Marcus remained silent.
The air around him was still, but his mind was anything but calm. Thoughts moved rapidly through his head, one calculation after another forming and collapsing like waves against a cliff.
This human was dangerous.
Far more dangerous than he had initially believed.
At first Marcus had assumed that the armored figure before him was merely another powerful warrior born from Earth's desperate resistance. Someone strong, yes. But still within the limits of what he understood.
Now he knew better.
Everything about this encounter had shattered those assumptions.
The calm confidence in the young man's voice.
The terrifying power he had displayed against the monster.
And most of all, the way he had spoken to Marcus himself. Not with fear. Not even with hostility.
Simply with certainty.
After several long seconds of thought, Marcus finally nodded.
"Very well."
"I accept."
His voice carried no anger. Only quiet acknowledgment.
