Ohhhh.
The Elder’s explanation made sense to the dungeon owner. Luca pressed his lips together, clearly conflicted about whether to step in and help.
He wasn’t sure how to help in this case, since it seemed less about technique and more about calming the usually steady Jax. But how exactly were they supposed to do that?
However, before he could decide, his husband already had.
Bonk!
Jax, the alleged tree-hugger, flinched in surprise and clutched his head as Xavier casually knocked on it.
"Ow! What the—"
Xavier didn’t even dignify that with a response. Instead, he simply looked at him.
Judgmentally.
"Urk! Captain?" Jax frowned, rubbing the top of his head.
"What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be with Princess Nina?"
"She already wants to practice on her own."
"But you... Stop using your brain to think," Xavier said flatly. "It’s slowing you down."
"...Huh?"
It was advice that would have turned heads had they been in earshot, because who would dare voice such a thing.
But not only did the Prince say that, he even expounded on it.
"In your case, thinking is bad for your health," Xavier continued. "So just stop it."
"Hey!"
Now, Jax might have been easygoing, but that still sounded like an insult.
And yet, as he rubbed the spot where a bump was definitely forming, he could not help but admit that there was some truth to it.
He already felt tired.
And nothing was working.
Fine.
If that was the case, then he would just stop for a moment and clear his head.
Xavier raised a brow, clearly unimpressed.
Because now this idiot had taken it literally.
Jax simply gave up and slumped onto the ground, lying flat on his back like he was about to take a nap. He even closed his eyes for a second before opening them again to glance at his Captain.
"I’m just going to rest first," he said casually. "You’re probably right, Captain. I worked a bit too hard, and now I’m tired."
"..."
"..."
Now, Xavier Aeric Theron Solaris, someone who had likely been born already working hard, was about to comment on that, but was stopped by the embodiment of kindness.
His little wife had already come over to restrain him.
"Husband! I-it’s good to rest! Like Nina, maybe a little rest would work wonders for him too!" Luca said as he wrapped both hands around Xavier’s arm, holding on tightly.
"Right? If it worked for her, then maybe it’ll work for me," Jax muttered.
Jax, the person who had just been saved from meeting his ancestors this early, shifted his weight and closed his eyes.
He seriously stressed himself too much back there, and that was really unusual for him.
Haaay!
Oh well!
Doing this was fine, too. They said not to rush it anyway!
If only there were a better backrest, he thought. Just a little higher ground behind his neck so he could breathe better while enjoying the fresh air.
He wasn’t complaining, but was simply having wishful thoughts that were better than focusing on endless worries.
"Mnnn... just like that... ahh... totally better," Jax sighed as he adjusted slightly, feeling his body relax almost immediately.
Like this, his back felt more supported, just as he had imagined.
"Hmmm..."
Yes. Perfect.
Well, of course, if only he had any idea what had just happened.
Then, all of a sudden, Luca gasped.
"Jax!"
The tone was different.
Jax’s eyes snapped open, though his expression remained lazy. "Yeah... what is it?" he asked, still sounding far too comfortable.
"JAX! THE GROUND!"
This time, Luca looked genuinely alarmed.
Jax frowned and pushed himself up, finally looking down. "Why? What’s wrong with the ground? Did I crush a flower?"
But then—
He saw it.
The ground wasn’t flat anymore.
It had risen.
There were several mounds of earth shaped almost perfectly to match his upper body.
"Eh?"
This... hadn’t it been flat earlier?
Elder Pao Xi, who usually preferred to stay composed, could no longer hold back.
"You brat! That’s your ability!" he snapped. "If you actually looked, you would have realized that already!"

"If you keep pushing yourself like that, something might sprout on top of your head."
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