After thinking for a bit Thadius asked his father if he thought any of those new generation talents could challenge him. Maximus who had the most knowledge about his son's strength thought and said nobody in his age group could beat him but those In the third meridian could pose a threat to him. Thadius then asked if those battle were to the death or not to which Maximus said that no clan would allow their best talents to die under their watch and would always intervene if things got too serious.
Thadius immediately lost all interest since such battles would never temper him properly so he refused. Maximus knowing his son's thoughts didn't force him and calmy accepted. The father son duo were actually quite similar since both didn't have much interest in being famous and well known but both also craved strength. They trained like insatiable beasts and had such hunger for strength that it intimidatedothers.
Lady Elena also didn't care about material things and just wanted her small family to be happy while Elius just ate the pastries with gusto oblivious to everything.
Maximus went to the clan head the next day and told him Thadius would not be participating. Mathius understood but was curious and asked Maximus how strong was Thadius. Others might underestimate him but Mathius would never make that mistake it was because he knew Maximus took Thadius to the beast region to train and it was such a dangerous thing even he won't allow Hercule to go there since anything could happen in the beast region. Maximus just said he wasn't anything special which Mathius clearly didn't believe.
One month later Mathius and few other clan elders with almost all of the next generation talents got ready. Among them some clearly stood out and one of them was Hercule who asked his father why Thadius didn't come.
When he heard Thadius wasn't participating he was surprised since Thadius was one of the few in his generation who gave him a dangerous feeling and he couldn't see through his strength. Another reason was that Maximus was Hercule's idol and both were sword meridians even though Maximus's meridians were the absolute sword meridians which was a level higher than his single sword meridians . Hercule and his father had asked Maximus to take him as his disciple but Maximus rejected the idea saying he wasn't interested. Hercule still regarded Maximus highly especially since he was fascinated by his style and strength displayed by him during the banquet. Heinx and Hemcur were also present though clearly more humble having learnt their lesson.