Bruce was taken aback by the honesty of such a question, he couldn't help but look at Ainz in full view, truly the kid was no more than a normal 12-year-old but his aspiration and determination were that of an adult.
After a while of keeping silent, he sighed and chose to answer Ainz, putting a smile on his face, he said.
"Kid the road of cultivation isn't a bed of roses, it's different than what most people think, it's not just about techniques, but having the ability to be consistent and diligent even with little progress, most people could not reach the level of the patriarch even with the best cultivation resources and techniques.
"While there are people who weren't privileged to have those, but they were able to cleave the sky in two because they were consistent and diligent. To be honest, there's no guarantee that you can cleave the sky in two or teach you the best cultivation technique the Kalamas family has, but you will surely become a cultivator.
"How strong you become will depend on your talent, consistency, and diligence, this is the best bet you ever get. So what will…."
"I accept"
Ainz's little voice could be heard interrupting him, before he could even finish his speech. Bruce was taken by Ainz's quick response. This was the second time he had been taken aback, looking at the kid in the eyes, he could tell the kid was really determined, he was sure there was no amount of convincing that would change his mind.
'Just like my lord said, the kid is really frightening. Thankfully I was here in time, otherwise, there might really be a beast running wild in the Kalamas family.'
With a big smile on his face, Bruce happily thought 'Taming a wild kid will be fun' before he replied."Henceforth, you must refer to me as your master!'
"Master," Ainz said with a bright smile on his face, and slightly bowed his head, in his heart he had a big grin instead, they really think they could tame me?
That day after he accepted Bruce as his master, he was instructed to come early to the guards' courtyards the next day, but before going the next day he decided to explain what happened to Lilith, after listening to what her son said, she immediately felt gloomy.
At first, after he was done explaining everything to her he was expecting her to be dramatic like she was the very first time he told her he wanted to be guard, but surprisingly she didn't cry or say he shouldn't go, although she didn't say anything it also didn't seem like she wanted him to go as well, even though he felt a bit bad, there was nothing he could.
Before leaving she gave him a tight hug, and told him to always avoid danger and be safe, even as she said that he could feel the tears she was trying to hold filling up her eyes.
After leaving his quarters, he went straight to the guard building and went to the first gate. The man guarding the gate seemed to have been informed of his arrival, so the moment he arrived he was able to go in without any trouble.
The moment he entered he could see Bruce, in tight pants with one finger on the ground, a weight lift on the other, and his body off the ground doing an exercise.
"You're early, kid."
He said without looking at him, watching Bruce with tight pants and shirtless exercising, Ainz felt a bit of trepidation. With a solemn expression he could muster, he did a slight bow.
"Your student was eager to cultivate, master."
Bruce still didn't look at him, but this time he was on his two feet with the weight lift still in one hand, he gestured for Ainz to follow him. With him at the front, they entered a room before descending underground, where he could see weapons on the walls and some wooden dummies around.
Throwing the weight lift to the side, Bruce pointed at the floor.
"Sit, I don't really do this since mornings are my training time, so I will say everything once, and you can go ahead and ask me questions thereafter."
Ainz nodded and sat legs crossed on the floor, he could tell he wasn't lying since no one would be up by this time shirtless, in tight pants, while sweating profusely like he had been running a marathon.
Bruce gathered his thoughts for a moment, before explaining with a serious expression.
"Firstly, I want to make sure you understand some things and the reason why I decided to let you become a guard. Firstly, weighing the pros and cons of your situation, considering your position in the Kalamas family, I decided it was best I take you under my wing than continuously get your ass beat up for mere imitations. If anything I will say your determination touched me.
'Touched my ass,' Ainz cursed inwardly, it was obvious he wanted to make him feel indebted to him, but outwardly he simply nodded as if acknowledging what he said.
"Secondly, don't expect any freebies, we don't give out anything for free, a guard has to gather merits to obtain rewards, and you will be no different. However, since you are now my student, I will give you something to start with, consider it as a loan that you will have to pay back in as you're still alive and servicing under the guard, got it kid?
"Normally, you would have spilled blood to get it, but since you are under the family you can count yourself lucky kid."