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Zeus nodded in acknowledgment, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He could feel the eyes of the crowd on him, but what really interested him was the reactions of the other elders.

His sharp gaze didn\'t miss the faint, almost imperceptible frowns on their faces, hidden beneath forced smiles.

"They\'re not as happy as they\'re pretending to be," Zeus mused, his smirk growing. "They didn\'t expect me to rise this fast."

[Oh, look at their faces,] the system chimed in, its tone dripping with mockery. [They\'re smiling, but inside they\'re cursing your name. Bet they didn\'t see this coming.]

Zeus chuckled inwardly. "They\'re hiding it well, but it\'s obvious enough. Let\'s see how far they\'ll go to play nice."

As Darius continued his praise, Elder Aric Valen\'s lips tightened ever so slightly. His smile, though present, didn\'t reach his eyes.

Zeus caught the subtle shift, and his amusement grew. Even Elder Sylph Margrave, normally composed, had a flicker of hesitation before she resumed her calm, serene expression.

"They don\'t like this," Zeus thought, the smirk never leaving his face. "They don\'t like that I\'m not one of their carefully groomed favorites."

[Of course they don\'t,] the system interjected arrogantly. [You\'ve outpaced their precious little disciples, and now they\'re stuck with the fact that you\'re the real deal. No strings attached, no family backing. Just pure talent. Hurts, doesn\'t it?]

Zeus almost laughed out loud. "They\'ll just have to swallow that bitter pill."

Elder Thorne Arcturus, too, was watching him with barely concealed irritation. Zeus met his gaze without blinking, as if to say, "I see you, old man."

[What\'s that old fool thinking?] the system taunted. [He looks like he\'d rather face a thunderstorm than deal with you. Shame, really.]

Zeus didn\'t bother hiding his amusement. The more he saw their forced reactions, the more entertained he became. He nodded once more at Elder Darius, but his real interest was in watching the other elders squirm behind their masks of politeness.

"Let\'s see just how much they can hide their true feelings. This is getting interesting," Zeus thought, his smirk widening into a full grin.

[Ah, yes, let them seethe! They can\'t touch you now, can they?] the system laughed mockingly. [You\'ve already won, and they know it.]

Zeus couldn\'t disagree. He had already won the moment he stepped into that arena. Now, it was just a matter of watching them come to terms with it.

Elder Darius continued, "Now, as per tradition, I will ask—do any of the elders wish to take Zeus as their disciple?"

The moment the question left his lips, the unexpected happened—all the top elders, including the usually disinterested Elder Roxana, raised their hands.

A murmur spread through the crowd, shocked by the sight. Even Zeus was slightly taken aback, though he quickly masked his surprise with a confident smirk. "They really want me that badly, huh?" he mused.

Elder Aric Valen was the first to break the silence, his voice filled with authority and a touch of condescension.

"Zeus, your control over the thunder element is indeed impressive," he began, his sharp eyes scanning Zeus up and down, "but I can see your physical strength isn\'t fully developed. You lack the raw power needed to fully harness your potential."

He leaned forward, his tone turning persuasive. "Join me, and I will teach you how to strengthen your body. Under my guidance, you\'ll gain the power of a true titan, molding your physique to match the force of your elemental prowess."

Zeus raised an eyebrow, but before he could respond, Elder Sylph Margrave interrupted, her voice smooth and calm yet firm, like a gentle breeze cutting through the tension. "No, no. You\'ve got it all wrong, Aric."

She turned to Zeus, her gaze steady. "Come to me instead, Zeus. You excel in thunder, yes, but have you considered combining it with wind? Thunder and wind together could become an unstoppable force. With my expertise in wind techniques, I could help you reach a level of power you\'ve only dreamed of."

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There was a subtle challenge in her voice, her calm tone masking the fierce competition brewing between the elders.

Elder Thorne Arcturus wasn\'t going to be left behind. He interjected, his voice booming like the thunder he commanded. "Enough, Sylph."

He fixed his gaze on Zeus, his eyes gleaming with intensity. "Zeus, you already control thunder at a high level, and no one here understands thunder cultivation like I do. Under my wing, you\'ll surpass your limits. I\'ll make you stronger than any other thunder cultivator in this academy—stronger than anyone who\'s ever walked these grounds."

There was an undercurrent of pride in his voice, as though he saw Zeus\'s power as an extension of his own.

Zeus\'s smirk only widened as he watched the three of them try to outdo each other, their offers growing more desperate with each passing second. "They\'re practically fighting over me," he thought, enjoying the spectacle playing out before him. It was rare to see such high-ranking elders scrambling like this, and he was loving every second of it.

Before he could revel in it further, Elder Darius, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up, his voice calm but shrewd. "And what about me, Zeus?"

The other elders glanced at him, surprised he was even getting involved. Darius\'s eyes gleamed with sharp intelligence as he continued, "Unlike my esteemed colleagues, I do not specialize in elemental techniques or physique cultivation. My expertise lies elsewhere."

He paused for effect, then added, "I am a master of potion-making and equipment crafting. And from what I\'ve observed, your equipment is... well, let\'s just say it\'s not living up to your potential."

Zeus raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the sudden shift in tone.

Darius continued, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "You may have raw strength, Zeus, but the right gear can make the difference between a strong warrior and an invincible one. Join me, and you will have access to the best equipment and potions—crafted to enhance your abilities far beyond what you could achieve on your own."