This world really was remarkably different from Marvel.
Brad studied Blue Beetle, Jaime, with bright, eager eyes. For superheroes of an ordinary caliber, simply meeting him face-to-face in the real world was generally enough to lay all their information bare before his eyes.
Yet although Jaime's information structure was not particularly complicated, one segment remained obscure and incomprehensible. In other words, Jaime had come into contact with certain special beings.
"You're a young man with great potential, Jaime."
Brad offered a deliberately vague compliment.
As for Ray Palmer's skepticism...
That was perfectly normal. Ray Palmer was a conventional human scientist, and naturally, he was rather sensitive to Brad's seemingly boastful description of himself.
"Do you have any questions, Atom?"
Brad turned to Ray, the same calm smile on his face.
"Aren't you being a little too confident? Even Superman wouldn't dare claim to be omnipotent."
"Of course, that's only a relative concept. I'm not comparing myself to God. It's just...
"...I really couldn't find a more appropriate word to describe my role on a team."
Ray Palmer shifted his neck uncomfortably. He did not want to be too aggressive, but he deeply disliked finding someone so "arrogant" within the Justice League, which he had previously admired so much.
Excessive arrogance was the personality trait Ray Palmer hated most-unless Brad could actually prove himself.
"God isn't omnipotent either. There's a classic paradox that already demonstrates that."
Brad understood. "You mean the paradox of God creating a stone too heavy for her to lift, Dr. Palmer?"
"Yes."
Ray Palmer avoided looking directly at Brad. He hoped Brad would recognize his own problem rather than let their disagreement escalate into an argument.
"Then I'm afraid you'd be better off abandoning that idea, Dr. Palmer."
"God can certainly create a stone she cannot lift."