone. Jax grabbed his bag—light, barely packed—and stepped out.

"Thanks for the ride," he said casually.

Zinnia didn’t respond. She just stared straight ahead, jaw tight.

"Oh, and the ten million cybers?" Jax added.

She reached into the center console and pulled out a sleek credit chip, tossing it at him without looking. "There. Now get out."

Jax caught it smoothly. "Pleasure doing business with you."

She drove off before he could say anything else.

Jax watched the car disappear, then turned toward his dorm. The academy was quiet on Sunday evenings—most students were still settling in after the weekend.

He made his way to his room, dropped his bag, and collapsed onto the bed.

Tomorrow would be interesting.

[Monday Morning - First Period]

Jax arrived early. The classroom was nearly empty just a few students scattered across the seats.

He chose his usual spot near the window and pulled out his device, scrolling through notifications he’d ignored all weekend.

The door opened.

Ava walked in.

She spotted him immediately, and her face lit up. She walked over, hips swaying slightly, her academy uniform fitted perfectly to her curves.

"Jax!" She smiled warmly, sitting on the edge of his desk. "You’re here early. Miss me over the weekend?"

Jax glanced up. "Not really."

She laughed, leaning closer. "Liar. I know you were thinking about me."

"Why would I do that?"

"Because I’m unforgettable." She tilted her head, letting her dark hair fall over one shoulder. Her voice dropped slightly, softer. "And because we make a good team. Don’t you think?"

Jax raised an eyebrow. "We won a race. That’s it."

"That’s it?" She pouted playfully. "Come on. We were amazing together. You have to admit that."

Her hand rested lightly on his desk, fingers close to his. Her eyes held his, warm and inviting.

’She’s flirting,’ Jax thought. ’Hard.’

Before he could respond, another voice cut in.

"Excuse me."

Celestia appeared beside Ava, her expression calm but firm. Without waiting for permission, she slid into the vacant seat next to Jax—Kai’s usual spot.

Ava’s smile tightened. "That seat’s taken."

"Is it?" Celestia glanced at the empty chair. "I don’t see anyone sitting here."

"Kai sits there."

"Kai isn’t here yet." Celestia folded her hands on the desk, her posture perfect. "So it’s vacant."

Ava’s eyes narrowed slightly. "You know, there are plenty of other seats."

"This one has the best view." Celestia’s gaze didn’t waver.

Jax watched the exchange silently, amused.

Ava leaned closer to him again, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. "Jax, tell her. We were just talking."

Celestia’s tone stayed even. "And now the three of us can talk."

"I don’t recall inviting you."

"I don’t recall needing an invitation."

The tension crackled between them like static.

Jax sighed. "Are you two seriously doing this right now?"

Ava smiled sweetly. "Doing what? I’m just trying to have a conversation with my race partner."

Celestia’s lips curved faintly. "And I’m simply sitting with someone I find... interesting."

Ava’s smile sharpened. "Interesting? That’s one word for it."

"What word would you use?"

"Claimed."

Celestia blinked once. "Claimed? By whom?"

"By me." Ava’s voice was light, but her eyes were steel. "We won together. We celebrated together. We have history."

"History?" Celestia’s tone didn’t change. "You mean a single race? How fascinating. I didn’t realize that constituted ownership."

"It’s not ownership. It’s... connection."

"Connection." Celestia tilted her head slightly. "I see. And does Jax agree with this assessment?"

Both of them turned to look at him.

Jax raised his hands. "Don’t drag me into this."

Ava pouted. "But you are in this."

"I’m really not."

Celestia’s voice was calm. "For the record, I have no romantic interest in Jax."

Ava blinked. "You... don’t?"

"No." Celestia looked at Jax directly. "But I do find you capable. Perhaps the most capable person in our year. That makes you a valuable potential partner—for strategy, collaboration, mutual benefit."

Jax smirked. "So I’m useful."

"Extremely."

Ava’s expression shifted, caught off guard. "Wait. So you’re not trying to—"

"Seduce him?" Celestia’s tone was flat. "No. That would be inefficient."

Ava stared at her. "Inefficient."

"Yes. Romantic entanglements complicate partnerships. I prefer clarity."

Jax leaned back, thoroughly entertained now. "So you want to use me."

"Mutually beneficial use," Celestia corrected. "You gain my strategic insight and royal connections. I gain your... unpredictability."

"My unpredictability."

"Yes. You’re impossible to predict. That makes you valuable."

Ava crossed her arms. "Well, I’m not trying to just use him."

Celestia glanced at her. "Aren’t you?"

"No! I—" Ava hesitated. "I like him. There’s a difference."

"Is there?"

"Yes!"

The door opened again, interrupting them.

Professor Elara walked in.

She was dressed in a fitted blazer and a skirt that stopped just above the knee. Her heels clicked sharply against the floor. Her eyes scanned the room, and when they landed on Jax, she smiled faintly.

