Family Dinner

"I heard Ardor's going to beat you up." A teenage girl with long blonde hair and angelic features said with a smile. Jokingly she poked the boy beside her repeatedly and the boy simply stared at her with stony violet eyes. A girl with black hair and dark eyes sat on the other side of the boy, staring at the food on a table.

"Instead of doing whatever you are doing, it would be best if you trained." Sicarius said as he swiped down on his phone.

The three of them sat by the dinner table at Sicarius's house. On the table was various dishes that could make anyone salivate from merely the aroma. Agatha was by the kitchen preparing more things while Hanzel was outside the house talking the phone.

Sicarius was in the process of gathering information as they waited. Apparently, a student was to battle him in the following week. It was some sort of event wherein the prize would be a trip to Vision, a place which Sicarius needed more research on. Why they can't battle right now Sicarius didn't know, however, Sicarius can't deny that the following days would be good for preparation.

Sicarius was not a fool. To consider oneself as unrivaled underneath the heavens was foolish and arrogant. Sicarius wouldn't hide his strength but he wouldn't go out of his way to boast about it either.

The student he would battle was Ardor Withers. The 'prodigy' that Sicarius would hear so much about. This was a student that had the two powers. The power of fire and the divine power of the priests . This meant that this guy could heal himself throughout the battle while having the offensive power of a regular powered. In a battle of attrition Sicarius would surely lose.

Therefore, Sicarius would have to strike hard and fast. To end the battle shortly before even a shred of fatigue starts to set in his body. However, Sicarius didn't know how well Ardor could fight so Sicarius didn't even know if he could end the fight quickly.

Quickly he caught the hand that kept poking at him before asking, "Have you fought Ardor before?"

"I..." Venus seemed to be flustered, "Yes, I-I fought him before. "

"Is he strong?" Sicarius said as be lowered Venus's hand to her side. Having let go of Venus finger, she seemed to have been relieved but also a tad bit dissatisfied.

"Kinda," Venus said with more composure than before. "I haven't actually beaten him before. He's super resilient so even if I land a few good hits he'll always heal it right back up. Usually when a priest heals is when he's most vulnerable, but he has two powers so he can focus his divine powers in healing while he keeps attacking with fire."

"That guy's a cheater," Princess mumbled with a scowl, "I like Sicarius better because he defeats us with pure skill. That guy just keeps healing and wins when I get tired."

Sicarius remained silent in thought for a minute before nodding, "Do any of you know what Vision is?"

"Nope." Princess answered instantly,

"I've heard of it before occasionally," Venus muttered as she eyed at her shoes below the table, "I heard it was a place where people can learn more about their powers. I don't know enough about it though. You should ask grandpops."

"Thank you." Sicarius nodded as he processed the information. If Vision was a place to gain enlightenment why would Sicarius go? Could it perhaps help in awakening powers too? Thinking this, Sicarius couldn't help but be thankful he was given time to prepare. He could not afford to lose this opportunity.

"Are you kids ready for dinner?" Hanzel said with a smile as he entered the dining room.

"Yes," Princess answered, "Yes I am,"

"Me too!" Venus said with polite smile back,

Sicarius simply nodded,

"Where's my beautiful wife?" Hanzel said as he sat down, "Agatha we're ready!"

"Come here and help me carry this instead you dimwit!" Agatha yelled from the kitchen.

"Oops!" Hearing this Hanzel stumbled quickly towards the kitchen, only to come back a minute later holding a large roasted pig. Agatha entered after him holding a pot of stew. They set it on the table and the dishes were finally complete.

Princess could barely hold herself back from putting her hands on the food while Sicarius had already torn a part of the pig's legs and began chewing.

"Sicarius!" Agatha scolded, "We pray first!"

With meat in his mouth Sicarius nodded. Agatha eyed him disapprovingly while Hanzel just laughed, even Venus chuckled a bit just as Agatha started the prayer.

"Gods in heaven, may you all watch over us." Agatha started, "Especially my son Sicarius, who has a battle to face in the near future. May you keep us healthy and forever blessed in the graces of all the gods up above.

She paused, "Especially my son Sicarius, Keep him safe, give him strength and most importantly the clarity of mind for the upcoming challenges ahead. Amen."

Sicarius listened to all that with a straight face, and meat in his mouth. Awkward silence followed for a minute before Hanzel chuckled joyfully.

"Dig in everyone! The food's going to get cold!" He said,

At that, everyone started to eat. Princess took loads of multiple dishes while Venus took meager amounts. Sicarius needed lots of food to maintain his health therefore he took an amount of food sufficient for at least ten people. Sicarius's appetite was exact the reason why Agatha cooked a lot, however this time it was more than usual. This felt like some kind of offering.

"So..." Hanzel muttered with a smile, "What's this I hear about a battle?"

"Sicarius is gonna battle our other friend Ardor." Princess said as she chewed,

"The whole school's wanting to watch it." Venus said as she drank water, "Youngest combat instructor versus the prodigy. "

"Ardor..." Hanzel muttered, "Ardor Withers? That kid with the flames and the priest powers?"

"You know him?" Agatha asked,

"Yes that boy volunteers by the headquarters often." Hanzel said laughing, "That kid helped catch a cultist once, cultist was roasted."

Agatha stilled as she heard this. She looked Sicarius in the eyes as she opened her mouth. For a second she hesitated to speak, but still she gathered herself enough to let the words out.

"Son..." she paused, "Will you consider not battling Ardor? In fact, will you consider staying at home with us? You don't have to keep your deal with the founder you know. You can be a police officer like your father, it's not bad staying in the city. Being status 3 is already strong enough after all."

Princess, Venus and Hanzel were rather uncomfortable with the serious tone of the conversation, therefore their pace of eating slowed. Sicarius, however, kept chewing at a normal pace as his mother waited for an answer.

"Why should I?"