Dinner at The Plucky Spearman was stew again, but a different kind this time. Thick chunks of red roots, black fungus caps, and slivers of something that looked like meat but shimmered faintly green under the lanternlight. The spices were no less strange than last time, smoky and sweet, with an aftertaste like pepper and mint. And of course, Rue was back to pretending he hadn’t already eaten half the kitchen.

When he finished inhaling his triple portion of stew, he looked me in the eye. “Rue want beer.”

I chuckled and waved to the server.

The server raised an eyebrow when I ordered two mugs of the house specialty, some kind of ale. It was dark, fizzy, and tingled like static on the tongue, leaving a faint cinnamon burn behind. When I pointed at Rue, the server blinked once, gave a small shrug, and brought over a stone bowl filled for him.

Rue slurped it enthusiastically, then licked the bowl clean and flopped on the floor with a happy grunt.

I leaned back in my chair and blew on my bowl. “So,” I said, stabbing a chunk of something that tasted like chicken but definitely wasn’t chicken. The green glow gave it away. “Remember that sand wizard? The one who screamed about pee-duck healers and sacred artistry?”

Mahya didn’t even look up from her plate. “You mean the Great Deumiono-whatever?”

“Deumionocoritos,” I said. “Yeah. That guy. He taught me how to do the wall thing, then freaked out mid-lesson. Accused me of stealing his life's work. Started yelling like I’d insulted his ancestors.”

Al’s spoon paused midair. “But he taught you himself.”

“Exactly!” I said, flinging a hand toward him. “He literally walked me through it, wand and everything. Then the moment I got the hang of it, he went full drama queen mode. Started ranting about underbidding him and wooing nobles with recycled mana and clean lines.”

Mahya finally looked up, one brow raised. “He’s a wizard.”

“Yeah, but—” I slumped helplessly. “Okay, yes, I know. You both keep saying wizards are weird, but I didn’t think they were this weird. One minute I’m the diligent apprentice, next I’m a corporate saboteur starting a sand wall empire.”

Al set his bowl down and steepled his fingers, as if he were about to deliver a thesis. “He was likely operating under the illusion that knowledge shared does not equate to skill attained. Seeing you succeed so quickly likely triggered a defensive reaction.”

“So… wizard ego,” I said.

“Precisely.”

“Luckily, I’m sane,” I said.

Mahya didn’t even bother with a response. Just gave me a long, sideways glance, then went back to her stew and snorted into the bowl.

Al didn’t look up, but his eyebrows twitched in a way that felt deeply judgmental.

A moment later, he finally raised his head. “The potion they combined with the sand—did you obtain a clear view of it?”

I nodded. “Glowy green goo. Looked like a magical kale smoothie and was packed with mana. No clue what it actually was.”

He hummed thoughtfully. “I shall investigate. If they’re using alchemy for structural enhancement, I want to know what blend they rely on.”

“I’m sure they’ll love that,” I said, reaching for a roll. “Maybe you’ll get shouted at by the Second Most Renowned Sand Wizard in the Empire.”

Mahya wiped her fingers on a napkin and leaned back. “While you two play alchemist and apprentice, I’m going to follow up on a few things.”

“What kind of things?” I asked.

She shrugged. “Got some leads on that lakefront dungeon dimension idea.”

I sighed. I already knew the plan involved those weirdly colored trees from the dungeon. Sure, they might look better under a regular blue sky instead of swirling black clouds and lightning, but I still couldn’t quite wrap my head around the idea of pink, purple, burgundy, orange, yellow, and red trees being part of my backyard.

I let out another long sigh and just nodded.

It felt like the perfect time to finally go on that date with Payan. I’d been putting it off. Partly because we’d been busy, but mainly because of what Al had said. And yeah, it took some thought.

The thing that really made me hesitate wasn’t timing or logistics. It was the way she made me feel.

She was the first woman who’d made me genuinely nervous since Sophie. I’d met plenty of women since then—some I’d even slept with—but none of them made my heart do that weird fluttery thing. None of them made me second-guess or stumble over my words or wonder what kind of impression I was leaving. Payan did. And for me, that meant something.

It meant this had the potential to be more than just a fun evening. It could turn into something real. And that was both exciting and terrifying. I had no intention of settling down in this world. I still wanted to travel, to see as many worlds as I could. To experience unknown places, meet strange people, and maybe get chased by something ridiculous now and then. I wasn’t done with the journey. Not even close.

But I also really liked her.

So, yeah. I was going to take her out. And while we were at it, I figured I’d check in about the nature spear. Maybe see if she’d figured anything out about those Smooshicorn horns, too.

Best case? We’d have good food, better company, and she’d get to make fun of my obvious crush. Worst case? I’d find a reason to stay a little longer.

I shook my head. No, John. No worst case. You are not settling down in this world. Bad thoughts, go away.

Payan was at the front of the shop, reaching up to hang a sword on the wall. Her sleeves were rolled back, hair twisted into a messy knot, and the movement of her arms made the muscles in her shoulders shift like she actually lifted her own forge tools, which she actually did.

