By the fifth day, Llandra was the first to notice it.
She didn't say anything at first. She simply watched the numbers longer than usual, brows knitting together as her system finished tallying the night's gains.
The glow faded.
The total was… smaller.
The next morning, as they cooled down after drills, she spoke.
"Are you noticing," Llandra said carefully, "that we're receiving fewer iPoints each day?"
Zee looked up from her screen, blinking. "I thought it was just me."
Nyxian stretched lazily, arms above her head. "The bonuses are drying up."
Bunny tilted her head. "Bonuses?"
Nyxian smirked. "Firsts. New experiences. New combinations. The system loves novelty."
Llandra nodded. "We've… covered a lot of ground in five days."
Bunny thought about it for a second. "So… how do we get more?"
Nyxian's smile slowly widened.
"Oh," she said. "I have ideas."
Later that day, Brannic wandered out from the forge, wiping soot from his hands as the group ran drills across the yard.
He leaned against a post, watching silently.
Jax barked commands.
"Split—pair Alpha and Delta!"
They separated instantly.
"Collapse—tight diamond!"
The formation snapped together.
"Reverse—rear guard now forward!"
They shifted, Llandra pivoting smoothly, bow already tracking invisible threats.
Brannic frowned.
Then nodded.
He watched them move in pairs, sometimes with one walking backward, hand brushing the other's shoulder for guidance. He saw hand signals — simple, efficient — flicker between them.
They weren't improvising.
They were executing.
When Jax finally called for a break, Brannic stepped forward.
"I'll be honest," he said gruffly. "I don't understand half of what you're doing."
Jax handed him a wrapped meal and sat beside him.
"How do most parties train?" Jax asked.
Brannic snorted. "They don't. They fight together, sure. But train? Rarely. Usually one or two carry the rest."
Jax frowned. "That makes no sense."
Brannic glanced at him. "Explain."
"Each of their lives is in the others' hands," Jax said simply. "A single mistake costs everything."
Brannic chewed slowly.
"…When you put it that way," he admitted, "it is kind of crazy."
Jax nodded. "Today's our last full team day. Tomorrow, we move to individual skill training."
Nyxian perked up instantly. "One-on-one training? You going to show us your Special Techniques to help us level up?"
Brannic coughed.
Jax rubbed the back of his neck. "Skill development. Focused improvement."
Bunny's eyes lit up. "Individually?"
Zee smiled shyly. "I'll work on my flexibility."
Llandra ignored them, gaze steady on Jax. "I look forward to refining my skills under your guidance, fiancé."
Brannic barked out a laugh. "You've got yourself a fine crew, Jax. You're training them like a unit," Brannic muttered. "Not a party."
They clasped forearms before he left.
The final hour was flawless.
No missed cues.
No broken formations.
No hesitation.
When Jax finally dismissed them, he meant it.
The Vixens cheered.
And then — they split up.
Jax went to conduct business. The Vixens went shopping.
Pandora's Box sat tucked into a narrow side street, lantern light glowing warm and inviting through its window.
Llandra hesitated at the door.
"This was my idea," she said quietly. "Why am I nervous?"
Nyxian pushed it open. "Because you're about to expand your horizons."
Inside, the air was perfumed with incense and something sweeter.
Shelves lined with velvet-lined cases.
Racks of silk, lace, leather — some tasteful, some deliberate.
Magical trinkets humming faintly with enchantment.
Everything in here was made to enhance the a couple's intimate experience.
Zee stared at a display of restraints, eyes wide with equal parts horror and fascination.
"They're… adjustable."
Bunny poked a softly glowing device covered in runes. "I don't get it."
Nyxian leaned close and whispered.
Bunny turned scarlet. "OH."
Llandra found herself staring at a polished stand that doubled as a swing set, cheeks warm. "I suggested this. I stand by it."
Nyxian led them deeper.
"This," she said, gesturing to a particular section, "is where we start."
Bunny blinked. "Do you think this is something he's into?"
Zee swallowed. "They're not… too much?"
Nyxian grinned. "Trust me, he's into it."
They exchanged looks.
Then nodded.
Jax returned to the hotel later than usual.
The city buzzed with festival preparations. Vendors shouted. Music drifted. Solmere felt alive. Jax had made deals with various vendors for a variety of goods.
He took longer than expected and felt bad that he was returning around 7pm.
He was already planning dinner in his head as he started to open the door. He could smell food on the other side. The Vixens had ordered food and had it delivered.
"They must have gotten hungry and ordered food without him," he thought. He felt horrible for that.
Then he stopped.
The room was dimly lit.
Candles flickered.
Four figures stood waiting.
And for the first time since arriving in this world…
Jax forgot how to breathe.