Talent Awakening: Draconic Overlord Of The Apocalypse

A couple of tables away, Cinder leaned back in her chair, stirring her chocolate ice cream slowly as she watched Alister. The soft hum of conversation filled the upscale restaurant, yet her gaze was fixed on him with a curious, almost challenging look.

"So, Ali dear," she called him, her tone teasing yet edged with a touch of jealousy, "what do you think about Anya?"

Alister raised an eyebrow at the question, tilting his head slightly. "What do I think?" He leaned back in his seat, arms crossing over his chest. "Well… she's strong, determined, and relentless. A bit wild, but sensible at times. The kind of person who doesn't back down from what she wants."

"And what if what she wants… is you?" Cinder replied, her tone softening. Her fingers tapped lightly on the rim of her ice cream cup, and she bit her lower lip, watching him intently.

Alister blinked at the bluntness of her words before a small smirk tugged at his lips. He studied her expression—the slight pout, the way she stabbed her spoon a little too forcefully into the ice cream.

His smirk grew. "Darling… are you jealous?"

Cinder paused mid-bite before leaning in closer, her golden eyes gleaming with something unreadable. She rested her chin on her hand, her voice dropping into a low, sultry whisper.

"What if I am?"

Alister chuckled, shaking his head as he reached out and flicked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. "How cute."

Cinder scoffed, but the faintest hint of pink dusted her cheeks. She took another slow bite of ice cream, savoring it before speaking again.

"I understand that you're the Overlord of Dragons," she admitted, her voice calm but firm. "Which means having more than one mate is inevitable." She lifted her gaze to meet his, eyes smoldering with quiet resolve. "But I want special treatment."

She leaned in slightly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I was here first."

Alister stared at her for a moment before bursting into laughter, the rich sound drawing glances from nearby tables. Even Galisk and Anya momentarily paused their bickering to glance in their direction.

Still laughing, Alister turned back to Cinder, his amusement evident. "I never knew you had such a side to you."

Cinder smirked, swirling her spoon through the melting ice cream. "There's a lot you still don't know about me, Ali dear."

Alister chuckled again, shaking his head as he reached for his drink. "Guess I'm going to have to take my time to find out then."

Miyu, who had been quietly observing, let out a low whistle. "Since when did you become such a smooth talker, bro? I almost didn't recognize you for a moment there."

Alister turned to her with a knowing smile. "Glad to see we're back on talking terms."

Miyu crossed her arms, giving him a pointed look. "You can thank Dad later. He told me to give you a chance." She leaned back in her chair, her tone turning mischievous. "Which means you and I are gonna have a long interrogation session later."

Alister raised an eyebrow. "Interrogation? Don't you mean a chat?"

"Interrogation," Miyu repeated firmly. "I know what I said."

Alister chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. I understand."

Miyu sighed, shifting her gaze. "That aside… could you tell Mar'Garet to calm down? My words aren't reaching her anymore."

Alister followed her gaze to Mar'Garet, seated a few seats away, gnawing on her thumbnail as she glared daggers at Anya. Her muttering was barely audible, but the bloodlust in her eyes was impossible to miss.

"I'll kill her. I'll kill her. I'll kill her," Mar'Garet murmured darkly. "Who does she think she is? A mere human trying to take my Lord from me… she doesn't deserve to live… no, she shouldn't have been born. I'll kill her. I'll kill her. I'll kill her."

Alister sighed before calling out, "Mar'Garet."

Instantly, her demeanor shifted. Her eyes brightened, and she turned to him with a wide, almost innocent smile. She clasped her hands together, tilting her head as her crimson eyes softened, gleaming with a warmth reserved only for him.

"You called, my love?" she asked sweetly. She even brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, as if she hadn't just been seconds away from committing murder.

Miyu groaned, rubbing her temples. "She's hopeless…"

Alister sighed, rubbing his temple before addressing Mar'Garet. "Calm down. You won't be killing anyone," he said firmly. "And put away the spear. You're scaring everyone around us."

Mar'Garet hesitated for a moment, her grip tightening around the weapon, her expression caught between defiance and devotion. "But my Lord," she murmured, her voice almost pleading. "You aren't planning to make her a concubine, are you?"

Alister's gaze narrowed slightly, his tone turning sharp. "And if I was? Would you go against me?"

Mar'Garet stiffened, her eyes widening. "No, never!" she said quickly, shaking her head. "I wouldn't dare, my Lord."

Alister held her gaze for a moment longer before nodding. "Then calm down."

Mar'Garet let out a deep breath, her possessiveness still evident, but she obediently withdrew her spear, placing it back in its dimensional storage. "Yes, my Lord," she muttered under her breath, her fingers twitching as if still itching for a fight.

Miyu, who had been watching with a mix of amusement and disbelief, finally spoke. "You're actually going to go out with her?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Alister leaned back, exhaling. "Would you rather I turn her down after she poured her heart out?"

Miyu crossed her arms, considering it before shrugging. "No… but you're starting to give off the vibes of a playboy."

Alister placed a hand over his chest as if wounded. "Ouch."

Galisk and Anya made their way toward the table where Alister, Miyu, Cinder, and Mar'Garet were seated. The restaurant's atmosphere remained lively, but the tension from earlier had noticeably settled.

Stopping beside Alister, Galisk gestured toward Anya with a casual grin. "Miyu, this is Anya, the Guildmaster of the Berserkers. Anya, this is Miyu, Alister's sister."

Anya offered a polite smile and extended a hand. "Nice to meet you, Miyu. If you ever need help with anything, don't hesitate to call me."

Miyu shook her hand but smirked slightly. "Thanks, but I think Dad would be more reliable—he practically built and owns everything."

Galisk's grin widened with pride at the statement, folding his arms across his chest. "My little star is a smart girl."

Anya chuckled. "I understand."

She then glanced at Alister, her expression shifting slightly as if she wanted to say something more. However, before she could, Galisk clapped a hand on her shoulder. "We should step out. You have guildmaster duties, and it wouldn't do for you to waste too much time here."

Anya sighed but nodded. "Right."

...

Outside

Alister and Anya stood before her sleek supercar, the neon lights from nearby signs reflecting off its polished surface. The others remained a fair distance away, giving them space.

Anya crossed her arms, gazing at him with a determined look. "You never gave me your answer. I want you to go out with me."

Alister chuckled, tilting his head slightly. "Guildmaster, when you make a request, you're supposed to be more subtle about it."

Anya frowned, placing a hand on her hip. "I told you to stop calling me 'Guildmaster' before. It's Anya."

Alister exhaled, shaking his head with a slight smile. "Alright, sorry. It's just a habit."

"Then break it," Anya insisted. "Call me by my name. And give me your answer."

Alister studied her for a moment before smirking. "Anya, of course, I'll go out with you."