My Soul card is a Reaper

Fiona's brows drew together, watching Zion and Selene's animated chat as if only those two existed in their world.

"Selene never mentioned to me that they were this close. Why would that b*tch say it anyway. She loves the attention of the most handsome, whether in school or here," she muttered to herself.

Before she could even think further, Fiona walked straight toward them. She stopped just in front of Zion, folding her arms as she commented. "Well, look who's pretending to be interesting."

Zion glanced at her and smirked. "And look who's pretending to be relevant."

Selene blinked and looked at one, then at another. "Umm…"

"You're still as smug as ever," Fiona scoffed. "Too bad that smugness didn't help when I wiped the floor with you last time."

Zion smirked. "12-11. I still lead, Fiona."

"Still lost the last one, loser."

"You mean the one where I got distracted because someone screamed halfway through the match?"

She crossed her arms. "Excuses. The win counts."

Zion and Fiona's friendly but rivalry banter was then interrupted by a calm, clear voice, escalating it into something else.

"Enough," said Selene, stepping forward. Her gaze was firm as it flicked between them, although her gaze was more on Fiona. "You are the Monarch's sister, Fiona. Try to maintain at least some decorum."

Fiona scoffed. "Get lost, girl. This has nothing to do with you."

Selene's expression shifted instantly by her attitude. She hit back at her. "Well, this banquet also has nothing to do with you. But, aren't you here?"

Fiona's eyes flared with anger. "What did you just say?"

Before she could explode, Zion raised a hand in front of her. "That's enough. Ladies, please, let's not make any mess here. We all belong here, alright?"

Fiona looked stunned for a second, then stepped back, grinding her teeth. "Tch."

That's when Orion arrived, his expression unreadable at first, though his eyes were trained on Zion. He stopped beside Fiona, folded his arms, and sneered, "Funny how the fake ones always act like they belong."

Selene blinked. Some guests turned their heads, hearing those words.

"What did you say?" Zion narrowed his eyes.

Orion tilted his head, smirking slightly. "You heard me. At least we were born of the Garcia bloodline for real parents."

It took Zion a second. But then he understood.

His fingers instantly tightened around the stem of his glass.

"I see," he replied coolly, narrowing his eyes. "You've got your father's face, Orion, but not his character or strength. All you can brag about is how you were born to the Monarch. But, what's the use of being born to the strongest individual on Gaia when you don't even possess the talent?"

Orion's face twitched. "Wanna test that theory?"

The tension snapped between them as a layer of divine aura erupted from Orion. Black lightning sparks danced around his skin. "Fight me and you will see what a son of Garcia can do."

Zion stepped forward. "Are you even qualified?" he said under his breath, releasing his own divine aura. Jupiter's Blue lightning danced around his skin.

Their voices weren't loud earlier, but their actions certainly were sharp enough that a ripple of silence passed through the banquet. Even the distantly standing guests turned to look. Conversations halted for a moment. Leah raised an eyebrow. "Zion? I told that brat not to make a mess here. What is he doing?"

Estella, who was with Leah, blinked in disbelief. "Uhh…"

Leiza, who was with Azzy, narrowed her eyes. She grabbed Azzy's arm. "Honey…"

Azzy didn't need a reminder from his wife. He knew what to do. With a swift step, he disappeared from Leiza's side and appeared before Orion and Zion.

"What's going on here?" he asked calmly, though his voice carried unmistakable authority.

"They're just being stupid," Fiona muttered.

"Dad," Orion said, eyes never leaving Zion. "This has nothing to do with you. It's between us."

Azzy looked at him, raising one of his brows. "Orion…"

Zion added quickly, "Lord Garcia, there's no need to be wary here. Junior Brother here wants to test his own strength and is asking me for guidance, and as a senior, it is my duty to give him the guidance he needs. And sometimes, things heat up between younglings, and we speak tough words. Lord Garcia doesn't have to worry about anything."

Azzy glanced at Zion, who met his gaze without flinching. Zion might be just as angry as Orion, but he knew how to suppress it.

Meanwhile, some murmured around.

"I thought he was a brooding guy who only knows how to fight, but look at him. How eloquent he is."

"Yeah, it looks like Young Master Orion is the one with a problematic personality."

"Shh…"

For a moment, the Monarch of the Death Clan stood silently, judging each of them. In the end, he spoke, "Very well. Tomorrow morning. Training grounds. No soul energy. No interference." He gave a glance to his son and thought. "You are too arrogant for your own good, Orion, that you don't even understand your opponent's strength."

The crowd slowly relaxed, and the pressure lifted.

"Now," Azzy continued, motioning to the banquet tables. "This is still a party. Eat. Drink. Socialize. Save the bloodlust for sunrise."

He turned and walked away, leaving murmurs behind.

Orion stayed still, jaw clenched.

Zion just turned away, saying nothing more. Selene followed him without a word, her heels clicking softly on the marble floor.

Fiona stood beside Orion for a moment before nudging him with her elbow. "If you lose, I'm never letting you live it down."

Orion let out a breath. "I'm not going to lose."

She smirked. "Hope you're right."

Just as the crowd began to disperse from the banquet's center, Affea marched forward, her eyes sharp and locked onto her nephew and sister like a storm closing in.

"Orion! Fiona!" she snapped, grabbing both by their arms and dragging them away from the crowd. "What the hell do you two think you're doing? This is a welcome banquet, not a battlefield!"

Orion tried to yank his arm free but failed. "He started it…" he slowly complained.

"Don't even try," Affea cut in, whirling around to face him once they reached a quiet hallway. "Do you even know who Zion is?"

Fiona crossed her arms smugly, leaning against the wall.

Affea glared at her, then turned back to Orion. "He's a Supreme Realm expert. Do you get what that means? It means in the entire Death Clan, only your dad, Lady Avia, and I can face him. What are you trying to accomplish by picking a fight with him? He will destroy you…"

Orion scowled, eyes flashing. "I don't care. I need to hit something to release my frustration. Might as well be someone I hate."

Affea blinked. "You only met him tonight. How can you hate him already?"

Orion's jaw tightened. He glanced sideways, back at the hall where Zion and Selene had disappeared together. His gaze lingered them on for a few seconds.

Affea followed his line of sight, and her expression lit up in amused realization. "Ohhh. It's the girl, isn't it?"

Orion said nothing, but his ears turned red.