"Good morning, class."

And then, right behind her, the door burst open again.

Kai slid in dramatically, arms spread wide, grinning like an idiot.

"Fear not, citizens! Your hero has arrived!"

The class groaned.

Kai straightened, adjusting his jacket. "What? No applause? Tough crowd."

He walked toward his usual seat then froze.

Celestia was sitting there.

And Ava was standing next to Jax.

Both of them surrounding him.

Kai blinked. Then he looked at Jax. Then back at Celestia.

He started walking slowly toward his seat, thinking maybe he could politely ask her to move.

But as he got closer, Celestia’s eyes flicked toward him.

Her gaze was sharp. Cold. It wasn’t a glare—it was a command.

Her eyes shifted slightly to the left, toward an empty seat two rows back.

Kai stopped. Swallowed.

Then, without a word, he shuffled over to the vacant seat and sat down.

Jax bit back a laugh.

Ava leaned closer, whispering. "She just kicked him out without saying a word."

"I noticed," Jax murmured.

Professor Elara cleared her throat. "Alright, everyone. Settle down. We have a lot to cover today."

The lesson began, but Jax’s attention kept drifting. Ava stayed close, occasionally brushing his arm. Celestia took precise notes, her posture perfect.

And Kai sulked two rows back.

[Special Class - Dance Hall]

After Professor Elara’s lecture, an announcement came through the system.

"All first-year students, report to the main dance hall for a special class. Instructor: Headmistress Morgana Vexley."

The class buzzed with excitement. A special class with the headmistress herself? That was rare.

Students were directed to change into specific uniforms provided in their lockers.

Jax opened his locker and pulled out the outfit—a formal dance uniform. Fitted black pants, a crisp white shirt, and a tailored vest.

He changed quickly, then headed toward the hall with Kai.

"Dude," Kai said, grinning. "Dance class with the headmistress. This is gonna be wild."

"Or painful," Jax muttered.

They entered the hall.

And Jax stopped.

The space was massive, polished wood floors gleaming under soft lighting. Mirrors lined the walls. And scattered across the room, warming up, were the girls.

Every single one of them was dressed in the same outfit—a fitted dance uniform that left very little to the imagination.

Black stockings that clung to their legs. Heels that added height and elegance. A form-fitting leotard that emphasized every curve.

Jax’s eyes swept the room.

Ava was near the front, stretching. Her legs extended gracefully, the stockings highlighting every line. Her chest pressed forward as she bent, the leotard hugging her body tightly.

Celestia stood nearby, stretching with perfect posture. Every movement was controlled, elegant. The outfit made her look like a ballet dancer—refined, poised, untouchable.

Kiera was across the room, her expression cold as always. But even she couldn’t hide the way the uniform accentuated her athletic build. Her legs were toned, her waist slim, her curves undeniable.

’Damn,’ Jax thought. ’I might need to place a bet with her.’

Then his eyes found Zinnia.

She was stretching near the corner, her face flushed slightly. The uniform clung to her body, showing off curves he’d already claimed but somehow looked even better now.

’I should use that bet reward today,’ he thought, his body reacting immediately.

Azara stood near the back, her unique features drawing his eye. The small tufts of hair that looked almost like animal ears.

Her skin had that faint shimmer, marking her as non-human. The uniform on her looked otherworldly—cute and goddess-like at the same time.

And then there were the others. Dozens of girls, all stunning, all dressed the same.

But among them all, one stood out.

Morgana Vexley.

She stood at the center of the room, facing the mirrors, adjusting her outfit.

And her outfit was different.

A deep violet leotard that shimmered under the lights. Black stockings that seemed to glow faintly. Heels that added inches to her already commanding height.

Her hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail, highlighting her sharp features. Her body moved with a grace that made every other girl in the room look like an amateur.

Jax stared.

’She’s... unreal.’

He’d seen beautiful women before. Paige. Jennifer. Ava. Celestia. All of them were stunning.

But Morgana was on another level.

Second only to one person in his mental ranking—Kai’s mother, And he’d never even seen her in person. He’d only ranked her first based on the game’s memory and the stories people told.

But Morgana?

She looked like a goddess who’d descended to earth only to realize mortals weren’t worthy. Like even gods would look at her and think, ’I’m out of my league.’

A dance instructor stepped forward—a man in his forties, professional and composed. He began instructing the boys on basic forms.

But Jax’s eyes stayed on Morgana.

She moved through warm-ups effortlessly. Every step was perfect. Every curve of her body highlighted by the outfit. Every motion drawing his gaze like a magnet.

And then, mid-stretch, she caught him staring.

Her eyes locked onto his through the mirror.

Jax’s heart skipped.

He turned around immediately, pretending to focus on the instructor.

’Shit. Don’t involve yourself with her like that. She’ll rip you apart.’

The instructor’s voice droned on but Jax’s mind was elsewhere.