After a short conversation with the receptionist, a young guy approached them. He politely said hello and asked them to follow him. He didn't say or ask anything on the way, just politely pointed in the right direction.
- This way. Good day Mr Immortal Drunkard! - Respectfully, he said and bowed.
- Thank you very much! - smilingly thanked Kai, -Can I just come in? - He asked again.
- Yes. Elder Caius said that you can feel completely free to act. - Replied the boy and bowed once more.
Looking at this, Kai did not bother to occupy this employee further. He simply turned around and knocked on the large doors.
Kai didn't wait for an answer and just opened it immediately after knocking. If he was told not to be ceremonious, he wouldn't be!
At that moment, a spacious room of impressive size opened in front of him. There were many scrolls that were scattered in the corners and bookshelves near the walls. It seemed that this was what 'creative clutter' looked like. That said, the centre of the room was not cluttered with anything.
Right now, there were two old men sitting there, and a young girl who was drawing something on the floor.
- Hello Elder Caius! - Suddenly shouted Kai.
- Oh! It's you Kai! Where have you been?! - Turning round the old man gave out loudly.
Seeing Kai on the doorstep of his room, the old man quickly got up and went to meet him.
No one paid attention, but once Iris heard the familiar voice. And even more so when Elder Caius confirmed her suspicions... Her entire face instantly turned red. It was an involuntary reaction that she had absolutely no control over!
- It's nothing... Wandering here and there... - Kai said with a smile.
- Hahaha! You rascal! - Kai... Your cultivation...' he said dumbfounded, looking at Kai's Energy Centre.
- I've been walking around all this time for a reason. Hehehe. - Kai laughed snidely.
- Do you want to show me where I can take a walk like that? - Turning his gaze to Kai's face, the Elder asked.
- Elder Caius, don't joke around like that. You know yourself that it's just useless for you to wander around in those places. Hehehe. - Kai replied parrying.
- Well, although I have something to say... I'll keep silent,' he said with a slight smile. - Caius said with a slight smile.
He had a lot of questions and compliments that he could address to Caius. Such as saying that his talent for martial arts was as good as his talent for crafts. Or ranting about the speed of his progress. But Elder Caius was an old and wise man. He understood that there were situations where it was better to just keep silent and not think about it.
- Thank you Elder Caius. - Kai replied with a grateful smile and bowed slightly.
- Let me introduce you to my guest. - The old man changed the subject and paused for a second before turning around.
He looked seriously at Kai, seeming to ponder the need for words, what he wanted to say....
- Forgive me for being sentimental. I will unceremoniously interfere in your affairs once again... - Caius apologised in advance, - Although geniuses are rare... But still, they are born once every few decades. I've seen this more than once...' the old man said melancholically, 'Remember what I'm about to tell you. A dead genius is no longer a genius. - He said meaningfully.
After looking at Kai for a few more seconds, the old man patted him on the shoulder and smiled again.
- Everyone, let's go introduce you to my friend. - Caius gave out good-naturedly and moved forward.
'A dead genius is no longer a genius...' - Kai repeated in his mind. Nodding, he followed Caius.
The old man had already lived an impressive number of years. Even if geniuses appeared once every dozen years, it didn't mean that they all became legendary figures. In most cases, they simply did not have time to grow to such a scale.
Very often, people who are endowed with talent from birth become arrogant and self-confident. It is these qualities that cause their demise in the future.
Elder Caius hinted to Kai just that. He was afraid lest arrogance would also ruin Kai himself. He clearly liked this guy!
Except that Kai didn't consider himself a genius... Up to a certain point, he was just an ordinary kid. Except that his judgement and stability of mind wasn't childish. But that's not what makes you a genius.
Everything Kai possessed, he had achieved through hard training. Regularly overcoming pain, torture, and fatigue, he continued to advance. Although his techniques were amazing... But were they easy to cultivate? Would anyone be able to replicate such a thing?
Just as Kai's pride began to bud, he was reminded of his place well. The defeat in the duel with the Silver Spear had come at a very good time... And then the persecution in the Shadow Corner. All of this reminded Caius that he was very far away from what could be called 'true strength'....
As Elder Caius said, 'A dead genius is no longer a genius.' Even if Kai's potential is incredible... Any of the mediocre Elders can interrupt that potential right now. And it's best not to forget about it.
- This is Grand Elder Dalinar. He is Master Iris. - Said Elder Caius, pointing to a man with thick black hair and light stubble.
- Nice to meet you! My name is Kai! - Respectfully he replied and bowed.
- Come on boy! I already know who you are. Your Alchemical Array has made quite a stir. - I'm also pleased to meet you in person,' he added good-naturedly.
- Hehehe...' Kai laughed good-naturedly, 'Elder Dalanar, you overestimate me. - he said smiling.
