"Come now, Phoenix Empress. Narven is a fire dragon; your flames can't possibly hurt him," Kalre stated confidently.
"You're such a fucking idiot," Deirlo cursed before asking, "It's hard to believe you attended Planaticia Acadimia."
"What?" Kalre asked in confusion.
"You think so?" Revi asked before adding, "I'm afraid he's one millenia to early to think that, but I don't mind putting it to the test."
As she finished speaking, Revi lifted her free hand before a ball of fire appeared in it, which Narven looked at nervously.
"The Phoenix Empress is twice Narven's age and age equals power, you idiot," Deirlo explained, causing Kalre's eyes to widen in shocked realisation.
"Now, now, Revi, let's not do anything hasty," Narven said nervously as he let go of Adam's wrist.
"Sorry, who are you addressing?" Revi asked with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes while the flame above her hand seemed to intensify.
"Sorry, I meant Phoenix Empress," Narven said as he started to sweat nervously.
"Better," Revi replied before offering, "Perhaps I should still punish you slightly anyway, though I doubt you will win next year's most handsome man award if I do."
"No need, no need, I've learned my lesson," Narven replied.
Revi thought for a moment before extinguishing the flame as she said, "Hmm, I guess explaining myself to Pevaphio would be a pain, especially since Adam is here and I want to spend all my free time with him."
Narven sighed in relief and just as everyone thought it was over, Tephe suddenly opened her eyes slightly and asked, "Then why don't you let me punish him in your stead?"
"What?" They all asked in surprise while turning to Tephe.
"You can't be serious?" Kalre scoffed before saying, "We just had a conversation about how age equals power and you want to challenge someone twice your age?"
"What do you mean, 'we just had a conversation'?" Deirlo asked in annoyance before adding, "I seem to remember it was me teaching you basic knowledge."
"Whatever," Kalre said dismissively before adding, "You can't deny that she stands no chance against Narven."
Deirlo didn't respond and instead looked quizzically at Tephe. As far as she was aware, White Dragon Tephe might be a spoiled brat, but she wasn't stupid, so why would she challenge Narven to a fight she couldn't win?
"Are you sure about this?" Revi asked with a concerned look in her eyes.
"I am. I've been meaning to test out my strength since we saved Maiya from the Scorpo," Tephe replied.
"You battled a Scorpo?" Kalre asked in disbelief.
"You sure you don't want me to handle this?" Adam asked as he ignored Kalre before adding, "I am kinda experienced in this sort of thing."
"How would you even fight him? I mean, Spector Unit Six is still with Tessa and Becky?" Tephe asked.
"I can still use my combat armour," Adam replied.
"Hey," Kalre asked as he turned to Denog before adding, "Are they ignoring me?"
"Looks like it," Denog replied.
"That's fine if he stays in his human form, but what if he returns to his true form?" Tephe asked before shaking her head and asking, "No, let me handle this, though I'm not so foolish as to battle him without some form of protection, and since you mentioned the combat armour, why not lend me mine?"
"I'm fine with that, but you know what will happen if you return to your true form while wearing it, right?" Adam asked.
"People were going to find out sooner or later," Tephe replied while shrugging.
"I hate to interrupt your conversation, but I have no interest in fighting White Dragon Tephe. I challenged you," Narven remarked.
Adam was about to reply when Tephe beat him to it, "I can understand if you're scared of fighting me, but I'm afraid you're not qualified to challenge a Universal Senator's bodyguard."
"A Universal Senator's Bodyguard?" Denog repeated in surprise as the surrounding crowd also murmured in surprise.
"Seriously?" Deirlo asked as she eyed up Adam with even more interest.
"There's no way, I mean, you said it yourself, he's from outside the known universe," Kalre said in a disbelieving tone.
"Assuming what you say is true, which Universal Senator does he protect?" Narven asked suspiciously.
"My mother, Senator Pevaphio," Tephe replied, shocking everyone except Adam and Revi.
"Preposterous," Kalre remarked.
"Senator Pevaphio doesn't have a bodyguard," Denog replied before adding, "It's well known she has yet to find one that meets her standards.
"Why have we never heard of this?" Narven asked in a doubtful tone.
