"I can't say the same."
Alex replied without a hint of fear. The chief was just as powerful as he imagined and knew the Supreme One would be more than what he was currently seeing.
"That's just by the way," Drakmor revealed a small smile that quickly disappeared. "Before we do anything else, can you satisfy a curiosity of mine?"
"What is it?"
Alex wasn't particularly against helping these people. His gaze quickly shifted to the human standing behind the dragon, who looked at him like he had grown two heads.
"Why am I not able to sense you?" The dragon narrowed his eyes slightly. "You're standing right in front of me, yet I can't sense you."
"..."
Alex didn't immediately reply to the question as he expected a different question entirely — something related to the human behind the dragon.
"I thought you'd already figured it out." Alex finally replied. "You did send the enforcers after me for this particular reason, no?"
"True." The dragon admitted. "We could sense your unique energy then. Now? While I know that is the reason, I can't sense it."
"I could give you the answer, but I prefer to do it once." Alex replied calmly.
"I see…"
Drakmor could accept that reply. After all, that was what the invitation was about. The dragon intended to take Alex to Universe Prime, but first…
"You're coming with us." Drakmor looked over his shoulder to Andrew. "We still need you for the test."
"Ah, yes." Andrew quickly snapped out of his thoughts and replied, bowing to his master.
"There's one more thing." Drakmor focused on Alex once more. "While the Supreme One wishes to see you, I'm not sure how long it would take for him to actually meet you."
Typical power play, but Alex didn't mind the delay. He could use the opportunity to learn about the wider multiverse and universes.
"Of course."
The dragon nodded and closed his eyes for a moment, linking himself to Universe Prime. Once connected, he opened a veil tear that linked directly to Universe Prime.
Seeing this, Alex narrowed his eyes, wondering how he did that. However, a quick analysis on his part connected the dots.
'They're connected to the Supreme One.'
"Let's go." Drakmor walked towards the veil tear, coming to a stop just beside the gateway.
Without hesitation, Andrew moved towards the tear. However, before he entered, Alex noticed something. The dragon covered the veilwalker in his energy.
"That's for his protection," Drakmor replied to the silent question. "Higher universes, especially Universe Prime, are capable of crushing anyone who isn't a native.
"You should have experienced something similar in this universe, but I can't tell if you're feeling the suppression or you're just good at hiding it."
Alex didn't reply, his focus locked on the veil tear. He was going to the main universe of the Supreme One. It could even be said to be the Supreme One's personal domain.
'Just in case of the unexpected.' Alex thought as he directed his core to synthesise and hold on to a vast quantity of his Nexis Radiant. 'Being subjected to his suppression might still be possible if I let my guard down.'
Despite his confidence in his abilities, he was still taking a significant risk. One wrong move and he could be defeated or worse. At the same time, it was the perfect opportunity to know how far his Nexis Radiant could be pushed based on his energy levels.
"I can shield you like I did for Andrew," Drakmor said, snapping Alex out of his thoughts. "Universe Prime is unlike any other universe out there."
"Thanks, but I'll be fine." Alex said, walking towards the open tear.
Just like how he noticed the robustness of this universe, the tear leading to Universe Prime was beyond what he thought.
'It might as well be moving through partially hardened concrete.' This was what Alex thought about the fundamental principles he saw on the veil tear.
With a deep intake of the surrounding energy, Alex walked into the tear with his back straight. The dragon followed as soon after, the veil tear closing behind them.
Alex expected something to occur when he entered, and that was exactly what happened. He didn't even get the opportunity to observe his surroundings when he felt his hold on his domain nearly slip out of his control.
'Shit!'
Alex cursed and swiftly diffused the condensed essence he gathered prior. His domain was reduced by about a 10th of its original radius the moment he stepped inside the universe!
His core spun faster than before, converting his reversed energies into his Nexis Radiant to keep the domain active. He tried pushing back but found it impossible — he was stuck in a stalemate.
'Interesting.' Alex mused with a frown. 'While I can maintain the size of the domain, I can't expand it inside this universe. And my energy is burning a lot faster too. But it shouldn't be a problem for a couple of years.'
He doubted he would remain in this universe for that long.
The dragon noticed this scene and was greatly shocked by what he saw. While his expression still remained stoic, he was anything but.
'Impossible!' Drakmor exclaimed inwardly. 'The Supreme One's will has never failed to make any guest fall on their knees!'
Yet, Alexander was apparently doing just fine.
Drakmor could still not feel anything around Alex, but he did sense the Supreme One's will around the boy. However, it didn't actually reach Alex.
'That's the energy.' The dragon realised immediately. 'About 4.5 km radius around him.'
The Supreme One's will was like a raging storm that threatened to flatten Alexander from all around, yet the will did not progress any further than that.
Alexander still stood with his back straight. But his expression was marred with a frown, having realized what was happening.
"Is this the suppression you spoke of?" Alex asked over his shoulder, surprising the dragon even more. "It's not bad…"
'Not bad?!' Drakmor wanted to exclaim in absolute shock. 'It's impossible, boy! Just what the hell is that energy?!'
"I can see that…" The dragon actually said, stepping forward. "So, what do you think?"
Alex was finally seeing what a higher-level universe looked like, and it was Universe Prime no less. A preliminary glance already told him this universe was completely different from what he knew.