Zick would be lying if he said that, he was taking the conversation with Krelein to heart. He heard everything Krelein said with a serious look, but internally it was not so at all.
Both of them had made their way to a quiet place, the private restaurant on the second floor, which was also the most famous eatery in the dragon capital.
The building Zick currently was in, was divided into many economical sub-stations. Because of the space expansion and restrictions, the whole building was very complex, both in structure and sense of direction. If not for the signs on the wall, many would have been lost here.
The most important floor in it was the auction room, which was held only once in two years. Presenting materials and objects, which are normally unobtainable or rare to the extreme.
"Order whatever you want, Zick." Krelein dropped using any kind of formality, after explaining to Zick the amount of attention to be paid to positions in the dragon clan.
It was a normal act of teaching a junior, but it gave off much information.
Zick was somewhat aware of the hierarchy in the dragon clan, however, he had turned a blind eye to it. He acted clueless throughout his journey in the collaboration world.
This consecutively caused Krelein to 'Teach' him. Doing this, Zick was convinced of his prior conjecture. Krelein came to recruit him no doubt.
Krelein had done a background check on Zick without a doubt too. Hence, he effectively used 'mister' while addressing Zick for the first time they met.
This might have been done to gain a good impression, but it could give away one's intentions too. Such advances may be subtle, but they were not enough to trick Zick.
'I was skeptical of using such methods, but they are bearing quite fruitful unexpectedly. Is there a chance Krelein did not look or think deeply of my actions?'
There was a high chance that was possible. Zick was famous for his battle strength, not wits and schemes. He had not exposed much of his mental capability for a long time.
Instead, Zick's image was stained with arrogance and pride, from all his prior actions.
"Thank you for your hospitality then."
Zick maintained an unabashed look while accepting Krelein's offer. He and the dragon twin beside him began ordering food from the menu.
There were many new dishes, prompting Zick to order whichever looked the most lavish.
Krelein finished off his order instantly and continued looking at Zick's unperturbed temperament.
It was amusing for him to see Zick, being so relaxed even in presence of a peak great god.
Krelein's eyes squinted unnoticeably, 'There is no respect, admiration or fear and nervousness in his attitude. It isn't the kind of attitude that I was expecting.'
'Does he think that I won't be able to do anything to him, as he is in the dragon clan capital? If that is the case, he must be quite incompetent.'
Zick's competence fell by a level in Krelein's mind.
Krelein had to admit that Zick was indispensable in the future in terms of potential. Nevertheless, in many instances, strength was not the right answer, a level of competence and wits were absolutely needed.
'At least he is not an idiot, he knows when to advance and retreat. Knowing the concept of succumbing to circumstances, he is the kind of person who doesn't create trouble until pulled into it.' Krelein deduced this from the information he gathered.
The supreme elder behind Krelein, for one reason or another, seems to be interested in Zick.
Therefore, Krelein got sent to make this newcomer, Zick, a disciple below his master. It was truly very frustrating to be sent to recruit someone like this, especially for Krelein.
'....I would have never done such a thing normally, however, I could not turn down this request made by master.' Krelein could understand how his master, the fifth Supreme elder, thought.
With Krelein becoming a supreme being soon, he would have lost a valuable asset.
This was the universe of gods, no one moved until there was something for them to gain. In such a place, was it possible for being of supreme rank, to take in disciples and teach them anything?
There was no way such a thing was possible, hence the annual tournament was hosted every five years as a god-rank disciple and once in fifty years for a great god-rank.
This tournament held a lot of importance to every supreme being, a good amount of resources appointed to them would be decided by it.
There were a limited amount of resources in the dragon clan, even though they had a large amount of territory under their grasp. This just went to show the number of resources needed by a supreme rank being, the great god and lower rank beings' expedition was nothing before it.
Krelein's synchronizing gaze scanned Zick's face, thinking calmly: 'I do have the last resort that master handed me, but he warned me to not use it unless I have no other choice. I wonder just what is in that letter.'
Krelein opened his mouth externally spontaneously.
"You are not the kind of person who likes twisted words, so I will be straightforward from now on." Krelein rested his back on the soft cushion behind him.
"Please do, I don't like to waste time as you said," Zick responded curtly.
The air around both of them changed, from friendly to nerve-wracking pressure, making some people glance towards them.
"Do you know about the tradition of becoming a disciple, in the dragon clan?"
"Yes. That's common knowledge."
Krelein nodded his head and continued.
"Then, have you decided the supreme elder you would like to become a disciple to?"
Zick revealed a dubious expression, showing a little hesitation in his eyes.
"Honestly, I have not decided. It is a decision that can affect the rest of my life, so I want to make it after thinking it through."
Zick answered carefully to every question, not showing any flaw or weakness to be explored.
Zick thought carelessly inside: 'Is he going to give up now that he heard my words? That would be the most rational decision because I made it clear that I will be rejecting his offer in the end.'
No great god would like to do something like wasting time, more so for people with ambition, like Krelein.
But something Zick did not expect happened.
"Okay then, I invite you to become disciple under the fifth supreme elder. Here are the benefits, merits, and many other things that you would receive." Krelein's plain voice with no change entered Zick's ears.
'What....?' For some reason, Zick's instinct did not give him a good feeling.