"Because he is yet to appear in public," Tephe replied before asking, "Do you think my mother needs a bodyguard in her day-to-day life?"
"He is scheduled to make his first public appearance when he escorts Senator Pevaphio to attend the Universal Senate's Supreme Speaker Selection," Revi announced.
As if to help clarify their claims, Adam used his free hand, which had just been released, to pull out his Universal Force Staff, which he extended before resting the end on the ground.
"Holy shit, it's true," Deirlo said in shock as she stared at the universal force staff while the surrounding crowd went into uproar and started taking even more photos after finding out that their Empress was dating a Universal Senator's bodyguard.
"Still think you're worthy to challenge him?" Tephe asked with a gloating smirk.
Narven, however, didn't respond and just stared at the universal force staff.
"I'll take your lack of response as a no," Tephe said smugly before asking, "So shall we get started, or are you also too afraid to face me?"
"You're not going to take that, are you, Narven?" Kalre asked.
"No," Narven said with a frown before asking, "You sure you want to do this? You must know that you stand no chance against me?"
"Then I'll consider it a good learning experience since it's been so long since I faced off against one of my race," Tephe replied.
"Fine," Narven spat before saying, "Name the terms."
"This will be a friendly spar only and there will be no killing," Revi suddenly cut in, causing everyone to stare at her as she took a step forward and continued, "The last thing I need is to have to call Pevaphio and inform her that a dragon has died while visiting my planet, especially if it's her daughter."
"Thanks so much for the vote of confidence," Tephe scoffed while rolling her eyes.
Revi ignored the comment and instead asked, "Are you both in agreement?"
"Yes," Tephe and Narven replied.
"Good, then, as Empress, I will oversee the match personally," Revi announced.
"With all due respect, Phoenix Empress, don't you think that's a little unfair since you will obviously be biased towards your goddaughter?" Denog asked nervously.
"Oh?" Revi replied while raising an eyebrow before asking, "Then who do you suggest? Surely not one of you three, seeing as the same principle stands."
"I would suggest that Senator Pevaphio's bodyguard oversee the match," Deirlo suggested.
"You can't be serious?" Kalre complained while turning to Deirlo as he added, "Not only is he the bodyguard of White Dragon Tephe's mother, but he's even apparently on a date with her. You can't get more biased."
"Well, who else is there?" Deirlo retorted before continuing, "We can't ask any of the phoenix race since they all practically worship the white dragon who saved them during the Siege of Fenix Nest and through that white dragon, Tephe here, I mean they're even holding a celebration in her honour.
We also can't ask any of the divas or other travelling companions of Tephe because they could also be inherently biased. In the end, the man before us is the best option since poor judgment on his part would reflect poorly on not only Senator Pevaphio but also the Universal Senate Security HQ and even the Universal Senate itself."
"My sister is correct," Denog remarked.
"Hey," Kalre replied before asking, "Why do you get to address her as just Tephe?"
"Seriously?" Deirlo asked while sighing in disbelief and covering her face with her hand before saying, "I explained all that and that's your question."
Revi smirked at the interaction before turning back to Narven and asking, "I'm assuming you're fine with Adam overseeing the match then?"
Narven nodded in agreement.
"And I'm assuming you're ok with it, babe?" Revi asked as she turned to Adam with a smile.
"Babe?" Kalre repeated while Narven's brow twitched again.
"Just shut up already," Deirlo said in annoyance.
"That's fine," Adam replied before saying, "Spector, launch mine and Tephe's combat armour."
[[Affirmative.]]
"Combat armour? Who's Spector?" Deirlo asked curiously.
Adam only smiled at her in response before looking at Tephe and asking, "Where shall we do this, since I assume you don't want them fighting in the city?"
"No, that would not be a good idea," Revi said with a chuckle before adding, "We can use the training facilities used by young phoenixies when they're first coming into their powers and need to learn to control them."
As she finished replying, Revi turned to Narven and asked, "I'm assuming you don't mind if I broadcast all this for my citizens to watch? It will make a good addition to the festival after all."
"Not at all," Narven replied.
"Excellent," Revi replied before turning to Adam and winking.
Adam understood her meaning and nodded before saying, "Spector, launch stream."