The banquet hall shimmered with gold, music drifting like perfume in the air. Guests in elegant suits and gowns mingled beneath chandeliers of light, and the scent of roasted meats, spiced wines, and sweet desserts filled the space.
Amidst all the glamour and noise, Orion sat quietly.
There was no wine or meat at his table.
Just steamed vegetables, lined neatly across a white porcelain plate.
His back was straight, posture was calm. But his gaze never left the food. No idle scanning of the crowd. And he seemed alone.
Despite being the only person in the entire top sixteen to defeat Skylar, despite the storm of attention from journalists, whispers of the Buddha form and the Baphomet transformation, no one approached him for some reason.
No guilds.
No recruiters.
No schools.
He didn't know the reason, but then again, he seemed like he didn't care. Orion was perfectly comfortable sitting alone.
