"It is impressive that someone was able to spy on us." Ray smirked carelessly. Butler Fin ignored the 'boy's' mockery and replied, "It is remarkable. Just like a mortal was able to endure your glow." Ray shut up at the rebuttal. The glow he used on the assassin was one of his most prized possessions. It was called Brimstone. This glow allowed Ray to burn things down even to a molecular level. Even the soul wasn't spared this agony. Being burnt by these flames ensured that one's soul would be lost for all eternity, completely destroyed, leaving nothing for the eager arms of the grim reaper. It was certain that the grim reaper hated this technique. No one would appreciate a skill that starved them of their food.
The reason why Butler Fin dared to mock Ray concerning this was because although Ray had used his glow, the small part of the soul which held the imprint had survived, and conveyed all that happened to the castor- everything that happened in its last moments. Lucid Dreams wasn't an absolute technique. It had its drawbacks. If a powerful soul technique was used, the castor could also be affected via the imprint on the soul. Usually, Brimstone should have also burned away at the castor, but from the stranger's peeping it was clear he/she was fine and well. Someone able to shrug off Brimstone would definitely not be ordinary. Even more amazing was that this person was able to counterattack, able to place a screening lease on him. And it was done outside his detection. The difficulty of such an act was incredibly high. If the spell was placed on him in a face to face interaction it wouldn't be so strange. After all, he wasn't so in tune with his senses like his master was. If an ascender or a god who was great with sensory-based spells placed such a spell on him, he would have no idea. It wasn't like they could either way, since there was a shielding lease on him placed by Butler Fin. But this stranger had been able to bypass the shield entirely, and to do it through a medium was highly impressive.
"I'm eager to trade blows with this person" Ray said excitedly. Butler Fin shook his head wryly. This was how Ray was, always eager to fight. This was the reason why Alexis' father loved him so. The two were so similar. Both were battle freaks, and both seemed silly but were actually really smart. Both were secretive yet acted as though they had nothing to hide. Marriage and a kid had altered Ray's behaviour, unlike Alexis' father. The battle hungry maniac was always eager for a battle. No amount of children had tampered his enthusiasm. He was unlike Ray, who had become more careful of his actions since he didn't want to implicate his son.
But now that he knew that this ascender was no enemy, he was eager to duel this person. "Sometimes I wonder if you are actually 'his' son, and if Alexis was really his daughter." Ray smiled bitterly at Butler Fin's words. It was an expression that screamed, 'This isn't the first time you've said that, and it won't be the last'.
"This stranger…did he get any information on us?" Ray asked. "Yes. But they were mostly general information. From me he got information on my godhood. My title and the sorts. Mostly useless stuff. You are no different. Well, if we take out the part where you willingly disclosed a closely guarded secret. This was information you hadn't even given me. To think you gave it up so simply." Butler Fin nonchalantly stated.
Ray scratched his head in embarrassment. He looked down and sighed, "It has been a long time since I failed at something. I almost forgot what it feels like".
"Friedrich Nietzsche once said, 'The errors of great men are venerable because they are more fruitful than the truths of little men.' And you are a god. Your failure isn't really a failure, for 'failure is simply an opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.' Those were the words of Ford. If Henry was still here, he'd say the same thing."
Ray looked at Butler Fin in puzzlement. He asked his mentor, "Who are these people that you keep mentioning. Since I was little you always quote some person I have never met before or never even heard of before. Mind telling me who these people are?"
Butler Fin smiled at the question. He looked outside the recently fixed window and stated emotionally, "They were my friends. At least most of them were. But they are all dead now. Even if they weren't, I wouldn't be able to see them."
"What do you mean?" Ray wondered. "You are an elder god with amazing power and strength. Among the myriad of realms you are highly respected. There is no place in this universe that you cannot visit." He continued. He was a bit startled by his mentor's comment. He doubted that his master wouldn't be able to find anyone he searched for in this universe. The cosmos may be vast to many, but to elder gods like his master, it was just a large planet.
"Well you are wrong. I cannot explore the dark realm now, can I?" Butler Fin joked. Ray chuckled lightly at the older god's words. "That's not fair" he defended himself. "No one can explore the dark realm" he continued.
"Well your grandfather did return alive from it." Butler Fin reminded. Ray's face turned dark at the mention of his grandfather. "Don't talk about that demon" he gloomily stated. Butler Fin sighed lightly at his response. He didn't blame his ward for his reaction. Many hated Cronos for all he had done when he was alive. And no one hated him more than his own grandson, and with good reason too.
"Anyway, these friends of mine are in a more complicated situation" Butler Fin went back to the previous topic of conversation, quickly turning away from the subject that caused his mentee to be filled with such strong murderous intent.
"How so?" Ray asked. "I don't really know how to explain this. I'd tell you why later on." Ray nodded at the words of his master. The look of remorse on his master's face was genuine. He didn't want to continue talking about something that would bring the older god's mood down. Besides, if his master had promised to tell him one day, he surely would do so. The only question was when, not if. And since they were likely to live for a very long time, it may very well be very far into the future. Who knows, maybe by that time Mane would be a powerful god who will bring many to their knees.
"I wonder if my boy will awaken Brimstone" Ray wondered out loud. Butler Fin smiled at his comment. "He is far talented than you are. I'm sure even if he doesn't awaken it, as long as he gets to see you use it a few number of times, he will comprehend it." Ray wasn't insulted by the butler's statement. He was proud and elated than his son was more talented than he was. It was a good thing. A son could not be less talented than his father. That was the only way their bloodline could remain strong.
"Indeed. He is the Supreme. His talent far outstrips mine." Ray smiled as he tapped his fingers rhythmically on the expensive study table.
"Does he know?" Ray suddenly asked. Although he wasn't clear with his question, Old Butler Fin knew what he meant. "He knows what he is. He just doesn't understand who he is." Butler Fin was a bit vague with his reply. "I see." Ray responded. It seemed that Butler Fin's opaque reply was transparent to him. And that it was. His master was basically saying, 'He knows that he is a Supreme. He just doesn't know what a Supreme is or what they do.'
"Do you want him to know who he is?" Butler Fin questioned with a small smile on his face. He already knew the reply to his question, but it didn't stop him from asking anyway.
"No. Let it remain as it is. He would know when it is time." Ray said the same thing he had been saying over the years. He couldn't remember how many times Butler Fin had asked him this question. His reply had always been the same, although his mentor didn't agree with him.