The moment she spotted me, her face lit up with an easy, radiant smile that always seemed to knock a few words loose from my brain. “John,” she said warmly.

I opened my mouth to reply, but my voice came out somewhere between a cough and a grunt. I cleared my throat. “Hey. Uh—hi.”

Brilliant.

I stepped further inside, forcing my shoulders to relax and trying very hard not to fiddle with the hem of my sleeve. “Just came to check in. About the spear."

She rested the sword on its hooks and turned to face me fully, wiping her hands on her apron. “Still nothing new,” she said, giving a regretful shrug. “Everything I told you before still stands. It’s beautifully made, elementally aligned, but no new insights.”

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I nodded slowly, pretending like I wasn’t hyper-aware of the fact that I’d just spent five minutes trying to work up the nerve to walk through the door.

“But,” she added, walking over to a nearby table, “I do have something else for you.”

She reached underneath and pulled out two swords, holding them out with a small, proud smile. They were identical in shape to the ones I’d given her, but heavier. The material didn’t look like metal and had a strange texture to it—not quite glossy, not quite matte—and it hummed with mana.

I took one, turning it slowly in my hands. The grip felt perfect, familiar, but the weight was new. “What is this?” I asked, genuinely impressed.

Her grin widened. “Made from the horns you gave me to experiment with.”

My brows shot up. “You got two swords out of a single horn?”

She chuckled, brushing a smudge off her cheek. “Mahya dropped off a few more when she came to pick up her flying sword.”

I blinked. “She never said anything.”

“She probably wanted to surprise you,” Payan said, amused. Then she leaned back and tapped a box behind her. “There’s more. This one’s modeled after Mahya’s sword, and that big one over there? I’m guessing it’s for your friend Al.”

I picked it up by the hilt. Heavy and radiating a subtle hum of power. Definitely Al’s style.

“How much do I owe you?” I asked, already digging into my Inventory.

She laughed, holding up a hand. “Nothing. My wages were more than covered. I still have eight horns left.”

I hesitated. “Are you sure it’s enough?”

She paused, brow furrowing slightly. “Actually…” Her smile faded as she looked past me with a thoughtful look. Then she turned and disappeared into the back room.

I stood there awkwardly, fidgeting with the sword, trying not to pace or mess with the display daggers beside me. My heart felt like it was trying to tap-dance its way out of my chest. After a minute, she returned holding a small pouch.

She placed it in my hand, fingers brushing mine for the briefest second. “Here,” she said. “Twenty-five mithril. I can’t accept eight horns as payment. That’s far too much. These coins are for two horns. That’s more than fair.”

I stared at the pouch. “You sure?”

“Very sure.”

I nodded, then shifted my weight, hesitating just long enough that it felt awkward again. My tongue felt too big for my mouth.

Now or never, John.

I scratched the back of my neck, then cleared my throat for what had to be the fourth time since I walked in. “So… about our date?”

Her smile softened, eyes twinkling. “Yes?”

I swallowed. “I was thinking… maybe tonight?”

She tilted her head, pretending to think. “Hmm. Yes. Tonight works.”

I exhaled, relieved, and probably grinning way too wide. “Great. I’ll, uh… swing by later to pick you up for dinner?”

“I’ll be here,” she said, that same warm smile still on her face.

She handed me back the spear, then helped stack the swords into my arms. Mahya’s, Al’s, and the two new ones shaped like mine. I managed a nod that didn’t look too stiff and backed toward the door, resisting the urge to skip. Somehow, despite all my nerves, I’d managed to do the thing. I had a date. With Payan.

I didn’t even drop anything, and when my brain came back online, I stored the goodies.

Payan was waiting outside when I arrived in the evening. She changed into a loose, forest-green tunic that complemented her skin tone, letting her hair fall naturally down her back.

I smiled. “You look great.”

Her answering smile was softer than usual. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

We walked side by side to a restaurant she’d picked, called The Amber Root. It was set inside a small stone dome nestled between two towering trees, with glowing vines tracing soft patterns across the walls. Inside, there were no tables; only low, cushioned seating was arranged around curved platforms, with thin silver mats laid out for dishes. Subtle music played in the background, with wind flutes and bells.

The air smelled rich and unfamiliar.

We sat near the back, where the lighting was dim, and the server brought us an assortment of dishes on polished stone trays. I leaned forward immediately, nose twitching as I hovered over the first plate.

The food looked simple—grilled vegetables, baked flatbread, and roasted fish—but the scent told a different story entirely. Spices I didn’t recognize layered the air: a sharp citrus bite mixed with something sweet and peppery, followed by a warm, nutty aroma with just a hint of bitterness.

I broke a piece of the bread and dipped it into a dark paste on the side. The moment it hit my tongue, my brain scrambled for a reference point. Not spicy, not sweet, not tangy—just other. A slow heat built at the back of my throat while a strange, earthy note settled on my tongue like smoked bark or roasted seed husks. It was complex, and I had no idea what any of it was.

