Well, I guess that's as much of a praise as I'll ever get from him.

"Cerenios exhibited abilities similar to mine from a young age. His parents wanted him to have the best training, and they beseeched me to take him under my wing," he continues to explain. "Of course, I initially refused since I do not like people around, nor am I good with children." At my confused expression, he clarifies, "He was only a few hundred years old at the time. Around seven years of age in your human biology.”

Oh, wow. I didn't expect him to be that young.

"I gave him a series of tests in order to accept him, and he surprised me by passing them all. Although it wasn't the most ideal situation, I could see potential in him, so I decided to take him as my apprentice and protégé."

"How long was that?"

"Our kind matures differently than yours," he notes. "He was a juvenile for hundreds of years. He reached his majority when he was three thousand years old, after which he was allowed to return home."

"You mean you spent three thousand years with him? You basically raised him!" I exclaim.

"Indeed. Which is why he is such a good warrior," he adds proudly, a smile playing at his lips. "He has displayed the highest degree of skill. Soon after he was finished with his training, he was voted to represent his family in my army, and he's been my subordinate ever since."

"I see..."

"As for those visits"—his lips curl—"they were merely official meetings with Cerenios when he was on his break at his home. My acquaintance with Erithea is merely a by-product of my association with her brother. But whereas Cerenios is cool and disciplined, Erithea is the opposite. She has quite the reputation, and it is unlikely she will secure a good mate—or any at all," Ze comments, his biting tone suggesting he disapproves of Thea. Even without telling me that, I could see that there's some undercurrent between the two of them. I wonder what exactly happened that made him dislike her so much.

Sure, she's bubbly and energetic, but she's also nice, kind, and thoughtful. I don't see why she would not be able to find a mate.

"You don't seem to like her very much."

He narrows his eyes.

"I do not like her effect on Cerenios. She rattles his focus and has become his weakness. In our line of work, one cannot have any weakness."

"Well, if there is any consolation, it seems she considers you her friend," I say with a smile, hoping I can put in a good word about her.

He rolls his eyes.

"Perhaps because she has none."

There he goes, being mean again.

"I could say the same about you," I quickly fire, raising my brow.

"I do not require friends, nor do I want them. That is the difference between us," he states unequivocally.