- Yes? And why is that? - The man asked interestedly.
- Because I'm not that good at arrays in general. It's just that I sold my knowledge very skilfully. If you evaluate my skills, the Alchemy Array is pretty much the only thing worthy of attention. - With a sly smile, Kai gave out.
- Even if it is, it doesn't change anything. It's just that you're thinking in slightly different terms. For some people, creating such an array could be the pride of a lifetime. Even if in doing so, they'll be an ignoramus to everything else. - Not agreeing with Kai, Dalinar parried.
- But with that kind of thinking, can you achieve much? - Immediately, Kai asked in response.
For some reason, a discussion instantly broke out between them. They didn't even have time to get acquainted before they began to exchange arguments. It didn't sound very constructive. It seemed that they just understood each other half-heartedly.
- Somewhere you are right and somewhere you are wrong. - Smiling, the man replied.
- Don't mind Kai. Dalinar is a man who likes to argue. Ha-ha. - Laughing, Elder Caius interrupted their dialogue.
- You seem different. - Turning his gaze to Elder Caius, the man said.
- Dalanar, do you want to argue with me now? - Rolling his eyes, Caius replied.
- Why wouldn't I? Hahaha. - Laughing loudly, the man shouted out.
- I like you! Hehehe. - Laughing too, Kai said.
- That's just great! You guys are already together?! Are you trying to piss me off?! - Caius shouted with feigned annoyance.
- Come on Elder Caius, we're just kidding. Hehehe. - Kai replied with a laugh, -Actually, I came to you with a question. - Turning the subject, he said.
At this moment, no one was even paying attention to Iris. And she herself sat quietly and didn't even move. She seemed to want to turn to stone and become completely invisible. At least until Kai left.
'Why did he come now?! If I start talking, Master will suspect something wrong right away!' - Shouted Iris in her mind.
- With a question? What kind of question is that? - With interest, Caius asked.
- I'll tell you straight away. I just want to try...' Caius said, preparing the ground, 'Can you tell me about the Tournament that is being held to select the Top 100 Ranks? - Without hesitation, he immediately asked his question.
- Kai...' Caius suddenly changed his face and began to speak. But after thinking for a second, he changed his expression again, ''Although... You're already at a high stage...'' The old man muttered.
It seems that he, like Elder Ovian, had originally wanted to dissuade Caius from this idea. But when he realised that this guy's strength had grown quite a bit over the past half a year... The idea didn't seem so pointless anymore.
Although Caius didn't believe that Kai would be able to enter the Top 100 Rank. But even if he just advanced in the list, it would already be an outstanding deed.
- Hmm.... It seems like the Tournament will be held in about a month. The exact date will be announced a week in advance. The opening of Reincarnation Island will be in two months. - Caius began to explain, -Till then, the top 100 Personal Apprentices will be determined and everyone will have enough time to travel west. - He added calmly.
- ''I see your point... It's a good thing I got back in time. Hehe. - Laughing, Kai replied.
It turned out that his assumption had come true. As Kai had expected, the Tournament would start soon. He would be able to spend a few weeks studying the archives of the Alchemy and Array Alliances.
- Do you want to try to enter the Top 100? - Elder Dalinar asked.
- Well... It's worth a try. - Kai replied with a smile.
- You better think twice about it. - The man replied seriously.
- Is the Tournament that dangerous? - Kai asked sceptically, not understanding.
- It's not about the Tournament at all, lad. I'm talking about if you do make it into the Top 100... - Dalinar replied vaguely.
- What's the problem with that? Can you explain it to me? - Continuing to remain in incomprehension, Kai asked again.
It seemed that Elder Dalinar was hinting at something. But Kai could not understand what it was all about. Why shouldn't he be in the Top 100? Or was the problem something else?
- It was simple. As practice shows, most people in the 100-90 Rank range die. Reincarnation Island is incredibly dangerous...' Elder Dalanar replied with a frown on his face, 'If you can get there... Consider that you will almost certainly die. I realise that's not going to stop you. But don't think that you're special... Too many kids like you have already died in those places. - The man added seriously.
- I agree with Dalanar... Even if you're at Rank 90... After entering Reincarnation Island, you'll be one of the weakest! And let's be honest... You might even be killed by your own. - Looking at Kai, Caius bluntly gave out a straightforward expression.
They weren't blissful idiots, and realised how things really were. The world of martial artists is cruel! There is no room for sentimentality! As long as you are on common ground and fighting for the common good, you are allies. When everyone pursues only personal interests, everything changes instantly... At that point, you're mortal enemies!
It seemed that they wished for Kai's star to remain safe for now and shine in the future. Only the moment he could withstand most of the threats would it be time for Reincarnation Island! To lose such a talent because of the rush... That would be very foolish!