“I have no idea what I’m tasting,” I said, blinking. “But I kind of love it.”

Payan laughed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You should’ve seen your face just now.”

We ate slowly, talking about everything and nothing in particular. Cultural oddities, strange enchantments we’d seen, favorite tools in the forge, childhood stories that made no sense out of context, but still got a laugh. Of course, with the world appropriate editing.

Eventually, the conversation drifted to our most recent dungeon run.

“We cleared it two days ago,” I said between bites. “Final boss was the Lord of Lightning. It looked like someone had given a thundercloud a humanoid outline and a grudge. Every time it zapped me, it got weaker, so I just stood there catching bolts until it fizzled out.”

I nudged a piece of glazed root around my plate. “Before that, Rue soloed the ant tunnels with anti-bug potions. Five hours of pink fog and increasingly dramatic sighs over the bond. Poor guy deserved a medal, or at least lunch. Al stunned about fifty charging bulls on the climb up, then went into full executioner mode. Mahya caught flying porcupines mid-air like a circus performer. I just kept everyone alive, cast spells, and set my sleeves on fire.” I shrugged. “We’ve done worse.”

She smiled politely, but I noticed her eyes shift downward. Her fingers toyed with the stem of her glass, the motion too slow and deliberate to be casual.

“You okay?” I asked, keeping my tone light. “You’ve been quiet for a while now.”

She glanced up, hesitated, then set her glass down carefully. “I’ve been thinking about something for a long time,” she said, her voice lower than before. “And I was hoping… maybe we could talk about it tonight.”

“Sure,” I said, suddenly alert. I straightened in my seat. “Whatever it is, just say it.”

She drew in a breath. “I want a child.”

My heart stuttered.

She met my eyes, her lips parting once before pressing shut again. For a moment, she looked like she might take back her words, but then her chin lifted, and her voice came steady. “A wizard child. They are rare and always incredibly gifted. The most advanced magical talent, and the most versatile.” Her fingers twisted together, then stilled as she pushed on. “I have thought about this carefully. I do not wish to marry. I do not want to be someone’s servant, or subordinate, or anything else.”

She drew a breath, and her words came quicker now, her shoulders squaring. “Of course, some women can be the head of the household, but only with weak men. I do not want a weak man. So, my choice is to remain free and unattached. But I still want a child, and I want to give it the best starting point possible.”

Her gaze sharpened. “You would not have to do anything.” She giggled. “Well, almost nothing. But you would have no obligations, and I would have no expectations from you. I only want your genetics.”

The words hit like a slap I hadn’t seen coming.

“I’m not asking for a relationship,” she added quickly. “You said yourself you don’t plan on staying in this outpost. That’s fine. I respect that. I just…” She hesitated, eyes flicking away, then back. “I want the best chance for my child. I’ve thought about it a lot. A wizard bloodline would give them that.”

She drew in a breath, as if steadying herself. “If it makes things easier, I am willing to compensate you.” The words came haltingly at first, her eyes flicking away before returning to mine. “I know how that sounds, and I hate saying it, but I do not want you to feel as though you owe me anything.” Her hands clenched, then opened as she pushed forward, her voice gaining firmness. “If that is what it takes for you to say yes, I will pay you whatever you ask, if I can afford it, of course. No strings. Just a choice.”

I stared at her, not touching my food anymore. Something heavy settled in my gut.

“You’re serious,” I said quietly.

She nodded.

I leaned back, jaw tight. “So all of this—tonight—it was what... scouting for a stud?”

Her eyes flickered with something that looked like guilt, but she didn’t deny it. “I do like you,” she said. “But yes. That’s part of why I agreed.”

I stood up slowly, trying not to knock anything over. “Thank you for dinner,” I said. “But I think the night’s over.”

She looked down at her hands. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“You didn’t offend me,” I said, forcing my voice to remain calm. “You disappointed me.”

And that was worse.

I walked out without looking back.

At the counter, I paused just long enough to set down a single mithril coin. It covered the drinks, the meal, and the silence that followed. More than fair. I didn’t wait for change or thanks. Just left it there and stepped out into the night.

When I got back to the inn, Mahya and Al sat at the table near the window, sampling the wood varnish pretending to be alcohol. Rue perked up immediately and trotted over, pressing his head against my chest.

Mahya glanced up, eyes scanning my face. “That bad?”

I dropped into a chair with a tired sigh. “She asked me to get her pregnant. Not because she liked me. Just for the wizard genes.”

Mahya winced. Al got a stony expression. Rue growled softly.

“Wow,” Mahya said. “Okay. So that’s done.”

“Very done.”

A short silence followed.

“Let’s leave tomorrow,” Al said.

Mahya nodded. “There’s another outpost not far from here. We can catch a train in the morning.”

I leaned back and thought over everything. Oddly enough, it brought relief. I had liked Payan, but not enough to be anyone’s breeding stud. And I was not forced to choose between going and staying.

“Yeah,” I said quietly. “Let’s go.”