Jade had just turned toward the entrance of the restaurant when someone stepped inside.
At first, it was only a small movement at the doorway, something that could easily have gone unnoticed among the many things happening inside the large hall. The restaurant was still lively. Conversations filled the air, plates clinked softly against tables, and waiters continued moving between customers with trays of steaming meals.
Groups of people were still discussing the Elite Championship match that had taken place earlier in the evening.
"Did you see the last strike?"
"No way his opponent should have lost!"
"Rowan Storm was clearly holding back until the end."
The discussions rose and fell in different parts of the hall as customers shared their opinions while enjoying their meals.
But Jade's attention shifted toward the entrance.
The person who had stepped inside was a young teenager.
She paused briefly just past the doorway, allowing her eyes to adjust to the bright lights inside the restaurant. Her long black hair fell freely down her back, the strands slightly messy and clinging to her neck.
She was drenched in sweat.
Tiny beads of moisture glistened along her forehead and temples, and parts of her shirt were damp from what was clearly an intense session of physical activity.
She was tall.
Not quite as tall as Jade yet, but tall enough that many people often assumed she was older than she actually was.
Her face was smooth and flawless, with sharp features that gave her an appearance both youthful and confident.
This was Nora.
Jade's younger sister.
She was only one year younger than him, yet in many ways she seemed ahead of him.
Nora had always been incredibly intelligent.
While Jade worked hard and pushed himself through training sessions that demanded discipline and endurance, Nora often seemed to understand things far more quickly.
Her mind was sharp.
She analyzed situations with ease.
And when it came to strategy or problem-solving, she often reached conclusions before others had even finished thinking about the question.
Even in physical training, she surprised people.
Despite her slender appearance, Nora possessed a remarkable level of fitness.
If Jade and Nora were to spar seriously, Nora would most likely win.
It wasn't simply because of her strength or speed.
It was her mind.
Nora had an incredible ability to observe movements, anticipate reactions, and adjust her strategy accordingly. She could outthink an opponent in the middle of a fight while maintaining precise control of her body.
Her fitness level was also extremely high.
In fact, it was so high that even some initiates—people who had already begun formal training to become awakened fighters—sometimes struggled to reach the same level of conditioning.
Yet Nora made it look effortless.
While Jade often pushed himself through exhausting workouts, Nora seemed to improve naturally.
As if progress simply followed her wherever she went.
Standing near the entrance now, Nora quickly scanned the busy hall.
It didn't take long for her to spot the person she was looking for.
Jade stood near the middle of the restaurant holding an empty serving tray.
The moment Nora saw him, she immediately moved.
She ran across the hall toward him, slipping between tables and customers with quick, light steps.
Her movements were agile, almost instinctive.
Within seconds, she reached him.
"Here you are," she said as she stopped in front of him, slightly out of breath but clearly energized.
"I knew you would be here."
Jade looked down at her calmly.
He immediately noticed the sweat covering her face.
"You look like you just ran through the whole district," he said casually.
Then he tilted his head slightly.
"So what is it?"
"You came here just to stare at the food or you want to order something?"
Nora folded her arms briefly.
"I'm not here to eat."
Jade raised an eyebrow.
"Well, mom is looking for you," he replied.
"You should probably eat something before you start working."
Nora waved her hand dismissively.
"I said I'm not hungry."
Then her expression changed suddenly as she remembered something.
"Wait," she said quickly.
"Who won the fight in the Elite Championship?"
Jade exhaled quietly.
He scratched the side of his head.
"I didn't watch the fight to the ending part," he admitted.
"Mom cut the electricity before the final moment."
His tone carried a faint hint of disappointment.
"But from what I heard," he continued, "the winner is Rowan Storm."
Nora's eyes widened instantly.
"Rowan Storm?" she repeated.
She shook her head dramatically.
"Oh my… I can't believe I missed that."
Her disappointment lasted only a second before she brightened again.
"Thankfully my friends recorded it," she said confidently.
"I'll just tell them to send me the video."
With that, she turned and headed toward the kitchen.
Jade watched her walk away briefly before returning to his work in the dining hall.
Meanwhile, Nora stepped into the kitchen.
The warm air inside carried the rich smell of roasted meat and spices. Several workers moved around the cooking stations preparing dishes while others organized plates for serving.
Near the center of the kitchen stood Seraphine.
She was finishing the preparation of another meal when she noticed Nora entering.
Seraphine looked at her daughter quietly for a moment.
Her eyes moved over Nora's sweat-covered face and damp clothes.
Then she spoke calmly.
"Wash the dishes."
"We will soon be going home."
Nora stopped walking.
For a moment she simply stared at her mother.
Then she scoffed softly.
Without arguing further, she walked toward the large sink where stacks of used plates had been gathered.
As she rolled up her sleeves and reached for the first dish, she muttered under her breath.
"I should have just eaten something…"
"…just to avoid this work."