Rise of the Malactric Heir

After they left the arena, Adora couldn't stop thinking about Zack's desperate expression, which bothered her and Nina noticed that.

"Adora, you seem tense," Nina observed.

"I am sorry I got involved," Alix apologized, and Adora scoffed.

"You don't have to apologize; I was surprised that you came between us, but that's not a bad thing; you acted on instinct and reflexes, didn't you?" she questioned.

"Yeah, I kind of did," he admitted. "Before I knew it, I was standing between you guys."

"It's fine, it helped me relax; I have known Zack for a long time," she explained.

"Would you mind telling us about him?" Kyllan asked.

"I will tell you about him at lunch, when the others are present; driver, could you take us to a really good restaurant?" Adora asked and the driver smiled.

"Yes, I can," he said.

'Thank you,' she replied.

"You are welcome; I will take you to the most recommended restaurant in the city," he said.

After a short distance, both cars came to a halt in front of a busy glass building, the scent of the food reached the building's exterior.

"That smells fantastic," Aerav said as they all exited their cars and gazed at the fancy restaurant.

"This is the best one; there are others, but I recommend it as well," the driver said.

"Well, thank you, and would you like to join us?" Adora asked.

"Thank you," the driver replied, "but we have lunch."

"All right, come on guys," Kyris said as he walked into the restaurant, and they followed him.

"This place is nice," Nina said as Yan wrapped his arm around her, her cheeks flushed.

"Get a room, you two love birds," Alix said, and they laughed as Kyris ordered a private booth for the group.

"Come on guys," Adora said as they walked to their booth, where a waitress approached them and Ayden winked at her and she smiled.

"Here is the menu; take your time, decide what you want, and then call on me," she said.

"OK, thank you," Kyllan said as they gathered the menus and the girl walked away.

"You are such a flirt," Sarah remarked.

"Don't call me a flirt. I just winked at a pretty girl, so I am not a flirt," he said and Sarah elbowed him by the side.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked, as she pouted, her cheeks flushed.

"I think I know what's wrong," Alix said, and Sarah gave him a sidelong glance.

"Do you?" Sarah inquired.

"Let me in on it too, she calls me a pervert, flirt, I don't know what other name she will come up with next," Ayden said, laughing.

"You will figure it out sooner or later, stop flirting," Eliza responded and Ayden sighed.

"Are you all against me for this?" Ayden asked.

"No, we are not," Adora said as she called the same waitress, and Ayden pointed out to Sarah what he wanted to order without flirting with the waitress, and she smiled before they all placed their orders.

"You will have your orders in a few minutes," the girl promised.

"OK," Adora said, and the waitress walked away.

"So, what exactly is the story with Zack?" Eliza inquired.

"Well, that is Vellon's so-called brother," she replied, as they all stared in horror at her.

"How does Vellon's so-called brother work?" Yan inquired, and Adora looked at Alix, who appeared calm.

"Well, Zack and Vellon are not blood brothers, more like best friends in combat. While Vellon was still here, Zack had come for business meetings with his family and he stayed for training, believe me, when I say he is really strong, we were all close as kids growing up until Vellon took a different path, he hurt Zack that day he left, Zack was badly hurt for trying to get in his way," she responded.

"That's messed up," Ayden said and Adora lowered her head.

"Something about the past doesn't make sense, I know Vellon is on the wrong path, Zack is clearly frustrated about what he will do next, that's clearly written on his face, and I have a bad feeling about being in this kingdom right now," Adora replied.

"Is he frustrated because he couldn't stop Vellon on that particular day?" Alix asked, and Adora glanced at him.

"I believe so," she replied.

"That won't help him; if he faced Vellon now, there is a good chance he would lose because emotions would get in the way," Alix said.

"He is correct. Adora, the next source is also here, right?" Kyris inquired.

"Yeah, we are going to be in this kingdom for a while, so we'd better stay out of trouble," Adora replied.

"How will you track down the source, Adora?" Kyllan questioned.

"I will figure it out later; can you guys please just focus on your upcoming match only?" she asked.

"We can only do that if you call us for help if you get into trouble; don't go doing everything on your own because, like it or not, Vellon can hurt you because it appears to me that he has things to use against you," Alix responded as the others stared at him.

'Is this his way of expressing concern? 'Sheesh, at least his communication skills are way better than before, maybe this is for the best, he is so on to me,' Adora thought.

"Fine, if that's all there is to it, then I think I can do that, I will," Alix smirked as the waitress brought their food and Kyris paid for it before they all started eating.

While everyone was eating Adora looked at them and then sighed.

'Damn it, I never thought that I would find such a good team and this bloody mask is starting to bother me; I never had problems with it before, but now that I will be around them most of the time, I won't be able to even eat freely,' Adora thought, and Nina looked at her, then at Yan, who smiled.